It’s Love Your Pet Day and we wanted to show off some pets from the VCNB Family! If you can handle the cuteness, we encourage you to scroll through and admire pictures of pets submitted by our employees. You will note that we have a lot of traditional pets and a few that aren’t so traditional! Enjoy!
From left are Grove City Branch Service Manager Shayne Applegarth, Head of Retail – EVP Denise Fauber, Branch Manager Sue Ross, Commercial Lender – VP Jeff Guminey, President Ron Collins, Grove City Little League Board Treasurer Jack Widner, GCLL VP Jimmie Harris, Buddy Ball Board Treasurer Lynn Stitzlein and Buddy Ball Board President Michael DiBlasi.
Since its inception in 1867, The Vinton County National Bank has stood tall as a community-centered organization, serving local communities by providing personalized loan and deposit services to individuals and local businesses. Now with 17 locations in seven Central and Southern Ohio counties, community service and financial donations in the areas where we live and work continue to be an important part of our bank culture.
In 2015, after adding the Franklin County Banking Center in Grove City to our financial family, an opportunity was presented to us to contribute to a project near and dear to the heart of many Grove City residents. The Grove City Little League’s Project Dream Field, as it was being called, had been underway for a several years and was beginning to enter the home stretch.
The project’s goal? The development of an accessible field to provide opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. After researching the Little League’s efforts and their proposed plan, VCNB was proud to present the Little League with a $3,000 donation toward the Dream Field earlier this month. Grove City Little League Executive Board Member Jack Widner recently agreed to talk to us in depth about the project and shared some exciting news about the grand opening.
Tell me about the objective of the Dream Field project.
In 2012, the Mayor of Grove City came to a group of Grove City citizens and asked them to resurrect the Grove City Little League. The group of men, some of who played in the previously-disbanded league’s first games in the 1950’s, were happy to get involved in bringing Little League back to Grove City. After they were able get to the league back up and running in 2013, the GCLL Board of Directors heard about a previous effort to bring a miracle field to Grove City. That plan never came to fruition, so they decided they would like to try and make it happen. The Board met with the City of Grove City, who pledged to help fund the project if the GCLL Board could raise $252,000.
Little League Board Treasurer Jack Widner updates Grove City Branch Manager Sue Ross on the fundraising process.
How many children do you think this will benefit in the Grove City area? Is your aim beyond this area?
A new baseball group has formed out of the creation of the Dream Field: “Buddy Ball at Grove City Dream Field.” The Buddy Ball baseball group will be in charge of putting together a league for children to be able to play baseball at the field. They initially thought they would have six to seven teams of children with different needs. However, since word has gotten out about the new field, we have received requests from teams as far away as Jackson, Ohio and London, Ohio to host games at the Dream Field. It’s hard to tell exactly how many children will be served by the field – but we expect to draw children from a big chunk of Central Ohio and Southern Ohio.
I know a similar program in Dublin has been helpful in this project. Did you model this off of another project specifically or was it a combination of various influences?
It was a combination of things that led us to develop this project. We did talk to the organizers of the Dublin field, who were very helpful, and found out that they are serving over 47 zip codes and are having difficulty keeping up with the demand for the field. There are 219 of these fields in the United States, and we thought the success of that particular field showed us there is certainly a demand for this here.
Tell us why you’re so passionate about the project and who is working on it with you.
When the Board of Directors had fulfilled its mission of bringing back Little League to Grove City, we were looking for a way that we could continue to give back to our community. Once we saw the need, and the response the community had to our efforts, we knew we had to see this through. Each of the Board members is looking forward to driving by that field and seeing children of all abilities able to enjoy the game of baseball.
It seems the community has really been on board with this – how much of your goal have you been able to raise and how were you able to do so?
Once word got out about the Board’s efforts to bring this project to fruition, the community was very supportive. We had Girl Scouts, Cheerleaders and various service groups help raise money for the field. The Grove City Community Club has been extremely generous to the Dream Field. Three gentlemen generously included Dream Field contributions in their obituaries: Coach Ernie Plank, Dick Robinson, and Jim O’Connor. One very successful fundraiser was hosted by Planks in Downtown Grove City which brought in around $5,800. Most of the community’s fundraising efforts came in smaller amounts – but every penny counted in helping us reach and then surpass our goal. Mount Carmel, the Mirolo Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Class were very supportive. Because of support from the community, we have raised over $550,000, all private funds!
I understand the Grove City Dream Field Specialty License Plate was created via Senate Bill 159, introduced by State Senator John Hughes and Representative Cheryl Grossman. The next step is its discussion in the Ohio House of Representatives. If all goes according to plan, proceeds from this specialty plate will help with the Dream Field upkeep. What can you tell me?
Yes, that bill is still in the process of being approved. Once it is, the license plate will cost $25. $15 dollars will go back to support Buddy Ball and help offset their costs. We need a minimum of 500 license plates sold each year to keep the program available.
So this whole concept really got going in 2013, correct?
Yes. After the Board got Little League up and running in 2012, they moved on to bringing a Dream Field to Grove City.
…And you were able to break ground in June of 2015. That’s a pretty quick turnaround from concept to construction. How far along are you in construction and when is your expected completion date?
The field is complete and will be ready for play on opening day May 7. Many items are still being added to the facility, however, such as water misters that were donated by Elks Lodge 37 and a scoreboard that was purchased by the Grove City Community Club. The parking lot is being completed and the accompanying building with restrooms, changing tables, concessions, storage will be wonderful. A new shelter house is planned to be built this Summer.
I heard there are plans for a universal playground next to the facility; is this accurate? Was this always a part of the plan?
Because of the additional money that was raised, we were able to incorporate this into the project. We expect to break ground on the universal playground this spring, with completion in early fall.
I’ve been keeping up with the Grove City Little League’s updates on the Dream Field’s progress. Tell our readers where they can keep up with the latest information and how to make a donation if they’d like.
The best place is www.gclittleleague.com or on Facebook on our Grove City Little League page (facebook.com/GroveCityLittleLeague).
Do you have any marketing materials or videos you could share with us for our blog?
There is a great video on our Facebook page and the City of Grove City has been tracking progress of the project. Karen Fahy in the community affairs division has been taking pictures all along the way of the building of the field along with a lot of the fundraisers we have had.
Well Jack, we certainly appreciate you taking the time to discuss the Dream Field and we look forward to the grand opening on May 7!
Thank you so much!
Today is Squirrel Appreciation Day and we thought it would be fun to honor our mascot Saver Squirrel! When he’s not busy teaching everyone to squirrel away their money, he’s busy having a little fun. Here are some snapshots from his travels.
We know it’s silly but sometimes you just need to have a little fun! Have a great day!
Old Man Winter finally made his way to Ohio and we have begun to see some cold and even a little snow. Cold days and long winter nights are a great time to enjoy comfort foods. Sadly, with work, school and extracurricular activities, we don’t always have time to cook a meal. So we have compiled a few easy recipes to enjoy without breaking a sweat.
All of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery or maybe in your own pantry.
Add bacon pieces to a soup pot over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp and fat is rendered. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside. Pour off most of the grease, but do not clean the pot.
Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the onions, carrots, and celery. Stir and cook for 2 minutes or so, then add the diced potatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Cajun spice.
Pour in the broth and bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are starting to get tender. Whisk together the flour and the milk, then pour into the soup and allow the soup to cook for another 5 minutes.
Remove half to 2/3 of the soup and blend in batches in a blender or food processer until completely smooth. (***USE CAUTION WHEN BLENDING HOT SOUP; IF POSSIBLE, ALLOW THE SOUP TO COOL BEFORE BLENDING***) Pour it back into the soup pot and stir to combine. Let it heat up as you taste for seasonings, adding more of what it needs. Stir in cream, then stir in parsley, reserving a little for garnish.
Serve in bowls garnished with parsley, grated cheese and crisp bacon pieces.
Homemade Pan RollsHelp dinner prep go smoothly by making these rolls the night before. Just reheat and enjoy!
Stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt in medium saucepan; gradually stir in milk.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into individual dessert dishes. To avoid a skin from forming on top, press plastic wrap directly onto surface; serve warm or refrigerate at least 2 hours. Garnish with whipped topping, if desired.
Spending time with family over the holidays encouraged a lot of us to reminisce about the good old days. While some things may not have been better and going back in time isn’t possible, there are a number of things we all can learn from past generations. If you have grandparents who were a product of the Great Depression, you probably know they did things differently than younger generations. Some of their skills and money management ideas are trendy today!
It’s the small things – Even a small thing can be a luxury and your grandparents will probably tell you there’s nothing better than an ice cream cone on a hot August day. Take time to enjoy the smell of cut grass, the sound of a baby’s laughter or the taste of a warm cookie fresh from the oven.
Keep your wants under control – Nothing kills a budget like a never ending list of wants. Worst of all, wants erode your satisfaction with what you already have.
Face to face is better than Facebook – They “went visiting.” They chatted with neighbors on the porch, they invited the pastor over for Sunday dinner and they didn’t stare at a tiny device in their hand every waking moment. They were good neighbors, recognizing that time and money are precious resources that could be used to help others in their community.
Save for a rainy day – Anyone who was a product of the Depression will tell you that you never know when a crisis will arise or how much money you’ll need to survive. That’s why a lot of these people were millionaires next door, secretly stashing away as much as possible but maintaining a simple way of life.
Grow your own food – A lot of our grandparents had gardens. Even in cities, folks with yards often grew backyard gardens and anyone with a windowsill could grow a pot of tomatoes. Gardening is back in vogue as it is cost effective, healthy and a good form of exercise. You’re guaranteed to know where your food came from when you pluck it from your own garden.
Embrace practical skills – Did your grandma sew or quilt? Maybe she canned green beans from her garden and baked a great apple pie. Generations before us knew how to do things for themselves. Your grandpa could probably change a tire and the oil in his own car. They likely knew how to repair things that were broken and entertain themselves without a smart phone or tv. They were Renaissance men and women who had to know a little about a lot of things to thrive in life.
Keep a family album – When was the last time you printed a picture and put it in an album? Your pictures are probably stored on a phone or computer. However, it’s not so fun to gather the family around to scroll through pictures on your phone. Periodically print a few of those favorites and put them in a family album, something that can be passed around, flipped through and enjoyed.
Conserve – Your time, money and possessions are precious resources. It especially seems like there’s never enough time and money to go around so don’t squander them on things that aren’t important to you. There weren’t green recycling labels on everything back then because people typically needed to find multiple uses for every object.
Get creative – Depression era folks had to use what they had to decorate their home, clothe themselves and feed their families. Instead of running to the store every time you think you need something, try shopping your home or substituting another ingredient in your recipe. You may be surprised at the creative solutions you find!
Tell us: What are your memories of your parents or grandparents? What did they do that we could learn from today?
Did you make a New Year’s Resolution? Lots of Americans do but very few follow through and stick with their goals for more than a month or two. We want to help you see your resolutions through this year so we’re offering tips for common resolutions all week long. Yesterday we talked about sticking to a budget and today we’re talking health and weight loss.
Millions of Americans resolve every year to start a new diet, to lose weight or just get fit. While setting a big goal can be inspiring, it can also be difficult to achieve without the right amount of thought and preparation.
Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Get a support system – If you intend to make a major life change, it’s important to have help from your family and friends. They don’t have to embrace your healthy living choices but it’s helpful if they at least respect them. Surround yourself with loved ones who will encourage you and help keep you on track.
Buddy up – As part of that support system, find someone to be your partner in crime. This should be a person who will ask you the tough questions about what you ate, who will cheer your positive choices and who will expect you to show up for your evening walk or who counts on you as much as you count on them for support.
Start small – The best way to get big results is to start small. Identify small swaps and changes you can make to help you along the way. Instead of giving up all junk food, start by phasing out things like sugary drinks or by ditching the snacks. These small steps won’t seem too difficult but will help you achieve results.
Control what you can – If you know that you want to stop eating sweets, don’t bring Oreos and ice cream into your home. If you know that food court pretzels are your greatest temptation, steer clear of the food court. Prepare meals at home so you know what’s going into your food and carry healthy snacks to work and in the car so you aren’t tempted to hit a drive thru.
Make a game plan – Give yourself attainable goals for each day, week or month. If you have one or two goals to focus on at one time, it’s much easier to understand what’s really important. Actually write down those goals and check them off each time you accomplish what you set out to do. For example, today’s goals may be to drink 64 ounces of water, to work out for 30 minutes and to skip dessert. Be sure that your plan supports your lifestyle. If you have young children, going to the gym every night of the week will likely be impossible. Exercising at home with a walk-at-home dvd or using some hand weights may be a more attainable goal.
Tough love – Stop making excuses. Identify your weak spots and get to work making those challenges disappear. Tough love. It’s hard to embrace at first but once you start banishing those excuses, other excuses start to sound weaker.
Find your motivation – Learn what motivates you and motivate yourself every day. Maybe it’s a picture of your slender self when you were young. Maybe it’s a desire to be around to dance at your granddaughter’s wedding. Whatever it is, think of what motivates you every time you’re facing a decision.
Be Kind To Yourself – No one is perfect. There likely will be slip-ups along the way but that’s not cause to be unkind to yourself. Consider why you slipped and how you can do better next time. Then move on! This means that you can’t shame yourself for bad choices or deprive yourself of things that you really want. You are worth the time and the caring it takes to recover from a bad choice and to do better tomorrow.
Listen to your body – Are you tired, thirsty or frustrated? You could be confusing thirst with hunger or sadness and anger for a burning desire to eat cake. Stop and think about what your body really needs. If you’re hungry, give it fuel. If you’re tired, give it rest. Your body knows what it needs, you just have to listen!
Celebrate the small victories – Look for the good and for the reasons to celebrate. Did you stick to your eating plan today? Have you lost a pant size? Did you say no to seconds? These are reasons to celebrate! Do a little dance or buy yourself a little treat.
Are you ready to meet your health and weight loss goals this year? Tell us about it in the comments section!
The holiday season is here and that means some adjustment to our business hours for a few special days. Here’s our upcoming holiday schedule:
Christmas Eve Most offices will close at Noon
Young’s Market will close at 3 p.m.
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve Open All Day
New Year’s Day Closed
Please remember that if you experience trouble with your VCNB debit or credit card, you can call the number on the back of your card for immediate assistance outside of our business hours. For regular business transactions including balance checks, transferring funds and even opening accounts, you can bank with us 365 days a year at www.vintoncountybank.com or on VCNB Mobile.
From our family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Please remember that all VCNB locations will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday morning. We are, however, always open online at www.vintoncountybank.com.
One of the things we enjoy best about this time of year is having opportunity to see a lot of people outside of the office. It’s always great seeing our customers out and about and we think meeting new people is a lot of fun too.
This weekend is a big one for us as our Ross County Banking Center will be at the Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show and the Vinton County National Bank will be at the Jackson County Business Spring Showcase.
The Southern Ohio Home and Garden Show is celebrating eighteen years and will feature demonstrations, giveaways and more than one hundred indoor and outdoor exhibits. The event will feature a fish fry, live music, a Columbus Zoo show, an American Red Cross Blood Drive and presentations on gardening tips and on beekeeping.
In addition to exhibiting, we are proud to sponsor the Hospitality Suite for vendors again this year.
This event will be held on the Ross County Fairgrounds this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the show is free with a $3 parking fee that benefits Habitat for Humanity & Building Industry of South Central Ohio. Visit their website to view a complete schedule and list of vendors.
The Jackson County Business Spring Showcase is a nineteen year tradition that will feature over sixty vendors and a Taste of Jackson Food Court. There will also be numerous prizes given away in their grand prize drawing.
We are extremely excited to participate in this event for the first time this year!
The Jackson County Business Spring Showcase will be held at the Jackson High School Field House beginning Friday with a Business After Hours for invited Chamber members from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. This will be followed by a public preview from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is just $3 but $1 off coupons are available at Wal-Mart, Kroger and other participating Chamber members, including VCNB.
Plan to come see us at one of these shows this weekend!
The month of March is beginning to dwindle, as is the time you have left to take advantage of our Checking + Savings promotion! Do you know that you could potentially earn $150 simply for opening new checking and savings accounts with us this month?
Here’s the deal: Open a Checking My Way or Classic checking account and accept a debit card to be eligible for a $100 cash bonus. If you open a Passbook savings account at the same time as the checking, you will be eligible for a $50 cash bonus.
To receive your bonus, you must make a minimum $100 deposit into the checking account and accept a debit card. A $100 deposit will be made into this account within thirty days of the date you meet these requirements.
For the savings account bonus, the $50 cash deposit will be made into the account within thirty days after you make the $100 minimum deposit into your new savings.
The Passbook savings account has an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of .10%. The Classic checking account has an APY of .10% for balances over $250. The Passbook savings account will incur an early close penalty of $20.00 if it is closed within 60 days of opening. Rates current as of 02/01/2015 and are subject to change. Fees could reduce earnings.
These accounts can be opened online or, with coupon, in one of our seventeen banking centers. Read full terms and request a coupon here.
If you have been thinking opening an account with us, now is the time. Offer expires March 31, 2015.
VCNB Family 