Oct. 1, 2008 Edition

<Home Tour Features Unique Stops
Monroe Bank Fifth Floor Featured on Oct. 5 Tour

        The fifth floor octagon room of the Monroe Bank building and the Chamber office, located on the first floor, are stops on the 2008 Monroe Central Football Moms Tour of Homes set for Oct. 5, 1 to 5 p.m. The oak ledge over the eight large windows features a lighted train running around the perimeter of the room. The view of Woodsfield and the surrounding area is magnificent! Refreshments will be served at this stop on the tour which also includes five area homes.

        Cox Log Homes’ model home, located on Stonehouse Road, is on the 2008 Tour of Homes. The large kitchen of this 3,000 square foot home features cherry cabinets and an eat-in bar. The two story home has tinted windows, a cathedral ceiling, triangular whirlpool bath and walk-in closet in the master bedroom, a full basement and so many of the features available in homes built by Cox Log Homes.                       

Photos Courtesy of Times Leader

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
        The Monroe Central Football Moms have an interesting homes tour set for Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1 to 5 p.m. There are five homes, the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce office, located in the Monroe Bank building and refreshments will be served in the fifth floor octagon room of the old Monroe Bank building, located on North Main Street.
        On the tour this year are the homes of Cathy and Ron Markey, Sharon and Clem Kress, Joan and Mark Swallow, Christy and Bob Burrow and the Cox Log Homes model home, owned by Jeff and Heather Cox.
        The Monroe Bank building, currently owned by Gary A. Rubel, was Monroe County’s first financial institution. The bank, built in 1874, was incorporated by Jere Williams, S.L. Mooney, Allen C. Miller, James O. Amos, William F. Hunter Jr., Nathan Hollister, Hugh B. Hill and Frederick Koehler. Col. S.L. Mooney, president of the Ohio River & Western Railroad, was The Monroe Bank’s first president.
        Rubel has contracted Swiss Valley Associates, Inc. to provide design and construction management services to renovate the entire building. Work to date has included a new elevator, new  1,200 square feet fifth floor octagon, six new handicapped accessible restrooms and new fire rated rear stair wells.
        According to Dana Indermuhle of SVA, ongoing work includes installing sprinkler and fire alarm systems throughout the facility.
        The eight windows of the fifth floor octagon room are framed in oak and an oak ledge serves as tracks for the lighted train which runs around the perimeter of the room. This winter, famed barn painter Scott Hagan will paint scenery on the wall behind the train.
        According to SVA foreman Garth Maibach, Rubel is looking for a replica of the OR&W train which will run on the second track.
        Chandeliers  are hung throughout the room. Tour participants will enjoy the architecture and the magnificent view of the courthouse dome, Woodsfield and surrounding areas.
        The entry of the building from North Main Street has a marble staircase, railed in wrought iron.        Those attending the tour will take the elevator to the top. The rest of the floors, some still under construction, will not be available to view.
        Offices now located in the Monroe Bank are Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, Cancer Resource Center, Monroe Soil and Water, the American Legion Post 87, Tri-County Help Center, Attorney Mark Morrison, and Woodsfield Coin and Collectibles.
        The Monroe Chamber of Commerce office will be open to the public. With the original oak mantle and trim, it is thought to have been the bank president’s office.
        Each home on the tour reflects the creativity and ingenuity of the owners.
        Cathy and Ron Markey recently moved into their home, located on Township Road 615.  Two antique iron wagon wheels grace the entrance to this home. The shed is decorated with antique tools. The house has a wrap-around deck that features antiques and flowers. It leads to the back hide-away sitting area where the Markeys can enjoy the wonders of nature.
        The walls of the home are exposed cherry with pine ceilings, which take on a pioneer look.
        The Markeys have incorporated many family antiques into their country decor. Antiques include a pot belly stove at the stairway landing, Cathy’s granddad’s violin has a special place on an antique stand and her grandmother’s ironing board is used as a sofa table. There are many more throughout the home.
        The open stairway leads to the balcony which overlooks the living room. The upstairs bedrooms continue in the country motif. Their son Mikey, a Seminole senior starter, has a room decorated with Monroe Central memorabilia and lots of pictures of his friends. The upstairs bathroom  is decorated with paper bag wallpaper and a decorative border.
        Daughter Catlin’s room is done in turquoise and an old decorative medicine cabinet door serves as a mirror.
        The master bedroom is done in greens and burgundies.
        If antiques are your thing, you’ll love this home.
        Cox Log Homes model home, located on Stonehouse Road, is like discovering a diamond amidst rocks. It is beautifully situated on a large lot with a small pond in the front yard.
        The home, owned by Jeff and Heather Cox, was planned as a retirement home. It has 3,000 square feet of living space and a wrap-around porch. It has so many features you just have to see for yourself. Lots of planning went into this model home with all the inside doors 36 inch, making them handicap accessible. The doors throughout the home are decorative solid wood and all the windows are tinted. The bedroom walls are finished in “knock down” drywall.
        The entry floor and the fireplace are stamped concrete. The unique fireplace features fiberoptic fireflies. The home has beautiful cherry hardwood floors. Octagon posts, turned by Jeff, serve as a “leg” of the kitchen bar and as a stairway post.
        There are a half bath and laundry room easily accessible on this floor.
        The master suite is large and airy. The master bath is large with a cathedral ceiling, triangular whirlpool bath,  shower and hickory cabinets. Off the master bath is a large walk-in closet.
        The master and guest bedrooms feature unusual iron sleigh beds–internet finds, according to Heather.
        The third bedroom was designed for their daughter Katelyn. Both the guest and this bedroom have “walk-thru” closets.
        The large living room is designed around a big screen TV. It has large windows and is furnished with white leather furniture.
        The open wooden stairway leads to the lower level, which serves as offices for Cox Log Homes, Inc.
        The conference room is on this floor. It features the church pews from the former River of Life Church. There is also a large game/storage room.
        Both Heather’s and Jeff’s offices have French doors optimizing the natural light. The walls are done in tongue and groove decking and the ceiling in Heather’s office is bead board cut to fit in the ceiling tracks.
        The double glass doors lead to the outdoor fully marked basketball court and a covered area which would be great for outdoor entertaining. The retaining walls  are 1200 pound sections of glazed block, surrounded by stone fill, cutting down on maintenance.
        Cox Log Homes Inc. has been in business for 20 years. They have built log homes all over the eastern United States including Ohio, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, Indiana, Maine  and New York.
        The three bedroom home of Sharon and Clem Kress, located on SR78 west of Woodsfield, was built in 2002 by Paris Yoho and John Paul Weber with concrete work by Nelson Stalder.
        According to Sharon, she chose the floor plan for the home 15 years ago. Her large collection of Snow Buddies and family pictures are featured in the foyer. Off the sitting area is a deck, one of the Kress’ favorite places to sit and enjoy the wooded scenery. The kitchen has granite countertops and the red, white and blue decor is carried in from the sitting room. The formal dining room, with many family photos, connects to the living room. Sharon’s collection of Monroe County Cat’s Meows are featured over the doorway. Her mother’s little rocker blends with the room’s furniture.
        A beautiful handmade quilt, made by Sharon’s mother, is a precious reminder of the woman who meant so much to her. It hangs above the bed in the master bedroom, which is decorated in burgundy with a rose border. The grandkids’ room is decorated in lime green and features lots of toys.
        A step-down laundry room and a half bath decorated in Garden Angels are just off the kitchen.
        Joan and Mark Swallow purchased their “fixer-upper” home in 1986. The home was moved to its present location when the pipeline came through in the 50’s. Joan was very apprehensive about the purchase, but over the years the couple has remodeled, added on and have made a comfortable home for their family.
        The home located on County Road 1, is situated on a working beef farm. Mark and Joan raise Chiangus stock which began with a bull and two heifers in 1982. In addition to the Chiangus, the Swallows raise Shorthorns. On this stop, tour participants will also have the opportunity to check out the barn area of the farm.
        Their three daughters, Alyssa, Amy and Abby have enjoyed taking their animals to the fair.
        Joan’s love of country is evident in her decorating. The kitchen is decorated in green and white check wallpaper with apple border. There are oak cabinets and an island that can be used in lieu of the formal dining room.
        The dining room is decorated in blue floral with a basket border. A decorative Longaberger basket graces the table. Part of her collection of Pfalzgraff Yorktowne dishes is displayed in a corner cupboard.
        The foyer features oak floors, a chandelier matching the one in the dining room, shelves and baskets.
        The master bedroom is bright and cheery, decorated in rich burgundy. Berry wreaths can be found in this room as well as throughout the home.
        Abby’s room is done in lilac floral with American Girl porcelain dolls sitting near the bed.
        The living room features a large grandfather clock. The beamed ceiling lends to the country flavor of the home. Again burgundy is used to accessorize the decor. Lots of family photos, taken by local photographer Tracey Blackstone, grace the walls and furniture.
        Alyssa and Amy’s rooms are on the second floor. Amy’s features a lavender quilt with white furniture and Alyssa’s room is done in shades of blue.
        When the family is not busy, they enjoy their above ground pool which is surrounded by plantings.
        Birdhouses, wheelbarrows and other outdoor accessories are featured in all the landscapings.
        Last, but not least, is the home of Christy and Bob Burrow, located on State Route 556, outside of Beallsville.
        This uniquely Victorian home was built by Highman Construc-tion in 1996. It is very different from the other homes on the tour. The Victorian flavor is carried throughout the home from the rose wallpaper with raised border in the living room, the white carpet and the lace window coverings.
        The formal dining room features a china doll in an antique high chair that converts to a stroller. It belonged to a great-aunt. The large double doors and windows bring in the natural light and highlight the cherry table, floors and molding. Christy did all the woodwork staining throughout the house.
        The master bedroom is done in green with an elegant leaf border. It features a high back ornamental bed and a master bath with shower and tub.
        The u-shaped kitchen has a different leaf border and there is a small bath off the kitchen.
        The open staircase, which features several Boyds Bears, leads to the upstairs bedrooms. An antique Elgin sewing machine which once belonged to Christy’s great-grandmother stands in the hall. Each bedroom and hallway has its own unique border.
        The bedrooms of daughters Megan (now Megan Britton) and Tiffany feature wedding quilts made by Deloris Burrow. The beautiful white quilts are different but both are quilted in perfect tiny stitches with elaborate patterns.
        The room which was once Megan’s has an iron bed and features a violin and family pictures. The room is done in a darker green with an unusual border and stippled ceiling.
        The downstairs family room will also be open for the tour and guests are asked to sign the “signature wall.” The theme in this room is Ohio State University.
        This is a tour no one will want to miss. Tickets and maps are available at each home and stop. Everyone must have a ticket. With homes located from off SR 26 to SR78 to SR556, tour visitors will want to start early so they won’t miss any of the stops. The tour finishes at 5 p.m.

 
~ Monroe Central 2008 Homecoming King ~
        Derek Betts chose the “king” card Sept. 25 to become Monroe Central’s 2008 Homecoming King. He is the son of Jamie Groves and Tony Betts of Woodsfield. He is shown with his mother.

~ Monroe Central Homecoming Queen ~
        Justine LaFollette chose the “golden” rose at halftime ceremonies  to become Monroe Central’s 2008 Homecoming Queen. Shown with her father, she is the daughter of Rod and Sally LaFollette of Woodsfield.

<River High School to Observe Homecoming

        River High School homecoming royalty and attendants are shown, from left, front: queen candidates - Whitney Algeo, Chacity Craig, Kelsey Krempasky; center: Alisha Loy, Stephanie Brown; back: king candidates Daniel Starr, Travis Riesbeck, attendants Lexy Wells, Rachael Beisel, Kylie Brown, king candidates D.J. Duke, Taylor Potts and Dalton McIntire.

        During the week of Sept. 29, “Spirit Week,” the River High School student body voted to select Miss River and Mr. River.
        Miss River candidates are Whitney Algeo, daughter of Wade and Kelly Algeo of Powhatan; Chacity Craig, daughter of Scott and Tabby Craig of Hannibal; Kelsey Krempasky, daughter of John and Missy Krempasky of Hannibal; Alisha Loy, daughter of Steve and Carla Loy of Sardis.
        Mr. River candidates are D.J. Duke of Clarington, son of Don Duke and Kim Dye; Dalton McIntire, son of Preston and Tina McIntire of Clarington; Taylor Potts, son of Matt and Heather Potts of Sardis; Travis Riesbeck of Sardis, son of Jim and Joannie Wells and Greg Riesbeck; and Daniel Starr, son of Clyde and Gwen Starr of Powhatan.
        Freshman attendant is Lexy Wells, daughter of Jim and Joannie Wells of Sardis; sophomore attendant is Kylie Brown, daughter of Dana and Shorn Brown of Powhatan; and junior attendant is Rachel Beisel, daughter of Pam Beisel of Sardis.
        The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 and will go from the Hannibal Locks and Dam to River High School.
        Mr. River and Miss River will be named during halftime ceremonies during the River vs. Bridgeport football game.