Ginger McConnell of Ada knows where to find seashells and knows what to do with them.
Although many Florida beaches are now nearly void of shells, she gathers many various kinds and colors of shells along the beach of Sanibel Island when visiting there a month every year.
Instead of putting the shells in a glass container for display, she makes wreaths which are for sale at Ruth Roider's Art Gallery on Main. She said that making a wreath of shells is like putting a puzzle together. (Monty Siekerman)
Makenna Conaway fills a fruit basket as a volunteer for ReStore on Monday morning at the United Methodist Church.
ReStore prepared and delivered 100 baskets on Monday. Much of the fruit was donated by the Ada High School FFA, others donated cookies, baskets given to ReStore throughout the year were saved for this purpose.
ReStore brings happiness to many local residents with this annual project
In the other two photos, at the bottom of this year are Brett Walters and Barb Hayter.
The Hardin County Chamber & Business Alliance announced the winners of the Buy Local First Holiday Contest, which ran from Nov. 23 – Dec. 17. The Alliance partnered with the Buy Ada First Committee and 37 local businesses on the event.
There were over $1,700 in prizes given away thanks to the participating businesses.
The 25 Days of Christmas Buy Local Contest was a way to educate the community on the benefits of buying local and to encourage shoppers to buy local this holiday season.
The $500 Grand Prize winner was Tom Anderson, the $200 winner was Michelle Ray, and the $100 winner was Christy Clark.
By Monty Siekerman
Local photographer Karen Ward has produced a book of 50 photographs of the village titled "Scenes of Ada, Ohio."
It is for sale at the Art Gallery on Main. Karen has taken pictures of town ever since she arrived here 25 years ago.
The 10" by 10" book includes familiar places (ONU, Wilson's, the parks, churches, grain elevator) and the unfamiliar, only what a creative artist might see (weathered siding, weeds blooming along a roadside, snow scenes).
Ziggy, Aivas and Roslin, 4 Paws for Ability puppies in training at Ohio Northern University, spent their Tuesday morning with Mrs. Boehm’s, Miss Harmon’s, Mrs. Preston’s, and Miss Whitsel’s second grade classes at Ada Elementary.
Matthew Sutton, University Program Coordinator/puppy raiser, along with Michael Hackelman, Program Executive/puppy raiser, and Kately Avers, puppy raiser, spoke with the students about different ways the puppies have been trained.
Students were then given the chance to ask questions about how the puppies have been trained, which breeds are best to become a service dog, and how they get to be so smart.
Louise Miller places an ornament on a tree during a remembrance service on Saturday afternoon at Hanson-Neely Funeral Home in Ada.
Her husband, Dr. George Miller, passed away during the past year. More than 100 people attended the remembrance service which was for anyone who lost a loved one no matter how long ago.
Pastor Mary Jo Yeakle gave the devotions. Pastor Randy Davis also participated. This was the 12th annual remembrance service sponsored by Hanson-Neely. (Monty Siekerman photo)
