Wednesday is Kiwanis

Each Wednesday at noon the Kiwanis club of Coshocton meets at the Coshocton Town and Country Club. We eat, socialize, conduct a meeting and have a program. It's a great networking club for business people and I have found it's a great place to be able to make a difference in Coshocton County.



This week Tiffany Hostetler spoke to us about Southeaster Ohio Legal Services. This organization is a non-profit organization that represents clients that would not otherwise be able to afford legal counsel.

At any rate, I always look forward to Kiwanis meetings...and encourage you to find a service club to be a part of. You really do have an opportunity to impact the community.

Another night...another meeting

Monday nights are levy meeting nights...and tonight was no different. We reflected on the door to door campaign and congratulated Diane and Dave Erwin, who headed it up. They did a tremendous job.

When I got back to the office I recieved an email from someone out of town that suggested I email everyone I know with the link to the video that is on YouTube about the levy. I may do that too...but thought I would put it on here for anyone to view that would like.



In addition, you might be interested to go to YouTube and see how many things are starting to pop up about Coshocton on there!

The culmination of a campaign...

So today was the big day that we, as a levy committee, have been working toward. Today was the day we were to mount our door to door campaign. It was a huge undertaking...and an intimidating one. The "leaders" of this campaign were to meet at the high school cafeteria at noon with the volunteers to arrive at 1pm.

As you might imagine, there was a lot of nervous energy in the room as we wondered how many volunteers would actually show up on this frigid January day. Well the only word that can describe the turnout is WOW! Over 200 community volunteers filled the cafeteria as we organized. There was a true buzz in the air and I was humbled to be a part of it.



I was proud of all of our committee members for making this happen. And, with goose bumps I looked around the room and saw a community rallying around itself.



If this scene did not motivate you...you can't be motivated! Thanks to all the volunteers!

YouTube Fun

If you need another way to kill time at work, then I encourage you to check out YouTube. It's just great! Obviously there is a lot of video out there that is worthless...but there is some fun stuff out there too.

Need a laugh? Here is a clip of our President talking to us about the important issue of global warming. Fun stuff!

Kiwanis Visits Annin

Our Kiwanis Club in Coshocton had the opportunity to visit the local factory Annin Flag. Annin is the largest manufacturer of American Flags here in the United States. So obviously there is a fair amount of local pride as we walked through the facility.



They were very gracious...and certainly something we as a community can be proud of!

Get a Grip!

Upon returning from any grocery shopping trip, my wife just places the items she buys where they need to go. So, for me, there is often no looking around the house for the item. As a matter of fact, often she replaces the old item before I even know it needed replaced. She is extremely efficient.

I tell you this to let you know that the other day upon getting out of the shower (a picture you didn't need, I know) I found a new package of deodorant waiting for me. But this was special deodorant not because of it's magical appearance. It caught my eye for a very different reason.



This Deodorant has special grips on the side! How great is that? Thank goodness they came up with this! I mean I can't tell you how many times I have gone to firmly apply my anti-persperant to my underarms and it has simply slipped out of my hands!

And this is not to mention the fact that these grips seemed to be slightly cushioned. Whoo! I was almost working up a sweat squeezing it! It's this sort of great innovation that helps to keep America ahead of the game...and less stinky!

School's Out!

We got our first real snow of the season yesterday, so of course school is out. It makes it tough to concentrate on work when you have that home office...but I am lucky to have the option.



Yesterday the girls and I went out after church to shovel the drive and the walk. We got that done and came in for lunch...and I did not go out again! Scooter was having a glorious time playing...but I am not sure he still knows what to think of it!

Big News for the Hassemans

The big news on the front page of The Coshocton Tribune is that Amy has been named the new Executive Director of the Coshocton County United Way.

I am extremely proud of her and she is excited for the challenge ahead. The Tribune has a nice story here about it...so check it out!

http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Moving Day!

I apologize for the hiatus of posts. It's been busy with work...but now I am back!

Yesterday my parents moved from a place in Dover back to Coshocton County. We are excited about this on multiple fronts. First, it's nice to have them closer. Second, they moved into our old home and are buying it from us. So this will be good in many ways.



So yesterday was the big moving day. And although moving is never fun, they did a nice job packing (the best job ever I would say) and there were lots of folks there to help. In addition, it was a cold but beautiful day. So there was no snow to contend with as there is the next day!



As we got to the house and were unloading, we were actually having some fun with the move. Here you see my Aunt Jill riding down in one of the planters that we moved. Now maybe you are thinking, "why did you move a box full of dirt?" I asked the same thing! That sort of question, however, often gets you a "mother" look.

Later several of the volunteers ran across my parents wedding album and took a break to make fun of them!



All in all, it was as good as moving day can be. Welcome back to Coshocton County mom and dad!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

After an early morning swim this morning, I had the chance to go to the first Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast this morning at the Career Center. The event was hosted by the local BPW.



One of the messages from Michael Payton, executive director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (the key note speaker) was that we need to make action happen locally. If we want to affect change, we can't wait for those in Columbus or D.C. to do it. We have to do it ourselves.

Payton said that he spoke with John Glenn who told him that, "Public service is the Human Resource department of the Constitution."

There was representation from City Council (Tom Edwards), County Commissioners (Kathy Thompson), The Sheriff's Department (Tim Rogers) and even Joy Padgett. Good stuff. For more about the event...or more photos check out www.coshoctontribune.com

A maddening trip through governmental bureaucracy!

Yesterday was my birthday and as a dutiful citizen I went yesterday to the BMV to have my drivers license renewed. So I took a number and waited patiently until it was time for me to complete my task.

"32," the lady called and I walked to the desk. I removed my current license from my wallet and said, "I need to renew my drivers license." Then I gave her my friendly smile.

She pointed out that I did not have my social security number on my license. I nodded, still smiling. "Do you have your social security card?" she asked. I did not so she told me that I could not have it renewed. I stopped smiling...and left.

(Please allow me a quick tangent as I point out that every expert tells you NOT to have your SSN on anything...but I digress).

So today I went back to the BMV, again without my social security card, which I cannot currently find. I did, however, take W-2's, bank statments, and even my passport! I walked to the counter this time and quickly explained the situation. She looked at my license, documentation, and friendly smile and said, "We don't take none of those."

She told me that I needed to go to the Zanesville office and get them to print a copy of my social security card. Then I could bring that back and that would work as proof of my identity. I paused. Then I said, "If I go to Zanesville, how will I prove that I am me there?"

She looked at me and said...

wait for it...

"With your I.D."

I rubbed my temples to make my head stop hurting and said, "Is the irony lost on you?"

Now to this woman's defense, it is not her fault. And she gave me an easier way to find proof of my identity. But I guess I find it funny that with my passport I can go to Cuba...but I can't get a new drivers license. Ah...homeland security. I feel so safe.

So Today is my Birthday!

So many folks dread their birthday, but I tend to revel in it. Let's face it. I like being the center of attention! :) But all joking aside I once read that, "There is a time in every person's life when they realize that people should not make a big deal over their birthday. That time is 11."

Here's to you having a great day today!

Another long day...

If it's great to be busy, then in January I am livin' large! No complaints with that though...that means I am working!

I did get the chance to speak at a Levy presentation to staff of Coshocton City Schools today. We had a pretty good turnout and laid out the ideas for our plan to pass the February 6th initiative. This looks to be a very "hands-on" community campaign.

We continue to try to inform folks through the website at www.voteforccs.com and that even has a blog!

A Nice Winter Morning

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I am not a winter person. Lord only knows how I ended up living back in Ohio! But with that being said, even I can appreciate the serene beauty of a crisp winter morning. This morning we had our first "snow" of the season. I know that's sort of sad since it's January 10th...but it is what it is.



So as I went out this morning to let Scooter the Deerslayer complete his morning absolutions, I felt compelled to take a few photos of the new-fallen snow.



Not much snow there, I know...but snow nonetheless!

Perspective

So there is one thing that last night taught me. There is NO way that a football game should mean that much to me. Jeez.

There I was, surrounded by a great group of friends, and I was just obsessed with how poorly the Buckeyes were playing. Granted, they were playing bad...but really. Those of you who know me know that there will never be a time that winning doesn't matter. I am who I am. But it shouldn't matter THAT much!

So...in a small tribute to what should have mattered last night...

Happy Birthday Bill!



As I always say, if I am wrong, it is better to recognize it and learn from it. So as I woke up to a new day (yes the sun did rise this morning) let's hope the Buckeyes do better in basketball!

Vegas Baby!

And we're back! Amy and I spent the last several days across the country in Las Vegas at an industry trade show. As is nearly always the case on a trip to Vegas, we had a great time...but we were very glad to be home.

One thing about Vegas...you see things there you will not see anywhere else. This shot is from a mall in the Mandalay Bay. Nice name of a store, don't you think?



As some of you know, we both went to this show last year. But Amy was on the "supplier" side then, meaning she was at a booth while I walked the floor. This year we had the chance to walk this massive show together...and that was great. As you would expect, she is better at "shopping" than me so she saw some great stuff that I would have missed. So for business, the show was great.

Interestingly we did not gamble much. When I did have a chance to play some poker on the first day, I won $25...so that is probably as good an outcome as I can expect.

We walked and walked and walked and walked, etc. It was unbelievable. For the show, there was enough walking...but we walked more outside to get places as well. I am sore today!



We also spent an evening at Margaritaville on the strip. Amy and I love Jimmy Buffet so we enjoyed that a bunch. I had the new Land Shark Beer (or two) and thought it was pretty good. Since we were there, we also both had Cheeseburger in Paradise! This shot was from our seats. It looks like we are sitting on a boat. The whole place was quite cool.



Finally, one of the highlights of the trip was going to see the Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage. Thanks to Barb Emmons who insisted we go to see this! I would try to describe the show, but words don't do it justice. I loved the music and the show was, well, visual overload. I was tired when we got there...but left energized!

Happy New Years Day!

Here's to having a terrific 2007 for all of us. As I shake off the excessive libations from last night, here are my resolutions for 2007.

*Be Proactive
*Begin with the end in mind
*Put First things First
*Seek first to understand, then be understood
*Think Win-Win
*Synergize
*Sharpen the saw

Have a great year!