Shelli Jackson, Spencer Williams and Don Traxler shared their experiences when they attended the Inaugural Ceremonies of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in Washington, D. C. on Jan. 21, with those attending the February meeting of the Hardin County Democrats Central and Executive Committee meeting at the Kenton Moose Lodge .

Shelli (Liberty Township) was among the 56,000-plus people who applied on-line to become a volunteer for the Presidential Inaugural Committee.  She was one of the 1,500 volunteers who was selected. 

She had to go early for extensive training.  On the day of the Inauguration, she was up at 2 a.m. to prepare the breakfast for the volunteers.  She was inside the Capitol and had the opportunity to meet and shake hands and chat with the President and First Lady.  Her evening was capped with her attendance at the Staff Inaugural Ball.

Spencer Williams (Marion Township) and his father Charles flew to D.C. and stayed in a hotel near the Capitol. They attended the Ohio Democratic Party Gala Celebration in the historic Mayflower Hotel and enjoyed meeting many Ohio Democrats including Governor Ted Strickland and U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. 

They were among the nearly 800,000 people on the Mall observing the Inauguration.  Spencer had received two tickets though Senator Brown’s Office. They enjoyed touring the city on Sunday as well as visiting Senator Brown’s office.

Don Traxler (Ada) and Phil Long (Celina and a native of rural Ada) drove to D. C. and stayed with friends Dale and Claudia Rumberger in Lorton, Virginia. This is the third Inauguration Don has stayed with them and Phil’s first Inauguration.  Phil is in his second year of retirement after graduating from Ohio Northern University and teaching in the Celina City Schools for 35 ½ years. 

They attended the ODP Gala Celebration and also attended the sponsors reception as a guest of Pat Frost Brooks, President of the Ohio Education Association. Don was especially excited that the Miami of Ohio University Marching Band performed at the Gala and marched in the Inaugural Parade. Don has attended the Miami home football games for the past two years to take pictures and write about their soon-to-be-drafted NFL quarterback, Zac Dysert of Ada. 

On the way home from D.C., they stopped at the Flight 93 Memorial near Somerset, Pennsylvania. It was a snowy, windy day with the temperature at 10 below zero wind-chill according to the park ranger.

Presidents' Day Luncheon Feb. 23 in Kenton

Final plans were made for the Presidents’ Day Luncheon to be held Saturday, Feb. 23, at noon at the Kenton Moose Family Center. Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald will be the keynote speaker. 

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door and reservations can be made via phone with Traxler at 419-234-8506.

Chair Don Traxler announced that the 2013 Ohio Democratic Party Legacy Dinner will be held Friday, March 15, at the Columbus Athenaeum at 6:30 p.m.  

Call or email Traxler at 419-234-8506 or [email protected] for information on securing a ticket and specific details. 

Governor Ted Strickland and U. S. Senator Sherrod Brown will be speaking as well as a special guest who will be announced as soon as confirmation is received.