I have always tried to teach my kids that to make it in the world; you have to pay your dues.  That no one just gets lucky and hard work makes luck.  I’m wondering now if it’s time to eat my words…paying your dues sometimes results in nothing.  Not in Eaton Sports anyway.  Before I go much further here, let me preface this by saying that this is only my OPINION.  Of which I am entitled to.  You may not and don’t have to like it.  You may and certainly CAN have a different opinion.  And if you do, by all means share it with me so maybe I can see this from a different light.  Because I would LOVE to.  I am not one of “those” parents.  And you know of whom I speak.  The parent that is constantly calling the coach, asking for preferential treatment for their child.  The parent that thinks j... 10/16/2012

Eaton Soccer – one of the “other” fall sports.   This is going to be objectionable to some readers, so I am putting this warning up right at the start.  If you don’t like my opinion, that’s fine.  Respect mine and I will respect yours.  Thank youJ   In some countries, well, MOST countries, soccer is the most popular sport.  There are many reasons why…   All anybody needs to be able to play is a ball.  Not much else is required as far as gear or apparatus.  And what equipment might be needed is inexpensive.   The premise is relatively simple.  All you need is two teams and a ball.  This makes it one of the only sports that can be played even in developing nations.   The rules are simple – don’t use your arms, kick the ball into the net.  Of course it’s a little more complex than that, bu... 10/12/2012

Yep...I've got a beef with Lakengren.  This doesn't happen too often.  I have lived in the Lakengren community (Lake Lakengren Eaton Ohio, Preble County) for 10 years now, and for the most part, I have loved almost every minute of it.  But, to be fair to myself and readers out there, I have to be honest in saying that sometimes things there just honk me off.  Things like politics that don't go how I would like them to, lack of voters showing up to have a voice in the community, drivers who seem to think the road in front of my house is a practice course for NASCAR, etc... And most recently, the roads.  Good grief!  I need to get a picture and put it on here.  East Lakengren Drive seems to be the worst.  Coming home yesterday, I was stopped by a sign that reads "hazardous road conditions... 02/15/2011

Here's what's coming up in the great community of Lake Lakengren for the month of November: November 2 -  Hey folks...don't forget to VOTE!!! November 3 - Women's Club meeting at 1pm in Lakengren Lodge November 6 - Dragons Texas Hold'em at 7pm at Lakengren Lodge November 7 - SET YOUR CLOCKS!  Time to fall back one hour.  This is also a good time to check the batteries in your smoke detectors and replace as needed! November 8 - Lakengren Property Owners Association meeting at 7pm at the Lakengren Water Authority building. November 11 - Dragon's club Vets Day Dinner at 6:30pm at the lodge.  Reservations nec. November 15 -  Lake lowering begins.* November 16 - Garden Club Holiday dinner at 6pm at the Olde Richmond Inn November 17 - Christams lights 6:30pm, dinner at 8pm at the lodge Noveme... 10/29/2010

Tucked away in historic downtown Eaton Ohio, you will find a great coffee shop by the name of Taffy's.  Well, coffee shop doesn't really do it justice.  It's really so much more! Founded in 1999, the owner/operator Manfred Shreyer is just one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.  Always one to greet you with a smile and good conversation.  Soooo much better than the local fast food joint that tosses the coffee into my car without so much as a thank you! My current addiction is the hot Chai.  OH MY GOSH!!!  How can I describe the taste of something that a year ago I would have turned my nose up at?  Manfred recommended I try it, and wow!!!  So glad I did.  Simply put...heaven in a cup.  I have tried the vanilla, chocolate and spiced hot Chai.  Vanilla tastes like a snickerdoodle c... 10/05/2010

Well, word on the street is that the Eaton Library will be closing next week (September 20-26, 2009) due to lack of funding.  The Preble County district Libraries have seen belt-tightening for months now, and in an effort to cut expenses, I guess this is what has been decided. I guess I'm a little nervous that the shut-down will go un-noticed.  It certainly wont by me and my family.  Self-professed book-worms; we try to get to the library on a regular basis, even in the summer time. I know times have changed.  It's maybe easier sometimes to buy the magazine subscriptions, get the news on-line, read the latest novels on "Kindle", or order up some cheap used books on "Amazon".  Truth be told though, there is something inherently GOOD to be found in the narrow aisles of the local Library. ... 09/16/2009

I don't think Neaton is out of the woods just yet.  But gee, I hope there is an opening soon, and I think that associates can finally see a light at the end of the 8 month tunnel. For a little back info on the trials of Neaton Auto, check out my past blogs.  This is really just meant as an update.  FINALLY, some good news. 1.  My husband, and many others, have been working 40 hour weeks again.  I'll tell you what...you never realize how much a 40 hour work week means to your livelihood until you get some of it taken away.  Suddenly a "regular" 40-hour work week becomes the blessing it should always be. 2.  People who took a voluntary lay-off about a month and a half back, have been called back to work.  Its not a lot of people.  The 100 plus temporaries let go last December are still go... 07/21/2009

Preble County Ohio A-Z. "E" is for Eaton. "E" is for Eaton, county seat of Preble County and the only official city of Preble County.  It's really tough to do a blog on Eaton to be honest, because there is so much to offer in this little city that I hesitate to write and inadvertently leave something out.  All the same, I'll start with some basic facts and data, and then I'll give you a little bit more meat and potatoes on what the appeal is. Eaton was founded in 1806 by William Bruce.  Eaton derives its name from Gen. William Eaton (1764-1811), the U.S. Consul at Tunis, who led a diverse army in a harrowing march from Egypt to Tripoli to meet the U.S. Naval forces.  According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.7 square miles and home to some 9000 residen... 07/14/2009

Today is yet another sad day for Neaton Auto.  The folks who have decided to take the buy-out option are wrapping up this afternoon and calling it done after many years of loyal service. Many of the people who decided to take the buyout option (for those who dont know of what I speak, click here) are people who were close to retirement.  So this has to be a hard day.  Saying goodbye to friends and the familiar surroundings they have come to know so well over the years. It probably isn't how they had envisioned leaving Neaton.  No retirement party.  No big celebrations or counting down the days.  Rather, the resignation that this is probably the only option they had left.  That can't leave a good taste in anyones mouth. So I wish you all well, those of you who dedicated sweat, laughter, ... 05/21/2009

Hmmm...no one really knows at this point if there is a future left at this company. Lets start with a little history first: Founded in 1984 as a subsidiary of Nihon-Plast Co, Ltd. (Japan), Neaton Auto,located in Eaton OH, has been a top supplier of products to the automobile industry.  Neaton supplies such products as: Steering wheels Air Bags Instrument panels and related parts Ventilators Interior and exterior trim parts, all for top producing Auto Manufacturers including Honda, Saturn and Nisson. Back in the day, Neaton Auto was THE company of choice to work for in the Preble County area.  Well, at least one of them.  Neaton offered perks including an excellent retirement program, company-wide week long shut downs at Christmas and over July 4th week, yearly cost-of-living raises,exc... 04/29/2009

My Mom has been "dog-less" for about 11 years now.  During our annual Black Friday outing, she told me as the day wrapped up "What I really want more than anything in the world is a puppy, but I just don't think it will ever happen".  So as soon as I got home, I called up my brother and said to him "We've gotta get a dog for Mom!".  And so began our mission.  I canvassed the area; local malls, newspapers, all my connections, searching for the perfect puppy.  Well, not much luck at the mall stores.  Since when did a Mutt become so fashionable?  Used to be a chihuahua and a poodle mix was a MUTT...now, its called a "chi-doodle" and costs $899.00  (No offense to all the chi-doodle owners out there). The newspaper had some dogs advertised, but OK, I'll be the first to admit...I'm a little c... 12/19/2008

Here's a video tour of Lake Lakengren, a great gated community located just outside of Eaton OH. Its my home, and home to many others. Lots of folks also have houses in Lakengren to use for summer retreats, and it's great for that as well. So, take a look at my tour. It's not quite as good as being here, but its close. Enjoy! Like a tour of this beautiful gated community? Call me! Kelley Weimer, a house "SOLD" name! Country Mile Realtors 937-336-2865 www.buypreblecounty.com 09/12/2008

Let it snow, Let it snow,Let it snow! One of the greatest things about Ohio is that if you don't like the weather, just wait till tomorrow...it'll be different!  Living and working in a great rural area like Preble County means that many times in the winter, we all get a chance to sit back and enjoy the blessings that Mother Nature gives to us.    We have had some fairly heavy snows this February.  Well, heavy by Ohio standards!  My children have been enjoying the snow days, though I keep telling them, when they have to make up those days this summer, they wont be quite so excited about it anymore : ) So here's a shot at the top of the 18th hole.  My kids and I went sledding.  Sure , it was icy and sleeting, but we are DIE HARD SLEDDERS!!   Another photo here below, shows the Preble Cou... 02/26/2008

Ever feel like your life is just an uphill battle?  Sure, we have all faced that feeling.  For many of us, 2007 was a continuous battle.  In fact, just this morning I was going thru a little bit of a "poor Kelley party", just feeling blue about a few things.  Then, I received a call from my friend Dawn, and just like that, my problems diminished in the face of what really matters.In February 2006, Valentines Day to be exact, Dawn took her then-12 year old son to the hospital, because he had been complaining of awful headaches, and losing weight at a rapid speed.  She called me when they arrived, to tell me they were running a few tests, and seemed pretty calm about it all.  By the end of the day, I was back on the phone with Dawn, both of us crying because neurologists had been called i... 01/19/2008