Regional roundup: Lima native recalls hometown

LIMA - Dr. Emmett "Duke" Murray's second book, "In the Company of Friends," has a section picturing him as a young boy with his beagle, and the words, "To sum it all up: there just ain't nothin' like a friend ..."

Dr. Murray is indeed a friend to Lima. In his foreword he writes, "Those who know me well realize that my leaving my lifetime home of Lima, Ohio, to retire to Florida for health reasons was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do."

Murray, now living in Fort Myers, Fla., hasn't really left though.

His book takes readers back to Dr. Murray's days as a seventh-grade student in Lima and follows his trail through the Army, medical school and into his family practice in Lima. He names friends and places that most in Lima would know. His love for his hometown shines through his words, descriptions, humor and photos.

The book is available at the Allen County Museum gift shop or via amazon.com or trafford.com.

Blood drive passes goal

LIMA - Allen County residents turned out Tuesday for the second Day of Caring Blood Drive. A total of 126 units of blood were collected, surpassing the goal of 100.

The blood drive was held at the Allen County Chapter House of the American Red Cross in Lima. It was sponsored by the United Way of Greater Lima, the Allen County Chapter of the American Red Cross and 1150-AM WIMA. Donors received a T-shirt provided by the Tom Ahl Family of Dealerships. In addition, donors were entered into a drawing to receive one of five $50 gas cards provided by Blacktop Sealing Inc. Kewpee Hamburgers donated hamburgers and malts for donors at the canteen.

"We had a great turnout," said Karen Jantzi, blood services director for the Allen County Chapter of the America Red Cross. "We built on last year's success and hope to do the same again next year.

 "The Indiana/Ohio region needs to collect 500 units daily to supply its 60 hospitals. Allen County residents supplied one quarter of the blood supply needed for that one day. That's just great."

Home awards presented

LIMA - Four Lima property owners were recently recognized for maintaining their properties as models of exemplary maintenance. The fourth quarter 2008 Lima Pride Home Awards were presented by Lima Property Maintenance Code inspectors to recognize the positive impact of well-maintained properties within the community.

Owners Jimmy and Rebecca Ford of West Ashton Avenue received the award for the ward representing the north side; Wille Van and Margaret Thompson of Faurot Avenue represented the South/West area; David and Marilyn Moore of South Sugar Street represented the South/East region; and Dean Jr. and John Goodman of North Shore Drive represented the Central region.

Lima Pide Home Award Winners can be seen on GTV2 and cityhall.lima.oh.us.

Woman releases jazz CD

CHICAGO - A Lima native recently released a jazz CD. Jeannie Lambert-Phillips, 65, released her CD, "Alone With the Blues," with fellow jazz accompanist, Judy Roberts.

The former Jean Ann Schiffler graduated from Lima Central Catholic High School. She has lived in Chicago since 1963.

Lambert-Phillips said, "At 65 I have performed all over the area. Jazz, of course. Seems to be a dying art, but we who love it keep truckin'."

The CD is available online at jeannielambert.com or judyroberts.com.

ONU receives grant

ADA - Ohio Northern University's Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) received a two-year, $1,500 grant from the AIG Credit Counseling challenge grant program. Susan Schertzer, associate professor of marketing, and Christine North, assistant professor of communication arts, are advisors for ONU SIFE and submitted the grant proposal.

The ideas and education provided by the SIFE team will help students be more financially savvy and skilled. The grant allows more in-depth programming and outreach.

The grant supports the SIFE freshman credit seminar, which teaches ONU freshmen about the long-term effects of decisions on financial security. It also funds the campus financial literacy campaign, "For Debt or For Worse."

Bullinger joins WSU board

FORT JENNINGS - Gov. Ted Strickland appointed Katie Bullinger, of Fort Jennings, as the newest member of the Wright State University Board of Trustees.

She is the daughter of Tom and Jill Bullinger, of Fort Jennings, and the granddaughter of Norman and Dan Meyer, of Ottawa, and Amelia Bullinger, of Fort Jennings.

Bullinger received her bachelor's degree in 2004 and is currently a doctorate student at Wright State University in both the school of medicine and the biomedical sciences doctorate program.

In addition to her studies, she participated in the Peds Club and Research Club and has taken leadership positions in the Global Health Initiative, Cover the Uninsured Week and the Horizons in Medicine program. She was selected as an adjunct member of the Boonshoft School of Medicine Admissions Committee and was a member of the Liaison Committee for Medical Education student survey committee. During graduate school, she was a member of the Medical School Student Council, Wright State University Student Government Senate and served on a number of university committees.