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Pokemon welcome

Dear Editor:

From all reports, we are about to embark on a new phenomenon, craze or experience. As for me, I have to scroll down a long way to find my year of birth when requested on those computer questionnaires. That is another way of saying I have seen many such fads come and go. Society has survived every one of them so far. Often we even enjoyed the experience. Pokemon Go is simply the latest of harmless diversions to catch the interest of young people. Distractions from daily life can replace monotony and even give us reason to smile a little from time to time.

Our local newspaper has carried several stories lately on Pokemon Go, the latest version of Pokemon-type games that originated nearly 50 years ago. On my computer then I could chase around and gobble up little Pacmen to my heart’s content until I myself was gobbled up by one of them. The recent offering from Nintendo makes its game 3-dimensional, far-reaching geographically and much more challenging. The game was initially offered the first of this month. It is accessed by a smart phone (another phenomenon) as a free application. Pokemon Go has become a favorite topic on national TV networks, radio and print media overnight. A player walks around until he comes across a Pokemon or other creature that appears on his telephone screen, or even apparently in real life, through the miracle of heliogram technology and satellite communications. It is reported that the game gets people away from their computer screens and into the real world for a little light exercise, challenge and sunlight.

Not everyone has responded positively to this latest electronic game offering. Some museums and national shrines find it inappropriate, distracting and irreverent to have visitors walking around capturing Pokemons on their premises. They are probably right for their part.

This brings us to the East Liverpool Area Community & Learning Center at 110 Maine Boulevard, beside the East Liverpool High School and Middle School building, and adjoining the school baseball field.

The Center’s purpose is to serve the needs of all residents of the area providing educational, social and pleasurable activities. We have eight acres of beautiful rolling, grassy and wooded land plus a large two-story building. This lends itself quite well to Pokemon gamers and the little creatures that they so vigorously pursue. We are open inside at the Center daily from noon to 6 p.m. except on Sunday when we open at 1 p.m. in deference to the Trinity Presbyterian Church’s morning services. The Center is manned daily by a growing number of volunteers. On rainy or very hot days, we can arrange for the creatures to move indoors and appear inside the building. The level areas at the Center are also suitable for exercising daily by persons needing to walk while recovering from recent open heart surgery.

Everyone is welcome at the Center. The one exception appears in the Policy established by the Board of Directors that oversee the property. The HHH Foundation has declared that the property will be an illicit drug-free zone. Violators of the policy will be required to leave.

Thanks to the generosity of many local residents and businesses there is an expanding list of activities offered at the Center. PC Doctors made it possible for the building to be totally internet Wi-Fi accessible. Heritage Thermal has supplied a computer to operate the Message Board in the Hospitality area along with its video “We Are East Liverpool.” Buckeye Online School for Success has donated computers for use in the Student Mentoring area that are placed on desks provided by the East Liverpool Public School system. The city of East Liverpool has assisted the Center with filling pot holes in the roadways. Marion and Jean Perkins donated a working player piano along with scrolls which are located in the Adult Meeting and Game Room. There are VHS and DVD players for playing donated videos from the Center library for people of all ages and tastes. Ping Pong and a pool table are the first items that are located in the Teen Zone on the basement level beside the Tea Cup Cafe and Dining Hall. Bill and Donna Gray display their wonderful Harkerware collection in Exhibit Hall A and have donated copies of their book to be sold to benefit the Center. Exhibit Hall B has a collection of the works of deceased local artist Hans Hacker appearing on plates, mugs, and oil and water color paintings. Visitors can view a video of Han’s artwork prepared by Catherine Vodrey-Huba as part of a Hans Hacker Archive Project prepared in 2009.

Since acquiring the property through a generous donation by the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church, the Board of Directors of the HHH Foundation has made many significant improvements to the building and grounds. The Dining Hall and the Auditorium have been air conditioned, concrete roof support beam ends have been covered with aluminum to prevent water leakage, the roof has been stabilized, a concrete sidewalk has been constructed along the side of the building so visitors have an alternative to climbing the stairway when traveling between the main floor and the lower level, LED lights have been installed, a video security system has been put in service to compliment the alarm system, a key pad entry device will soon be completed, and the heating system has been repaired and updated to save energy expense.

Many persons have joined the Center as members. There is no charge to join. There are no Center entry fees. Membership includes free use of the video library and book library and the opportunity to reserve rooms for parties, meetings and family gatherings. Board Member Susan Weaver is the Activities Director. Susan is preparing to launch the Legacy & Legends Lecture Series with the first event scheduled for September. Local storytellers will regale the 100 members of the Lecture Series with historically significant tales of our past at by-monthly social gatherings held in the Auditorium. Boy Scout Troop 12 continues to meet weekly beside the Dining Hall. The East Liverpool Lions Club meets in the Farmers Conference Room. Fundraisers are being planned by the Lions. Other church and community organizations have held functions at the Center. Community events are now being scheduled at the Center for August and September.

The Dining Hall and Auditorium are available for rent for parties, receptions, fundraising events, musical performances and other functions. The Hall seats 300 and the Auditorium seats 500 persons. Smaller meeting rooms are also available. The Jay Room in the Children’s wing is quite suitable for parties for small children and its use is free to Center members.

Charles B. Lang

center coordinator

Chester

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