June 2, 2011
Liberty firefighters receive state award By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
The Liberty Township Fire Department on May 18 received the 2011 Emergency Medical Service of the Year award from the Ohio Department of Public Safety Division of Emergency Medical Services.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Dr. William Cotton, medical director of primary care, and Nationwide EMS coordinator Sherri Kovach nominated Capt. Bill Piwtorak and the department for the award. The award honors non-volunteer Ohio EMS organizations for excellence in operations and service to communities,
ODPS spokesperson China Dodley told ThisWeek. In particular, the department was recognized for developing the Delaware County Special Needs Registry, a webbased program used by first responders. Once entered in the registry, residents with special needs are identified on a computerized map, Cotton and Kovach’s
nomination form said. Medical information is included and is available in a secure, searchable database. “The special needs data has also been linked with the Delaware County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The special needs patients appear on computer maps that correlate with such things as Red Cross shelters,
Farmers market resumes; senior vouchers accepted
See FARMERS, page A3
A closer look The Powell Farmers Market will begin June 2, running from 3 to 6 p.m. each Thursday in the city hall parking lot at 47 Hall St. Market vendors offer items including produce, pies, gluten-free baked goods, jams, fudge, homemade dog treats, cookies, tote bags, book bags and garden items.
See LIBERTY, page A2
Olentangy student wins top invention prize By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers The Powell Farmers Market will begin its annual season June 2, running from 3 to 6 p.m. each Thursday. The event is held in the city hall parking lot at 47 Hall St. Parking is available at the site. In its seventh year, the farmers market helps support local farmers, vendors and merchants, said Anna Steck, executive director of Historic Downtown Powell Inc., coordinator of the markets. “It helps to save customers and local residents time, gas and money, and who couldn’t use more of those three things?” Steck said. Market vendors offer items including produce, pies, gluten-free baked goods, jams, fudge, homemade dog treats, cookies, tote bags, book bags and garden items. “We’re truly proud of our local farmers market and how it adds to the quality of life that we are trying to preserve here in the historic district,” Steck said. Proceeds from farmers markets help support the ongoing revitalization programs of Historic Downtown Powell Inc. Vendors interested in participating can find information at www.visitpowell.com or by calling (614) 396-3336. The Powell Farmers Market, like those in Delaware and Sunbury, accepts vouchers from Council for Older Adults of Delaware County. The council provides up to $60 worth of vouchers for residents ages 60 and older who apply for them. “There is an income specification, but we do not make them prove it,” said Donna
areas prone to flooding, and electrical grid service,” the nomination document says. The program took advantage of many existing community computer resources, the document says. “It developed without purchase of ad-
By Chris Parker/ThisWeek
Olentangy Oak Creek Elementary School third-grader Samatha Fedio models her invention, “Super Bowling Soles,” which are sleeves that slip on over regular shoes. Her creation won the Edison Award, the grand prize of the 2011 Invention Convention, which includes a $2,500 college scholarship.
Being likened to famous inventor Thomas Edison is “pretty cool,” said Samantha Fedio, of Lewis Center, an Olentangy Oak Creek Elementary School third-grader. Fedio’s invention “Super Bowling Soles” received the top honor, the Edison Award, at the 15th annual Regional Invention Convention held May 21 at COSI Columbus. She competed with 344 central Ohio students, a press release said. She also received a $2,500 college scholarship. The Super Bowling Soles are sleeves that slip over regular shoes. They have suede soles with a rubber heel. “One day I went to the bowling alley and the bowling shoes were uncomfortable and smelled like stinky feet,” she said. She asked if she could buy her own pair, but decided that would be costly because she’d likely grow out of them before having the chance to use them again. “If you bought them, kids’ bowling shoes can be $30 to $60,” Samantha said. She decided to invent an inexpensive alternative to bowling shoes. While researching bowling shoes, she learned the primary purpose of the shoes is to protect the wooden surface of the bowling alley. Of the many materials used in bowling shoe soles, she selected suede. When she tested her prototype, a slipper-sock with suede soles glued to the bottom, she decided it lacked support See OLENTANGY, page A3
State gives districts reprieve on snow days By BONNIE BUTCHER ThisWeek Community Newspapers
Olentangy Local Schools won’t have to make up any snow days this year. The district has used four calamity days, said Karen Truett, spokesperson for the district. Gov. John Kasich last month signed into law House Bill 36 that allows schools five canceled, or calamity, days.
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It also had an emergency clause that made it effective immediately. Prior to the bill’s approval, for the 2010-11 school year, schools were allowed to have only three canceled school days. Any school days canceled after that number were to be made up. Now no make-up days are required unless school was canceled for five days. H.B. 36 brought relief to a number of school districts that exceeded the
limit because of the harsh winter. “School districts and boards of education were very appreciative of the passage of the calamity days legislation,” Damon Asbury, director of legislative services for the Ohio School Board Association told ThisWeek. “The weather this year required many districts to exceed the three days and even with the granting of two additional days, many districts had to make up lost instructional days.”
emorial Day was not conceived to be the kickoff to summer activities or as a reason to schedule a three-day weekend. It was established to recognize the nation’s military veterans who died while fighting for their country. In keeping with efforts to recognize and honor the sacrifices and service of military veterans, ThisWeek Community Media is launching Honoring Heroes, a continuing series through which we will share the stories and remembrances from and about local men and women who are either on active duty or retired from service. As part of covering their beats, our reporters often hear about and write about veterans leaving for overseas or com-
H.B. 36 also allows districts to make up snow days by lengthening remaining school days by 30-minute increments, says a press release from Kasich’s office. “The flexibility to add time to scheduled days was a valuable addition to the legislation,” Asbury said. The three-day provision was to expire by the end of this school year, AsSee REPRIEVE, page A3
ing home at the end of a tour of duty. We’ve covered funeral services of those who have sacrificed their lives. We’ve written about soldiers who arrive at their homes or their children’s schools to unexpectedly surprise their delighted families. We know many more stories are out there, waiting to be told. We want to tell them. And we need your help. If you have a story idea about a friend, family member or colleague, let us know by emailing editorial@thisweeknews.com, with the subject line, “Honoring Heroes.” Honoring Heroes isn’t just a ThisWeek Community Media project: It’s about sharing history.
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