Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
COUNTY
ChroniCle
As Low as 59
Roofing And
Siding Will Carry You Through Years
Of Rough Use And Worse Weather.
Steel For Strength.
Galvanized For Rust Resistance.
Wide Color Selection.
Designed To Stay Weathertight,
Keep Interiors Dry.
Stop By And Put Centurydrain To Work.
Hard Working & Good Looking
300 S. Main Street P.O. Box 247 Ansonia, Ohio
937-337-3111
Monday-Friday 7AM-5:30PM Saturday 7AM-Noon
LUMBER
Ansonia
Ansonia
Company Company
25
%
OFF
118 East McNeil Street
Portland, Indiana
260-726-6750
(Behind Swiftys Gas Station)
Regular Hours: Thurs. 10-5 Fri. 10-6 Sat. 10-4
McCalls Candle
VANILLA
25
%
OFF
26 Oz.
Only!
THE MERCER COUNTY CHRONICLE
Page 10 May 21, 2009 - May 27, 2009
Celina Couple Receives Albert Heckler
Award from Cheryl Ann Programs
Louis and Dorothy Hoyng never imagined that theyd be-
come involved with Cheryl Ann Programs.
They were raising three happy, healthy boys in their Celina
home. Louie operated his custom upholstery shop next door,
and Dorothy worked in the high school cafeteria. They were a
typical family.
Then a very atypical thing happened. Their middle son,
Brian, was struck by lightning in 1981 when he was 16. With
that bolt out of the blue, the Hoyngs lives changed forever.
The odds of being struck by lightning are one in 280,000,
but the Hoyngs couldnt afford to spend much time thinking
about their terrible luck. They had a son who needed them
more than he ever had. The first years after Brians accident,
which left him with severe disabilities, were very difficult,
they said, as they searched for someone who could help them
help Brian.
Their school district helped as much as it could.Finally, then-
Superintendent Ralph Stelzer recommended a place the Hoyngs
knew about but had never visited as parents: Cheryl Ann.
Cheryl Ann was the best thing that ever happened to us,
Louie Hoyng said. It gave Brian his life back.
The people of Cheryl Ann helped Brian with his everyday
life. They gave him a place to go and jobs to do. He made new
friends, and enjoyed everything about his experiences there,
up to and including the bus ride out to Mud Pike.
When he would see Sam Morden (his bus aide) he would
just smile, and the people in Adult Day Services really knew
how to make him laugh, Dorothy Hoyng said.
It wasnt long before the Hoyngs were finding ways to re-
pay Cheryl Ann for its help. They were regular volunteers.
Louie Hoyng completed upholstery jobs for the unique
equipment used at Cheryl Ann, and often, said Superintendent
Mike Overman, Louie would forget to send us a bill. He
also served a term on the county MRDD board and was the
board president.
For all that, and for their tireless advocacy on behalf of
their son, the Hoyngs received the Albert Heckler Award at
the staff appreciation banquet in March. The award is given
each year to a Cheryl Ann family that exemplifies service and
advocacy.
The Hoyngs both served as good examples of first-rate
advocates for their son, Overman said. They rarely ever
missed a day spending time with him, and they always spoke
up to be sure his needs were being met. They were really spe-
cial parents for Brian, and really good supporters of our pro-
gram.
Brian Hoyng died in February 2008 at the age of 43. In the
years after the lightning strike he taught his family a lot about
patience, hope, endurance and acceptance. He introduced the
Hoyngs to a world they had only seen from the outsidebut it
was a world where they found welcome and acceptance.
We met some wonderful people during our years at Cheryl
Ann, Dorothy Hoyng said. They worked their hearts out
helping us with Brian.
Dorothy and Louis Hoyng
Stateline Writers Meet
At the April meeting of the Stateline Writers Club, members read
profiles they had written about someone, living or dead or make-
believe, and member Eileen Whitsetts special activity of having mem-
bers combine pictures of particular scenes with a person or people
assigned to them to put into that scene brought interesting results.
Sue Miller and Gretchen Bollenbachers proposal for a special
meeting designed to attract new members was described and approved.
Members will be hosted by the Coldwater Public Library in June for
a reading of their best work.
At the next meeting, which will be on Saturday, May 16, mem-
bers will rehearse for their special program in June.
Stateline club members meet the 3rd Saturday of each month at
10 a.m. at the Celina Mercer County Library. Anyone interested in
coming to a meeting or becoming a member is cordially invited to
attend.
Celina Rotary Dog Park Dedicated
BY: BETTY LOU DENNEY/HALL
Opening day at the Celina Rotary Dog Park received
rave revues from the dogs. As the gates opened for the first
time on Tuesday May 12, dogs of all sizes were seen mak-
ing their way to the park to get a chance to run in over 3
acres of wide open spaces of the chain-linked fenced in
area. Small dogs area is an acre and the large dogs have
over 2 acres. The new park, which is one of newest and
biggest things happening in the State Parks around the coun-
try, was made possible due to the efforts of Deborha Borns,
Rotary Club President. Her friend, Darlene Lynskey, is also
working on getting a State Dog Park in her home town of
St. Marys. The two dog lovers along with many volunteers
worked many hours with the help of the State and Craig
Morton, who is the regional manager of Grand Lake St.
Marys. Together they cleared away debris from the previ-
ously unused land. The Park is located at the end of West
Bank Road
Deb Borns saw her idea come to life with the help of the
Celina Rotary Clubs major donation and businesses as well
as individuals who helped with labor and monetary dona-
tions. The idea came to her after visiting another dog park.
At the dedication ceremony Deb thanked many of the
people who made the park possible. Jeff Larmore, Past
Rotary President and Celina City Council Member spoke
as his 150 pound Newfoundland, Bentley checked out the
park. Jeff is also a large contributor to the park in honor of
the recovery of Bentley after he had been lost for several
days. Craig Morton, Regional Manager of State Park Gand
Lake St. Marys and John Hunter, Assistant Chief of the
Division of Parks and Recreation also spoke at the dedica-
tion ceremony. Deb concluded her speech with some wise
lessons that she has learned from her own dogs. A few of
which were: Never leave home without your leach and
your ID. If you stare at someone long enough, you will get
what you want. Last, if it is not wet and sloppy it is not a
real kiss.
One of the many visitors enjoying running free on dedi-
cation day was a lab /poodle mix owned by Dave Hochstien,
professor at Wright State University. He has other dogs at
home but decided to only bring one at a time. He com-
mented that this was the first time his dog had this much
exercise since he got him a year ago.
There are a few small problems to work out with the
park, such as the water faucet would not shut off and there
was a small hole under the fence in the small dog side of
the park, which of course was found by one of the little
furry visitors on dedication day. These problems will be
easily fixed. Memberships ($10) to Fur Ever Friends are
being sold to help with the upkeep of the park. The use of
the park is free to the public. One of the additions they
would like to have is benches added to the park for the
comfort of the owners.
The green stations placed around the fence for the dog
wastes were given at a discount by Florida based company
named DogiPot. Gary Brown, Assistant Operations Man-
ger, heard about the plans for the park and wanted to help
by giving discounts on the pots. The company has all Oxi-
biodegradable bags inside the pots for your dog waste. Gary
flew in from Florida to be a part of the ribbon cutting and
opening of the park. More of their products can be found
by going to: www.propet.org.
If visiting the park remember to follow the rules that are
posted at the entrance. Common sense is your guide such
as:
Dogs should have their current shots
The park has little dog and big dog sections, keep
dogs in their own spaces.
Dont leave dog unattended
Do not bring a dog that shows aggressive behavior
Keep small children under close supervision
Clean up after your own dog
Never bring a dog to the park that has an illness.
These are just a few precautions to remember. Check
the rules before entering the park and you and your dog
will have a great time The Park is open daylight to dark
everyday.
Deb Borns prepares to cut the ribbon at the Dedication of the Celina Rotary Club Dog Park. Helping to hold the ribbon
is Darlene Lynskey and John Hunter, assistant chief of the Ohios Division of Parks and Recreation. On left is Craig
Morton, Regional Manager of Grand Lake St. Marys. Right: Jeff Larmore and Bentley. Photo by Roy Hall.
Whats Happening
Around the Fort..
October is the second
biggest month people choose
to be married. Second only to
June.
Gerald and Grace
Muhlenkamp have just
celebrated their 50th Wedding
Anniversary
Cathy and Roger
Hemmelgarn will celebrate
their 40th Wedding
Anniversary on Saturday
October 16th.
Katie Lou Breymaier
Shaffer was surprised with a
birthday party given in honor
of her 80th birthday. The party,
given by her children, was
held in the Lutheran Church
basement in Fort Recovery on
October 6. If you know Katie
send her a card.
RITZ CRACKER DESERT
60 Ritz crackers, crushed
Half cup margarine
2 packages instant
pudding
1 and one half cup milk
1 quart ice cream
1 carton cool whip
Chopped nuts
Mix crackers and
margarine to make a crust.
Press into a 9 X 13 inch pan.
Set in refrigerator to set. Mix
the pudding and milk together
with the ice cream. Beat till
well mixed and pour over
the cracker crust that has
cooled. Layer the Cool Whip
over the pudding and top with
the nuts. Place in refrigerator
until served. use the flavors
of ice cream and pudding of
your choice.
TIP OF THE WEEK:
Have you tried the washing
balls. The balls will last for
several years and can be
stored in your washer so they
are ready to go for every load
of wash. It works by changing
the chemistry of the water
to hydrogen peroxide that is
known to disinfect. Place the
balls in the sun every month
or so to reactivate. No need to
carry home large containers
of washing detergents. you
will need to treat stains as
you would do with any other
detergent.
uNTIL NEXT WEEK
REMEMBER: Be happy, love
one another and remember
that there is a miracle out there
that can change your life.
Nearly 40,000 women
will die of Breast Cancer
this year. Dont be a statistic!
Mercer Health offers FREE
Womens Breast Screenings
during National Breast
Cancer Awareness Month -
Tuesday, October 23 from
5 to 7 p.m. and Wednesday,
October 24 from 8 to 11 a.m.
For more information about
the screening or to register,
call 419-586-1220.
Mercer
Healthy Living
Fall Lab Fest
Mercer Healthy Living
Fall Lab Fest will be held
on Saturday, October 27
th
from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at Mer-
cer Health, 800 W. Main
St., Coldwater. A variety
of blood tests are offered
conveniently in one place at
discounted prices. For more
information, please call 419-
678-5613.
Blood Tests Offered:
Lipid Profle/Cardiac
Risk Screening ($20)
2 hour fast required
Comprehensive Meta-
bolic Health PanelIn-
cludes glucose ($25)
2 hour fast required
Complete Blood
CountIncludes Anemia
Screening ($10)
C-Reactive Protein-hs
($20)
Hemoglobin A1C Dia-
betes Screening ($25)
Prostate (PSA) Screen-
ing ($30)
Thyroid Screening
TSH & Free T4 ($40)
Vitamin D Screening
($35)
FREE colorectal cancer
test kits available. Flu Shots
will be offered. ($30) No
charge to Medicare Plan B
enrollees, please bring card.
For more information
about either of these events,
please call Mindy Kremer at
419-678-5613.
Mercer Health
announces free
breast cancer
screening
fort notes
by Betty Lou Denney/Hall
St Cecelias Auxiliary
#89, Knights of St John In-
ternational, held their regu-
lar meeting on Tuesday, Oc-
tober 2nd. The charter was
draped and the rosary was
recited for deceased mem-
bers, Mildred Dues and
Marcella Lefeld.
The election of officers
was held, with Ruth Bet-
tinger as president, Juanita
Buening as past president,
Rose Ann Siefring as 1st
vice-president and Caroline
Buscher as 2nd vice-presi-
dent. Recording secretary is
Marie Eyink and financial
secretary is Julie Spoltman.
Janet Kemper is the trea-
surer. Trustees are: Marga-
ret Bertke, Lois Brunswick
and Madonna Brunswick.
Mildred Siefring is sentinel
and Wilma Barhorst is mes-
senger. Rita Westgerdes is
the guard. Marie Eyink is
the district delegate.
Mary Lou Hoyings
name was drawn for the
Treasure Chest but she was
not present to win. Mildred
Siefring won the Pot of
Gold. Our next meeting will
be on Tuesday, Novemeber
13th at 7:30 p.m.
St Cecelias Auxiliary #89
The
FIRST RULE
Of advertising
is to get their
attention
The
SECOND RULE
Is sustained
repeated
advertising
Phone
Mercer County
Chronicle
419-678-2324
THE MERCER COuNTy CHRONICLE Page 6 October 11, 2012
Gourmet
Gatherings
... a memorable eating experience!
Gourmet Gatherings features high-quality foods,
fresh ingredients & bold favors. Full-service ca-
tering includes customized-menu
planning and delivery and pickup.
Gourmet Gatherings specializes in fnger foods,
fresh salads and individual sized desserts. Our
creative dishes include Mediterranean Bruschetta,
Lemon-Basil Chicken Salad & our most requested
item, Raspberry Truffe Tarts.
A creative, favorful menu will make your next... Engagement Party, Bridal Shower,
Rehearsal Dinner, or Special Occasion
... a memorable eating experience
Contact us today to request our full menu
Jeanette Etzler
St. Henry, Ohio
419.733.8049
gourmetgatherings@live.com
937-459-7209
louisepartyrentals@gmail.com
www.louisepartyrentals.com
Affordable Photo
Booth Rentals
Louise Party
Rentals
Beautifully
Ever After
Let Merle Norman help you
with a personalized skin care and
makeup plan for radiant results on
your Big Day and beyond.
Call soon to book your appointment
for that special day!
COSMETIC STUDIOS
121 West Main street COLDWATER, OHIO 419-678-2477
JOYCE SCHWIETERMAN, OWNER ESTABLISHED 1973
Starting out Together is made easy at...
Phone: (419)678-2358
(800)482-3001
www.sthenrybank.com
Locations
231 E. Main St., St. Henry
8111 St. Rt. 119, Maria Stein
502 N. Eastern Ave., St. Henry
Bridal
Guide
THE MERCER COuNTy CHRONICLE October 11, 2012 Page 7
Making Memories for
Any Occasion
picbooth@yahoo.com
419-305-9904
Lasting
Memories
Photobooth
Rental
Fort
Recovery
American
Legion #345
2490 St. Rt. 49 N.
P.O. Box 577
Fort Recovery, Ohio 45846
Parties, Receptions,
Banquets, etc.
Ask for Danny Bechtol
at 419-375-2398!
Marriage... The final frontier
Propose with the ring that takes you where youve
never been before...with the woman whos shown
you love you never knew before.
Laudicks Jewelry
We Specialize in Diamonds
COLDWATER
215 W. Main St.
419-678-2929
VAN WERT
1244 S. Shannon St.
419-238-2266
m_knapke@hotmail.com
facebook.com/cakes.michelle.lillie
Call or text @ 419-733-5704
Wedding & Specialty Cakes for all occasions
Creative Cakes by
Lillie and Michelle
THE MERCER COuNTy CHRONICLE Page 8 October 11, 2012
Ma|i ug ,ou ..l r i g|t at |ou.
V. |av. t|. rig|t Mortgag.
loau optiou or ,ou.
The
Peoples Bank
Co.
Uo|dwater Uo|dwater Uo|dwater Uo|dwater - -- - Ue|na Ue|na Ue|na Ue|na - -- - 5t. Marys 5t. Marys 5t. Marys 5t. Marys
Pockford Pockford Pockford Pockford - -- - urkettsv||e urkettsv||e urkettsv||e urkettsv||e
www.pbcbank.com
1o|| Iree 1-866- PU ANK
Member I0IU- Lqua| Pousng Lender
Ma|i ug ,ou ..l r i g|t at |ou.
V. |av. t|. rig|t Mortgag.
loau optiou or ,ou.
The
Peoples Bank
Co.
Uo|dwater Uo|dwater Uo|dwater Uo|dwater - -- - Ue|na Ue|na Ue|na Ue|na - -- - 5t. Marys 5t. Marys 5t. Marys 5t. Marys
Pockford Pockford Pockford Pockford - -- - urkettsv||e urkettsv||e urkettsv||e urkettsv||e
www.pbcbank.com
1o|| Iree 1-866- PU ANK
Member I0IU- Lqua| Pousng Lender
Making you
feel right at
home
We have the
right
Mortgage
loan option
for you!
The Nations Hippest Interactive Party Favor
Flip Book Star creates custom photo
fipbooks starring you and your guests!
With our unique mobile fipbook studio we
create personalized favors and
entertainment at your parties,
weddings, and other events.
(937) 638- 7164
www.fipbookstar.com
FUN AND CREATIVE FOR ANY EVENT OR PARTY!
Wedding Receptions ~ Promotions ~ Family Reunions
~ Corporate Events ~ Holiday Parties ~ Kids Party
~ Company Picnics ~ Anniversaries ~ Birthday Party
~ Prom/After Prom ~ Fundraiser ~ Bachelorete Party
~ Graduation ~ Community Event ~ Anytime!!
Give us a call and we will work with you
to develop a package tailored to meet your
needs and expectations.
FLORAL
REFLECTIONS
Full Service Florist in St. Henry
Delivery Area
St. Henry
Coldwater
Maria Stein
Celina
Fort Recovery
419-678-8422
570 E. Kremer Hoying
HALL RENTAL
Knights of St. John Hall
In Maria Stein
STATE ROUTE 119
419
925-4822
Call For Rental
Dates
& Information
NEWLY
RENOVATED
THE MERCER COuNTy CHRONICLE October 11, 2012 Page 9
Thursday, Friday & Saturday
October 11 - 13
120 E. Union City Pike, Winchester, IN
765-584-7481 or 1-800-788-7481
M-F 9-5, Sat. 9-4
www.silvertowne.com
Friday and Saturday
O b 6 h & 7 h
Friday & Saturday
October 17th & 18th
In Our Jewelry Department
(excludes estate case & Pandora Jewelry)
30% OFF entire in-stock merchandise
50% - 70% OFF select Jewelry items
Check out our new Fall Collection!
In Our Coin Department
25% OFF 2008 14pc Clad Proof Set
15% OFF any Bronze Medallion
25% OFF 2008 Mint Sets
In Our Gift Department
30% OFF Fall & Halloween items (reg prices)
20% OFF all Yankee
& Kameleon
).
Chamilia
Roofing And
Siding Will Carry You Through Years
Of Rough Use And Worse Weather.
Steel For Strength.
Galvanized For Rust Resistance.
Wide Color Selection.
Designed To Stay Weathertight,
Keep Interiors Dry.
Stop By And Put Centurydrain To Work.
Hard Working & Good Looking
300 $. Mo|n $treet P.O. 8ox 247 Anson|o, Oh|o
37-337-3111
Mondoy-Fr|doy 7AM-5.30PM $oturdoy 7AM-Noon
LUMBER
6chdc^V
6chdc^V
8dbeVcn 8dbeVcn
Monday-Friday 7 AM - 5 PM Saturday 7 AM-Noon
Hard Working & Good Looking
Wheeling Centurydrain
Roofing And
Siding Will Carry You Through Years
Of Rough Use And Worse Weather.
Steel For Strength.
Galvanized For Rust Resistance.
Wide Color Selection.
Designed To Stay Weathertight,
Keep Interiors Dry.
Stop By And Put Centurydrain To Work.
Hard Working & Good Looking
300 $. Mo|n $treet P.O. 8ox 247 Anson|o, Oh|o
37-337-3111
Mondoy-Fr|doy 7AM-5.30PM $oturdoy 7AM-Noon
LUMBER
6chdc^V
6chdc^V
8dbeVcn 8dbeVcn
Hard Working & Good Looking
Wheeling Centurydrain
Roofing And
Siding Will Carry You Through Years
Of Rough Use And Worse Weather.
Steel For Strength.
Galvanized For Rust Resistance.
Wide Color Selection.
Designed To Stay Weathertight,
Keep Interiors Dry.
Stop By And Put Centurydrain To Work.
Hard Working & Good Looking
300 $. Mo|n $treet P.O. 8ox 247 Anson|o, Oh|o
37-337-3111
Mondoy-Fr|doy 7AM-5.30PM $oturdoy 7AM-Noon
LUMBER
6chdc^V
6chdc^V
8dbeVcn 8dbeVcn
THE ANSONIA LUMBER CO.
Ansonia Lumber Company
Your Home & Agricultural Specialists
Since 1909
MERCER COUNTY MERCER COUNTY
ELECTRIC, INC ELECTRIC, INC. .
Instant Farm Power By
Featuring KATOLIGHT By MUT Onsite Energy
Box 549, Fort Recovery, Ohio
419-375-2514
AUTHORIZED KATOLIGHT
GENERATOR SALES & SERVICE STATION
OH License # 27353
Lefeld Plbg.
& Htg., Inc.
Sell, Install & Service Plumbing, Heating
& Air Conditioning Equipment
St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-3813
OH Lic #24954
CARRIAGE WERKES
Specializing In Collisions ~ Foreign & Domestic
FREE ESTIMATES
421 N. Eastern Ave., St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-4530
511 S. Eastern Ave. P.O. Box 404 St. Henry
419-678-8660 FAX: 419-678-8888
Good Luck Redskins!
The St. Henry Bank
Safe, Secure and Solid
Serving the Mercer County Area Since 1905
We Care About Our Customers
231 E. Main Street Box 330 St. Henry, Ohio (800) 482-3001
36"-60" Corrugated Polyethlene Pipe Meets
All Your Stormwater Needs
CY SCHWIETERMAN,
INC.
Drainage Projects Backhoe & Bulldozing
Sewage Systems Farm Drainage
Good Luck To All Area Teams!
1663 CRANBERRY ROAD, ST. HENRY, OHIO 419-925-4290
NEW KNOXVILLE, OHIO 419-753-2559
Board Certified Family Practice Sports Injuries
Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy
1830 UNION CITY ROAD, FT. RECOVERY, OHIO 419-375-4144
442 STACHLER DRIVE, ST. HENRY, OHIO 419-678-2371
Dr. Mark Brown
Dr. Ed Hosbach, II
Beverly Uhlenhake,
CRNP
HEMMELGARN
MARATHON &
DETAILING LLC
121 EAST MAIN, ST. HENRY, OHIO 419-678-2425
~~ Quality Pennzoil & Marathon Products ~~
Gas For Less & Service With A Smile!
The Movie
& Gift Shoppe
640 EAST MAIN STREET ST. HENRY, OHIO
419-678-8284
Hours: Monday - Saturday 10-8 Closed Sunday
TRU-EDGE
G R I N D I N G I N C .
752 Jim Lachey Drive, St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-4991
Setting the standards for tool regrinding services.
Good Luck To All Area Teams!
R
451 Stachler Drive St. Henry, Ohio 419-678-4249
THE
HOME PLACE
Interior Decorating
Custom Draperies
& Valances
Blinds
Flooring
Wallpaper
St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-3600
WWW.THEHOMEPLACEONLINE.NET
Specializing InWood &
Laminated Wood Products
601 E. Washington Street,
St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-4831
ST. HENRY, OHIO
419-678-4198
419-678-4841
Berne Ready Mix 260-589-2880
Grand Lake Builders Supply 419-586-1407
Wayne Builders Supply 937-548-1101
Minster Supply 419-628-2813
Pennville Sand & Gravel 260-731-2010
281 W. Washington Street, St. Henry, Ohio
511 EAST MAIN STREET P.O. BOX 234 ST. HENRY, OHIO
419-678-8118
B
&
L
282 Buckeye Dr.
St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-4674
CONSTRUCTION
Schmitz
Enterprises, Inc.
Robert J. Schmitz
4062 Lange Road, St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-8443
The Special Touch Cindy Fifer, LMT
551 S. Eastern Ave., St. Henry
Dr. Erin Niekamp D.C.
ASK ABOUT OUR ATHLETE DISCOUNT
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT...
419-763-1217
Hours: Mon. & Tues. 8-6; Wed. 10-7; Fri. 7:30-5:30; Sat. 9-Noon
Dr. Michael A. Fishbaugh, Jr.
~ OPTOMETRIST ~
Family Eye Care
570 Kremer-Hoying Road, St. Henry, Ohio
419-678-8800
S T . H E N R Y R E D S K I N S
S T . H E N R Y R E D S K I N S
TRACTOR &
COMBINE PARTS
FARM EQUIPMENT &
TRACTOR PARTS, INC.
USED, REBUILT & NEW
800-367-8751
11377 State Route 177-732
Camden, Ohio 45311
www.robertstractor.com
In an effort to live a more
environmentally friendly
lifestyle, consumers have
embraced organic foods
in record numbers. They
stand behind the idea that
organic products are not
only better for them, but
also better for the planet.
But the claims that organic
food is safer, healthier and
more eco-friendly may be
more hype than fact. Some
organic foods are not all
that they seem to be, and
when you dig for the dirt
on organic, you might be
surprised at what you find.
The variety of organic
products available at spe-
cialty food stores and more
traditional supermarkets
has increased consider-
ably. Food purists and en-
vironmentalists support
this growing trend. Cer-
tified organic foods are
grown without the use of
pesticides, synthetic fer-
tilizers, sewage sludge,
genetically modified or-
ganisms or ionizing radia-
tion. Organically produced
meats are from animals
that do not take antibiot-
ics or growth hormones to
produce heartier cuts. The
uSDA National Organic
Program sees to it that
organic foods meet these
stringent requirements and
also that any companies
that handle or process or-
ganic food before it gets to
the supermarket or restau-
rant are certified as well.
However, consum-
ers who embrace organic
products might not be get-
ting what they think they
are. The term organic
conjures up images of local
produce stands and farmers
diligently caring for their
crops. However, as organic
foods have grown in popu-
larity and the organic food
industry has become a
multi-billion dollar indus-
try, the methods of bring-
ing these foods to a store
near you have changed.
While consumers may be-
lieve that organic broccoli
was trucked in from a farm
down the road, it actually
may have traveled thou-
sands of miles -- negating
many environmental ben-
efits in the process.
Many smaller organic
businesses have felt the
pressure to keep up with
mainstream foods and
have joined the ranks of
commercial food produc-
tion. In fact, some smaller
companies have actually
been bought out by large
food giants. Organic Cow,
a Vermont milk producer,
now operates under the
auspices of Horizon, a
company based in Colora-
do. Cascadian Farm, which
produces organic frozen
dinners among other items,
is a subsidiary of General
Mills. Many mainstream
food companies have their
own organic alter egos,
which would no doubt
surprise consumers who
support the organic food
movement.
Organic claims not always accurate