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 15^th Chamber Lighthouse Race Results are in!

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 A Run In The Sun Raises Scholarship Funds

            Novice to award-winning veteran runners, ranging in age from 3 to 80, turned out for the 15^th annual Huron Chamber of Commerce Lighthouse races on Saturday, May 4. In addition to a 10-mile scenic course around the south side of Huron and through the James H. McBride arboretum at BGSU Firelands College, a 5K Run/Walk gave the runners a chance to show their stuff. Balmy spring weather and trees showing off their Spring blossoms also lured “wannabe runners” as young as 3 to the Kalahari Kids’ 1-Mile Fun Run.

            The races drew participants from around Ohio, Michigan and as far away as Cumming, Georgia. Funds raised through the races are used to provide two scholarships to graduation Huron High School seniors. .

            Top overall finishers in the 10-Mile Race were Brandon Lang of New London, who finished in 56:29, and Paulette Hanselman of Oak Harbor, who finished with a time of 1:13:19, Ben Hastings, a veteran runner in Lighthouse Races, came in top overall in the 5-K run with a time of 19:06 and Amy Bartholomew of Cummings, GA, captured the top spot for women with a time of 20:02. She certainly wins the award for having come the farthest to compete here.

Landmark Showboat Is Theme For Huron Recognition Banquet

A full-house crowd turned out to share their reminiscences of the Showboat recently. The landmark restaurant with the panoramic view of Lake Erie and the Huron River was the theme of the Huron Chamber of Commerce’s “Celebrate Huron” recognition night at Mesenburg’s Plaza Place. Chamber president Matt Cummings and director Sheila Ehrhardt introduced the honorees.  

Honorees at the Huron Chamber of Commerce’s annual recognition night were, (l. to r.) Sharon Barnes, Andy White, Kelli & Chris Wechter, Mike Heydinger, Christine Crawford and Dr. Marianne Socha.

            Members of the Claus and Mesenburg families, who operated the Showboat for more than two decades after its opening in 1971, were honored for their part in Huron’s rich history. They displayed photos and memorabilia from their archives. Former employees and people who have fond memories of  life events that were held at the restaurant shared  several large outdoor signs, the actual front door, and even a red leather menu featuring a seafood buffet for $5.95 and a top sirloin dinner and wine for two, at just $8.95.

            Winners of the “Bright Star 2013” awards included: City Manager Andy White honored for his vision, enthusiasm and hard work in forging a new and better community, one in which all residents can thrive and enjoy this “Great Lake Place.”

            Two longtime businesses were recognized: the Pied Piper ice cream stand operated by the Wechter family for 61 years and Marconi’s Italian Restaurant, founded by the Martello family half-a-century ago.

            Christine Crawford, a Huron transplant who has enthusiastically pitched in to help numerous civic organizations was cited for her work in establishing Water Safety Day in 2007, an annual outdoor field day for all of the city’s third- and fouth-grade students. After visiting a Coast Guard helicopter, actually rescuing a member of local dive team and completing seven different teaching pods, each student receives a life vest. More than 1,600 of them have been distributed to date.

             Dr. Marianne Socha was lauded for her countless hours of veterinary service donated in caring for creatures great and small, whether they be patients of abandoned and  abused animals. She volunteers her expertise and the Erie County Dog Pound and to the Back to the Wild organization.

            Veteran English teacher, Mike Heydinger retired in 2002 after influencing the lives of many Huron High School students during his 37-year tenure. A year later, he established the HHS Alumni Association, an active group of thousands that generates funds for scholarships and plans reunions for classes going back to the 1940’s. He publishes a 38-page quarterly newsletter filled with photos of HHS happenings. He is also a member of the boards of the McBride Arboretum at BGSU Firelands and the Huron Education Foundation.   

            A woman who has quietly pitched in to help with most of the civic projects that have gone on in Huron for half-a-century received the Unsung Hero Award. Sharon Barnes, a longtime member of the Huron Board of Education, is well known nationally for her work in plant composting and food recycling programs, but always finds time to work on local efforts, such as the Huron Historical Society and the city’s Bicentennial Celebration.

            Committee members included: Bruce & Sharon Miller, Christine & Randy Crawford, David & Jacquie Clark, Doug & Gretchen Studer, Matt Cummings, Jackie Gebelle, Joe Dike, John Ehrhardt, Sandy & Wayne Foster, Rhonda Funderwhite and Sharon & Chuck Malone.

           The Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) recently honored deserving members of its 120 Chambers, located across northern Ohio.

            Jennifer Kilbury, a member of the Huron Chamber of Commerce, is the recipient of this year’s Bright Star award.

          NOACC and its member Chambers recognize the invaluable assistance that volunteers provide to these organizations year in and year out. The recipients were showcased recently at a dinner meeting at the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland.

 “Chambers, like any progressive service organization, could not function without a great team of dedicated volunteers,” said Vicky Hawke, NOACC’s executive

     Jennifer Kilbury, Bright Star Award recipient, is pictured  with, (l. to r.) Sheila Ehrhardt, Huron Chamber director, Vicky Hawke, NOACC executive director and Tony Gallo, NOACC chairman.

director, during the presentation ceremony. “They pitch in to help the Chamber directors in so many ways, expecting nothing in return.”   

          The old adage of “when you need something done, count on a busy person to do it,” certainly holds true for this year’s Huron Chamber honoree.A wife, mother and owner of Cottage Designs graphic arts business, Jennifer Kilbury still makes time to work on projects for the Huron Chamber throughout the year.

          She and Chamber director Sheila Ehrhardt collaborated to create a colorful collage of Huron photos that have proven to be a very popular souvenir and memorabilia item that the Chamber is using as a fundraiser.

          “Although originally from Bainbridge, Ohio, Jennifer is passionate about her adopted community and has pitched in to help on projects way too numerous to mention,” Ehrhardt explained.

          President of the Huron River Fest committee, a member of the Huron Joint Recreation Board and the Huron Education Foundation, Jennifer also served as co-chairman of the city’s Bicentennial “Artirondack” community art project in 2009.

          She is a volunteer for Water Safety Day, a hands-on program for all students in 3^rd & 4^th grades, and  provides stories and photos about Huron school activities to area media. This energetic young woman still finds time to operate an advertising and marketing agency out of her home.

          She and her husband, Rodney, are the parents of  Jack,14 and Maddie, 11.