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Editorial - August 27, 2010
Growth underscores 2010 Balloon Fest
Wow! Not in my wildest dream did I think there would be such a crowd as I witnessed at the All Ohio Balloon Fest last Friday evening. I don’t recall seeing so many people in one place in Union County on a single day since the early days of the balloon event.
Everything seemed to come together superbly and Friday’s weather couldn’t have been better. All 35 balloons ascended, marking the 35th year of the festival, and all returned to the airport at dusk to perform the balloon glow, which is such a neat event.
Conservative estimates put attendance at 5,000, and all had plenty to eat and drink and lots to entertain them, including the singing group, Bon Journey. There were so many that a few of the food vendors ran out of some of their menu items.
As an added touch, a World War II vintage plane, a P-51 Mustang, owned by Scotts Miracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn, was flown to the airport and made a few takeoffs and landings. It was also on display for interested spectators to look at.
As good as Friday evening was, the weatherman put somewhat of a damper on Saturday’s program. There was still a decent-sized crowd, but rain prevented the balloons from inflating and cut the event a little short. The Reaganomics band did play, but was forced to quit early.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - August 27, 2010
The scent of fall
Several mornings this week I’ve been awakened by the pungent odor of skunks, followed by the frantic barking of our golden Lab, Fergie.
This little scenario can only mean one thing: The insect hunting season, which is the time of year when the neighborhood skunk population begins poking small cone-shaped holes in the ground and sucking out succulent burrowing insects and grubs.
According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management website, insects are skunks’ preferred food, with beetles, crickets and grasshoppers topping that list. But skunks are equal opportunity eaters, especially in the spring and early summer when insects are not as plentiful but field and house mice apparently are. In the winter, when other small animals are more scarce, rats and even cottontail rabbits fill the void, according to the website. And, of course, they have been known to eat eggs and poultry, a fact that is not lost on this egg producer. That’s why I keep a light on in the hen house to discourage nocturnal varmints.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  August 26, 2010
Treaty of Greenville remembered
Last Saturday morning was better than most.
After filling my tummy at a pancake breakfast at North Union High School, I took a 15 minute trip west and more than 200 years back in time.
The occasion for my time travel was the unveiling of a new historical marker in our county. The site is on Treaty Line Road, which follows the border between Washington and York Townships. The marker is just west of the intersection with Hoover-Moffitt Road.
Local residents know that Treaty Line Road got its name from the fact that it follows a line drawn on a map on Aug. 3, 1795 by the Treaty of Greenville.

Time Out With Tim by Tim Miller - August 23, 2010
Sports previews, teams ready to go; hopefully there’s encouraging news for Triad head football coach
Everyone has been scratching their heads in the last couple of weeks, wondering where in the world the summer went.
It only seems as though Jonathan Alder’s baseball team won a state championship just a couple of weeks ago and now it’s time for our fall sports athletes to take center stage.
Photo days are finished, much to the relief of area head coaches and a couple of sports guys at the Journal-Tribune.
The stories have all been written and it’s now time to unveil our fall sports previews.
As we informed everyone a few weeks ago, this year’s preview information is going to be delivered in a new manner.
Instead of one special edition highlighting all five schools in the area (like we’ve done before), we decided on a different approach.

Editorial - August 20, 2010
Balloon Fest ready to lift off
The last festival of the summer before school starts is scheduled for tonight and tomorrow evening at the Union County Airport. It is the 35th annual All Ohio Balloon Fest which runs from 6-10 p.m. both nights.
For each of the past several years, the event has grown, and this year’s fest continues that pattern. The number of balloons has increased to 35, the highest total for some time. Those who wish will be able to pay for tethered rides in some of them.
Jim Hagedorn, CEO of Scotts/Miracle Gro, has graciously agreed to bring his World War II vintage P-51 Mustang to the airport for display Saturday to add another dimension to the festivities.

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - July 30, 2010
Soliciting peace and quiet
I never thought it would happen, especially after all this time. I gave up all hope years ago.
For the first time in five years at my home in Marysville, a door-to-door salesmen saw my “No Solicitors” sign, read it, and actually turned around and left.
I was so happy that someone respected my wishes. I had to stop myself from chasing after him and buying whatever it was he was selling.
Whoever you were, Mr. Solicitor, thank you.
There has been a steady parade of door-to-door salesmen, to the point it has become ridiculous: Teenagers selling magazines so they can go on trips to places I’ve never been able to afford, women selling carpet cleaner, vacant stares of folks wanting me to sign political petitions, homeless-looking guys tugging around 3-liters of soda pop demanding that I use their lawn-care service, or religious groups who apparently think my religion is wrong despite not knowing my religion.

A Word To The Wise by Chad Williamson - August 19, 2010
20 short years
My 20-year class reunion last weekend served as a sweet, slow walk back in time.
Many members of the Marysville High School class of 1990 turned out for a Friday night meet-and-greet, followed by Saturday’s golf outing, tour of our old high school, and the actual reunion.
It was a really nice, relaxed event. There was a lot of catching up between classmates who came together from as far away as Florida and Arizona.
I have now been to my 10- and 20-year gatherings and I much preferred the latter.
It seemed at the 10-year reunion that a lot of people were still not settled into their lives. Not all had families, not all had careers and not all had settled into a hometown.
At the 10 year it seemed that many people were of a mindset that if you hadn’t left Marysville you had failed, because the outside world is where all of the opportunities were found. It was almost if you had stayed here, you were stuck here.

Editorial - August 13, 2010
Atomic bombs justified
Dropped 65 years ago
Sixty five years ago this month, something occurred which forever changed the stability of world order and ushered in a new age of technology in warfare. Whether or not it should have been done has been debated ever since.
On Aug. 6, 1945, an American B-29 named Enola Gay piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later, another B-29 named Bockscar piloted by Maj. Charles Sweeney dropped a second atomic weapon on Nagasaki. On Aug. 15, 1945, Japan surrendered to end World War II.
President Harry Truman had been saddled with the difficult duty of making the decision to order the bombings since President Franklin Roosevelt had died some four months earlier. Truman (and the U.S.) is still being criticized by some for his action.
I stand firmly in the belief that dropping the bombs was the right move. By doing so, hundreds of thousands of American and Allied military lives were saved. Just as important, even though the two bombs killed some 200,000 Japanese civilians, many more thousands would have perished if an invasion of their homeland had been required to force an end to the war.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - Augsut 13, 2010
Area has much to offer
I have lived many places.
I was born in Central Pennsylvania. I lived there for many years and returned for college and my first working years. It has a special place in my heart because it was my first home and I met the best friends of my life in college.
I lived in Ocean City, Md., for a year and had a lot of fun.
I went to high school in Western Pennsylvania. I loved the mountains and everything that went with them — hunting, fishing, camping, hiking. Most of all, I loved the football. Ohio has some great high school football, but honestly and ya’ll wont believe me, but I will take western Pennsylvania football, top to bottom, against any in the country except Texas. In Ohio, on casual Friday, people wear OSU garb. In Pennsylvania, Fridays are for high school football. The local television stations actually cover the games and even the big newspapers do as well.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - August 6, 2010
Whining again about the end of summer
It seems like every year at this time I’m writing the same column, basically whining about where summer has gone.
I wish I could write about something different this year, but this summer has joined the list of previous summers sped by faster than a speeding bullet.
Just days ago, it seems, the whole summer stretched out into weeks and weeks of glorious sunshine, barbecues, softball games and family gatherings. And now?
Now, band camps are in full swing, fall athletes are reporting to high school and middle school for preseason practice and conditioning and the Union County Fair pulled up stakes for another year.

Time Out With Tim by Tim Miller - August 6, 2010
Local youth swimmers shine during Stingrays program
The Marysville Stingrays recently completed their summer swimming season and several young athletes earned special honors. Some of the pictures accompany this column.
The local summer swimming program has been ongoing at the Marysville Municipal Pool for a number of years. Youngsters have earned numerous honors through their hard work and dedication to the sport.
Swimming is much like wrestling, cross country and track. It is an individualized sport that requires the best from each athlete if he or she is to succeed. There are no teammates to pick up a missed block like there is in football, nobody to rebound your missed shot as in basketball and no outfielder to make a spectacular catch if as a pitcher, you make a mistake.
Just like the wrestler is out there alone on the mat or the track and cross country runner must take care of their race by themselves, the swimmer (in non-relay events) must do the work by themselves. It’s your race, your standing and your time.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  August 5, 2010
Bathroom project is the last
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary to do extensive work to your bathroom, a decent respect to the old man of the family dictates that it should be handled by outside professionals.
With apologies to Thomas Jefferson, that is advice I could have used before embarking on a project that has left me with my own Declaration of Independence. From this day forward, any home updates or improvements will be limited to painting.
After putting it off for at least two years, I reluctantly accepted the challenge of updating our main bathroom last week. I took five days of vacation that should have been spent on a beach on Lake Huron. Instead I was sweating in my bathroom trying to execute my wife’s plans.

Time Out With Tim by Tim Miller - August 4, 2010
Sports previews will be a little different
The 2010 fall sports season is upon us, what with golf matches beginning later this week, tennis starting soon and football, soccer, volleyball and cross country to shortly follow.
The Journal-Tribune will be doing something a little different with its high school sports previews for the 2010-2011 school year.
In the past, we have had what we call a sports “tab” published in the fall, winter and spring.
That single publication previewed the different sports per season for Marysville, Fairbanks, North Union, Jonathan Alder and Triad.

Editorial - July 30, 2010
URT applauded   for uptown plan
We applaud the Uptown Renewal Team (URT) for its announcement this week of a plan to bring more life back into the core of the community.
URT manager Gretchen Friend and its chairman Dennis Schulze outlined efforts of businesses in banding together to entice people to come uptown and shop. The first idea is to offer discount cards which can be purchased and used for various products and services.
This is a good start, and as both URT officials explain, it is a process which will take time — maybe even a few years — to come to fruition.
Another part of the plan is beautification of the area. Some of this has already begun. In addition to hanging baskets on light posts and large flower pots on the four corners of the square which are maintained each summer by the Master Gardener organization, several businesses have added floral arrangements in front of their locations.
Also, in the last few weeks, some owners have been touching up their buildings with painting and other improvements. All in all, it looks very nice and we hope others will follow suit.

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - July 30, 2010
Double rainbow!
driving back from Lake Erie when I saw them: The double rainbows.
The rain had just subsided as we approached Marion on Route 4, and from the mist they sprung forth.
My wife and I agreed they were pretty neat. We took a couple pictures. I wanted to make sure they were indeed going all the way across the sky — and they were.
Oddly enough, what I did not do was begin weeping with joy, screaming at the top of my lungs, or begin stammering in excitement. I didn’t screech my car to a halt, or begin demanding that the heavens tell me what the rainbows meant philosophically. At no point did I spend several minutes sobbing and shouting.
But now I’m asking myself why. Is there something wrong with me? Am I dead inside?
Yes, just as much of the world over the past month, I have been caught up in the recent Youtube craze in which Paul Vasquez, AKA “Yosemite Bear Mountain Giant” stepped outside his home to find a glorious double rainbow this past January. As he filmed the vision in the sky, he began reacting to it.

Editorial - July 23, 2010
Community mourns loss of local retailer
The death of Larry Fitzgerald at age 83 late last week was sad news for the Marysville area. He was a well-known retailer in the community and active in many organizations and endeavors.
For many years, he owned and operated McAuliffe’s Hardware Store, a three-generation family business which is still an integral part of the Marysville retail establishment. It was started by his uncles, John and Jerry McAuliffe, 90 years ago. He began working there in 1947, and today, two of his sons, Dan and Jim, head up the operation.
A good businessman, Larry was instrumental in a two-time expansion of McAuliffe’s, from a small hardware store located on South Main Street near where the Scotts Store is today, to the building on North Main Street just north of the Post Office, to the current enlarged facility on West Fifth Street.
He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed playing cards. Sometimes he did both at the same time. I remember one time while I was on vacation in Naples, Florida, I was asked to play golf with him and a friend, Jay Heflin. They rode together in one cart, and I was in the other. Each time it was their turn to hit, I had to call to them to get out of the cart and play. The reason is they had a hot gin rummy card game going on in between golf shots! I had never seen that before, nor have I witnessed it since.

A Word To The Wise by Chad Williamson - July 23, 2010
Auto add ons
I see things while driving down the road that make me tilt my head to the side. You know what I’m talking about — the four-wheeled masterpieces that make you say “really?”
And I’m not going to talk about the pieces of vehicular artistry that are born of necessity. Sure we’ve all seen a fairly nice new car with a miscolored door or hood. I’m not talking about the minivan which has used a trash bag for a window for three months. I’m not even talking about the truck that uses a piece of lumber for a bumper.
I see all of those accessories as cheap fixes put in place until the owner can save up the money for a long-term solution.
I want to talk about the add-ons that people sought out and purchased to enhance the look of their vehicles. The things people paint, bolt and tape on their cars to make them one-of-a-kind.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - July 22, 2010
Summer bummer
My wife told me last night that she is looking forward to cold weather.
She had purchased a duvet, which seems a lot like a comforter to me, for $12 and now is excited to use it. The thought of her wishing for cold weather is unimaginable to me. I recall one afternoon while we were engaged, we were sitting in a car, not running, on a sunny June afternoon. She was wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and a fleece and she told me she was cold. Since that day there have been many disputes in my house about the temperature. Generally she is good to keep the thermostat turned down and put on an extra layer of clothes. I think she knows it is better than the alternative.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy hearing her say she is looking forward to cool weather. I too am looking forward to cool weather. I love autumn.
As a fat guy, summer is always hard. (You try lugging an extra 250 lb. around with you in this heat.)

Editorial - July 16, 2010
Conrad Coal business flourished in Marysville
 The death earlier this week of Wilfred E. “Tobe” Conrad brought to mind a Marysville business owned and operated by his family for decades, but which for several years has been closed. The company name was Conrad Coal and Supply Co. and was located on the west side of North Main Street in the building and lot just south of Mill Creek, now known as Crazy Scotties.
During the early and mid 1900s, many homes were heated by coal furnaces, and the Conrad firm flourished because of the coal business. It also sold concrete block, bricks and other building materials.
I remember the coal furnace in our home when I was young, and the work required to keep it operating during cold months. Coal had to be added several times each day, and especially before going to bed when an extra amount was shoveled in to get the household through the night. Each morning it was important to add more coal and stoke the furnace while there were still embers with which to start the day.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - July 16, 2010
Country comfortable
Some of the best bargains I’ve ever found have been at yard sales and auctions.
As Exhibit A, I give you the utility cupboard that houses my good china and an assortment of glassware. It was acquired for $40 at a farm auction many, many years ago, stripped of its umpteen layers of paint and finished with tung oil. It’s strictly utilitarian, but because of the many different types of wood with which it was built, it displays a beauty all its own and usually elicits a positive response from people who frequent our home.
Or take Exhibit B, a “cowboy comforter” I purchased for $10 at a yard sale in Ostrander more than a decade ago. I call it a “cowboy comforter” because it contains pieces of cloth I am sure, when joined together, were once a little boy’s pajamas. The pieces depict a caricature of a cowboy swinging a lasso, and just to look at them makes me feel happier and younger, despite the aging condition of the comforter.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  July 15, 2010
The lessons of House Hunters
When I am in a charitable mood, I sometimes give my wife control of the TV remote.
You can bet the car payment that the first channels she will check out are The Food Network and HGTV (Home & Garden Television), which are back-to-back in our cable line-up.
HGTV carries numerous shows about home improvement and home decorating. They make it look easy because they all have a professional decorator and a team of professional carpenters, plumbers and electricians doing the work.
I sometimes watch those shows with her but I am not fooled. It is always much harder and more expensive in real life.

Editorial - July 9, 2010
No lazy summer days in Marysville, county
The lazy days of summer is a term which used to refer to the three months after school ended the end of May and before it started again in September. It no longer applies.
The time from now until Labor Day is filled with activities which are to be held all over Union County. Here is a list of some of those events:
Thursday through Sunday, July 15-18 is the Miami Valley Steam Thresher Show in Plain City at Pastime Park. It features farm machinery from days gone by.
The All Ohio Bike Fest is set for Thursday through Saturday, July 22-24 in Marysville. This used to be Honda Homecoming and features a motorcycle light parade Friday evening through the uptown area.
Another antique ag equipment show, the Mid Ohio Farm Machinery Show, will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 23-25 in Richwood at the fairgrounds.
The 164th Union County Fair opens Sunday, July 25 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 1 in Marysville at the fairgrounds. There is something for everyone at the annual exposition.

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - July 10, 2010
Lawn care and family trees
It was the early 1980s outside of Dallas, Texas. We were in some kind of football or baseball stadium, I think.
Down below I watched as a dozen men drove or pushed their lawn mowers around the stadium. A marching band was playing on the field. These few men were being honored for their exceptional lawn-care abilities.
In Texas, this was a big deal, because 95 percent of the lawns consisted of dried, yellow grass. There’s a lot of sun, not much rain down there. Our yard, however, was always a dark green. Looking back, I bet our water bill was more like a mortgage payment.
But my father was among those men, proudly pushing his green lawnmower. He had won best lawn in our neighborhood district. We cheered as he went by. He got to place an award sign in the yard.
Or, so goes my memory of the event.

A Word To The Wise by Chad Williamson - July 8, 2010
I can’t stand the heat
Periods of intense heat like the one which has descended on the area this week force me to reflect on a decision which shaped my life.
One summer of labor in the Ohio sun showed me that I’m entirely too big of a pansy to work in the elements.
The summer after I graduated from high school I worked for the county before I went to college. While many of my fellow graduates were working with paving crews, managing the traffic in the work zones, I was placed with the sanitary sewer division.
My primary job for the entire summer was to travel to various small sewer facilities the county operated and paint the rusting fences with an aluminum colored paint. There was no efficient way to do this and I generally ended the day covered in silver.
I spent the summer sweating through aluminum paint while whiffing the nearby sewage. The highlight of the summer was catching a sweet sunburn which dehydrated me to the point that I passed out later in the night.

Editorial - July 2, 2010
July Fourth honors Declaration of Independence
 “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
This is the famous and often quoted sentence in the Declaration of Independence which was signed and made effective on July 4, 1776. This document and its adoption is what Americans celebrate each July Fourth holiday.
Although the American Revolution had already begun when the Declaration was signed, it is the defining instrument which officially proclaimed independence of the 13 colonies and explained the reasons which caused the Founding Fathers to take such drastic action. It was written by a committee of five comprised of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston. According to history, the first three did most of the work, and Jefferson was the author.
One of the more unusual facts about two of these men is that both Adams and Jefferson, who had served as the second and third U.S. President, respectively, died on the same day - July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Although rivals in their younger days, the two had become good friends after both had left the presidency, and as the story goes, without knowing that the other man had died, a rider was dispatched from each home to inform the other of the death of his friend. The riders met on the way only to discover that both had died that day.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - July 2, 2010
Remember the rights that stamp out the wrongs
This weekend we celebrate the Fourth of July — Independence Day.
It is a day set aside to celebrate our independence, our freedom, our liberty. There will be fireworks and patriotic songs. There will be speeches by politicians and preachers extolling the sacrifices made for our freedom and independence. There will be inspiring thank yous to Thomas Jefferson and George Washington and all our Founding Fathers.
The Declaration of Independence was a powerful expression of a people tired of tyranny. It wasn’t until later, Dec. 15, 1791, that we expressed the joys of a liberated people. That expression came in the form of our Bill of Rights.
Obviously, I feel the first is the most important. I think it lays both a foundation and an umbrella of protection for the people of America.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Editorial - June 25, 2010
Bits and pieces
Even though summer has just arrived, Mother Nature has already turned up the heat and humidity to the uncomfortable zone. And the “dog days” of July and August are yet to come. Think what it would have been without the municipal swimming pool to take a cool dip in.
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The mural project spearheaded by the Union County Chamber of Commerce and one of its divisions, the Marysville Uptown Renewal Team (URT), is underway. Final selection on the mural to be located on the north wall of the Hatfield Chiropractic Office on North Main Street near the corner of Fourth Street will be made in the near future. It will help spruce up the center of town.
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An art related event, the Houston House/Marysville Art League benefit, was highlighted in Wednesday’s Journal-Tribune. The “Designer Showcase” will be held on Saturday and Sunday of four weekends in September and October to raise money for maintenance of the facility, to make the front entrance handicapped accessible and to help showcase the arts in Marysville and Union County.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - June 25, 2010
July: A month to celebrate
I promised myself I would not resort to the “calendar” approach to writing a column again, but couldn’t resist giving readers a sneak peek at what an interesting month July is.
After all, not only does the first full month of summer usher in the Fourth of July, but it also offers us opportunities to celebrate creative ice cream flavors, scarecrows, country music, fried chicken, sugar cookies, pecan pie, Bastille Day, ugly trucks, yellow pigs — yes, yellow pigs — and even bovines (Go Out and Give a Cow a Hug Day, July 15).
Did you know that July 22 — which happens to be my daughter’s birthday — is also Ratcatcher’s Day?
According to the website holidayinsights.com, Ratcatcher’s Day commemorates the Pied Piper of Hamelin, “the most infamous of ratcatchers.”
According to legend, the town of Hamelin, Germany, was so infested by rats in the middle ages that the mayor promised a hefty bonus to the Pied Piper if he rid the town of the varmints. He lured the nasty critters into the river by playing his flute, and millions of rats perished.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  June 24, 2010
I need to get myself in gear
A couple of weeks ago, I interviewed a grandmother who took up drag racing at age 72. On Friday night, I proofed the obituaries which would appear in our Saturday paper, and I celebrated my 71st birthday yesterday.
Those three converging events got me to take a critical look at my life up to this point and ask the question, “What will be written about me after I float away to heaven?” (or wherever)
Many obituaries are long and impressive but unless I get busy and do some things worth writing about, mine will be short and boring. Let me make a comparison with a sampling from several recent obits and my up-to-date history.

Editorial - June 18, 2010
Katrina criticism haunting Dems now
Sometimes actions and events come back to haunt you, and President Barack Obama and the Democrats are certainly witnessing that today.
Nearly five years ago, in late August of 2005, the northern area of the U.S. Gulf coast was hit by Katrina, one of the six strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. Its destruction was enormous — it became the costliest natural disaster on record.
President George Bush was heavily criticized at the time by Democrats for a perceived delay in bringing the federal government in to help with the crisis. Bush’s critics claimed that had he acted quicker, some of the deaths and damage might have been avoided.
Whether the criticism was justified is not an issue here. The subject of this editorial is the parallel between Katrina and the current disaster involving the Gulf oil spill.
In both situations, neither President, Bush or Obama, had any control over what happened. Katrina was brought on by Mother Nature, and the oil spill was the result of an accident (which some say was caused by the negligence of BP or the rig manufacturer).
The location of both is the Gulf of Mexico. There was loss of life in each situation, although there was far more with Katrina (1,800 deaths due to the hurricane versus 11 workers killed in the explosion on the oil rig). Damages from both are or will be huge. Katrina’s loss was set at $81 billion, but it will be months or years before all damages from the oil spill can be calculated.
The sins of Bush on Katrina pale in comparison to those of Obama and the oil spill. Bush was accused of waiting several days before acting. Obama is now two months into his crisis, and basically he and his administration have done very little.
Put yourself in Obama’s shoes and ask the question, what would I have done once I learned about the disaster? There are a few things that come to mind.

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - June 18, 2010
I am cursed
I was sitting at a bar in the Yucatan Peninsula, beside two white-haired, retired men from Canada, when it became official.
“You’re cursed, that’s what it is!” one of the old men laughed, after hearing my story.
He laughed a little too long. His friend next to him, who was confined to a wheelchair and never said a word, agreed with a nod of his head in my direction. But I had no doubts they were both right.
Let’s face it, anyone who knows me, knows I hate rain. They also know I hate winter. Both of which are plentiful in Ohio — but it’s my home nonetheless.
Normally, I spend most of my days marking the calendar for the next vacation to someplace warm, sunny and by a large body of water. But for the past three years, no matter where I go on vacation it rains. I’m not talking a couple showers. I mean steady, driving, unrelenting weather, with dark menacing clouds that never leave, like Gargamel’s Castle.
It happened in South Carolina. It happened in New York. It happened in California. It even happens when I go camping for the weekend.

A Word To The Wise by Chad Williamson - June 17, 2010
Parents responsible for keeping their children grounded
I think Abby Sunderland's parents need to take the helm.
I'm obviously beating a dead seahorse here, because every blogger, newspaper and talk show in the country is condemning the failed round-the-globe nautical voyage of the 16-year-old girl.
Sunderland's trip was mildly reported in January when she left California, alone in her 40-foot boat. The trip blew up world wide when Abby set off two distress beacons, which essentially signaled that she was in peril.
For roughly a day the world did not know if she was dead or alive. She was spotted by a plane safe and sound in the Indian Ocean and picked up by a fishing vessel many hours later.
And then comes word Wednesday that Abby doesn't like the criticism she and her parents are getting.
She said in an Associated Press exclusive interview "Those people don't know me. And if they did, they wouldn't be criticizing my age."
"I think that a lot of people are judging me by the standards they have for their teens and other teens that they know ... and thinking, ‘She's exactly like them,'" Sunderland said. "They don't understand that I've sailed my whole life and I do know what I'm doing out there."
I'm going to give Abby a pass on these statements, basically because when I was 16 I thought I knew everything too. But I didn't, and do you know who beat that fact into my head? My parents.
Look, Abby may be a great ship captain and I don't think anyone would question her ability to sail reasonable distances. But Abby's trip was to take more than a year, at some point her parents needed to be parents and stop being people of the sea.

Editorial - June 11, 2010
In the twister’s path
Sunday will be a day to remember.
It began at about 5 a.m. when the storm hit with all its fury. I had heard it coming as sounds of thunder became louder and louder indicating approaching bad weather. But I never imagined it would be a tornado.
All of a sudden it was upon us, it happened so quickly. There was a mighty rush of wind and rain, and I could hear something hitting the house. I thought it was hail, but I was wrong.
My wife went to the basement. I was headed in that direction, but before I got there, the wind began to subside and the sound of whatever was hitting the house stopped. The raging storm had passed as quickly as it had come.
Dawn was just beginning to lighten the sky, but I still needed to turn on the outside lights to see our property. What I saw caused me to gasp. It was an eerie sight that looked more like a battle zone than my backyard.
A large tree was leaning against another one and had not fallen to the ground. Other large branches had, and the whole yard was strewn with debris. We noticed some damage to the house. It was then that I realized it wasn’t hail, but tree branches which had been hitting the structure.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - June 11, 2010
He shoots. He snores.
Soccer is the sport of the future ... and it always will be!
With the World Cup right around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to talk about the world’s most popular sport.
My father played soccer in college and he loves the game. He tried very early to pass that love to me. He enrolled me in youth soccer and soccer camp as a youngster. I hated it. You know there is a lot of running in that sport.
I tried to watch in college, but could never get into it, there was still way too much apparently pointless running for my liking.
After college I lived with some of my friends for a couple years. Because we all had jobs, split rent and utilities and had no real obligations, we had an outstanding cable package, including several Spanish-speaking channels. The World Cup was made a bit more exciting when we watched on Unavision, an all Spanish channel. Apparently all Latinos love the World Cup because the announcer spent 65 games screaming very quickly. The best was a home team goal, at which point the announcer would immediately begin screaming “Goooooooooooaaaaaaaaal” very loud and for what seemed like an interminable time period.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - June 10, 2010
Feeling blue
I’m in a blue funk.
Or rather, my mood ring is. It only seems to change colors when I immerse it in really cold water or put it away in my jewelry box at night.
Granted, it’s a pretty blue — a deep violet-blue. And that’s a good thing, according to a mood ring color chart I downloaded from a site on Buzzle.com. It means I am happy, at ease, relaxed, content, tranquil, peaceful, pleasant, warm, lovable and “near bliss.”
Problem is, I’m not sure my husband, co-workers or even the family physician who treats me for chronic high blood pressure would agree.
A habitual worrier from a family of habitual worriers, an amber, brown, amber-green or red-brown coloration would seem to better reflect my personality.
I try to project a C’est la Vie attitude; to portray a “such is life” demeanor despite the inner turmoil I feel. But I’m not really fooling anyone who knows me.
So why doesn’t my ring reflect my feelings?
I decided to start wearing my mood ring, a circa 1990s model, after a niece remarked about the expressive colorations of her mood ring while we were playing corn hole on Labor Day.

Editorial - June 4, 2010
Officers need assistance
The recent rash of tire slashings and other similar types of crimes in Marysville is upsetting to the community as well as law enforcement officials.
It is hard to understand what kicks a person can get from damaging or destroying the property of someone else. Other kinds of crimes are more understandable. For example, with theft or burglary, the items stolen can be turned into cash and used to buy something the criminal wants. But there is no gain in such acts as slashing tires except in the warped mind of the perpetrator.
Some write it off as kids’ pranks, but it in no way should it be classified at such. The senseless destruction of another person’s possessions is criminal activity which should bring the harshest of  punishments for the category of misdemeanor or felony it falls in once those responsible are caught.
Local police and law enforcement officials have been working hard to apprehend those who are guilty. So far they apparently have had little luck. That is why they need the help of the public.

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - June 4, 2010
The end of the tour
As a kid, I can remember sitting in the back seat of my parents car one night. We were on our way to see a football game at the University of Toledo. I had just bought a cassette tape by this guy named Bob Dylan. It was raining pretty hard outside.
As the first few notes of the song “Don’t think twice, it’s all right,” played over my yellow Walkman headphones, I immediately knew I had to save up and buy a guitar. For months I mowed lawns and picked weeds to raise the cash.
Little did I know, but that guitar would kick off an obsession for playing music, performing, and traveling that has continued unrelenting for more than 20 years, straight.
That said, this year I decided when fall comes around I’m officially giving up rock and roll. It may be for good, or it may just be a well-needed break. Seriously, though, I have no idea what I’m going to do with all this free time. Maybe just sleep — a lot.

Editorial - May 28, 2010
Jim Payne walked softly but made a large impact
Jim Payne, a Marysville man who was known by many inside and outside of the community as “Mr. Elk,” was buried this week. He was a quiet man, but the effect he had on his fellow man was deafening. He was unassuming, but he cast a large shadow, especially at the local, state and national levels of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).
Those who don’t know much about the group may look at the Elks Lodge as simply a place of gathering for fellowship and enjoyment. But there are many who take the organization seriously, and none took it more so than Jim. He epitomized each of its four principles — charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity.
He was elected to most of the offices of Marysville Lodge No. 1130 including the top job, exalted ruler, and was so respected that he was named as state President of the Ohio Elks Association only 14 years after he became a member. He served in other capacities at the state level, including executive secretary-treasurer, and received many honors over his years as an Elk. His advice was constantly sought by Elks everywhere. When he spoke, people listened.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  May 28, 2010
OHSAA needs to implement some changes
Since 1907, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has been the governing body of high school sports in Ohio.
During that 103 year span, the OHSAA has faced many difficult challenges, yet done a marvelous job living up to the following mission statement.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association's mission is to regulate and administer interscholastic athletic competition in a fair and equitable manner while promoting the values of participation in interscholastic athletics as an integral part of a student's educational experience. The OHSAA represents its member schools by recognizing and promoting academics, the safety of participants, good citizenship and lifelong values as the foundation of interscholastic athletics.
With more than 800 member schools, the OHSAA currently conducts state championships in 11 boys and 11 girls sports and it almost always does a great job. Almost, but not always and especially in track and field.

Time Out With Tim by Tim Miller - May 28, 2010
Keep Triad football coach, family in your prayers
I got into the office Thursday morning with a message to call one of my local coaches.
When Triad football boss Peyton Printz answered the phone, he said some words I wasn’t expecting to hear.
“Well, I’ve got cancer.”
Printz, who is a graduate of Marysville High School, proceeded to explain that he has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a type of cancer originating from white blood cells.
Printz said he’s told everybody in the Triad district and wanted to get the word out to the public in order to dispel any rumors that might pop up in the community.

Editorial -May 21, 2010
City income tax money should be spent wisely
It’s official! The city income tax levy has passed. The citizens of Marysville have seen fit to approve a 50 percent increase in the assessment for those who work and/or live in town.
It required two times on the ballot for success, last November and the recent May Primary, and generated a ton of stress and emotion. In the end, the city campaign committee overcame all obstacles including a last minute effort to defeat the measure by Scotts-Miracle Gro executives.
Even though the final tally put the margin of victory at only 31 votes, it was enough to avoid an automatic recount and put the issue in the win column. As victorious sports coaches often say after a very close game, “a win is a win.”
The city can now concentrate its efforts on restoring cuts put into effect because of the financial crisis, and bringing the community back to a sound level of operation. However, we have one cautionary message.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - May 21, 2010
Use your voice, vote
“In a Democracy, the people get the government they deserve.”
The origins of that statement are in doubt. Credit is given to at least Alexis de Tocqueville, Thomas Jefferson, William Shakespeare and Hunter S. Thompson.
There are many who believe the statement, many who bristle at the statement and way too many that have never given it any thought at all.
That’s the problem.
The reasoning behind the statement is this. The more you participate, and the people in general participate in government, the more reflective that government is of the will of the people. When people do not participate in government, when they do not vote, when they do not inform themselves, when they do not make their feelings known to their elected representatives, those representatives will not reflect the values of their constituents.
If you do not like your government, don’t just look at your representatives, look in the mirror, look at your neighbors, the people you go to church with, the other people you hang out with.

A Word To The Wise  by Chad Williamson - May 20, 2010
The tax passed. Now what?
With the passing of Marysville’s 0.5 percent income tax levy, I am both excited and scared.
I would liken my trepidation to that of a longtime girlfriend being handed a small jewelry box from her beau. In an instant she could be overjoyed to have the ring, husband and life that she wants. But if no engagement ring is in the box, she is going to be crushed by yet another reminder that one party isn’t taking the relationship seriously.
The city of Marysville is now holding a $4 million-per-year jewelry box. Whether that box contains a diamond ring or cubic zirconia earrings will be revealed to the citizens of Marysville in the coming years. I hope residents are given the ring and the quality of life they have been promised.
Personally, I am excited to see what the city can do with $4 million per year. I’ve always felt that the city staffing levels were about right so I hope payrolls don’t get bloated, but I believe some of the city facilities are a joke.

Editorial -May 14, 2010
Levy OK would provide needed city services
As the economy worsened during the recent recession, local governments began to feel the pinch. Eventually, as 2009 came to a close and 2010 began, the pinch became a taut noose. Just ask the Union County Commissioners and the Marysville City Council and administration.
Many articles in the Journal-Tribune over the past year and a half have detailed the problems and the filter-down effect plaguing local officials.
With regard to the city, failure of the city income tax proposal last November made a difficult situation become critical. And Mother Nature decided to throw in record snows this past winter to add more woes to the already depleted city coffers.
Some areas which were potentially put on the block if the tax issue didn’t pass this time — a week ago Tuesday — included opening of the municipal swimming pool, mowing which impacted Oakdale Cemetery, street paving, and others.
If, in fact, the income tax levy passes (chances look good, but the official word will be Wednesday), many of those items which had been on the budget cut list will no doubt be reinstated.
An important facility on that list is the swimming pool. Marysville has had a municipal pool since 1936 when the original one was built. It was a product of the WPA, part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s program to provide jobs during the Great Depression.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - May 14, 2010
Food glorious food
Newspaper people are a ravenous bunch.
Mind you, I’m not talking about a voracious appetite for news; that’s a given. What I’m really talking about is our insatiable appetite for food — free food.
I’ve yet to work at a newspaper where there wasn’t a stampede when some unsuspecting soul mentioned that doughnuts, cupcakes, cookies, chips — feel free to substitute any junk food — were available in the break room.
And newspaper people can wipe out a tray of hors d’oeuvres or a platter of lunch meat in a matter of minutes — and then wonder if there is a dessert “chaser” to follow.
When there’s nothing to eat, we will wax poetic about Texas barbecue, fried chicken, seafood, rhubarb pie, cheese or bacon, whiling away precious minutes we will never get back. Or we’ll talk about the latest chef’s show, newest brownie mix, greatest convenience food or which supermarket chain has the best cuts of beef.
Here at the Journal-Tribune, we enjoy good food so much — and lots of it — that we opted to celebrate Christmas with a company potluck rather than a catered meal. After all, we have a bunch of darn good cooks — and we thoroughly enjoy each other’s specialties.
We’ve not regretted that decision.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  May 13, 2010
Mentors remembered
After nearly five decades in Union County, I’ll never forget my first official day as a school teacher.
That was the day after Labor Day in 1963, when I showed up at a staff meeting/workday the day before the doors opened for students. I literally did not know a soul, unless you count Richwood superintendent R.D. Fetter, who hired me after a brief job interview in July.
I was a skinny guy with a crew cut who looked more like an eighth grader than an eighth grade teacher. As I stood there in the cafeteria of the Claibourne Elementary building (which was demolished in 2005), a middle-age woman approached me with her hand extended.
“Hi, I’m Millie,” she said with a smile.
With that gesture, Mildred Endsley Allen welcomed me to the staff of Richwood Junior High and to the Richwood community. She quickly introduced me to principal Don Parsons and fellow teachers  Ray Griffith and Marge Parsons, who was also the principal’s wife.

A Word To The Wise  by Chad Williamson - May 6, 2010
Unclaimed headaches
In this column I'm going to be the guy who complains about free money.
As some may have seen a few weeks ago, I was on a list of people in the area who have unclaimed funds sitting somewhere in a mystical vault being held by the state of Ohio.
Having seen these lists for years, I never really had much faith that very much money was sitting there with my name on it. After all, how could any decent amount of money have slipped away without me noticing?
To be fair, I had been tipped off that my name was on the state list a few weeks before the advertisement ran in the Journal-Tribune. I went to the state of Ohio website and navigated a section called "Treasure Hunt" to find out that I actually had two accounts with my name on them.

Editorial - April 30, 2010
More on ballot than just city tax issue
With weather turning warmer and more springlike, we don’t want our readers to forget the Primary Election on Tuesday. It includes some important issues and races.
Top on the list of issues is the half percent increase of the Marysville income tax, from one percent to one and a half percent. Much has been said on both sides of the measure. Those who oppose it point to the timing — just as the city, state and nation are coming out of a deep recession — and the size — 50 percent. Those who favor it cite the fact that there has not been any increase since the original tax was implemented more than 40 years ago and the need to improve and upgrade city infrastructure including safety forces — fire and police — and office space. The Journal-Tribune has endorsed it.
Other issues include an additional continuing fire protection levy in Jerome Township of 5.9 mills, a fire protection levy in Dover Township for four years which totals 4 mills and includes a replacement and increase, and an emergency renewal of a 5-mill levy for the North Union School District for 10 years.
There are several contested races for state offices in both the Democrat and Republican parties.

Good to hear by Mac Cordell - April 30, 2010
Involvement a slippery slope
Those who know me, would likely say I am a conservative.
I am actually an independent. I am also a fairly strict Constitutionalist, or at least I try to be. That is why I have such an opposition to Constitutional amendments that are geared at specific laws.
I believe a Constitution should be a framework for the government. It should offer the ideology of a country, state or organization. It should be broad enough to provide perspective for the future and should offer guidance to those that follow. It should not be so specific as to dictate the exact address where a casino must locate.
Recently, there has been a lot of commotion about an Arizona law that requires police to question individuals the officer believes might be in the U.S illegally. Opponents say the law in unconstitutional. They say it violates the right of due process for both those here legally and those here illegally. It is no more a violation than a drunk driving check point. Those with nothing to hide need not worry. Those who are caught should leave and follow the appropriate channels to come to America the legal way. If you don’t like those laws, write your Congressman and get the laws changed. Until then, those are the laws and they are to be followed.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - April 22, 2010
Cookies — manna from heaven?
I made some cookies last weekend for a church activity, and the way our small household acted, you would have thought they were manna from heaven.
But then I haven’t baked cookies in a long, long time. I don’t think I even got around to making any cookies at Christmas. I don’t need to; our daughter has become the cookie baker in the family. Her chocolate chip cookies are the best ever, and she makes wonderful molasses cookies and lemon cookies — and probably knows four different recipes for cut-out cookies. She’s very particular about the ingredients that go into her creations, the way they are baked and most certainly the way they are decorated.
And it shows.
I flatter myself that her cookie-baking expertise and decorating finesse were in some small way inherited from me. But deep in my heart, I know she is far more exacting than I ever was — far more creative.
My goal when our kids were growing up was to welcome them home each and every day with a homemade treat. Sometimes it was nutritious, sometimes not. But it was always filling and meant to make them glad to be home. I was always baking something — sugar cookies, chocolate chip, oatmeal (my personal favorite), peanut butter, cut-out cookies, no bake, even iced graham crackers.

Editorial - April 16, 2010
Income tax levy needs to be passed
A few months ago in a Journal-Tribune editorial, we asked citizens to remember the hardships faced by the city of Marysville during the harsh winter and especially the month of February, and how well officials handled the difficult situation. With record snows and colder than normal temperatures, and a budget already reduced substantially, Marysville weathered the storm.
Some members of the city administration and council went well beyond their job descriptions and helped with snow plowing to minimize any overtime. We remember Mayor Chris Schmenk checking on residents of her neighborhood during the worst of the snow as she helped her son with his Journal-Tribune route.
In a little over two weeks, city voters will be asked to pass a levy increasing the city income tax by a half percent, from one to one and a half percent. It is the second time the issue is on the ballot. It was defeated last November.

From The Rankin File by Virgil Rankin -  April 15, 2010
Far beneath the underground
A tragedy in West Virginia 11 days ago followed a pattern which has been going on for generations.
The disaster occurred in the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine near Beckley, where an explosion resulted in the death of 29 miners.
Reading and watching accounts of the rescue and recovery attempts brought many things to my mind including sadness.
Coal has been a valuable commodity for two centuries or more and getting it out of the Earth has often been marked by danger and shameless exploitation.
Among the first to suffer were colliers from Scotland and Wales. They went below ground to rob the earth of the fuel that powered the Industrial Revolution in England. A carryover from the feudal days of the Middle Ages, most of the land was owned by members of the nobility and they designed all kinds of legal traps to keep their uneducated peasants tied to the land and/or the mines.

A Word To The Wise by Chad Williamson -  April 15, 2010
Ashes to ashes
With my birthday occurring this week, my thoughts logically drifted to death.
Not so much in a morbid way, but I was just thinking about how I’ll be remembered, who will be at the funeral and what my obituary would say. Well, OK, I guess it is kind of morbid.
What I eventually settled on is that I don’t want people to stand around being sad when I die. I also don’t think I want to be put in the ground.
After I’m gone, I know that I don’t want to be eulogized. I don’t want people standing around talking about all my charitable contributions, kind deeds and selfless acts because, let’s face it, that would be a short list.

Editorial - April 10, 2010
Augusta chairman out of bounds with Tiger comments
Thursday was a monumental day for the No. 1 golfer in the world. After nearly five months of a self-imposed layoff, Tiger Woods returned to the game he has dominated for several years, teeing off in the opening round of the Masters.
Since Thanksgiving, the nation and the world have been bombarded with stories about his alleged affairs with various women. With his marriage in serious jeopardy, he enrolled in an extended therapy program to help him deal with his problem.
But before he hit his first tee shot on the No. 1 hole at Augusta National Golf Club, he had to shake off a surprising and unprecedented verbal lashing from Augusta’s chairman, Billy Payne. In comments during Wednesday’s annual pre-tournament news conference, Payne severely criticized Woods for his conduct calling what he did “egregious,” and saying he had “disappointed all of us, and more importantly, our kids and our grandkids.”

Hornucopia by Ryan Horns - April 9, 2010
Human luggage
I predict there will be a lot more people smuggling contraband onto airplanes this fall. I know, because I plan to join them.
Spirit Airlines, which I normally use to get to Mexico, has announced that in August it will begin charging as much as $45 for passengers who want to board with an overhead carry-on bag. It’s double that if you have another bag to check-in too.
Not only has the airline already taken away our ability to have leg room, drinking water, chairs that actually recline, in-flight meals, peanuts, carrying large knives, friendly smiles, toothpaste, shampoo and direct flights..
Have you ever tried that leg exercise when you see how long you can sit elevated with your back against a wall? That’s sort of what it’s like taking a 6-hour flight on Spirit Airlines. At least when I exercise at home I don’t have some stranger peeling hard boiled eggs three feet away.
The main problem with this new fee is that most people already go out of their way to avoid having to check in their luggage.
A few years ago I went to Hawaii for a week to get married and you should have seen my carry-on bag. It was stuffed to the gills. I had to bring a suit for god’s sake, and I packed light. My wife could barely pick up her own bag, so I was forced to carry both throughout the entire trip.

Karlyn's Korner By Karlyn Byers - April 8, 2010
There's lots of reasons I enjoy living and working in small communities, and several of them came to light in a column that appeared recently in "The Parkersburg News and Sentinel."
The Journal-Tribune received a copy of the column by James C. Smith, executive editor of the Parkersburg newspaper, from Jackson Road resident Carl Besst. Mr. Besst said he received the article at a family gathering on Easter Sunday and said the article spoke volumes about the Marysville and Ostrander communities. I agree.
Mr. Smith's article was written after he attended the funeral services for Linda Margaret Cubbege Morgan of Ostrander, who died Monday, March 15, 2010 at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. A