Congressman Charlie Wilson paid a visit to the Monroe County River Museum July 8. Shown, from left, are: Tom Scott, community developer; Barbara Rush, museum curator; Charlene and Aaron Miller, Congressman Charlie Wilson, Taylor Abbott, museum president; Jane Roth Williams, museum consultant; Lida Conn, Clarington Mayor; Helen Carpenter, Team Monroe president.           Photo Courtesy of Beverly Dierkes

Congressman Visits Museum

Leaders of Monroe County gathered at the recently opened Monroe County River Mu-seum on July 8 to await a visit from Congressman Charlie Wilson.

At 10:45 a.m., Wilson and his field representative Kathy Gagin arrived at the museum. 

“Wow, look how nice this place is,” exclaimed Wilson. Gagin, who had family who worked on showboats as vaudeville acts, was particularly moved by the showboat room.

“My family worked on these boats, traveling with their vaudeville acts. It so nice to see that history, something that means so much to me, being preserved in this way,” said Gagin.

Greeting Wilson at the museum were Clarington Mayor Lida Conn, members of village council, Monroe County Commissioners, members of Team Monroe and museum officials.

After Wilson’s tour of the facility, he spoke of the American ingenuity that comes from small towns such as those in Monroe County.

“I want to say congratulations to those of you who worked so hard and put so much effort into this museum. There’s a feeling of Americana in this museum that could only have come from the hard working individuals in this area,” said Wilson.

Following his visit, Wilson made a stop in Powhatan at the OYO Market. While there, he viewed the business incubator and the homemade goods sold there. He also viewed the canoe livery that has been established there by Mike Willis.

Wilson wrapped up his visit to Powhatan after enjoying lunch at the Riverside Restau-rant. 

Relay For Life ... Walking the Red Carpet for a Cure ... July 16 & 17

Monroe County’s Relay For Life ... Walking the Red Carpet for a Cure ... is set for July 16 and 17 at Swiss Hills Career Center.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m. with the welcome and introductions by Julie Ellenwood, ACS Com-munity Director and Cancer Resource Center Coordina-tor.  Members of the Woods-field VFW will raise the Flag and former Miss Ohio Karissa Martin will sing the National Anthem.

Woodsfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hannibal Hope will sponsor a chicken dinner beginning at 4:30 p.m. 

Saturday entertainment will include Karissa Martin, 4:30 p.m.; Not So Rich and Famous Band, 8 and 10 p.m.; Southbound, midnight. Sun-day includes Southbound at 2 a.m. and a DJ at 3:30 a.m.

Other activities include Dunk a Coach and a Celebrity, Uno Tournament, Survivor Celebration, Survi-vor Lap, Care Giver Lap, Introduction of Teams; Purse Auction at 7 p.m., introduction of Ms. Relay and Cutest Kid contests; 

The Luminaria ceremony is set for 9 p.m. A newspaper evening gown contest and cake walk will be held at 10 p.m.; clothing relay race and favorite NFL lap, 11 p.m.; scavenger hunt and Holly-wood lap, 11:30 p.m. ; Purple lap, midnight; PJ lap, 12:30 a.m.; hula hoop game, favorite movie star lap, 1 a.m.; decorate a bra and poker run, 1:30 a.m.; name that tune, 2 and 5 a.m.; toilet paper unroll and relay torch lap, 2 a.m.; decorate boxers and relay torch lap, 2:30 a.m.; bras and boxers lap, 3 a.m.; frozen t-shirt contest, favorite baseball team lap, 3:30 a.m.; crazy hat lap, 4 a.m.; Let’s Make a Deal and costume lap, 4:30 a.m.; 

Water balloon volleyball and family lap, 5:30 a.m.; water balloon volleyball and cup and saucer balance lap, 6 a.m.; twister competition and cup and saucer balance lap, 6:30 a.m.; step back in time board game and good morning update lap, 7 a.m. Omelet Breakfast catered by K&D Catering, 7:30 a.m.; step back in time board game and cheer lap, 7:30 a.m.; step back in time board game, 7 and 8:30 a.m. and dance lap at 8 a.m..

Closing ceremonies will be held at 10 a.m.

Even if you don’t belong to a team, join the fun and  come out to support those who are Walking the Red Carpet for a Cure July 16 and 17 at Swiss Hills Career Center. 

Cancer survivors were welcomed to the 10th annual Monroe County Relay For Life Survivors Dinner on July 13 at the Swiss Hills Career Center

Speakers for the event were Dr. JonDavid Pollock from Wheeling Hospital and survivor, Kristine Thompson. According to Brookover, the survivors dinner was held on Tuesday this year prior to the annual Relay For Life event scheduled for the weekend of July 16 and 17. This represents a change from years past when the dinner was held on the same night as the Relay. 

Survivors will be honored at the Monroe County Relay For Life event on Fri., July 16.

Commission Expects Good Year

by Taylor Abbott
Staff Writer

Looking forward to 2011, Monroe County Commission-ers laid out what they believe will be another good fiscal year for the county.

Jeanette Harter, budget director, met with the commissioners to discuss what lies ahead in terms of department budgets for 2011.

According to Harter’s report, Monroe County’s general fund is currently projected to be $4,389,036.71.

In the non-general fund, the county is projected to have a balance of $16,776,024.25 bringing the county’s total fiscal budget to $21,165,060.96.

Commissioner Carl Davis said he was pleased with the totals and said, “We certainly do appreciate the departments getting their budgets done on time.”

Speaking in regards to the county’s projected budget, Commission President John Pyles said, “We’re running in the black. We have not had to borrow money to make payroll this year. We have not had to cut services to our residents. This effort has been a unified effort by the commissioners and I’m proud that we will again be solvent in 2011.”

At 10:30 a.m. Tom Scott, Team Monroe community developer, requested a quick meeting with the commissioners at their convenience. Pyles asked him to come forward at that time.

“I apologize for not being on the agenda but I would like to address some allegations that were made against Team Monroe that I believe need clarified with you commissioners,” said Scott.

Scott said, “I would hope Team Monroe has demonstrated their beliefs in pushing Monroe County forward economically without politics. There are too many things in this county that need addressed without all of the childish innuendo.”

Davis asked if the organization has sought after grant funding for economic development to which Scott replied, “I can honestly say that Team Monroe has probably depleted  all of their options regarding grants that fund economic development. Their just aren’t many grants out there for that.”

After a brief discussion with  Davis and Commissioner Price, Scott and Pyles began a lengthy discussion centered on Team Monroe’s July 6 meeting with the commissioners.

After several minutes of back-and-forth discussion between Pyles and Scott regarding last week’s meeting, a heated confrontation began.

The exchange ended quietly with Scott thanking the commissioners for their time before leaving.

In other business, Sam Turner met with commissioners to discuss a new cost savings analysis that could possibly be implemented into the county’s phone system. 

Turner said the new plan could save the county $22,191.18 within three years by detecting fraudulent billings in the county’s AT&T phone bills. While in the meeting, he highlighted one bill addressed to the county care center which had additional charges in excess of $49 for services not rendered. 

Following the meeting, commissioners traveled to Bethel Township to view a road that will possibly be absorbed by Bethel Township. Bethel Trustee Wayne West and Bethel resident Henry Winland were present at the commissioners meeting. Winland asked for the road to be taken back over by Bethel. He said an agreement dating back to the 1940s, which he presented to the commissioners, promised to take care of the road. 

West believes the road is too much of burden due to it being prone to flooding. He says that Bethel’s budget may not be able to handle that. 

Commissioners tabled the matter pending a meeting with County Engineer Lonnie Tustin and prosecutor Lynn Riethmiller.

Board Rejects Some Bids
Renewal Levy Will Not Increase Taxes

by Martha Ackerman and Taylor Abbott, Beacon

Bids and a renewal levy were on the agenda for the Switzerland of Ohio Local School Board July 8.

During the meeting, the board rejected the General Trades, Flooring and Plumb-ing bids received for the Beallsville PK-12 school. According to John Jefferis, project manager, the Flooring will be rebid in the General Trades Package and the Plumbing Package will also be rebid. The remaining bids will be held until further notice.

The bids were opened at a special meeting held at Woodsfield Elementary June 29 with the following results:

General Trades - estimate, $5,799,000. Base bids re-ceived: 

Colaianni, $6,100,000; Catrell, $7,425,000; Grae-Con, $6,656,000; JD&E, $6,188,000; Kreidler, $6,515,800; Kirk Brothers, $7,270,000.

Roofing - estimate $461,000. Bids received:

Kalkreuth, $457,550; N.F. Mansuetto, $506,957; Saup/ Hartley, $479,278.

Flooring - estimate $178,000. Bid received: Flag, $280,450.

Fire Protection - estimate, $298,000. Bids received:

S.A. Communale, $342,200; Central, $371,127; Brewer, $374,000.

Plumbing - estimate, $604,000. Bids received:

W.G. Tomko, $782,775; Mongiovi, $824,300; Peter-man, $880,000.

HVAC - estimate $1,590,000. Bids received:

Climatech, $1,937,000; Meccon, $2,118,000; W.G. Tomko, $2,222,000; Metal Masters, $2,532,236; Sauer Group, $2,567,700.

Electric - estimate $1,565,000. Bids received:

Davis Pickering, $1,482,096; Erb, $1,628,475; Kal, $1,674,900.

Geothermal - estimate $455,000. Bids received:

Jackson, $479,900; Howard, $868,049; Middleton, $496,694.

Combination, Plumbing and HVAC. W.G. Tomko bid $2,980,000.

With one dissenting vote from board member Ron Winkler, the board agreed to put a renewal levy on the Nov. 2 ballot. The five-mill, five- year levy is an operating levy renewal and will not increase residential and agricultural property taxes.

“This levy will not increase taxes for residential and agricultural values,” said Janet Hissrich, SOLSD treasurer. “It is a renewal levy and is our general operating dollars.”

“This levy is definitely needed,” said Larry Elliott, SOLSD superintendent of schools. “It’s what we operate on.”

In other business, the board approved a right-of-way easement with South Central Power for the new Beallsville school site.

Around the Burnside  

A perfectionist is one who takes great pains - and gives them to others.

A person that leans toward laziness never seems to have time to do anything.

Well, the celebration, fireworks are all shot so now we have hot weather. I think just about every town had a fireworks display. Even Lewisville had a little display on Sunday evening.

This year I got to watch red, white and boom held in Columbus, Macy’s from New York, the Boston Pops from Boston and a private display. I’m sorry I missed the display in Woodsfield as I heard it was really excellent.

Folks really turn out to watch fireworks. I saw on Columbus TV a couple of ladies got up at 5 a.m. in order to get a good spot to watch red, white and boom.

Anytime I get up approx. 17 hours early to watch firecrackers, I’d probably end up some place else. Actually, I enjoy watching them in front of the TV as I have the last several years.

I did enjoy TV this weekend. AMC ran John Wayne movies one after another. I watched a lot of them. They just don’t make movies like that anymore. Now they make a vampire movie and people stand in line to see it.

I think I’m done with the eye doctors for a little while. I hope. The last one said I needed a shot in the eye. It wasn’t really so bad except he said I needed two more, five weeks apart. Didn’t know they would give you a shot in the eye. I also learned you can taste eye drops put in your eye. Always something new to learn.

Did you realize that writing with a broken pencil is pointless or a boiled egg is hard to beat? Think about it.

I missed out on the Indian Pow-Wow over the weekend. I was busy on Saturday and to be honest it was just too hot for this old man to even be out, even under the shade.

I really wanted to attend as I was into Indian stories and storytelling at one time. We had several good programs and stories at FFA Camp until the powers that be decided other things should take the place of Indian programs. I watched and wondered why.

I was also reminded of 4-H camp as we ended each day with an Indian campfire. We would also light the campfire with a different story of how the Indians got fire. The one that started the campfire burning with no one around really was a surprise for the campers. We even had bird fly in and light our fire one year. I’m not sure if W.Va. still does this or not. They were really into the Indian campfire at one time.

I don’t know about you but I’ve wondered why every one else is in such a hurry. I mosey along at speed limit and cars and trucks go zip, zip, zip around me. It seems to happen a bit more with the improved road between Lewisville and Noble County. I guess maybe old age does it, but going along at speed limit I find I have the road to myself most of the time.

A great many of those behind the wheel or riding a motorcycle do not know what slow is today. My old mule and I and Tony the horse didn’t know what fast was. A swipe across their ears would speed them up for a minute or so, but that was worse than going slow. Bouncing along on old Tony, who had a sharp backbone, was much worse than going slow. No point in getting in a hurry, headed for the cornfield and we didn’t have a saddle.

As I look around today there are so many things today we did not have. In fact, we would have had a problem going very fast. For example, the so called four wheeler. Some kids now days get one before they’ve learned the times table, training for when they grow up. I have noticed some things well trained adults have done are doing. Front wheels on a four wheeler are no good, so tear across the field with them in the air, jump over a bank, demonstrate how to make a quick turnaround, or maybe climb a pole. How about racing by in a junk car while being shot at with a paint gun, not once but many times? The list goes on. These type of activities were done by adults, your outstanding adults with good jobs. Oh well, times change. I can still hear my old man yelling at me if we had those four wheeled things and I tried some of these tricks. I’m glad I never got in a hurry.

The old store building in Lewisville has joined the hotel and bit the dust. It is now a parking lot.

When people say they “won’t be a minute” they are usually right.

Ever wonder why the number attending church drops off during the summer?

~ Sunflowers Reach for the Sky ~

Barbara Schumacher, Fairground Road, Woodsfield, stands amid her sunflowers, which tower over the petite woman. In April her children: Roger of Meridian, Idaho; Robert of Plana, Texas; John of Cincinnati; and Liz of Mesa, Arizona planted the seeds, which were transplanted into the plot near the old smokehouse. While cleaning the building this summer, Barbara discovered a wooden board etched with the name Henry S., who was the grandfather of her late husband, Roger. This smokehouse and several other buildings remain from Roger’s ancestor’s homeplace.
Photo by Martha Ackerman

Classifieds
■  7-15 Classifieds
■  7-15 Yard Sales

OBITUARIES  

ALFRED D. DOUGHERTY
Alfred L. Dougherty, 84, 2 Summit Court, Caldwell, formerly of Lewisville, died June 29, 2010 at Summit Acres Nurs-ing Home, Caldwell. He was born near Woodsfield on Dec. 18, 1925, a son of the late Albert and Rena Cronin Dougherty.

He was a retired oil and gas worker for the Hopewell Oil and Gas Company and was also a retired dairy farmer. Alfred was a member of the Church of Christ where he attended the Hines Chapel near Lewisville, and the Graysville Church of Christ. He was also a U.S. Army veteran of WWII where he served in the 100 Division 397 Infantry and received a purple heart.

Surviving are his wife, Naomi Kirkbride Dougherty, whom he married Nov. 2, 1946; a daughter, Joyce John-son of Caldwell; two sons, Mark (Carol) Dougherty, Vashti Griffin; Robert (Twila) Dougherty of Lewisville; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Dougherty, Vashti Griffin; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Everett Dougherty; an infant great-grandson; and a special brother-in-law, Cecil Griffin.

Friends were received July 2 at Watters Funeral Home, Woodsfield, where funeral services were held July 3, with Frank Love officiating. Burial followed in Friendship Cemetery, Lewisville, with military services.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Senior Apartments, 40 Summit Court, Caldwell, OH 43724. 

KYLA R. ISALY
Kyla R. Thornberry Isaly, 41, Beallsville, died July 8, 2010 at her home, after a five year battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 18, 1969 in Barnesville, a daughter of Randy and Mary Thornberry of Beallsville.

She was a home care provider for several years, but her most treasured job was being a mother and housewife. She was a faithful member of the Jehovah's Witness Congregation of Barnesville.

In addition to her parents, surviving are two grandmothers, Ruth Thornberry of Beallsville, Frances Adams of Zanesville; her loving and devoted husband of 23 years, Brian H. Isaly; a daughter, Kaylan Isaly of Beallsville; a son, Trent Isaly of the home; a granddaughter, Karly Showalter of Beallsville; a brother, Travis (Christian) Thornberry; a sister, Erica (Eric) Cramer, all of Beallsville; a nephew, Tyler Thornberry; two nieces, Alexis Thornberry, Emery Cramer, both of Beallsville; father-in-law, Harry E. Isaly; mother-in-law, Carole E. Isaly; sister-in-law, Jody Isaly; two brothers-in-law, Kelvin Isaly and Jamie Isaly, both of Beallsville.

She was preceded in death by an uncle, Gregory Thorn-berry and two grandfathers, Ransel “Guy” Adams and Hollis “Tume” Thornberry.

A memorial service will be held July 24, at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 62700 Hendrysburg Rd., Barnesville.

Arrangements entrusted to CARE Funeral & Cremation Service, Moundsville.

Online condolences can be made  at www.carechapel.com. 

EULA B. ALLEN
Eula B. Allen, 84, Clarington, died June 30, 2010 in Muskingum Valley Nursing and Rehab Center, Beverly. She was born Nov. 7, 1925 at Grantsville, W.Va., a daughter of the late Ruby and Ona Roberts Smith.

A petite woman with a huge spirit, Eula was strong and self-determined, loved equally as well by her family and all those who knew her. With a dazzling smile and pale blue eyes, she could talk to anyone she met, openly and honestly. She and her husband had lived and reared their family near Clarington since 1961.

Surviving are five children, R. Michael (Betsy) Parker of Barnesville, Sharon (Ronald) Randolph of Naperville, Ill., Beverly (Eric) Zimmer of Marietta, Deborah (Charles) Myers of Beallsville, Thomas Allen and partner, Earnest Rubio of Denver, Co.; 12 grandchildren, Michele Velas, Nicole and Ian Randolph, Dana, Adam and Nathan Kinzy, Taylor, Morgan, Jaclyn, Tucker and Sophia Myers; nine great-grandchildren, Megan and Thaddeus Velas, Jordan Randolph, Loralai, Montana, Austen, Jack and Ruby Kinzy and Wendy Engelhardt; three brothers, Dale Smith, Franklin Smith and Don Smith; two sisters, Bonnie Byrd and Freda White Cotton; special friends, Terri Milosavljevic and Brent and Kim Tisher whom she loved as her own children. Her spirit will be missed by all her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Averill “AC” Allen, on March 21, 2010; an infant son, Richard Aden Parker; siblings, Glendle, Denzil, Aden, Beulah and Betty.

Friends were received July 2 until time of services at Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville. Burial was on July 3 at the Smith Family Cemetery near Hur, W.Va.

Online condolences may be offered at www.harperfh.net

ETHEL MARY DEVORE
Ethel Mary Poulton Devore, 92, died peacefully July 8, 2010 at Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Dec. 9, 1917 at Low Gap, Washington Township, Monroe County.

Her childhood was spent growing up in the “Twin Houses” and helping to run the Poulton Brothers General Store in Rinard Mills. She graduated from Graysville High School, Class of 1936. She cherished her faith and family above all else. She was a consummate homemaker who particularly enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening.

Ethel was a member of the Woodsfield United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and sang in the church choir for more than 25 years. She was Past Matron and a 50+ year member of the Woodsfield Chapter #268 of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a longtime member of Post 87, American Legion Auxiliary.

Surviving are her husband, Delven Devore, whom she married Dec. 25, 1941 (more than 68 years ago); three children Lynn of Reston, Va., David (Judy) of Solon, Richard (Deborah) of Hudson; and two grandchildren, Andrew Devore of Santa Monica, Calif., and Rebecca Devore of Hudson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edna Pearl Foraker Poulton; four brothers, Edgar, Ralph, Charles and an infant.

Friends were received July 10 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, Woodsfield and before  funeral services July 11 at the Woodsfield United Methodist Church, with Rev. David Hull-Fry officiating, assisted by Rusty Atkinson.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.bauerturner.com

RICHARD DUNN 
Richard Dunn, 87, Toledo, formerly of Akron and Woodsfield, died June 25, 2010 at Lake Park Comfort Care. He was born Aug. 20, 1922 in Ft. Wayne, Ind., a son of Cooper M. and Charlotte Gorz Dunn.

He worked for 25 years in the trucking industry as a salesman. He attended Miami University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Kent State University. Richard firmly believed that Ford Has a Better Idea, he always drove a Ford automobile and felt every one else should too. He was a former member of Joppa Lodge; a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Delta Chi Fraternity.

Surviving are a daughter, Stephany (Paul) Johnson of Toledo; a son, Richard (Kathy) Dunn of Beaverton; five grandchildren, Christine (Andy) Duvall, Andy (Mina) Johnson, Ryan, Logan and Kelli Dunn; two great-grandchildren, Christina and Rachel Johnson; and sister, Betty Ann Rennecker of Bradenton, Fla.

Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, assisted the family with arrangements.

A private memorial service was held by the family.

Memorial contributions may be sent in Richard’s memory to hospice facility of choice or a charity of the donor.

Online condolences may be offered at: www.reebfuneralhome.com