The Marion Star from Marion, Ohio • 22

www.MarionStar.com Anniversary of tho Just wmrt ID 1 Bevril and Louise Thompson i i i 'i'i i uugy out to prevent fc Photo courtesy of Donald Hunt Two bluebirds perch on a birdhouse Donald Hunt has set up in hopes of attracting the bluebirds to the Marion County area. Hunt had read in a Birds in Bloom magazine that bluebirds would be extinct in 20-25 years. 0) extinction of beautiful species Lots of weekend activities coming My husband made an interesting observation at my class reunion I found intriguing. As I was one of the chief organizers of the reunion and subsequent parties, we arrived early. Jim said as different ones walked in the door, we (those of us already there) would either stop and stare or say their name and run to give them a hug.

And then as soon as they were recognized, everyone moved to give them a hug even spouses some of us had never met before. This happened at every gathering we had over the weekend (we had five) both as we arrived and as we departed. What I found intriguing was that several of the "biggest huggers" were touch-me-nots when we were in school. Surprising how time can mellow a person, isn't it? Enough of that, but in answer to some inquiries from a previous column, yes I did get all the corsages and boutonnieres made. We all looked pretty spiffy with them on at alumni.

On another matter, Scott Trostel from Fletcher, Ohio, will be in Marion Wednesday at Heritage Hall for a book signing. He has written several books about the canteens of World War II especially those that traveled across Ohio. The Richwood Civic Center recently transformed their social room into a USO Canteen for their annual senior citizens day. A lot of work went into it and I am sure those who attended the dinner were very appreciative of their efforts. Next weekend will be a busy one in Marion.

There will be people walking for Relay for Life at River Valley High School Friday night and Saturday; motorcycles revving their engines and zooming out of town as a benefit for Brandy Winfield; and classic cars, motorcycles and trucks will shoot the loop 4-6 p.m. on the downtown streets at the 16th Annual Cruisin' for Dialysis fundraiser. They are all worthy causes. I hope you will make the effort to support one or more of them. Graduation and graduation parties continue in the area.

Parents, please be responsible and don't serve alcohol at your parties. As the host and hostess, you could be cited if an underage drinker would leave there and have an accident or other serious injury. And take the keys from any who might show up at your home and show evidence of having had alcohol somewhere else. The life you save could be your own child's. Let me leave you with this quotation by Bill Keane: "They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything." Until next week.

Thompson MOUNT VICTORY Bervil and Louise (Gillfillan) Thompson of Mount Victory are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, June 7, 2008. They were married June 7, 1958, at the Church of Christ in Mount Victory by the Rev. C. L. Harris.

Their attendants were Bervil's sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and James Richard Carothers of LaRue. They are the parents of two sons, Steven (Rhonda) of Kenton and Brian (Deb) of Belle Center. They have five grandchildren, Matthew (Jessie) of Ridgeway, Derek (Linda, fiance) of Columbus, Gregory of Kenton, Jennifer of Columbus, and Logan of Belle Center. Louise is a homemaker. Bervil retired from Marion Power Shovel.

A private family dinner will be held at a later date to celebrate. Cards and memories would be appreciated. Birthday Gherman MARION MaryEmma (Patrick) Gherman celebrated her 90 birthday Saturday. A family gathering was held at the home of her daughter to celebrate the occasion. She was born May 31, 1918, in Richwood, the daughter of Frank and Anna Patrick and spent her entire life in the Marion County area.

She worked at Rose Watkin's Home Cooking GHERMAN Restaurant, located on South Main Street near Church Street before marrying Roy Gherman in 1938. MaryEmma has spent countless hours tending her flower gardens and enjoying nature, especially birds. She raised four children, Norma Haley, Robert Gherman, Diane Williams, all of Marion, and Dennis (Cheryl) Gherman of Wilmington. She and Roy were married 67 years before he passed away on Feb. 26, 2005.

She has four grandchildren, Paul (Debbie) Hughes, Jackie (Todd) Fields, Robin (Michael) Marvich, Eric (Tanya) Gherman and seven great-grandchildren, Tiffany Richardson, Megan Marvich, Madison Marvich, Mackenzie Marvich, Tyler Fields, Morgan Fields and Sierra Fields. Visit The Marion Star online at www marion star.com 7 Photo courtesy of Donald Hunt Donald Hunt stands with one of the many birdhouses he has set up around Caledonia. Last year he put out more than 80 birdhouse and has had perhaps 50-52 pair of bluebirds come in the area. Caledonia man By BRENDA J. DONEGAN The Marion Star CALEDONIA Donald "Bill" Hunt read in a Birds in Bloom magazine that bluebirds would be extinct in 20-25 years.

"That sparked my interest," he said, adding he began researching bluebirds and what he could do to help the cause. Throughout his research, Hunt said he learned the kind of habitat bluebirds preferred, their diet, nesting behavior, laying of eggs and nesting care. He said he also learned how to tell the difference between the male and female bluebird noting that the male has a bright blue head, tail, back and wings, a white belly and underparts a chestnut red and the female has a light gray-blue head, brown back and much less colorful than her male counterpart. Most bluebirds are found east of the Rocky Mountains and are year round in some areas. They prefer open sunny habitats such as lawns, farm fields, pastures and meadows.

To help the cause, Hunt began building birdhouses in his quest to attract bluebirds to the Marion County area. "Farmers donate fence posts," he said. "I clean them up and paint them and make houses out of old barn siding and fasten them to fence posts." Also in his research, Hunt said he learned that bluebirds feast on berries and fruits and also meal worms. "I order mealworms from a firm in California," he said. "I keep them in five gallon bucket of oat bran and throw in a leaf of lettuce every couple of weeks.

They eat that and get enough water to survive." Carl Blevins, a friend of Hunt, said they often socialize together and during one of their conversations he learned of Hunt's interest in trying to save the bluebirds. "He put a birdhouse in for me," Blevins said. "We're T. 4 i-t If i -4 in 4 I ul are monogamous and that pairs usually stay together throughout the breeding season, and may breed together for more than one season. He did say, however, that some birds may switch mate during a breeding season to have a second brood.

The breeding season is usually from mid March to early April. "Both the male and female bluebird defend their if Or 1 i ft. A Photo courtesy of Donald Hunt A bluebird heads into one of Donald Hunt's birdhouses. territory," Hunt said. "The male bird sits nearby while the female is nesting or laying eggs.

They're just interesting to watch." Hunt is retired from Pills-bury at Martel after 35 years of service. He said when he began working at the plant, there were nine employees and he believed about 250 when he retired. His job, he said, was to take care of bulk materials, flour, sugar and corn meal. Born and raised in Caledonia, he is a 1958 graduate of Caledonia High School. One of his favorite activities every spring is to hunt murrell mushrooms.

He had gathered in nearly 600 this spring, cleaned and froze them for use later in the winter. Brenda Donegan 740-375-5150 or bdoneganmarionstar.com still waiting for bluebirds to come to it. We had to take the next down. The sparrows got in and we had to throw them out." Blevins said he believes Hunt has the Caledonia village pretty well surrounded with birdhouses. "Everyone enjoys bluebirds," Blevins said.

"We're hoping we soon have plenty around here. He also goes around on his scooter and feeds them meal worms. I just think it is a neat thing he does." Hunt said last year he put out more than 80 birdhouse and has had perhaps 50-52 pair of bluebirds come in the area. "I'm just helping nature," he said. Keeping sparrows out of the birdhouse and nests once a bluebird lays eggs is an ongoing battle, Hunt said.

"The sparrows go in after the bluebird has laid eggs, busts up the egg, take them out of the nest and kill the chicks," he said. Hunt noted that bluebirds If you have tdbits of information to share, Brenda may be reached by phone at 740-375-5150 or bdoneganmarionstar.com.