Last February we moved our offices to our current location in East Newark , and during the move I found a baseball that was nestled in the back of a large drawer. I glanced down, and there was that famous signature, I remember when I asked him to sign it, he graciously did, and it brought back so many memories.

The year was 1981, a hot sultry August Saturday night under a full moon with over 12,000 cheering fans crowded in to Don Edwards Babe Ruth Baseball facility. Baseball  players 19 years old  from all over the

United Sates that were selected by a sophisticated tryout program orchestrated by the (United States Baseball Federated) and  (IMBIA) a division of the Olympic Committee were standing at attention as the National Anthem played.

As the National Anthem faded into the night the fans went wild as they cheered for boys that they had grown to know during the last seven days. They came from all over the world to play in the world’s first World Friendship Baseball Series.

Across the field stood the opposing team standing in a regimented format looking almost military like. The Korean music began to play and the entire ball park stood at attention as we listened to the words and music to their National Anthem. The Anthem came to an end and again the standing room only baseball facility went berserk as the United Stated cheered and welcomed the team from Korea .

The evening was the highlight of one of the largest "all volunteer" events ever organized in Newark , Ohio .

Let’s go back in time…..

It’s the summer of 1979 several months after our Second Babe Ruth World Series, we were campaigning and using every contact from the Governor to local business leaders for their support in hosting the first ever World Friendship Baseball Series to be comprised of 11 teams from almost every continent in the world and a team from the United States.

Our community organized many people and businesses during the two Babe Ruth World Series,so we were the first choice by the United States Baseball Federation” and “IMABA,” a branch of the world Olympic Committee, to host the first ever World Series for 19 year olds. .

  

During lunch at Annarino’s Center Cafe, Don Edwards, Roger Balding and Tom Newman approached me to be the “Host Chairman” of the first ever International World Baseball Series ever held for 19 year olds. This series was to be the format for selecting teams and players to play baseball in future Olympics.  

Now, I’d been part of a few who worked to bring all the Babe Ruth Series together, but working on a world stage was a different challenge. The first thing in my mind was how I can get out of this predicament. My first thought was my Dad. I had already taken too much time away from our company during the two Babe Ruth World Series, so this will be an easy out for me.

  

My response to this group was “thanks for asking, but no thanks” my father would have no hide nor hair of me taking off any more time. Well, about this time these guys laid it on my Dad, and he said I could have the time off if I chose to accept this position. After nearly passing out, my response was, “I’ll think about this challenge as it was going to be the biggest thing I had ever encountered. I’d give them my answer after  some thought.”

After a lot of soul searching and discussion among people who’d be part of this “epic event” I accepted this community wide, and I mean “community wide” project.

The United States Baseball Federation and “IUMBIA” sent me to Tokyo , Japan to present this first ever 19 year old baseball series event to a world congress of baseball officials. It was just like the United Nations all the countries had little head phones listening to him being interpreted to their language while sitting behind a  sign hosting the name of their country.

My interpreter and I spent the next several days meeting other baseball officials from about 40 countries who committed to the possibility of coming to Newark , Ohio in a little more than a year to play in our world series.

Soon after the Japan trip, it was decided the countries who were going to be invited to our ‘World Friendship Series.’ This was the beginning of probably the biggest committee of volunteers ever assembled in our community.

Our biggest problem was how to or orchestrate such an event and host 11 different countries. I specifically chose 40 community people to be committee chairpersons, most of whom I had never meet. They recruited approximately another 1,200 1,400 volunteers.

I can remember in rather large meetings with well over 50 people in attendance, Jerry Nethers said, “What the heck are you doing running an international  baseball tournament. You don’t the difference between an ERA and an IRA.” I told Jerry, one of my closet friends, “I don’t need to know. I’m a team builder and have assembled people a lot smarter than me.”

Fast forward to a Saturday night in August, 1981, and the second game of the 3 game wining series. Korea is up one game. I was standing on the first base line with a nationally known baseball player who was a team mate of Babe Ruth. I  spent the better half of the afternoon with other baseball officials listening to stories about the “Babe” by none other than left hander New York Yankee, Lefty Gomez. How could it be any better, A full moon, standing room only, and our USA home team playing for the championship? We were being televised to South America and being radio broadcast all over the world from Newark , Ohio and here I was, standing beside Lefty Gomez. It couldn’t be any better.

Then it happened Korea won game two and took home the first ever “World Friendship Baseball Series” Championship.

I looked down at the baseball in my hand, autographed by Lefty Gomez, to Dave and Tim. I remembered their father handing me the ball and asking me to get it autographed, which I did. In all the excitement of the moment I forgot about the ball. I wonder if anyone knows of their whereabouts. Dave and Tim, where are you? If anyone knows, please contact me on Facebook or at 1^st Response.

How Do I Winterize a Vacant House?

First of all, it is advisable to leave the heat on very low. Though it might seem like a waste of money or energy at first glance, a minimal heating bill will be less expensive than the cost of potential repairs if everything were to freeze up. There are many systems and components in a house that are meant to be kept at or near room temperature. By using your furnace or boiler at a low level, you are keeping these things secure.

Most people know that a big part of winterizing is dealing with pipes and plumbing. If you have turned off the water, hopefully that means the house was plumbed on a downgrade so you were able to drain all the pipes completely and eliminate the chance of water expanding inside them and breaking the pipes. If not, it usually is advisable to leave some water running through the pipes by turning on the fixture closest to where water enters the house and at the farthest point indoors, say in an upstairs bathroom. It needs to trickle constantly to keep water flowing.

It is also advisable to wrap insulation around the water heater, the pipes leading to and from it and insulate any pipes exposed outdoors, in a crawl space under the house, etc. If the pilot light is left on, it is not necessary to drain the water heater, but if not, then it probably should be drained and turned off. You might call a local plumbing company in your area to discuss whether you should turn the water back on or not.

It is not a bad idea to put some anti-freeze in both the tank and the bowl of each toilet. If the heat goes out and water inside the toilets freezes, it could crack the china fixtures.

Winterizing your plumbing and water systems might be the most important aspect of winterizing in general, but coming in pretty close is inspecting your roof and cleaning out your gutters. The roof and attic of a vacant house might be left alone for very long periods of time, so getting a roof inspection before cold weather hits is a fantastic idea, and could end up saving you some serious money in the long run. Gutters, like plumbing, can develop real problems if ice is allowed to build up in them. Having your gutters cleaned before winter begins will reduce the risk of too much ice forming inside them.

Finally, make sure someone checks on the house every week or two, if at all possible. Though you can certainly take precautions such as winterizing whatever you can in and around the house, unexpected situations can still occur. A quick look around done periodically for as long as the house is empty (even during warmer weather) can mean the difference between a problem being caught early enough to be fixed before any damage is done, and a problem that's left unchecked long enough to cause hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damage.

FIRE

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidation processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition. In ancient Greece, fire was considered one of four elements.

The flame is the visible portion of the fire. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma. Depending on the substances alight, and any impurities outside, the color of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different.

Fire in its most common form can result in conflagration, which has the potential to cause physical damage through burning. Fire is an important process that affects ecological systems across the globe. The positive effects of fire include stimulating growth and maintaining various ecological systems. Fire has been used by humans for cooking, generating heat, signaling, and propulsion purposes. The negative effects of fire include water contamination, soil erosion, atmospheric pollution and hazard to human and animal life.

Remembering

NEWARK — Craig Young remembers the morning in 1992 when he walked into the burned building that used to house his contracting business.

There was soot on the walls and a thick smell of smoke; he could hear the water-logged carpet squish as he walked across it.

At first, as a contractor, Young assumed he’d be able to fix the damage. But he soon realized the specialized process of repairing fire damage required equipment and skills he did not possess. As he watched people come in to clean up, he remembered looking at the commercial-grade dehumidifier and thinking, “I ought to get one of those.”

Twenty years later, as the owner of 1st Response Restoration and Reconstruction Specialists, Young is the owner of a dehumidifier and countless other special tools his company uses to combat damage caused by fire, smoke, mold and water.

“In this business, there are so many tricks of the trade,” said Young, who has been in the contracting business since his youth.

After his Manning Street business caught fire in 1992, Young began exploring what it would take to operate a business that specialized in the removal of fire, water and mold damage.

He eventually opened a local franchise of Purofirst, a national company, and 10 years later left the franchise to start 1st Response, a full-service construction company certified with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

He meets with people who have walked into their homes for the first time after a fire to realize the roof is gone, the living room is scorched or the floor is covered in water.

Young tells them it will be OK — he’s been there.

The 1st Response crew sizes up the damage and springs into action, first looking to save as much of the structure as possible.

“Our goal is to repair and restore, rather than rip and replace,” Young said.

Items are taken from the customer’s home or business to the 1st Response facility on O’Bannon Avenue, where they individually are cleaned or replaced if necessary.

It’s a great feeling, showing a customer a room, business or home that has been brought back to life, Young said.

“When people come in and they see that finished product, that’s your business card,” he said.

The 24 hours per day, seven-days-per-week service primarily operates in Licking and surrounding counties. It keeps Young and his employees busy, but he couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

“It’s a very rewarding business,” Young said.

Full Service Contractor - 1st Response

740-345-4911

Serving Licking, Knox, Coshocton,

Muskingum, Perry and Fairfield Counties

1st Response

CALL 1st RESPONSE

740-345-4911

Serving Licking, Knox, Coshocton,

Muskingum, Perry and Fairfield Counties

Some of the benefits of working with 1st Response, include:

A full-service construction company.

A Certified Firm with the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTION, CLEANING AND RESTORATION CERTIFICATION.

We are a Preferred Contractor for most major insurance companies, and have worked with over 50 other insurance firms.

The Staff personally responds immediately to every call.

Emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our Certified, trained technicians use the latest technology available for restoration and reconstruction work.

You will receive a timely and accurate estimate.

Immediate Board-Up

First Response

1st Response, Newark, Ohio

Before and After

MOLD

The best way yet to detect mold is simlpy to see and smell it.

Look for areas in the home that mold may be present.

Mold's favorite places happen to be bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

Check any area that may have a lot of moisture.

Remember mold can be any color.

Red ,black, green, purple, or any other color.

If you can see or smell mold, then you have mold.

It is pretty simple.

Tip of the day...

Most Flood Damages are from natural disasters.

To minimize your losses it is good to check always the area of your Property in case you need to purchase additional coverage.

Ask your Insurance Company about flood insurance and if you qualify for it.

It is always best to have additional coverage if your home or facility is in in a Flood Prone Area.

Remember that water which comes from outside of your home mostly are not covered by your regular home insurance policy. It is always best to read and understand your policy.

Plan Ahead

Make sure all family members know what to do in the event of a fire. 

Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. 

Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not need to be correct. 

Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.

Services at 1st Response

FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE RESTORATION-

A fire can result in complex damages due to the unique behavior of smoke. 1st Response needs to survey the site to determine the extent to which fire, smoke, heat and moisture impacted the building materials and contents. Hidden damage and odor results when smoke penetrates cavities of the structure. Professionals will be able to investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. Identifying the type of soot present at the site will also reveal what type of damage has occurred.

WATER REMOVAL AND DEHUMIDIFICATION-

1st Response will have the equipment and experience necessary to effectively dry, deodorize and disinfect areas flooded or damaged by water. Prepared with an array of hi-tech drying equipment, sanitizing agents, germicides and anti-microbial treatments, 1st Response will be able to efficiently remove water. They will also have vast knowledge regarding dehumidification and properly lowering moisture levels from your home.

MOLD MITIGATION AND REMEDIATION-

Unwarranted amounts of mold may present health concerns to you and your family. Previous and untreated water damage can cause mold growth which is another good reason to have any water damage properly treated. Mold mitigation is a carefully regulated procedure and needs to be treated promptly and properly. Improper mold remediation can damage the resale value of your home.

OTHER SERVICES OFTEN INCLUDE-

catastrophic storm response; electronic equipment; document drying; contents claim inventory service; air duct and HVAC cleaning; biohazard, crime scene and vandalism clean up; carpet, upholstery, drape and blind clean up; ceiling, wall and hardwood floor clean up; and deodorization.

WE ARE MOVING
to
242 O'Bannon Avenue
Newark, Ohio 43055
On the Northeast corners of O'Bannon Avenue
and Garfield Avenue


740-345-4911

Some HOT Weather Suggestions

Fans and Ceiling Fans

If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs. Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.

You should remember that even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward.

Shades, drapes, or blinds

Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.

Internal Heat

The most common sources of internal heat gain are; appliances, electronic devices, and lighting. Be aware from where the heat is comming. Now if you have air conditioning, use it wisely. Don’t put lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat, because the heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer. The heat they produce will make it think your house is warmer than it really is, and your system will run harder than it needs to.

•Unless you absolutely need them, turn off incandescent lights and heat-generating appliances. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat.

•You should also try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking, on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you will have to use less energy to cool it.

Other things to remember

Humidity makes room air feel warmer, so reduce indoor humidity. Minimize mid-day washing and drying clothes, showering, and cooking. And when you must do these things, turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.

Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.

If the attic isn’t already insulated or is under-insulated, insulate it NOW. Upgrading from 3 inches to 12 inches can cut cooling costs by 10 percent.

Some Summer Tips

Some "tips" to keep cool during these HOT Summer days.

1. Reduce the cooling load by employing cost-effective conservation measures. Provide effective shade for east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities such as dish washing until evening on hot days.

2. Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity. Ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

3. You can help get rid of unwanted heat through ventilation if the temperature of the incoming air is 77 F or lower. (This strategy works most effectively at night and on cooler days.) Window fans for ventilation are a good option if used properly. They should be located on the downwind side of the house facing out. A window should be open in each room. Interior doors must remain open to allow air flow.

4. Use ceiling fans to increase comfort levels at higher thermostat settings. The standard human comfort range for light clothing in the summer is between 72 F and 78 F. To extend the comfort range to 82 F, you need a breeze of about 2.5 ft/sec or 1.7 mph. A sow-turning ceiling-mounted paddle fan can easily provide this air flow.

5. In hot climates, plant shade trees around the house. Don’t plant trees on the South if you want to benefit from passive solar heating in the winter.

6. If you have an older central air conditioner, consider replacing the outdoor compressor with a modern, high-efficiency unit. Make sure that it is properly matched to the indoor unit.

7. If buying a new air conditioner, be sure that it is properly sized. Get assistance from an energy auditor or air conditioning contractor.

8. Buy a high-efficiency air conditioner: for room air conditioners, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) rating should be above 10; for central air conditioners, look for a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating above 12.

9. In hot, humid climates, make sure that the air conditioner you buy will adequately get rid of high humidity. Models with variable or multi-speed blowers are generally best. Try to keep moisture sources out of the house.

10. Try not to use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.

11. Seal all air conditioner ducts, and insulate ducts that run through unheated basements, crawl spaces, and attics.

12. Keep the thermostat set at 78 degrees F or higher if using ceiling fans. Don’t air-condition unused rooms.

13. Maintain your air conditioners properly to maximize efficiency.

More Winterizing Tips

WINDOWS AND DOORS:


Check windows and doors to prevent air from seeping into your home.

Checking for air gaps is done best on a windy day because you will be able to feel where the drafts are more easily. Light a few incense sticks and run them around door and window openings, watch the smoke trail and if there is a leak it will be real easy to spot.

A small 1/4" gap at the threshold of a door is equal to a 4" hole in the wall!

The rubber insert on thresholds tends to get hard and brittle with age and they tend to collapse so it may be time to replace it.. Most thresholds can simply be removed and a new rubber insert threaded in.

Don't overlook your wall outlets, its amazing how much outside air comes in around the openings.

Quick Fix: Install foam precut pads in behind the plates. Most all home building centers and hardware stores carry them.

Use a good quality caulking compound and seal up any cracks between the side walls of the house and the window frames. Clean and lubricate the window frame channels, if there are any gaps you can seal with one of the many strip adhesive backed weatherstrip available at local home centers and hardware stores.

Clean gutters & downspouts.Check the gutter supports.

Exterior paint-check for peeling, holes, cracks,soft and rotten wood, chalking.

Check siding-hammer in nails that have popped, replace rusty nails with galvanized nails.

Caulk any leaks or cracks in basement walls and seal.

See that all doors and windows close & lock properly. Lubricate hinges and door locks.

Some Hot Weather Tips

Some tips to help you keep your home a  little cooler during these very hot summer days.

Reduce the cooling load by employing cost-effective conservation measures. Provide effective shade for east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities such as dishwashing until evening on hot days.


Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don’t let in unwanted heat and humidity. Ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

You can help get rid of unwanted heat through ventilation if the temperature of the incoming air is 77 F or lower. (This strategy works most effectively at night and on cooler days.) Window fans for ventilation are a good option if used properly. They should be located on the downwind side of the house facing out. A window should be open in each room. Interior doors must remain open to allow air flow.

Use ceiling fans to increase comfort levels at higher thermostat settings. The standard human comfort range for light clothing in the summer is between 72 F and 78 F. To extend the comfort range to 82 F, you need a breeze of about 2.5 ft/sec or 1.7 mph. A slow-turning ceiling-mounted paddle fan can easily provide this air flow.

Try not to use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air conditioner to work harder.

Seal all air conditioner ducts, and insulate ducts that run through unheated basements, crawl spaces, and attics.

Keep the thermostat set at 78 degrees F or higher if using ceiling fans. Don’t air-condition unused rooms.

Maintain your air conditioners properly to maximize efficiency.

When an emergency arises, call 1st Response.

Some tips for summer living

Light and Airy - Make your home as light as possible. Invest in some thin and sheer curtains that look beautiful, provide privacy and keep the room cool. Heavy, synthetic drapes are definitely a no-no in the summer months. Beautiful cotton drapes in bold patterns and bright colors look good.

Cool Colors - Furnish your home in cool and soothing colors. Use bed sheets and pillow cases in colors like white, crème, yellow, blue, orange etc. Bed spreads and table cloths in vibrant patterns and flowery prints create a airy and relaxed atmosphere in the summer months.

Simplicity - Put away all your heavy and thick carpets that look and feel hot. Instead, invest in small and thin rugs that look good and feel great. Remember - less is more in summers!

Bring Nature to your Home - Seasonal flowers can brighten up your home. Pick flowers from your garden or invest in some fresh flowers for all the rooms of your home. Small, green plants create a cooling effect in your home.

In the afternoons, draw all the curtains of your house. This will automatically cool off the home and keep the heat out.

If you don't already have them, go shopping for some cheery wind chimes. Hang them at the entrance or high up where there is a cross ventilation. Let your home come to life with the soothing sounds of the chimes.

I you should suffer fire damage, smoke damage, water damage or storm damage, remember 1st Response.

Going Away??

If you are going on a week-end trip, business related trip, or a well deserved vacation you don't only need a "things-to-remember" list, but also a "Home To-Do List" as well. You do not want to find yourself in the middle of a business meeting, on the nice sunny beach or even just a 100 or so miles away when you get that panic feeling of "did I forget... did I remember... to do this, to do that?", pay that due bill, leave fresh water and food for the cat, etc.


So, when leaving, make these 4 tasks complete before you go, and also check out our time saving ideas as well.

It is highly suggested that you utilize automatic light timers that work just as well on radios, televisions, to make the home looked lived-in, like you are not away. Stop newspaper delivery for the time you are away, these piled up on your doorstep or end of driveway can be a real sign that your home is empty and no one is there, leaving you wide open and vulnerable. Mail too can be held at your local post office and resume delivery when you return home.

You can also use auto pay for your important bills. Pay utilities online so that the payment will be made via internet through your account, so you can rest assured that you do not miss a payment and a bill is not awaiting your return. You can even call your payments in using your Master or Visa card, and it is a secure way too. By taking the one-time payment option you can assure you will only be charged this one time while you are away enjoying yourself.

Not only do you have to make arrangement for your pets, but your plants as well. You can hire someone to water them or put them near your automatic sprinkler system if you have one. If you must leave your pets at home, make sure you ask a neighbor who is reliable and can feed and give them water daily. I also suggest they have their own vehicle to transport the pets in case of an emergency.

To save on some of the energy billing and reducing costs, turn off gas and water, unplug some of the appliances like the microwaves, televisions and other ones that you will not be utilizing. This also reduced the danger of power surges if you should experience a power outage while you are away. If you have gas stoves, turn off the pilot lights to save even more while you are gone.

There tips, as little as just paying a bill ahead of time, or using auto bill pay to putting lights on automatic timers can save you much stress and anxiety while being away from your home and assuring that your home and pets will be safe upon your return.