Regional Roundup: Black Ribbon Ball raises $25,000 for melanoma research

LIMA - The second annual Black Ribbon Ball raised $25,000 for melanoma research in memory of Amanda Carter-Horn. The dinner and dance was held Jan. 26, 2008 at Memorial Hall. Rebecca Carter, Tara Joyce and Cindy Bowersock presented a check to Dr. Greg Lesinksi, of The Ohio State University.

Lesinski's research represents $1 million and 17 grants awarded in 2008 by the Melanoma Research Foundation.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the most dangerous form,  according to he Melanoma Research Foundation. Melanoma is also the fastest growing cancer in the United States and worldwide for people of all ages, all races and both sexes. Information can be found at www.melanoma.com.

Joyce's friend and co-worker, Amanda Carter-Horn, had melanoma. Amanda fought for eight years before dying March 16, 2007.

The third annual Black Ribbon Ball is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31. For information, call Joyce at 419-235-0187.

ONU professor speaks at conference in Iran

ADA - David Smith, associate professor of geography at Ohio Northern University gave a presentation last week to the 16th International Conference on Central Asia and the Caucasus. The deputy foreign minister of Iran invited Smith to attend held Wednesday and Thursday.

Smith's presentation, "The Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia: A geographic perspective on the conflict," was his third appearance speaking at the Institute for Political and International Studies annual conference.

Smith's research focused on water and the conflict over water and regional social development issues. He has traveled to Iran and North Korea in the past five years and is a board member of the International Research for Development. He received travel and research grants from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Fulbright and other programs.

Lima native inducted in Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame

COLUMBUS - Bill Stalter, a 1959 graduate of Lima Senior High School, has been inducted in the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. More than 600 people, including Gov. Ted Strickland and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, attended the ceremony.

Stalter served as the executive director of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association for more than 31 years before retiring in February. He was instrumental in managing the growth of the Central Environmental Nursery Trade Show. Under Stalter's leadership, the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association grew from 400 members with a budget of $30,000 to 1.700 members with a budget of almost $2 million. He strengthened relationships with The Ohio State University, the Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, the OSU Extension Service and the state's two- and four-year colleges offering degrees in landscape horticulture.

Stalter lives in Westerville with his wife, Patty, and their two sons.