Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce
Minutes of the July 23, 2026 meeting
Accessible text version of the official minutes. The text is reproduced verbatim from the signed record; only page footers and layout artifacts have been removed. The original PDF is also available.
Attendance
Those present: Tina Aerbach, Julie Bell, Samantha Betts, Marilyn Boyd, Vince Carpico, Lydia Carter, Jonett Haberfield, Toni Harper, Lee Ann Hart, Sue Henwood, Rich Lines, Lynn McCandlish, Ray Meese, Dee Mowry, Ken Shofter, Linda Ward, Heather Yontz
Program
President Rich Lines opened the meeting with a welcome and led the group in the pledge of allegiance. Pastor Linda Ward gave the invocation. A buffet lunch, provided by the Historical Society, was enjoyed, and Samantha Betts, coordinator of branch services for the Fairfield County Library, was introduced as the speaker. She has been with the library since 2007 and serving at the Bremen branch since 2023. The library has six locations, circulating some 5 million items in 2025; it partners with 18 other libraries in availability of materials.
Bremen has circulated some 10,000 items so far this year; its WiFi hot spots are popular. The Bremen branch encourages children’s engagement through the summer with a reading program, “Unearth the Story.” It also provides access to passes for locations like the Glass Museum, the Georgian, AHA Children’s Museum. There is children’s programing Thursday mornings and an after school art program during the school year; Santa Claus visits in December, and kids and adults can participate in writing to the troops as part of honoring Veterans. Since Covid, the Bremen Elementary students walk to the branch for a tour; this results in a high return rate.
The library is about 3/4 physical materials to 1/4 digital. It is also a place to order materials, a community center with space for meetings, and home of the Garret Players. Its annual fundraiser is an auction of donated decorated Christmas trees. In the future, Samantha hopes to see an increase in audio and e-books, as well as additional storybook walks like those at Baltimore and Smeck Parks.
Business meeting
Rich opened the business meeting with a request for minutes of the June meeting. Toni Harper moved their approval as emailed, seconded by Dee Mowry and carried. The treasurer reported the following account balances:
| checking: | $ 2 938,70 |
|---|---|
| Money Market | 7 018.05 |
| CD: | 13 825.48 |
| CD: | 15 310.96 |
| CD: | 5 616.97 |
Dee Mowry moved to receive the report, seconded by Heather Yontz; motion carried. Rich announced that, as directed in the chamber constitution, election of officers is to be held in even numbered years, and toward that end, a nominating committee has been established.
Reports and motions
- The Rushville Lions expressed thanks for our support of their golf outing; there were 83 sponsors and 26 teams.
- The village of Bremen is seeking Oktoberfest sponsors; Marilyn Boyd moved a donation of $1000 which was seconded by Ray Meese and approved.
- Heather Yontz moved to donate up to $200 for school supplies to be given to Bremen Elementary at the beginning of 2nd semester; this was seconded by Toni Harper and carried.
- The Trail of Scarecrows theme for this year is America 250.
Adjournment
The next meeting will be at Post 20 of the American Legion, with county commissioner Jeff Fix as speaker.
A motion to adjourn was made by Dee Mowry, seconded by Ken Shofter and carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Schmitz, secretary