Residents write grant for funding

The groups also requested private donations for the children's play area.
MESOPOTAMIA -- Residents from Mesopotamia have formed a committee called "Mespo Kids Playground Fund."
"My son Jacob loves to visit the playground in Bloomfield. So I came up with an idea, why not build our own playground for our neighbors' children and grandchildren?" said Mary Kay Sly, founder and chairwoman of the committee.
Sly and a committee of residents wrote a grant application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for 75 percent of the cost of the playground. The other 25 percent will come from donations from local businesses, facilities and residents.
It looks favorable that the small community will receive the grant, Sly said. She said the cost of the playground is estimated at $36,000.
The local share is about $6,000 short of its goal. Any one interested in donating to the playground fund can send donations to Middlefield Bank, P.O. Box 35, Middlefield, Oh. 44062. Make checks payable to the Mespo Kids Playground Fund.
Fund-raising pancake breakfasts will be held the first four Saturdays in April from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Mesopotamia Fire Department, which is off the Mespo Commons on state Route 534. All proceeds will go to the fund.
For more information, call Sly at (440) 693-4177, Sherry Chilson at (440) 693-4175, or Sharon Grover at (440) 693-4000.