OHIO

OHIO - Or As The Cheer Goes “O – HI – O”

We arrived at the San Jose airport for our usual early morning flight only to find that there was some severe weather passing through Chicago, delaying all air traffic for approximately two hours.  We were lucky enough that our connecting flight was also delayed and we finally arrived in Columbus only an hour and a half late.  We were greeted at the airport with big smiles and hugs from Jim and Mary Carolyn Nichelson and the day was back on track.  We were whisked away to the Dublin Marriott where we received a warm welcome from all the State Officers and their spouses and the State President from Michigan, Ron Zimmerman and his wife Jean.  We were also treated to a fabulous steak dinner that the hotel had managed to hold for our late arrival, only one of many superb meals we experienced throughout the weekend.

Friday morning Tom had breakfast with the State President, Dan Beaston as well as other State Officers and then worked throughout the day with the Past State Presidents and the District Deputies and Designates.  Venita attended a wonderful brunch with the wives of the Past State President hosted by the First Lady of Ohio, Mary Beaston.  Dan, Jim and Tom did take a moment for a photo with the ladies.

After brunch, the ladies headed out for a tour of the American Whistle Company which is the only company in the United States that makes metal whistles.  They make several whistles of note, among them the gold whistles for the referees of the Super Bowl.  We were guided through the manufacturing process, including how they get the little cork ball in the whistle after it is made. When the tour was complete, we all received our own whistle as a souvenier.

Upon leaving the American Whistle Company, some of the ladies went to historic downtown Worthington where they wandered the streets and then stopped for ice cream at Graeter’s.  Started in 1870 by the Graeter family in Cincinnati, they have maintained the tradition of making high quality ice cream in small batches to this day.  And Venita did agree that it was some of the creamiest and best ice cream she had ever tasted.

Friday evening, we had a get-together in our suite for the State Officers and wives.  We were presented with unique gifts made in each of the six Districts in the Ohio State Association, including a quilted wall hanging with the “Ohio Star” pattern and an Ohio State Football.  The gifts were all carefully thought out and will be constant reminders of our time with these wonderful Elks.  The evening continued with “Fun Night,” a casual buffet dinner and dance where we had the privilege of meeting many of the dedicated Ohio Elks personally.  We also hooked up with an old friend from Tom’s days on the Government Relations Committee, Marion Owens.  It was a pleasure to see him again.

Saturday morning opened with the business session of the Association where we were treated to a visit by one of the Cerebral Palsy children that received assistance from the Ohio State Major Project, Megan Hoersten and her parents.  Told she would never walk, the family turned to the Elks for assistance and that morning she proudly walked down the center aisle of the meeting along with her parents.  Her rehabilitation was partly due to the donation of a specialized piece of equipment, the LifeGait, to St. Rita’s, a local rehabilitation center in Columbus.  Now, rather than having to travel to Johns Hopkins for her therapy, she was able to stay close to home and receive the same treatment.  During her mother’s thank you speech, there was not a dry eye in the room.

The morning session was followed by the Youth Luncheon where the Ohio Elks presented awards for Hoop Shoot, Scouting and Scholarship to the youth of their state.  It was inspiring to see these young people and witness their achievements.  As Tom told them, “You are our future and we know we will be in good hands.”  Saturday afternoon, Mary Carolyn Nichelson did a presentation on how to apply for ENF Grants.  Her session was well attended and enthusiasm is growing within Ohio for ENF projects.  The evening concluded with a small, casual dinner with the Nichelsons, the Beastons, the Zimmermans, Roger and Julie Crowe and Jeff and Rose Durant.  As we traveled home Sunday morning, Tom and I reflected on this marvelous Association, the wonderful people we met throughout the weekend and the gracious hospitality we experienced.  We both agreed that Elkdom is in good hands in Ohio.  Go Buckeyes!