By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Warren County has launched its own Bicentennial Web site to provide the latest information for people to plan activities around the county's and state's 200th birthdays.

The site, www.warren200.com. will feature a section to assist teachers in developing study programs for their students.

"Since many school programs have redefined the emphasis on teaching Ohio history, our Web site provides an ideal opportunity to inform our children (and adults) about the great state and county in which they live," said County Commissioner Pat Arnold South.

The site will include links to other local communities and businesses. Corporate sponsors will also be listed.

Margaret Drexel, marketing director of the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the site will be updated regularly. It will list a calendar of events, historical facts and information, famous people from Warren County, a virtual time capsule, details of the Ohio Bicentennial and other information.

The Web site was designed and is managed by the county commissioner's office and hosted and sponsored by Go Concepts of Lebanon.

Warren County Bicentennial opening ceremonies will be March 24, with the dedication of the Bicentennial Commons at the county administration building in Lebanon.

Other events this year will include: casting of the county's own bicentennial bell at the administration building on May 2-3; Religion Day, June 14, when a community day of faith is sponsored by churches throughout the county; the Bicentennial Gala and Concert, with singer Lee Greenwood ("God Bless the U.S.A.") on Aug. 9; and the closing ceremonies on Oct. 24, with a program and burial of the 50-year "virtual time capsule" at Bicentennial Commons.

Pioneers of flight

DAYTON-The "2003 Pioneers of Flight Homecoming" will be July 19 at the Dayton Convention Center.

The program, presented by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, will be held during Dayton's Inventing Flight centennial celebration that month.

"The most highly anticipated feature of the gala is the return to Dayton-the Birthplace of Aviation f our living enshrinees," said the hall's Ron Kaplan.

The hall will salute its entire roster of 178 men and women by inviting 25-30 to participate in a "reunion" of important figures, including John Glenn, Chuck Yeager, Jim Lovell, Neil Armstrong and Paul Tibbetts.

Seating is limited to about 2,000 guests. Tickets are $150 per seat. Information: 937-256-0944, ext. 10.

Wrights remembered

DAYTON-The Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. is making six experimental aircraft, the kind used by the Wright Brothers between 1899 and 1905. The planes will be displayed together for the first time at the Dayton International Air Show, July 17-20.

Information: www.wright-brothers.org or www.daytonairshow.com.

Ohio's colors

COLUMBUS-Some Ohio Bicentennial trivia:

Scott Hagan, the man who painted one barn in each of Ohio's 88 counties, had quite a job.

He actually ended up painting 89 barns after a tornado destroyed the first one in Ottawa County.

When it was all over, he painted 30 red barns, 54 white ones and used 645 gallons of paint and 100 paintbrushes. He put about 65,000 miles on his truck from 1998 to 2002.

Bicentennial Notebook appears periodically. Send your Bicentennial news to Randy McNutt, The Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150.