monroefoundation.com

On February 4, 2009, Peggy McClusky, grant chairperson, and the trustees of the Monroe Area Community Foundation approved a $500 grant to Mount Pleasant Retirement Village in order to support their purchase of a carillon.  A digital musical instrument, the carillon features the sounds of real cast bronze bells.  It has more than 400 pre-recorded songs and is to be played for memorial and church services , holiday seasonal songs,  and hourly basis chiming or other time increments.

Since music is proven to enrich social, emotional, and mental well-being for older adults, the purchase of the carillon is seen as a means for  Mount Pleasant to meet these  goals. There is also a known correlation between improvements in mental function and decreases in confusion for older adults with forms of dementia who listen to familiar songs and music from their life.  An added enhancement is that the lives of community members who have family and friends living at Mount Pleasant, as well as those that live within close proximity of the retirement community will be enhanced by the carillon's music.

The deadline for filing Monroe Area Community Foundation scholarship applications is 3 pm on March 15, 2009.  Required criteria and forms are available in the Monroe High School Counseling Office or online at www.monroefoundation.com.  Completed applications should be returned to Diane Wilson in the school's counseling office or by mail to Ms. Wilson's attention at Monroe Local Schools, 220 Yankee Road, Monroe, Ohio, 45050.

The 2009 scholarships available to qualifying graduating seniors at Monroe Local Schools are:  

James A. Macready, M. D. Memorial Scholarship.  $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior at
Monroe Local High School enrolled in a four-year college or university with a major that qualifies the student to enter the field of allopathic (family) medicine. A grade point average for grades 9-12 that is acceptable for enrollment in an accredited school, college, or university pursuing study in the medical field at college level is also required. A teaching field of study applicant may be considered if no medical application is received.

Two raffles were held by the Monroe Area Community Foundation at the Christmas on the Plaza festivities on December 13, 2008.  Sadie Etters bought the winning ticket for the Santa visit.  The older daughter of Mayor Bob Routson, Sadie said her father plans to host the festivities for the Routsons at his home.  The raffle for the Hornet sports basket was purchased by the Pitsch family.   Mrs. Pitsch said her son, Alex, was overjoyed with the contents because he loves the Hornets.

Pictured left to right: Ed MacDonald, Veterans Memorial Committee; Bill Brock, city manager of Monroe; Ron Tubbs, director of Monroe Area Community Foundation; T. Duane Gordon, executive director of Middletown Area Community Foundatio; Mike Barnett, Veterans Memorial Committee; and Bill Hendrickson, Veterans Memorial Committee.

The deadlines for grant requests from MACF are: March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year. Contact Ron Tubbs at 513-320-3674 for a grant request guideline. These are reviewed quarterly by the Distribution Committee. If acceptable, grants can be awarded with the approval of the MACF Board of Trustees. Applications do not carry over to the next quarter. A new request must be made.

The Monroe Veterans Memorial is being constructed on the city’s property at the corner of State Route 63 and Main Street in Monroe to show the pride the Monroe community has in its veterans. Inscribed 4” x 8” pavers to honor a veteran, a family member, business or organization are available for $75. Monroe Area Community Foundation is serving as a depository for accepting donations and purchases of the pavers. Make payments to Monroe Area Community Foundation, c/o Veterans Memorial, 820-C Lebanon Street, PO Box 56, Monroe, OH 45050. 

For more information, contact MACF Executive Director Ron Tubbs at 320-3674 or Ed MacDonald of the Monroe Veterans Memorial Committee at 539-8826. You can also go to http:www.monroeohio.org/pdf/VeteransMemorial.pdf for an order form.