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.
|