Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

Book nook closing

City taking building that houses 5,000 books for sale by sorority

By William Kincaid
Photo by William Kincaid/The Daily Standard

The book nook operates from this buiding at Mercelina Park. The city plans to tear it down to make park improvements.

CELINA - The Alpha Delta Kappa book sale this week may be the sorority's last, as the city intends to remove its building at Mercelina Park.
Sorority members of the Celina chapter say a city employee told them in February that the building, dubbed the book nook, must be abandoned by June because the city intends to make improvements to the park. The building houses 5,000 books, they say.
The sorority accepts donated books and then sells them at an affordable price. The sales are the sorority's primary fundraiser, and all proceeds go toward local scholarships and donations to several area organizations, member Peggy Sheaks said.
The women say city officials have not offered an alternative location for the building located on the park's southwest corner. The sorority of current and former educators has sold books out of the structure since purchasing it from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in 1981.
Member Jackie Springer said it's sad to think about the book nook being gone. She fears the group could disband if they stop selling books.
Some members said they would have liked an official correspondence from the city about their deadline instead of hearing it from a city employee. Sheaks added they should have been given a decent timeframe to remove the books.
Sheaks also said no city official has discussed compensation with the sorority for the building as well as thousands of dollars invested in bookshelves.
In addition to helping charities, the book nook also has promoted reading and helped elementary teachers provide books to their students, the women said.
Mayor Sharon LaRue said the group was notified through a city employee.
"We had asked them if they could move out of there because we were going to expand some of the park activities," LaRue said, confirming no alternative city location was found.
Sheaks also brought up the topic at this week's city council meeting.
She said according to sorority minutes from 1981, the women wanted the city to give the sorority a year's notice if they had to leave the book nook. Former city safety service director Tom Schwartz agreed to six months in a letter, but Sheaks said she could not find the letter.
Celina Planning and Community Development Director Kent Bryan said a city employee was told to inform the sorority three years ago that the building would be in the way of development. Bryan said he probably should have put it in writing.
Sometimes a letter can appear cold-hearted, Bryan said, adding the city tried a one-on-one approach.
Bryan said a skateboard park could be built in the area. He also said parking and lighting improvements are planned.
Councilman Mike Sovinski said there's no pressing issues and suggested a letter be drafted to the sorority to officially let them know the city's plans.

Sale planned:
Alpha Delta Kappa will hold what may be its final book sale 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the book nook, located off Lakeshore Drive at Mercelina Park.
Donations will be accepted for all books. Also, book cases and shelves, aluminum roof and siding will be sold to the highest bidder.
All proceeds will be used to support local charities and provide book scholarships for students studying teacher education at Wright State University-Lake Campus.
Photo by William Kincaid/The Daily Standard

Alpha Delta Kappa sorority members Peggy Sheaks, forefront, and Jackie Springer look over books in preparation of this week's sale at the book nook.

Additional online stories on this date
Coldwater
COLDWATER - A tax levy discussion caused quite a stir among school board members during a meeting Tuesday.
Board members Joe Eichler and Eugene Hom [More]
ROCKFORD - Parkway Local Schools' five-year forecast shows a possible deficit of $869,654 by 2015.
Treasurer Debbie Pierce presented the financial outlook to school board members Tuesday during a regular meeting. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Two reported sightings of funnel clouds prompted sirens to blare in five southern Mercer County communities late Tuesday afternoon.
Although a torn
Auglaize County
WAPAKONETA - A local superintendent is ready to move forward with a state proposal to consolidate services to cut costs.
Auglaize County Educationa
Students receive flag that few over Baghdad, meet local firefighter
CELINA - Fireman Dan Davenport had no problem holding the attention of the 22 kindergarten students that sat cross-legged in front of him Tuesday afternoon at Celina West Elementary School.
Physical education nixed, intervention stays in effort to save
MARIA STEIN - No summer school is planned this year as a result of the latest cost-cutting measures implemented by the Marion Local Schools Board of Education on Monday night.
Final public meeting slated for May 24
MARIA STEIN - Marion Township residents are encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting to learn about requirements and individual costs for the community's new $2.5 million sanitary sewer system.
CELINA - County leaders are working to bring the father back to the center of the family, hoping to address father absenteeism and its effect on the family and society.
NEW BREMEN - A five-year strategic and organizational effectiveness plan was presented to council members Tuesday.
Robin Elston of Elston Consulting in Celina spoke of future projects and promoted communication between officials, departments, employees and the public.
WAPAKONETA - A family's backyard can be the most dangerous place to visit.
"We all enjoy the sights and sounds of spring," but it's typically the busiest time of year for emergency rooms, Dr. Juan Torres told Auglaize County Health Board members Tuesday morning.
CELINA - Where once quality furniture was made, now senior citizens are furnishing homes.
Mackinaw Retirement Village has opened on the site of the former Mersman Furniture Co., 500 W. Wayne St., Celina, which was demolished last year.
CELINA - Aldi grocery store will return to Celina with a temporary location at 905 E. Wayne St.
Aldi officials expect to open by the end of June in a portion of the former Big Bear grocery space, company officials said this morning.
Midwest Athletic Conference Track Meet
MINSTER - The postseason has begun for area track athletes as finals of six field events and the two 3,200 meter relays were run after a long lightning delay on Tuesday night at the Midwest Athletic Conference track meet.
Division III Sectional Softball at Elida
ELIDA - The Coldwater softball team has struggled offensively for most of the season, but you wouldn't have known it by watching the Cavaliers on Tuesday.