POMEROY – Bend area children will again this year be able to search for colored eggs on the Pomeroy football field, thanks to sponsorship of the annual Easter egg hunt by the Pomeroy Merchants Association.

The Merchants voted to give $300 to stage the egg hunt and buy the prizes. It was noted that Brian and Jenny Dunham of the New Beginnings United Methodist Church will again handle details of the event.

It was also decided at Tuesday’s meeting to support the Chester Shade Historical Society’s efforts to bring the Chatauqua to Chester, July 12-16, with a $200 donation. The five day event combines living history, music and entertainment, education, theater and audience interaction into a cultural event.

The theme of the Chatauqua is “Exploring the Civil War in 2011” which fits perfectly into history here since Meigs County is home to Ohio’s only significant Civil War battlefield, the one which occurred at Buffington Island, Portland.

It was reported that the new banners for the period light poles which line the streets of downtown Pomeroy will be arriving in May. At a cost of nearly $3,000 two new banners will be put on each of the 29 light poles. This does not include the light pole along the promenade on the parking lot.

There was some discussion on ways to enhance the parking lot entrances and light poles particularly during the festival season which begins the first week in June with the Gold Wings & Ribs Festival.

Again this year a holiday home tour will be held with details of the event to be handled by Susan Clark-Dingess and Edna Weber, both of whom opened their homes to visitors during the last tour.

The need to make a difference through improvements and occupancy in both the residential and downtown sections of Pomeroy was discussed, as was spring flower planting and beautification of the village’s downtown.

Members were reminded that the price of the limited edition holiday bulbs, red gloss with an etching of the Meigs County Courthouse in white, has been reduced to $10. The bulbs are available at the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce office and in several downtown stores and all three banks.

It was reported that the 2011 Meigs County Visitors Guide will be delivered this week to the Meigs County Chamber of Commerce.