Ceremony to welcome Gaymont's new owners

Gaymont Care & Rehabilitation announced a ceremony to welcome new owners will take place next week.The community has been invited to join the nursing facility from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 for its official ribbon-cutting and open house event.The ceremony will give residents and family members the opportunity to meet Gaymont's new owner and facility administrator, Kayleigh Snyder. Those in attendance will also be able to visit with the staff and residents and to enjoy music and refreshments. Presented by the Huron County Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature declarations by Norwalk Mayor Rob Duncan, chamber director Kelly Lippus and Providence Healthcare Management CEO Eli Gunsburg.For nearly six decades, the Dotson family oversaw the daily operations at Gaymont. The late William C. Dotson Sr. founded Gaymont in 1961. The most recent owners were Bill and Erin Dotson, of Norwalk. Those efforts and goals will remain the same, according to Snyder."The Dotsons left some very big shoes to fill. They've been a staple in this city, while creating an amazing facility for residents and their families alike," she told the Reflector in a previous interview. Funds approved for LCCC campus security upgradesCOLUMBUS— On Monday, State Senator Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) announced the release of state capital funds in the amount of $977,894 for upgrades to Lorain County Community College for their ongoing campus security enhancement project."The safety of our schools is paramount to ensure our students are poised to succeed, I am pleased to see this project continue to advance," Manning said. "When we invest in our community colleges, we're not only supporting the students, but we're also investing in our small businesses and entrepreneurs who are seeking skilled employees to allow them to grow and expand in our community."The college engaged a consultant to help identify priorities to enhance the campus security services. Based on the recommendations, the priorities for the funds include emergency generators, classroom locksets, window film and redesigning the campus security office. Ohio wines earn high scoresOhio continues to earn recognition as a wine destination, receiving global attention among other world-class growing regions. As the sixth-largest producer of wine in the country with more than 300 wineries, the Ohio landscape offers producers terroir and growing conditions that cultivate flavors unique to the region.James Suckling, named one of the most powerful wine critics by Forbes, reviewed 11 Ohio wines grown throughout the Grand River Valley, Isle St. George and Ohio River Valley viticultural appellations, all of which are featured in his article "American Wine Revolution." He awarded each of the wines, a wide range of varietals and blends, with a score of 83 or higher based on a 100-point scale.Ferrante Winery & Ristorante, in Geneva, received the top score of 93 for its Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, which has aromas and flavors of honey, melon and brown sugar."The sheer intensity here is impressive with an array of mangoes and nectarines, as well as lime curd and sweet, essence-like power and purity on the acidity-fueled finish," explains Suckling in his tasting review. "A benchmark for this style."The winery's Pinot Grigio also secured the second highest score of 90, which Suckling recommends for its "long, juicy finish." He also notes that Ohio wine, like Meranda-Nixon Winery's Estate Cabernet Franc, rivals those produced in the Loire Valley, a notable wine-producing region in central France."You could mistake this leafy and savory, medium-bodied cabernet franc for a Loire wine, thanks to the sleek body and lively acidity," says Suckling. "There are some nice cherries, too."Additionally, Firelands Winery's Gewurztraminer, Debonné Vineyards' Unoaked Chardonnay, Laurentia Vineyard & Winery's Clone 90 Estate Riesling, M Cellars' Gewurztraminer, Meritage & Rhaksiteli, Meranda-Nixon's Estate Chardonnay and St. Joseph Vineyard's Pinot Noir were noted for their excellence in balance, finish and aroma."Ohio truly is home to something special when it comes to wine," says Christy Eckstein, executive director of The Ohio Grape Industries Committee. "Suckling's praises reflect both our region's ability to produce a diverse range of high quality grapes as well as our winemakers' continued commitment to crafting standout wines. We're fortunate for our region's rich capabilities and proud of those who have put Ohio on the map as a wine destination." Croghan Colonial announces leadership changesFREMONT — The board of directors for Croghan Colonial Bank and Croghan Bancshares, Inc. announced that effective Jan. 1, Kendall W. Rieman will become president and CEO of the bank. Rieman will be joining the board of directors of the holding company and the bank. Rieman is currently executive vice president and chief financial officer of the bank and treasurer of the holding company and has been in that position for the previous 12 years.Also, effective Jan. 1, Rick Robertson, current president and CEO of the bank will move to the newly created position of chairman at the bank. In this new role, Robertson will primarily serve in an advisory role and will serve as the chairman of the board loan committee. Robertson joined Croghan Colonial Bank in 2010 and will be completing his 45th year in the banking industry during 2019. Robertson will continue to be a director of Croghan Bancshares, Inc. Local co-op members receive more than $1.4 millionWELLINGTON — Lorain-Medina Rural Electric has refunded more than $1.4 million to more than 19,000 former and current members.At its November meeting, the LMRE board of trustees approved a capital credit refund of $1,450,184 marking the 36th consecutive year the cooperative has retired capital credits to current and former members. Since 1982, the cooperative has refunded more than $25.8 million.The majority of refunds are issued as credits on members' bills rather than issued as checks. Bills were mailed or e-mailed to members Dec. 10.For former and cooperative members whose refund total is $100 or more, a check was mailed Dec. 7."Refunding capital credits sets cooperatives like Lorain-Medina apart from other utilities," board president John Eaton said. "The board believes by refunding margins we're sending a positive message to our members that the co-op is financially stable and that their board is making sure we operate efficiently and effectively. Being a member of the co-op is the reason you receive capital credits while other people who are customers of investor-owned utilities like FirstEnergy do not."Eaton explained members provide the necessary capital for the cooperative to operate, maintain and expand its system. The cooperative retains allocated capital credits as working capital for new construction, equipment, and system improvements throughout its service area. Otherwise, rates would have to be raised significantly to pay for infrastructure improvements.If financial conditions permit, the LMRE board of trustees decides each year whether to retire a set amount of capital credits. Myers, Reiter and Sears appointed at TerraFREMONT — Gov. John Kasich has appointed Timothy Myers and re-appointed board chair Kay Reiter and board vice chair Kellie Carte Sears, all of Fremont, to serve on the Terra State Community College board of trustees.Myers' appointment expires Dec. 30, 2020, while Reiter's and Sears' reappointments expire Dec. 30, 2024.Myers currently serves as the General Manager of Century Die Company in Fremont. "I'm looking forward to working with the Board to support and strengthen the role that Terra State plays in highly-technical career training that will meet or exceed expectations of our local industries," he says. "This will, in turn, nurture sustainability and growth in our community, not just for industry, but personal growth as well." "I was very pleased to receive the notice on the appointment of Tim Myers to the Board," Reiter said. "I have worked with Mr. Myers previously and I am confident he will be an asset to the Board and the College. I was also very pleased to know that Kellie Sears and I were both reappointed to the Board. While recently the Board has experienced big challenges I am looking forward to a positive time ahead with Mrs. Sears and my other fellow board members."Sears had similar thoughts. "I am honored to be reappointed to continue my role on the Board of Trustees. The College's current trajectory and transformational shift will provide students with new and exciting opportunities, the staff with a new sense of ownership, and our community partners regained confidence. I am excited to remain a part of the process at Terra State."Terra State President Dr. Ronald Schumacher shares the same enthusiasm. "We are excited that for the first time in a long while, we are close to having a full Board. The variety of perspectives from the trustees is sure to not only benefit the College but the local workforce." Bettcher makes pact with GrasselliBIRMINGHAM – Bettcher Industries, Inc. announces that it has entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with Grasselli S.p.A and Grasselli SSI covering selected equipment segments sold into the American market.According to the terms of the agreement, Bettcher Industries becomes the official distributor of Grasselli manual and conveyorized membrane skinners and derinders for the U.S. market. The agreement covers sales of equipment and parts, along with service activities which will be provided by Bettcher technicians.According to senior leaders at both companies, the distribution agreement is a strong strategic fit for both entities. It combines Grasselli's innovative skinner and derinder product designs and performance with Bettcher's focus on primary processing operations.Bettcher is well-positioned to support primary processing because of the company's in-depth knowledge of yield management as well as its intimate, consultative approach to supporting America's meat processing plants. Not only has Bettcher forged strong working relationships with a large majority of the meat processing facilities throughout the country, its yield specialists and technicians excel at providing the yield management support that primary processors seek – and have done so for decades.Grasselli slicing equipment is not included in the distribution agreement. Existing Grasselli slicer customers in the United States will continue to be supported through Grasselli SSI, the company's American marketing partner. Grasselli SSI will now focus its full efforts on growing slicing equipment sales and deepening business relationships with the customers of those products.Commenting on the new distribution agreement, Don Esch, Bettcher's CEO, stated, "This is a natural fit for both companies. Grasselli has a superior lineup of membrane skinner and derinder products, and we look forward to expanding the brand's presence in more meat processing locations. Not only are we able to provide productivity solutions for meat processors, we're committed to promoting the Grasselli brand while growing its reach and penetration here in the United States."Effective immediately, all current and future Grasselli skinner/derinder customers in the United States should contact Bettcher Industries at 800-321-8763 or sales@bettcher.com concerning equipment purchases and parts ordering. Ohio home sales fallThe pace of homes sold across Ohio in November fell 1.3 percent from the level set during the month a year ago, according to statistics released recently by the Ohio Realtors association."The Ohio housing marketplace posted solid levels of activity in November — as sales nearly matched the month's best-ever rate set a year ago, while also recording a steady, positive gain in pricing," said Ohio Realtors President Tiffany Meyer. "With each passing month it has become increasingly evident that the desire for homeownership remains strong throughout the state and that Ohioans are confident that a home purchase is a smart, long-term investment."November's average home price of $178,882 reflects a 2.1 percent increase from the $175,196 mark posted during the month last year.Sales in November reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 157,655, a 1.3 percent decrease from the record-setting level set during the month a year ago of 159,684. The market experienced a 6.5 percent increase in sales from the October 2018 seasonally adjusted annual rate of 147,982.Around the state, 16 of the 18 markets tracked reported an upswing in average sales price during the month. Additionally, 11 markets posted gains or remained unchanged in the pace of sales.Data provided to Ohio Realtors by Multiple Listing Services includes residential closings for new and existing single-family homes and condominiums/co-ops.Ohio Realtors, with more than 33,000 members, is the largest professional trade association in Ohio. If you have an item for the business roundup column, send the information to the Norwalk Reflector in care of Zoe Greszler, 61 E. Monroe St., Norwalk, Ohio 44857, or email it to zoegreszler@norwalkreflector.com.RiemanKayleigh Snyder is the nursing home administrator for Gaymont Care & Rehabilitation (formerly Gaymont Nursing Center). She is a 2004 Norwalk High School graduate.