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Below are links to portions of this week's news articles. For the full story, pick up a paper at your local newsstand or send $1.25 with your name/address to P.O. Box 70, Woodsfield, OH  43793.

 
July 2, 2009

Gearing up for Heritage Days
Ohio Flags of Honor to be featured

The Better Beallsville Bureau will be bringing the “Ohio Flags of Honor” to its Heritage Days event which is set for July 24, 25 and 26. At opening ceremonies July 24, 6 p.m., 196 flags will be placed to pay tribute to Ohio’s fallen soldiers. This photo taken from the Flags of Honor Website.

The Better Beallsville Bureau is gearing up for its annual “Heritage Days.” The event will be held on July 24, 25 and 26. This year the committee will be bringing in the “Ohio Flags of Honor.”

Opening ceremonies June 24 at 6 p.m. will feature the placing of 196 “Ohio Flags of Honor.”

The Ohio Flags of Honor Foundation began its journey in May 2004. Gino and Lisa Zimmer, parents of Specialist Nicholaus E. Zimmer, U.S. Army, were notified on Memorial Day that their son Nick had been killed in Kufa, Iraq. Through this tragic loss for the Zimmer family and with the gratitude they felt for the overwhelming support of veterans’ motorcycle clubs and organizations in attendance at the funeral, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Chopper Fund (OIFCF), a none profit organization, was established.

Everyone associated with the OIFCF worked tirelessly to raise money to build a tribute motorcycle, a custom WWII military-style motorcycle with a 21st century flair, that would tour the country to memorialize all the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

In September 2005, Ohio was notified that the U.S. Marines from Lima Company 3rd Battalion/25th Regiment were returning from a storied assignment in Iraq. Lima Company had suffered heavy losses during the eight months they were on assignment in the Middle East. Sixteen of 22 killed in action were Ohio Marines, and Ohio wanted to honor Lima Company for a “job well done.” Members of a local American Legion Post made plans to set up an “Avenue of Flags” at Ricken-backer Field, south of Colum-bus, that the returning Marines could view as they passed by. These “Flags of Honor” were to be flown in honor of their comrades who were not returning with them, along with dozens of “tribute” flags, sponsored by Ohio veterans’ organizations, displayed separately.

The Rickenbacker display was well received and appreciated by all who saw it. Many asked how this memorial could tour Ohio for others to see. The next day, the OIFCF was contacted by the organizers of the flag display for Lima Company. After some discussion, it became apparent that the Operation Iraqi Freedom Chopper Fund could have more impact by focusing on Ohio’s fallen soldiers through the “Ohio Flags of Honor” memorial tribute. Thus, on Oct. 15, 2005, the OIFCF became the Ohio Flags of Honor Foundation.

The traveling display is a way for the foundation to help facilitate fellowship for families, friends and communities who want to pay tribute to Ohio’s fallen soldiers. Through this display, it is hoped to raise public awareness and support for Ohio’s returning veterans.

The schedule for July 24 includes opening ceremonies and Chuck Monticello and the Foot Stompers. The Nelda Gramlich Memorial 5K Walk/Run is planned for July 25. For more information, call Robin Harper at 740-926-1125. Other events include a poker run, an auction (if you would like to donate clean, useable items, call 740-926-1191 or 926-1894); a parade at 6 p.m. Entertainment set for July 25 includes the Rush Family and the Mayhugh Family.

~ Riesbeck’s and Our Family Brands Donate ~


Riesbeck’s Food Market and Our Family Brands co-sponsored a $1,000 donation to the Woodsfield Volunteer Fire Department’s Independence Day Fireworks Display project. This is just one of the many community service donations given by Riesbeck’s throughout the year. This year’s July 5 fireworks display promises to be Woodsfield’s largest display with approximately 400 shots in the finale. Shown accepting the check from Kirt Sloan, manager of the Woodsfield Riesbeck’s Food Market, is Tim Buckalew, captain, Woodsfield VFD. Photo by Martha Ackerman 

 

~ VFW Donates to Area Organizations ~

Woodsfield VFW Post 5303 recently donated over $1200 to several organizations in the community. Recipients included the Shriners’ Hospital, Woodsfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Monroe County Veterans Memorial Committee, Woodsfield Youth Baseball and the Monroe County 4-H Shooting Club.  The money came from the VFW Charity Fund. Shown accepting checks from VFW Senior Vice Roger Elliott (second left) are Tim Buckalew, Woodsfield VFD; Toni Elliott, Elma Walton, Carol and Danny Jones, members of the Veterans Memorial Committee.

        Photo by Martha Ackerman

 

 

Expanding Higher Education

Dr. Joseph Bukowski, president, Belmont Technical College, center, met with county commissioners Carl Davis and John Pyles recently with regard to higher education and formation of a Higher Education Committee.
It was agreed that Team Monroe will select committee members.        
Photo by Arlean Selvy 
 

A comprehensive plan is now in place to help Belmont Technical College expand the existing higher education opportunities in Monroe County.

“The plan provides the overall framework for the expansion of higher education in Monroe County as part of a step-by-step process,’’ said BTC President Dr. Joseph E. Bukowski. “The community will benefit from this plan and with such strong support from residents, I see no reason why higher education can’t continue to grow in the county. In fact, this is an opportunity to be a role model for the entire state.”

The Belmont Technical College Board of Trustees approved a resolution in late May to support the Monroe County Higher Education Plan, which is expected to spark a cultural change and to spur economic development in the area. The plan was then submitted to the Monroe County Com-mission, which voted to support it during a meeting on Monday, June 15.  

“We hope to accomplish a higher degree of educational attainment for Monroe County citizens, which will lead to an increase in mean family income and a better quality of life,” said Dr. Rebecca Kurtz, Vice President of Learning and Student Success at BTC. “Education is the key to economic development. Having a better educated workforce will make it more attractive for businesses and industries to locate there.”

An underlying principle in the Monroe County Higher Education Plan is the need to increase awareness among residents about the importance of education beyond high school. Although the plan resulted from a Memorandum of Understanding between BTC and county commissioners, substantial input has been provided by a group of community members called Team Monroe.

  Dr. Bukowski said the college is willing to assume a leadership role in the execution of the plan. However, he believes the overall success of the plan will depend on the continued involvement of the Monroe County community.

Commissioner John Pyles said it is especially important to offer residents enhanced educational opportunities in economically distressed times. 

The plan includes five key strategies:

•  Initiate a Pre-School through Baccalaureate (P-16) Council to create a seamless educational experience from pre-school through the completion of a Bachelor’s Degree.

• Collaborate with high schools and career centers to meet the new CORE curriculum requirements and expand articulation agreements.

• Develop multiple pathways and alternative delivery methods for higher education.

• Develop an extensive program of community engagement through expanded marketing efforts.

• Establish a funding base for higher education in Monroe County.

”It’s an exciting time in Monroe County,’’ said Tim Houston, BTC’s dean of student services. “I think we will see enrollment increases in the county this fall beyond what we are already seeing.’’

 

Around the Burnside

 Life is a continuous process of getting used to things we hadn’t expected.

Those who complain about the way the ball bounces are often the ones who dropped it.

Live and learn is what I say. You might recall a few weeks ago I wrote about the possible tax per head on cattle because of the methane gas they pass. Not knowing that cattle did pass methane gas I just assumed that the gas was passed out the end of the cow that contained the tail. I guess maybe I had watched or listened to the cable guy too often.

Well, after further investigation, actually I read it in a news article, the most methane gas is passed from the other end of the cow. I guess with four stomachs in the cow their food has to roll around and get chewed up and worked on before it does the cow any good. I’m glad I only have one.

I was right on one thing. Last week I thought habernero peppers were just a little less than fire. They may be even hotter. I was messing around in a garden store and I came across some habernero pepper plants. There was a little sign in front of the plants saying they were 10 times hotter than jalapeno peppers. Question. How could anyone eat one of these peppers, let alone two of them? Or, why would any one want to eat one? I don’t even like ramps. I did not buy any plants. A plain old mango sticks with me a long time. I do remember once having to eat stuffed peppers because I was a guest at my landlord’s table when I was in college. I smiled and said they were really good. I also remember having to eat cooked turnips at a special meal while attending Muskingum. I thought they were potatoes when I was putting them on my plate. I just never learned to eat the good stuff. I grew up on meat and potatoes.

I mentioned last week about the big round bales. It’s good to see a large field with all of the large bales. Kind of reminds me of hay doodles. We had to rake hay with a dump rake and make nice little doodle to be pitched onto the wagon. Some fun, still wonder why.

One year someone had the bright idea to make some soybean hay. Was that ever a mistake! We had plenty of hay but it was nearly double the work. In fact, we filled our hay mow and put some in a neighbor’s barn. This, of course, doubled our pleasure. We had to pitch it out of that mow on to our wagon then pitch it into our mow. I guess you call it double duty.

It was fun to handle it out of a windrow; you couldn’t doodle it. Dig your fork in and it would hang together six to 10 feet down the row. I guess the old cows didn’t mind. They ate it and we squeezed out a little milk.

One other year someone I think the same person, got the idea we should make some oat hay. Another mistake! Where we had trouble with the soybean hay sticking together, we had trouble getting the oats hay to stick together.

We pitched on the first load after carefully placing it on the wagon. It kept sliding off. Dad started with the first load to the barn. We didn’t ride because of the fear of sliding off. Sure enough, a little ways out of the hay field, down came half of the oats hay. Dad and the rest came slipping off the wagon. My brother and I laughed. Dad didn’t think it funny and used some words I could use when I went into the service. We finally rigged up a boom pole to hold the hay on the wagon. So much for trying something different.

Well, we’ve had a few hot days for those of you who complained about the cold, rainy weather. I think it’s been over a week since I mowed our lawn and it didn’t really need it.

The water station in Lewisville really gets busy in this weather. Some of us forget to appreciate water when we can go turn a little do-dad and out comes water. Maybe even complain when we get our water bill every month. They’re calling for a thunder storm this evening. Maybe we’ll get rain. I had 94 degrees on one side of the house, 99 on the other side and cool inside. The way water is being hauled out of Lewisville, I’ll bet there is a bushel full of quarters inside the little building.

A very nice rain last night. A very welcome shower as it seemed to be a rather easy rain and we ended up with nearly a half inch of rain.

I guess those of us who enjoy Jamboree in the Hills but don’t go near the place are kind of out of luck. I understand Thursday and Saturday are the only days we can watch it on TV.

I’m not sure why as I have not heard a reason. I’m guessing it could be money as that seems to be what makes the world go around. Or I suppose they think a bigger crowd will show up if it isn’t on TV.

I have watched and taped the JITH for years. I’ve done this for a person who cannot get WTOV on their TV. It seems that a TV station that has 10 times more viewers than any other station could carry the Jamboree a couple more days.

Then again it might be the lack of sponsors for those two days. Here again it’s called money. This I can understand because I use or buy very little or any of what is advertised on TV. Seems like every time I bite, something happens from the time I see it and when I get it. Some of the programs are really not worth getting sucked into buying. They really know how to make something look as though you just can’t get along without.

Remember: It’s better to bite your tongue than let it bite someone else.

Why don’t more folks attend church? Do you?

 







Obituaries

JERRY W. BROWN
Jerry W. Brown, Sr., 60, 29821 TR 834, Summerfield, died June 24, 20009 at his home. He was born Dec. 14, 1948 near Stafford, a son of the late Charles and Ethel Dunn Brown.

He was a former oilfield worker and driller; enjoyed working on derby cars and stock cars and was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan.

Surviving are his significant other, Betty McMaster, of the home; a daughter, Christa Clendenning of Walhonding; three sons, Jerry W. “Jay” Brown, Jr., of Walhonding, David R. Brown of Walhonding, Justin (Paula) Brown of Woodsfield; four sisters, Patty Thompson of Woodsfield, Kathy Couch, Connie Brown both of Cambridge, Cheryl Murphy of Senecaville; three brothers, Bob Brown of Caldwell, Mike Brown of Byesville, Kevin Brown of Sarahsville; three grandsons, Coular D. Clendenning, Austin A. Clendenning, William Killian-Lee Brown; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Terry Brown, Les Brown; and a granddaughter, Mackenzie Dawn Brown.

Friends were received June 26 at Brubach-Watters Funeral Home, Summerfield, where funeral services were held June 27. Burial followed in Center Free Methodist Cemetery, Sarahsville.

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

VELMA RUTH ROTH
Velma Ruth Norris Roth, 89, died June 27, 2009 at her home in Woodsfield. She was born Dec. 8, 1919 in Monroe County, a daughter of the late Clyde and Adda Eddy Norris.

She was a member of the Church of Christ, Laings.

Surviving are her husband, Russell W. Roth of Woodsfield; a son, Jerry (Judy) Roth of Woodsfield; two daughters, Sue (Larry) Bayes of Sardis, Alice Jane (Fred) Keylor of Woodsfield; 10 grandchildren, Ryan (Mary Beth) Bayes, Donna Stead, Lorie (Mike) Camden, Stephanie (Cameron) Spencer, Michael (Tiffany) Roth, Travis (Morgan) Bayes, Brent (Bobbie) Roth, Jill (Monte) Zwick, Dyan Keylor, Megan Bayes; 18 great-grandchildren, Madison and Mackenzie Bayes, Zak, Dakota and Micah Stead, Ashley and Emily Smithberger, Levi, Gabrielle, Chloe and Shiloh Spencer, Russell, Gage and Remington Roth, Azariah and Japeth Bayes, Justin Roth and Riley Zwick; and two sisters, Helen Starr of Woodsfield, and Alice (Vaughn) Thomas of Mount Vernon.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Carroll, Rob, Ralph and Ed Norris.

Friends were received June 30 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where services will be held July 1, at 11 a.m., with Brent Roth officiating. Burial in West Union Cemetery near Sardis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Marietta or Westwood Landing Activity Fund.

Condolences can be expressed at www.bauerturner.com

HOWARD B. HUBBARD 
Howard Buford Hubbard, 68, Hubbard Hill, Sardis, died June 16, 2009, at Wetzel County Hospital. He was born Nov. 28, 1940 in Fly, the son of the late Howard and Opal Hissom Hubbard.

He was a retired oil refinery worker, truck driver from West Bank Harbor Service, and a farmer. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves, was a member of Zion Grange #2242, Protestant by faith, and an avid hunter.

Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Sandra Nething Hubbard; a son, Mickey Allen (Cindy) Hubbard of Caldwell; a daughter, Cassandra “Cassie” “Sis” Hubbard; two sisters, Doris M. Miller, Lavina (Max) Nuzum, all of Sardis; his two favorite dogs, Bayleigh and Tip; several brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.

Friends were received June 18 at Grisell Funeral Home, Sardis, where funeral services were held June 19, with Norman Johnson officiating. Burial was in St. Paul Trail Run Cemetery, Sardis, where American Legion Post 760 conducted military graveside services.

Sympathy expressions at grisellfuneralhomes.com. 

VELMA A. McDOUGAL
Velma A. McDougal, 88, Clarington, died June 29, 2009.

Arrangements are pending at Grisell Funeral Home, Clarington

Our Readers Write 

Dear Editor,

Congratulations to Bill Moore on his Commission as a Kentucky Colonel. 

As a point of information, I have been a Kentucky Colonel since July 15, 1975 when I was 28 years old. My Commission was signed by then Governor Julian M. Carroll. It is quite an honor since not just anyone can receive one.

Stephen Prichard
Beallsville

Tax Bill Will Destroy the Quality of Life and Jobs in Most of America

 

An Editorial

by Robert E. Murray Chairman, President, CEO Murray Energy Corporation

Perhaps the most destructive legislation in our country’s history was passed by the United States House of Represent-atives last week – the Waxman/Markey Tax Bill in the guise of addressing climate change. It will have adverse and lingering consequences for every American. It will raise the cost of electricity in our homes, the fuel for our cars, and the energy which produces our manufacturing jobs, with little or no environmental benefit. Further, independent experts estimate the tax bill will cost Americans more than $2 trillion in just over eight years. All Americans in the Midwest, South and Rocky Mountain regions will be most drastically affected because the climate change legislation will destroy the nation’s coal industry and the low-cost electricity it has provided to these regions for generations. Wealth will be transferred away from almost every state to the West coast and New England .

The most abundant and by far least expensive energy source in our country for generating electricity is coal. America’s coal reserves rival the energy potential of Saudi Arabian oil. Unfortunately, the proposed climate change legislation – now headed to the U.S. Senate – forces America to throw away this tremendous resource and our low cost electricity with it.

The legislation sets an unattainable cap on carbon dioxide emissions by 2020, with the first reductions due by 2012. Under the program, businesses that emit carbon dioxide would be required to purchase or obtain from the government special carbon dioxide credits. This carbon dioxide cap will force utilities to switch from lower cost coal to natural gas or other more expensive energy sources. Reliable estimates show this bill will cost each American family at least $3,000 more in energy costs each year. The chief executive of one of the nation’s major utilities recently said it best in The Wall Street Journal stating, “The 25 states that depend on coal for more than 50 percent of their electricity … will have to shut down and replace the majority of their fossil fuel plants as a result of the climate change legislation.”

  The supporters of this ill-conceived legislation point to two provisions that they claim will help coal. The first is that they give electric utilities free credits. However, those credits are worth millions of dollars, and the utilities will be free to sell the credits and use the proceeds to build more expensive natural gas or nuclear power plants, and not use our lowest cost fuel – coal. Second, the authors of the legislation invest money in carbon capture and storage technology, claiming that this will save jobs. But, this technology will not be commercially available for at least 15 to 20 years, long after the reductions are required in 2012 and long after our coal plants are shut down and our manufacturing jobs are exported to China, India and other countries. All of these countries have stated that they will not place any restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions. China alone, which has surpassed the United States in carbon dioxide emissions, brings a new 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant on line every week. They will have low cost electricity and America will massively export more jobs to them.

It is not too late to tell Congress to kill this flawed bill. Everyone should call their Senator and ask him or her to vote NO on the climate bill (otherwise known as cap and tax) and support affordable energy, American jobs and our quality of life.

Calls should be made to Sen. Sherrod Brown, 740-373-2317 in Marietta or 202-373-2317; Sen. George Voinovich, 614-469-6697 in Columbus or 202-224-3121 in Washington D.C.