The Ottawa Area Chamber Networking on the Course Golf Outing was a great success this year.  Many thanks to all of our members who participated in teams, sponsorships, door prizes and volunteerism!!  We had a total of 28 teams this year, a new record!  The weather was perfect and the teams had a great time vying for the top four spots.  No one was lucky enough to hit the hole in one sponsored by FLR Insurance, but we'll try again next year!  Many thanks to Complete Wireless, our Eagle Sponsor, who set up a display in the clubhouse featuring their new Verizon phones which they now carry.

Our four top winning teams were1st place - the Hovest Insurance team, 2nd place - the Northwest Ohio Flood Partnership team, 3rd place - the Technicon team and 4th place - the SalemTrucking team.  Congratulations to all and many thanks to all our team business members for joining us this year.  We hope to see you back again next year for another excellent afternoon of business networking!

Top off a day of family fun, events and attractions by rocking into the summer evening with  Stages (4-6p.m.) • Savanna Jack (9p.m.-1a.m.). Their live rock performances are sure to energize the crowd late into the night!

For more information go to www.ottawaribfest.com  !!

The Ottawa-Glandorf Rotary Club is accepting nominations from residents of Putnam County for their OG Rotary Community Service Award.

This community based award, recognizes individuals that make a difference in our community.

The intent is to encourage and honor outstanding community and public service by individuals living in Putnam County. Private citizens, elected officials, non-Rotarians, anyone who has provided service beyond self in Putnam County. (NO self nominations).

Nominations can be submitted online at

http://www.ogrotary.org/communityservice

Women members of the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce have been enjoying lunch together a few times each month since last fall. 

Recently several women met at Julia's, outside Glandorf, for a delicious lunch and a combo of conversation and networking! Rose Riepenhoff of Rose Haven Bed and Breakfast prepared a wonderful dessert.

The 2010 Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce Installation was recently held at the American Legion Hall in downtown Ottawa with 106 reservations made. 

Members and guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Henry's Restaurant, Ottawa. 

Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce

WELCOME SANTA PARADE

SUNDAY

November 29, 2009

AT 2:00 PM

On Sunday, November 29, 2009, the chamber is sponsoring the 17^th Annual WELCOME SANTA PARADE.  The parade will start at 2:00 from the Locust St. and 4^th St. corner at the Saints Peter & Paul church.  The route will go east  to Oak St., turning south to Main St., then turn left (east) on Main traveling to Grant St.  It will turn north onto Grant and go to 4th St., turning left (west).  When it comes to Locust St. it will turn north there and end at the swimming pool parking lot and the park.

Many activities will entertain visitors in the park.  Santa will be in his Christmas tent to hear the kids wishes.  Horse and wagon rides will give you a tour of the Christmas displays throughout the park.  The Calliope will play Christmas music for all to hear, and the Ottawa-Glandorf show choir will be there to entertain us.  As long as they last there will be O-G Rotary hotdogs, Lion's Club chili, Cub Scout Pack 224 hot chocolate, and beverages from Fortman Ins., Pepsi Americas & Culligan Water.

Awards for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place floats will be announced at the Caboose in the Park.

We ask that the public does not park along the parade route for safety reasons and viewing of the parade.  We hope to see you all along the route with the kids for this annual tradition.  Jeff Loehrke will announce the parade entrees in front of the Courthouse.  

Be sure to come out to the Ottawa Memorial Park throughout the Christmas season to see the displays.  The park is beautifully lit by many of our businesses and organizations.  Be sure to thank them when you see them!

We also want to thank the many businesses who were our Parade sponsors.....

Band sponsors:  The Ottawa Kiwanis, The Meadows of Ottawa-Glandorf and Brice R. Musser O.D.

Santa's Horse and Wagon & Rides: First Federal Bank

Grand Marshal Carriage Sponsor: Union Bank Co.

Santa's Christmas Tent: Schroeder & Co. CPA's

Santa's visit: Thomas E. Bauer OD, Diane S. Dible OD, and Shane M. Maag OD

Rider's Calliope: Gustwiller's Clothing, The Pizzeria and Fort Jennings State Bank

Santa's Treats: Wannemacher Jewelers, Kohls Market & Paul's Ace Hardware.

Balloons & Helpers: Ottawa Kiwanis & O-G Key Club & Bell Auto Supply

Golf Carts for our Line-Up Crew: Country Acres Golf Club

Lighting for our Santa Tent: Kahle Electric

Foundation Run link for a printable form.

Winners of the 2009 Networking on the Course were the Country Acres team who donated their winnings back to the chamber. Their team consisted of Jim Hemrick, Josh Cain, Dan Schnipke and Ken Schnipke.  Second place went to the Technicon team of Gary Ungerer, Dean Meyer, Greg Ungerer and Beau Meyer. The Verhoff and Company team claimed third place. Their team members were Randy Verhoff, Ron Weisenburger, Jason Labounty and John Bohlman. Fortman Insurance claimed fourth place. Jonathan Fortman, Andy Hovest, Gene Hovest and Randy Siefker made up their team.

Many thanks to the sponsors, golfers and volunteers who made this outing a success. Thank you to FLR Insurance for sponsoring the $10,000 Hole In One competition. There were no winners this year but all are encouraged to come out and try again next year!

This past Friday, Governor Ted Strickland proposed a cut of $227.3 million in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 as part of his plan to fill the $3.2 billion gap in the state’s budget. This will mean a more than a 50% cut in funding for all 8 locations of the Putnam County District Library.

The Putnam County District Library’s 8 locations rely on 95% of their funding to come from the state.  We currently do NOT have a levy to help operate our libraries. 

How will this cut affect the library in your community?

·        Drastically Reduced Hours? or Even Closures?

·        Layoffs?

·        Preschool Visits Cancelled?

·        Nursing Home Visits Cancelled?

·        Family Fun Nights Cancelled?

·        Reduction in Weekly Early Literacy Storytimes?

·        Charging for Interlibrary Loan?

·        Increase in Fines and Fees?

·        Reduction in the purchase of books, movies, music etc…?

This budget will be finalized by June 30th so the time to act is NOW!  Please contact the congressmen listed below and tell them how important your public library is to you!

Representative Lynn R. Wachtmann   

Phone: (614) 466-3760
Fax: (614) 719-3975
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Senator Steve Buehrer

A dedication ceremony of Ottawa's Historic Downtown Mural was held on June 20, 2009 at 1:30 p.m..

Mayor Ken Maag officiated a ribbon cutting ceremony and proclamation dedicating the mural.  Artists Bruce Stowe and Oscar Velasquez were present to explain the mural and answer any questions people might have about it.

If you are interested in donating toward this wonderful and memorable project, please send your donation to the Village of Ottawa, % Mural Fund.  Donors of $500 or more will be named on a plaque on the "Row House door" of the mural.