CRAWFORD COUNTY CHAPTER OF OHIO GENEALOGY SOCIETY – The Crawford County Chapter of Ohio Genealogy Society met at St. john’s Lutheran Church, Galion on June 18 . There were 25 members and guests present. Ken Mast presided over Roll Call. Pres. Mary Fox Opened the meeting with old business.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Mary Lou Hasting followed by the Treasurer’s report by Don Wenner. Under new business, Marty Keller reported that Ancestry.com now is publishing obituaries along with Census reports if they are available. Also available are more Civil War histories. Mary introduced Keith Metcalf who gave our program for the evening. He presented himself in a Civil War IJniform and told how the music of the Civil War influenced the soldiers when they were not on duty.

Many instruments were carried during the war such as harmonics, flutes, banjo’s and guitars. He used a guitar to play many popular songs that were sung by both north and south such as “Dixie”, The Robert E. Lee”, “Marching through Georgia”, and “I’ve been working on the Railroad.” Keith introduced Lonnie Leapley who was dressed as a Confederate Soldier and he showed several different rifles that were used during the Civil War.

The next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Sept. 17, at the Bucyrus Public Library. Guests are welcome.

CRAWFORD COUNTY POMONA GRANGE – The Leesville Grange #2078/Crawford County Pomona Grange #36 potluck picnic was held at Lowe-Volk Park on June 16. Chaplain Dorothy Eckert offered prayer before the meal.

Lecturer’s Program Theme was “What’s Happening-Past, Present and Future at Lowe-Volk Park?” Crawford County Park District Director Bill Fisher passed out copies of newsletter entitled Trails. Bill Fisher showed pictures and told about the re-enactment of the capture of Col. Crawford held at Lowe-Volk Park recently. He also mentioned demonstrations and other activities that took place that day. Logan Masters is a new naturalist working at Lowe-Volk Park. 185 different species of birds have been banded by the Park over the past several years. Splash Makers of Mansfield is designing an interactive treehouse to be constructed in the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center, which will focus on hands on nature learning for children.

Barb Van Scoit and Don Graf participated in Relay for Life held at Wynford High School.

The next Leesville Grange meeting will be held 7:30 p.m. July 7 at the Jefferson Twp. Fire Department. Grange booth plans will be finalized. Lunch will be create your ice cream sundae.

NORTH END GARDEN CLUB MEETS – North End Garden Club held their monthly meeting at the First Lutheran Church with Patty Rice-Groth presiding. Among the committee reports the annual picnic will be held on July 13. The August meeting will be about starting a Junior Club. This was the subject of the February meeting which had to be cancelled due to the weather. NEGC will participate in the Pickle Run on Sunday, July 5, with a booth in the park. They will be raffling a basket containing garden related items. These are to be taken to Mary Ellen Heacock’s house.

Honorary Memberships were then presented to two long-time members, Maralee Frost and Connie Houser. Dodi Garverick was also to be presented with an Honorary Membership, but she was unable to attend. Maralee and Connie reminisced about the early days of the club when there were many garden clubs in Galion and all ladies were referred to as The Mrs.. The membership enjoyed these antidotes.

Virginia Sharp from Mansfield who is an OAGC (The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc.) judge next evaluated the arrangements that members had made according to the Crawford County Fair Schedule.

The door prize was won by Penny Jarvis and refreshments were served by Betty Grogan and Patty Rice-Groth.