We’re back from Christmas break, and ready to hit the ground running in the new year. The end of December is a great time to give our readers a sneak peek at some of what is coming with MyHometownOhio, Preservation Ohio and the statewide preservation and revitalization movement during the coming twelve months.

Earlier this month, we added our new Clipmarks Feature Box to MyHometownOhio, which allows us to feature articles concerning Ohio and Ohioans – as well as preservation stories of national interest. Clicking on the “from” link takes you to the full article. And, if you want to take the Feature Box with you to your own website or page, just click on “Embed” on the bottom left of the box, copy the code, and paste away! Later this Spring, MyHometownOhio will add new social networking features that will bring Ohio preservationists together in new and effective ways.

Preservation Ohio has recently joined the ranks of non-profit organizations using brand-new “Facebook pages” as a way to communicate with a broader set of individuals, and to attract a younger generation to the potential of the state’s historic resources; click here for a sneak peek. Our new Ohio Heritage Traveler website is also poised for launch in the coming weeks.

This Fall, a statewide preservation conference for Ohio is scheduled to make a return after a multi-year absence. The date for the event will be announced shortly.

A Call for Nominations for the 2008 List of Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites goes out in January. This year, final decisions will likely be made on properties already included in the list, including the Seneca County Courthouse.

Another edition of Statehood Day is set for March 5 in Columbus. This annual event brings together a number of statewide organizations and supporters to meet with members of the Ohio General Assembly and other state officials, and to advocate for passage of measures that promote funding and policy initiatives that support Ohio history.

As always, all of these events – and more – will be chronicled on MyHometownOhio. Our best wishes to you and your community for preservation-related success in 2008!