<Beacon Proof Reader Leaves Her Mark on Community Paper

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher

Clara Rausch was a familiar, friendly face at Monroe County Beacon for nearly 70 years.
She passed away May 22. Clara's father-in-law, Clemens Rausch, founded the Beacon in 1937 to Shed some Light on Monroe County news.
The Rausch family worked together for many years, keeping their readers informed through the family
paper - Clara was very much involved in that work.
The Beacon was purchased from the Rausch family by Delphos Herald, Inc. in 1997.
Clara, who started her news-paper career in 1937, always liked to say she did everything from cleaning corners to counting cash at the Beacon. Her
retirement became official on Jan. 14, 2006. She moved to the Westwood Landing Assisted Living facility
following a brief stay at Barnesville Hospital.
Clara was a joy to be around -her mind was as sharp as the proverbial tack. As the Beacons proof reader in her latter years, staff writers learned a multitude
of rules from her. She knew where every comma, colon and semi-colon should be placed, and the do's and dont's of sentence structure.
The really amazing thing about Clara's memory was that she remembered the unique spellings of first names and the various spellings of family names, such
as Lollathin and Lallathin. When she proof-read Backward Glances and mention was made of a couples
anniversary - and if she knew the couple had since divorced - Clara would ask that we consider omitting it so as not to cause embarrassment to anyone.
Even now, after nearly a year and a half, we at the Beacon still miss her.
There will never be another Clara, said Martha Ackerman, who valued Clara's sharp eye as she scanned her articles and ads. The staff echoes that sentiment.
This writer valued not only her correction but her critique, which always came with an explanation.
Clara's chair at the front office desk, near the window, is still empty. The special spot she holds in our hearts seems hollow, but will never be empty.
Clara was a member of the St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Woodsfield.
She was valedictorian of the Barnesville High School Class of 1930 and was an elementary school teacher prior to her marriage to Elmer, who died in 1993.
Back in those days, she told us, you weren't allowed to teach school if you were married.
Her teaching was ongoing ... especially after the proof reading portion of her career began at the Beacon.
Noting Clara's teaching at a Catholic school, Father David Gaydosik noted at the Mass of Christian Burial
that Clara's teaching was continual, ... she taught by example.
She taught the Beacon writers the finer points of punctuation - but she taught all who knew her the finer points of living.
Clara was highly respected and loved by Delphos Herald's administration. Seldom did the owner call that he didn't ask about Clara and inquire about her health. That's wonderful, Murray Cohen would say
upon learning she was fine. As her health began to fail, he'd send his regards.
On her 90th birthday anniversary, Clara was surprised and thrilled to receive a huge bouquet of roses from
the corporate office.
Clara and Elmer were parents of two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Paul Conner, Woodsfield, and
Rita and Jack Spiers, Pickerington. She has three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Clara was less than a month away from her 95th birthday anniversary.

<BHS Student-Athletes Honored

Athletic Director Delmos Moore holds one of the
jackets awarded to each of the three seniors who have
earned a 4.0 grade point average for the last four
years. Shown, from left, are: Tabatha Clary, Chasidy Burkhart and Brittany Burkhart. The young ladies, along with 47 other student-athletes were honored at an awards banquet May 21.

Photo by Martha Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
“It’s time management,” said Brittany Burkhart, one of three Beallsville High School scholar-athletes who were honored at an awards banquet May 21.
Brittany, along with fellow classmates, Chasidy
Burkhart and Tabatha Clary, are seniors who have carried a 4.0 grade point average all four years of their high school career while participating in track
and volleyball.. They each received a jacket for their achievements.
I keep a planner in my purse, said Chasidy.
I procrastinate, said Tabatha. She works best under pressure, added Chasidy.
Of the 140 students at Bealls-ville High School, 110 of them participate in sports. Fifty of those scholar-athletes, including the three young ladies, were recognized at the banquet. Fifteen students have
achieved a 4.0 average during their sports seasons.
The other 35 have carried a 3.50-3.99 average during their athletic seasons.
Brittany, daughter of George and Joyce Burkhart, is valedictorian of her class. Chasidy is the daughter of Terry and Etta Burkhart. Both young ladies plan to
attend Wheeling Jesuit University.
Tabatha, daughter of Tonda Clary, plans to attend Muskingum College.
In addition to the three seniors, 4.0
student-athletes honored were: Alexis Kanzigg, Alyssa Headley, Kristin Lallathin, Kerri Thomas, Latara
Arnold, Savannah Burke, Brett Arnold, Terence Caldwell, Shea Groves, Adam Kanzigg, Cody Kernen and Kent Price.
Those scholar-athletes honored for earning a 3.5-3.99 GPA were: Rebecca Garlick, Tori Jarrett, Stephanie
Kanzigg, Emily Mercer, Cheyenne Moore, Mandy Reed, Morgan Roberts, Jami Spence, Andrew Emerick, Jarod
Mellinger, Drew Phillips, Jonathan Pittman, Kelcey Ashland, Reba Brewer, Brandy Contos, Justin Fisher,
Ericka Mc-Frederick, George Ruckman, Tyler Thornberry, David Yontz, Martha Koehler, Caitlin Brown, Miranda
McFrederick, Hali Moore, Joey Albus, Craig Neiswanger, Jimmy Reisz, Kevin Stoney, Alan Boan, Nathan Brandon,
Chelsea Westfall, Josh Hossman, Anthony Marcum, Steven
McGinnis and Dawn Tomolonis.
Beallsville High School is very proud of these 50 student-athletes as they are proof of how a young person can be a student, an athlete and be involved in their community," said Delmos Moore, athletic director at BHS.

< Video Photography Business Opens in Monroe County

 

by Martha Ackerman Staff Writer Jared Thompson developed an interest in video photography while taking Angie Moores multi-media class at River High School. He has cultivated this knowledge and opened his own business, Thompson Video Productions. His first production was a documentary on River High School. His interest grew when he worked with Jay Morris at Ohio University. I helped out and found I enjoyed the work, said Thompson. He found a camera and filmed a friends wedding for practice. Now, as an upcoming senior at West Liberty State College, Thompson has updated his equipment, building several computers, and upgrading his camera and editing programs. I spend 85 percent of my time in front of the computers editing, he said. We are dedicated to providing our clients with professional video production for an affordable cost, said Thompson. He is available to video weddings, graduations, sporting events and even advertising productions. All events are recorded in a digital format, using high quality microphone systems for the best possible quality. For more information on Thompson Video Production, call 740-472-0534

< Obituaries
(read the full obituary in the paper) 

denotes veteran

<Clara Elizabeth Rausch, 94, of Woodsfield, died May 22, 2007 at Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center. She was born June 20, 1912, in Barnes-ville, a
daughter of the late Edward Froehlich and Lillian Chambers Froehlich.
<Lemuel F. Jerry Campbell, Sr., 70, Ashland, died at Hospice House May 26, 2007. He was born April 7, 1937
in Clarington, a son of the late Woodrow W. and Virginia Bondy Campbell.

<Virgil (Lee) Davis, 57, Cameron, went to be with the Lord May 27, 2007, at his home. He was born July 7, 1949 at East Liverpool, a son of the late Virgil L. Davis and Goldie Mildred Cain Baker.

<Around the Burnside