Women repurposing grocery bags into sleeping mats for Haiti

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 16 October 2012 13:54

Lois Johnson (left) and LaVaughn Klose complete the process of making sleeping mats for people in Haiti using 500 to 700 plastic grocery bags on Thursdays at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion. Others cut the plastic bags into strips, tie them and then roll them in balls for the final step in finishing the mat. For almost a year, a group of women at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Marion have been making unique sleeping mats for people in Haiti.

Irma Meisinger, one of the women involved in the project, said they reuse between 500 and 700 plastic grocery bags to make one sleeping mat.

“Some ladies cut the bags into two-inch strips, either with scissors or a cutting board,” she said. “Then others take the strips and tie them together.

“Once they get a whole bunch, the strips are rolled up...

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HCF seeking applicants for Impact Fund support

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 16 October 2012 13:53

The Hillsboro Community Foundation is accepting applications for grant funds to be distributed in 2013 from the Hillsboro Area Impact Fund.

Organizations may apply that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) and serve Hillsboro and surrounding communities.

Application forms can be downloaded from hillsborofree­press.com or cityofhillsboro.net, or picked up from Eileen Unruh at The Insurance Center at 105 S. Main, Hillsboro. The deadline for submission is Nov. 16.

The...

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County makes quiet transition to new jail

Written by Jerry Engler Tuesday, 16 October 2012 13:53

Sheriff Robert Craft said Monday at the Marion County Commission meeting that last week his staff moved their offices and all prisoners into the new Marion County Jail.

The former jail still houses Emergency Communications until a tower is installed at the new jail, which Craft said represents an operational inconvenience.

“The jail is completely functional,” he said.

Craft previously said there would be no public announcement prior to the move in the interest of prisoner...

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The art of the deal

Written by Don Ratzlaff Tuesday, 16 October 2012 13:51

Collaborators for a fundraiser for the expansion of the Hillsboro Public Library met recently at the soon-to-be-open art gallery at 110 N. Main. Pictured from left are Ruth Hamm, library board member; Steve Vincent, board chair; project instigators Russell and Jeanne Groves and librarian Cathy Fish. In front of them are two watercolors by Ellen Groves and wood carvings by Jim Baxter. The two artists, now deceased, happen to pick a carousel theme. A Hillsboro couple is so convinced of the value of the local public library that they’re preparing to sell the artistic works of their late parents to raise money for its expansion.

Russell and Jeanne Groves have rented the storefront at 110 N. Main, former home of Supreme Floor Co., as a gallery to display and sell their parents’ creations as well as for other artists to donate their work as well.

The Groves plan to open the gallery the first weekend in November. The gallery will then...

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Ghost tour planned Oct. 20 in Marion

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:51

The Marion Historical Museum is sponsoring a “Ghost Tour” Oct. 20.

Participants will leave the museum by “ghost trolley” at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.

Tickets are $2 and are available at the museum; children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information or to purchase tickets, stop by the museum at 623 E. Main St. or call 620-382-9134.

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, May through October.