The Newark Advocate from Newark, Ohio • 11

LOCALNEWS inCAl rrfakimg wfwi? nn ivrprn vniiR phhnf Tbvt mpaoo "Mampaq" mcqa 1 all I A a I r-i i a i a mm mmm 1 uti A-T-f -T-d I I a a WtAltltK ANU dUUKtO I eXI message lNrtltAIMLLKi; I044tXSt Hottinger shares impressions from China trip 4 at, culture and landmarks. The group 'isited Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and Lingyin Temple. Hottinger sEiid her favorite part of the trip was climbing the Great Wall. Hottinger brought two Flat Stanleys with her to China, one from children at Legend Elementary Sen ool and one from students at Newton Elementary School. She to ok photos with the two paper cutouts throughout the trip.

Being in China gave Hottinger a new appreciation for the United States. "We struggle with our environmental laAvs, but our country is squeaky cltian when you compare it with China," she said. "And when you compare health care systems, we've got a gold mine." One of Hottinger's biggest challenges was adjusting to Chinese food. "Chinese food in America is nothing like the Chinese food there," she sai d. "We had to learn to eat with chopsticks, and I was not very good at them." But she didn't get too homesick for American food.

Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Starbucks were Photo submitted by Cheri Hottinger Licking County Chamber of Commerce President Cheri Hottinger stands on the Great Wall of China during her nine-day trip to four Chinese cities. Hottinger was taking part in a trip with the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. She was one of 80 people selected for the trip. -J China, only 6 percent of people have a college education and some workers can make as little as 64 cents a day." When they weren't learning about the Chinese economy, the group was experiencing the downtown vision BY ANNA SUDAR Advocate Reporter NEWARK After nine days of exploring China, Cheri Hottinger is sharing the photos and memories of her trip with friends and family back home. Hottinger, the president of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, visited China from March 12-20.

She was invited on the trip by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, which paid her travel expenses. Hottinger was part of a group of 80 chamber representatives and guests from the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. "The purpose of the trip was to learn about anbther country's culture and economy," Hottinger said. "We have some Licking County companies in China, and it would help to understand how they do business." Hottinger's group began their trip in Beijing and visited the cities of Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou. They were able to experience large Cities and rural areas.

The group toured a variety of factories and Saw how silk, pearls, rugs and ceramics are made, Hottinger said. They also met with the Amer- McClain Plan extends from Chamber to The Works BY KENT MALLETT Advocate Reporter NEWARK Visitors entering downtown Newark using the new Ohio 16 exit ramp should see appealing developments and landscaping, then an attractive streetscape all the way to The Works museum. That's part of the vision of developer Jerry McClain, who also suggests roundabouts on the Licking County Courthouse Square and a restoration and redevelopment of northwest Park Place buildings. McClain, who spent $3 million to buy 14 properties and demolish old, dilapidated buildings along Locust Street, wants' to fi-' nally accomplish many of the downtown objectives discussed in meetingsjfor more than 20 years. "It's going to take a lot of time, planning and money, but not as much time as we think if everybody takes a piece of it," McClain said.

"I think, within five years, we could have something in downtown Newark that would be out of this world." McClain encouraged more than 50: Jocal leaders in a Thursday' meeting at The Works to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the revamped downtown interchange to show off the city's center. He asked Mayor Bob Diebold and the city administration, the county commissioners and local property owners to join in the effort. The group at The Works included developers, engineers, planners, business and government leaders. "I think there's a lot of people in this room that would help'VIcClain said. "The thing that concerns me is, after this meeting, what are we going to I 1 DOWNTOWN, 4B a i' f-y I 7 is popular in the places they visited, Hottinger said.

She said she wanted to visit the Licking County businesses in China, including Tech International, Universal Veneer and Anomatic but she did not have time during the trip. But visiting China gave her the tools she needs to serve those companies better and help others, she said. "To be globally successful, you have to have a presence in China," she said. "If some company wants to go to China and be successful, I will now be able to give them a start." During the trip, Hottinger made connections with chamber executives in other states, politicians and economic developers. "The contacts I've made will be very helpful," she said.

"If the current companies that we have over there have issues, I can help them." The entire trip was educational, Hottinger said. "It's a whole new culture; everything is opposite of what we are used to," she said. "Overall it was great experience, and I would be open to going back." Anna Sudar can be reached at (740) 328-8544 or asudarnewarkadvocate.com. Area students come together to build bird houses for seniors BY ANNA SUDAR Advocate Reporter NEWARK The sounds of hammering and laughter filled the YES Club on Saturday afternoon as teenagers and Deni-son University students came together to build bird houses for senior citizens. The daylong project was part of Big Red's Big Day, a campus-wide day of service for Denison students.

Student groups participated in service projects both on and off campus. Ten members of the Denison group La Fuerza Latina were helping members of the Youth Engaged in Service Club make bird houses. The bird houses will be donated to nursing homes so residents can watch the birds outside. "The residents love it," said Vee Hottle, director of the YES Club. "It's different than the regular Easter items they receive.

This is something special to have right outside the window." The YES Club provides after-school and summer programs to youths ages 1 1 to 18. To participate in the program, members are asked to do service projects, Hottle said. YES Club members participate in Big Red Day every year, and this year they decided to do bird houses, Hottle said. "They always seem to enjoy it, especially the painting," Hottle said. "They can be creative, and they enjoy learning a new skill.

YES Club volunteer Ken Apacki organized the project and prepared the supplies. Apacki is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Granville, which sends a group of volunteers to the YES Club every month to maintain the facility and do building projects with the teens. The church donated the supplies for the bird houses and Apacki coordinated with Denison to organize the project. "So many of these kids have never had the opportunity to really make something on their own," Apacki said. "They feel really good about it." For Denison students Melissa Garcia and Daphne Martin, making bird houses was a new experience.

"For a bunch of liberal arts students to come out and build bird houses is different," Martin said. "It gives us an opportunity to learn as we help the students, no one loses in this situation." YES Club member Pharahn Hairston, 16, said he was excited to paint his bird house. "I'm going to go all wild with it," he said. "I enjoy doing this, especially because you know you are creating something." Mariah Emerick, 15, said she enjoys doing service projects. "I have a lot of fun and I get to hang out with my friends and meet new people," she said.

"And we are giving birds homes to live in." Anna Sudar can be reached at (740) 328-8544 or asudarnewarkadvocate.com. ican Chamber of Commerce in China and attended a session about Chinese work force issues. "There is a huge discrepancy between the management and the blue collar workers," Hottinger said. "In the whole country of pursues Jerry McClain pitches his idea for IF YOU GO WHAT Buckeye Valley BIA Licking County Home and Garden Show WHEN noon to 5 p.m. today WHERE Bryn Du Fieldhouse, 537 Jones Road, Granville COST $5 money is being spent wisely," Blackstone said.

"We want to let them know it is never a mistake to invest in your home. You'll always get a return on your investment." Representatives from landscaping, lighting, home repair and heating and cooling businesses all had booths at the show. "I hope people learn they can fulfill their improvement and investment needs locally," Blackstone said. Surrounded by trees and bushes, Michael Flood, co-owner of Albyn's Landscape and Nursery Center, spoke with people about his business. "People who come to this show have a genuine interest," Flood said.

"I'm happy it's grown, and hopefully it will continue to grow." I downtown Newark's development Expanded home and garden show features variety of resources, exhibitors nrr rTi rynn i 'i "(UAQ) if m--f- -J Matthew Berry, The Advocate Thursday afternoon at The Works. Kathleen Blaine, of Newark, came to trie show to get ideas on remodeling her bathroom and find an invisible fence for her cocker sp.iniel. "They have a good selection here," she said. "There is a lot of variety." Anna Sudar can be reached at (740) 328-8544 or asudiarnewarkadvocate.com. BY ANNA SUDAR Advocate Reporter GRANVILLE With summer on its way, Maureen and Ron Humbert have a few home-improvement projects on their to-do list.

The Heath couple needs to have their heating ducts cleaned, their trees trimmed and their awning fixed. They were able to find resources to complete all these projects Saturday at the Buckeye Valley Building Industry Association's Licking County Home and Garden Show at the Bryn Du Mansion and Fieldhouse. In its 32rd year, the show has been conducted in a variety of locations around the county. This is the second year it has been at the Bryn Du Fieldhouse, said Kim Blackstone, executive officer for the Buckeye Valley BIA. This year, the show expanded into the Bryn Du Mansion, Black-stone said.

The show features more than 60 exhibitors and continues from noon to 5 p.m. today, Blackstone said. This year's theme is "Your Home, an Investment for Life." i "With the economy the way it is, people want to make sure their Mattliew Berry, The Advocate Callum Sproul, 2, of Newark, puts the finishing touches on a shelf he made with more than a little help from his father, Dennis Sproul, left, as Caitriona Sproul, 4, and Denise Sproul watch Saturday during the Buckeye Valley Building Industry Association Home and Garden Show at the Bryn Du Mansion in Granville. Kimberly and John Dern-berger, of Newark, came to the show to get ideas for future home-improvement projects. "We are always looking for ideas; it's nice to see what new technologies are available," John said.

"Many of the things here today are able to be used for energy efficiency tax credits." ji -fr -fr-.