After nearly ten years and over 200 meetings, Tom Birdwell is stepping down from the Monroe Board of Education. His last meeting was Monday, December 14, 2009. The 54-year-old Birdwell is the last member of the original school board that helped launch the district in 2000, when they broke away from the Middletown City Schools. The other members were John Birch, Carol Brotherton, Jamie Pierce and Suzi Rubin. Birdwell, who is a retired engineering manager from GE Aircraft Engines, chose not to run for re-election in November, but told the Middletown Journal the job has been the most rewarding and the most exhausting he's ever had, "Being on two boards, I packed 18 years of board experiences into 10 years, and that is a lot. I don’t support fixed term limits, but (I) do believe there is some real benefit to managerial turnover. My General Electric management experience definitely taught me that management needs a fresh eye."
Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli told the Middletown Journal that Birdwell will be missed. "He has served the Monroe community and the students of the district well. He has many things to be proud of as a board member, including the completion of a new school for grades K-12," she said.
Birdwell said the five months he spent trying to get the district up and running were the hardest he's ever worked in his life but he sees the fall 2000 opening as the greatest accomplishment during his tenure. He pointed out that the schools went from close to Academic Emergency to being ranked as "excellent." But he also says the district has challenges ahead, such as addressing increasing enrollment.
Even though he is getting up his post, he is not going away. "I plan to participate as a volunteer in future district activities, especially when the state finally frees up funding for our facilities needs and our community approves it," he told the Middletown Journal.
Looking for a Surveillance System? Then call 513-422-1907 for a Security Camera System in Middletown, Cincinnati, or the Dayton, Ohio areas.
The 2009 Monroe Community Blood Drive will be held this year at the Monroe City Building on August 12 from 1:45 to 3:45. For more information or to sign up, contact Kristina Mayes at 513-539-7374 extension 1006 or at mayesk@monroeohio.org. 
The Wee Hornets is a pee wee football league located in Monroe for boys in grades 1 through 6. The Wee Hornets are a part of the Southwest Buckeye Pee-Wee Football League (SWBL) and players compete against many other young boys from area schools that they will face off against in High School. 
With all the hype about the next big box office hit movie, people tend to forget about how the movies they love so much and can't wait to see got started. Before there was Blu-Ray, Disney 3D and movie theaters there were plays. Real people right in front of you acting, dancing, singing and entertaining. Unless you like making trips to Broadway in New York, finding a play to go to is hard, that is of course you want to go to one of the local schools theater productions. Well thanks to the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company you can now watch plays in a park near you.
The fourth of July is a wonderful time to celebrate and have fun with friends and family. There are so many activities that you can do on fourth of July weekend but one thing you most certainly do not want to miss is the annual "Light Up The Sky" festival and fireworks celebration held every year in Monroe. 
The Monroe Police Department and the Dayton Children’s Medical Center have already kicked off the 2009 Kid’s Bike Rodeo. These are days dedicated to teaching children about bike safety awareness within the community. It is free to participate in and features safety tips from Officer Bret Kahny and a mini bike obstacle course. In case of any questions or comments, you can contact Officer Kahny at the Monroe Police Department at 539-9234. .jpg)
For over 200 years, baseball has been the great American sport. People have filled the fields and the stands to partake in this fun-filled past time since the 1800’s. It is a game that most Americans can enjoy in one way or another. What some people don’t know though is that baseball used to be quite different then the sport we watch today.
The Home Depot has created 200 new job opportunities this summer with the opening of a new distribution center on Gateway Blvd. in Monroe. This massive home improvement retail store is hiring for full-time positions that will provide excellent service and an increase in efficiency. The positions available are general warehouse and office positions. 
Coach Meibers: I began playing football in 5th grade, and I played every year til I graduated from college.
Come on out for a weekend of rummaging at the Monroe Community Wide Garage Sale. It will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 8AM to 5PM and Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 1PM to 5PM. Enjoy searching for those hidden treasures or look to make a profit on you old, unnecessary things. It is not even necessary to sign up to sell your things. 