Plans for celebrating the Monroe County Bicentennial next year are moving from the concept stages to concrete.

More than 30 committee members attended a meeting last Tuesday night at the Monroe County Annex to shore up many of the details.

The year-long celebration will commence on New Years Day with the ringing of bells at noon throughout the county.  In addition to church bells, each community will hold simultaneous celebrations at sites to be announced soon.

Although the actual founding of Monroe County was not until Jan. 6, 1816, committee leaders said it just seems appropriate to piggyback on an existing holiday on Jan. 1.

Co-chairmen Dennis Knobloch and Mike Kovarik shared a positive financial update with the committee.  To date, donations from communities, businesses and citizens have made it possible to order items and materials for the celebration. Knobloch said the current balance of funds is $43,472.52.

“That’s about where we expected to be at this point, although we are certainly seeking more,”  he said…>>>

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