Sept. 25, 2008 Edition

<Canadian Harley Group Travels Through Monroe County

        Forty-six members of the York Region Chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG) from Richman Hill, Ontario, Canada, made a stop at Traditions in Woodsfield on Sept. 13. They were enjoying a nine to 10-state ride to Gatlinburg, Tenn. The parking spaces were reserved for the 29 Harleys while the 46 members had lunch. The group waved as they resumed their trip via State Route 26 to Marietta.

Jessica and Chris Hoff of Traditions Restaurant are shown with members of a Canadian Harley riders group. Club members were celebrating their 10th anniversary with a trip encompassing nine to 10 states. Shown around the table are: David Barton, Dave Shiner, Kelvin Lam, Mike Lemoine, Ian Adamson, Ron Oliver and Bill Sutton.

        Woodsfield police officer Mike Young, left, gives directions to Mike Gorman, center, and Michael Masse, members of the York Region Chapter of Harley Owners Group from Ontario, Canada. A Harley  owner himself, Young suggested the route to Marietta via State Route 26.                                Photos by Martha Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
        September is a beautiful time of the year for a ride, especially a motorcycle ride. Monroe County has some of the most beautiful countryside and as residents know, some of the roads are very twisty and turny – just the kind Harley riders enjoy.
        Traditions was one of the  stops as 46 members of the York Region Chapter of Harley Owners Group (HOG) rode through Monroe County Sept. 13. The group is from the Richman Hill, Ontario, Canada area. They began their nine to 10 state trip on Sept. 12.
        Members of the club come from all walks of life. Mike Gorman, the club’s director and “fearless leader,” is retired after 33 years in the wholesale food distribution business. Other professionals include a funeral director, an insurance broker, computer graphics artist, several accountants, a real estate agent and an Air Canada pilot.
        At the request of Chris Hoff, owner of Traditions, Woodsfield police officer Mike Young arranged to have the parking spaces in front of the restaurant available to accommodate the 29 Harleys. The luncheon stop arrangements had been made by Gorman earlier in the summer.
        Celebrating their club’s 10th anniversary, their travels were taking members to Gatlinburg, Tenn. where they were going to spend four days touring. Members had 14 choices of self-guided tours and the option of visiting nine or 10 states.
        According to Gorman, unbeknown to members, those visiting all 10 states had the opportunity to take a quiz at the end of the trip and the winner received a prize.
        Patricia Murphy-Masse celebrated her birthday at Traditions. “Freedom at 55,” she said. “I’m happy I made it!”
        Cathy Walter, who works in the  Bausch and Lomb regulatory department, has been riding for over four years. “This is a beautiful road; the buildings are great.” She noted that they enjoyed the stop at Traditions. “They are very efficient and the food was great.”
        “The scenery is beautiful and I’m enjoying the ride. There are lots of twists,” said Greg Kert, a charter member of the club who has been riding over 30 years.
        As the entourage left Woodsfield, they were looking forward to experiencing the twists and turns of State Route 26 to Marietta, as suggested by Young, who is also a Harley owner.  

<Monroe Tire Center, Inc.
New Owners, Services Expanded

Members of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce welcomed Kendra and Bill Allen, the new owners of Monroe Tire Center, Inc., to the business community. Monroe Tire will continue its reliable service to the community and the Allens are adding services. Kendra has grown up in the business which the couple purchased from her father, Garry English, who will remain a part of Monroe Tire. Shown, from left, are: Melissa Smithberger and Ruth Workman of the Chamber and Kendra and Bill Allen.            Photos by Martha Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
        Monroe Tire Center, Inc. has new owners who will be expanding services. Garry English, who has owned the business for the last 16 years, will continue to help the new owners who are his daughter Kendra and her husband Bill Allen. English has not left the business, but with semi-retirement, he will have the opportunity to pursue other adventures.
        “We will still be offering the same reliable services that Dad has been known for,” said Kendra.
        The Allens have planned a Customer Appreciation Day on Sept. 26. They invite the public to join them for refreshments and to learn more about the services Monroe Tire Center offers. There will be door prize drawings every two hours. “By purchasing a new tire, you will receive four more chances in the drawings,” said Kendra. Prizes include gas cards, free oil changes and more.
        The couple will continue the services already offered, while adding more services. They are reopening the mechanical side of the business, now offering mi-nor mechanical work along with brakes, oil changes, batteries and wiper blades.
        Bill, who also works at Ormet as a truck driver, has worked at the business for the last six months. Kendra has been working at Monroe Tire Cen-ter since she was 16.
        Mastercraft (Cooper) tires are the biggest seller at Monroe Tire. If Mastercraft isn’t your preference, they can order in any brand of tires. They also carry lawn and garden,  4-wheeler tires and farm tires, used and retreads.
        This business, located at 314 Mill Street, Woodsfield (behind the Switzerland of Ohio Local School District office), uses the Hunter Road Force balancer. All new tire purchases are automatically balanced, noted Bill.
        Their Hunter Alignment Rack offers four-wheel alignment services, which gives customers the best possible alignments.            
 Monroe Tire uses quality parts including NAPA. “It is important to us to use quality parts,” said Bill.
        Employees of Monroe Tire, Inc. include office manager Denise Harris and shop manager Tim Wilson, who have both been with Monroe Tire for many years; Roger Farley, Robert Barkes and Jason Turner. Joining the business soon will be Daniel Butler whose specialty is alignments.
        Monroe Tire Center, Inc. is open Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.   

<Monroe Central High Celebrates Homecoming this Weekend

        Monroe Central royalty candidates for 2008 include, from left, seated: queen candidates Nicole Huffman, Kim Lafferre, Samantha Kilburn, Karlie Davis; second row, king candidates: Mikey Russell, Sean Smithberger, queen candidates Ashley Woodell, Justine LaFollette, king candidates, Michael Christman, Derek Betts; back, Kyle Jorris and Mikey Habig. Photo Courtesy of Teresa Schuerman

        Monroe Central will celebrate homecoming this weekend beginning with Thursday night festivities. The Thursday night parade, which begins at the old Woodsfield High School, will start at 8 p.m. and will wind up at the bonfire behind the football field. This evening will culminate with the crowning of the 2008 Monroe Central King who will be chosen by drawing the “king” card.
        King candidates are Derek Betts, son of Jamie Groves and Tony Betts of Woodsfield; Mikey Habig, son of Cathy and Ron Markey and Brad Habig of Woodsfield; Kyle Jorris, son of Sherry and Brad Nixon and Nicole and Scott Jorris of Woodsfield; Mikey Russell, son of Cathy and Richard Russell of Woodsfield; Sean Smithberger, son of Linda and Frank Smithberger of Woodsfield; and Michael Stimpert, son of Mike and Sue Stimpert of Lewisville.
        The Friday night parade, which begins at 6 p.m., will start from the Switzerland of Ohio Local School board office and will travel to the football field.
        The young lady choosing the “golden rose” will be crowned the 2008 Monroe Central Homecoming Queen at halftime festivities of the Monroe Central vs. Magnolia football game which begins at 7:30 p.m.   Queen candidates are Karlie Davis, daughter of Tammi Davis and Kevin Davis, both of Woodsfield; Samantha Kilburn, daughter of Blake and Sandy Kilburn of Lewisville; Nicole Huffman, daughter of Becky Huffman of Lewisville and Mark Huffman of Graysville; Kimberly Lafferre, daughter of Patty Lafferre of Woodsfield and Kasey Lafferre of Stafford; Justine LaFollette, daughter of Sally and Rod LaFollette of Woodsfield; and Ashley Woodell, daughter of Jenny and Jeff Woodell of Woodsfield.
        Homecoming attendants include: freshman Anissa Marmie, daughter of Carol and Brian Marmie of Cameron; sophomore Kate Burke, daughter of Gerald and Barb Burke of Woodsfield; and junior Katie Parks, daughter of Dana and Kay Parks of Marr.
        The homecoming dance, set for Sept. 27, 7:30-11:30 p.m. at Swiss Hills, will  conclude the festivities.

<Woodsfield Receives $448,900 For Lake to Village Waterline

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher
        Confirmation of a $448,900 grant from ODOD was received last week by Woodsfield Village Council, which also set a hearing date for vacating an alleyway.
        Woodsfield was awarded the $448,900 Ohio Department of Development grant to address the village’s inadequate water supply. Funding will be used to install about 34,050 feet of water line connecting Rubel Lake to the village’s water treatment plant. The $897,800 project will assist 1,161 households.
        According to Village Administrator Jeff Woodell, who made the announcement, the village will now make formal application to the  Appalachian Regional Commission for a $250,000 grant. He indicated the ARC funding will be crucial for the project. The village should know  sometime in October if it was awarded the grant.
        Woodell noted the reservoir is 12-feet down and the need to transfer water from Rubel Lake.
        The village took action Sept. 16 by releasing water from Rubel Lake. The water flows from the lake overland and empties into Sunfish Creek. It then travels six miles to a dam in the creek. From there water is pumped into the village’s water treatment plant.
        “We’re well on our way, “ said Woodell concerning the eight-inch water line. He said construction should start in November and will be ongoing all winter.
        In another matter, Woodell reported a second telephone line is being installed in the utility office. The action was necessitated due to the large number of calls being made by residents  who were double-billed for cable because they sent payment to the city building and didn’t get credit. At the same time, calls concerning cable reception were backed-up on the call-waiting system.
        He explained the cable problem was due the Sunday’s high winds which knocked out power and boosters for the cable system. “Nobody likes to have to sit and wait ...” Woodell said of the call-waiting line. This way calls  will roll-over to a second line to better serve customers.
        In the way of good news for Woodsfield Municipal Cable customers, the administrator said if there are no glitches the Hallmark channel will be on the extended basic the week of Sept. 22. The Hallmark programming will be on channel 68.
        Woodell said some of the other channels people want come with the price of a satellite. “So, they may have to come later due to the outlay of money,” said Woodell.
        An executive session was held at the request of Woodell to discuss personnel with regard to compensation. Following that session, Woodell was authorized to give permission to Debbie Yontz, utility office, permission to work more than 30 hours. The matter will be re-evaluated in three months.   
        A petition was submitted to vacate 12-feet of alleyway located east of Adams Ave. running parallel to West Marietta St. beginning at Adams Ave. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 6:35 at the Municipal Building for public comments.
        Woodsfield Police Officer Matthew Tippie, having served a customary probationary period, was promoted from part-time to full-time officer at $9 per hour.
        Councilwoman Carol Hehr moved to accept the sole bid for paving on the walking trail.The bid, $48,870.41 came from J&T Paving, Paden City, W.Va.       
        “Thanks to Jeff  [Woodell], we have three-fourths of the second phase of the project done free of cost. I’m hoping we’ll be able to write a grant next year to complete that project,” said Hehr. She noted that Woodell negotiated with Dominion Gas  to help with the trail.
        Paving on the walking trail will start at the parking lot of the firehouse and continue to the Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
        Hehr said this will allow residents of the nursing center to take advantage of the trail as they will be able to use wheelchairs on the paved portion. 
        In other matters, council agreed to set barricades for the Charlie’s Run event slated for Oct. 4.
        Trick or Treat night was set for Oct. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with the parade at 7:30 p.m.
        Council adopted a resolution to accept the amount and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.
        Discussion was held with regard to a few young trees planted as a Kiwanis Club project along Eastern Ave. Doug Weckbacher approached council about a tree in front of his business, Doug’s Barber Shop. He said people are telling him they can’t tell if he is open or closed because of the tree. It is not known if that particular tree is one of those planted as part of the Kiwanis project.
        The basic question concerning the trees is - who is responsible for their care? Hehr, who is also a member of the Kiwanis Club, said she will clarify the matter with Kiwanis at the next meeting.

< Flag Case Presented

A case for the flag given to Woodsfield Elementary last spring was presented to the school by local resident Jeff Brown. The flag, an unexpected gift from U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kevin J. Stewart, was flown over Afghanistan during a combat mission. Shown presenting the case is Brown, sixth grade teacher Heather Dick and WES principal Kassie Anderson.  Photo by M. Ackerman

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer
        On a beautiful, sunny Sept. 17th, Woodsfield Elementary students and staff celebrated Constitution Day on the front lawn of the school.
        Paula Frank accompanied her music students in several patriotic songs including The Star Spangled Banner. The sixth grade students of Heather Dick and Annette Mobley read the Preamble to the Constitution.
        Special guest speaker, Common Pleas Court Judge Julie Selmon, spoke to the group on  the branches of government and the freedoms granted to the citizens of the United States of America by the Constitution.
        Local resident Jeff Brown, a member of the Patriot Guards, a motorcycle group which honors veterans and servicemen and women,  presented a solid cherry flag case to the school. The case was made to preserve a special flag which was an unexpected gift to the school.
        A valentine project completed by students for service men and women was reciprocated with the American Flag. WES students designed and made valentines which were sent to U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Kevin Stewart, who was serving in Afghanistan at the time. Stewart, who distributed the valentines to his fellow service personnel, was a former classmate of Heather Dick.
        Stewart, a 1992 graduate of WHS and son of Lin and Terry Stewart of Woodsfield, requested the American flag be flown on a combat mission in an F-15E “Strike Eagle.” The flag was presented to the school last spring by Mrs. Dick and the WES Builder’s Club.
        The flag will be displayed at the school so everyone can remember those men and women who risk their lives to preserve the freedoms preserved in the Constitution.
        Master Sergeant Stewart is currently stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.