New Book Pays Tribute to Hamilton’s Industrial Heritage

Images of America: Hamilton’s Industrial Heritage,  a new book by local historian Richard N. Piland,  pays tribute to Hamilton’s industrial history.

Since its founding in 1791, Hamilton has been an important center of activity in the region. After Ohio became a state in 1803, the city became an agricultural hub and county seat. The town’s location on the Great Miami River attracted a variety of millers who powered their businesses with the river’s current and by the late 1830s, dozens of mills dotted the landscape.

Things picked up in 1845, when the Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company diverted the river’s flow through town and developed a system that supplied cheap water power to area mills. The hydraulic generated enough horsepower to attract mills that produced paper, flour, cotton, wool, and machine shops. Other early businesses included sawmills that cut lumber for constructing homes and businesses, planning mills that made flooring and weather boards, cotton mills that made yarn and fabrics, grinding mills that broke stone, and foundries that melted iron for castings.

By the 1860s, Hamilton was a leading producer of farm implements such as reapers, hay rakes, harvesters, and plows. The advent of steam engines brought a shift in production, and the population of skilled artisans and workingmen in the community brought new factories to the city. By 1900, Hamilton was “the greatest manufacturing city of its size in the world” and produced a staggering variety and diversity of products for the world’s markets.

Hamilton’s factories became the preeminent leaders in their business segments and the standard by which their competitors were judged. In the 1940s, Hamilton was home to several of the world’s largest industries. The Champion Paper Company was the world’s largest coated paper mill. More than half of the world’s safes and vaults were made by the Mosler and Herring-Hall-Marvin safe companies, giving the city its reputation as the “Safe Capital of the World.” Niles Tool Works was one of the largest machine tool manufacturers, Hooven-Owens-Rentschler was one of the largest Corliss engine builders, and Estate Stove was one of the largest stove makers in the world.

Images of America: Hamilton’s Industrial Heritage, Piland’s fourth book for Arcadia Publishing, is scheduled to be released May 4, includes more than 200 vintage photographs and highlights many of the companies that manufactured paper, safes and vaults, engines and vehicles, machine tools, foundries and many other products.

Piland will have a book signing from noon to 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 9, at the Butler County Historical Society, 327 North 2nd Street, Hamilton, 45011.

He is a 35-year resident of the Hamilton area and former college professor and owner of a local community survey research firm.

Volunteer Opportunities for May

The Community Volunteer Force is spreading the word about volunteer opportunities for the month of May.

Check for updates at: Facebook.com/communityvoulunteerforce

If you have questions or are looking for a specific volunteer opening contact Dan Schlosser at volunteerfinder@yahoo.com

YWCA Hamilton: 

In search of volunteers for our beautification effort which includes outdoor and indoor projects.  Most are one day and include: Flower bed maintenance/ trimming shrubs/grounds cleanup/mulching; Touch up painting around building interior; Furniture removal; Hanging pictures.

We also have a project that will take a longer commitment which involves our historical documents.  We are seeking help in categorizing photos, certificates, news articles, etc.  This project can be done by a group or individuals.

CONTACT: Reva Evans at 856-9800 for scheduling.

Sojourner Recovery Services

The Sojourner 5K Race for Recovery is looking for volunteers to help with this year’s event on Saturday, September 19 at 1430 University Boulevard, Hamilton.

Volunteers are asked to plan on being at the event from 6:00am to noon, with responsibilities ranging from participating on the 5K Run/Walk committee prior to the event, setting up/tearing down the day of the event, directing traffic along the course to handing out water to runners.

CONTACT: Christine Birhanzl, Development Director, 513.896.3450 or cbirhanzl@sojournerrecovery.org.

Hamilton Living Water Ministry

Make a difference while gaining experience.  Become an AmeriCorps VISTA member.   Now accepting applications for summer associates at Hamilton Living Water Ministry to serve from June 1 – Aug. 9.

CONTACT:  For more information 513-594-9892 or livingwater@fuse.net, www.americorps.gov.

American Red Cross (Butler County area)                

Volunteers needed to help Red Cross respond to fires in the Butler County Area.  These volunteers will respond when someone is home at a fire. There is training involved and a great sense of satisfaction knowing that you are helping someone when they are in need.

CONTACT:  Register at redcross.org/OH/Cincinnati or Tammy Simendinger, Regional Volunteer Director, 513-579-3031  Tammy.Simendinger@redcross.org.

Shared Harvest Food Bank                                             

National Letter Carrier’s Food Drive:  This event takes place on Saturday, May 9th.  During this event letter carriers pick up food donations from people’s mail boxes and bring it to their post office.

At the post office volunteers will transfer the donations from the letter carrier’s truck to an awaiting Shared Harvest Truck.  We are looking for volunteers to man each of the various post offices.   (They will be at the post office not at SH warehouse.)

We need four (4) or so individuals to commit to meeting at the local post offices for a set period of time and assist with the transfer of donations to SH trucks. The post offices involved are: HAMILTON, ROSSVILLE, FAIRFIELD, MIDDLETOWN, MONROE and TRENTON.

Also we need help to:  repack donations; packing CSFP senior boxes; sort and pack Retail Rescue. And last but not least, we always need help with the BackPack program.

CONTACT:   Ben Powers  ben@sharedharvest.org.   513-874-0114.

MetroParks of Butler County

Garlic Mustard Pull(s)May 2, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. William F. & Cora Dudley Woods Park, 5591 Hankins Rd. Liberty Twp. Protect native wildflowers at your Metroparks by removing invasive garlic mustard. Many hands needed.

Big Week of Birding in Butler CountyMay 6 through 9. Times and locations vary, please go to MetroParks website for details.  MetroParks has hidden jewels for birding. Help with registration and identification of local species. 1-2 volunteers needed.

Stepping Forward: Service DaysMay 13th 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Voice of America MetroPark.  Help spruce up the parks for Spring! Volunteers are needed for landscape cleanup, painting, gardening, and general cleaning. Many volunteers needed.

Stepping Forward: Service DaysJune 6th   9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Governor Bebb MetroPark. Help spruce up the parks for Spring! Volunteers are needed for landscape cleanup, painting, gardening, and general cleaning. Many volunteers needed.

Stepping Forward: Service DaysAugust 29th  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Sebald MetroPark. Help spruce up the parks for Spring! Volunteers are needed for landscape cleanup, painting, gardening, and general cleaning. Many volunteers needed.

Frog JogMay 16th All Day Event. Rentschler Forest MetroPark (5701 Reigart Rd. Fairfield Twp.) Join Metroparks and the YMCA for the Frog Jog 5K. Volunteers are needed for children’s activities and a Metroparks informational table. 3 volunteers needed.

Information Table(s)May 16th through July 26th. Times and locations vary, please go to MetroParks website for details. Help park visitors stay informed by distributing literature at a variety of events.  1-2 volunteers needed.

Hump Day ConcertsMay 27th through July 27th, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Voice of America MetroPark (7850 VOA Park Dr. West Chester). It’s Hump Day! Celebrate every Wednesday throughout the summer with an evening concert at the beautiful VOA lake. Volunteers will share MetroParks information and assist with concessions. 1-2 volunteers needed.

Day CampsJune 12th, 19th, 26th, & July 10th  9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Rentschler Forest MetroPark (5701 Reigart Rd. Fairfield Twp.) Get the kids outside this summer at MetroParks day camps. Volunteers can assist with a variety of children’s activities.  4-6 helpers needed.

MetroParks Mojo Running TriathlonJune 21st 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Voice of America MetroPark (7850 VOA Park Dr. West Chester). Support MetroParks and the Triathletes by volunteering to help with registration, food setup, and teardown.  Many volunteers needed.

Crazy Cardboard RegattaJuly 18th 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Voice of America MetroPark (7850 VOA Park Dr. West Chester). Ahoy! Volunteer to help with hospitality, timing, boat inspections, registration, children’s activities and info tables, scoreboard and boat launching. Many helpers needed.

Mud ManiaAugust 7-8th  11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Rentschler Forest MetroPark (5701 Reigart Rd. Fairfield Twp.) Jump into the fun at Mud Mania by volunteering to help with info tables, registration, and the mud obstacle course. Many volunteers needed.

Friends of Chrisholm: Fun on the FarmAugust 15th, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Chrisholm MetroPark. (2070 Woodsdale Rd. Trenton). Enjoy a day at the historic Chrisholm farmstead. Volunteer to help with hayrides, games and crafts, tending gardens caring for the animals. Many volunteers needed.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:  Welcome Center: Volunteers needed at Voice of America and Forest Run MetroParks. Scheduling is flexible; Nest Box Monitoring:  Monitors are needed all spring and summer across multiple park locations.

CONTACT:    To volunteer or for more information please contact info@yourmetroparks.net or call 518.867.5835

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Butler County

MENTORS NEEDED! Volunteering just a few hours a month with a young person can start something amazing. Our kids say their Big Brothers/Sisters have helped give them hope and changed their view of what they thought was possible for their future.

CONTACT:   For more information, call us at 513-867-1227 or visit www.bbbsbutler.org

Senior Independence Hospice  

Spring into action and volunteer with Senior Independence Hospice!  Hospice is a special kind of caring that is person and family centered and seeks to provide support and comfort to those facing a life limiting illness. Senior Volunteers support our patients and their families in a variety of ways: companionship, spiritual support, bereavement support, music/art therapy, pet therapy, photography/videography, life review, share interests/talents, vigil volunteer, respite visits, office volunteers, etc.  Flexible schedules.  Age 16 and up.

CONTACT:    Kate Moore, Volunteer Coordinator at KAMoore@seniorindependence.org  or 513-509-2748.

Butler Soil and Water Conservation District

Protect our water with your friends and family. Help to label storm drains in your neighborhood to let others know that anything that goes down the drain goes straight to the creek affecting the health of wildlife and humans.  It’s easy to do; pick your time, pick your place and the Conservation District will provide the supplies. Open to all ages, from one person to large groups.  

CONTACT: Beth Downs at downsea@butlercountyohio.org or 513-887-3720. Find out more about this and other volunteer opportunities at www.ButlerSWCD.org

Board of Developmental Disabilities                                                              

I-Connect Volunteers needed for a “Community Connections” Initiative to become “social guides” and “social companions” to help individuals with disabilities become more active in community, meet new people, join groups and associations and/or develop friendships. Volunteers will be paired with a person with a disability and be trained on strategies of community connecting that tap into the strengths and interests of the person and the community where they live.

Golden “Furniture” RetrieversVolunteers needed who are interested in picking up and delivering donated furniture and household items to individuals with disabilities in need.   Please consider donating items to Goodwill and give the Butler County DD donation ticket at  drop off.   When you do this vouchers are given to individuals with disabilities and their families who are in need to buy items in the Goodwill store.

Parent’s Night OutThe “Pause for Parents, Play for Kids” program gives parents and caregivers of children with special needs a break.  Caring for a child with a disability comes with a great amount of stress. Parents often try to deal with the challenges and stress alone and they slowly get worn down, like a battery losing its charge. To help meet the need for a break, a variety of “PAUSE” events will be set up throughout Butler County.  Parents will register their children ahead of time and will drop off their kids at the event. The events will be fun for the kids and each child will be paired with a volunteer “buddy.” Currently, we have Pause events twice a month- second Thursday of the month from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM and the third Friday of the month from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  We need volunteers as well as gift cards to bless parents, craft supplies and dinner donations to feed the kids and volunteers.  We work with a local non-profit who can accept donations that are tax deductible.

The Caring Craftsmen (and women)David Glock, Jr. a student at Miami University Middletown has launched a new initiative called “The Caring Craftsmen” who support individuals with disabilities and their families by volunteering to do much needed home repairs or projects they could otherwise not afford or complete on their own.  A little bit of help goes a long way.  We are looking for individuals and companies that are willing to donate time, money, and/ or materials for these projects.  Discounts on materials are also helpful for our cause.

CONTACT:  Scott Osterfeld at sdosterfeld@butlerdd.org or 513-785-2813 to sign up or get more information.

Butler County Visitors Bureau

The Bureau is looking for friendly volunteers with a passion for tourism to volunteer on a part-time, as needed basis, during spring and summer months.  Volunteers will assist at many popular sporting and community events throughout Butler County.  Most occur on weekends.

Tourism Ambassador responsibilities include assisting with distribution of brochures and materials at the Bureau’s information booth as well as interacting with visitors and residents by answering questions they may have about Butler County.  In addition, help is needed at the BCVB office with mailings, etc.  Ideal volunteers will have great interpersonal communication skills, good knowledge of Butler County and a willingness to help a diverse population of people.  Ambassadors must provide their own transportation to events.

CONTACT:   Sandy Walther at swalther@GetToTheBC.com, call 513-860-4194, or visit www.GetToTheBC.com/about-us/volunteer/

American Cancer Society Relay For Life

 Volunteer opportunities on Planning Committee and Day of the event:  June 13 at Hamilton High School from noon to midnight.  

Info Meetings held the second Tuesday of each month at Hamilton High School Community Room  This is a community event where everyone participates in the fight against cancer. Participants take turns walking on a track – it is not a race, so participants may casually walk at whatever pace they like. During the event teams sell baked goods, hold raffles, play games and there is music, dancing and entertainment for all ages. Below are some specific volunteer openings we have for this event.

Day of Relay Volunteer: Help set up before the event or clean up afterward. We also need help with registration at our check-in tent, serving meals to survivors and more.

CONTACT:  Elaine Levin at Elaine.levin@cancer.org or 888-227-6446 x4206 relayforlife.org/hamilton.

Caring Partners International

We have scheduled 3 dates in May as special opportunities for Medical Providers:

  • Saturday, May 2nd – 10:00AM-12:00PM
  • Tuesday, May 19th – 10:00AM-12:30PM
  • Thursday, May 28th – 6:30 to 8:30PM

If you are not able to volunteer for the entire time, please feel free to come for as long as you can!

CONTACT:  If you can participate on any/all of these days   call Jim at CPI 937-743-2744    j.kuhn@caringpartners.org

Women Helping Women

Volunteers & Interns Needed:  Looking for a meaningful service opportunity?  Want to help people in crisis?  Have an interest in Psychology, Social Work or Criminal Justice?  Need flexibility?  

The Butler County Rape Crisis Program seeks responsible, mature women and men to become Volunteer Victim Advocates with our award-winning program.  What we offer our volunteers:

Comprehensive training using U.S. Dept. of Justice Curriculum; Meaningful interactions with sexual assault survivors in 6 area hospitals, on the phone and in court; Flexible scheduling for on-call hours; Continuing education and additional service opportunities; Internships for Psychology, Social Work, Family Studies, Criminal Justice, and Social Justice

CONTACT:  Donna Holbert, Volunteer Coordinator at (513) 523-1005 or staff.WHW@gmail.com.

Supports To Encourage Low Income Families                     

JOBS NOW! is an employment program that includes a 3-week workshop taught by community business professionals at VORA Tech, Ascendum and AIMS to increase employment skills and opportunities. There are volunteer opportunities for business professionals to help with resume writing, employment goals, job coaching and interview skills. Contact Sheree Hampton if interested at shampton@selfhelps.org.

Home Repair Volunteers Needed: SELF is recruiting additional local volunteers to help with home repairs. We have crews that work on Butler County homes each Tuesday from 9am-3pm.  Contact John Post at 513-820-5024 or jpost@selfhelps.org. Please make an appointment if you need a day other than Tuesday.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum                                       

With more than 60 pieces of outdoor sculpture set in over 200 acres of meadows and forests near Hamilton, Pyramid Hill combines lure of nature with dynamic, monumental art.  Park also features indoor Ancient Sculpture Museum.

Volunteers needed for special events like Art Fair, programs like the Summer Series for Kids and hosts in the Ancient Sculpture Museum. Other skills you have in computers and writing are a benefit in the office. Gardening and landscaping are a great way to enjoy being outdoors in a beautiful setting. Share your talents/skills.

CONTACT:   pyramid@pyramidhill.org  513-868-8336.

Animal Friends Humane Society                                

Animal lovers needed for walks and cuddles!  The Animal Friends Humane Society is looking for caring individuals 16yrs+ who would like to spend a few hours a week playing with and caring for our shelter animals.  There is no set schedule required and volunteers can come anytime during open shelter hours, (M,T,F,Sa,Su 11 am to 4:30 pm & W, Th 1 pm-7 pm)

CONTACT:  volunteer connection   513-867-5727 (main).  All volunteers must attend orientation before they can begin.   Visit our website to find orientation dates.   www.animalfriendshs.org

LifeSpan

Are you analytical and detail­oriented? Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity in a fun and fast­moving agency?  If you answered yes, you have found your match. LifeSpan’s Elderly Services Program is looking for the perfect volunteer to help us with client filing.  You can set your own schedule as you like while helping us catch up on very important work – client files. If you are able to pick up on details and are able to catch mistakes on paperwork, are fast yet efficient and want to work in a fun group, then give us a call.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

CONTACT:  Teka Reinhold, Volunteer Coordinator, 513-785-4186 or reinholdt@lifespanohio.org.

Booker T. Washington Community Center

Opportunities to engage with youth in several areas.  Specifically, we use volunteers for homework help, art helpers, gym game helpers, board/card game helpers.  We can also use monitors in locker rooms and on the pool deck.  Hours are 3:00 – 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.  Volunteers must be at least high school age.

CONTACT:  Tanya Lowry, Center Director  GREAT MIAMI VALLEY YMCA  (P) 513 785 2451 ext 12 (C) 513 608 8928.   (E) tlowry@gmvymca.org (W) www.gmvymca.org  (O) Facebook: Booker T. Washington Community Center | Twitter: GMVYMCA | Instagram: Great Miami Valley YMCA | Pinterest: GMVYMCA.

PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA

Make a difference?  YOU can do this by VOLUNTEERING !!

Research shows these benefits happen by donating your time and services to others.   You can find volunteer opportunities everywhere!

Want to speak up for an abused child?   For details about becoming a volunteer at PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) go to www.parachutecasa.org or 513 867-5010.

A CASA volunteer training class will start on May 7th so we are doing recruitment now and taking applications from people interested in becoming a voice for an abused child. The rewards are immense!   Please act today – a child (and your future) is waiting!

Cedar Village Retirement Community

We are currently seeking volunteers for Cedar Village Hospice program. Volunteers are a vital and valued part of our Hospice Team. Volunteers are needed to visit with residents, engage them in conversation, share special talents or skills and offer comfort and emotional support to the patients and their families.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Commit to a minimum of 2 – 4 hours per week of service. Volunteers will participate in a volunteer orientation program specifically designed for Hospice Volunteers.

If you have recently experienced a loss of a loved one we ask that you wait 12 months before applying to be a Hospice Volunteer.

CONTACT: For further information please contact Diane Slovin (dslovin@cedarvillage.org) or 513-336-3162.

 

 

Miami Hamilton Celebrates Cinco de Mayo

Miami Hamilton’s Association of Latino and American Students (ALAS) is sponsoring a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Tuesday, May 5 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. in Mosler Hall – Rentschler Hall amphitheater. The rain location is in Schwarm Hall.

The celebration will include a musical performance by Continente and traditional Mexican food. Continente is a very stylish band playing music from the Americas. Their current set list includes classics, pop hits, and jazz with a Latin flair.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1892.  It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population.  It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which actually is on September 16.

Event partners include MAC (Multicultural Action Committee), Student Government Association, the Office of Diversity & Multicultural Services, Campus Activities Committee and the Office of Student Affairs.

This event is free and open to the public.  An RSVP is encouraged. To RSVP or for more information, call Pat Camacho at 513.785.3071. Miami University Hamilton is located at 1601 University Blvd.

Conversations on Hamilton with Jim Blount at the Lane Library

Join local historian Jim Blount on Tuesday, May 12, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Hamilton Lane Library for a conversation about World War II’s Impact on Hamilton: A 70-Year Perspective.

No registration required. For details, call 894-7158. The Hamilton Lane Library is located at 300 N. Third St.

For more information about this and other programs at the Lane Libraries, please call 894-6557 or visit the Lane website at www.lanepl.org.

ArtReach presents The Wind in the Willows at the Fitton Center

Join us on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. as ArtReach: A Division of the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati presents The Wind in the Willows.  This event is part of the Fitton Family Fridays series.

Based on the 1908 children’s tale by Kenneth Grahame, the peaceful lives of Mole and Rat are interrupted when Toad finds a new, exciting invention—a motorcar! When the fate of Toad Hall hangs in the balance, the friends enlist the help of the reclusive Badger, who lives deep in the Wild Wood. A classic story of friendship, keeping up with the times, and conquering one’s fears, this new musical adaptation will take you on an adventure by the river that you’ll never forget.

Fitton Family Fridays feature entertainment geared to kids of all ages, from preschoolers to teenagers – including parents and grandparents who are still kids at heart. Kid-friendly drinks and an assortment of light appetizers will be served before the show and are included in the ticket price. This series is sponsored by Vaden Fitton. The reception is sponsored by G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers, Inc.

Adult tickets are $10 for members and $12 for non-members. Children (16 and under) are FREE! *Limit 4 children per paying adult. Otherwise, the price for children is $5 for members and $6 for non-members. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Rotary Vista Room and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.

To order your tickets, call 513-863-8873 ext.110 or visit www.fittoncenter.org.

Five Miami Regional Students Receive President’s Distinguished Service Award‏

Five Miami Regional students were the recipients of the Miami University President’s Distinguished Service Award, presented in Oxford on April 19. Kofi Ansah, Alex McSwain, and Nicole Reckner from Miami Hamilton, and Sabrina Cox and Molly Little from Miami Middletown, all received the prestigious award, given to those students whose service to the university has been extraordinary. Only 15 seniors from all of Miami’s campuses received this award.

  Kofi Ansah, a zoology major from Fairfield, received his Bachelor of Science in December of 2014. His service includes serving as Co-Director of Project Civility, as a senator in the Student Government Association (SGA), and Supports to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF). Ansah has also received the Second Year Achievement Award on the Oxford campus, and the Achievement and Influence Award on the Hamilton Campus.

  Sabrina Cox, an integrative studies major from Monroe, is heavily involved with campus life. Her service includes being a founder of Students Advocating for Animal Rights Intelligently (SAFARI), a member of Campus Activities Board (CAB), the former Treasurer and Vice President of Miami Middletown Student Government (MMSG), and as the Middletown student representative for both the Task Force and Process Committee on Differentiation of the regional campuses. Her campus employment includes the Office of Student Activities, where she has helped coordinate Project Prom, and the campus’ Veterans Day Ceremony. She has been an Orientation Leader and a Coordinator for Student Orientation Advising and Registration (S.O.A.R.), a Campus Ambassador for Admission, and an Undergraduate Associate for Dr. Brian Domino’s Medical Ethics course.  Cox received a Second Year Achievement Award from Oxford in 2011, the 2014 W. Lynn Darbyshire Award, the highest student award given at Middletown, and the Women’s Leadership Award in Oxford. She is only the second undergraduate from the Regionals to receive this award.

  Molly Little, a sociology major in the honor’s program from Hamilton, has been involved in many facets of campus life. Her service includes being the President of Miami Colors, A Gay Straight Alliance; former Miami Middletown Student Government (MMSG) President; former Miami Middletown student representative for University Senate; Students Engaging in Real Volunteer Efforts (SERVE), and the Diversity Committee. Little’s campus employment includes: a Student Coordinator of Student Orientation Advising & Registration (SOAR), Writing Tutor in The Learning Center, Coordinator of America Reads & Counts for the Office of Community Engagement and Service and Student Aide for the Sociology Department in Oxford. She received the 2013 W. Lynn Darbyshire Award, the Service & Leadership Award in 2012 and 2013, a Second Year Achievement Award from Oxford in 2012, and the MUM Achievement and Influence Award in 2012.

  Alex McSwain, an integrative studies major from Fairfield. His involvement in campus life includes being an orientation coordinator and previously an orientation leader, Treasurer of the Campus Activities Committee, previous Vice President of the Campus Activities Committee, previous Treasurer of Prism, and a Senator for the Student Government Association. He has participated in the Miami Hamilton United Day of Service, Support to Encourage Low-Income Families (SELF), and Stay-Cation. McSwain earned the Outstanding Orientation Leader Award from Miami Hamilton in August of 2013, and the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America in June of 2009.

  Nicole Reckner, a health promotion major from Cincinnati, is deeply involved with campus life. Her activities include being the founder of Peer Advocates for Total Health (P.A.T.H), an associate of the Student Government Association, Co-Director of Project Civility, a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), a Hamilton campus orientation leader, and a past member of the ‘I Am Miami’ Student-Committee. P.A.T.H has sponsored 27 programs on campus including, Tobacco Awareness and Education Event,  Eating Right on a College Student’s Budget,  Smoothie Day, Eat a Healthy Breakfast – Oatmeal Bar, and the annual Healthy Bake Sale.

Photo Caption: 

(From left) Alex McSwain, Nicole Reckner, Kofi Ansah, Sabrina Cox and Molly Little were awarded the President’s Distinguished Service Award by Miami University President David Hodge.

Non-Partisan Voter Registration Drive on Saturday

The Butler County Democratic Party is conducting a non-partisan voter registration drive in Hamilton on Saturday, April 25.

“We welcome anyone wishing to help register citizens to vote or anyone needing to register,” said Paul Gomia, BCDP Northeast regional chair.

“This voter registration drive is completely non-partisan.  We’re helping any qualified person to register to vote no matter what their party affiliation,” said Neil Moore, Central regional chair.

The Central Region of the Butler County Democratic Party is registering voters from noon until 2:30 p.m.

The Central Region will meet at BCDP headquarters, 224 Park Avenue, Hamilton at noon and then provide voter registration at the Lane Library in Hamilton at 300 North 3rd St. and at the Fairfield Lane Public Library, 1485 Corydale Drive.

They are also canvassing neighborhoods.

For more information, contact the Butler County Democratic Party at 513-896-5201.

Reds Vs. Indians on Hamilton Night at the Reds’ Game

Hamilton Reds Night is on July 17th and the Cincinnati Reds are playing the Cleveland Indians. The game is at 7:10 pm. Our Honor Guard will be on the field at the beginning of the game and we are working on an Honor Chorus from one of our Hamilton Schools to sing the National Anthem.

Tickets are available at the Welcome Center (1 High Street, Hamilton Ohio, 45011). The seats are directly across from the Fireworks. Tickets range in price from $15 to $30.

Two buses will be leaving from behind the Government Services building (345 High Street, Hamilton Ohio, 45011) at approximately 5 pm.  The cost of a bus seat is $12.

Please let Karen Wittmer (513-844-8050) know if you want Reds tickets and/or a bus ticket.