�� Unless otherwise notified, all Chapter meetings will be held on the third Friday of each month from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Minerva United Methodist Church, 204 N. Main St., Minerva, OH.

We have two boxes filled with scrap material that could be used for quilting binkies. If you would be interested in using some of the material, please contact Brandy at 330-868-6477 or email her at [email protected] to arrange a date and time for her to get it to you.

I know the recent tragedies in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania have affected all of us in many ways. I speak of feelings that I know many of us share. Incredible feelings of sadness and sorrow for those who passed in these senseless tragedies, and those families and friends who they left behind. But through the sorrow and pain, I also feel immense feelings of hope. An awakening if you will.

Being a member of "Generation X", I have often been ashamed and disheartened over the attitude shared by my peers. The extreme lack of patriotism and what I refer to as the "All About Me" attitude. It has been a generation that has lived with blinders on, seeing and caring about only what they can see. Disrespectful of past generations who have fought so hard and sacrificed their lives, to give us freedom as we know it today.

But now as I drive through the streets of Minerva, Alliance and surrounding areas, I cannot help but cry. Everywhere you look a U.S. flag is proudly displayed, flying high. - On cars, over businesses, on homes. Business marquees now read, "God Bless America" instead of the weekly advertisement. Citizens, young and old alike, are proudly wearing the Nation's colors, and expressing a sense of brotherhood toward one another. Churches have been filled with those sharing prayers and tears for their fellow Americans. It has been a time of togetherness, and a time of love.

It is from this tragedy, I hope we have relearned a great lesson - Freedom is Not Free. I hope that when the song, "God Bless The USA" is played we will sing the words and they will hold a greater meaning for us than they once did. I know that our Country will overcome this tragedy and we will be stronger in heart and spirit than we ever were before.