<Sardis United Methodist Celebrates 100 Years 

Sardis United Methodist Church will observe a century of worship as it holds an all day celebration May 27
at its SR7 location. The doors are open to the public
as the event kicks off with breakfast from 8 to 9
a.m. followed by Sunday School from 10 to 11 a.m. and
Rev. Richard Wilson speaking from 11 a.m. until noon.
Afternoon activities include a covered dish, The Joy
Trio, games, soup and sandwiches and winds down with a Fox Family Concert.

Photos by Martha Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
Sardis United Methodist Church will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Sunday, May 27 with an all-day
homecoming.
Sardis was settled in the early 1800s even before Ohio was admitted to the Union. The first church was built about 1845 on ground donated by Wilson Martin.
From 1800 until 1843 folks met in their homes for worship.
During the early 1800s, forerunners of the present day United Methodists were served by missionaries, circuit riders and supply pastors. Many of those came
from Germany, but John Wesley is recognized as the father of Methodism. Many of those early leaders were
converts of his.
In 1843 the school house was built and worship services were held there until the first church was built near the Indian Mound (present location of the
Union Hall). It was a crude building which was later torn down and a nicer building constructed.
As more people settled in the community, the congregation outgrew the small church and began breaking ground for the present building which was formally dedicated in 1908.
Pastor at the time was D.W. Merrill and the dedication speaker was Dr. Coburn. At that time the church was known as Methodist Episcopals.
Today, Sylvia Cunningham, 97, of Sardis is the oldest member and Jeffery Trail Thompson, one month old, is
the youngest.
Sardis United Methodist Church is an active church still going strong after 100 years with worship services each Sunday morning and evening. There are three Bible study groups on Wednesdays, a Monday night Bible study and a children's program, Kids For Christ,
on Monday evenings.
Pastor Jerry Ernst is the senior pastor and Wendy Erb serves as associate pastor.
The public is welcome to the following activities scheduled for the anniversary celebration May 27:
8-9:30 a.m. Breakfast; 10-11 a.m., Combined Sunday School; 11 a.m. until noon, Rev. Richard Wilson; 12:30
p.m. Covered Dish Luncheon; 2 p.m. Rev. Wilson and The Joy Trio; 3:30 p.m. Children's games; 5 p.m. Soup and
Sandwiches; and at 6:30 p.m. Fox Family Concert.
For more information on the church or the
celebration, call 1-740-483-1749.

 <Auditor Neuhart Requesting Grant Information be
Collected, Filed

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
A county policy handbook, bid openings and a resolution were on the agenda for the May 15 meeting of Monroe County Commissioners.
County Auditor Pandora Neuhart talked with commissioners about the new IRS policies and about information needed from county department heads
concerning grant information.
She asked officials to draft a form to send to department heads within a week or two. Neuhart said information is needed by the auditors who complete the
County Audit. Neuhart is requesting each department start a folder in which they will place all federal grant information. Information would be collected in
the folder as grants are obtained. Neuhart said that by keeping all information in one folder, it can be given to auditors when county audits are being done.
With regard to IRS policies, Mike Seyer, Clemans and Nelson, consultants, will work with officials on the handbook.
Officials adopted a resolution which encourages an Ohio River Trail through Monroe County.
On a recommendation by county engineer Lonnie Tustin, commissioners granted permits for two road crossings
for utilities. Permission was given to Beck Energy Corp., Ravenna, to install two gas lines through a single casing across CR42, Stonehouse Road, about 200 feet west of Wayne Twp. Rd. 628. The permit involves a two-inch line and a one-inch line. The vote was 3-0.
A second permit was granted to Lee Twp. resident Mark Fetty to install a waterline under CR10, Benwood
Road, in Lee Twp. The crossing will be .196 miles west of Lee Twp Rd. 480. The vote was 2-1 with Commissioner
John Pyles casting the no vote.

Proposals were opened for three separate programs through Jobs and Family Services. One proposal was
received for each of the programs:
The sole proposal for the JFS Summer Youth program was submitted by Monroe County Works, Janet Henthorn.
GMN Tri-County CAC, Gary Ricer, submitted proposals for both the JFS Youth Employment program and the JFS
Gas Cards program. GMN’s was the only proposal for each of the programs.
Deb Haney, JFS director, said the proposals will be reviewed before any decisions are made.
In another matter, Haney said two jobs will be posted at JFS: one child support case worker to replace an employee who plans to retire; and a social worker to
replace an employee who is leaving the department.
Tustin and prosecuting attorney Lynn Riethmiller discussed an apparent disagreement concerning an AT&T
right-of-way on Cranes Nest Road and a property owner.
According to discussion, AT&T wants to lease right-of-way to bury a line, and requested certification of the width of county right-of-way.
Riethmiller said it is not an issue with the county, indicating it’s okay with the county for the company to bury the lines. However, he said the county can’t
give the resident’s right of way.
“I’m just concerned about a couple customers waiting for service,” said Commissioner Francis ‘Sonny’ Block,
board president.
Commissioners meet every Tuesday beginning at 9 a.m.

< Elliott Selected to Serve as Dist. School
Superintendent

 

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
Larry Elliott, who served the school district as assistant superintendent for 18 months and as interim superintendent for three weeks, has been elevated to
the position of district superintendent. Action to advance Elliott was taken following an executive session at the May 17 board meeting.
“I thank the board members for their faith in me,” said Elliott. He said he has a great administrative team. He also commended the coaches, students and
parents as good to work with.
Elliott, who has spent over 27 years in the field of education, has already made a couple executive decisions to move the district forward academically
and physically, with regard to building issues.
Elliott said he plans to start having meetings at the school sites. Meetings will involve the director of support services, Todd Allen, as well as the school’s principal. He said they will survey the buildings to find out what needs to be done and compile a list.
“I want to engage not only the school, but the alumni as they also support the schools,” said Elliott.
He mentioned a recent meeting at Powhatan Elementary and the need for exterior doors and lighting. According to the superintendent, administration wants to replace lighting in all the schools. He noted, too, that desks are being purchased
on an annual basis. In addition, under Elliott’s administration each
building will be appropriated $5,000. It will be up to the principals to decide on the improvement most needed at their particular schools.
Elliott said he plans to meet, along with Kevin Robertson, district treasurer and Allen, with OAPSE officials to discuss concerns. “I want to increase
communication,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the challenges,” said Elliott. He reviewed some of those facing the district.
Primarily, the new superintendent wants to provide a safe and quality education, make wise use of school resources, meet the buildings’ needs, work with the
staff in contract negotiations and move the schools forward both academically and materially.

< District’s Cameron Annex Being Considered for Closure

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
A district policy adopted in July of 2003 was scrapped at the May 17 meeting of the Switzerland of Ohio school board, which also was asked to consider
the closure of the Cameron Annex.
Prior to voting on the proposed permanent improvement projects as submitted, board member Scott Dierkes
suggested that rather than spending $30,000 on a foam roof for the Cameron Annex, the former Woodsfield High
School be made available for freshman. He noted there are already classes in the school, such as GED and pre-school and stressed the board would not be
“reopening” the school since it is already open and utilities and other expenses are being paid.
With regard to the suggestion the Annex not get a new roof, Todd Allen, director of support services, said, “The roof may be the original and really needs to be
done if the district is going to keep it open.”
Dierkes suggested the Annex be closed and noted there is too much going on at the Woodsfield school to close
it down.
“If we’re going to put a roof on, put it on
[Woodsfield High School],” he said.
Asked about student lunches, since WHS has no cafeteria, Dierkes said students would be bussed to Swiss Hills, just as they are now. They would remain
at the Monroe Central/ Swiss Hills campus the remainder of the day.
On a motion by Dierkes to accept the improvements with the exception of the Annex roof, board members agreed with a 4-1 vote. Board president Ron Winkler
cast the dissenting vote, noting he disagrees with closing Cameron.
District Supt. Larry Elliott said he, Kevin
Robertson, district treasurer, and Todd Allen will walk WHS and consider the feasibility of Dierkes’ suggestion.
Concerning the IHD Policy, Elliott, explained that by doing away with the policy, students will be able to
take needed classes should they fall behind in studies.
The IHD policy mandates that each high school student carry a minimum of five units. It stipulates that students may not earn more than eight credits during
the academic school year.
A change in the school calendar makes Nov. 26 a Thanksgiving vacation day as opposed to a “conference offset day.” In either case, there was no school for
students. School will observe Thanksgiving vacation beginning Nov. 22 through Nov. 26.
The first day of the 2007-08 school year for teachers is August 27 and the first day for students is August 28.
The anticipated number of district kindergarten students next year is 197, of which 62 are registered for Woodsfield elementary. The total number of eighth
graders district wide is 183. The largest group, with 58 members, will attend Woodsfield elementary.
Powhatan elementary will see 37 eighth graders followed by Skyvue at 36 and Hannibal with 30.
Regarding personnel matters, five teachers have opted to retire.
Retiring effective May 31 is Robert Cain, Jr., special education teacher at River High. Retiring effective June 1 are Donald Bayes, vocational sevaluator at Swiss Hills Career Center and Nelson
Stalder, DH instructor at Swiss Hills.
Retiring July 1 are Karen S. Baker Harper, fourth grade teacher and Joyce Hoskinson, Title I teacher,
both at Woodsfield elementary.
Employment was recommended for April Spence, 7th and 8th grade at Hannibal; Theresa N. Clevenger, vocal music teacher at Skyvue Elementary.
Ryan Burkhart, Jeff Dietrich, Susan Huffman and Gary Cook were approved as substitute teachers.
Employed as a substitute bus drivers were George Hammond and Gene VanMennen. Others hired as
substitutes were Christine Grover, cook and aide, Rose Ann Lee, van driver.
Approved as volunteers at Hannibal Elementary for 2006-07 were Jennifer Rose, Jared Hale, Mary Cooper,
Tracy Driggs Holly Smith, Andrea Karpacs-Brown, Carolyn Flannery and Abbie Ernst.
Volunteers approved for Hannibal Elementary for 2007-08 are Crystal Longwell, volleyball and girls
basketball; Sheila Thomas, 7th and 8th grade cheerleading; Jason Ensinger, boys basketball.
Volunteers approved for Woodsfield Elementary, 2007-08 are John Speelman, junior high football, Jeanette Knuchel, Richelle Brown, Kelly Thomas, junior
high volleyball; Autumn Parden, junior high cheerleader advisor.
Approved as a volunteer at Swiss Hills 2006-07 was Cathy Markey, cosmetology II advisor. Hannibal Elementary volunteers for 2006-07 include
Lloyd Cross and Jennifer Schnegg. For 2007-08, Sheila Thomas, 7th and 8th grade cheerleading.
Volunteers at Monroe Central, 2007-08 include Lyndsay Lafferre and John Kaiser, volleyball; Teresa Schuerman, cheerleading coach.

Kirt Sloan, manager of the Woodsfield Riesbeck's Food Market, recently presented a check in the amount
of $3,050 to Neil Ritchie, chairman of the 4-H Endowment Committee.  Riesbeck's employees held a Sausage & Ribeye Sandwich Sale on April 27 to benefit
the Monroe County 4-H Endowment. Interest income from the endowment is spent on college scholarships, 4-H
camperships, learning experiences for 4-H members, personal development scholarships and community service grants for 4-H club members. The committee recently surpassed its goal of $25,000 to endow the account, but continues to raise funds and accept
donations to build the account.

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper) 

denotes veteran

Clara Rausch, 94, passed saway Tuesday morning, May 22 at Woodsfield Nursing and Re-habilitation Center.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Bauer Turner
Funeral Home.

<Around the Burnside