2011 News Archives
12-27-11
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Hello Friends...............
We hope you had a peaceful and joyful Christmas!
To help you get the New Year off on the right foot, FMCPT invites you to our first ride of 2012 on January 1st! We plan to leave the Prairie Grass Trailhead at 1 p.m. and follow the newly signed business route through London and on to Georgesville to the edge of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park, and back. We hope you can make this refreshing ride.
In case you haven't marked your calendar, the Annual FMCPT Members meeting is Wednesday, Janury 18th at 7 p.m. at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center in London.
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12-20-11
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Hello Friends...............
To help get you into the holiday spirit, we have this message to pass on.
Mark your calendar for the Annual Members Meeting on January 18th at 7 p.m. at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center (through the east entrance door). There will be a guest speaker and light refreshments.
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12-04-11
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Hello Friends...............
Bike Route signs in London are being added and/or re-arranged for the new Business and By-Pass street routes. FMCPT purchased the additional signs and the City of London Streets Department is placing them along the new routes. We hope the new business route across London will help visiting trail users find the amenities they desire, and that local businesses will receive additional customers.
Contractors for Metro Parks are adding the finishing touches along the new section of the Camp Chase Trail between Wilson Road in Madison County and Lilly Chapel, and also the bridge over Darby Creek (see articles below). We're looking forward to a ribbon cutting ceremony in the near future! (We will get the news out to you as soon as the details are known.)
We have two bicycle raffle winners from the recent Old Fashioned Christmas in London. Angi Brown won the girl's bike and Bob Patterson won the boy's BMX bike - congratulations to both winners! (Click here for photos.) Thank you to all that participated, FMCPT was able to raise $100 for trail maintenance as a result of the raffle.
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11-18-11
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Hello Friends............... Please note the regular monthly Members meeting for December 21st has been canceled. Our Annual Members Meeting will be on January 18th at 7 p.m. at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center. More details will be forth coming.
Mark your calendars for Old Fashioned Christmas! It's a great opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit and say HELLO to Santa! The horse drawn carriage rides are always a hit. FMCPT will raffle two like-new kids bikes (click here for photos). Tickets can be purchased early at the London Coffee Peddler at 65-B West High Street where you can see the bikes. Or just come to Old Fashioned Christmas and get your tickets from FMCPT volunteers at Cowling Park or 20 South Main Street and enjoy the free coffee, hot chocolate, and bike cookies!
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11-01-11
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Construction progress on the Camp Chase Trail: We are pleased to report that the Columbus and Franklin County Metropolitan Park District has started the paving process for the "missing link" between Wilson Road in Madison County and Lilly Chapel.
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10-27-11
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Hello Friends............... This is a reminder about the "Open House" on Saturday, Nov. 5th at the new Robert T. Florence Little Darby State Scenic Nature Preserve in Madison County. There is a parking lot at the site and a tent will be set up where we'll serve hot cholotate and refreshments. Volunteers will be available to explain about the Nature Preserve and to answer questions. There is a walking trail for you to explore the area.
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10-21-11
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Hello Friends............... Many of you have received, or soon will, our membership renewal letter for 2012. Each year, at this time, we start this important campaign to give you an opportunity to help share the cost of maintaining one of the finest trails in Ohio. As you know, all of our volunteers at FMCPT give freely of their time and greatly enjoy doing it. Now is the time to once again show your support of their efforts. Please fill out the form and return a check to FMCPT today. If you have not received your letter, click here to read more about it. This year you have an opportunity to save a stamp & check by using PayPal or your major credit card. (Instructions are included in the above link.)
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10-06-11
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Hello Friends............... Join us for the last London Full Moon Bike Tour for the season this Monday, October 10th at 7 p.m. at the Prairie Grass Trailhead in London.
Come out to learn more about the new Little Darby Nature Preserve east of Plumwood in Monroe Township. An open house will be on Saturday, November 5th from 10 a.m. - noon. There is a parking lot at the intersection of Woods West Avenue and Lafayette/Plain City Road. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions, and hiking trails are available to explore the preserve.
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09-19-11
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Hello Friends............... The next several weeks will be a beautiful time of year to use Ohio's trails. It's also the time for hunting season. Please use extra caution as you use the trails especially in the rural areas. It is unlawful to hunt in the linear park, however, hunters may be seen adjacent to the trails. Information about Ohio's hunting season is available at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.
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08-23-11
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Hello Friends............... The West Jefferson Ox Roast is coming up soon on Labor Day weekend. FMCPT is planning to participate in the Saturday parade. However, we need a headcount of those that may be coming. If you would like to join in on the fun and ride with us, please contact us. Line up is at 11 a.m. and the parade starts at noon. More information about the parade and the weekend activities can be found here.
We hope you will consider the Ox Roast Bicycle Tour on Sunday, Sept. 4th. This is an interesting country ride using rural roads. More information and a registration form are available here.
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07-25-11
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A public letter of thanks from the Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails to Tom Recktenwalt, webmaster of the Miami Valley Rail Trails website:
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07-06-11
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Hello Friends............... Please note on the FMCPT Calendar that the FMCPT Board and Members meetings normally scheduled for July 20th have been cancelled this month due to a post-GOBA meeting which includes most of our Board Members. The meetings will be back to normal on the third Wednesday in August.
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06-28-11
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The annual WooMan event, a grassroots cycling tour through the Ohio rolling hills between Wooster and Mansfield, will be held September 18, 2011.
We all have family, friends or personal experiences with breast cancer. With your help, The Pat Kracker Breast Cancer Fund and Wooster Community Hospital can continue outreach about Breast Cancer education and awareness in the communities that we call home.
For more information, please go to www.woomantour.org or call Tricia James at 330-263-8266.
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06-26-11
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Hello Friends........... The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure came and left London this past week. "Thank you" to all the folks that helped make this wonderful event a success! See several newspaper articles about the event below.
This coming weekend: July 1 - 4, London will be celebrating it's bicentennial. Help make this an event to remember by coming to the many activities being planned. See the city's Bicentennial events at the website of the City of London, and on the website of the Downtown London Association.
Bring your antique or unusual bike to display at the FMCPT booth at the Olde Fashion Ice Cream Crank Off Contest on Friday 4-9 p.m in downtown London. In any case, come on over and enjoy the ice cream and the festivities!
On Saturday morning, enjoy an easy bike tour through the countryside on the London to Brighton Bicentennial Bicycle Tour. Come to Cowling Park between 7-9 a.m. and sign up. The ride will stop at the Madison County Historical Museum which will open at 10 a.m. and the Quilt Show at the First Presbyterian Church which also opens at 10 a.m. A light snack and rest stop will be in Brighton. The drawing for the bike raffle will be held after the tour.
Decorate your bike, or come as you are and ride in the Bicentennial Parade on July 4th with FMCPT. We will have our banner and as many members with their families as possible to ride their bikes in this once in a life time parade. Line up is at 10 a.m. on Park Avenue next to Cowling Park. Look for the FMCPT banner and join in on the fun!
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06-22-11
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Madison Press Letter to the Editor:
Welcome
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06-18-11
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Hello Friends........... GOBA is coming to London on Wednesday at the High School. Be sure to come over for the excitement and say "HELLO" to our visitors. Bicycle races start on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on Walnut Street near Cowling Park. Nonprofessional races will be followed by semi-professional races with children races in between. Professional racers will wrap-up this exciting event. Arnett Howard and The Creole Funk Band will perform at Cowling Park following the races at 7:30 p.m. Both events are open to the public.
On Thursday, the Strawberry Festival starts downtown at 11 a.m., and the famous Cobra Sports Cars will be giving rides at the new Middle School across from GOBAville at 5 p.m. After a ride or two, you may even be inspired to buy tickets for the Cobra being raffled!
The London Bicentennial will be having celebration activities from July 2 - 4. Click here for more information.
Help kick off these celebrations by coming to the London to Brighton Bicentennial Bicycle Tour! Click here for more information and a printable registration form for the event.
Come join FMCPT in the London Bicentennial Parade on July 4th! Bring you family and ride your bikes behind the FMCPT banner. Decorate your bike and dress for the occasion, or just ride your machine the way it is and wear whatever you like! The parade line up is at 10 a.m. on Park Avenue near Cowling Park.
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06-16-11
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BikeTrak is launching a new bicycle product and would like potential users' feedback to make sure it is as applicable to your interests as possible before moving forward.
Click here to take the survey. It should take less than 5 minutes, and your answers / information will be kept in strictest confidence.
(As a thank you for answering these questions, you can enter your name to win a $100 gift card.)
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06-08-11
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Hello Friends........... Enjoy the Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour this Saturday! Just come out to the Prairie Grass Trailhead between 6:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. and register. Twenty dollars will get you food, maps, a marked route, and an adventure along a beautiful rural countryside.
On Wednesday, June 22 over 2,500 cyclists will roll into GOBAville in London. You'll want to experience this event first hand! Volunteer for a GOBAville job and enjoy the company of cyclists from across the country and around the globe! Please contact us to get referred to a local GOBA Committee Chairperson.
Help celebrate London's 200th anniversary! Come enjoy the London to Brighton Bicentennial Bicycle Tour on Saturday, July 2nd. Then prepare for a weekend of celebrations in London! Click here for more details and a registration form.
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06-02-11
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Hello Friends................. You can now register for rides, become a FMCPT member, make a donation, and order merchandise from our newly upgraded website using PayPal or credit cards as payment options. Or, you can choose to print a form and send a check as always.
There is still time to pre-register for the Strawberry Festival Bicycle Tour and save yourself $5! Use the new website to pre-register and pay your entrance fee via PayPal or a credit card. You will be locked into the pre-registration rates up through June 4th. After that date, you can register on the day of the event for $20. In any case, come on over for a fun day and enjoy the rural scenery along the country roads and quiet trails.
The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure will be coming to London on Wednesday, June 22 and stay until Friday morning. If you have never seen "GOBAville", give yourself a treat and come over to the London High School on those dates! Better yet, we still have some specific volunteer opportunities for June 22nd and the 23rd. If you have a few hours to soak up this experience, please contact us. You will be contacted by a local GOBA Committee Chairperson to find a task that will fit your interest and time slot. This will be an experience you will treasure!
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05-30-11
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Dear Friends............. GOBA is coming to London in a little over three weeks for two nights. The FMCPT is sponsoring two food providers: Chris Cakes and Buckeye BQQ.
We need 4 to 5 volunteers to work at the Buckeye BQQ vendor from 10am to 8 pm on Wednesday June 22 and Thursday June 23.
Chris Cakes need 6 to 7 volunteers from 5am to around 9am on Thursday June 23 and Friday morning June 24.
That's a lot on time slots that we need to fill. If you, a family member or friend would be willing to help volunteer please contact us.
London requires a background check. I have a form I need to fill-out for London that needs to be back into them by June 10th. It requires the volunteers name and one of three ID numbers, SS#, Drivers License # & state or a State ID# & State. I think most people are using their Drivers License #.
PLEASE take this serious - we need to fill these spots as soon as possible. Any time you can help will be greatly appreciated. E-mail me the desired dates and times you or they would be willing to HELP.
Rodger Lynch & Mike Michael
CO/Food Directors for GOBA London
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05-18-11
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Hello Friends............. This Saturday is the Family Fun Bike Fest starting at 10 a.m. behind the London Baptist Church. Bring the kids and grandkids for a fun day! If you would rather volunteer, your help would be most appreciated.
Also on Saturday is the Eagle Scout Community Service Project to help prepare the wetland area along the trail near the Roberts Pass Trailhead to become the future London Nature Preserve. An easy access point is at the end of Sharp Avenue in London. Walk across the temporary railroad crossing and enter the wetland area around 9 a.m. Dress for the weather, wear gloves, and boots. See project leader Scout Matt Pritchard for instructions on site.
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05-16-11
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Lots of London information in the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure
May Newsletter
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05-13-11
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Hello Friends.............. Thanks to Matt Pritchard and his several volunteers there has been another step forward for the future London Nature Preserve. Matt's Eagle Scout Service Project is underway and last Saturday they removed over 150 tires from the wetland area and properly disposed of them with the help of the County Engineer's Department. If you would like to help with the final phase of Matt's Service Project, meet at the wetland on Saturday morning, May 21st to help remove any remaining debris.
Bring your family and come out to the Family Fun Bike Fest on Saturday, May 21st.
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05-03-11
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Hello Friends.............. Help welcome a new bicycle-friendly coffee shop to London called: London Coffee Peddler! Its Grand Opening is this Tuesday, May 10th. Click here for a menu, address, and a photo of three visiting cyclists taking advantage of the great coffee even before the "BIG" day. In addition to specialty coffees, the Peddler serves smoothies, hot chocolate, tea, and bakery items. It's free wifi service, clean restrooms, and local information for visiting cyclists are most appreciated as well!
This Saturday, May 7th is the next step of the future vision for the London Nature Preserve! Local Life Scout, Matt Pritchard, is spearheading a large project to prepare the site for future construction. However, he needs many volunteers to come out on Saturday, rain or shine, to help move this project forward. Please click on the Madison Press article below called "Scout's Eagle project targets dump" to see how you can help.
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04-27-11
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Hello Friends............. As many of you know, the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure is coming to London to stay on June 22nd & 23rd. FMCPT is very pleased to have GOBA visit once again and is working hard with local volunteers to plan a fun time. On the two days that GOBA will be here, we will need a lot of help to work with our several established committees. If you can volunteer a couple of hours or the entire day(s), we would very much appreciate your help. Our main need for volunteers is working at the GOBA campgrounds at the London High School, with nonprofit food providers, and assisting at various entertainment activities. If you can help in any capacity, please contact us. You will be teamed up with a local GOBA Committee Chairperson and contacted with more detailed information. Thank you for your consideration.
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04-20-11
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Bicycle Tracking Device - Web based survey:
Validating the need for a GPS device that is attachable to your bicycle that will alert you if your bicycle is moved unexpectedly
and track the bike if it is stolen.
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04-17-11
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Hello Friends......... Stop out to see us at the Madison County Community Expo on April 30 at the London Elementary School.
Click here for more information.
Help us celebrate National Bicycle Month at the Family Fun Bicycle Fest on May 21st!
Click here for more information.
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04-03-11
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Hello
Friends.......... Please join our sister group, Friends of the Little Miami
Trail, at their fundraising Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m.
to 11 a.m. at the Corwin Peddler. Click here for details.
Get ready for May - it's National Bike Month! See how you can help promote bicycling at http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/
We sincerely appreciate The Madison Press for continuing to make their
readers aware of exciting events being planned in London this summer. A
local volunteer Entertainment Committee is working very hard to prepare enjoyable
activities for visiting GOBA riders. Please keep this in mind as you read
some possible misunderstandings in the article below. GOBA itself is not
connected to the bicycle races being planned. Mr. Tyler, mentioned in the
article, is associated with helping to arrange the bicycle races in London,
he is not a spokesperson for GOBA. GOBA is not a race, does not sponsor
races, and does not request street closures. The local Entertainment Committee
is working with London officials to plan this race which we hope will be
enjoyed by the community and the visiting GOBA riders. If successful, we
hope the bicycle races will return to London again. We look forward to some
fine reporting of the event by our friends at The Madison Press.
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03-29-11
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Hello
Friends........... Thanks to all the volunteers that helped clear Roberts
Pass from Wilson Road to Glade Run Road last Saturday.
If you see Jerry Miller, give him a big "thank you"
for putting in eleven hours that day to get the section ready to mow.
Keep an eye on our calendar for upcoming events:
The first Full Moon Ride of the season is on April 16th.
May is National Bike Month. Help us celebrate by coming to the Family Fun Bicycle Fest on May 21st.
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03-23-11
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Hello
Friends............ If you would like to get a little exercise this Saturday,
FMCPT will be having a brush clean-up along Roberts Pass between Wilson Road
and Glade Run Road. Our goal will be to clear any downed limbs or brush
along the ten foot areas on each side of the asphalt trail so it will be
ready for mowing. We will meet at the Wilson Road trailhead at 9 a.m. Please
dress for the weather and bring work gloves. Your help will be most appreciated!
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03-07-11
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Hello
Friends........ A follow-up brushing clearing is being planned for this
Saturday, March 12th. We'll meet again at the South Charleston Trailhead
at 9 a.m. Our goal will be to clear brush along the first ten feet on each
side of the asphalt trail from where we left off on Feb. 26th towards Madison
County and onward to London. Please dress for the weather and wear heavy
gloves. If you have tools and would like to bring them, that's fine. However,
if you do not have tools, please come anyway since we need your help to pull
brush away from those operating power tools. Your assistance is very helpful
and the Park Districts along the trail sincerely appreciate your contribution
of time and effort. |
02-14-11
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Hello
Friends............. Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks to all that could
make it to the pancake breakfast last Saturday. It was the best attended
to date! See the articles below from The Madison Press.
The Prairie
Grass Trail will reopen in Clark County on April 1st! Read more about it
in the Springfield News Sun below. Volunteers will be gathering on Saturday,
Feb. 26th at 9 a.m. at the South Charleston Trailhead to team up for clearing
brush along the trail. Your effort to help get this trail in shape for spring
will be greatly appreciated. No tools are necessary, just dress for the
weather with work gloves. If you want to bring tools, that's fine. Hope
you can make it.
The City of London is preparing to send a proposal to Norfolk Southern
Railroad to allow a multi-purpose trail along their industrial spur in London
from Midway Street to Walnut Street. This will eventually connect the Prairie
Grass Trail to Roberts Pass. The proposal points out the current safety
issues with people walking along, and across, the existing tracks. The plan
calls for a separated walking/cycling path to be safely engineered and constructed
along the seldom used right-of-way. The proposal has a local agreement page
where people can sign onto the proposal indicating their agreement with the
plan. If you would like to read the proposal and sign the agreement page,
it would be most appreciated. You can do so at the London City Administrative
office at 6 East 2nd Street, London during business hours Monday thru Friday.
(If you wish, you may call the office at 740-852-3243 before stopping.
Please note this proposal is time sensitive.) |
01-15-11
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Hello Friends......... As you may have seen in the Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau news updates, the GOBA Town Meeting was rescheduled due to the weather last week. It is now scheduled for Tuesday, January 18th.
Also, we hope you can make it to our annual FMCPT members meeting on Wednesday,
January 19th at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center in London at 7
p.m. Please come through the east entrance doors for easy access. The meeting
is open to the public and light refreshments will be available.
Save the following date: Saturday, February 12th. Bring the whole family for a fun meal at the 6th Annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast!
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01-10-11
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Due to inclement weather, the GOBA Town Meeting has been rescheduled to next Tuesday, January 18th. Click here for more details.
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01-09-11
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Hello
Friends............ Here's the last reminder of the GOBA Town Meeting this
Tuesday, January 11th. Come see how you, or your organization, may be impacted
when 2,500 cyclists come to London for two days in June. Click here for more details.
The annual FMCPT membership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January
19th at the Madison County Senior Citizens Center in London at 7 p.m.. The
guest speaker will by Jerry Rampelt, Executive Director for the Ohio to Erie
Trail Fund. The meeting is open to the public and we encourage you to bring
a friend and learn more about Ohio's longest multi-purpose trail. Light
refreshments will be available.
Save the following date: Saturday, February 12th. Bring the whole family out for a fun meal at the 6th Annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast
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