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 Times photo/Dan Robinson
Big Brothers
Zach Madden (left, back) and Jayvin Castle enjoy time they spend with their Big Brothers (from left, front) Tyler Shepherd and Brady
Pickford at the Upper Scioto Valley school. The USV program has seen great success this year with the young students finding role models in the high school.
Younger students find role models at USV High School
By DAN ROBINSON
Times staff writer
McGUFFEY - As Jayvin Castle enters the small room off the Upper Scioto Valley administrative office for his weekly visit with Brady Pickford, his face suddenly lights up.
Brady is his hero, said Castle; his role model.
The second grader looks forward to the time he spends with his Big Brother each week at the school. But, the boy's Big Brother isn't an adult. He is only 15 himself.
The Hardin County Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is reaching out beyond the typical relationships established in the program of an adult mentoring a child. It is now hoping to encourage teens to be mentors for younger students through its pilot school-based program.
The USV sessions began last fall with a handful of participants, said Hardin County Big Brothers Big Sisters Director Jill Ogle. This spring there are 22 pairs of students working and playing together each week.
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times) |
Dunkirk mayor under fire
By CHRISTINA HOY
Times staff writer
DUNKIRK- Newspaper comments by Mayor Pam Ruhlen caused quite a stir at Monday's Dunkirk council session.
Councilman Shane Curtis accused Ruhlen of not sticking with council.
"We were told to make no comment, that means no comment. We are a group, we need to stick together as a group," he said after stating that the mayor's comments in Friday's Times made it seem as if she was pointing fingers at the council concerning the former Dunkirk fiscal officer, Tom Foltz. Foltz has been arraigned on charges that he took nearly $150,000 of village funds over the last three years.
Ruhlen stated last week to the Times that "Dunkirk's council had been told by the auditors ... there were funds missing, but Foltz convinced them the auditors were picking on him. Council accepted the fiscal officer's excuse and continued his employment, but the mayor said she kept an eye on the town's accounts." She went on to say that she did not have a say in the matter concerning Foltz's employment. It was council's decision, not the mayor's, she said in the article.
Foltz was dismissed by council last month when he didn't return to the village for three days and the auditors confirmed money was missing.
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times) |
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| MONDAY MAY 5, 2008 |
 Christian educator enjoys working with children
By CHRISTINA HOY
Times staff writer
Ministering to children as well as adults is not just for the preacher, it's also a calling for the members of the church. A Kenton women has been taking her role in the church very seriously the last three decades.
Jane McGee has been working as a Christian educator and parish worker for First United Methodist Church in Kenton.
"It has been great to see the kids mature. I get to minister to all types of kids," McGee said. "I get to minister to them from the cradle to the grave; working with the elderly is difficult sometimes because you can see them deteriorating right before our eyes."
Through her parish work, McGee has had the privilege to work with five pastors in the last 30 years as well as be a part of the education commission, preschool, nursery, outreach mission and has had her hands in several different projects through the church.
She said in her early days at the church she felt that Hardin County needed to start taking care of its own people and stressed the need to participate in hospice.
"We needed to stand on our own feet, since then our church has been instrumental in so many things including hospice."
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times)
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Home invasion in Alger
By DAN ROBINSON
Times staff writer
ALGER - The Hardin County Sheriff's Office is seeking information regarding a home invasion and robbery.
According to Chief Deputy Col. Ken Hilty, Joshua Hutchinson, 207 E. Belmont St., Lot 20, Alger, returned home from work about midnight Friday night, when he was confronted by an individual at his front door.
There were at least two persons, one who had a handgun. There was a struggle, said Hilty, but no shots were fired. The assailants overpowered Hutchinson and forced their way into Hutchinson's home, where they stole his wallet and cell phone before fleeing on foot.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification was called to assist in processing the scene, said Hilty.
"We are taking this very seriously," said Hilty.
Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's office at 419-673-1268.
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times) |
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| SATURDAY MAY 3, 2008 |
 Century of memories at Jackson Township farm
By DAN ROBINSON
Times staff writer
FOREST - When the Ohio Department of Agriculture considered the farm of Corda and Pauline Spearman for status as a "century farm," it had proof in the owner. Corda Spearman was born in the house where he lives on July 8, 1908.
As Corda stands outside his farmhouse in Jackson Township near Forest, he surveys 100 years of memories at the farm which has been the home to three generations of his family.
"The farm belonged to my grandpa and he gave it to my mother," said Corda.
Like most small farms, he said, the family raised hogs, cattle, chickens and sheep, but only enough to keep food on the table. From an early age, Corda learned to work, helping feed the chickens and pigs.
When it was time to attend school, he set off on the half-mile journey to the Hazel Branch one-room house.
"They started me in the second grade," Corda recalled. "The teacher said, ‘you don't need the first grade, I'll start you off in second'."
By the time he reached the eighth grade, Corda was nearly a fixture at the school. He arrived an hour before the teacher and other students arrived to carry coal to heat the classroom.
(Refer to page 1 of the Kenton Times) |
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