(Posted May 16, 2018)
By Amanda Ensinger, Staff Writer
Residents can show their patriotism by supporting a monument that pays tribute to military veterans. At the May 14 Mount Sterling council meeting, area civic leaders promoted the sale of bricks for the Mount Sterling Veterans Monument Project.
The new monument is located next to the gazebo in the center of the village.
“We have well over 1,000 veterans who have served from Mount Sterling,” said Chris Siscoe, director of the Mount Sterling Public Library. “These veterans made our freedom today possible, so we felt it was important that we recognize this. We also felt this was the least we can do for them.”
The bricks come in two sizes, 4×8 inches and 8×8 inches, and cost $50 and $100, respectively. The bricks can be personalized with the names of veterans and current military members. The plan is to place them around the monument.
“They are starting to sell these bricks now, and they can be purchased at the community center,” said Mayor Billy Martin. “They also are hoping to have some solar lighting out there, as well.”
The Mount Sterling Community Center is located at 164 E. Main St. Information about the bricks and the monument also can be found at http://mountsterlingcc.org/.
Also at the council meeting, information about upcoming events, including movie nights, a farmers market and the Community Days Festival, was shared.
“Our first movie night will be at dark on June 14 at the gazebo downtown,” said Jack Dill, Mount Sterling parks and recreation director. “We will be giving away free popcorn. Just bring a drink and a chair and enjoy a fun family evening.”
The movies will be family-friendly. Area children will be polled to see what movies they are interested in seeing. Several other movie nights will take place later in the summer with dates to be announced.
The farmers market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month, May-October, in downtown Mount Sterling.
“If you are a farmer, crafter or a baker and want to come out and sell your items, you don’t have to register ahead of time,” said Becky Martin, council member. “You can come out the day of and pay a $10 donation fee to participate. All the money raised will go back into the community to continue to do good.”
The much anticipated Community Days Festival is scheduled for June 29-30 at Veterans Field next to the Community Center. A parade, live entertainment, food, games, contests, laser light shows and more are planned.
“We also will have superheroes there this year,” said David Timmons, council member. “If you want to see Batman or Captain America, they will be there.”
In other communication, Dill addressed the issue of consumption of alcoholic beverages at the village-owned Mason Park, 690 Yankeetown St.
“I have heard through the grapevine there has been drinking at the park during games,” Dill said. “I want everyone to know that there is nothing that makes me madder than when someone drinks around children. If you are drinking at the park, you will go to jail.”
Littering also has been an ongoing issue at the park. Residents have been reminded to pick up after themselves.
“Proud people don’t litter,” Martin said. “We need to be reminded to pick up after ourselves.”
