Marion Community Development Organization holds monthly meeting

The Marion Community Development Organization met at 8 a.m. on July 20 in the Marion Township Building.

The meeting minutes are as follows:

The weekly winners of the 301 Club were announced and they are: Mike and Renee Bertke on May 17; Jesse and Karen Rose on May 24; Pam Stucke on May 31; Gary and Donna Moeller on June 7; Phil and Anne Thobe on June 14; Nick and Cindy Eifert on June 21; Josh and Kelly Cline on June 28; Dale and Ag Goettemoeller on July 5; Tim and Joyce Moeller on July 12 and John and Linda Fleck on July 19.

The monthly Park Raffle winners for June were: Ted and Janet Heitkamp, $50; Kent and Karen Sahner, $30; Doug and Shelly Hartings, $25 and Glenn and Joe Schwieterman, $25.

Membership and Promotion Committee Chairperson Bob Dippold thanked those who renewed or signed up for membership in 2021. Membership for the year is $15 for a family and $60 for a business. Please contact Bob Dippold at 419-305-0128 or Shannon Everman at 419-925-5707 or email admin@marioncommunities.com if you have any questions about the status of your membership.

Health, Safety and Education Committee Chairperson Elaine Wolters announced that Mercer Health will be hosting a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. on Aug. 20. Those interested can register at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.

Housing Committee Chairperson Bob Unrast announced that the St. Francis housing development south of Chickasaw has six building

lots available. The lots are between .381 and .711 acres starting at $28,500 and include village water and sewage. Contact Tess Mescher for more information at 419-305-0106.

The Lochtefeld Addition in Chapel Hill still has lots available for sale. For more information, call 419-678-4384.

The Woodview Estates subdivision still has lots available for sale. For more information, please contact Jay Ruhenkamp at 937-2954244.

Heitkamp Developers has two additional lots in Marion Acres for sale. Please contact Dan Heitkamp at 419-925-4307 for more information.

RCS Construction has lots along Washington Avenue North available for sale and new home construction. For information on all lots available for sale in Marion Acres, please contact Randy Bruns at 419-305-1869.

Agricultural Development Committee Chairperson Mark Hardesty provided an update on the FFA program.

Mr. Elsass and seven students attended FFA Camp the week of July 12th. There are new tables being installed in the Ag Room for the 2021-2022 school year and the Food Science class will be added as an annual course instead of every other year.

The FFA and Ag Boosters are gearing up for the Mercer County Fair, which will be held

Aug. 13 to Aug. 19. The Pork Producers stand is adding hot dogs and breakfast sandwiches this year. Hardesty urged those to attend to show their support.

The next Ag Ed Boosters meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Sept. 20 in the Ag Ed room. All are invited to attend.

For old business, the Founders Brick Pledge Program has almost reached the fundraising goal for the Marion Community Greenway Project. With less than $29,000 left to raise, we are within reach! Thanks to all who have donated and supported the bike path over the last several years. Construction begins at the end of July. You can donate at MarionCommunities.com.

The Greenway Gala is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 11 in the Marion Heritage Park woods (Marion Park on St. Johns Road) to support the Marion Community Greenway Project. There will be craft beer, wine and food at the event. Limited tickets are available and tickets are $50 per person for food and spirits or $30 per person for food only. Tickets can be purchased online at MarionCommunities. com.

The 8th annual FlyerGate will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 next to Marion Local Booster Stadium. The MCDO provided a sponsorship for the event and all are welcome to attend.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 a.m. The next scheduled MCDO meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10 in the Marion Township Building.