Woodsfield Decides on New Location for Street Garage

by Arlean Selvy
Publisher

With two new schools to be located on Airport Road, it was necessary for the village of Woodsfield to decide on a new site for the street department’s garage. That decision was made at the Sept. 8 meeting of village council, which also garnered information concerning a proposed controlled deer hunt within the village corporation.

Clearing has been done at the village’s sub-station and council agreed to move the street department’s garage to that location. According to Jeff Woodell, village administrator, several locations were viewed and this appeared to be the best site.

Woodell reported the moving of dirt for the new schools is expected to begin the end of September.

In another matter, Woodell read a letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation concerning the speed limit on SR78 West that will pass the site for the new school.

ODOT, after a study, determined the speed limit will be 45 mph. Council passed a resolution making the limit 45 within the village west of the Pamida entrance. The speed limit from Pamida east will be 35 mph through the outlying area of Woodsfield.

Brian Postlewait, area supervisor, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, spoke to council concerning controlled deer hunts. Councilman Bill Moore also provided information.

According to Postlewait, ODNR laws are already set and the village would have to pass an ordinance allowing the hunt. Hunters would still have to abide by ODNR regulations.

He noted that Marietta has an ordinance allowing the hunt and said their program has been successful.

The village is looking into holding a hunt due to complaints that deer are causing damage to vegetation on properties within the village limits.

Read more in the Monroe County Beacon

Rare National Currency History

Gary Ricer, local coin and currency collector, shows his prized collection of national bank currency as well as other rare currency he has collected over the last 30 years.

by Martha Ackerman
Staff Writer

In the August 20, 2009 Beacon was a bit of history of Beallsville Bank currency. The bills and photo of the First National Bank of Beallsville were submitted by Beallsville resident, Stephen Prichard.

Some of the history was presented from the Monroe County: A History by Stanley and Theresa Maienknecht.

Local resident and coin and currency collector Gary Ricer brought in more bills and a little information on the history of the currency printed with the names of local banks.

“Mr. Prichart’s $5 and $10 Beallsville paper money is categorized as ‘National Cur-rency.’ Produced from 1863 to 1935, there were large size bills referred to as horseblankets from Civil War times up to 1923 and small size nationals, which were the same size as today’s paper money,” said Ricer.

“Produced by the U.S. Government and issued to local ‘National Banks,’ all small town Bank Nationals are rare. At the time, the federal government’s logic of issuing paper money printed with local bank names was simple: public trust, confidence and stability.

“The $5 and $10 Beallsville currency submitted to the Beacon has a charter number of 7025 indicating they were produced in 1903, the same year Harley Davidson Motor Company was created.

“In reference to Standard Catalog to National Bank Notes, these two bills have a rarity number “6,” the highest rarity of which only 0-2 notes were produced.

“The National Banks in Monroe County, whose towns appeared on National Cur-rency are: Beallsville, Claring-ton, Lewisville, Monroe, Sardis and Woodsfield. All are rare in any condition,” said Ricer, noting that Lewisville is the most rare.

Ricer has the only known complete set of Woodsfield notes–$5, $10 and $20–as only two were produced of each. “It took me close to 30 years to acquire just these three pieces. I also have a $10 large size National Woodsfield note, charter number 5414, which was produced in 1900. The small size notes are even more rare than the large ones.

“For safety, I keep all of these bills in a bank vault, not in my home,” added Ricer.

He also brought in a rare, consecutively serial numbered 1923 $1 silver certificate collection of three in gem crisp, uncirculated condition. They came directly from the old Monroe Bank in Woodsfield, Ricer noted. “I purchased them in the 1980s from the late Roy Landefeld’s estate.”

Our Readers Write

Dear Editor,

What is a dog pound? Wonder how many folks really know what a dog pound is? I, personally, didn’t. I knew it was a place where unwanted dogs were taken. What happened to them after that never really entered my mind. They were just “unacceptable” dogs. Then I went to our dog pound out of curiosity. Was I surprised!

Our little Monroe County dog pound sort of looks from the outside like a kindergarten, with painted colorful pictures, and a little blooming garden at the entrance. I could hear the inmates as we got out of the car. All those doggy voices seemingly greeting me with “Hi…Glad to see you!” tails wagging. They were all so beautiful. Chocolate labs, adorable schnauzers, chubby beagles, hunting hounds, puppies…some mixes I have never seen before.

They were all in clean pens, and had been bathed, de-flead and each had their own blanket and toy. Now, how do you suppose all that got there? Well, by the care and nurturing of Dog Warden Ronda Piatt who has been there working with these babies for 14 years. She has a few helpers that wash the dog dishes, launder the blankets, clean, feed and water, and even make sure the guys get to go out on leashes to exercise. They are all very caring caregivers and they do it all on a shoestring, often giving their own funds to help out the cause.

How do these babies get there? Some are abandoned by their owners. Some owners had lost their job. Some owners became too ill to care for their four-legged friend. Others passed on with only their pet to survive them. Many were reluctantly turned over because of circumstances they couldn’t control.

However they got there, most are terrified, sad, everything familiar gone, loved ones gone and they are left there to deal with it all. I imagine all the unfamiliar dogs there barking really frightens them too. That’s where the caregivers take over welcoming them, quieting their fears, and giving them a clean place to sleep, plenty to eat and drink, a warm blanket, and a toy of their own. Not to mention a lot of assurance that it will all be ok.

These women really do care about every one of these babies. There are some that are so traumatized by losing their familiar homes and being left in a strange scary place. Ronda, Cheryl and Myrna soon quiet the new arrival with soothing words, and a loving touch. The job these women do is awesome. They really love what they do.

It’s a struggle day to day though, as there is never enough money for the supplies they need. Food, Clorox to keep the pens clean. the laundry soap for bedding, shampoo for the baths, and dish soap for the dishes used for feed and water. Many times the women pool their own money to cover these expenses and for treats, collars, and leashes used for exercise the dogs.

There are some dogs that come in that have been abused and neglected. These little guys often need special care and a longer time to fit in.

I pray all the wonderful people of Monroe County who love animals such as dogs, would at least once a month donate a bag of dog food, that blanket that you were going to put in the yard sale, a bottle of bleach, or perhaps even that old stuffed toy that your child is tired of. I know it would mean so very much.

The pound is a county project. A wonderful place for these precious animals that have nowhere to go. You could do so much to make a difference and help these caring people who look after these helpless ones. Ronda has been a caregiver for 14 year and does wonders with what little she has to work with. She really does care for these dogs.

There are also a few adorable puppies there, pregnant females who were abandoned when the owners couldn’t deal with it. Sort of the ultimate abandonment. Please … please have your pets spayed or neutered. All pets adopted from the pound are spayed or neutered, and are all up to date on their shots as well. Isn’t that wonderful?

Then there are those dogs that come to the pound that are too sick, too old, or that have been so abused and traumatized by their life experience that they are beyond help. They must gently take care of that as well.

This is just a small insight as to what this dedicated band of women do to keep our dog pound going. They need your help, and soon. Please do what you can. It would be so very appreciated. Monroe County can be proud of their dog pound. I know the little guys that stay there would appreciate it too.

Rita Shreves and family plus our little guys Pete, Noel and Shoo Bear.
Cameron