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Sunday, April 10, 2011
Improved BAM Fest is returning to Bethel BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
Judi Adams is amazed by art. Amazed about how it is created, in awe of how many talented artist there are and astonished that more people don’t celebrate art. This amazement is what led Adams
to organize the Bethel Art and Music Festival, also known as BAM Fest. “It started by me grabbing some business people and saying ‘What do you think about having an art show?” And after a lot of planning and hard work, the inaugural BAM Fest was held May 8,
2010. And despite cold temperatures and gusty winds, the event drew in about 2,000 people. “Of course last year we prayed for no rain, but we forgot to mention that it would be nice to have a warm day,” Adams said. “We’ll be more specific with our praying this year.” Last year, BAM Fest featured a collection of artists, musicians, car collectors, craft
enthusiasts and more all celebrating their talents with friends, food, prizes and activities. Adams said this year, BAM Fest will feature all of that, only better. “Last year, after the event, we invited feedback,” Adams said. “The biggest complaint was that it was too spread out, so we acted on the request and brought it all together.” BAM Fest will be centralized in the village this year
and will feature a food court as opposed to separate vendors. In addition, Adams said they are making the festival more family friendly for 2011. A train display has been added and there will be a large children’s crafts area where youngsters can make mothers day gifts, musical instruments, flower pots and more. This year’s festival will also include a car and tractor show, a band that will be playing on
a stage in the village, musicians walking the streets, and, of course, numerous arts and crafts exhibitors showcasing their trade. “The art exhibit itself had to be my favorite,” Adams said about the first BAM Fest. “I loved walking around, I loved the quilt show, it’s amazing to me the talent those people have.” See Festival, Page 5
Local organizations reach out to veterans Effort a part of National County Government Month BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
Eastgate mall was a hub for veterans’ services April 2 as part of National County Government Month, and many organizations that offer services to veterans and military families set up shop to educate the public. “The national theme is strengthening veterans and their families,” Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud said. “We wanted to do something to recognize and celebrate that.” Proud contacted the mall and several different organizations with a vision of creating a center of information to help support veterans and provide public awareness of organizations in the area. Whole In My Heart, The Marine Corps, The Thank You Foundation, Ohio Army National Guard, Workforce
One, The Yellow Ribbon Support Center, the Veterans Historic Project and other organizations all set up booths and had representatives on hand from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. The organizations offered a wide range of services including financial support, medical services, fund-raisers, recruiting information, support groups, appreciation programs and college and employment assistance. “Everything together is fantastic,” said Rudi Smith of Amelia, a veteran who stopped by the mall with her husband, Ben. “I got great information, they should do it more often.” Smith was one of the many veterans who stopped by the booth area to learn more about the local organizations. Many passersby also stopped to thank veterans and find out See Veterans, Page 5
PHOTO / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
From left, Mike and Tim Malott of Eastgate speak to Sgt. Beightol of Anderson about the Marine Corps. The booth was one of many at Eastgate Mall April 2 providing services to military families.
Hikers brave the cold to conquer the Buckeye Trail 1,444 mile route connects 40 of Ohio’s counties BY KRISTIN BEDNARSKI Sun staff
Despite the unusually cold temperatures for the last day of March, three dedicated hikers pulled gear out of their cars, bundled up and prepared to complete the Batavia to Milford portion of the Buckeye Trail. The hikers, Bruce “Poppy” Purdy of Grove City, Richard Morgan of McArthur and Robert Leon of Elyria are dedicated. They have all completed almost half, or more than half, of the 1,444 mile Buckeye Trail that loops the state of Ohio and connects its four corners. “We'll be out for about three
days,” said Morgan about their hike. “We'll complete a good portion in this area today.” The trio hiked from Batavia to Milford March 31 where they dropped off Purdy's car. They drove to the park office in East Fork State Park and then hiked back to Batavia and spent April 1-2 at East Fork State Park. Both Purdy and Morgan are at about the halfway point, and Leon has completed close to threefourths of the Buckeye Trail. “I am just doing what I wanted to do when I was young,” said Morgan. “But work and life got in the way.” Morgan, Purdy and Leon all pursued hiking later in life. Leon retired and hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2004 and Purdy said he started hiking in 2008 and discovered the Buckeye Trail in 2009 with a Boy Scout group.
Morgan also said that hiking the trail was a way of pushing himself, and all three hikers agreed that health benefits were a major reason they pursued the trial. “I started for health,” Purdy said. “I took a physical test that said I was 72 years old. Now I am 42, and I feel like it.” All three men have been working toward completing the Buckeye Trail for over two years. The trail, which is the only long distance hiking trail in the state of Ohio, traverses over 40 of Ohio's 88 counties. Purdy said it is currently the longest loop trail until proven otherwise. Purdy, Morgan and Leon are all members of the Buckeye Trail Association, and became hiking buddies as a result. “The main purpose, other See Trail, Page 5
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PHOTO / KRISTIN BEDNARSKI
Dedicated trail hikers, from left, Richard Morgan of McArthur, Bruce “Poppy” Purdy of Grove City, and Robert Leon of Elyria, traipse along the Batavia Township portion of the Buckeye Trail.
Beauty Spot
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Our photographer took this picture in front of the Clermont County Administration Building on Main Street in Batavia. The Clermont County Beauty Spot is one of a series of weekly pictures published from nominations from our readers. If you know of a spot, public or secret, in the county you think is without compare, tell our photographer where it is located by calling (513) 732-2511, Ext. 119, or email a photograph of that special someplace to clermontsun@fuse.net.
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Second annual Bethel Art and Music Festival to be held May 7