Festival help appreciated

To the editor:
On behalf of the board of directors and members of the Jay County Historical Society, I wish to thank everyone who helped present the 9th annual Heritage Festival on Oct. 1-2.
This event only happens because our members and our friends and neighbors are willing to work hard to plan, promote, sponsor, set up, tear down, cook and sell food, display, direct traffic, park cars, help with kids’ games, write and sell books, donate produce and products, donate chairs and tables, and otherwise do all the necessary heavy lifting.
Thanks to all who endured a cold Saturday and a slightly warmer Sunday to help us celebrate our rich Jay County heritage.
A special thanks to The Portland Foundation for a grant to purchase additional tents and to our friend and neighbor Doug Milligan for agreeing to be the master of ceremonies for the event.
Sincerely,
Tom Young, president, Jay County Historical Society

Benefit thanks
To the editor:
The Carrie Kelly benefit is behind us and it was a huge success thanks to people like you. We could not have pulled it off without the help and support of so many people. A special thanks to Michelle Bruns and her family and friends for organizing the event, putting everything in motion and for being the driving force behind the project.
We have so many other people to thank as well. Thank you to the Jay County Hospital medical staff for the donation to start the event, and to Linda Weitzel and an anonymous donor for donating the hogs, Winner’s Meat in Osgood for processing the hogs and to Greg Bergman and the Fort Recovery VFW for roasting and shredding the meat. We would also like to thank the Portland Police Department for providing security and to all the area merchants for their generous donations. Thank you to the Lion’s Club for hosting the event and to Steve McDowell for providing the music.
Lastly, thanks to all the people who bought tickets, sold tickets, solicited merchants, donated food, donated money, helped cook, clean, fill trays and staff the ticket tables. It was all very much appreciated. The proceeds will be used to help defray the cost of Carrie’s healthcare.
Thank you all for a successful benefit.
Lisa Craiger and the Carrie Kelly Benefit Committee

Fire safety
To the editor:
The Portland Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out to the third annual Fire Safety Day on Oct. 8. We would also like to thank all the public servants who took time out of their busy schedules to participate.
Those would include Jay Emergency Medical Service, Jay County Sheriff’s Department, Portland Police Department, Rescue 19, Dwane Ford with DNR, Red Cross and Samaritan Helicopter Service.
The following businesses made special donations: Bickel’s Equipment Rental, Central Gases, Coca-Cola of Portland, CrownPointe Assisted Living and Superior Auto. Without all of our participants, this would not be possible. I would also like to remind everyone to practice fire safety every day and change the batteries in your smoke detectors. If any Portland homeowner does not have a smoke detector, you may get one free of charge at the Portland Fire Department.
Thank you,
Chad Aker, Chief, Portland Fire Department[[In-content Ad]]