As a graduate from a Clermont 20/20, Inc. leadership program, if you have an announcement you would like to share please send your information to officemgr@clermont2020.org.

On Friday, June 11 at Receptions Eastgate, Mr. Glenn Welling, Acting Executive Director for the Department of Defense's Yellow Ribbon Program, will present an overview of the Yellow Ribbon Program and how it helps National Guard and Reserve Service members and their families overcome challenges associated with combat deployments. The Yellow Ribbon Program gives Service members and their families the opportunity to connect with resources, information, and benefits before they deploy, when they're deployed, and after they return home.

One of the most critical challenges facing returning Service members is employment. In 2008, the Pentagon reported that over 10% of the National Guard and Reserve members were unable to return to their civilian jobs they held before deploying, in spite of the protective provisions in federal law. The problem is especially common among those employed by small businesses: Veterans for America found that some small businesses avoid hiring citizen soldiers.  Almost 20% of recent veterans are unemployed, and 25% of those who are employed earn less than $21,000 per year. Welling will offer insight on the readiness, relevancy, and experience of the 1.1 million National Guard and Reserve Service members and how they add value to the American work force.

Glenn has drilled with the Navy Reserve for almost 30 years, and deployed in June 2008 to Iraq, where his mission involved detainee operations at Camps Bucca and Taji.  He assumed the position of Deputy Executive Director for Department of Defense Yellow Ribbon Program in January 2010, and currently serves as the Acting Exective Director.  Mr. Welling brings first-hand knowledge and military experience in deployment-related issues facing the National Guard and Reserve to his position. Register by calling 513-576-5000 or online at www.clermontchamber.com.

Morgan Sperry (Look to Clermont 2010) was an All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference  first team selection who has committed to play basketball for Ohio Northern University.  She led the Lady Barons in scoring this season, averaging 15.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. She also led the team in assists.

Seth Varner (Look to Clermont 2010) committed to play baseball at Miami University. The left-hander helped Clermont Northeastern win the Southern Buckeye Conference American Division title in April and advance as the No. 1 seed in the Division III sectional tournament.

Louie Schaljo (Look to Clermont 2009) was selected by the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association as an Academic All-Ohio player for Division II during this past season. He played basketball for Bethel-Tate High School.

Did you know you have a valuable tool for your non profit organization or business right here in Union Township? UTTV is a local access station whose mission is to provide the means for local productions. We have equipment and studio facilities and the training to match- all yours for the asking-at no charge!
 
UTTV provides the cameras, microphones, lighting, and editing facilities to produce your own programs.
 
While regulations do not allow us to air private sector advertising or endorse political candidates or issues, we can certainly air what you have been up to. Borrow a camera to tape your company picnic so others see what a close knit group you are! Film your employees putting up a Habitat For Humanity house, or holding a school supplies fair. This is a means by which you can highlight any charitable or philanthropic endeavor
 
Raise the bar on your fund raising efforts by producing a show about those events.
 
To learn more about this community asset, call Gina DiMario at Union Township Television at 513-947-7336. We're here for you.

Is there a woman who has made a difference in the community as a result of her volunteer efforts? The League of Women Voters encourages you to nominate that special woman for the Orpha Gatch Citizenship Award to be presented the evening of August 24, 2010. The award recognizes the achievements of a Clermont County woman for her volunteer civic service.
 
Nomination forms may be found at www.lwvclermont.com and submitted through June 29, 2010. For further information, contact Cyn Macke at 513-576-5006.

Local musicians join together to raise money & awareness to tackle the epidemic affecting 1 in 4 Clermont/Brown adults
 
Toe-tapping chamber music will fill the sanctuary of St. John Fisher Church, 3227 Church Street in Newtown on Sunday, June 6, 2010 as Suzanne Bona and friends perform a concert to benefit The Literacy Council of Clermont and Brown Counties. Bona, a trained flutist and classical music broadcaster, has assembled a group of prominent area performers, all donating their talents and time, to raise money to combat adult illiteracy.
 
Joining Bona for the 3:00 p.m. concert are guitarist Richard Goering, flutist Margaret Fecker, violinist Nancy Illman and cellist Jennifer Higgins Wheatley. Also performing is the Cellar SaxBand, whose members are Paula Pease playing soprano and alto sax, Ken Poleyeff on alto sax, Ken Foltz playing tenor sax and Joe Phelps on baritone sax.
 
This year's concert - the 3rd annual benefit -- will feature the widest variety of music yet, from traditional classical music, to sultry Latin American dances, to upbeat jazz favorites.
 
An Anderson Township resident, Suzanne Bona is a board member of The Literacy Council of Clermont and Brown Counties and a veteran literacy tutor. She has recruited friends from Anderson, Wyoming, Deerfield Township and Fort Thomas to perform with her and raise funds needed to continue the vital work of The Literacy Council.
 
All proceeds of the event will go to the Literacy Council of Clermont & Brown Counties. There is no admission charge, but there is a suggested minimum donation of $15 per person.
 
According to Literacy Council Executive Director Susan Vilardo, "It's shocking, but approximately one out of four adults in Clermont and Brown Counties cannot read and write beyond a third grade level. If this were a health issue, it would be considered an 'epidemic.'" Vilardo continues, "Can you imagine being unable to read to your kids, fill out a job application, or comprehend the instructions and warnings on a prescription bottle?" Board President Jason Sims adds, "It takes great courage for adults to admit they can't read and ask for help. The Literacy Council helps people overcome their shame and improve their lives by matching them with one-on-one volunteer tutors. Their personal successes benefit our community as they develop skills to support their families."
 
The Literacy Council's mission is to enable adults to acquire basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills needed to participate fully in society, and to increase awareness of literacy needs in our community. For more information please call Susan Vilardo at 513-943-3741 or email Suzanne Bona at sbona@wshu.org.

Three person adult teams will gather on June 22, 2010 at noon to determine, without a shadow of a doubt, what team is the best speller.  Fifteen to twenty teams will participate in this year's Literacy Spelling Bee.  The teams are comprised of agencies and businesses from Clermont and Brown Counties.  Most of the teams are returning competitors and some of the teams are "new-bees." 
 
The Literacy Council gets a lot of mileage from the event.  Not only do all of the proceeds funnel into services that assist adults into becoming veracious readers for the very first time but the agency has taken "bee-ountiful" license with the very word "bee."  We find ourselves drawn to any picture, item or expression that bears a bee!   We are bee-yond ourselves over the bee!  In a sense, we have "bee-it is!"  But we find this to bee a very "bee-utiful" habit.  (We know how nerve-wracking this must bee!!!) 
 
So, "bee" a good sport and come on out and cheer for those courageous and talented team members as they spell words far more difficult than "beecareful."  The last team standing wins a gold medal and a prize.  The affair runs for two hours or so.  There is complimentary food and drinks ("bee" nice and don't take too much) a raffle, split the pot and a silent auction.  Enjoy a great afternoon of skilled spellers, incredibly difficult words, and tempting items to bid on.  In the end, you will have helped the Literacy Council to continue with their mission of helping adults learn how to read. Bee a strong supporter. Bee at the Bee.