Byesville Rotary takes virtual tour of renovated Byesville Library

 

Pictured: Jordi Harding, Speaker Chair, and Michael Limer, Director of the Guernsey County District Public Library.

 

Michael Limer, Director of the Guernsey County District Public Library, took Byesville Rotarians on a virtual tour of the remolded Byesville Library. Limer stated that he began by trying to freshen up the library. It was dark, lacked windows, and had unused space. During the planning stages, he and the library board decided to do a complete renovation.

 A first major problem that needed solved first. A survey indicated that the current building was 10 feet over the property line. Limer worked with Byesville officials and the Port Authority to solve this problem. The property, owned by Byesville, was transferred to the Port Authority which then transferred it to the library.

Work began to renovate the library building. Plans were drawn up and bids solicited in September 2022. Stanley Miller was awarded the project. Construction began in January 2023, when the library building closed, and staff began preparing for construction. The library continued to supply services to Byesville by scheduling the bookmobile in Byesville twice a month.

Limer used architect specs and drawings to present a virtual tour. The library roof will be raised and more windows added to give the library more natural light. The wall between the main area of the library and the little used back room will be removed and replaced with glass panels. The room will become the children’s area of the library and be used for children’s programing.

The main area will be furnished with computers and furniture that invites people to stop and spend time reading. At the rear of the main area, a small meeting and a small staff lounge and workroom will be constructed.

And best of all, a drive- up service window will be added. Library users can request materials from each of the Guernsey County library branches and any of the 98 libraries that are members of the SEO (Serving Every Ohioan) Service Center Consortium. The materials will be delivered to the Byesville Library and can be picked up or returned via the service window.

The Byesville Library will hold a grand opening on Friday, December 8 at 10:00am.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. Join us for a meeting—most club meetings are live streamed to Facebook and Zoomed. Watch the Byesville Rotary Facebook page for details.

 

 

 

Byesville Rotary visits renovated Byesville Museum

 

Pictured: Jordi Harding, Mike Port, Jim Bacos, Dennis Harding, Tammie Archer, and Jan Wilson checking out the smart TV screen presentation.

 

Donald Marlatt, Dennis Harding, Jordi Harding, Chuck Fair, Mike Port—Display case at Byesville Museum.

 

Closeup of items in display case.

Jay Jackson, mayor of Byesville, and Mike Port, Byesville councilman, took Byesville Rotary members on a tour of the newly renovated Byesville Museum. And Welcome Center. Step in the door and your eyes are drawn to the educational resource center and its wall of smart TVs displaying digitized pictures of Byesville’s history. One screen is devoted to veterans.

 The next thing a visitor notices are the display cases. One exhibits samples of products manufactured in Byesville—cute plastic toys, handy kitchen utensils, and pottery. Another display holds memories of local schools.

An Open House for the museum is scheduled for October 28.

Jackson reported that work on the museum was instigated by a water leak three years ago. Much of the village’s paper history was damaged. The village decided to use the insurance money to renovate the museum--the walls were repainted, new lighting and new flooring was installed, CARES money was used to develop an education center containing smart TVs and six research stations linked to the internet.

The educational resource center provides internet access to people who want to look for a job, work on a school project or take a class. The museum also serves as the village Welcome Center. Rack cards and pamphlets about area business and tourist attractions are available.

Jackson and Port indicated that continuing plans for the museum include increasing access to Byesville’s history by developing a small back room which currently contains a small, old-fashioned and very heavy printing machine. Additionally, they are planning to develop the upstairs room into a meeting space. Jackson wants to re-establish the Historical Society and create various types of activities centered on the museum.

Currently, the museum is staffed by volunteers. Open hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Hours may vary. Please call to confirm we are open at 740-260-3088 or watch our Facebook page.

People interested in volunteering can connect with the VIP (Volunteer Impact Program) by going to www.ByesvilleOH.gov.  Look for the volunteer link under the “Our Community” button.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. Join us for a meeting—most club meetings are live streamed to Facebook and Zoomed. Watch the Byesville Rotary Facebook page for details.

Pure Love Bakery visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Tara Hupp, owner and head baker, Pure Lover Bakery and Jordi Harding, speaker host.

Tara Hupp, owner of the Pure Love Bakery in Byesville, told the story about how she became a bakery owner. She held a Grand Opening Celebration on June 26 of this year, but her story began over 10 years ago.

 Tara pointed out that she began baking for fun when she was in high school. She added to her knowledge while in the military where she was assigned to food service. After she returned from the military, Tara continued to make cookies and cakes for friends and family from her home. After 4 years, she decided to bake full time from her home. Sales went so well, she took a deep breath and decided to open a storefront.

 Tara explained that she first got a small business loan from the Port Authority. Tara stated she is grateful to that organization as well as all the other people that have helped make the Pure Love Bakery a reality. Her husband helps a lot. Her father, who has been in the food business for many years, makes the doughnuts. He comes in between 7:00-9:00 in the evening to get the doughnuts started for the next morning. She also has 2 staff members who handle sales.

Her specialty is decorating cakes, cookies and cupcakes with royal icing or buttercream frosting. She does custom orders but her business has been so brisk that her Facebook page indicates she will not be accepting additional orders until after August 2 and August is quickly filling up.

You can find out more about this local business and see pictures of her goods at:

https://www.facebook.com/purelovebakeryohio 

http://www.purelovebakeryohio.com/

Tara offers specialty items such as cinnamon and pecan rolls or doggy and kitty bites on specific days of the week. One of her customer favorites is her Paint Your Own Cookie—double the fun—decorate the cookie than eat it. Yum.

In other business, Lisa Groh, club president, updated club members on the items discussed at the club’s board meeting. Plans are in progress to re-establish the club fundraisers—these include the pancake breakfasts with Santa and the Easter Bunny, two Stuff Santa Stocking events to raise money for the club’s Xmas Food Basket project, and a golf outing to support scholarships.

The next club meeting will be on July 27. The speaker will be Missi Bowling from Deal Busters Marketplace.

Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. Connect with #ByesvilleRotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com , Twitter Byesville_Club, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. Club meetings are variable--some via Zoom; some in-person. Watch the Byesville Rotary Facebook page for details.