The last vegetable give-away of the season will be held Saturday, September 11, beginning at 9 a.m., in the parking lot of Messiah Lutheran Church. This summer, many people brought in vegetables and fruit to be shared with the community. Participants enjoyed making friends, exchanging recipes and sharing ideas.

St. Joseph Parish to hold Labor Day Weekend festival
St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend Festival on Friday, September 3, through Sunday, September 5, on the parish grounds located at 2214 Manhattan, in Erie.
There will be no cover charge for this year’s festival entertainment. To kick off the weekend, local band “2 Dudes and a Chick” will play from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, followed by “Haywire” from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
On Saturday, the schedule includes local acoustic guitar player Jim Burgard from noon to 2 p.m., DJ Walt McNeil from 2:15 to 4:15 p.m., “Three Sheets to the Wind” from 6 to 9 p.m., and “Second Wind” following from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Sunday’s lineup features “Exit 17” from 5 to 8 p.m. followed by “Hoozier Daddy” from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. to wrap up the weekend.
New this year is “Battle of the Bands,” an event for teens that will take place in the gymnasium. There will be a $3 cover charge for this event only. Doors open at 7 p.m., with live performances starting at 8 p.m. Teens can vote for their favorite, which will be announced at the end of the evening.
The festival also offers raffles, children’s games, midway rides, bingo, and a gambling tent with Texas Hold’ Em all weekend long. Tournaments include horseshoe, softball, and 3-on-3 basketball.
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Tribute to the Troops rally to be held September 8
The Heroes in Action military support outreach will hold its sixth annual citywide Support the Troops rally on Wednesday, September 8, at 6 p.m., at Friendship Park, 2930 131st Street, in Point Place.
The program will honor members of all the branches of service who are serving or who have served in the military.
Master of Ceremonies will be Jerry Anderson of TV Channel 11. Military veterans will be guest speakers.
Special music will be presented by Eddie Boggs, the Central Catholic High School Glee Club, and the Calvary Kids Ensemble. Sound will be provided by Music by Subcool.
The event will include an Armed Forces Honor Guard, a rifle salute and bagpiper, the Patriot Guard Riders, Sea Cadets, Young Marines and Springfield JROTC drill team.
Those attending are invited to bring lawn chairs for seating and bug spray.
The Friendship Community Center will sell hot dogs and apple pie beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Ken Myers named commissioner of Three Rivers Athletic Conference
The Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) has selected Ken Myers as its first commissioner. His two-year term will begin immediately.
Mr. Myers held the post of director of public safety and public services in Fremont for 17 years before retiring last year. He has worked as an official and held advisory positions in the Ohio High School Athletic Association. He currently is an associate commissioner with the Northern Ohio League, for which he served as league representative to the OHSAA statewide commissioner’s quarterly meetings.
“The committee was very fortunate to have excellent candidates for the commissioner’s position,” said Jose Hernandez, TRAC president. “We are enthusiastic about the leadership and organization skills that Ken brings to the job. We anticipate a smooth inaugural season next year.”
The conference schedule will begin with the fall sports of 2011.

Rep. Edna Brown to host public forum on OCC Sept. 1
A public forum with State Representative Edna Brown will be held Wednesday, September 1, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Friendship Park Community Center.
The program will be about the role of the Ohio Consumers Council, a residential utility consumer advocate, representing 4.5 million households in proceedings before state and federal regulators and in the courts.
The state agency educates consumers about electric, natural gas, telephone and water issues and resolves complaints from the public.
Area residents are invited to attend to ask questions and receive free literature. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Metroparks board approves strategic plan for park district
By Jane Maiolo
Following review of the strategic plan, the board of commissioners for the Toledo Metroparks voted unanimously to adopt the three-year plan.
At the August 25 meeting, Director Don Rettig presented the final plan, which included four key areas: connecting with the land; connecting with the community; connecting with the future, and connecting with employees.
“The elements of this plan form the foundation for the majority of the next three-year period,” explained the director.
He noted that the basic building block of the park system is land. Toward that end, park officials plan to continue with current land acquisition, targeting the Oak Openings Greenway, Lake Erie Coastal Zone, Maumee River Corridor/ Fallen Timbers, Ottawa River/Ten Mile Creek, Swan Creek/Westside Corridor, Nona France and Keil Farm.
Mr. Rettig said the district plans to acquire an additional 3,983 acres in these areas. To purchase the acreage, the park district will use funds from a land levy in conjunction with Clean Ohio Funds.
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