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"Free" prescription drug cards to Ohio residents

The Ohio Drug Card Program announced today that it will distribute "FREE" discount prescription drug cards to the residents of Ohio. Every Ohioan is eligible to participate in the Ohio Drug Card Program. There are no restrictions to membership, no income restrictions, no age limit and no applications to fill out. Prescription savings average 30 percent and can range up to 75 percent at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies. Participating pharmacies include Kmart Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Meijer, Discount Drug Mart, Marc's Pharmacy, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies.
As a resident of Ohio, you can download your free prescription drug card by visiting www.OhioDrugCard.com. Anyone not able to access the website, or otherwise obtain a member card, can visit any Kmart Pharmacy location in Ohio. Kmart Pharmacy will process your prescription through the Ohio Drug Card program even if you do not have a member card.
The Ohio Drug Card Program was launched to help the uninsured and underinsured citizens of Ohio afford their prescription medications. However, the program can also be used by people who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits, which is common in many health savings accounts and high deductible health plans. Additionally, people who have prescription coverage can use this program for non-formulary or non-covered drugs.
The Ohio Drug Card can also be used by individuals who do not qualify for publicly funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. It can also be used by people who receive their medicines through charity care providers such as 340B, a federally funded program that grants discounts to providers, and require a drug that is not available to them. This program even covers some pet medications that are available at participating pharmacies. The Ohio Drug Card Program has no restrictions or participation requirements and is open to every resident of Ohio.
Greg Lashutka, the former mayor of Columbus, has been selected as the Program Director for the Ohio Drug Card. Lashutka played football for Ohio State under head coach Woody Hayes from 1963-1965. In 1965 Lashutka served as his team's co-captain. He was elected mayor of Columbus in 1991 and served as mayor from 1992 through 1999 being elected twice. Lashutka served as president of the National League of Cities during his time as Mayor. He joined Nationwide Insurance in January 2000 as Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations, retiring at the end of last year. Lashutka is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. "This program can help every resident of Ohio! We are calling on hospitals, clinics, associations and organizations to create public awareness for the program and to make this program available to our citizens," said Lashutka. "This program is just what the people of Ohio needed to help them manage rising insurance and medical expenses."
You can search for drug pricing and participating pharmacies at www.ohiodrugcard.com. The card is pre-activated and can be used at any participating pharmacy. Most major pharmacies, as well as thousands of independent pharmacies, accept the card.

May is a month of flowers,
And also for Mothers, they say,
Appreciate them both for sad,
They'll both be gone one day.

My mother Jane wrote this poem several years ago and I'm sure she was thinking of my grandmother Grace. What wonderful times our family had when I was growing up. My dad Edgar loved to travel and we explored the countryside, near and far, any chance we got especially during the summer months. We would take along a Coleman stove, picnic items, and a cooler filled with good food to cook at the roadside picnic areas that were very much a part of traveling during those years. We would seek out parks in small towns along our route and enjoy a quiet picnic most often in a beautiful setting of trees and streams. Picnic areas at that time were kept in good repair by communities as there were few fast food restaurants available. Motels always had some rooms or cabins with cooking facilities and refrigerators too, as a courtesy for families. Small grocery stores were the norm in every town along the way. Our family time together was always filled with fun and adventure as we toured many historic and tourist sites around the country. With the weather finally warming up enough to really enjoy the out-of-doors, it is important to take time to plan family excursions. Creating cherished family memories together should be part of every summer vacation. My grandmother was the cook at our house even when we traveled. My dad and mom would unpack the portable stove and picnic essentials and my grandmother would cook nearly a full course. Summers were great also going to a family cottage that my father built at Madison-on- the-Lake near Geneva on the Lake. It seemed that half of Girard either had a cottage or travel trailer in that area for weekend getaways. Many went to Geneva for a day and some families still do this somewhat as a tradition even on Mother's Day. No one seemed to ever equal the taste of the famous donut shop there. "Eddie's Grill" is still in business too on the main street of Geneva-On- The-Lake. The food there, as I remember, is always good with an old fashioned "flavor" not only with the food but the atmosphere as well. Rides for the kids and a couple of miniature golf courses, are added to the list of "things to do" at Geneva and we often headed there for Mother's Day if the weather was the least bit warm. Pleasant memories of many Mother's Days spent together there,
Time is rapidly bringing the school year to a close as graduation caps and gowns are given, and students hurriedly finish projects to wrap up their class work. There seems to be so much packed into a school year that it seems an abrupt stop when all work is finished. Girard's graduation will be held on Sunday, June 1, at 2 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Due to the football field construction, the ceremony will be held inside. A new portable stage is being built for the occasion so students can be seen by family and friends as they receive diplomas.
Prom is the main event for this week at Girard to be held on Friday, May 9. Prom will be held this year at Leo's Restaurante. It is a sit down dinner this year, I understand, and will be quite a beautiful evening. The Promenade presenting all students attending Prom will be held at 5:40 p.m. in the Girard High School Gymnasium and is open to the public free of charge. The weather is supposed to co-operate too with clear skies. Mr. Pete Kalan, current Senior Class Advisor will be doing the introductions. Math teacher and Junior Class Advisor, Mrs. Kristy Fill, a graduate of Girard High School herself, will be on hand to see that everything is beautifully decorated and all goes well during the evening for both students and staff. A trip to Cedar Point, a tradition of the weekend, is organized by parents for students who take charter busses there and back. A breakfast and return supper is also provided by parents. Chaperones, usually volunteer GHS staff members, accompany students for a day at the park. Best Wishes to all Seniors and Juniors for a safe and enjoyable Prom weekend.
The following weekend is a busy one too. The Girard High School and Junior High Drama Club present the musical "Cinderella" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. The show promises to be a delightful performance with Camille Smith in the leading role of Cinderella. Cinderella's Fairy Godmother has been double cast with Erica Garfield and Samantha Hanna sharing the role. Prince Charming is played by Andrew Johntony and the King is played by Jesse Ruiz. The queen is played by Dorothy Gerthung and the mice are played by students from the elementary and middle schools. A feature item of the show is the carriage built to carry Cinderella to the ball. The stepsisters are played by Clarissa Whippo and Crystal Gianetti and again double cast with Miranda Boarts and Rachel Clifford with Kimberlyn Simeon as the stepmother. Junior High and High School students also have parts in the show and are working hard to create a beautiful production. The dates of the show are Friday, May 16, Saturday May 17, and Sunday May 18' .The cost of the show is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and $4 for Senior Citizens. Tickets may be purchased at the door. The show is in the Girard High School Auditorium.
The Relay for Life Liberty Rally will be held on Friday, May 16 and Friday May 17. Contact Karen Fisher for more information on how to help. The Team brought home several awards at last year's for their strong effort to help fight cancer. Several teams are around town finishing their fundraising efforts this week. You can help a worthy cause through their donation. Good luck at the event to be held May 16 and 17.
The Girard First United Methodist Church begins summer hours on Sunday, May 25th. at 10 a.m. During this time, a special service will be held honoring all those that have served in the Armed Forces. June 1st services will honor high school and college graduates. Graduates from the Girard
First United Methodist Church include Craig Brooks, Carrie Cretella. Abbey Emery, Kristen Helle, Kaitlin Irgang, Faith Kovachik, Kelly McKee, Allan Wagner. Graduate from Boardman is Alyssa DiBernardi. From Lakeview is Eric Courtney, McDonald, Amanda Stitt, and from Niles is Adam Rogers. Congratulations to all these fine graduates.
Catholic Women's Club will meet on Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m. at Ciminero's in Niles for their Spring Banquet.
The Lydia Circle of the Girard Methodist Church will be making individual size ham loaves on May 12" The cost of

each loaf is $2. Call 330- 545-4361 if you want to place an order. Pick up of orders will be Monday, May 12 in Fellowship Hall.
The Girard High School Band had over 80 members travel to Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia where they toured the nation's capital and performed at Busch Gardens. Band Director is Don Opsitnik.
A Visitation Day at Girard High School was held for St. Rose School 8th grade students who are planning to attend 9th grade at GHS. Wednesday, May 7th was the day set aside for parents and students to tour the building and meet staff and administrators. GHS Principal William Ryser, the guidance department, and GHS students joined together to welcome these prospective students. The day ended with lunch at 1 p.m. being served in the high school cafeteria.
Class officer elections will be held in the high school on May 12, and Student Council elections will be held on May 19.
There will be a Senior Awards Luncheon held for the Class of 2008 at the Mahoning Country Club on Wednesday, May 21. The cost of the luncheon is $12 per person for parents and family members with Seniors of the Class of 2008 free. The luncheon will begin at 11 :30 a.m. Anyone wanting to attend the awards ceremony only may do so beginning at 12:30 p.m.
As of May 1, shorts are permitted to be worn in the high school. This always seems to signal the beginning of summer even though there are a few more days remaining before celebrating that school's out for the summer. The Advanced Placement English Exam will be held on May 8 for Seniors who have taken the Advanced Placement English Courses at GHS. Certain designated scores help students get credit for or skip some college courses as they continue their education.
There will be a Key Club Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by Girard High School Key Club on May 22. It will be held at the Girard High School Gymnasium.
Girard High School Beta Club will hold its annual awards program on May 22. The Initiation of New Members will be held as soon as materials arrive from the National Beta Club.
The Girard Intermediate School Field Day will be held on May 23 at Liberty High School Stadium. Greg May, Girard City Schools physical education teachers says that this was done about ten years ago when the Girard Stadium was being refurbished then as it is now. Students will be bussed there for the day's events.
There will be no school for Memorial Day and Girard High School students will give presentations at the services held at the Girard City Building and Cemetery that day. The GHS Valedictorians usually give the Gettysburg Address as part of the traditional services held at each location.
The Girard High School Senior Class of 2008 will have their last day there on May 27 with graduation on June 1. The Seniors have a traditional breakfast together on May 30 prior to practice for graduation ceremonies.
Final School Picnics are being planned for the Elementary and Girard Intermediate Schools. The Junior High will have field trips in the next few weeks also as an end of the year reward for their hard work. Junior High Students will have an Awards Assembly and a week of informational meetings will be held for Eighth Grade students to help with their transition to the High School. Science classes are also sponsoring displays of Roller Coasters that students make as part of the class assignment. Junior High Student Sam Home from the seventh grade is appearing at the Youngstown Playhouse Youth Theater Production this week. Gina Martini and Camille Smith are appearing with Easy Street Productions this week on stage in Powers Auditorium in "High School Musical" along with other Girard students and alumni.
GHS Alumni Heidi Davis is appearing at the Oakland Center for the Arts in downtown Youngstown for the next two weekends and then will be on stage in the musical "Suessical" about the stories of Dr. Seuss at Kent Trumbull Branch in Champion in July as the character "Sour Kangaroo." David Munnell from Parkwood is also appearing in the Oakland production. "Titanic," the musical, opens the weekend of the 23rd of May at the Youngstown Playhouse and Tom Jones and Bob Wilson from McDonald will be appearing in that show.
Thelma Woodford is having some health problems and could use some cards sent to her home. Thelma has sung in the Methodist Church Choir for many years and is very encouraging and supportive to those of us who may have difficulties in our own lives especially with ill family members.
This Mother's Day celebrate with those you love and create a lasting memory even of simple remembrances. Taking time and being together  with friends and family is a wonderful way to spend the day. Mothers are very special people who do so much for us. Take time to be with your mother or someone who is My mother Jane is a wonderful person and I hope that someday she will get well enough to return home. She has some slight improvement and that is better than none at all. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

Now That's Gallavantin'

Garden Forum Holiday Flower Show

The Garden Forum of the Greater Youngstown Area held it's Spring Flower Show April 19-20 at Fellows River Side Gardens this was a standard flower show. Blue Ribbons in Horticulture were awarded to: Mary Schall Austintown, Rae Jones Austintown, Rose Marie Roth Daphne, Pearl Marlos Gleaners, Beverly Patrick Ikebana, Laura Miller Ikebana, Stan and Linda Veletich Mahoning Valley Dahlia, Dianna Mullins Nature Lovers, Martha Murphy Nature Lovers, Shelia Bowman Nature Lovers, Dorothy Haddox Our Lady of Fatima, Alison Spencer Public, Beth Haddle Public. Special awards in Horticulture went to Martha Murphy and Dorothy Haddoxbeth Haddle.

Families Get Help Enrolling in Free Health Care Coverage

NILES - The Mahoning Valley Covering Kids and Families Coalition is helping enroll uninsured and underinsured families in the Healthy Start/Healthy Families, a comprehensive and free health coverage program.
The enrollment will take place on the following times/dates at St. Joe's at the Mall, located next to Sears inside the Eastwood Mall, Niles.
· 9 a.m. to noon, Friday, May 9
· 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 15
· 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 24
· 1 to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 29
Participants will need to bring:
· Social Security numbers of all family members
· Copies of pay stubs for the most recent month
· Copies of other insurance information (if applicable)
Call 1-800-324-8680 to determine if your family is eligible. For more information, call St. Joe's at the Mall at 330-652-7542.