Bats!!!!!!!

Got a call at 3:30 a.m. from the police department. The Museum's alarm was activitated. We have a couple of bats that like to hang out in the basement and now and again they set off the motion detectors. I am third on the list to be called for emergencies, but apparently the first two people chose to ignore their phone. My first reaction when the phone rang in the pre-dawn hours was panic - why do we always assume the worst? As soon as I realized it was not a family member calling, my heart settled back into my chest. Not a good way to be awakened.

If you have ideas on to get rid of the critters, please let us know. We do have the chimneys covered. Leaving the lights on in the basement and running a fan hoping this will disturb them enought that they will move out.

Oh, and yes we have been told it could be the ghosts. Louella has been sighted in the basement. If it is her, (and I have been talking to her all day about this), we hope she is done having fun at our expense.

Friday

Wow!! TGIF!! We have been very busy this week with visitors. We are so glad people are making the museum their destination. If you have been following the news about the Ohio Historical Society, we feel very fortunate to be able to keep our doors open. We are very frugal and could not exist if our funding were cut to the extent that the state government is cutting the Ohio Historical Society. It will have an effect on us and all other museums in Ohio, as we rely on them for support by way of grants, teacher education, their library, and many other things. At this point it even looks like the funding for the anniversary of the Civil War has been totally cut. Please contact your representatives and let your voice be heard!!

In case you were wondering we are supported solely by donations, memberships, and grants. The county pays the utilities and the outside maintenance.

We are gearing up for Gene Autry Days, June 27 and 28, in the Community Building at the Hardin County Fair Grounds (sponsored by the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance). We have an excellent display of Gene Autry memoribilia, from the one of the original cap pistols given out on August 8, 1938 to an authentic Gene Autry cashmere jacket. Stop by to see the great items. "We're Back in the Saddle Again"

URGENT!!!

Please contact your representatives. The Senate is considering ending funding for the Ohio Historical Society Local Office. You may not think that this is a big deal, but it is. The Local History Office supports museums and historical societies in Ohio. Without them many educational opportunities will be gone. Please go the Ohio Historical Society web page and click on "legislative up date".