Notes From the Last Month & A Half

It's been a while since I caught up on stuff I saved to pass on. Seems I'm busier now that I'm retired than when I was working. Wasn't nibbin' around as much when I was working. Ain't got no money but that's been a way of life for a long time, even when I had a job. Even though we're busy we're having fun.

They're working on stream lining voter identification requirements in Columbus to make it easier to register to vote. If they have their way it won't be long until you're able to register on-line if you have a valid driver's license.

A piece in the paper not long ago told us that State Senator Jason Wilson & State Rep Linda Bolon sent a joint letter to representatives of the Ohio Supreme Court supporting the move of Wellsville offenders being sent to EL Municipal Court. Sounds like it's just a rubber stamp away to increasing Wellsville native Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling's case load. It will be a cost savings for the WPD when it goes through.

It was announced last week that some members of the ville's Personnel Committee have decided to recommend to full Council that the worker's union no longer be recognized. Although the Committee Chairman won't return phone calls to offer any explanation it's another cost savings move. It's not a popular move and may provide much discussion at tomorrow night's regular Council meeting. Remember Council Committees can make recommendations until they are blue in the face. It takes a majority vote of Council before something like this is official.

The out of print book The City of Hills & Kilns by William Gates has been digitalized and is now available on a CD. Gates was the former director of the Museum of Ceramics and I believe the book came out in print in the 1980s. Although it's primarily a history of EL there's a lot Wellsville information included. It explains a lot of questions of how things developed in this area with a very progressive William Wells back in the ville's beginning. You can pick up a copy at the Museum in EL or from the EL Historical Society. If you like getting into the ville's history with the books available through Wellsville's Historical Society the disc is a nice compliment that ties a lot of our history together.

Another ELHS project that has me excited is their Hans Hacker collection they are digitalizing. It will be a two disc set of over 500 works by the late artist. One disc will be a DVD and the other a CD-R with a searchable data base. Project Director Catherine Vodrey tells us it will be ready for Chirstmas or Hanukkah gift giving. When I picked up Hills & Kilns sister Sarah told me they are real close to wrapping it up. If you have any questions you can e-mail Catherine at hanshackerarchive@comcast.net. Hacker's subjects cover many area scenes and they always gave me that warm & fuzzy feeling when viewing them. It will be a treasure trove of the works of the very talented Mr. Hacker.

While we're talking about history check out Sparky's web blog called the Alumni Jabber. Scroll on down through his articles. There's comments and stories that to me was thoroughly enjoyable reading and reminiscing. I found a lot of information on the Class of '55 with pictures galore. You can check it out at www.alumnijabber.blogspot.com. With the all class reunion coming next year it's an easy way to pass on information for this event.

Speaking of the All Class reunion there was a notice in the paper not long ago regarding updated class mailing lists. If your class is getting things current you can call 330-390-0222 to pass on any new information or drop the list off at Gibby's Mini-Mart at 18th & Clark. They are working on getting info ready for the Reunion Dinner to be held July 3, 2010. All alumni will be getting information about the dinner through the mail in the near future. Any updates would be greatly appreciated.

In last Tuesday's MJ there was an article about J.C. Amato's attorney trying to get permission from the courts to allow J.C. to take a field trip to see his doctor in EL. Judge Pike wants more specific information before making any ruling on that.

Congratulations to floodwall mural artist Gina Hampson. At the 100th Anniversary NAACP Dinner held last week at the EL Motor Lodge Hampson was one of two recipients of a Civic Award presented by the EL-Wellsville Chapter. It was a well deserved accolade for Mrs. Hampson. Also, Happy Birthday to the NAACP!

We haven't seen anything in the news yet but the Mayor tells me they got a grant from OMEGA that will provide the villes matching funds for the Issue II money to finish up the digesters at the Sewage Treatment Plant. Maybe that will come out at tomorrow night's Council Meeting.

Also Happy 40th Birthday to the internet. Linking computers on-line all got started in 1969. Computers have been around a little longer than that and combined with the internet it is hard to imagine all the changes in our lives that have come about from that. At one time a person would have been considered certifiable if they predicted all that can be accomplished today with that combination. Kids today take it for granted. At our age it is still amazing.

On the calendar for the ville this week is the annual Community Fall Revival that runs through Wednesday evening at the Nazarene Church. It got started last night. The Board of Education has their monthly meeting at 6:30 in the Superintendent's office tonight. Tuesday is loaded. Council meets at 6 P.M. at Village Hall. The annual Fall Sports Banquet starts at 7 P.M. at the high school and the monthly meeting of the Historical Society is at 7:30 at the River Museum. Too much... Wednesday the Buckeye Water District has a Financial Committee meeting at 9 A.M. followed by their Engineering Committee's bi-weekly progress meeting on the first part of the Salineville Project at 10. Both meetings will be held at the Water Treatment Plant. Thursday is the regular monthly meeting of the BWD Board of Trustees at 9 A.M. at Village Hall. At noon is the Chamber-of-Commerce monthly luncheon at Kat's Kitchen. The Crime Watch meeting is at 6 o'clock at Village Hall. The guest speaker will be talking about bank fraud at that one. Friday is open so far. Saturday night is the WHS Alumni All-Stars Lip Sync show at the high school. It starts at 7. Advanced ticket purchasers will be admitted starting at 6:15 and those buying tickets at the door will be allowed in starting at 6:30. Sunday next is the annual Community Thanksgiving Service dinner at the First Baptist Church. It starts at 7 and is open to the public. It is sponsored by the Wellsville Area Ministerial Assoc.

One last note I picked up from the papers. The WHS Publications class is sponsoring an overnight bus trip to shop in New York. The bus will be pulling out Friday night, December 4, and leaving NYC in the early hours of December 6. The cost is $75 per person. For more information you can call Mrs. Weeda at 330-532-1188 Extension 2200.

I know I probably missed something. If you think of anything else post a comment on here or e-mail me at olenib@gmail.com.

ole nib