November 7th 2023 General Election Guide is here!

The Splash Pad-Soak Park at City Park in Fostoria is slated to break ground next summer. 

In May, Vision 2020 with the assistance of volunteer fundraising chair, Don Mennel, began raising funds to demolish the dilapidated swimming pool at City Park along with the bath house, slide, and concession stand and replace them with a Splash Pad – Soak Park. The initial cost estimates for the Splash Pad were $550,000. Vision 2020 set out to raise $200,000 from private donations. These donated funds were to be combined with a $150,000 allocation from the Ohio State Capital budget, City of Fostoria’s $100,000 allocation from the 2024 budget and $100,000 from the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation.

Vision 2020 successfully collected $274,686 from local donations with $35,500 in multi-year pledges still coming in. In addition, Vision 2020 secured grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for $446,770, Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation for $25,000, Terhune Foundation for $25,000, Henry H Geary Memorial Foundation for $10,000 and The Andersons Foundation for $10,000, allowing us to not only construct a better Splash Pad-Soak Park but also construct an ADA compliant bath house with restrooms from the $1,116,456 raised thus far. 

Poggemeyer Engineering/Kleinfelder is assisting with the project and have worked with Vision 2020 and City leadership to select a theme and tentative design with the goal of project completion next summer. 

Don Mennel, Volunteer Fundraising Chair, “We are so pleased with the tremendous support of this community project. The Splash Pad-Soak Park fundraising, planning and construction demonstrates the success achieved when public/private partnerships are used to achieve a Vision for the youth of Fostoria.” According to Mayor, Eric Keckler, “The Splash Pad is an example of what can be accomplished when various entities, individuals, and businesses work together for a community project. I am excited to see this project come to fruition in 2024.”

Vision 2020 is a 501(c)3 charitable organization with a mission of supporting community initiatives.  

More Exciting News! Wood County Plays Announces Campaign to Bring Inclusive Play

Wood County Plays is pleased to announce a partnership with the city of Fostoria to build the city’s first inclusive playground at City Park. The over 14,000 square foot playground will feature state of the art equipment and innovative designs. A wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, sensory tunnel, adaptive zip line, and poured rubber surfacing highlighting the 100% accessible play space. Zone specific equipment for younger toddlers and older kids will keep different age groups engaged for family visits.

Ryan Wichman, president of Wood County Plays commented on the announcement, “Our team is excited to be renewing our commitment to bring inclusive playgrounds to Wood County. This is a play space for everyone and every family. For the first time in Fostoria, children of all abilities will be able to play side by side with their peers.”

“It is really gratifying that Wood County Plays has chosen Fostoria for their next inclusive playground. This addition to City Park along with the Splash Pad will create a wonderful destination for families and especially children. Many thanks to all who are working to make this happen,” added Don Mennel, Fostoria Council Member.

The campaign to fund the playground will combine grant funding and community donations to fulfill the projected one-million dollar budget. The city of Fostoria has already committed $50,000 dollars toward the project. The playground will be located at the site of the former community pool and adjacent to a still-to-be built splash pad. Construction for the playground is expected to begin early in 2025 with completion during the summer. A fundraiser, Night of Play, will be held in January for members of the public to come together to support this unique community project.

Wood County Plays is a not-for-profit organization run by an all-volunteer board dedicated to building truly inclusive play spaces. Additional information and media is available at wcplays.org or via email at info@wcplays.org. 

You can help, learn more and secure tickets to our first fundraiser here: https://www.wcplays.org/event-details/

Upcoming Topics:

November: Brad Hurtig, December: Stop the Bleed Training, January: Critical Care Injuries on the Upper Extremity, February: NARCAN Training



Ohio Arts Council Survey

The Ohio Arts Council is conducting a short online arts and culture survey of Ohioans. Our purpose is to better understand how we can best invest resources to meet Ohio’s needs. 

Click here to take the survey.

The survey will close on November 3. Time is limited, so please spread the word today! As a sign of our appreciation, all survey respondents will be eligible to win one of five $50 gift cards.

Make sure your voice is heard and represented in the results! Thanks in advance for your time to help us with this important work.

ABOUT THE OHIO ARTS COUNCIL (OAC)

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. Connect with the OAC on Facebook, Instagram, or at oac.ohio.gov.

• Win Waste Innovations
• Bliss Charters
• Clear Choice Exteriors
• Greater Fostoria Community Foundation
• Deere Creek Lawncare
• H & E Janitorial

• Beyond Laser Creations
• RR & D Automotive
• REM Ohio
• Superior Energy Systems
• Tri County Dental
• Second Wind Music Center
• Wells, Inc.
• Fostoria Garden Club

Our members are doing GREAT things!

Members of the Mennel Leadership Team attended the Dunkin’ Franchisee Award Banquet in Boston, Massachusetts on September 18. Pictured L-R: Tommy Lynn, SC Lynn Co.; Heidi Long, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing; Jim Beauregard, Director of Research & Development; Ford Mennel, President; Thad Sitterson, Vice President of Packaged Products; and Dave Marty, Vice President of Operations.

Mennel Receives Dunkin’s Annual Partner of the Year Award

Fostoria, Ohio – The Mennel Milling Company was named Partner of the Year by Dunkin’ at the company’s 2023 Franchisee Award Banquet in Boston, Massachusetts. Dunkin® is the world’s leading baked goods and coffee chain.

“Mennel’s experience proved to be just what we needed last year. After all, they (Mennel) may be the first and possibly the last company in the history of this award to be recognized after just one year of doing business together,” said Art Lander, Supply Chain, Dunkin’. “I can’t say enough about the quality assurance team meeting our specifications. They rallied the troops on the manufacturing side under a significant deadline.”

President Ford Mennel accepted the award at the September 18 event on behalf of the Mennel team to a standing ovation.

“We are truly honored to be recognized by our new friends at Dunkin’,” said Ford Mennel, President of The Mennel Milling Company. “I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts of our team. From Procurement and R&D and everyone at Mennel Bakery Mix & Foodservice – Martel, this collaboration is a great example of our capabilities and the impact we have on our valued customers. Together, we are helping to the feed the world.”

To learn more, visit www.mennel.com.

Destination Seneca County Receives Several Awards

The Destination Seneca County team is thrilled to announce that we received statewide recognition in five different categories at the Ohio Travel Association’s RUBY Awards presentation!

They received three RUBY Awards for the categories of: Spirit of Community for the Sights of Seneca Official Chip Contest, Innovation in Travel Marketing for the Destination Seneca County Coloring Book, and for our blog. We also received second place finishes, a Citation of Excellence, for the categories of Targeted Marketing Campaign with the launch of the Slice of Seneca County Pizza & Geocaching Trail and Event Campaign with the Be a Tourist in Your Own Town event.

2024 Chamber Sponsorships Available

Thank you for your support of the Chamber. With your partnership, we have been able to deliver quality initiatives, innovative projects and cost saving programs to the business community. As we continually strive for improvement, we seek to streamline our fundraising and focus on better serving you, our members. 

As we move into 2024, we are offering the opportunity of Sponsorship Packages to our members again. Sponsorship packages help us to only approach you once per year when seeking sponsorships and allow you to finalize all your sponsorship and promotional details at one time.  

Linked is a document, which outlines all the available 2024 Sponsorship Packages. Please review and consider signing on for a sponsorship package this year. We thank you for your past support and look forward to continuing to serve your business.

Budder Technology is offering discounted web design services to fellow members...

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The Fall Catalog for all courses is here!

Things to see & do this fall right here in Fostoria...

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