Disc News

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – While organizers and tourism officials believe a major expansion of LeFleur’s Bluff — fueled by $13.2 million from lawmakers — will only expand their outreach and education efforts for Mississippi’s children, state and federal elected leaders want the public to know they’re also fans of the sport.

State Sen. John Horhn said the money for the course, which lawmakers approved last week, came from capital expense funds.

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith told dozens at Tuesday’s groundbreaking that the new golf park, which will feature the state’s only Robert Trent Jones golf course, gives her brownie points with her colleagues in Washington.

“This gives me bragging rights in the cloakroom of the U.S. Senate, because, you know, we got a lot of golfers there,” Hyde-Smith told the crowd. “This gives me a lot of bragging rights there.”

House Speaker Philip Gunn spoke highly of the ten-hole course as well, referencing the sport and his Senate counterpart’s abilities on the green.

“I’m an avid golfer, and I will tell you the lieutenant governor is an avid golfer, too. He’s a really good golfer,” Gunn said through sunglasses on a windy morning outside the Mississippi Children’s Museum. “Don’t let him fool you. I noticed that subtle suggestion that [Delbert Hosemann] made that you get to be the first one to hit the first tee shot. Hopefully, I’ll get to stand there with you.”

Plans released by the Mississippi Children’s Museum show several new additions to LeFleur’s Bluff, including areas devoted to disc golf, 3D archery, pickleball, and even botanical gardens.

This would be the second phase of a master plan that took five years to draft, officials said.

In December 2021, the first phase involved the opening of a large playground that sixty-thousand people have already visited, according to a press release from the children’s museum.

Robert Trent Jones II told reporters he envisions the entire facility as something the community will embrace because of the activities available there.

“It’s not just about golf, but we want the First Tee, we want to put a club in a young boy’s and girl’s hands and have them swing it. Once they hit a golf ball, it’ll go on for life. They’ll be back,” Jones said. “Our family has built golf courses in every state except two. Mississippi is one. South Dakota, I may never get it done there. But we’re gonna get Mississippi done.”

Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said the expansion efforts will also connect several parts of the Capital City.

“We’re connecting downtown, Fondren, this area of the baseball fields, Children’s Museum, all of the things that we offer here as a cultural attachment,” Hosemann said. “Taxpayer funds were put out so that we’d have this kind of a first-class, world-class resort here.”

Part of that connectivity will come from a pedestrian bridge that will be constructed over Lakeland Drive, linking the Agriculture Museum to the Children’s Museum, made possible by a million dollars in transportation funding Hyde-Smith said she helped secure.

The overall goal, according to organizers with the event, is to inspire Mississippi’s future leaders to explore and imagine what they can be.

“Not only are our children learning a new sport and skill, but they are also gaining tools that will aid them in being more confident and successful in school and ultimately in life,” said Monique Ealey, director of the educational team at the Children’s Museum. “When most think about the image of golf, the image of inner-city or underserved children on a course don’t really come to mind. But on Friday afternoons, if you visit the Mississippi Children’s Museum between 3:30 and 5:00 pm, that is exactly what you will see. “

Hosemann said lawmakers appropriated almost $38 million to fix up parks all over the state.

“You’ll see a huge investment in our parks and our public spaces in Mississippi, and that was something that we promised when people hired me to do this job. And now you’re seeing the fruition of it,” Hosemann said. “You get a golf club in [a young person’s] hand, they hit that little white ball the first time, and they become part of this. They’re outdoors. They’re getting exercise. They’re playing with people, they’re doing community things. It’s all good. That’s where we need to be.”

The Otter Creek Golf Park is slated to open in the fall of 2023.

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Woodland Community Academy’s school year didn’t start off as planned. 

The school spent the first three weeks sending middle school students on field trips rather than in the classroom because the school’s new middle school building wasn’t complete. 

“We just took the kids everywhere,” said Jennifer Passmore, the director of Woodland Community Academy. “We’ve had to be flexible this year. Starting out not in our building made things a huge challenge, but as we’ve started, we’ve seen this isn’t working or this does work.” 

Now the middle school students and staff are in a groove in the new 13,500-square-foot building that houses the middle school. 

Woodland Community Academy serves infants through seventh grade with a plan to expand to eighth grade next school year. 

“It’s awesome,” Passmore said. “It was well worth the wait. The classrooms are designed specifically for the needs of middle school kids. It makes a huge difference for them.”

Woodland Community Church planned to break ground in spring 2020, but the pandemic hit causing the groundbreaking to be postponed. The church was able to break ground on the $4.6 million expansion in September 2020. 

“It was a long process because we had all the civil work we had to do first before we started the actual construction of the building,” said Dewayne McFarlin, the executive pastor at Woodland Community Church.

Passmore and McFarlin said there are no plans to add a high school to the campus.

Passmore said the classrooms are rectangular in shape rather than square because “that pulls the teacher closer to the students.”

The classrooms feature tables at different heights that allow all students to be able to see the teacher at the front of the classroom without being blocked by other students. 

“Attention is in the eyes,” Passmore said. “Wherever your eyes are, that’s where you focus and attention is.”

The tables also allow for students to work collaboratively. The tables are on wheels so they can be easily moved into groups.

Passmore said Woodland Community Academy’s approach to middle school differs from other schools in the area. 

“We have a strong public education in Manatee County but even with the best schools, middle school is tough and one of the things we wanted to do was approach it much differently,” Passmore said. 

Besides academics, a priority for the middle school is to address students’ social and spiritual needs. 

“It’s the question that middle school kids are asking, ‘Who am I?’” Passmore said. “Being able to start from the ground up a school that would go after those needs, it’s going to be interesting to see how it affects the students academically. We’ve already seen a lot of academic progress. Kids work hard. We have few discipline issues. We feel like a lot of that is related to the spiritual and social need and making sure those things are met.”

To address those needs, Passmore said the middle school provides 30 minutes per day to have advisory meetings in which students learn about emotional intelligence, their spiritual being and aspects of social learning. 

The school also provides a 20-minute break in the middle of the morning to give students an opportunity to socialize. 

Besides the middle school building, the church also built a park behind the middle school as well as a small park at the front of the school. The park behind the middle school, which is open to the public, has a disc golf course, exercise equipment, a walking trail and more. 

The church also is expanding the Woodland Fine Arts Academy, which is a ministry that provides dance, music and other fine arts lessons.

New classes that will be included in the Woodland Fine Arts Academy are digital art, photography, film, editing, sound and lighting and edible art. Edible arts is baking cookies, cake decorating and other aspects of baking and cooking.

“They’re more technology based art forms,” Passmore said. “We’re finding kids have a lot more interest in that. Over the pandemic, students were spending more time with their computer. They have developed more of an interest in those digital art forms. We will have students that go in and create images completely on the computer and then use electronic music to enhance those features.”

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Brandon DaGrosa’s love for disc golf all started at Hickory Run State Park. In June 2020, he was hiking with a friend when they spotted the disc golf baskets by the beach. They dug a Frisbee out of DaGrosa’s trunk and played a round. They didn’t have expensive gear or fancy techniques, but what they did have was a lot of fun.

DaGrosa’s passion for the sport has come a long way since then, and so have his skills. In October 2021—a little over a year since his first game—he earned an invite to the National Amateur Disc Golf Tour Championship in Austin, Texas. He placed fifth in his division out of 193 players from across the nation.

DaGrosa is currently a junior at the University of Scranton and the founder of Penn Disc Golf, a blog where he shares course reviews, helpful tips and more. With several courses and leagues right here NEPA, it’s easy to get outside and try disc golf for yourself.

Grab Your Gear

An inexpensive starter set is perfect for beginners.

To get started, all you need is a disc. A disc is different from a Frisbee—it tends to be heavier and flatter in shape. There are so many different discs out there, but don’t be daunted! A starter set can provide you with all the basics you’ll need, often for around $20.

Just like there are different types of golf clubs, there are also different kinds of discs. A starter set may include a driver (which is designed for speed and distance), a putter (which is slower and more accurate) and a mid-range (which provides a balance of control and distance). A mid-range disc is very versatile, which makes it a good choice for beginners.

As for clothing, a pair of sneakers and athletic apparel will work perfectly. You’ll be spending time outside, so dress comfortably for the weather.

Disc Golf Basics

Learning to play is fun and simple.

Once you have your disc, you’re ready to play a round. Think of disc golf like regular golf, but instead of hitting a ball toward a hole, you’re throwing a disc into a metal basket.

You’ll start on the tee pad and throw your disc. There are different throwing techniques, but the backhand is the most common. The motion is just like throwing a Frisbee.

“Wherever your disc lands, that’s called your ‘lie.’ You have to stand behind your lie any time you continue to throw it,” explained DaGrosa. “You’re making forward motion toward the basket in as little strokes as you can.”

When the disc lands inside the basket, you’ve completed the hole. Courses typically have 18 holes, although some may have 9.

Join the Local Disc Golf Community

Get involved with local courses and leagues.

NEPA is home to over a dozen disc golf courses. Many are located at our scenic parks and are free to use.

One of DaGrosa’s favorite NEPA courses is at Prompton State Park.

“The course is so diverse. There’s a lot of different holes,” he said. “There’s open holes, and there’s wooded holes. You’re going uphill. You’re going downhill. There’s the whole lake behind the one hole. You’re shooting downhill at this basket, and the lake’s right behind it.”

Some courses have their own leagues, which meet regularly to play. Many of the leagues have Facebook groups where you can keep up with the latest announcements. DaGrosa also recommended a Facebook group called NEPA Disc Golf Forum, which posts about courses all throughout the region.

Learn More & Sharpen Your Skills

Helpful resources and plenty of practice can take your game to the next level.

The best way to learn is to simply get out there and try it. But as you progress in the game, you’ll probably want to learn more tips and techniques. Penn Disc Golf has lots of great local resources and a whole section for beginners. You can also check out the Professional Disc Golf Association for the official rules, course directories and more.

“People just have to be patient with the sport, learn the techniques, play and continue to grow in it,” recommended DaGrosa.

Also, make sure to brush up on the basic etiquette before you head out. You always want to respect the environment and other park users.

Disc golf is a great sport, whether you’re looking to stay active, spend more time outside, or simply find a fun new hobby. Gather some friends and family and find your local course!

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The Manchester City Council held a public hearing Monday night on a proposed amendment to the Manchester Urban Renewal Area.

The amendment involves an agreement with local developer Joe Hildebrand – he’s building his final set of condos (two duplexes) at Bailey Drive Estates. The City’s proposed agreement with Hildebrand is the same as the previous four agreements between the two parties – with the City providing financial incentives in the form of incremental property tax payments of up to $170,000 over ten years. The agreement is expected to be approved at the next council meeting on April 25th.

Council member Dean Sherman says four to five years ago, there really wasn’t any building going on in Manchester – and this agreement with Hildebrand helped stimulate housing construction. Sherman says he’s thrilled with the results of what this incentive has brought to Manchester, as several housing projects have been happening around the city.

In other Manchester City Council news:

The Council approved two requests for special exceptions to livestock restrictions. Samantha Roddy has requested the ability to house up to three chickens in a coop in her mother’s yard at 432 South Brewer Street. Dennis Rogers is also requesting a chicken coop on his property at 500 Lincoln Street. The Council agreed to no more than six chickens and no roosters for both requests. 

The Manchester City Council also reviewed a proposal from Sisters Marketing that was prepared for Delaware County Tourism. The Tourism Committee is asking the City what their goals are marketing the area. The Council says they’re not in favor of paying money to rebrand the Manchester community again since that was just done a few years ago – but they agree with the goals mentioned in the proposal, which include consistent messaging across all social media platforms and marketing channels and targeting a 50 to 60 mile radius around Delaware County for day trips to the area. 

And finally, the Manchester City Council also approved a three-year lease agreement with Regional Medical Center. The City would like to use property north of the hospital (that’s currently not being used) for a small nine-hole disc golf course. The City would pay ten dollars a year to RMC. City Manager Tim Vick says it wouldn’t require much capital to put in equipment, noting that the biggest cost would be putting in a small parking lot. The City hopes to have the new disc golf course ready to go yet this year.

Foley, Alabama, is a small city located just over the border from Pensacola, Florida, and on the North of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The city occupies 22.77 square miles, which is about 1.6 % of the total landmass of Baldwin County. One might wonder what this small town has to offer. Despite the size, there are numerous activities and attraction sites for different visitors regardless of their age and interest. If you decide to take a vacation, the best 20 things to do in Foley, AL are.

20. Visit the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail

If you are an adventurous person, a visit to Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail should be on your checklist. According to VisitFoley, this attraction site was opened in 2007, and it was named a National Recreation Trail in 2011. The trail is about a mile long, and it is covered with asphalt. It is a beautiful place to visit and hike, especially during spring. In the spring months, the trail is surrounded by lovely fragranced flowers. The sight and smell of the flowers have a calming and soothing effect on the visitors. The trail is also the perfect place to hold small ceremonies like birthdays and anniversaries.

19. Shop at Tanger Outlet Center

The area is known to host about 120 designers and brands from across the world. It is located 8 miles north of Alabama. Some of the brands and designers found in Tanger Outlet Center are H&M, Talbots, Ann Taylor, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Adidas. The center offers a wide variety of accessories, shoes, clothing, and gifts, making it exciting to shop. They also offer first-time visitors the chance to join the Tanger Club, where you can purchase a coupon book that will enable you to save. Tanger center is definitely a go-to place in Foley.

18. Foley Railroad Museum

Located on E. Laurel Avenue, Foley Railroad Museum is a definite stopover. The area is a two-in-one destination since it offers both an opportunity to have a firing train ride on the Charles Ebert Express II and learn about the city’s history. The train ride is free, but you are allowed to give a donation that will aid in managing the Museum, the park and meeting some of the miscellaneous expenses. If you happen to visit Foley, be sure to visit this fun-filled destination. You will absolutely love it and wish to come back for more adventures.

17. The Legends in Concert

If you are a legend, this concert is a must-attend if you visit Foley City. The concert is dedicated to all visitors, and it’s aimed at celebrating visitors and giving them a fantastic and lovely live performance. The event is a culmination of magnificent costumes, theatrical sets, and various special effects. The concert guarantees a fun-filled experience while listening to the top-of-the-notch performance from musical legends like Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and Celine Dion.

16. Foley Horse Arena

Foley Horse Arena is a great place to visit if you are a horse lover. The arena is found on E. Rosetta Avenue. Many cowboys showcase their skills in riding a horse. There is an annual horse-riding completion in August every year. If you happen to visit the arena during this time, you can relax with family and friends on the bleachers and enjoy the live competition. If your visit happens to be around the fall, the barrel racing completion takes place monthly.

15. Visit Foley Art Center

According to Folleyartcenter, the Foley Art Center was built in 1966. It is one of the art centers that has significantly contributed to cultural development in Baldwin County. The art center promotes the artistic work of local artists. There is also a hub developed for talented students to showcase their skills. You also get the chance to purchase elegant art pieces made by the indigenous artists. The art center also offers various events where family members can tour and enjoy the displayed arts and crafts. If you are an art lover, there are beginner classes for visitors which you will absolutely enjoy.

14. Lambert’s Café

Also known as ‘Home of Throwed Rolls. The café is known for serving hot bread rolls that are ordered over the counter. If you happen to visit Foley City, Lambert’s Café is a must stopover. It is located 8 miles from the beach at the gulf shores. The café is owned by the third generation of the Lambert family. They offer delightful meals and exceptional services. There are nearby factory outlet stores where you can shop and later head to the café for a sumptuous meal. The café is located near the beach, which offers a good view as you enjoy a nice meal.

13. Enjoy Down South Barbeques

If you want a mouthwatering taste of the best barbeque, Down South Barbeque is the best place to go. It is found along the gulf coast. Foley visitors are known to head to this wonderful destination to enjoy the best barbeques for lunch and dinner. Besides the barbeque, you can also enjoy delicious meals in the dining area, decorated with beautiful family-sized umbrellas. Some of the common foods offered are sandwiches, chicken wings, grilled ribs, and cornbread. You can also do take-outs and enjoy your meal elsewhere.

12. Graham Creek Nature Preserve

According to Grahamcreekpreserve, the park is located on 484 acres of land, Graham Creek Nature Preserve is one of the best places to visit in Foley City. The Environmental department manages the park, and it has plenty of animal and plant species to view. The park is covered by mixed forests, wetlands, pine savannas, and tidal marshes, which offer a natural habitat for wildlife. The park is known to have outdoor activities such as hiking and canoeing. They also offer a chance to view carnivorous plants like pitchers and buttercups. Besides nature, you can also go golfing on the 18 basket disc golf. The park has designated areas for picnics, bird watching, and Archery Park.

11. Get Yourself a Spa Day at Coastal Cryo

Coastal Cryo is a spa in Foley, Alabama. After touring all the beaches and the shopping centers, you can end your day by visiting the spa. The spa offers whole-body massage, light therapy, and cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is a natural process that involves exposing the body to freezing temperatures. Extremely low temperatures stimulate the body to produce an anti-inflammatory response. The spa has well trained staff who provide additional services such as facials, cryo, and whole-body therapies. If you have had a long day and you need to relax your body, then Coastal Cryo is the place to visit.

10. Go Fishing at Little Lagoon Guide Service

Fishing is a fun activity to engage in. Little Lagoon Guide Service is found on the Gulf shores. This place is known to offer fishing services for both experts and learners. The owner of the place is known to give visitors unforgettable memories with his famous fishing trips across the lagoon. This is a good place to visit with family and friends for long lasting and fun-filled memories. The little lagoon provides inshore fishing and nearshore services on the Gulf shore, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan, and Weeks Bay.

9. Go Golfing at Glen Lakes Golf Club

The Glen Lakes Golf club is located just 2.8 miles from the Lamberts family café. It is one of the premier golf courses located in Alabama, and it is found near the sandy white beaches on Orange Beach and the Gulf shore. The club has 27 holes which offer an unforgettable experience to all golf lovers. Their rates are very affordable, and visitors of all skill levels are allowed to play.

8. Holmes Medical Museum

Holmes medical museum hosts peculiar and outdated artifacts. According to Tripadvisor, the Museum was constructed in 1936, and it’s the first hospital in Baldwin County, which was called Sibley Holmes Memorial Hospital. Now that it is a museum, it is a storage for the old medical equipment used in the 20th century. Many visitors who have been to the Museum are astonished by the technological advancement in the medical field.

7. Walk your Canine to Foley Dog Park

Don’t we all love dogs? If you want to visit Foley and you are a dog owner, then you can bring your dog on this vacation. Foley Dog Park is in the Micropolitan area of Daphne. The park was created to take care of dogs owned by the visitors who come to Foley. The area offers a big field for the dogs to run and play in. They are also offered a place to eat and drink. There are benches where you can sit and relax and watch your best friend engage in adventurous play with other furry friends.

6. Beulah Heights Park

If you are a lover of sports, then you need to visit Beulah Heights Park. The park is loaded with many sporting activities such as basketball, tennis, and volleyball. You can bring your family and friends along and enjoy the various sporting events provided by the park. Don’t leave your kids behind because there is a playground for the kids.

5. Wolf Bay Restaurant

Wolf Bay Restaurant is a family-owned restaurant in Foley City. It is a popular stopover for many visitors. The restaurant is known for its unique and delicious seafood that is prepared with natural ingredients. The restaurant is also unique, and it has a pleasing ambiance. If you want to enjoy stuffed shrimp, seafood gumbo, stuffed crab, and stuffed whole flounder, then you need to visit Wolf Bay Restaurant. The owners have maintained a unique blend of mouthwatering dishes throughout their existence.

4. Go Kayaking at BeachnRiver Canoe and Kayak Rentals

If you love Kayaking, then a visit to BeachnRiver Canoe and Kayak Rentals should be on your itinerary. The place has eco-kayaks where visitors are allowed to captain their single or double kayaks. The kayaks are easy and fun to control. There are self-guided tours that start at Bon Secour River and end on a privately owned white sandy beach. Visitors get a chance to paddle as they enjoy the sight of dolphins, turtles, cormorants, mullets, and pelicans. There are various indigenous plants to see.

3. Have Fun at Foley Kids Park

According to Alabamatravel, Foley is a family-friendly city since it offers activities for the whole family to have fun. The Foley Kids Park is a kid’s park that gives children an opportunity to play and have fun. The park was constructed by individuals residing in the area, and donations support it. There are castles where kids can play games such as prince and princesses, kings and queens. There are also picnic sites which are good venues to host birthdays and share food and snacks with loved ones.

2. Gift Horse Antique Stalls

Foley, Alabama, is the place to be if you love antiques. The Gift Horse Antique Stall is found on W. Laurel Avenue. There are various gift shops where you can purchase crafts and antiques for yourself or your family and friends. The stall is known to have unique vintage pieces that you can use to decorate your home. There is also kitchenware, furniture, and glassware that you can purchase and give your home a complete make-over.

1. Go Downtown OWA

Food and fun go hand in hand. Downtown OWA is a perfect stopover to do some shopping, relax and have a mouthwatering meal. The area has a wide variety of shops to visit and buy gifts for yourself and your loved ones. There are also many restaurants which offer delicious meals to the visitors. Downtown is mainly known for its scrumptious gulf seafood dishes such as grilled crabs, octopus, calamari, oysters, prawns, and lobsters. There is also a wide variety of tasty fried seaweed and fish to choose from. There is also plenty of locally brewed wines and cocktails. After a sumptuous meal, you can visit the gaming section where you can relax and play games like arcade and export.

Stamatikos; Newark’s SciDome receives High Impact Program Award

Located in Newark at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology, the SciDome hosts immersive experiences “from astronomy to zoology,” according to OSU Newark Associate Professor of astronomy and physics and Chief Science Officer at The Works, Mike Stamatikos, PhD. SciDome is a partnership between OSU Newark and The Works.

Stamatikos’s goal has been to generate interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics in order to inspire central Ohio’s next generation of STEM professionals, while encouraging scientific literacy in the community at large. According to OSU Newark’s press release, SciDome is helping to support the following efforts: 

“Increasing scientific literacy in local under-served rural communities and underrepresented Appalachian populations; providing access to informal science education for all ages; encouraging STEM success for students and educators; and contributing to citizen science by utilizing local landmarks such as the Newark Earthworks and the John Glenn Astronomy Park for potential scientific discoveries.”

This $1000 award is part of Ohio State’s Outreach and Engagement Awards, recognizing “outstanding achievement by faculty, staff and/or student-led programs/initiatives focused on community-university partnerships and impact.”

Alexandria: Columbus Flyers invest in Lobdell Reserve Disc Golf Course

In response to feedback from athletes, the Columbus Flyers Disc Golf Club supported Lobdell Disc Golf Course by installing nineteen new Innova Discatcher baskets. These baskets meet Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) standards, and Lobdell Reserve continues to boast one of Ohio’s premier disc golf venues.

The Flyers are a Columbus-area nonprofit organization, focused on promoting the sport of disc golf throughout central Ohio by designing, installing, and maintaining regional courses. Lobdell hosts the Flyers for two large tournaments each year. 

Lobdell Reserve disc golf course is located at 5474 Battee Rd, Alexandria.

Ohio Native returns home; U.S. Navy Chorus to perform in Newark

On April 22, Newark will host the Sea Chanters, the official chorus and one of five key subgroups in the U.S. Navy Band. The Sea Chanters sing for presidents, congress, and military as well as foreign officials. The free concert at the Midland Theatre in Newark begins at 7 P.M.

Since 1925, the U.S. Navy Band has embarked on an annual tour from their base at the Washington Navy Yard in D.C.. This year, as part of the Sea Chanters’ tour, St. Clairsville native Robert Kurth is happy to return home to Ohio. Now bearing “Musician 1st” rank, Kurth graduated from Heidelberg University in Tiffin in 2003, and joined the Sea Chanters in 2014. He holds a masters in choral conducting from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Licking Park District names Jack Long “Volunteer of the Year”

The Licking County Park District has selected Jack Long as its annual “Volunteer of the Year” award recipient for 2021. Below is a statement from the organization:

“Jack Long began volunteering in 2018 when he completed the Ohio Certified Naturalist Certification. Always going above and beyond, Jack participated in advanced training for his archery instructor certification and manages our archery trailer during events. Jack is a patient and fun instructor, enthusiastic about helping kids develop proper techniques. Jack volunteers for every paddle sport opportunity and has engaged and inspired people of all ages to learn more about kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Jack contributed his considerable carpentry skills to building a desk and shelves for our office, and helped put a new roof on our Taft Reserve restroom. He regularly volunteers for citizen science, special events, programs, conservation stewardship, and trail maintenance projects.”

Senator Hottinger receives Andrew Carnegie Award

COLUMBUS—The Ohio Library Council (OLC) presented the Andrew Carnegie Award to State Senator Jay Hottinger (R–Newark) on Wednesday. The award honors “government officials who have exhibited outstanding support of public libraries and their efforts to assure quality public library services to all Ohioans,” per the OLC’s board of directors.