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Recycling Aluminum Cans Aids Burned Children

BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
The scars are barely visible from the accident that left 13-year-old Kaitlyn Kromenacker’s hands severely burned when she was just a baby, but her involvement with the organization Aluminum Cans for Burned Children, or ACBC, continues today.
It happened when her grandmother turned briefly to put a hot pan of lasagna on a counter and Kaitlyn, then 14 months old, unknowingly put both hands face down on the hot oven door.
She was treated at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center’s Burn Care and Reconstructive Center for third-degree burns – and became part of ACBC, an organization that uses funds from recycled aluminum cans to assist burn survivors with their injuries.
Through the years, Kaitlyn has participated in a group Christmas party and a summer camp for burn survivors.
Last month she returned to St. V’s with her mother, Shilas, to express her gratitude for ACBC’s $750 contribution to help fund a student trip to California.
Although the entire trip cost thousands of dollars, the Kromenackers were appreciative of support they received through the ACBC program.
“We are extremely grateful. This was completely unexpected,” Shilas said.
Kaitlyn traveled to the San Francisco area with 50 other youngsters through the People to People educational ambassador program.
On the trip, she learned about conservation and history through travels to the Redwood Forest, Yosemite National Park and China Town, but it was difficult for her to pinpoint the best part of the two-week adventure.
“I can’t choose one thing – I liked it all,” she said.
An active seventh-grader at Ottawa River Elementary School in Point Place, she participates on the dance team and Girl Scouts. She is also getting ready for volleyball.
Although her injuries have long since healed, she will undergo a series of skin graft surgeries on her fingers to ensure they will open as she grows.
Assisting children with educational goals is just one way ACBC supports those who’ve been burned, said Regina Rambo, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center injury prevention specialist.
The group also provides special garments needed for burn survivors.
“Some children have to wear the Jobst stockings for 23 hours a day, and insurance may only pay for one set,” Rambo said.
A bicycle was purchased to help a burn survivor with physical therapy, and recently, financial support was offered to local teen girls who traveled to the Angel Face Conference, a symposium designed to help survivors of facial burns gain confidence and develop friendships with others who deal with the same issues.
The girls received special water-based make-up – applied using an air compressor – to provide coverage without being too thick or irritating to their skin.
“It’s one of many ways we can help these kids feel better about themselves,” Rambo said.
In an effort to raise money through aluminum can recycling, ACBC has partnered with community organizations such as fire departments.
“It’s an awesome program,” said Maumee Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Brandon Loboschefski. “They need extra support to deal with the significant extent of their injuries.”
This year the department has collected $600 from aluminum can recycling and since 1997, approximately $6,000 has been raised.
Local students also support the program including members of the Fort Miami Cares Club, which is focusing efforts on recycling this year. Wayne Trail Elementary students also have a recycling program in place.
“Besides helping the environment it’s a good service project,” explained Wayne Trail Elementary fifth-grade science teacher Christine Smith, who spearheads the school-wide project to collect cans for ACBC.
“The program allows students to do something good for the community and for other kids,” she said.
ACBC also provides fire prevention education through the Juvenile Fire Setters program, which is recognized by the Lucas County court system to assist children who commit crimes involving fire.
All funds donated to the organization help those in this area, Rambo said.
“Donations are important because 100 percent goes into the foundation, and all of it stays right here to help the children in Northwest Ohio,” she said.
The Maumee Fire Division’s ACBC collection bin is located adjacent to the city sewer building at 214 Illinois Ave., near the city compost area.
Other fire departments with collection bins include Monclova, Springfield Town-ship, Perrysburg Township, Bedford Township, Oak Harbor, Rossford, Sandusky, Sylvania and Toledo.
The bins – tall white boxes with the ACBC symbol on it – are also located in Maumee city buildings and at local businesses including Timbers Bowling Lanes and the Buehrer Group.
For additional information about ACBC or to become a partner with the organization, contact Regina Rambo at (419) 251-3230.


PUBLIC NOTICE: Sandusky, Toledo and Maumee Public Hearings
To Be Held On Proposed FirstEnergy Rate Increase

Local Corn Maze Generates International Media Craze

BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Google “Sarah Palin Corn Maze” and the results are astounding.
On television, radio, in newspapers and online, on Larry King Live and Saturday Night Live, Duke and Martha Wheeler’s 16-acre Obee Road cornfield has made news nationally and all the way to France and Mexico.
“It’s crazy,” said Duke Wheeler, in between radio interviews for stations in New York and Arizona. “This wasn’t our intent. We wanted to get local traffic to the corn maze, from Maumee, Swanton and Whitehouse. It just took off.”
“It” is the corn maze featuring the face of Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s running mate. As they did last year, the Wheelers have a four-part corn maze behind their Butterfly House, showing the life cycle of the butterfly.
But when Duke heard that Palin was selected as McCain’s running mate, he proposed the design to an Idaho artist, who drew it, then plotted it into a GPS unit. On September 22, Duke rented a John Deere tractor and a rototiller and, following the directions, finished the maze by Tuesday.
A day later, he hired a helicopter to fly over the maze to take photos, which daughter Christy Wheeler, a marketing professional, sent out to local media.
“I sent it to local print and TV outlets, and someone must have thought it was interesting on a national level,” Christy said.
She then e-mailed the photos and brief information to national networks and it took off from there. By Firday, September 26 hits on www.whitehousecornmaze.com jumped from 187 to over 20,000.
The publicity generated around the corn maze will undoubtedly boost Christy’s resume, which includes six years of managing a marketing technical center in Shanghai for a Cincinnati company before returning to the area six months ago.
Her experience in China showed her that Asians have a unique interest in manicured gardens and intricate designs involving nature, so she wasn’t surprised when the Japanese television network Fuji TV contacted her father to arrange an interview.
Although Fuji had to cancel Tuesday’s trip to Whitehouse after a last-minute change in schedule, Fuji TV representative Brandon Lambert explained that Japanese follow the U.S. elections as closely as their own because of economic and military ties.
“Our coverage of Hillary Clinton was quite extensive, at times excessive because of the gender barriers that undoubtedly exist,” Lambert said. “As you know, Japan has not traditionally been a leader on gender equality, but they are trying to make quick strides.”
Palin’s selection as a vice presidential candidate coincided with the selection of the Japanese prime minister. A woman was a possibility for the position, said Lambert, who has lived in Japan for several years. On September 22, a man, Taro Aso was chosen.
Although he’s a Republican, Duke said he’s voted across the board. He chose Palin because of her international appeal, and because it was just a fun topic.
“People are coming to see Sarah Palin. It’s a positive, fun event. Even if you don’t like her, I tell people they can go stomp on her nose,” Christy laughed.
A licensed physical therapist by trade, Duke also owns the Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm, Shrimp Farm and Butterfly House.
Christy and her twin brother Duke, who also sells real estate, work the Christmas tree farm on nights and weekends. Their sister Maria is a massage therapist and yoga instructor in Austin, Texas.
For more information, go to www.whitehousecornmaze.com.


Apple Butter Fest Set For This Weekend

The 27th annual Apple Butter Festival and Craft Show at MacQueen Orchards Farm Market in Holland will take place on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
Apple butter, a staple at MacQueen’s, will be bubbling in the giant copper kettle over an open fire. Fresh, warm apple butter will be available for sampling.
While the art of apple butter making is demonstrated, the surrounding area will offer a wide variety of other activities.
Craftsmen will display their fine arts and offer wares for sale.
In addition, Martha’s Country Gifts, located in the old homestead house originally owned by the late Martha and Hugh MacQueen, will offer items for sale. A new room upstairs in the home offers additional unique gifts for patrons to peruse.
The Country Gift Barn, which is now known as the Year-Round Christmas Shop, will be filled with Christmas items for decorating for the holidays.
Vendors will offer an extensive assortment of festival food from barbecued ribs to gyros and roasted almonds. Apples will be featured throughout the festival with favorites such as cider, caramel apples and warm apple dumplings with cinnamon ice cream.
Activities for children include pony rides, kids’ rides, face painting, sand art and horse and wagon rides.
Visitors will have the opportunity to pick their own apples in the orchard for a nominal fee. A half-bushel minimum will apply.
The “Great American Apple Pie Contest” will be held on Saturday at noon. Pies are to be delivered between 11:00 and 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 4. Judging will take place at noon. Recipes must accompany delivered pies.
Cash prizes will be given to the first four places. Fifth and sixth place will receive a peck of apples. Call (419) 865-2916 for registration information.
Free entertainment will take place each day. Featured entertainers include the Joannie O’Connell Hot Shots, Tru Brew, Rodney Parker with Liberty Beach Band, Lisa William with After Six Quartet, Sounds of Music DJ and Larry Zabo’s Glass Town Sound.
For additional information, visit www.macqueenorchards.com.

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