Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads!
Today is, of course, a moment to reflect on the importance of our fathers and the role of being a parent.
My dad, Joe, was born in N. Dakota on a farm and was one of 13 children! (Mom too was from a large N. Dakota family, with 10 siblings.) Dad grew up with confidence born of hard work and with principles and values that German pioneering and immigrant families shared. He served in the U.S. Army, later trained as an electrician, and moved with my mother to Mansfield, Ohio to pursue work and raise a family.
Dad had an ornery sense of humor. As a person of slight stature, he would sometimes meekly tell new acquaintances that my mother was a 300 lb. professional wrestler and he had to behave himself or she would hurt him! Mom, of course, was not much bigger than Dad.
Dad loved to sing and spent many decades as a member of the parish choir. He volunteered endless hours working at the parish and often had my brother, sisters and me in tow to help.
Dad died 11 years ago after a long battle with heart disease and alzheimers, both likely brought on by an unyielding addiction to smoking.
Dad and, love of his life, Mom, were married for nearly 48 years.
Smokey and I took a walk in Faurot Park today to visit a pine tree that we had planted a decade ago in Dad’s honor. Bright sunshine, children at play, and good memories of family.
In my June 2 Update, I missed a Veteran in the ranks of the City’s employees…
My last Update highlighted the U.S. military service Veterans that are employed with the City of Lima. Thanks to a careful reader of the Update, I was notified that I had failed to list John Beebe, a decorated Viet Nam Veteran, who works diligently in the Street Department. If you are not aware from the news a couple of months ago, John was responsible for pulling an elderly man out of a burning building. A Lima News article from 12/22/2009 about John’s actions can be found at http://www.limaohio.com/articles/resident-44869-department-fire.html?cb=1277061447
John, thank you for your service to our nation and to our community!
Kettle Creations
Late last year, the Klausing family re-established their business in food manufacturing in new digs out at the Gateway Commerce Park. A winter storm interfered with an open house that they had scheduled, but last week I had an opportunity to be given a personal tour of the now finished new enterprise, located near the intersection of I-75 & S.R. 65.


Don Klausing here is explaining the production process for their mashed potato, sweet potato and macaroni and cheese lines, where they are currently making 120 boxed servings per minute

Kettle Creations began in the fall of 2009 with 35 employees, has grown to 47 full time positions and anticipates more growth in coming months.
Congratulations to the Klausings and all their associates!
Harima cho, Japan and Lima, Ohio, Sister Cities for more than a Decade
A delegation of Lima students just returned from spending a week in our Sister City in Harima cho, Japan. From the Lima News account (http://www.limaohio.com/news/return-51509-allen-trip.html) you can get a palpable sense of the excitement that the students feel.
Also, the following link will take you to the Lima Sister Cities Association newsletter, http://www.cityhall.lima.oh.us/dept/local/sistercity/Newsletter1006.pdf
Please note that we will be receiving a large delegation of adults and students from Harima cho in the latter half of August. If you would like to become involved, perhaps host a Harima cho guest in your home, please contact Mary Buckley, the President of LSCA @ mbuckley2@woh.rr.com, or Ardeth Sunderland @ abs2020@wcoil.com. Your hospitality will be greatly treasured by our guests. Thanks for your consideration.
Vine Street underpass progress
As you may know for the June 2 Update, we broke ground on the Vine Street underpass just a couple of weeks ago. The picture below gives you a sense of how deep we are going!

Take care.
Dave Berger
David & Linda Berger
1211 Lakewood Avenue
Lima, Ohio 45805
419-228-7498
dberger@wcoil.com