Welcome to another installment of R News and Views.  First, I want to congratulate Sam Hitchcock, Chairman of the First Town Days Festival and the festival committee for another great community event.  This year marked the 31st year of the First Town Days Festival, which once again brought thousands of people out to Tuscora Park for all kinds of activities.  I was in the park on Saturday night and it was great to see so many families out enjoying the park, the music and a great fireworks display.  The festival started back in 1978 for the purpose of restoring the 1928 Hershel-Spillman Carousel, and 31 years later, the commitment to improving Tuscora Park is still the purpose, and we are glad they continue to work for that most worthwhile goal.   

 Congratulations to the Muskingum Lakes Chapter of the American Red Cross for being awarded $750,000 from Ohio's Capital Appropriations Budget.  State Senator Jason Wilson and State Representative Alan Sayre were very instrumental in seeing that the funds were awarded to the Red Cross for the purchase of the building the Red Cross currently occupies on Fourth Street in New Phila.  I talked with Chad Conrad and he was hoping the funds would be released in late fall so they can move forward with the purchase.  Chad indicated they will go forward with a scaled back fundraising campaign, as they still need funds to assist in making some renovations to the building but also to help in funding the various programs the Red Cross offers. 

 It is always great to hear about former area residents who move to other locales and get recognized in their new communities for the work they do or the activities they engage in.  Michelle Lyons Bichsel, now of Lexington, Ohio competed in the Mohican 100-Mile Trail Run on June 21st and 22nd in 25 hours and 42 minutes, finishing fourth among women and 32nd overall in a field of 150 starters. Her goal was to finish in 24 hours, but at about the 75 mile mark, she started having some knee trouble which slowed her down.  Regardless, a tremendous accomplishment considering she started training for this ultra marathon type of running in February.  Michelle started in Junior High School running track and cross country and continued doing so through her college years.  Michelle graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1991.  She is married to Mike Bichsel, an exercise physiologist and director of cardio rehab at Mid-Ohio Heart Clinic, who ran with Michelle for about 10 hours.  They have three children - Alison, Patrick and Gavin.  Michelle's father, Jim Lyons of New Phila, ran the final 10 miles with his daughter.  I want to thank Michelle's mom, Brenda Lyons, for sharing the story with me. She said Michelle is planning on running in the next ultra-marathon Burning River 100 in August.  Former Dover resident and 25 year veteran of the Dover Police Department, Bob Everett, moved to Mesquite, Nevada in 2006.  He joined the Mesquite Police Department in June of that year and has been doing great things in the area of public relations for the department there and working with the schools, much like Bob did here.  His commitment to having good communications between the police department and the community has led to a promotion to the Public Information Officer and School Resource Officer position for the Mesquite Police Department.  In May, Bob was named the Police Officer of the Year.  Bob said he was surprised to be recognized for the award considering he has been there for such a short time.  Well, I'm not surprised because Bob was an outstanding police officer here and did a great job of promoting the police department to the community and particularly to the youth of Dover.  So, congratulations to Michelle and Bob for their accomplishments. 

 Quickly, good luck to the cast and crew of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, which opens this weekend at the Little Theatre.  And if you want to join in the fun of an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social, come on over to the J.E. Reeves Home and Museum on Sunday from noon to 4. I'll be there doing a live broadcast. What a great way to spend some time on the grounds of this wonderful home and take a step back into history.  Well, those are my views. If you want to see these comments and more, check out the WJER website at wjer.com and click on R News and Views.