Strawberries are ready to pick in our region, providing a great family outing to a u-pick stand as well as making a great dessert. While COVID-19 may have changed some procedures at u-pick strawberry stands, they are open for business when the weather is cooperative.

Governor Mike DeWine has named Kari Gunter-Seymour of Albany, Ohio the state’s poet laureate. Gunter-Seymour, whose term begins June 10, 2020, succeeds the state’s second poet laureate, Dave Lucas.

The fence surrounding the Highland County Courthouse fountain project has come down, as crews spent much of the day Friday working on the fountain.

The fence surrounding the Highland County Courthouse fountain project has come down, as crews spent much of the day Friday working on the fountain.

Kiley Tree Experts celebrated their one-year anniversary in business by joining the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.

During National Nurses Month, we recognize our Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard. The Nursing Honor Guard of Ohio’s Hospice honors nurses who are in hospice care with Ohio’s Hospice.

The American Red Cross has provided comfort and care to service members, veterans and their families for over 130 years. Through our service to the Armed Forces Department, we help members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to the challenges of military service. We provide emergency communications for military members serving abroad, help veterans cope with life after the military and assist families with pre- and post-deployment challenges.

Before COVID-19, veteran volunteers of Ohio’s Hospice offered virtual tours of war memorials for veteran patients who were not physically able to travel on an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic putting 4-H activities on hold, members of the Highland County 4-H dog club Canine Commanders recently came together via Zoom for a club meeting.

In preparation for Memorial Day, on Friday, May 15, members of the Waw-wil-a-way Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution volunteered to assist in placing flags honoring the 900-plus veterans who are buried in the Hillsboro Cemetery.

Around the nation, older adults make their marks every day as volunteers, employees, employers, parents, grandparents, mentors and advocates. They offer their time, talents and experience to the benefit of our communities.

On May 1, Habitat for Humanity was presented a check from the Lynchburg Lions Club. This is the second donation, as the Lions Club also donated in July 2019.

Since March, UC Clermont College English instructor James “Buz” Ecker has written more than 200 letters — and counting — to local nursing home residents under quarantine.

On Wednesday, April 29, we hosted the first Southern Ohio Farm Show via Zoom. The program featured a weather update by OSU Extension Climatologist, Dr. Aaron Wilson, a grain outlook by Ben Brown, OSU Extension Economist, soil sampling by Gigi Neal, and I discussed the local food directory we are building as a community resource.

Grow! Highland County would like to introduce The Letter Shop of Greenfield, owned by Mike and Paula Freshour, located at 247 Jefferson Street, Greenfield.