Guest Blogger: An OSU Administrative Assistant

I will never forget my first day of work at the OSU Extension office and the Tech man hooking up my computer told me,” you don’t make a lot of money working for Extension but you meet more “nice” people than you can ever imagine.” No truer words were ever spoken. I have come across so many nice people in this profession. I love being able to help as many of them as I can. From working with 4-H Volunteers helping them figure out all the paper work we hand them and all of the 200 project books that are available to getting to mingle with the teens and other young people who come into the office has been very rewarding.

I remember sitting behind Marilyn Reed, my former working partner, and wondering how does she know how to identify all those weeds/grasses brought in.  And those Bugs!!! Yuk.  Now a few years down the road I find myself being able to do those same things.  From the hundreds of Bag worms to Emerald Ash Borer insects brought into our office to the branches with Lichen on them I think I’m getting a good hold on a little natural resources background.

Every holiday brings the usual how to thaw a frozen Turkey, or how long to cook questions. After summer’s bounty of gifts, I am asked how to can or freeze garden produce.  Mind you, I myself am no expert in any area, but I do know where to find the answers.

Every event or program is embedded in my mind as to what is needed.  Programs, sound systems, and projectors are just a few of the many necessities to start an event.   I guess an easy way to sum up what being an OSU Extension Administrative Assistant is; I organize, prepare and setup, then tear down and clean up; find solutions to problems; and adapt!

I love serving our community and helping in any way I can to be of service to our clientele.  I am very blessed to work with a great bunch of coworkers and many, many “Nice” volunteers.

It's always so nice to go into the OSU Extension office and be greeted at the front desk with a smile and a friendly hello, from someone that is always helpful and willing to aid us with whatever the situation may require.  Thank you Deb, we all appreciate your willingness to help with no matter what the question or need may be.

Sue & Louise

Something New....Improved....Just For You!

Have you visited a park or two in Van Wert lately? Recently there has been a great deal of construction and additions in the parks.  These changes are in the form of athletic facilities, support facilities and updates to the aesthetics of the parks.

Fountain Park, home of the Summer Concert Series and various special events is boasting new pole lights.

A new concrete approach to the Band Pavilion now replaces the unsightly stone drive. This approach will help bands that perform in the park to be able to load and unload their equipment with ease.

Jubilee Park has received nearly a complete new facelift. A new Little League Ball Field was constructed and is just seeing its second season of games this year.  A new concession building with restrooms was built to replace the old concession trailer that was used for nearly ten years. Additional parking was added to help with the increased activity in the park.

Be on the look out for a new flag pole to be installed at Jubilee as well as new park signs.  Speaking of signs, there is also signs located in strategic locations so visitors from out of town can find the parks without difficulty.

Smiley Park, one of the most active parks in the system is always a work in progress.  Two pavilions have received new roofs. The restroom facilities at the pavilions have received  new coat of paint, new doors and just minor details have been attended to in order to give them a fresh new look. Restroom updates are a work in progress and not completed yet.

The concession stand became the victim of an unfortunate fire that ended up a total loss in August of 2012.  After a long and drawn out process, construction of a new facility finally began in the fall of 2013.  The building process was completed spring of this year and the Smiley Park ball fields now have a beautiful focal point to serve the public.

There you are, there is something new, improved and it’s all for you at the Van Wert Parks Department. But, before I go I have to add that several of the new facilities that have been added have been made possible with the generosity of many businesses, organizations and individuals that have invested in the parks. Without them we would not be able to make the improvements and updates to the parks.

 Until next time, Sue.

Wordless Wednesday....Blooming Ladies

 

Heistan Woods

A Walk in the Woods

 

 



Around the corner from my house is a nature trail. This is the time of year that I like to walk through the woods. Everything becomes alive again There are nice trails and the floor is covered with the spring ephemerals.  I am not well versed on all the wild flowers, but I have an appreciation of their beauty.

 

 

 The trees are not yet covered with their foliage, so this day the sun was sending beams of light through  the trees.

On this fine day on the trail I encountered  a couple of people walking their dogs,  One was a Greyhound rescue. It is such a regal dog .It  was what you could call the perfect day The squirrels were rustling through the leaves making their presents known.  Birds were flitting here and there. Do allow yourself time to observe what is all around you.

This park has a pavilion, picnic tables, grills, and a playground for the children. This park is used by many  families.

The park is funded by the Van Wert County Foundation. The Jaycees, and The Starr Commonwealth boys were instrumental in establishing the trails.

Through this legacy we get to enjoy what they have laid out for us.

Take a walk and enjoy the serenity of nature. Listen to the birds and the sounds of the woods.
Don't forget to take your camera.

Summer, It will be coming soon!

 

Wordless Wednesday....Be Wise!

A Passion

The Orchid Bug

I can remember it very clearly---over a decade ago- my dad walking out of a craft tent at a Chicago art fair (of all places) holding one of the ugliest plants I had ever seen, an orchid. He spent $65 dollars on a plant that looked absolutely ridiculous and I thought he was crazy...........

Now 10 years and 100's of orchids later, I look back fondly at that memory and wonder what I would have told someone if they would have told me that later in my life, this plant (aside from my wife and kids) would be my passion.

Spotted-Tathiopedilum "Winston Churchill"

Orchids have been here long before us and will be here long after us. If a plant is well taken care of and given exactly what it needs, it will last through multiple generations. There are orchids in the Smithsonian's collection that have been there since the 1800's It is neat to think that my kids also catch the "orchid bug" so that they might inherit some of my most prized plants.

These little (sometimes not so little) plants have long been sought after and held with much wonder and amazement. The first orchid was brought to England sometime in the 1700's and was truly by mistake. A well to do plant lover had sent men to the jungles to find a different species of plant. When the ship arrived back in England, the gentleman found the plants he desired and they were packed inside another tough, rubbery looking plant. Curiosity kills the cat they say, however in this instance- this one man's curiosity started something in the plant world that could challenge the tulip craze in the Netherlands. Figuring, why not? He planted the odd specimen in a pot and put it in his greenhouse. Roughly a year later it bloomed and to the worlds amazement it was unlike anything they had ever seen. We now know this plant to be the corsage orchid. Our friend the Cattelya. Now....hunting orchids was dangerous, many died in pursuit of that one unobtainable plant.....me?? I prefer to walk into my local grocer or plant society, thank you very much..... not one to live life on the edge all of the time.

Phalaenopsis

Everyone will ask you, " but aren't they hard to grow?" Simple answer. no. If you can grow African Violets, you can grow an orchid. Your average orchid that you will see at your local supercenter or grocery store is a Phalaenopsis Orchid. Large flat leaves, tall flower spikes with beautiful moth shaped flowers in every color under the rainbow. For the beginner, Phalaenopsis, or Phals, are the best choice. They can take the climate that the average home is going to provide. Average temperatures of 65-72, nice bright (but no direct sun) window and weekly watering is all they require. Watering is the key here. Not enough... the plant will die, too much and the plant will die. Best advise-- once a week take the orchid out of the decorative pot, go to your sink and run temped water through the pot for about 2 minutes. Let it drain- DO NOT let it sit in water. Like all plants, a yearly re-pot is good for them and will entice new growth and new blooms. Too expensive you might say?? Not anymore! I was at my local garden center superstore and they had a double spike miniature phals for $8.96... you can't eat at a fast food restaurant that cheap, and this plant will last a LOT longer than that greasy food ever will!

Grab an orchid, get a book about them. Read up, educate yourself and you will be amazed at what these little plants will do... but be careful- much like a potato chip- one is never enough......

Ian

Ian and Lisette

Our Guest Blogger is Ian Kitson that has been a collector of orchids for a long time. He garnered his passion from his father. Ian works for Central Insurance Companies. He is civic minded. Ian and his wife Lisette, have had their home on the YWCA CHRISTMAS WALK, a local fundraising event. He is a man of many talents, one being a talented artist. They are involved in the community and we are blessed by this. Thank you, Ian

Christmas at the Kitson's

Louise and Sue