Preschool through sixth grade 

Entries accepted Nov. 1-22

Let creativity show. Go wild with markers, crayons, glitter, sequins or whatever a child’s imagination can think of with this coloring contest. Kids can use any available materials that can be joined with paper.

Starting Nov. 1, download the coloring contest sheet, which are found below, or pick up at City Hall. Return the coloring contest sheet by 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 22 to City Hall to be included in the display.

Winners will be chosen in the following grades:

• preschool,
• kindergarten,
• first-second grade,
• third-fourth grade, and
• fifth-sixth grade.

Categories are Most Creative, Best Use of Color and Overall Skill. One entry per child. Winners in each of the grades will be notified in advance of the event and will be awarded a prize during the tree-lighting ceremony at the Holiday in the Village event. The grand prize winner will also be notified in advance and will flip the switch to light the tree at the tree-lighting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 7. All Coloring Contest entries will be displayed at the Holiday in the Village event in the Universalist Church.

• Preschool and Kindergarten coloring sheets
• First and Second Grade coloring sheets
• Third and Fourth Grade coloring sheets
• Fifth and Sixth Grade coloring sheets

The City of Montgomery will soon usher in a new brand and a new era celebrating our storied history while looking to the future.  In the summer of 2018, The City of Montgomery launched a brand and image campaign project, Distinctly Montgomery, to ensure our brand is relevant and reflective of the community and portrays the appropriate image to attract and retain businesses, visitors, and residents.

During the initial discovery and assessment phase, we captured input from stakeholder interviews and resident and visitor surveys. The survey found that residents and non-residents of all ages agree that Montgomery is family-oriented, charming, and relaxed. Most survey respondents agree that preserving Montgomery’s history and heritage is paramount. We also hosted a Pitchbox session led by Kolar Design to engage the Montgomery Citizens’ Leadership Academy Alumni.  We gathered their key insights on Montgomery’s brand characteristics and experiences.

Our campaign partners, Rasor Marketing Communications, located on Remington Road, performed a communications audit on current messaging and studied our social media communications compared to four peer cities.

Using the data from the communications audit, interviews, conversations, and surveys, R

Look for the 2020 City Calendar and December Bulletin in your mailbox by December 1.

asor created a messaging brand strategy touching on Montgomery’s pioneering spirit, passionate preservation of our heritage and charm, hospitable environment, and the City’s progressive planning for a vibrant future.

The brand messaging informed Montgomery’s new tagline: A Charming Past. A Glowing Future.

After much community conversation, additional surveying of the community for color and logo choice, and some deliberation, we chose the new logo.  While still maintaining the traditional blue, yellow, and beloved streetlight, we are introducing a vibrant and colorful red, that draws upon our community’s history. Think red brick that dots our historic homes and paver paths!

You will see this new brand and messaging implemented in the Montgomery Bulletin, City Calendar, and other communication pieces. The logo will gradually appear on more substantial collateral such as truck decals, street signs, and uniforms.  Thank you for your involvement in the campaign and input on this new brand. Look for these brand updates in the December Montgomery Bulletin and the 2020 City Calendar when delivered to you in an envelope by Dec. 1.

By City Council Member Mike Cappel

Have you ever walked into an event and realized you were the only person like you there? Did you leave?

Two years ago, I signed up for an early morning University-level fitness class, hoping for a few last-minute pointers before a bicycle ride to Montgomery, New York.  I expected that we would read a book, spend a few minutes in the gym at the end of class, and possibly keep an exercise log.  On the first day of class, I arrived a few minutes early in plaid shorts and an old golf shirt.  To my surprise, I found nearly 70 uniformed ROTC Cadets on the exercise field.  The Professor assured me that I was welcomed and in the right place.  Although ecstatic at my good fortune, as the workouts got harder and the weather colder, I regularly considered dropping, but I just couldn’t quit.

For a few months, we ran and rucked miles and miles, did thousands of pushups and sit-ups and all kinds of other crazy exercises in the Army Fitness manual.  Over the months we learned each other’s abilities, work ethic, teamwork and to never, ever leave someone behind.  Everyone in class now recognizes that a 57-year-old will never run as fast as an 18-year-old cadet, but also that a 57-year-old can pass the physical tests semester after semester. We were all surprised.

The emotional challenge of the class was stronger than the physical challenge.  My opinion of cadets was based on my 1980’s Army experience with a single Cadet. My opinion was wrong!  At 57, I thought I had different values and ethics than the cadets.  I was wrong again.  These students were role models for this suburban Grandpa!

The entire class arrived early each morning.  The students would greet each other, take their attendance, and check up on anyone missing.  Before class, the students publicly pledged to follow their values, mostly the values my parents taught me: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honesty, Integrity, and Personal Courage.  For example, when the instructors don’t show up, two students walk to the front and start the class!  By toughing out this experience for four semesters, I discovered that although we are different in age, education level, backgrounds, marital status, physical ability, and other ways, we are all similar.

These students caught me many times as I was falling, and on the few times I did hit the ground, they immediately picked me up.  They taught me how to lose gracefully yet come back, again and again, knowing that no matter how hard I train I will be last.  This is the gift that this diversity experience and these Cadets gave me.

The City of Montgomery, like most American communities, is growing and diversifying.  Presently, Sycamore Community Schools has a student population representing 54 nationalities and 41 spoken languages, making it one of the most culturally diverse systems in the state.  Approximately 10 percent of Montgomery residents are cultural minorities.  City council and administration believe the infusion of various cultures, faiths, and customs enriches social and civic life and is a positive development for the community.

Jackie Congedo is the Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs arm of the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, which works to ensure Jewish security by building a more just society for all people. Before her work in Cincinnati’s Jewish community, Jackie spent eight years as a broadcast journalist, working for stations in Washington, D.C.; Lexington, Kentucky; and here in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jackie and her family are proud new Montgomery residents

Why is it important for you to participate in the Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee?

I grew up in an interfaith home, so understanding multiple backgrounds and paths was core to my family. My Jewish and Italian ancestors also came to this country many years ago, looking for better lives, and they were embraced by their neighbors. The Montgomery Diversity and Inclusion Committee has a wonderful opportunity to model the best of inclusive practices and to celebrate the differences among us. I feel honored and privileged to help lead this important work, which will make our city a stronger, more vibrant place.

Why are Diversity and Inclusion important to the community?

Diversity is about all of us, and it takes all of us. As a society, we are only as secure as the least secure or least welcome among us. Diversity starts with ourselves, by examining our own implicit biases, being intentional about getting to know people who are different from ourselves, and being deliberate about sharing our own differences with others. If our community is not intentional about this work, it will not happen. This is why the Diversity and Inclusion Committee is so important. We have a lot to learn from each other, and we have a tremendous opportunity to develop our community into a place that is richer because of its diverse fabric.

Click to learn more about the Know your Neighbor Series

The One-Stop-Drop for Responsible Recycling and Document Destruction Day held on Saturday, Sept. 21 was a huge success!

Numerous donations were made to Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries, Habitat for Humanity Restore, Royal Document Destruction, and Operation Give Back.

Thank you for participating!  And special thanks to these City’s Environmental Advisory Commission members and volunteers!

• Councilman Mike Cappel
• Mark Laskovics
• Donna Schwartz
• Mary Ann Folz
• Alice Aguilar
• Elaine Cohen
• Greg Broderick
• Carol Suer
• Gary Gross
• Zeeshan Pasha
• Nathan Lehrer
• Doug Lehrer
• Patrick Aguilar
• Maggie Ballard
• Kaia Heitkamp

Bring the whole family to Terwilliger Lodge in Dulle Park on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. to share a pancake breakfast with Santa.  The all-you-can-eat pancakes will be served by City of Montgomery employee volunteers for $5/person (family rate of $20).

Bring a wish list to share with Mr. Claus himself and a camera to take a photo with him!  All proceeds benefit the Holiday Family Fund which supports local families in need with gifts and toys shared in the generosity of the holiday spirit.

Share in the spirit of the season and help others by bringing non-perishable food items (no glass containers) to the pancake breakfast for Matthew 25 Ministries.

Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast, and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

Here’s what you need to know!

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.
• Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions yet mitigate false alarms.
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
• Smoke alarms were not present in two out of every five (40 percent) home fire deaths.
• In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, more than two of every five (43 percent) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.
• Dead batteries cause 25 percent of smoke alarm failures.

Testing smoke alarms is just as important as having working smoke alarms.

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Make sure everyone in the home understands the sound of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning smoke alarms to keep them working well.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

Follow these tips to prevent home fires.  For more information on smoke alarms, contact the Montgomery Fire Department at 513-985-1633.

The City of Montgomery Environmental Advisory Commission will be accepting holiday decoration lights (stranded) and extension cords at its monthly cardboard recycling event starting in November. This Recycling Event occurs on the Third Saturday of each month at the Public Works facility, 7315 Cornell Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The addition of these items further supports the City’s recycling efforts to reduce the amount of trash going into landfills.

The next pick-up date is Saturday, Nov. 16.

During the holiday season, we enjoy creating beautiful light displays. By converting from incandescent bulbs to LEDs, we can continue this tradition and simultaneously save on energy costs and reduce the impact on the environment.

LEDs use less energy and are more efficient in how they use that energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs use 95 percent of energy to produce light leaving only 5 percent wasted as heat.

So how do I save?

• An incandescent bulb costs 75 cents per hour. LEDs cost 1/6 of that!
• Incandescent bulbs are only 10 percent efficient because 90 percent of energy that does get made into light dissipates as heat. It’s why the bulbs get hot.
• The long operational lifetime span of LEDs means that one LED light bulb can save material and production of 25 incandescent light bulbs.

How are LEDs better for the environment?

• LEDs contain no toxic materials and are 100 percent recyclable. Incandescent bulbs contain mercury and other materials dangerous for the environment.

How are LEDs better to decorate outdoors?

• LED lights are durable. They are resilient to shock and vibrations, which make them great for outdoor lighting as they can handle rough conditions and exposure to weather.
• LED lights are capable of using a low-voltage energy supply. This makes it easy to connect them to an external solar-energy source.

Prepare your property for a cold spell this winter.  Here are a few tips from the community development department and the City’s tree arborists to maintain and prepare your property this late fall into early winter.

Tree and Shrub Care

Trees and shrubs should get one inch of water a week through the fall months until the ground is frozen.  Use your garden hose at half throttle and lay on the trunk for roughly an hour.

Gutters and Downspouts

Be sure to clean out gutters and downspouts of any leaves or debris.  This is also a good time to inspect the gutters and downspouts for any damage.

Exterior Faucets

Help protect your pipes from freezing by shutting off water to exterior faucets and be sure to drain and store any outside hoses.

Seal Gaps

With colder weather nearing, be sure to walk the perimeter of your house and seal any gaps to help prevent critters from getting inside to keep warm.

Check Driveways and Walkways

Ensure all driveways and walkways are in good repair prior to the first snowfall to make shoveling a little easier.  Also, now is a good time to make sure stairs and railing are in good shape.

Preschool through sixth grade 

Entries accepted Nov. 1-22

Let creativity show. Go wild with markers, crayons, glitter, sequins or whatever a child’s imagination can think of with this coloring contest. Kids can use any available materials that can be joined with paper.

Starting Nov. 1, download the coloring contest sheets, which are found below, or pick up at City Hall. Return the coloring contest sheet by 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 22 to City Hall to be included in the display.

Winners will be chosen in the following grades:

• preschool,
• kindergarten,
• first-second grade,
• third-fourth grade, and
• fifth-sixth grade.

Categories are Most Creative, Best Use of Color and Overall Skill. One entry per child. Winners in each of the grades will be notified in advance of the event and will be awarded a prize during the tree-lighting ceremony at the Holiday in the Village event. The grand prize winner will also be notified in advance and will flip the switch to light the tree at the tree-lighting ceremony at 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 7. All Coloring Contest entries will be displayed at the Holiday in the Village event in the Universalist Church.

Preschool and Kindergarten coloring sheets

First and Second Grade coloring sheets

Third and Fourth Grade coloring sheets

Fifth and Sixth Grade coloring sheets

When winter weather is predicted, keep your family safe by following these safety tips.

• Build an emergency kit for each place in which you spend time. Keep supplies at home, work, and in the car.
• Power outages are common during a winter storm. If you use a generator, keep it outside and away from windows and doors.
• Have a carbon monoxide alarm at home, especially if using a generator!
• Winter storms can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Stay indoors and dress in warm layers. Don’t forget mittens, a hat, and a scarf.
• Check on your neighbors – especially if they are elderly or have access or functional needs.
• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulk, and weather stripping.
• Sign up for Alert Hamilton County weather alerts and emergency information at org.

Be sure to always be aware, prepared, and notified so not caught off guard by severe weather.  Sign up for Alert Hamilton County to receive weather updates and emergency information via text, call, and email.  To sign up for Alert Hamilton County, you must also be signed up for Smart911, a life-saving technology that allows you to give vital information to 9-1-1 dispatch before an emergency. Sign up today at alerthc.org.

Source: Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Who needs a permit to solicit door to door?  The simple rule of thumb is this; If they are selling a product or service, they need a City of Montgomery Solicitor’s Permit.  If they are canvassing for a cause or seeking donations, they do not need a permit.

However, in all cases the solicitor must;

• Display a photo ID
• Operate between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• Adhere to the current No Knock List and No Solicitor Signs

If a solicitor is under 18, they must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervising adult with photo ID.

“NO SOLICITORS” signs are available at the Montgomery Police Department

These are examples of commercial solicitors that do need a permit:

• Girls Scouts selling or taking cookie orders.
• Roofers or tree trimmers soliciting services.
• Students selling items like coupon books.

Challenge all solicitors to show their permit at your door.  If they cannot display a permit, politely decline their request and call the police department at 513-985-1600.

By Vice Mayor Lynda Roesch

The past month of November gives us several opportunities to pause and reflect on our country and its freedoms.  First, there is election day on November 5 when we exercise our right to vote on candidates and issues that will affect us and our governance. Second, there is the Thanksgiving national holiday on November 29, which commemorates the harvest feast first shared between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoags. Sandwiched in between these two is Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring all veterans.

On November 11, we honor all who have served our country in war or peace, dead or alive. Originally known as Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of World War I. Fighting ceased on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. After World War II and the Korean War, the legislature changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954. At the end of the sixties, Congress moved the holiday to the fourth Monday in October for a few years, but that created a fair amount of confusion.  Many were not happy about the date change.  By 1975, the date was moved back to November 11.

Over the years, our Presidents have celebrated veterans with some of the following quotes:

• “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated.” – George Washington
• “Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves as he best can, the same cause.” – Abraham Lincoln
• “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
• “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the marines don’t have that problem.” –Ronald Reagan

Montgomery recognizes the value of military service and the sacrifice it entails. The City has used its July 3 concert to honor veterans (and first responders). This year, as we celebrated Veterans Day, we say thank you, and God bless you to all who have served.