Progress 2010 - Perrysburg Messenger Journal

PROGRESS IN PERRYSBURG–JULY 2010 Page 9
Griffioen Insurance Agency
1070 Commerce Drive, Bldg.1, Suite 102 • 419-874-2000
www.insurance-simplified.com
My, how things have changed! Thirty years ago,
Bill Griffioen opened an insurance agency with Farmers
Insurance. Now sons Fritz & Hans, Andy
Kirkham, and two support-staff, are helping businesses
and families with their insurance.
One year ago, we left Farmers Insurance, and
moved down the street to a new location. Now as an
independent agency, we have more options than ever
for your insurance.
Our one-year non-compete with Farmers is done.
So if you’re a former customer of the agency, you’re
free to work with us again. And if you’ve never talked
with us before, you’re welcome to call and check us
out.
Our aim is to save you time and make your life a
little easier. With just one phone call, you can get
home and car insurance quotes from over 12 preferred
insurance companies.
Local companies benefit from the wide variety of
carriers that can provide business or health insurance.
“With so many carrier options, we can almost
always find competitive rates. This means that price
is no longer an obstacle, if people want to make us
their agency,” Bill said. “We love seeing the smiles
on peoples’ faces when we can save them hundreds of
dollars–usually for better protection than they had before.”
Another advantage for you is our size. We’re a
family agency that’s still small enough to have that
personal touch. But we’re big enough (with staff and
carriers) to be able to get the job done for our customers.
Fritz, Hans, and Andy are also involved in the
community. For over 10 years, they’ve sponsored the
Perrysburg School district’s Golden Excellence
Award. And they’re also involved in the Perrysburg
Chamber, Boy Scout Troop 231, and Perrysburg Rotary.
The Nature Center is open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk. It offers year-round
nature experiences with the “Look Out On Nature Area.”
Continental Valuations
111 West Second Street • 419-873-0412
www.continentalvaluations.net
Continental Valuations, Inc., is a real estate
appraisal company providing both residential
and commercial appraisals for the lending industry
in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Founded by Robert Domini, MBA, MAI, in
1988, the company also conducts right-of-way
appraisals for the State of Ohio and other appraisals
for government agencies.
“Any job that requires real estate research,
analysis and reporting is within our capabilities,”
Mr. Domini said.
Continental Valuations started out of Mr.
Domini’s home in Three Meadows before moving
to offices in downtown Toledo and
Maumee’s Arrowhead Park. Eventually the
company settled into its current location in the
historic former police and fire station in downtown
Perrysburg, next to Mills Hardware.
Since its founding, Continental Valuations
has continually expanded its capabilities and
geographic scope. Mr. Domini is licensed in
Ohio, Michigan and Florida, and has done work
in Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia and New
York. Building on his experience performing
appraisals for Ohio government agencies, he is
working to establish himself with federal agencies
as well.
The owner credits his staff, including vice
president and manager Pamela Casper, with the
firm’s successful growth.
“All told, we have four people who have
been here over twelve years and a couple more
who are nearing ten years,” he said. “Our people
have decades of experience in a wide variety
of real estate areas such as brokerage and
real estate lending.”
Appraisals conducted by Continental Valuations
and its sister company, Coastal Residential
Appraisals, vary widely in depth of
reporting and analysis. They are individually
tailored to ensure clients get the information
they really need.
“Too often in our business, we give the
client more than he wants or needs,” Mr. Domini
said. “I’ve always believed that excessive
boilerplate material distracts from the important
substance of a report.”
A long-time member of the Perrysburg
Chamber of Commerce and Perrysburg Rotary
Club, Mr. Domini is a frequent donor to the Rotary
Auction and coached his son’s Perrysburg
soccer teams for several years. Prior to founding
Continental Valuations, he taught at Central
Catholic High School and Penta Career Center.
From left to right: Fritz, Bill, Andy and Hans will save you time,
save you money and save you hassle–which you’ll call
perfect harmony!
Wood County Park District
The Nature Center at W.W. Knight Preserve
29530 White Road • 419-661-1697
Visitors experience a variety of wildlife as
they walk along the trails at W.W. Knight Nature
Preserve. A few wing beats from the
Maumee River, the Preserve invites songbirds,
eagles, and waterfowl to look for food
and nesting sites and is a welcome resting
spot during migration.
Colorful dragonflies sparkle over the
water, as swallows bank and swoop, and
young people fish nearby in the warmth of
summer. The prairie’s native wildflowers are
in their glory just as fall begins. Winter
brings ice skating, cross-country skiing, and
school groups looking at animal tracks in the
snow.
The Nature Center is open daily from 8:00
a.m. until dusk. It offers year-round nature
experiences with the Look Out On Nature
Area, or LOONA, where (from within the
building) visitors can view birds and other
wildlife at feeders, in native gardens, and at
water features.
Opportunities for hands-on nature activities
are available to the public as well as
school groups in the Educational Classroom.
Visitors may enjoy some relaxing, quiet
time with a book in the Library. This space
doubles as a meeting area for small groups.
The Hankinson Great Room, available for
rentals, has a serving-kitchen, fireplace, and
acccomodates up to 125 people.
William Windus Knight was a local businessman,
philanthropist, and nature enthusiast.
His grandchildren donated this 42-acre
parcel to the Wood County Park District in
1993. The Country Garden Club of Perrysburg
saw its potential with its mature woodlot
and location near the Maumee River.
Be sure to experience all that Wood
County Parks has to offer. With an additional
18 parks throughout Wood County the Park
District offers “Your Natural Places for Fun!”
Continental Valuations owner Robert Domini, MBA, MAI, is a licensed appraiser in
Ohio, Michigan and Florida. He specializes in commercial and government appraisals.