Blanchard tells Byesville Rotary “Times are a changing.”

Pictured: Speaker Host Nellie Bichard, Norm Blanchard, Economic Development Director of CIC, and Chuck Fair, President Elect.

Norm Blanchard, Economic Development Director of the CIC, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the changes occurring in Guernsey County that are the result of the oil and gas boom.

McDonald’s built a new restaurant in a new location. A Buffalo Wild Wings will be built in the area in front of WalMart. The restaurant should be open by football season. The Fairfield Inn project has started in the vicinity of the 209/I70 intersection. This project will be completed in 3 stages. First will be the construction of a 100 unit hotel. Second, an extended stay facility will be added to the hotel. Finally, a small strip mall will be built.

A 140 unit apartment complex is planned in Byesville. Each unit will provide 900 square feet of living space. A second apartment unit of 108 units is planned in a different location. These two complexes will help the area meet one of the challenges of the oil and gas boom by providing living quarters for oil and gas workers.

Blanchard explained that planning for the changes is vital not only to provide for immediate needs required by the oil and gas developers but also to plan for the long term future of Guernsey County once the boom has ended. In order to identify potential problems and to get ideas about solving problems, the CIC has identified and visited a community which is already dealing with oil and gas boom challenges.

One of the earliest solutions needed is how to deal with an increase in the local population. Blanchard pointed out that housing and hotel vacancy are already being affected. A December, 2012 housing study has been updated. The report indicates hotels in the area are currently averaging 88% occupancy rate. One of the larger chains reported 100% occupancy. Hotel rates are increasing; some by 81%. Rental properties are at 98% occupancy, and rental costs have soared. New apartment complexes and hotels will help to solve this problem.

Reducing traffic congestion at the SR209/ I70 intersection is another problem being worked on. Three possible solutions have been identified. Each is expensive. Recommendation one creates an exit for Dozer Road across from Kmart. Estimated cost is over $5 million. Recommendation 2 adds a new on ramp going east near Pilot—estimated cost over $l million. Recommendation 3 creates a roundabout in front of the Baymont.

The Rotary club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Everyone interested in giving back to their community is invited to join. Call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-432-5605, to learn more about the club. More information is available at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283

Student Artists encouraged to exhibit at Salt Fork Festival

Pictured: Speaker Chair Shana Fair and Holly Phillips, Director Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival.

Holly Phillips, Director Salt Fork Arts and Crafts Festival, explained to Byesville Rotary that the 46^th Salt Festival will be encouraging local students to submit their art for exhibit at the festival.

The Festival will be held August 8, 9, and 10 in the Cambridge City Park.

Phillips believes that it is important to encourage young artists to exhibit their work. Exhibiting work and seeing other young artists’ works can help a budding artist develop. Student artists can exhibit in one of 4 age divisions: K-2^nd grades, 3^rd-5^th grades, 6^th -8^th grades, and high school. Elementary, middle school students, and high school freshmen and sophomores can submit up to 2 pieces of art. Awards will be presented by category. Some of the awards will be cash.

High school juniors and seniors who are exhibiting are encouraged to apply for the art scholarship. Student exhibitors who apply for the art scholarship must meet two additional requirements. They must exhibit between 4 and 6 pieces and be planning a career in the art field such as becoming an art teacher, a designer, or working in visual communications. The scholarship will range from $1000-2000 to be used toward tuition at an art school. Wal-Mart is supporting the scholarship.

All student art that is not 3-D must be matted and framed. Students from any school in the area are invited to exhibit. There is no charge to exhibit. The student art entry form is available on the Salt Fork Festival web site http://www.saltforkfestival.org/studentartists.php . Contact for the student art exhibit is Christine Dettra, P.O. Box 250, Cambridge, OH 43725, saltforkfestival@gmail.com, 740-680-7160.

The Rotary club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Everyone interested in giving back to their community is invited to join. Call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-432-5605, to learn more about the club. More information is available at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283

 

Secret Santa visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Speaker Chair Shana Fair and Mike Jeffrey, Secret Santa Board member.

Mike Jeffrey, Secret Santa Board member, stated that the Secret Santa program in Guernsey County has provided gifts for kids for over 30 years. The program is completely funded by local community members and businesses. In 2013, Secret Santa delivered toys to 2700 kids in 800 families.

Jeffrey explained that the Secret Santa Board and about 15 dedicated volunteers start from scratch in October and kickoff their fundraising by sending letters to local businesses. The bulk of their work is done in November and December when Santa’s volunteers are as busy as elves sorting toys, purchasing toys, wrapping, tagging and bagging gifts. Everything must be ready by Christmas Eve so that local fire departments can escort Santa to the children’s homes to deliver gifts.

The Secret Santa slogan is “I believe in Santa Claus.” Jeffrey said, ‘You have to see the “I believe” on the kids’ faces’ when Santa shows up escorted by the police and various elves, reindeer and snowmen. Santa and his helpers deliver Christmas packages to the kids on their list and pass out candy and extra presents to any child in the neighborhood who comes out to see Santa.

When sign ups for a Secret Santa visits begin, volunteers answer phones M-F from 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Two weeks before Christmas, sign up phone lines are open 24/7. Calls are taken right up to midnight on Christmas Eve.

The Secret Santa organization cooperates with the members of the Fire Fighters Association who help Santa deliver packages on Christmas Eve. They also cross check their list of children with other organizations such as Child Services, Shop with a Cop, and the Salvation Army to insure that no child is forgotten.

Donations are welcome. Toys are fine but money is also needed to insure Santa has enough age appropriate toys especially for older children. Secret Santa accepts names of kids up to 18. Eighteen years olds must still be in high school.

The Rotary club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Everyone interested in giving back to their community is invited to join. Call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-432-5605, to learn more about the club. More information is available at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283