Although the colors of fall are certainly fading from us, the weather shouldn't be too hard on weekend visitors to Ohio's Hocking Hills Region. There's still lots of scheduled events ahead, including the "Owl Prowl" with the naturalist at Conkle's Hollow...7pm on November 14 (no pets, please).
Learn about fly tying on Saturday morning, 11am with the naturalist behind the Old Man's Cave Visitor's Center.
Try your great outdoors skillsets on Saturday afternoon at 2pm during "Survival Ohio Style," also with help from the naturalist behind Old Man's Cave Visitor's Center.
If shopping and antiqueing are your games, don't forget the Flea and Farmers Market at the Hocking Hills
More info on these and other events at 740-385-6841.
If you need a bit of encouragement to leave the TV and make the trip, here's a sampler fall tour of Hocking Hills State Park - Old Man's Cave! And don't forget to check how how you can help for years to come, at http://www.friendsofhockinghills.org
©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com
Getting any school issue approved by voters in an unpredictable economy is difficult, and the odds going in to this month's election were even at best for Hilliard Schools. Yet there were a number of things that likely help improve Hilliard area voters' perceptions, with a decidedly positive margin (and perhaps surprisingly so) when all the ballots were cast.
The resolution of the teachers' union contract was as significant as it gets, at least in my opinion. The key issue involved, participation in health insurance costs to the district, dates back to the last contract negotiations I participated in, back in 1998. At that time the board stressed that, essentially, it was only a matter of time until the staff across the district became responsible for more of the direct health insurance costs to the district...not unlike what my fellow board members and their neighbors in the public sector had already begun to face in their jobs. While making calls to raise funds for last March's levy campaign, I was told in no uncertain terms by various business owners and leaders that the contract was a critical issue.
Also important was the overall voter turnout this time around, prompted by clear choices across the political tickets, along with visible physical improvements throughout the Hilliard area, and the simple fact that the population and makeup of the community continue to adjust. And of course it never hurts when the local high school sports teams are still in the playoffs...no matter what your demographic.
And then there's Hilliard School District's recent boost to an "Excellent With Distinction" rating from the state, the highest a district can achieve. You can take a look at Hilliard's 2007-08 Local Report Card online. Hilliard City School District successfully met 30 out of 31 total "indicators", with an overall performance index score of 10.1. Those achievements are high enough to bring an "Excellent" rating, but districts must also measure up to "Adequate Yearly Progress" for various student subgroups...a newer rating area that can pose problems for schools as population shifts become more pronounced.
An even newer "Growth Calculation" factor in the rating equation takes a longer-range view into consideration as well, allowing districts a more comprehensive evaluation of how they've actually progressed in addressing needs of different demographics and needs. The previous approach's to measurement of non-traditional student progress was simplistic and unfair.
As Superintendent Dale McVey noted, "We have worked extremely hard to ensure that we are meeting the learning needs of our student subgroups and have demonstrated sustained improvement over the past several years. This current rating information recognizes that we are being highly successful with these students." Another new calculation on the report card this year is value added.
If you're a newer resident of the district, you might not be aware that Hilliard actually has a very long history of success with bond and levy issues, dating most pointedly back to the 1990's when the real "boom" took hold....with lots of thanks to a stable yet progressive staff and administration, along with a distinct lack of any real "politics" among various school boards. When we first moved to Hilliard in 1988, I recall the student population being approximately 4,000. Through the subsequent years and about a four-fold increase in total students, things just essentially kept getting better. And this was despite the bumps and bruises brought by many new school buildings and the necessary redistricting.
And what's it all mean for pocketbooks and the real estate market? The Hilliard Area's overall good news during the past couple of challenging decades has kept home values reasonable and stable...no wild swings due to levy failures, for example. Ultimately, people still move to an area because of the schools. And whether or not you have children in the district, you benefit financially...but keep in mind it's always a more farsighted sort of gain. And that's what's made Hilliard one of central Ohio's best places to live for many, many years....
©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com
As HAH prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in a couple of years, it's no surprise that various things around the "The Hills" need some attention to prepare for the upcoming decades. And as a member owned-and-operated community, it's important to note and recognize the volunteer efforts that help ensure infrastructure and amenities for the future.
While HAH maintains its own maintenance staff, which does a great ongoing job, it's the work of the member committees that has made tremendous differences through the years. Right upfront you'll see the recent evidence. 2008 saw major work done on the dams at Lakes Deerfoot and Arrowhead, and then there's that inviting new playground right inside the front security gate. The dams project was completed by an outside contractor, along with help from the maintenance staff, and the playground was planned and completed by the Parents Committee and the Adopt-An-Area Committee....with all time donated.
The volunteers had already put a whole new face on the front buildings, including the gatehouse and mailhouse, and also have made major improvements to the landscaping and sign that offer a renewed welcome to members and guests. Various materials and equipment for the projects were donated by members, by the way.
You'll also find major changes at the lodge, including a major makeover of the lower level great room (following 2007's re-do of the restaurant upstairs). The Adopt-An-Area folks are now finishing exterior work, including re-staining of the exterior and reworking of the lodge entry. And again, other members have stepped up with donations of materials to complete the picture. Upcoming work will involve re-do's of the parking lot lighting and parking.
And wait, there's more....with ongoing work to provide a refreshing new look at the North Park common area, including additional canoe storage racks.
When prospective members and guests ask about the club membership fee (currently about $3,500) and ongoing monthly assessments (currently $137.22), these are the sorts of things that show just where the money goes. Most of the new member fee supports the amenities improvement process (with requests from the amenities fund made directly by the various member committees), and it's more than hard to imagine a community association anywhere maintaining the amenities HAH offers for a monthly assessment of less than $150.
©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com
After attending a closing on the square for clients purchasing some acreage in the Hocking Hills, the vibrant and invigorating fall colors and temperature suggested a brisk walk through at least a portion of Lancaster's Historic District. Fortunately, the camera was ready and waiting...am amazed that I never thought to do this tour before. But we'll just let the Lancaster Ohio Historic District fall colors sampler tour speak for itself....enjoy! (please note...homes seen are in no way represented as being for sale, or marketed by our brokerage)
©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com
It's often said that one of Ohio's proverbial "best-kept secrets" is the private and gated resort community of Hide-A-Way Hills, very near the famous and scenic Hocking Hills Region....a perfect place for that vacation getaway you've dreamt about. HAH or "The Hills" has seen lots of changes through the past year, thanks so very much of the volunteer efforts of members and the community's "Adopt-An-Area" committee. For a quick peek, here's a fall sampler tour .
©2008, Doug Parker, ikarensell Enterprises Inc. http://www.ikarensell.com
 |
|
|
We Kare'n Sell ('n Live!) primary & vacation homes, log homes & land, Hilliard to The Hocking Hills & Hideaway Hills. Hilliard Chamber of Commerce,Hocking Hills Tourism Assn, Friends of Hocking Hills.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
