Ceremony sparks interest

LISBON -- Publicity surrounding a Fourth of July dedication of a Columbiana County monument is sparking increased donations to help pay for the structure.
"They've picked up quite a bit," Commissioner Jim Hoppel said Thursday. So far, county commissioners have raised about $14,400 for the $20,000 monument located outside the courthouse's main entrance. Hoppel said he's optimistic that enough money eventually will be raised to pay for the monument. He credited the Independence Day dedication with fueling interest in the project.
Commissioners opted to have the structure built before the money was raised so that there would be something in place to hold a bicentennial bell to be cast at the county fair, which starts July 28.
The bell is part of a state-funded bicentennial effort to provide commemorative bells for each of Ohio's 88 counties.
Besides serving as a memorial to the state's 200th anniversary, the granite memorial also honors Medal of Honor recipients who either were from Columbiana County or are buried here.
The holiday ceremony marked the completion of the monument itself.
Another dedication probably will be later this year in honor of the bell's installation, Hoppel added.
A key part of the fund-raising effort involves selling bricks for $50 each that can be inscribed according to the buyer's wishes.
The inscribed bricks are being installed in a pad that lies in front of the monument.
Commissioners' goal is to sell about 400 bricks. As of early June, about 40 had been ordered.
The number now stands at 128, with more than 20 of those orders coming after the July 4 dedication.
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