McGUFFEY — For the first time in more than a decade, the McGuffey park on Thursday was filled with children swinging from the monkey bars and chasing each other among the playground toys as their parents looked on.

When Kenton City Schools Food Service Director Laura Widder came to the district 10 years ago, one of her top priorities was to see that no child goes hungry.

As they prepare to return to their homes in Europe, the four young men who made Kenton their home in recent months will take with them fond memories of their time as Buckeyes, Wildcats and Americans. Tobias Euler-Rolle from Austria, Max Pirch and Max Mazanke, both of Germany and Luca Dipiazza from Italy are part of the EF High School Exchange Program.

Hardin County is doing the right things to attract business and industry according to an economic development expert. Christine Schmenk, of the Brickler and Eckler law firm of Columbus, told a group of about 20 area leaders that Hardin County has developed a “pretty impressive” five-year plan.

Ruth Alexander and Rev. Loran Miracle (center) of Table One cut the ribbon to officially open the downtown Kenton restaurant on Tuesday morning.

Members of the Kenton Fire Department discuss the emergency situation presented during a drill Wednesday evening at the Jacob Parrott Safety Center in Kenton.

McGUFFEY — Randy Hopkins gets up early on Tuesday mornings during the summer. The retired factory worker doesn’t have a clock to punch. His job on Tuesdays is to make sausage gravy for the children and senior citizens of McGuffey. It is a job Hopkins does with a smile.