monroefoundation.com

Elbert Tannreuther presented Steve and Rhonda Posey with the Eleventh Annual Cornerstone Award on April 15, 2010, at the James Monroe Community Room. Established by the Monroe Area Community Foundation, the award recognizes "a person who displays an unselfish use of time or money--for no personal gain--for the betterment of the Monroe community."  Mr. and Mrs. Posey were selected by the foundation's Cornerstone Award Committee, who reviews all the nominations submitted from the citizens of Monroe.

John Singleton, executive director of the foundation, said the Poseys have been very active in supporting charities and nonprofit organizations in Monroe and elsewhere, but have done so without fanfare or recognition.  They've just been very quiet and don't bring attention to themselves.  We just thought it was time to honor them.

January 30 was a day filled with boys and girls basketball games in the gym, as members of the Monroe Area Community Foundation sold chances for theme baskets in the lobby and NHS high school students served lasagna dinners in the cafeteria. The contents of the baskets were donated and assembled by the staff at Monroe Local Schools.  During half time of the varsity boys game against Valleyview, the winning raffle ticket holders were announced.  The lucky few were:  Go, Play and Eat basket-- Leeann Peck; Cofffee and Tea basket--John Singleton; Cincinnati basket--Matt Long; Hornets basket--Don Garver;  Valentines basket--Mindy Bauer; Family basket--Evelyn Muree;  boys' signed basketball--Will DeBord;  girls' signed basketball--Teri Reese. 

John Singleton, executive director, and Gina Miltenberger, development committee chair, combined their talents to coordinate this event.  As a result, the foundation earned more than $2000.  These monies enable the MACF to continue its goal of improving lives of the citizens of Monroe.

Fans planning to attend the Monroe/Valleyview basketball games on Saturday, January 30,  can also satisfy their appetites while there. 

From 2-7 p.m. the Monroe Area Community Foundation will be sponsoring a lasagna dinner in the cafeteria.  Adults can purchase either meat or vegetable lasagna for $7.  This meal  includes  salad,  breadstick,  dessert,  and drink.   For children,  pizza will be available for $4, which also includes potato chips, dessert, and drink. 

Monroe community cookbooks will be sold by members of the Monroe Area Community Foundation at Krogers this Saturday, December 5, from 12-2. The cookbooks contain 400 plus recipes contributed by Monroe citizens. Buy one for $10 to find out the ingredients of those submitted by CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNA HALE for "Bengals' Chicken," MAYOR BOB ROUTSON for "Not Your Typical Roast Beef," and POLICE CHIEF GREG HOMER for "Chicken With Rice."

For more information, call Gina Miltenberger at 513-623-0874.

If you haven't gotten around to buying a Monroe community cookbook, you can get one at the first two varsity home basketball games.  Purchasing it couldn't be easier because you can make it on your way into the auditorium.   Just look for Gina Miltenberger, who will be selling them for $10 from 6 pm through half time on Friday, December 18, and again on Tuesday, December 22.  For more information, call her at 513-623-0874.   All proceeds benefit the Monroe Area Community Foundation.

Members of the National Honor Society and the Monroe Area Community Foundation manned the foundation's booth at Christmas on the Plaza on November 21.  All proceeds went to the MACF, which is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.  NHS students who sold raffle tickets and cookbooks and participated in the city's parade were Matthew Dehart, Brad Hunt, Kenneth Hummons, Ben Leahy, Ryan Leahy, Hilary Pierce, Autumn Sierra-Holloway, Alex Milten, Erin Short, Megan Sparkman, Nikki Tolson, and Ryan Miltenberger.  Gina Miltenberger, development chairperson, and John Singleton, executive director, coordinated and worked at the event, along with MACF members Elbert and Joyce Tannreuther, Pat Beatty, Pam Kilburn, Gloria Miltenberger, Carol Yegerlehner, and David Miltenberger.

The three winning raffle ticket were pulled by Elaine Garver.  The Sports Package raffle, donated by the Monroe Athletic Department, was won by Tammy Atam.  Lisa Lenos won the Outlet Mall raffle.  The Santa Visit/Photography Package was won again this year by Sadie Etters. 

For more information about making a donation or applying for a grant or scholarship, call John Singleton, executive director, at 513-478-8112

The Monroe Area Community Foundation will be selling cookbooks for $10 at Krogers on November 19 from 6-8:30 pm.   Not only do they make thoughtful presents for others, the cookbooks are excellent references for over 400 yummy recipes contributed by Monroe residents.  Many were collected from the school's students and staff, so the cookbook can also serve as a memento of your child's school days.

If you miss this opportunity to purchase a cookbook, another chance to do so will be at the foundation's booth on Saturday, November 21, during Christmas on the Plaza.   Proceeds go to the MACF, a nonprofit organization, who uses monies to benefit the people of our city. 

For more information about the cookbooks, call Gina Miltenberger at 513-623-0874. 

What do Santa, photography, winter sports, and the new outlet mall have in common?  All are unique features of three raffles to be sold at the Monroe Area Community Foundation's  booth at  the Christmas on the Plaza festivities. This year, the Santa Visit raffle will be made even more memorable because it includes a free photography package to be provided by Len Kaltman, a professional photographer.   Since the holidays coexist with winter sports, the second raffle is for two passes to ALL Monroe games, courtesy of the school's Athletic Department.  The third raffle is in the spirit of the season because it's a shopping bag donated by the new outlet mall.  The bag is comprised of a mix of gift certificates, discount cards, and specific items from stores.  Stop by the foundation's booth on November 21, 2009, to find out what's in it.  While there, you may also want to purchase a Monroe Community Cookbook for $10. 

Len Kaltman is now our official photographer.  He is and will be posting free downloads of community events involving the MACF.  Go to MonroePortraits.com. and click on Free Community Photos.  To instantly find 114 pictures of the August 21 scrimmage, go to http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/9403753_TAKGS#630034059_PU4Xb.   Mr. Kaltman's e-mail is len@kaltman.com.

November is the month to purchase a Monroe community cookbook.  Just like its citizens, some recipes are "tried and true," while others are unique variations of the same or special just on their own.  All 400 plus dishes have been donated by Monroe residents or businesses, including many from the school's elementary students.  The executive chef at the Red Onion, Gary Henz, even contributed a few recipes, one being the outstanding Rum Runner Shrimp. 

Finke's IGA, Tan Today, MacDonald's Insurance, Riley's Furniture and the Red Onion will stock and sell them for $10, with all proceeds going to the Monroe Area Community Foundation.  Cookbooks will also be sold at Christmas on the Plaza on November 21.  The profit will be used to benefit the residents of the Monroe area by providing monies for grants and scholarships.   For more information about the cookbooks, call Gina Miltenberger at 513-623-0874.

As an advanced preview, Gloria Miltenberger has graciously provided her treasured family recipe below: