OSU President to Visit Monroe
 

 E. Gordon Gee

Team Monroe and the Monroe County OSU Alumni Association are pleased to announce that E. Gordon Gee, president of OSU, will be visiting Monroe County.

“President Gee will be visiting us on Thursday evening, Aug. 27, and plans to be at our county fair, as well as attending  an evening with E. Gordon Gee at the Brown Community Center later that evening,” said Tom Scott, Team Monroe Community Developer. “Our office has engaged in an extensive dialogue with President Gee recently in an attempt to identify a date that would permit him to visit our county. August 27 evolved as a perfect date in that President Gee could assist Team Monroe and the alumni association in a joint fundraiser while also being able to visit our fair.

“The get-together at the Brown Community Center will offer finger foods and beverages. It will also provide some personal comments from President Gee and allow him to mingle with those in attendance,” continued Scott. “Team Monroe is excited and honored to be a part of this rare opportunity in collaboration with our OSU Alumni Association.”

Announcements regarding ticket information and specific times for “An evening with E. Gordon Gee” will be announced in the near future.

JFS Goes to Four Day Week

Effective August 24, the Monroe County Dept. of Job and Family Services will be closed on Fridays. The offices will be open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jeanette Harter, director, said, as a lifeline to the community, JFS strives to continue services and is committed to maximizing efficiency in light of very deep budget cuts. 

Our Readers Write:
Dear Editor,

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month in Ohio and Governor Strickland is urging all residents to support breastfeeding. The theme for Breastfeeding Awareness Month is “Breastfeeding - a vital emergency response. Are you ready?”  Most everyone knows that breastfeeding is healthier for the baby, the mother and society than feeding formula. However, besides the myriad health benefits, breastfeeding also provides unequaled protection against malnutrition and disease during disasters, emergencies and economic downturns. Breastmilk is a free, safe, and reliable food source for infants and young children. There have been many reported instances of children being kept alive during disasters by breastfeeding. During an emergency, the breastfeeding mother and her family are free from the worry and stress of not knowing where the baby’s next meal is coming from.

To be prepared for any situation, all pregnant women and their families should consider how they would feed their baby if clean water, sterile bottles and formula, or even shelter were not available. This is especially important in this economic downturn where bread winners are losing their jobs and sometimes families are losing their homes.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that Ohio’s breastfeeding initiation rate of 59.6 percent ranks 44th in the nation. We can do better. All elements of the community should cooperate and support breastfeeding mothers so that babies can be assured of a free, safe, and reliable food source whenever disaster strikes.

For more information about breastfeeding please call Donielle  at the Monroe County WIC office at 740-472-1833.

Donielle Flynn, CLC
Monroe County WIC 

Open letter to President Obama:

In the matter of the house breaking and entering of Professor Henry L. Gates, you were wrong in verbally attacking the Cambridge police officer. The officer was only doing his job after his department received a call about a home being broken into by two men with backpacks. Your news conference Thursday evening, July 23, was dealing with health care not Gates or the Cambridge Police Depart-ment. You admitted that you did not know the facts about the case. Yet, you stated that the police acted stupidly.

How simple it would have been to say, ‘without all the facts about the case, no comment’. You have turned this into a racial issue. Your comments the following day were not an apology to the police department but an attempt to justify your previous remarks. You have handled this matter very immaturely and ‘stupidly.’

America has made great strides in race relations since 1954; no more segregated schools, playgrounds, swimming pools, parks, theaters, and restaurants. In 2009, America is a great place for any child to grow up and be judged by the content of his character not the color of his skin as stated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Joseph G. Bates
Woodsfield

 
Around the Burnside

People who mind their own business usually have good ones.

A person is no bigger than the things that annoy him or her.

What a blow. The Ormet coming layoff really hits close to home. Even as bad as it is I don’t think it will turn the lights out in Monroe County. The county will still keep going and make the best of a bad deal some way or another. From what you see and hear on the news the problem is wide spread.

To me this is kind of a down time. Not really a lot to write about. The sun is out after our inch plus rain yesterday and our grass is asking to be mowed.

This is also the time of year when our corn was plowed and hoed for the final time, all that was left until time to cut, husk and take the fodder where it could be fed to the cows.

I always liked it when the corn was “layed” by and no more hoeing. I really kind of hated to hoe corn for some reason or another. More so when I was the only one with a hoe. I didn’t complain when anyone could hear me. In fact, I might have bragged about the job I had done to some friends.

The yard is mowed and ready for some rain to make it grow. Somehow it seems to grow even if it doesn’t rain much. I don’t mind mowing now, after I get to it. I got an early Christmas present, a new mower. Actually it wasn’t a present as I had to pay for it.

It was time for a new mower because when I made a sharp right turn the motor would quit running. A small right turn was OK but too sharp, no good. I had to plead with it to finish mowing.

I had several choices, a black or green, or blue or whatever. My grandson is a district manager for what you call an orange one. I had little choice but buy one called Kubota. I’m finally able to wheel it around my yard in good time. I could even buy a blade and push snow during the winter. But, who wants to push snow around? Not me.

I just had me a little dab of what we called “butter beans” at home. Actually they were dry lima beans. I don’t know how long they have been waiting in the cupboard to get cooked. I’m getting ready for a big charge of them for supper, and we have no Beano.

What a change around our Lewisville Community Center. I hope you attended the carnival and enjoyed the changes.

A number of folks are working like busy little bees to get things ready. The basketball nets are now being hung on the baskets of the new court and the pole holding the backboard is painted gold and black. This really made me happy as my blood started running black and gold when I started teaching at Skyvue. I will admit though I do not care as much for the Pittsburgh black and gold. Then again there’s a bit of scarlet and grey mixed in there. These were the school colors of my high school, oh yes, OSU.

The improvements are still not complete as additional things planned are a new gym floor, more play ground equipment and a shelter house. This doesn’t count the new sidewalk planned in town.

These improvements are great but there is one problem. The place is available for all to use. However, a few, call them what you want, do not take care or appreciate what has been done. For example, I understand someone in a jeep spun out on the new parking lot. If the black top had been a bit soft he would have torn a rut in it. Why didn’t he get in some gravel? He could have thrown gravel every where like someone who threw gravel and caused holes in the siding of a church. I guess it takes all kinds.

I guess they’re having a big beer party at the White House for a teaching moment. They told us when you had a teaching moment it was a chance for learning. I haven’t listened to Fox to actually hear what transpired but they couldn’t even agree on the kind of beer they were to party with.

In my wild younger years I attended or was a part of a beer party or two. While we were waiting to go to Japan after the war we even had a few beer softball games. You got a beer every time you got on base or maybe any other time. I don’t remember anyone wanting any brand of beer and it wasn’t served in frosted mugs.

I know it’s a personal thing but I don’t know why they couldn't have talked it over with a cup of coffee or a soft drink maybe even over California Milk from satisfied cows. Oh well, it was a good thing they got together after our great media made a big thing out of it and some spouted off before knowing what happened.

Beano or not I ate me a big charge of ‘butter beans” for supper. I’m now waiting for what was left to be served. The chunks of ham thrown in weren’t bad either.

I remember once while student teaching a student invited me to go hunting with him and eat lunch. Come dinner time his mother said she didn’t have much but we could eat what she had. When we sat down at the table she had cooked up a big pot of back bones and soup beans. I couldn’t wait to dig in. This was the same place a pet pig busted through the screen door to get inside when I was making a farm visit after school.

We are still the only county in the state without an FFA Chapter.

When you share your burden with a friend, two can carry a pail easier than one.

Try Church Sunday, you might like it.

Relay For Life  

Relay For Life Queen Judy Smith and King Homer Goudy carry the ceremonial banner around the Relay track during the Survivors’ Lap. At center is Ambassador of Hope Stanley Jarrett.
Photos by Arlean Selvy

Former Monroe County Auditor Jim Neuhart is flanked by his nurses, Rose Hyer, CSR and Darla Schnegg, LPN at the July 31 Relay For Life event. The nurses, both residents of Hannibal, are employed with Interim Healthcare. Among their duties, the nurses monitor Neuhart’s blood and vitals due to complications resulting from cancer. 

Stanley Jarrett: Ambassador
of Hope

Dr. Johndavid Pollock speaks
with a Relay participant.
 
In addition to the survivor and caregiver dinner, this year’s Relay For Life honored Stanley Jarrett as the Ambassador of Hope and selected a king and queen to carry the banner and lead the Survivors’ Lap around the luminary-lined track at River High School.

The goal for this year’s fundraising event is $57,000. According to Pat McDougal, event chair, $56,173 was raised by closing ceremony on Saturday. “It’s amazing!” she said, “and we’re still counting.”

Judy Smith was crowned queen of the event and Homer Goudy was fitted with a red velvet crown in recognition of his royal standing at Relay For Life 2009. Their names were randomly selected from registrants.

“Cancer is one of the biggest threats we all face in terms of health,” said Dr. Jondavid Pollock as he addressed the crowd at the July 31 event. “Cancer represents the second leading killer behind heart disease,” he said.

Dr. Pollock practices radiation oncology at Wheeling Hospital. He graduated, earning his M.D. 17 years ago and has been at Wheeling Hospital for the past nine years.

“There’s never a good time to get cancer, there is never a convenient time to get sick, and the American Cancer Society is devoted to helping patients and their families skate through this process of diagnosis and treatment as easily as possible,” said Pollock. “But,” he noted, “the only way for them to help you is for you to ask for help.” He explained that the money raised by ACS in Monroe County can only help countians if they ask for it.

Concerning the statistics of cancer, Pollock said most cancers are becoming less deadly. As an example, he explained that from 2000 to 2008 there were 250 more breast cancers being diagnosed – but 270 fewer deaths reported. There were 8,250 more genital cancers diagnosed, including tumors of the uterus, ovary, cervix and prostate, yet there were 1,180 fewer deaths attributed to these cancers.

There were 12,040 more lymphomas diagnosed, and 6,990 fewer deaths than in 2000. There were 6,320 more myelomas diagnosed in 2008 than in 2000, yet 510 fewer deaths occurred. Lastly, he said, there are 13,470 cases of leukemia diagnosed today than eight years ago with the same number of deaths during that time period.

“Even where there are more deaths reported today than in 2000, the relative number of deaths is much less in every cancer category translating into improved cure rate across the board. In Ohio there are 250 more cases of cancer reported today than in 2000 and there are 220 fewer deaths today. Specifically, there are fewer cases of breast, cervix and prostate cancer reported today than eight years ago. And there are fewer deaths reported due to cancers of the colon and rectum, lung, lymphoma and prostate.”

In terms of Monroe County , he said, “You appear to be a fight zone for several doctors in the Wheeling area and many have started to come to the outpatient clinic at Wetzel County Hospital on a frequent basis in order to see patients locally.”

He told about new equipment at Wheeling Hospital including a digital mammography, a soon-to-be-added breast MRI, the latest in CT scan technology and many cancer treatment protocols that rival the number and quality of studies being offered at large university hospitals.

This year’s Ambassador of Hope, Beallsville resident Stanley Jarrett, gave a testimony about his journey with cancer of the face. He was joined on stage by seven members of his family, whom he thanked along with his doctors, Jondavid Pollock and Mavish Monga.

He explained his treatments in Cleveland followed by more treatments when he went to Pittsburgh. He said the cancer continued to spread and he finally went to Wheeling where he was treated and the cancer was conquered. Jarrett lost his left eye to the disease and faces surgery to help reconstruct the left side of his mouth. “I couldn’t have done this without my family and doctors Pollock and Monga,” he said.

Featured speakers at the dinner were Bonnie Burns, patient navigator for the Monroe County area, and former Miss Ohio Karissa Martin.

Martin spoke to the group about her passion to educate youth about skin cancer. Martin suffered serious sunburn of the scalp as a child and ultimately, at age 14, developed skin cancer in that area. She is also working to educate adults about the dangers that lie within the tanning bed.

Burns talked to guests about many of the benefits available through the American Cancer Society. She said a stipend of $125 per year may be obtained to help with gasoline costs for traveling to appointments. One must contact the ACS to obtain the benefits.

Pictured above is five-year-old Aiden Russell whose cancer has been in remission for two-and-a-half years. She flashes a smile here with a very happy mom, Jaya Russell. Aiden will enter kindergarten at Skyvue Elementary this year.

Members of Monroe Arts Council judged 121 entries submitted by students in the poster contest. Grade school winners are Kyndra Earley, 1st place; Isaac Curtis, 2nd place; Kara Dotterer, 3rd place. All are fourth graders at Sardis Elementary. High School winners are: Wyatt Groves, 1st place, 8th grade; Daniel Archer, 2nd place, junior; Michael Schonoff, 3rd place, sophomore. All are from Monroe Central High School. Kim Christman, junior at MCHS, earned an honorable mention.

The survivors’ pick, chosen by survivors, went to Daniel Archer.

Wyatt Groves, grade 8, MCHS, won the Best of Relay, chosen by Relay attendees.

Obituaries

ALFRED W. KUHN 
Alfred W. Kuhn, 85, 48624 TR 66, Lewisville, died July 30, 2009 at his home. He was born April 12, 1924 near Lewisville, a son of the late Joseph and Minnie Burkhart Kuhn.

He was a retired steelworker for Republic Steel, Canton, a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church near Lewisville, and was a U.S. Army veteran of WW II.

Surviving are his wife, Lorna J. Kinney Kuhn, whom he married Oct. 3, 1980; two daughters, Linda (Barry) Hill of Lewisville, Kathy (Chuck) Schwaben of Woodsfield; a step-daughter, Sheilla Wise of Woodsfield; five grandchildren, Josh Hill, Megan and Carly Schwaben, Sascha and C.J. Wise.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Andrew and Clarence Kuhn; and a sister, Sally Pritchard.

Friends were received July 31 at Watters Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Aug. 1. Burial followed in Chapel Hill Cemetery near Lewisville, with military graveside services.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.wattersfuneralhome.com.

STEPHEN CRAIG 
Stephen B. Craig, 72, Wooster, died July 14, 2009, at Wooster Community Hospital. He was born Feb. 3, 1937 in Woodsfield, the son of the late Clark and Helen (Truex) Craig.

He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired from the Akron Brass Company in 1993 as an assembler. He was a member of Wooster Moose Lodge for 35 years.

Surviving are his wife, Marian L. Brown, whom he married Dec. 6, 1969; a daughter, Sharon (William) Smith of Wooster; a son, Richard (Linda) Crosby of Marietta; three grandchildren, Lisa (Christopher) Campbell of Waterford, Vicki (Rock) Frost, Brian (Lori) Gray, both of West Salem; nine great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; four sisters, Ruth Pfalzgraf of Clarington, Linda (Dave) Wood of Moundsville, Mary (Robert) Krownapple of Creston, Elsie McMorrow of Wooster; and two brothers Dean (Nellie) Craig and David Craig, both of Woodsfield.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rosemary Ickes.

Friends were received July 16 at McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, Wooster, where services were held July 17. Burial followed in Reedsburg Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County Inc., 2525 Back Orrville Road, Wooster, OH 44691.

CARL W. DENBOW, JR.
Carl William Denbow, Jr., 80, Cinnamon Lake, died July 31, 2009 at Hospice At The Inn at Medina. He was born August 8, 1928 in Monroe County, a son of the late Carl William Sr. and Mary Lou Etta Feiber Denbow.

He worked in the oil and gas well drilling business for Ohio Fuel and later started Denbow Painting, painting houses and barns and also ore freighters at the Lorain Shipyards. In the mid ’70s he began the Medina Flea Markets at the Medina Fairgrounds and continued in that field until retiring in 1987. His hobbies included antique collecting, attending auctions and furniture restoration.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Ann Keefer Denbow, whom he married Aug. 20, 1949; son, Ron (Linda) Denbow of Medina; daughter, Sandra (Randy) Jameyson of Lodi; three grandchildren, Jeanette Lockmiller, Carissa (Steve) Szymczak, Shannon (Brian) Ritchie; and five great-grandchildren, Ethan, Avery, Nathan, Carolyn and Jamey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth and Robert.

Friends were received on August 2 at Parker & Son Funeral Home, Lodi, where funeral services were held August 3, with Rev. David Howell of Lodi officiating. Burial followed in Sullivan Southview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Medina County, 797 North Court St., Medina, OH 44256.
 

GENE RAY
Gene Ray, 85, Malaga, died July 28, 2009 in Barnesville Hospital. He was born March 30, 1924 in Morgan County, a son of the late Orville and Dorothy Barkley Ray. 

He was a retired employee of Ormet Corporation, Hannibal, a member of the former Bristol Presbyterian Church in Morgan County, a member of Corinthian Lodge #111 F & AM and Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge; a former Malaga Township trustee and a founding member of the Switzerland of Ohio Water Board having served both as president and vice-president.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Chris Roberts Ray; children, Trudy (Roger) Lucas of Middletown, M.D., Rodney (Pat) Ray of Beallsville and Kristy Kinzy of Malaga; daughter-in-law, Janice Ray of Beallsville; sister, Louise Henery of Caldwell; 16 grandchildren, Stacey, Shari, Jason, Joshua, Misty, Tara, Traci, Shelly, Dawnielle, Ricky, Ryan, Tyler, Taylor, Rob, Kevin and Neal; 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Rick and Randy Ray.

Friends were received July 30 at Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville, where funeral services were held July 31, with Pastor Jean Cooper officiating. Burial followed in Beallsville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may  be made to the Beallsville Athletic Department, c/o Delmas Moore, P.O. Box 262, Beallsville, OH 43716.

Online condolences may be offered at www.harperfh.net.

CHESTER S. DEVORE 
Chester S. Devore, 88, Canton, died Aug. 2, 2009. He was born June 29, 1921 in Graysville, Monroe County, a son of the late Jay and Maggie Devore.

He retired from Hercules/ White Motor after 35 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII having served in both the European and Pacific Theaters.

Surviving are his wife, Clarice, to whom he would have been married to for 66 years on Aug. 9; two sisters, Lyrena Morton of Utica, Edra Litman of Canton; several nieces, nephews and special neighbor, Linda Deaton.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Maureen Kay; two sisters and a brother.

Friends will be received Aug. 5, from 5 - 8 p.m. at Reed Funeral Home Canton Chapel, where services will be held at 8 p.m., with Minister Keith Kull officiating. A graveside service will be held Aug. 6, at 11:30 a.m., in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Graysville.

Express condolences at www.reedfuneralhome.com.

HARRIS D. BYERS 
Harris (Bud) D. Byers, 95, Trail Run, died July 30, 2009 at Wetzel County Hospital, New Martinsville. He was born Aug. 31, 1913 at New Matamoras, a son of the late Joe and Mabel Hall Byers.

He retired from the U.S. Corp of Engineers - Lock 16 Beavertown. He was a member of the St. Paul’s Church Trail Run. He was a veteran of WWII, and a member of the Woodsfield VFW Post 5303.

Surviving are a son, Larry (Clarice) Byers of Newport; two grandchildren, Lanny (Lisa) Byers of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Tammy (Michael) Stern of Dublin; five great-grandchildren, Stephen Byers of Columbus, Addison Stern and Paxton Stern of Dublin, Logan Byers and Landon Byers of Ridgefield.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (Peg) Fagert Byers in 1989.

Friends were received Aug. 1 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Aug. 2, with Rev. Alfred Bingenheimer officiating. Burial was in Oaklawn Cemetery, Woodsfield. Military services were conducted by Belmont Veterans Council.

Condolences can be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.

KAREN E. FILIPKOWSKI
Karen Elaine Filipkowski, 54, Albion, Pa., died July 24, 2009 at Hamot Hospital, Erie, Pa. She was born May 3, 1955 in Erie, a daughter of Nadine Forshey Filipkowski of Woodsfield, and the late Edward Filipkowski.

She was employed at Lord Corporation of Saegertown, Pa., as an accountant where she leaves many friends.

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are three brothers, Keith Filipkowski of Erie, Cary Filipkowski of Northeast, Pa., Brent Filipkowski of Chillicothe; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held July 29 at Grace Bible Church, Erie, Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lupus Foundation of America, 2000 L. Street, n.W., Suite 710, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Express Condolences at www.bauerturner.com.