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Observations, insights and sighting: Ever hear of the Ada Hay Fever and Asthma Club?

Ada area drivers are off the hook this year when it comes to delays due to roadwork. ODOT reports no repair or resurfacing work is planned in 2015 on State Routes 81, 235, or 309 near Ada. Nearest projects in Hardin County are near Kenton, Dunkirk, and Roundhead. There will be patching done where needed.

Extra Change?
For those with a few extra dollars floating around, there are some nice houses for sale in the quarter of a million dollar price range. Look no farther than Hays Avenue.

We asked Beacon Realty for the most expensive house they have listed in Ada. Answer: 340 Hays Ave., $229,500.

We asked Charter Realty the same question. Answer: 216 Hays Ave., $259,900.

Quest
Kudos to Jolene Bailey, who is in charge of the Ada branch of Quest Federal Credit Union, and her colleagues for receiving the Business of the Year award from the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance.

The company was honored for the generous amount of time that employees gave to their communities and for monetary donations to many countywide causes.

Jolene is a member of the ReStore board, helped with the Chamber Christmas light display at the railroad park, and is active in Kiwanis Club. The company donates to Ada School functions and activities.

Jolene not only heads up the local branch, but she is also vice president of branch operations for the firm.

Beautiful Music
A program not to miss...Adriane Thompson Bradshaw singing "A Song for You" with Kevin Mangan on tenor saxophone. Their performance will be a highlight of the University Symphonic Band spring concert set for 7:30 pm on Monday, March 23, at the Freed Center.

Adriane, Ph.D., is vice president of student affairs. She has shared her singing ability in Ada/ONU for the past 27 years. She founded and directs the Gospel Ensemble, has a weekly gospel program on WONB radio, and has directed the Philippian Baptist Church Choir for many years.

Blizzard in Hawaii. Yup!
A blizzard warning for Hawaii...how can it be? On March 12 my computer weather service warned of a blizzard on the higher elevations on Big Island, no joke--5 inches of additional snow, winds to 65 mph, whiteouts...you know, weather we are familiar with in Ohio. That warning dashed my image of warn, lush Hawaii where my thoughts turn to water skiing, not snow skiing.

Store Merchandise
Companies don't want to charge more. Notice how some packages are only one-third full, especially cereal. Companies sell it by weight, not package size, so they get away with it, but savvy shoppers know better. For example, Kellogg's box is bigger but has fewer ounces of the cereal in a box compared to a store brand.

And, I've noticed the size of packages is smaller. For example, shaving cream is still $1.75 but the can has shrunk from 9 to 7 ounces.

Ahchew
Doug Herman, a mail carrier in Ada for decades, became known for his humor. His wit and puns were even picked up by NYC radio stations and printed nationally in newspapers. Here's one, as told by Betty Miller in her book, "Small Town Sampler V."

In 1941 Doug formed the H.F. and A.S. Club (Ada Hay Fever and Asthma Club) and wrote several articles about it. The Associated Press, "recognizing it was nothing to sneeze at" sent news of the club all over the country. Ragweed was the official flower, and the club's official anthem was "It Flies Through the Air with the Greatest of Sneeze."  Club members met at Pollen's grocery and played drop the hanky.
(Montysiekerman60 @gmail.com)

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