Monroe High School Students Veteran's Day Project

For Veteran's Day, students in the Monroe High School Advanced Internet class are developing a website to recognize current and former members of our military. The website will feature photos and basic information of each person's military service. The class is looking for:

• Current Monroe residents and their family members who are serving or have previously served in the military
• Monroe High School alumni who are serving or have previously served in the military
• Monroe Local Schools staff members and their family members who are serving or have previously served in the military

If you or a family member is interested in participating, please email tburklow@monroelocalschools.com with the words "Veteran's Day Project" in the subject line. The email should have a digital photo of the military member in their uniform or in a military setting attached and include the following information:

• The person's full name (as you'd like it listed)
• The person's rank, military branch and unit information
• General location describing the image
• War or operation the person served in or is currently serving in

Book Fairs Coming to Monroe Local Schools

"Destination Book Fair, Read Around the World!" is coming to Monroe Local Schools on the following dates:

Monroe Junior High -

• October 6-8 on Main Street
• Family Night on Thursday, October 8 from 2:30 - 7:30 PM

Monroe Elementary -

• October 13-16 on Main Street
• Family Night on Thursday, October 15 from 3:30 - 7:30 PM

Monroe Primary -

• October 9 - 15 in the gym
• Family Night on Tuesday, October 13 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Grandparents' Night on Wednesday, October 14 from 4:00 PM - 6:00PM

Each book fair will be collecting money for One For Books program and students are asked to donate loose change. The program allows students to to help raise money to add books to their own classroom libraries and help less fortunate children at the same time. Scholastic will match the funds raised with a donation of us to a million books to three non-profit organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations, Center for Family Literacy, and the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Scholastic book fairs give students and their families a great opportunity to purchase books and a variety of other education material at special discounted prices. There is no better time to encourage your child to read!

Old Tyme Baseball in Monroe

Photo by: Bob Carroll

by Buckeyenut

While the crowd wasn't what we had hoped (100-200), those who came out had a wonderful time and everyone enjoyed the game.

If you didn't make it to the park, you truly missed something special. While the Monroe Golden Lads lost 16-1, they showed a lot of heart and they have what it takes to be a great team. I'd love to see this become a regular weekend event for our community.

See more photos of this 1869 Baseball Game in Monroe, Ohio

2009 Monroe Community Blood Drive

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.

When you sign up to donate blood at any Community Blood Center blood drive or branch from August 3 to August 29, you can enter to win a 2009 Honda Civic and you will receive a free “Ace Blood Donor” T-shirt.

There are several requirements that must be fulfilled before you can donate blood. You will need a photo ID that has your full name on it, your donor identification card if you have one, you must be 16 years or older, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, and you must be in generally good health.

If you have any further questions or comments, please call 1-800-388-GIVE.

Click here to see the original story about the Monroe Community Blood Drive 2009.

Monroe Wee Hornets Conditioning Camp 2009

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.

Conditioning Camp has already begun for the Wee Hornets Football. Camp begins today, Monday July 27 and ends Wednesday July 29 at the Monroe High School Football Stadium. The camp runs from 6:00pm until 8:15pm. Camp instructors ask that your son be at the field early enough so he can be dressed and on the field by 6:00pm.

Attire for the camp consists of shorts, a t-shirt and football cleats (gym shoes are acceptable). Water will be provided for the players via a multi-hose water dispenser. Should you desire to bring your own drink it must be water only. No sports drinks, such as Gatorade, are permitted on the field or track. Players will run through various drills from 6:00pm to 8:00pm and from 8:00pm to 8:15pm coaches will have time to huddle up with their team to discuss the days camp.

For all the Wee Hornets info, visit the Monroe Wee Hornets Football website.

Shakespeare in the Park at Monroe Community Park July 24th, 2009

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.

This Friday, July 24th, 2009 at the Monroe Community Park you can see the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company perform Romeo and Juliet as a part of their second annual Shakespeare in the Park summer tour. The show is open to the public and is free of charge. You can enjoy this display of the arts at 7:00pm this Friday. The play is presented by the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in conjunction with PNC Bank. The play is directed by Artistic Associate Christopher Guthrie with Ensemble Member Sara Clark in the role of Juliet.

If you are interested in learning more about the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company or you would like a full list of performance dates and locations for Shakespeare in the Park and all the other plays by the company then visit the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website.

The Red Onion Cafe

If you're looking for good food in Monroe, look no further than the Red Onion Cafe. The restaurant, which has been open for four years, takes great pride not only in their food but in being a part of Monroe's history, as well. They are located in an old historic building on South Main Street which was once a stop on the Pony Express. The name "Red Onion Cafe" comes from the history of the building where workers would hang red onions outside to let those traveling the Pony Express know food was being served at the location. Inside, the restaurant's tables and walls are decorated with old newspaper clippings and photos.

But of course, the great food is the main attraction at the Red Onion Cafe. As one patron put it, "...the atmosphere is inviting, and menu selections vary from good to outstanding." From mouthwatering salads such as the Smoked Gouda Apple Salad to their "best in the Midwest" Crabcakes made with real lump crab meat and a "perfect blend of fresh peppers and seasonings," there is not a bad item on the menu at the Red Onion Cafe. During July 2009, the restaurant will be featuring the "Cuisine World Tour." Each day you can order cuisine from a different country around the world including China, Thailand, England, Jamaica, Brazil, Spain, and so many more!

The Red Onion Cafe is located at 214 South Main Street in Monroe, Ohio. They are open from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Thursday and from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call (513) 360-0180 or visit their blog: The Red Onion Cafe.