Your monthly news & updates
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Thanks to adoption, Angel and Phil Tudor (center) saw their family grow from one to eight within six years -- and they couldn't be happier. For more information on foster care and adoption, visit
clermontforkids.org
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Adoption Month:
“It’s like everything that happened was meant to be”
Phil and Angel Tudor marvel as they look back on their lives as adoptive parents. At one point, they just had shared custody of Phil’s daughter, Brooklynn, now 27, seeing her every other week. Six years later, their family accelerated to eight children.
“I always thought I’d be old and gray with no kids,” said Angel, 43, of Goshen Township.
Parker, 4, sits on her lap while adoptive sisters Paige, 19, Savannah, 14, Bella, 14, and Seleen, 10, listen from a couch. Phil, 46, holds adoptive son CJ, 2, in his arms. Clermont County Child Protective Services placed the four sisters with the Tudors on Aug. 5, 2009, as foster children. The day the girls were placed, the county told Angel they would have to split the sibling group in half if the Tudors didn’t foster all four.
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Amy Foley, executive director of Hope Community Center, and recovery coach Rhonda Birkhimer
"Peer support holds the hope for people that they can find recovery, especially when people don’t hold the hope themselves."
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Recovery coaches help others succeed
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Rhonda Birkhimer, 41, calls herself a “hope dealer.”
Officially, Birkhimer works as a “certified peer recovery support specialist” for the Hope Community Center for Mental Wellness in Amelia.
“I like hope dealer, or recovery coach, better,” Birkhimer said. “That connects with people who are struggling.”
Birkhimer joins a handful of other peer recovery support specialists in Clermont County, dealing hope to people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, trauma, codependency and the like.
The Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board was one of the first in the state to recognize the importance of recovery coaches, using them in treatment and as a voice in the community. In 2014, Birkhimer and best friend Kristy Mudd were the first two certified recovery coaches in Clermont County.
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Increasing number of vets seek help for PTSD
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As a senior veterans’ service officer at Clermont County Veterans’ Service Commission, Rodger Young often helps people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Veterans Services assists more than 1,000 Clermont County veterans a year to help them with everything from disability claims to filing for health care insurance offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Emergency Financial Assistance.
“We are seeing more veterans with PTSD for various reasons,” Young said. “Some of the veterans coming back from Iraq/Afghanistan have as many as eight deployments under their belt. Older veterans who have served in past wars are now retired/retiring and have more time to think about their war experience and fewer distractions to offset those memories."
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Veterans Day parade offers
opportunity to spotlight services
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Emily Dillenberger, Christy Panzarella and Nancy Young from the Clermont County Veterans Service Commission will serve as Grand Marshalls in the annual Veterans Day Parade on Main Street in Batavia at 7 p.m. Nov. 11. Commission Executive Director Frank Morrow (left) will deliver the keynote address.
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Clermont County Veterans Awareness Blood Drive, Nov. 8
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The Clermont County Veterans Awareness Blood Drive will take place 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and 2-4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8 in a mobile unit at 101 E. Main St., Batavia. All participants receive an Honor Sticker. To sign up, visit www.hoxworth.org/groups/clermontveterans or call 513-451-0910.
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Five tips for recycling properly
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With America Recycles Day taking place Nov. 15, Director of Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality (OEQ) and Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District Hannah Lubbers explains the latest trends in recycling -- and gives five valuable tips.
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Help brighten a child's holiday
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Every year, Clermont County Children’s Protective Services strives to ensure that children in care have a wonderful Christmas. Last year, Christmas Day was made brighter with gifts for about 350 children due to wonderful sponsors.
Please consider sponsoring one or more children. You can also sponsor a family or two or more. Sponsors of all types accepted: individuals, company sponsors, groups and organizations, etc. There is no limit on the number of gifts or cost; however if there is a sibling group being sponsored we will indicate that so the sponsors can try and keep the gifts even in number.
HOW TO SPONSOR A CHILD: If you are interested in sponsoring a child or family, please e-mail Sanna Gast at: sanna.gast@jfs.ohio.gov
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Clermont Chamber of Commerce President Matt Van Sant and Commissioner Claire Corcoran join Ken Brand and Dan Reed of Sunbelt Rentals at the grand opening of its Union Township location
Grand opening of new location
Local officials were on hand Oct. 10 for the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at Sunbelt Rentals' Union Township facility. Sunbelt, a nationwide organization, rents a wide variety of equipment and tools.
Bring holiday joy to a senior
Would you like to make a difference in the life of an older adult this Christmas? Clermont Senior Services needs community members to Adopt a Senior. Families, businesses, civic or church groups - this is a great opportunity to give back. As an adopter, you'll get matched with the wish list of a senior, purchase gifts from that list, wrap the gifts, and bring them in to be delivered. Call Kathy for more information: 513-536-4021
Watch this video to see the joy of gift giving:
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Block grant funds to allow for various improvements
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County Commissioners in October approved Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for 10 projects worth a total of more than $800,000. Funds will begin to flow in six to nine months, said Sherri Cmar, Grants Coordinator for Clermont County.
Among the projects are a safe, walkable path in Moscow between the sidewalk at Wells Street and the Riverfront Park (above). The path will provide unique views of the Ohio River and a safe stroll for residents and visitors.
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Clermont SWCD to restore wetlands, create basin at Shor Park
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Clermont County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Clermont County Park District have received a $135,080 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore a stream and construct three small wetlands at Shor Park.
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At our parks in November
Hikes with Tykes – Turkey Trot
10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, Hartman Cabin
Bring your tykes for a gobbling good time while we learn about turkeys! We’ll go on a short hike and have fun activities for your preschoolers.
Holiday Craft Workshop
6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, Hartman Cabin
Get in the holiday spirit with the Clermont County Park District for an evening crafting! Crafting supplies and refreshments will be provided. Space is limited. Registration is required to adrooks@clermontcountyohio.gov.
Winter Lectures – A Closer Look at Wildlife and Hunting in Ohio
6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, Pattison Park Lodge
Are you curious about wildlife management in Ohio? Is hunting really good for our environment? Hear from Division of Wildlife Biologist, Emily Archibald about the impacts of hunting. Join the discussion and get answers to your questions.
Discovery Days – Autumn Investigations
10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Pattison Park Lakeside
Seasonal changes are always exciting in nature. Join us to take a closer look at what’s
happening in autumn and get the scoop on “how” through hands-on activities. Recommended for ages 7 to 14.
Native American Cultures and Traditions **Registration Full**
10 a.m. 12 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, Sycamore Park
Learn how Native Americans lived in the 1700’s before European settlers arrived. Participants will step back in time and learn how Native Americans worked, played and lived in the great forests of Southeast Ohio. Program includes interactive games, hike and activities that focus on the tribes of Southeast Ohio. Recommended for ages 7 to 12. Registration is required to rgreen@clermontcountyohio.gov.
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At our libraries in November
It’s finally fall, and the Clermont County Public Library has plenty of great programs to celebrate the season.
* Learn more about beekeeping at the Batavia Library, 11 a.m. Nov. 9.
* Explore fiction writing at a four-part workshop at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 12, 19 and 26 at Miami Township.
* Little girls can bring their dolls to a tea party at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Owensville.
* Teens will learn how to make pizza at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Owensville.
* Pick up a few books for fall reading at the Amelia Used Book Sale, Nov. 15, 16 and 18.
* Learn how to make soap using goat milk at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at Owensville.
* Discover how to target the right organization when writing grants at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at Miami Township.
* The Union Township Library will host a Used Book Sale Nov. 22-Nov. 26.
* Veterans can learn about new benefits available at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at Miami Township.
* Kids can celebrate Harry Potter at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at Felicity.
* The C.A.P.S. Team will discuss elder abuse and how to prevent it at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Amelia.
* Paint an autumn scene at 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at Miami Township.
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Clermont County | 101 E. Main Street | Batavia OH 45103 | 513.732.7300 |
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