Mount Vernon Town Money Saver | May 2024

MOUNT VERNON

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PADDLE for Heroes

PADDLING FROM MOUNT VERNON TO MARIETTA

Each May, Paddle for Heroes (PFH) joins with veterans, first responders, active military, and supporters to help raise awareness for the nonprofit and its mission of providing therapeutic healing benefits of paddling.

Their journey will start May 17 launching from Memorial Park and will consist of strenuous paddling approximately 30 miles a day and camping along the river each evening. The group is expected to arrive in Marietta on May 24.

This year, PFH dedicates its paddle in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Nathan Anderson from Howard, Ohio.

Nathan was assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. He was killed Nov. 12, 2004, by enemy action in Anbar Province, Iraq.

Nate enlisted in the Marine Corp in June 2001. His service took him to 11 different countries. He was known as the heart and soul of his friend’s group, and once said that hearing the simple phrase, “thank you” from other human beings not sharing the same language, made it all worthwhile.

Helping Our Communities

2019: raised over $35,000 to install an ADA-accessible kayak launch at Ariel-Foundation Park in Mount Vernon.

PFH has been active in raising funds for an ADA-accessible launch at the William R. Gaines Jr. Veterans Memorial Park in Port Charlotte, FL, scheduled to be installed early summer.

Each year PFH does several river clean-ups in the Muskingum Watershed. These events are a great way to include our communities and provide an opportunity for all to participate while helping our rivers, environment, and nature stay pristine.

New for 2024: Paddle for Heroes will host a healing three-day expedition paddle in northern Michigan in July.

Thank you for your support and your generous consideration of a donation. To learn more or paddle with us, please visit our website at www.paddleforheroesmidwest.org. Stephen Fleming, Founder and President of Paddle for Heroes Stephen.j.f157@gmail.com

Corporal Nathan Anderson

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Kokosing Gap Trail visitors can experience this unique tunnel in Howard, Ohio.

TRAIL INFO

Kokosing Gap Trail is one of the largest, paved rail-to-trail parks in the United States maintained solely by donations and volunteers. Its non-profit board relies solely on gifts, donations and volunteers.

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 129 Gambier, Ohio 43022

VISITOR INFO

www.visitknoxohio.org www.kokosinggaptrail.org

Knox County Visitor’s Bureau at 1-800-837-5282

DONATIONS

Checks can be sent to our mailing address, you can scan a QR code on a bulletin board along the trail or donate online at www.kokosinggaptrail.com.

For more information, visit kokosinggaptrail.org or call 1-800-837-5282.

. Get walking and rolling!

KOKOSING GAP TRAIL: MILES OF FAMILY FUN, FLORA, AND FAUNA FUELED BY VOLUNTEERS

Submitted by Jim Stoner

I encourage everyone to take advantage of one of the unique assets that we all can enjoy here in Knox County; it is literally just outside our door! The Kokosing Gap Trail is a paved path that runs from Mount Vernon to Danville, and can be a safe source of entertainment for the whole family--one that can build memories for years to come.

Every time my wife and I take a stroll, or ride our bicycles down the trail, we find ourselves reminiscing about the first time we visited, or brought our dogs out to the trail to see how they would cope as they encountered other critters or people. Personally, it conjures fond memories of family hikes, cross-country skiing with my wife, and even setting goals for reaching a new distance benchmark on a run or on my bicycle.

The Kokosing Gap Trail is a gem in our county, maintained completely by volunteers. It is a source of exercise and relaxation as well as a place to people-watch and observe nature. Thousands of people each year take advantage

of the most amazing, enjoyable and accessible bicycle paths in the Midwest!

ABOUT THE TRAIL

The Kokosing Gap Trail is a paved, 14-mile recreational trail built on a former Pennsylvania Railroad line with endpoints in Mount Vernon and Danville. It is part of the bike trail that runs from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Visitors will traverse the Kokosing River twice on railroad bridges more than 250 feet long with forests, wetlands, agriculture and villages along the way. A 1940 Alco 0-6-0 locomotive and a 1924 Chesapeake & Ohio caboose sit next to the trail in Gambier, and a wonderful park with play structures is adjacent to the trail in Howard.

Water fountains, bicycle “Fixit” stations and restrooms are available on the trail in Mount Vernon, Gambier, Howard and Danville. Water is turned off and restrooms closed mid-November to mid-April, but the Howard restroom is open all year. Park benches are located along the trail about every 1/2 mile.

Instructions

DISHES

that will make your taste buds

Key Lime Pie

dance

Ingredients

4 eggs separated

• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

• ½ c Key Lime Juice

• ½ tsp cream of tartar

• Whipped Topping or Meringue

Beat yolks on high until thick and light in color. Turn o mixer and add milk. Mix on slow speed. While still on slow, add ½ lime juice, the cream of tartar, then remaining lime juite. Mix until well blended. Ladle into crust and bake at 350 until set, about 10-15 minutes. Or until center is rm and dry to touch. Set pie in freezer at least 3 hours before adding topping.

No Bake Meringue: Heat egg whites in a double boiler with 4 Tbs sugar, stirring frequently to 110 degree. Then beat on high speed until the form peaks. Top frozen pie and return to freezer until serving. Will keep for several days.

One-Skillet Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Instructions

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic

• 4 cups chicken broth, preferably low-sodium

• 1 lb penne rigate or ziti

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half, warmed

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh at-leaf parsley (optional)

• Add Ons: 3 Cup Lightly cooked broccoli Florets

Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Melt the butter in a skillet over med-high heat. Add the chicken, sauté until nicely browned on the outside, but still a bit pink inside, about 4 min. Remove the chicken and set aside. Do not clean the pan! Those brown bits on the bottom of the pan are going to add avor to the sauce. Add the garlic to the pan and sauté over med. heat 30 seconds. Turn the heat to high, add the chicken broth, and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen up all of those delicious caramelized bits. Bring to a simmer, lower to med. heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pasta, stir well, and simmer until the pasta starts to soften, about 8 minutes. Stir in the warm cream and the browned chicken with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, most of the liquid has been absorbed, and the chicken is cooked through, about 4 min. Stir in the Parmesan until well incorporated, and adjust the seasonings. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the parsley, if desired. Serve hot and pass extra Parmesan at the table.

Green Beans & Radish Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil

• 1/2 pound fresh green, trimmed

• 1 cup thinly sliced radishes

• 2 cloves garlic – minced

Instructions

Heat butter on med. Add bean, cook and stir 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender.

• 1/2 teaspoon sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Add radishes; cook 2-3 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in sugar and salt; sprinkle with nuts.