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Marleen Evers 4047 Mercer/Darke Cty. Line Rd. Ft. Recovery, OH 45846 February 2010 Meeting Date: Fourth Thursday, February 25th, 8:00 PM, Coldwater Community Hospital Meeting Rm. Will be discussing wrap-up of local Send-Off Rally and Washington, D.C. Rally, March and Bus Trip. Why not come and see how you can get involved!
NEWSPAPER SIGNATURE AD CAMPAIGN – It LOOKED GREAT!!!!Many, Many Thanks to Janet Hemmelgarn and her wonderful daughter Kaye, (who Janet claims “does ALL the work!”) for the IMPRESSIVE full-page ad in The Daily Standard and The Mercer County Chronicle commemorating the 37th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion. It was a SUPER Job!!! We heard so many nice compliments on it. And – we even brought the newspapers along with us when we visited Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office and presented his staff the copies.
MERCER COUNTY RIGHT TO LIFE SEND-OFF RALLY, 1/21/10 The Mercer County Right to Life hosted our annual Send-Off Rally on Thursday evening, January 21st, 6:00 PM at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater. Guest Speakers were Eric Hirschfeld from New Bremen and Angie Crider, Celina. Both had very moving stories that touched the hearts of all those present. Many thanks to the following: 10 yr. old Emily Forsthoefel for reading the Poem by James Roberts; to the 2009 Mercer County Right to Life’s Oratory Contest winner, Megan Schaefer for reading her award winning Essay; and to Organist Ron Johnson and soloist Jessica Wellman for making the Rally extra special. A Special Thank You to Fr. Barry Stechschulte, Assistant Pastor of Holy Trinity for saying the Opening & Closing Prayer and the Blessing for a Safe Trip. The annual ‘Friend for Life Award’ was presented to two wonderful, faithful pro-life ladies, Deb Huelskamp from St. Henry and Carol Ranly, from Coldwater. For many years, these two ladies have prepared the monthly Newsletter for mailing. Deb gathers the volunteers together to label and sort the Newsletter according to the communities they are being mailed too, while Carol assists and then she is responsible for the actual mailing of the letters. This is a time consuming job, which they have graciously performed for years. Deb & Carol are both busy, active mothers who have past their passion for Life onto their children, who now also help with the Newsletter process. Many Thanks to the both of them for the countless hours taken out of their busy lives to help protect the unborn. They were presented with a plaque and a Rose. All those present at the Rally were encouraged to sign Petitions regarding the Health-Care Reform that our group was planning to present to Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office after the March the next day. Two buses left the Coldwater area around 7:15PM and made GREAT driving time. Each passenger received a snack bag, prepared by the St. Sebastian Youth Group. The Coldwater Knights of Columbus furnished funds for the Sack Breakfast, which were presented to each passenger in the morning. MARCH FOR LIFE – WASHINGTON, D.C. 37 YEARS and Counting January 22nd, 2010 - 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion on demand. We went to make a difference and we did. An estimated crowd of 300,000 people stood strong. We are touching hearts, changing minds and saving lives. We are making a difference! After traveling through the night, our group finally had the opportunity to attend the Youth Rally & Mass held at the Verizon Center in downtown D.C. As a matter of fact, we were there when the doors opened at 7:00 AM, and by 8:00AM the place was filled and the Mass didn’t even start until 10:00AM. Many of us adults had to chuckle. Imagine, kids going to a church service of any kind, three hours early!! There was a lot of music going on to keep them interested. Several hundred Priest and Deacons participated in the Mass, with over a hundred Cardinals & Bishops on Stage. It was IMPRESSIVE. After the service, the huge crowd filed out of the building and made our way to the National Mall, around Noon where the National Right to Life Rally was already in progress. There was a Great crowd and as the Rally continued, the crowds continued to grow. During the Rally, we heard many congressional and spiritual leaders, sharing their thoughts of wisdom, many talking about the healthcare plan. Many speakers stressed that abortion should never have been part of the Health-Care Reform legislation before Congress. Sen. Sam Brownback told the crowd that “for the first time you live in a majority pro-life country” referring to a recent Gallup Poll showing 51% of Americans to be pro-life on the abortion issue and 42% of Americans as pro-choice. And finally, the Rally was over, and the March was to begin. The great crowd of people made their way towards Constitutional Avenue. It was one of the largest crowds in years, even though it didn’t get any national media coverage. EWTN, the Christian Broadcast Service was there and provided excellent coverage on the 2010 March for Life, which has become one of the most important in its history. Mercer County RTL’s 2010 President. Marleen Evers made the trip this year. She stated, “We were among a ‘great sea’ of people from all across the nation. Marching, I felt not so much in protest, but in affirmation of life. The chanting that was heard was filled with a spirit of joy and hope as we made our way up Capitol Hill. I personally feel that as long as we continue to persevere in speaking the truth about the realities of the culture of death, and at the same time giving positive witness to the dignity of life, we will be most effective. The March gives voice to the voiceless, encourages fellow pro-lifers including our friends in government, and is training ground for young leaders. Let's continue to fight the good fight!" After the March, our group decided to visit Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office. We delivered the signed petitions that were collected at the local Send-Off Rally and we also brought copies of our local Newspapers where the full-page ad appeared. Sen. Brown was not there, but his staff definitely seemed overwhelmed by our presence and were taken aback when we actually presented them with the signed petitions and the copies of the newspapers. After our visit to Sen. Brown’s office, our mission was complete and we were ready to make the bus trip back. We stopped for an evening meal and then settled in for the long trip home. Fortunately, we made excellent time and had a safe return. Many Thanks to Gary Borger & Dave Kaiser for organizing the bus trip. We could not do it without them!!! Thanks, also, to all of the people and organizations that made monetary contributions towards the trip. Your generosity made it possible for many students from our area to have an opportunity to participate in a very powerful pro-life experience. P.S. LOST – BUT FOUND! Bus Caption #1 Dave Kaiser, stated that he found a glasses case with a contact lense case inside and a man’s blue ski jacket, size XL. If either one of these items belong to you, give him a call, 678-2569.
PHOTO COLLAGE OF D.C. TRIP - FOR SALE Jessica Honigford, a young photographer for The Community Post, has made the trip to Washington D.C. with our group for the past two years. She has taken many excellent photos of our group and the crowd in general while in D.C. and has written several articles in The Community Post regarding the March. She has created a collage from some of the photo’s she took and would like to offer them For Sale to any interested Right to Life member. A portion of the proceeds will go back to Mercer County RTL. You can e-mail her at this address, Jessica.honigford@gmail.com . An 8 x 10 would cost $15 while an 11 x 14 would cost $25. Interested??? Check it out…..
2010 MERCER COUNTY RTL SWEETHEART DANCE – February 27th, Ft. Recovery Legion, 9 - 12 It's almost here! Get your
friends & family together to attend the Sweethearts Dance on the 27th. This
year, F1Sound will provide the Music. Come join the fun!! A Special Thanks to
the Spinning G's who provided the music for past dances for many, many years!!
If you are unable to attend the dance, As always, tickets will be available at the door. However, if you can fill out your tickets in advance it sure makes it easier getting everyone into the Hall quickly that night. If you've sent in your ticket stubs already, bring the bottom portion as your ticket to get into the dance that night. And - just a reminder, due to liability reasons, carry in of alcohol is prohibited at the Hall. If you need more tickets, contact Marilyn Pottkotter 419-375-2400, Lisa Homan 419-375-2515, or Ruth Wynk 419-268-2491. As in the past, there will be the additional
‘Chance Table’ Prizes of meat & cheese trays, fruit or veggie trays, afghans and
even a dozen roses, complements of Roger’s Flowers in Coldwater, that you can
win that night. It is always a Good Time! Hope to see you there!! 2010 ORATORY CONTEST
The MCRTL Oratory Contest will be held on Sunday, March 21st at l:00 P.M. at the Mercer Health-Community Hospital in Coldwater, Meeting Room #1 The Oratory Contest is open to High School Juniors & Seniors ONLY. The National Right To Life Committee requires the contestants to: "research, write, and present an original pro-life speech on Abortion, Infanticide, Euthanasia, or Stem Cell research." The speech should address one of these topics directly, using other topics only as support. Students are encouraged to use up-to-date factual information in the construction of their speeches. They are to present a 5 to 7 minute speech. The speech is to be an oration, and the rules do not allow for dramatic presentations. They will be judged in four areas: Introduction, Content, Presentation, & Conclusion. 1st Place Prize will be $400.00 plus a free trip to the 2011 March For Life in D.C. 2nd Place Prize will be $200.00
3rd Place Prize will be $100.00
The 1st Place Prize Winner will be eligible to compete in the Ohio RTL State Oratory Contest in Columbus, on April 24, 2010. The 1st Place State winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to compete in the National Right To Life Oratory Contest in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, June 26, 2010.
The National Right To Life Oratory Contest prizes are: 1st Place - $1000.00; 2nd Place - $750.00; 3rd Place - $500.00 & 4th Place $250.00
We encourage all pro-life students to get involved in the Oratory contest! This is a great opportunity to sharpen speaking skills, meet other pro-life students, and to "Defend the Sanctity of Human Life." To obtain an application, list of rules, and information for the MCRTL Oratory Contest, please call Ruth Rutschilling, Contest Coordinator, at 419-925-5500 or email at rprut@watchtv.net Deadline to apply: March 14th.
SARAH PALIN TO VISIT OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE
Former Gov. Sarah Palin will be in Columbus on Friday March 5th to speak before the Ohio RTL gathering at the Aladdin Shrine Center at Easton in Columbus.
This exciting event will serve not only as an opportunity to raise resources to promote, protect and defend a culture of life in this great state, but also, to bring so many dedicated pro-life advocates from across the great Buckeye state together for one night and proclaim with one loud voice that Ohio is a pro-life state.
In addition to general admission tickets, Ohio RTL will also be selling a small number of tickets for a Private Reception in which attendees will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Gov. Palin, prior to the main event. Private Reception tickets are limited and going fast. If interested, call the Ohio RTL office (614) 547-0099. To purchase general admission tickets, please visit their website at www.ohiolife.org.
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY & IT’S COMMERCIALS After all the uproar that the abortion rights movement made over the Focus on the Family Super Bowl ad featuring University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, what did you think of it?
Most of us thought it was nice, most didn’t even notice that it was ‘the ad’ until it was almost over, since Tim’s mother, Pam appeared first. Most didn’t know what she looked like. It wasn’t until she held up the photo of a young child that it began to register. Tim’s mother never mentioned the word Abortion. It was done in good taste. So – what was the problem???? We understand that Focus on the Family’s web got hundreds of contacts after the game, and that is good.
The ‘rest of the story’ goes like this. More than 21 years ago, Pam and her husband Bob were serving as missionaries to the Philippines. Pam contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in a contaminated food or drink. She entered into a coma and was treated with strong antibiotics before they discovered she was pregnant. Doctors urged her to abort the baby for her own safety and told her that the medicines had caused irreversible damage to her baby. She refused the abortion and cited her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians predicted.
While pregnant, Pam nearly lost their baby four times, but refused to consider abortion. She recalled making a pledge to God with her husband, “If you will give us a son, we’ll name him ‘Timothy’ and we’ll make him a preacher….”
Pam ultimately spent the last two months of her pregnancy in bed and eventually gave birth to a healthy boy, Timothy Tebow. He is indeed a preacher, preaching in prisons, makes hospital visits and serves with his father’s ministry in the Philippines. He also plays football!
NATIONAL RTL ORATORY WINNER, ELIZABETH TRISLER, TO RECEIVE HONOR
In April of 2009, Elizabeth Trisler, from Shelby County and then a Junior at Sidney Christian Academy, participated in the Ohio RTL Oratory Contest and Won. She was given the opportunity to participate in the National RTL Oratory Contest held in Charlotte, N.C. on June 20, 2009 and Won there.
Rep. John Adams, R-Sidney, wanted to present an honorary resolution to Trisler for winning the National Right to Life Oratory Contest. Trisler qualified for the resolution, and such aren’t uncommon or controversial. However, House Speaker Armond Budish, a Beachwood Democrat denied Adam’s request for the floor presentation. Such presentations are usually routine. However, Budish was concerned that the teen would use her moment on the House floor to advocate her position on abortion.
Budish, not only blocked a simple and uneventful presentation that, for the most part, would have gone largely unnoticed except probably in Trisler’s hometown Newspaper, but now her story has gotten statewide and even national attention.
The Ohio RTL and the ACLU of Ohio had previously urged Budish to reverse his decision. Budish finally had second thoughts and changed his mind after “The O’Reilly Factor” started to investigate the story. Trisler appeared on Fox’s talk show, “The O’Reilly Factor” on Thursday, 2/11 and on Fox News, which aired on Friday, 2/12. During the show, Bill blasted Budish for stopping Trisler from being honored on the House floor. Bill stated that Budish changed his mind after “The O’Reilly Factor” started to investigate the story.
Trisler stated the media attention from Fox and several newspapers and local TV stations had been amazing. Fox News contributor Sara Palin has been asked to present an award to Trisler at the Ohio RTL event on March 5th in Columbus, where Palin will be the Guest Speaker.
Keary McCarthy, a spokesperson for Budish, said that Budish was uncomfortable with National RTL’s political nature. McCarthy said, “The Speaker believes that it is important to avoid having political interests on either side of the aisle abuse this brief opportunity for recognition.”
Rep. Adams finally had the opportunity to honor his 19 yr. old constituent on the House Floor on February 3, 2010. In a recent news release, Ohio RTL’s Executive Mike Gonidakis, who first brought attention to the issue, thanked the pro-life movement and all those involved with making a difference. He stated, “When the pro-life community speaks with one loud voice, elected leaders quickly address our concerns.”
CHOOSING LIFE’S QUILT RAFFLE, And the Winner IS
Congratulations to our Quilt Raffle winner, Matilda Elking from Chickasaw, OH. Patty & Barb Thees would like to thank EVERYONE who participated in our Quilt Raffle. We would like to thank the Coldwater Quilters who graciously donated the quilt and all of the businesses who sold tickets and allowed us to display the quilt and the Mercer County RTL for allowing us to send Raffle Tickets thru their mailing. We had tremendous ‘support’ from your membership. CHOOSING LIFE TO HOST A CELEBRATION DINNER/AUCTIONWe will be having our first Celebration Dinner/Auction on Thursday, March 25th at St. Anthony School. The highlights of the evening include: Silent Auction which will begins at 6:30 P.M., a Complementary Dinner at 7:15, Testimonies at 7:45, and a Live Auction at 8:00. (Credit cards, cash, and checks accepted). Seating is limited. Mark your Calendars for an evening of Fun, Fellowship and a Free meal. Please contact Patty Thees at 419-733-4847; Barb Thees at 419-852-3635 or you can email us at chooinglife@bright.net or pthees66620@roadrunner.com. for Reservations. Tickets are on a First-Come, First Serve Basis. Registration deadline is March 10th. Hope to see you there! Thank you for supporting our Ministry.
SENATE URGED TO SUPPORT S.C.R.6
Last year, members of the Ohio Senate were urged to introduce a resolution to stop FOCA, the so-called Freedom of Choice Act, which Pres. Obama promised abortion groups would be the first bill he would sign in Office. FOCA was never introduced. Instead, the radical abortion lobby worked behind the scenes with Democratic members of Congress to add a number of the provisions of FOCA in the Federal Health Care Bill. A number of amendments to restrict or limit federal funding of abortion were never considered.
The concern now is that federal funding of abortion will be implemented into other federal legislation. S.C.R.-6 will send a strong message opposing any expansion of federal funding of abortion.
The full Ohio Senate is expected to vote on S.C.R. 6, a resolution to Prevent Federal Expansion of Abortion on 2/17/10. It is our hope that the State Senators will support S.C.R. 6. If this resolution does not go for a vote on that date, please make it a point to contact your Senator and urge him to support the S.C.R.6.
It should be noted that Senator Keith Faber co-sponsored this resolution.
OHIO RIGHT TO LIFE PAC ENDORSES STATEWIDE CANDIDATES
The Right to Life movement in Ohio is fortunate to have experienced and highly qualified pro-life candidates seeking the State’s executive offices. ‘The philosophical direction of the United States Senate hangs in the balance and we have learned the hard way that elections do have consequences. The election of Rob Portman to the United States Senate should be priority #1 for the pro-life movement to ensure that abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion does not become party of any health care plan. It is an absolute responsibility for the men and women of Ohio’s Pro-Life movement to support Rob Portman, who supports, promotes and has defended a culture of life throughout his career,” said Mike Gonidakis, on behalf of the Ohio Right to Life PAC.
United States Senate – Rob Portman
Secretary of State – Jon Husted: As a former speaker of the Ohio House, Jon Husted brings a wealth of practical experience to the office of Secretary of State. As an adoptee, he also brings a first-hand view of the value of life and the importance of providing women positive alternatives to abortion. Attorney General – Mike DeWine: Throughout his career, Mike Dewine has been a pro-life champion. In the U.S. Senate, he sponsored the unborn Victims of Violence Act, which reflects the fact that attacks on pregnant women can injure or end two lives. As Attorney General, he will defend the value of all human life. Governor & LT Governor - John Kasich & Mary Taylor: John Kasich has an outstanding pro-life voting record during his career in Congress. His running mate, Mary Taylor is an articulate advocate of the right to life movement. As Governor and Lt. Governor, they will reflect the common sense and common decency of the people of Ohio. Treasurer of State – John Mandel: John Mandel has defended life and freedom as both a state representative and a marine in Iraq. He will bring the same boundless energy and “can-do” attitude to the office of Treasurer of State. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * VISIT US AT OUR WEBSITE. www.mercerlife.org Larry Laloge,WebMaster. Officers: President: Marleen Evers, 375-2475 Newsletter: Janet Gels & Sharon Hibner Vice President: Marie Hietkamp 375-1044 Address Change: Ann Schroyer, 678-4785 Secretary: Lisa Homan, 419-375-2515 Sorting & Labeling: Deb Huelskamp & Volunteers Treasurer: Frank Mohlman, 678-3788 Mailing: Carol Ranley Catholic Social Services, 800-521-6419 Choosing Life Pregnancy Center: 418-733-4847 Mercer Co. RTL, Phone/FAX: 419-678-1348 Elizabeth Pregnancy Service: 419-586-9029 |