It's another baby boy for the nest!

Marc and Darsi Miller Edwards '99 welcomed a little boy on November 30th at 11:56pm. Baby Marc weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and joins very proud big sisters Taya, Ella and Livi!! What a great addition to the Edwards household! Here she is with her three sweet girls at one of her launches for her products. The Edwards live in Jacksonville, Florida.


And here is a picture of her latest and most fabulous project~ Baby Marc!! Oh what a cutie!

Congrats to you Edwards family, send more pics when you can! We love you!

Congrats to the Newest addition to the Nest~!

Sherri Slagle Ebert '99 and hubbie Jason welcomed thier second little boy on November 23, 2009 at 11:53am. He weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces and 19 inches long. He joins very proud big brother Brody who is two.
Here is the little cutie pie.

Brennan Slagle Ebert

Nice work Sherri and Jason, cannot wait to meet the little man!

Do you have updates, tell us what going on in your life! Send me an email at emilyreplogle2004@yahoo.com and I would be MORE than happy to post for you!

Send pics, stories, anything really... would love to hear from you!

Go see "Paranormal Activity" starring our very own Ashley Palmer!

If you haven't already heard, Owl Alumna Ashley Palmer '00 has a role in the breakout horror flick, "Paranormal Activity."

Read up here (on CNN and everywhere else!). And then go see the movie!

WAY TO GO, ASHLEY!

A new Owl baby joins the nest!

Lizz ('98) and Josh Caton welcomed Baby #4 on July 8th! A sweet little boy 8 pounds 11 ounces and 22 inches long. Craig Robert Caton is lovingly welcome by big sisters Violet 4, Drew 3, and Lainey, 1. Mom and baby Craig are doing great, if anyone would like to volunteer to bring a meal or just stop by and help out a bit (4th baby, Lizzie, I am so impressed!) just drop me an email and I would be more than happy to coordinate it. emilyreplogle2004@yahoo.com
CONGRATS to the Caton Family! We love you guys!

PLEASE READ~Kerry Jean Friend

Ladies, one of our sisters is currently going through very difficult times. Please read, this was forwarded to me on Facebook and I want to get the word out as much as possible. Please read, forward on, do anything you can. If you cannot attend, please spread the word.
Love to you all sweet sisters.
Love N Hoots,
Emily

Here is the message from Facebook:
Kerry Jean has Aplastic Anemia and will need a bone marrow transplant. Her immediate family has been tested, but are not matches.

The Leesburg community/churches are holding a bone marrow drive in the hopes of finding a match for Kerry Jean. Please spread the word to other churches, groups, family and friends! And, of course, continue to PRAY!

If you are matched to someone in need, the process of donating is not nearly as painful or difficult as has been portrayed by Hollywood so don't let that scare you off! You can find more information on the process on the website link below.

Lunch and homemade ice cream will be served- freewill donation. Cheek swabs for ages 18-60. Each donor pays $25 tax deductible donation, a national bone marrow organization will pay the rest. Don't let money stop you from donating- the local community/churches are raising money to help cover the costs.

Can't participate in the cheek swab or donate marrow? You could sponsor someone who can!!
Kerry Jean Friend fund set up at
Leesburg Federal Savings Bank.
45 E Main St. Leesburg, OH 45135
(937) 780-2431

You can register/donate ahead of time online. If you can come the day of the event, please do so and allow out-of-towners to register via the web, but sign up here on this event page so we know how many swab kits we'll need to have.

General sign-ups on the web are for at home swab kits. Once the kit arrives, please return promptly in the postage paid package.
Directions:

1. www.bethematch.org

2. “Join the Registry”

3. “Join Now”

Follow subsequent directions until “promo code” is asked. The “promo code” is DUEFTMOH. (You may or may not need to input this as they site is running another promotion for free sign up right now)

Finish answering the next steps and click for the swab kit to be sent.

Questions? Email bonemarrow@psbc.org. or call 1-800-366-2831 (1-800-Donate) Ext. 1897

A useful fact is that the most desirable donors are young, healthy MALES. This is because they don't have the antibodies that women develop during pregnancy. However, many women have been bone marrow donors. Women shouldn't be discouraged from donating but they should definitely encourage the men in their lives to donate.

Another thing you can do in support of Kerry Jean is donate blood or platelets. There are multiple donation locations in the Cincinnati area. To make an appointment to donate platelets, please call the appointment center at (513) 451-0910. Kerry Jean has been getting blood and platelet transfusions up to twice a week so resupplying the bank is a great way to honor your friendship with her.

Please come out and donate!! Pass this along to everyone you can think of!! Kerry Jean needs us!!!!

Also, donors who are not Caucasian have less of a chance of matching Kerry Jean BUT the donor bank is currently 75% Caucasian so there is a great need for people of other ethnicities to enrich the bank and improve the chances that someone with a similar background will find a match. I have been told the government pays the full processing cost for non-Caucasians.

From Nellda Friend (Kerry Jean's mom)
Brief background of Kerry Jean:
Kerry Jean has been working as a youth and children’s director of a church in High Point, NC where she also became certified in different areas of aerobics. She moved to a house the church renovated for her the week before Easter. She also doubled up on exercise classes that week in order to take a few days off and come to Leesburg the next week. I was in North Carolina that week (holy week) to help her move.

The mirrors in the gyms revealed bruises on arms and legs. A clinic visit, following advice from a retired doctor, sent her for blood work. I came home on Good Friday. The day after Easter, she called saying the blood work showed a likelihood of leukemia. I flew back to NC Tues. morning.

A bone marrow biopsy Tuesday was gratefully received because it showed no leukemic (cancer) cells, but indicated nearly NO cells – APLASTIC ANEMIA.

The preferred treatment is a bone marrow transplant from a sibling; however, neither brother matched, so she was hospitalized at Winston-Salem Wake Forest Univ. Baptist Hospital for ATG treatment.

For each of 4 days she received 8 hours of a substance made from horses’ blood along with other drugs to “tie up” her bad blood cells that were destroying each other. She continues at home with the drugs which continue to suppress her cells (her immune system). The hope is that her body will eventually make new (stem) cells without being killed by the “bad” cells.

We need to have ready another action if this treatment does not work, and that is the purpose of this drive – to find a non-related bone marrow donor. This drive may produce a match to save Kerry Jean.

However, there are many people throughout the nation/world who need a bone marrow transplant and are looking for a match. By signing up to help Kerry Jean, you might be providing life giving marrow to a special someone you don’t even know!

Thanks a whole bunch and thanks for all the love and support from Leesburg!

Love, Kerry Jean and me – her mom!

Owl Update~ Ash Reynolds Babbitt "91

Our beloved Owl Advisor! Here is the latest with her and would you LOOK at this baby, I do not think Owl Ladies can make anything but cute kids~! You did good Ash, he is gorgeous. Loved to hear from you!

Here is what Ash had to say:
After three years of trying and hoping and praying - including a year of fertility treatment....Geoff and I were thrilled to welcome Colin Lyle Babbitt into our family on April 3 at 11:53 a.m. He came in at 10 pounds, 11 ounces (via c-section - thank God) and 21 3/4 inches long. Thankfully - he looks and acts just like his dad - very quiet and laid back - not a feisty Irish temper like his mom. At just a few weeks old - he's quite the fan of Owl girls....including his honorary aunt Wendy Pietila Watson '92 who supported me every step of this incredible journey! Geoff, Colin and I live in Galloway, Ohio, and I'm staying home with Colin for now and hope to do some freelance communications work from home.

Ash Reynolds Babbitt '91 (ashrey123@gmail.com)

We have a new Owl baby to love! Tricia and Scott Arthur....

Welcome baby Sullivan Scott Arthur!! Here are the details from Tricia's blog, she promised pictures to follow:) Congrats to the Arthur family!

"Sullivan Scott was born Friday, March 20th at 1:04pm. He is a perfect 7lbs 7 ozs and 19 inches long. Real shots to come, but for now, picture dark hair and small little scrunched up features.

And he is precious and darling and peaceful and adorable and cuddly and cute and OURS!!!"

Feel free to check out Tricia's blog for more details:) http://arthuradventure.blogspot.com/

Owl Update~ Maya Gangadharan

Look what I stole from her Facebook account, an actual Owl Composite shot~! What a beauty. Here she is now in NYC! Love those shoes, you go girl!

Here is a message I got from FABULOUS MAYA on Facebook! Keep your eyes out for this one, she is going places!

I am currently living in NYC, having moved from Detroit on December 29th. I love it here, I have tons of friends and I just found the perfect apartment in Park Slope, Brooklyn. My current "day job" is as a free-lance automotive sales trainer for clients such as Toyota, Honda and Acura. I've been working in the automotive industry since I graduated from Otterbein. I also did on-camera a voice-over work in Detroit and I'll be starting the search for an agent here in NYC soon. I also came here to pursue my TV talk-show, Everyday Goddess which you can check out at my website, www.everydaygoddess.tv.

I met a producer here back in August and we'll be moving ahead with a pilot and pitching to syndicators and networks starting in the spring. I am currently single. I was married for three years in early 2000 and I have no kids, pets, or hangers-on.

xo

Maya
Everyday Goddess ~ There's a Goddess in every one of us...it's time to let her out! ~

Owl Update~Jen Alspaugh Smith

Jen & her daughter Georgia at Alum Creek Lights.

I got a message from one of our Greek Goddesses today! Here is what Jen had to say (do you have any pictures?? of the toga? Such a hottie! You know what I mean!!! Hee hee.
Love you girl!

About Me...

My husband Erick and I have been married for 8 years and live in the Westerville/New Albany area with our three children. Camden will be 9 in May, Lauren (my mini-me) is turning 7 this month, and Georgia will be 3 in April. I'm a stay-at-home mom currently juggling babysitting for two friend's kiddos, and running a small graphic/web design business. I don't have a ton of spare time, so when I get a moment to breath I enjoy lounging around the house with my family, watching my kids play sports, and playing on the computer.
Jen Alspaugh Smith

Jen & her daughter Lauren
Jen's hubbie Erick with Georgia & Camden.

Look at all the updates!!!!!

Love you girls!! Get the word out... we are looking for our long lost sisters from any year!! Way to go Em for all those updates, they were such a pleasure to read!!!! Keep them coming sweet sisters!!

And we are still having the get together on Feb 7th, next Saturday... we have quite a few attendies!!!! CHildren are welcome, but please let me know you are bringing them anf if they need a high chair, or booster. We are meeting at CAILIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN at EASTON at 12:30. I will make the reservation this week. Cannot wait to see you girls!!!!!!

Owl Update~ Brya Long '03

I got an update from Brya today and here is what is going on with her!

I am living in Hillsboro and teaching 8th grade Language Arts at Peebles High School (I am currently enjoying a snow day, which is how I have some extra time this morning!) I am also coaching high school cheerleading at PHS. In the summers, I work for my dad at Long's Retreat Family Resort. (www.longsretreat.com). That's pretty much it--no husband and no kids yet, although I am dating a pretty terrific guy.

Owl Update~ Darcy Gilmore Blessing

Here is an update from Darcy via Facebook!

I am a single and very happy mommy of 2. Audrey (10) and Alex (5 1/2) I live in Westerville and work full time. I am the Director of Marketing for Ohio Orthopedic Center of Excellence and the Director for our Foundation as well (non for profit that focuses on orthopedic research, education, and community outreach). I attend Xenos Christian Fellowship and that's my life! So good to see so many friendly faces on here!

When Darcy says here she means Facebook, if you are an Owl or even went to Otterbein, JOIN FACEBOOK, look at all the fabulous connections we have all made! Just a click away ladies!

Owl Update~ Alisha Conn Pagniano

I was so happy to get this email from Alisha today!! Lots of love to you and your family!

Here is what she is up to:

I am currently living in Bettendorf, Iowa (aka: the Quad Cities) with my husband Michael. We've been married almost 6 years. We have 2 children: Anthony (4 1/2) and Reagan (2). I am a stay at home mom. We love living here- but wish we were a little closer to "home"... someday we'll get back!

I am still connected at the hip to my 3 Owl buddies: Amy (Holtvoigt) Elliott, Jessica (Iamele) Stertzbach and Heather (Harris) Smith. We get together as much as we can for dinner... long girl trips... or just hanging out with our 9 kids combined.. yikes!

Here's wishing everyone a great 2009!

Love-n-Hoots,

Alisha (Conn) Pagniano

Here is Alisha with Amy, Jess and Heather.

Owl Update~ Carli Amlin Dean '99

Here is an update from Carli:

Gabe will be 6 in February and is in Kindergraten and Savy just turned 4. Brian and I have been married for over 7 years. I am a full-time realtor with RE/MAX working in the Dayton/Miami Valley area and also the head of our relacation dept. I am NEVER too busy for any referral to my area or to help you find a realtor in your area. I play competitive tennis for fun as well as hanging with my family. I have too many blessings to count and I thank God everyday. I am happy that we all have Facebook to reconnect with each other. Celebrate Every Gorgeous Moment!

Owl Update~ Helen Kay Hutchinson '73

The Facebook Network found a fabulous Owl Alum. Look at all the legacy!

I'm an OLD Owl--class of '72, but I can relate to the singing the "Let's give a hoot, for green and gold..." to my daughter when she was a little girl. My mother was an Owl ( '37), my sister was an Owl ('70), so when my daughter went off to University of Georgia, she had no SAT to pledge. Instead, she became a Chi Omega! (OWL!) Love this blog/facebook stuff!

Helen Kay Hutchinson

Owl Update~ Jen Thomas McConaha

Here is a note from Jen and a picture of her two adorable munchkins~!

Life here is going well....still teaching at Gahanna...living in Westerville...Matt and I have two boys (Mason and Cole). Sorry this is so short and choppy....the troops are starting to seek and destroy!

Jen Thomas McConaha

Owl Update~Kristen Sullivan Mantovani '03

Here is the latest from Kristen:

So, I know it hasn't been that long since I last updated, but I can't pass up an invitation to share pics of my precious little Will!
Here's what is going on in the Mantovani family:I am living in Delaware, OH with my husband Clay, son William and dog, Lola.

I'm currently a stay at home Mommy, but am searching for an office job or considering opening an in-home daycare. (So let me know if you're hiring or have kids that need care! :) ) Clay and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary last fall. Will is 5 months old. He's teething and has just started eating solid foods. Every day is an adventure!

You can check out his baby site at www.babysites.com/sites/kms1999/.

Love N Hoots~Kristen Sullivan Mantovani '03

Owl Update~ Ingrid Heinrich

My Costa Rican Love!!!

Here is what Ingrid had to say:

As soon as I graduated from Otterbein in 1996, I came back to Costa Rica where I worked as a preschool teacher, a job which I really enjoyed. I married Fernan, in March 2000 and my daughter Nicole was born in November, 2001. I stopped working then. It was a hard pregnancy; when she was born all the doctors called her a little miracle from God. She is in First Grade now and loves to play the violin. She is also a member of the National Symphonic Orchestra of Costa Rica.I had a miscarriage six months ago but all of us are hoping I become pregnant soon!

My husband works for GBM, which is part of IBM. He is a very nice guy. A little quiet, but he is an excellent dadI love spending time in the afternoons with Nicole. We love playing games such as Scrabble, Rummy, Disney Trivia, Pass the Pigs, etc.I have three dogs. Toky and Slinky are Beagles and Nadia looks like a beagle but is really a mutt; an adorable one! I want to have a donkey but my husband always says NO.

I love baking, especially cookies.I sell a lot of them during the holidays and sometimes for kids´parties too.

Ingrid

Owl Update~Kaeri King '98

Here is what Kaeri has been up too lately!

I have been teaching for eight years at Groveport Madison High School. I teach science, currently freshman biology. I am also the current department chair and freshman team leader. I am choreographing this year's school muscial The Wiz. I also teach group fitness for Lifestyle Family Fitness Center. I teach Latin-fusion dance three days a week (good calorie burner!) I just resigned last March from coaching cheerleading at Otterbein. I coached for nine years! I live in Gahanna with my two labs, Guinness and Killian.

Kaeri


PS Anyone want to go to the Latin-fusion dance class?? I am in~!

Owl Update~Erin Sharp Cooper '96

Thank you Facebook for getting the Owls back together! Here is an update from Erin!

I am married (12 yrs now) and have two daughters... Peyton (9) and Piper (6). We live in Marysville, OH in a house we built out in the country on 5 acres. We also have 3 dogs who are all Boxers. Hopefully we will have puppies sometime in the spring! We also have a black, male, barn cat named RAINBOW. I work in the Polaris building of JPMorgan Chase and got my MBA from Ohio Dominican two years ago. I can't complain... Life is good!

Love-N-Hoots! (I haven't written that forever...)
Erin Sharp Cooper

Hang on to your Hooters Ladies!!

We have a lot of updates coming! YEAH!!

Owl get together, Saturday, Feb 7th

Hi beautiful sisters. I am trying to arrange an Owl get together for February 7th. We have been debating back and forth between lunhc out and lunch in. But I wanted to entend the invitation to all of our sisters reading this blog:)

We are going to do a white elephant gift exchange... which is where you look around your house and find the ugliest most worthless item you can find and wrap it up all pretty... then we pick numbers and presents can be stolen or traded... it is pretty funny. We already have several yes's, so please feel free to emial be at beckydevaney@hotmail.com if you would like to come. It will likely be in the Columbus Area since there are a lot of us here. I have offered my house if we decide to stay in, if we go out it will be a kid friendly place (and I will make reservations) so those of us who have to bring kiddos can do so:)

Please email me with any questions, as of this moment the time will be around 12:00 noon and we will change it if needed if any out of towners can make it! Also - any out of towners are welcome at my house after the lunch if we decide to go out.

Love to see all of you!

Love and Hoots!
Rebecca (Devaney) Stapleton '98

Found some more Owl Stuff at Target!!!

Hey hooter chickies! I was at Target yesterday and not only did I find a bunch of Owl cmaping gear for kids and adults but the Valentines stuff is all Owl!!! So cute!!! and even some other great stuff....

Here are a few link (hope they work:) )....ok just had to edit, you need to cut and paste the links... sorry:)

An Owl wash mitt
http://www.target.com/Valentines-Day-Owl-Wash-Mitt/dp/B001L7WQ08/sr=1-25/qid=1231166303/ref=sr_1_25/181-8779489-3336300?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3AValentines&page=1

Adorable onsie
http://www.target.com/Avery-Addison-Owl-Bodysuit/dp/B001D12H60/sr=1-14/qid=1231166439/ref=sr_1_14/181-8779489-3336300?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3AOwl&page=1

SLippers!!
http://www.target.com/Nick-Nora-Scuff-Slippers-Owls/dp/B001ACPOX0/sr=1-26/qid=1231166518/ref=sr_1_26/181-8779489-3336300?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3AOwl&page=1

Latte Mug Set :P
http://www.target.com/Valentine-Owl-Latte-Mug-Set/dp/B001ELPFY0/sr=1-41/qid=1231166619/ref=sr_1_41/181-8779489-3336300?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3AOwl&page=1

And of course some PJ's.. Em, LIzz and I all own these :P
http://www.target.com/Toddler-Girls-Long-Sleeve-2-pc-Pajama/dp/B001AWU0RU/sr=1-46/qid=1231166695/ref=sr_1_46/181-8779489-3336300?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3AOwl&page=1

I know I am the biggest dork alive - but I love Owl hunting :) Hee hee. Happy New Year to all our wonderful sisters and friends!

Love,
Rebecca (Devaney) Stapleton '98