News-Herald Staff Writer

RICHMOND – The community is rallying around one of its’ own with a chicken barbecue benefit for James Howell on Sept. 11.

Howell, who has served as administrator for the Harrison County General Health District since 1999, was recently diagnosed with renal cancer and had surgery to remove one of his kidneys. Friends and loved ones are joining together to plan the fundraiser, which will help defray medical and other expenses for Howell and his family.

The event will be held from 3-6 p.m. at the Glenn Mills Community Center, formerly the Richmond Grange Hall, at 7452 Ohio 152. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children and the menu features a half a chicken, potato salad, baked beans, drink and dessert. Other activities include a silent auction, Chinese auction and a 50-50 raffle. Some of the items up for grabs include bath and body baskets for women, tools for men and a chance to win free entertainment by a local DJ.

Heather Barker, who is organizing the event with sister Lindy Longo, has known Howell for years and was compelled to lend a hand.

“I’m friends with Jamie’s wife, Michelle, and Jamie coaches my son’s baseball team,” she said. “I wanted to do something.”

She and Longo began preparations for the benefit and said Howell’s family and the baseball league have been involved.

“We’ve had a lot of help from Michelle’s family and the Richmond Baseball League, plus the Harrison and Jefferson County Health Departments made donations. We’ve had a lot of people open up in the community after we got the ball rolling.”

Barker said hopefully Howell would be able to attend, but she expects his wife and son, Carson, to be on hand. Community members in both counties are invited to join in on the benefit.

“I think it will be a success,” she said.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Barker at 740-544-5531 or Longo at 740-544-5459.

TAPPAN LAKE – The best way to learn about paddling a kayak is to learn right on the water. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) will host a free “Quick Start Your Kayak” class Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to noon at the beach at Tappan Lake Park. Quick Start provides an introduction to paddling a kayak. Participants are presented with basic information on dressing, paddling safety, potential hazards and simple rescues. A minimal paddle skill set is presented and practiced, allowing students to safely and comfortably maneuver on still water. The class is taught on a brief kayak trip, and the kayaks and all safety equipment are supplied to participants. The class is free but space is limited and registration is required. For more information or to reserve a seat for the session, contact MWCD Lake Ranger Shawn P. Tharp at 330-343-6780 Ext. 2317, or via e-mail at stharp@mwcd.org<mailto:stharp@mwcd.org>.

HOPEDALE – The Hope Players are asking area residents to be a part of the Players’ first-ever variety show. An organizational meeting will be held at Harrison East Elementary School in Hopedale from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 11.

The variety show will be held on Saturday September 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the school. Participants in the show also must be available for a single rehearsal, to be held on Saturday, September 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In previous years, the Hope Players sponsored an annual talent competition, but a decision was made to change the format to a variety show this year. Instead of having three judges decide prizewinners, a total of four hundred dollars in cash prizes will be awarded by means of a random drawing. A single, hundred-dollar cash prize and six, fifty-dollar cash prizes will be awarded, along with gift certificates donated by area merchants. All participants will receive a prize.

Hope Players executive director Andrew Pelegreen III explained that the decision to change the format from a talent contest to a variety show was made in response to past experiences with the talent show. “It became harder and harder to find judges with no connection to any contestants,” Pelegreen said. “The prizes will remain the same, but the pressure of competition will be removed, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for our performers,” Pelegreen added.

The variety show is open to family-friendly acts of all types and participants of all ages. “Any area resident of any age with a well-prepared act involving singing, dancing, comedy, or any other talent suitable for a family audience is welcome to participate in the show,” Pelegreen said. The purpose of the meeting on September 11 is “…to see what kind of talented people we have so we can schedule them within the show for the audience’s maximum enjoyment,” he said. Pelegreen went on to say that singers and dancers should bring a pre-recorded accompaniment for their act or their own accompanist. The same goes for novelty acts requiring accompaniment. Participants may be asked to choose alternate music for the show if two or more people want to utilize the same music. Pelegreen reported that those unable to audition at the scheduled time may send him a DVD or VHS recording of their act. All by-mail submissions must be received by September 11. The address is: Andrew Pelegreen III, P.O. Box 45, Hopedale, OH 43976-0045. Anyone with questions about the variety show should direct them to Pelegreen at 740-937-2629.

Lady Huskies, reserve and varsity volleyball teams, made a clean sweep against Toronto in the seasons opening matches. NH Photos/ED BANKS

By AMY GAREIS

News-Herald Staff Writer

FREEPORT – Family, friends and countless others are showing their support for 14-year-old Zack Jones in his battle against a rare form of liver cancer.

Zack, the son of Jon and Tina Jones of Freeport, was recently diagnosed with undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma, an extremely rare form of cancer after a malignant tumor was found on his liver last month. The disease, while often fatal, has shown some promise for long-term survival amid surgical removal of the tumor.

Jon said his son started treatment Wednesday and surgery could occur in about three or four months, after which the boy would have to undergo more chemo plus radiation. Zack was due to come home this weekend from Children’s Hospital at UPMC in Pittsburgh. “It is rare. He’s only the second [case] they’ve had at Children’s Hospital,” he said. “His attitude’s been great.”

Zack first became ill in March, but an ultrasound could not detect any cancer at the time. Most recently, he appeared jaundiced and suffered stomach pains. A tumor was located and a biopsy showed it was malignant. A stint was placed in his stomach to drain his liver and gall bladder, while the latter might be removed.

Generous neighbors have helped bale hay on the family’s property while they stayed at the hospital and relatives remodeled Zack’s bathroom to remove mold since he is prone to infection. His low immune system also impacts his love of the outdoors and he must refrain from dust and other factors. Zack also will be tutored to keep up with schooling.

Jon said his sister, Jolene Jones, started the “Prayers for Zack” Facebook page shortly after the diagnosis was made and the response has been tremendous. The family has been touched by the outpouring of love and prayers from people around the country since the addition of the Facebook page. The number of fans even jumped above the 1,000 mark since it was formed nearly three weeks ago. “We’ve had calls from California, Tennessee and North Carolina. People also saw it on signs in front of the churches. The support’s been overwhelming,” he noted. “It brings a tear to our eyes. People are going out of their way to help.”

“It’s overwhelming how it’s brought everybody together,” Grandmother Carolyn Davia commented. “We have prayers everywhere and we know it will bring us through. That’s what’s keeping us going. I just can’t believe how people responded. It’s so nice when they come out to support you. We’re so grateful for the support.”

The community can continue rallying around Zack through a series of fundraisers. A “Dance for Zack” was held Friday at Union Local Middle School, where he has attended as an eighth-grade student, played football and wrestled, while the middle school and senior high football teams are sporting his number on their helmets this season as a sign of solidarity. His teachers also have collected money and sent gift cards and a survival kit full of food, games and books. Jon added that a family friend ordered 1,000 silicone bracelets emblazoned with “Prayers for Zack,” which will be sold for another fundraiser.

On Monday, the Blue Ribbon General 4-H Club is hosting a car wash outside Charlie’s Barbershop in Freeport. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and freewill donations will be taken. Other moneymakers include a raffle for an Ohio State University recliner by the Freeport Fire Department, a benefit by the Tri-County Showstoppers 4-H Club, of which Zack is a member, and various groups on Make a Difference Day Oct. 23 at the county fairgrounds and bake sales through the Union Local High School FFA, of which Jon is an advisor. A candlelight vigil is also set at the Jets Stadium on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Zack’s honor.

Zack shared his gratitude and thanked the public for their kindness. “I want to thank everyone that’s been praying for me and sending cards and get-well wishes,” he said.

More information is available on the “Prayers for Zack” Web page on Facebook.com. Anyone interested in working on the Oct. 23 benefit can contact Janet Fenstamaker at 740-968-3096 or Amy Edwards at 740-945-8700.

TAPPAN LAKE – It says it is time for the Labor Day holiday weekend on the calendar. But at Tappan Lake Park, the four-day weekend (Sept. 3-6) will include a celebration of summer and a look ahead to Halloween. Events include a disc jockey, trick or treat in the campgrounds, Halloween events, a live band, chili cookoff, lot decorating, hayrides and even costume parades. A complete schedule of events is available at the park office.   Visitors planning to spend a day at the beach or enjoying the other activities available inside the park are admitted for a cost of $5 per vehicle. The park is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and the beach is open from noon to 8 p.m. The park will close for the summer season on Tuesday (Sept. 7), with many regular and special activities coming to an end for the year. However, camping is available all year long and some activities remain on the schedule for the fall.

Discounts apply for stays of at least 30 days. Reservations can be made by calling the park at 740-922-3649 or by sending an e-mail to tappan@mwcd.org for availability.

The park also features two-bedroom family vacation cabins that sleep up to six people and include air conditioning, along with salt-box style camper cabins. Overnight boat docking can be purchased by guests of the park for $1 per night. The park also offers rentals of its picnic shelters.

For more information, contact Tappan Lake Park at 740-922-3649. Tappan Lake Park is located off Harrison County Rd. 55 a few miles west of Cadiz and just a few minutes off U.S. Rt. 250. Details about the park also can be found at www.mwcd.org.

ATWOOD LAKE – Fireworks set Saturday at Atwood Lake Park for holiday Summer is winding down, but Atwood Lake Park will feature a full blast of activity this weekend over the Labor Day holiday. The park will host a giant fireworks show on Saturday night (Sept. 4) at dark near the beach. The fireworks event follows a full day of activities that winds up with the band 8-Track & Elvis taking the stage at 7 p.m. at the park beach to warm up the crowd for the fireworks show.

Visitors planning to spend a day at the beach or enjoying the other activities available inside the park are admitted for a cost of $5 per vehicle. The park is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and the beach is open from noon to 8 p.m. Events are planned all weekend long, including the Atwood Olympics on Sunday (Sept. 5).

The park will close for the summer season on Tuesday (Sept. 7), with many regular and special activities coming to an end for the year. However, camping is available all year long and some activities remain on the schedule, including the 28th Annual Atwood Area Fall Festival scheduled Oct. 1-3. Discounts apply for stays of at least 30 days. Group camping also is available.

Reservations can be made by calling the park at 330-343-6780 or by sending an e-mail to atwood@mwcd.org for availability. The park also features two-bedroom family vacation cabins that sleep up to six people and include air conditioning, along with patio cabins with air conditioning. Overnight boat docking for only $1 per night also can be purchased by guests of the park who are camping or staying in a cabin.   For more information, contact Atwood Lake Park at 330-343-6780. Atwood Lake Park is located at 4956 Shop Rd. NE, Mineral City, just off State Rt. 212 near Bolivar and only 15 minutes from I-77. Details about the park also can be found at www.mwcd.org.

UHRICHSVILLE – The score continued to go up, as the Huskies ran over the Mustangs last Friday, with a final score of 47-37. It was the seventh time the Huskies and Mustangs met and the outcome remained the same; the Huskies returned home with another victory.

“This was a good win,” said head coach Justin Kropka. “Winning the season opener on the road is always big and I hope it sets the tone for the rest of the season. Our defense was slow in forming, but picked-up things up as the game went on. We have a job ahead of us at Weir. They are a big team and physical team and we will have to really step up. However, we will continue the season by taking it one game at a time. Right now I am glad over this win and proud of the team’s performance,” he added.

NH Photos/ED BANKS

Dolores E. Allen, 84, of New Philadelphia, died Wednesday, September 01, 2010 in Union Hospital at Dover following a period of declining health. A daughter of the late Jess and Mary Snyder, Dolores was born August 4, 1926 at Germano, Ohio.

Dolores was a 1944 graduate of Jewett High School and in the same year she married the love of her life, Harold W. “Bill” Allen.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters, Leona Pissocra, Dorothy Prosser and Martha Young. In keeping with Dolores’ wishes there will be no public calling hours or services and cremation will take place through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory.  Inurnment will be held in Forest Hill Cemetery at Canton at a later date. A full obituary will appear in the next edition of the Harrison News-Herald.



Genevieve Manbeck Bossick, 89, Scio died Monday, Aug. 30, 2010 at Trinity Medical Center, West in Steubenville. Born June 14, 1921 in Stock Twp., Harrison Co., she was a daughter of the late Paul and Mary Baker Manbeck. She married the love of her life John “Jack” Bossick on December 21, 1943.

She was preceded in death by her husband “Jack” Bossick on March 26, 2009, two brothers-in-law and six sisters-in-law.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Fairview Gardens Cemetery, Jewett, with Father Francis and Father McGuire officiating. Koch Funeral Home, Scio was in charge of arrangements.

A full obituary will appear in the next edition of the Harrison News-Herald.

Ida Dora “Dora” Armstrong-Brower, age 87, of Carrollton, Ohio, formerly of Uhrichsville and Scio, died peacefully at 12:10 a.m. on Monday, August 30, 2010 in Union Hospital at Dover, Ohio following a period of declining health.

A daughter of the late George Allen and Nannie Oena (Tinney) Ohler, Dora was born on July 13, 1923 in Dennison, Ohio.

She was the loving wife of Alvin Jurdin Armstrong who died on June 30, 1957.

In addition to her parents, and first husband, Dora was preceded in death by her second husband, Thomas Johnston Brower who died July 16, 1972; two sons Dennis Dane Armstrong and David Allen Armstrong: two brothers, George Dean Ohler (her twin) and Paul Leroy Ohler; and four sisters, Dorothy Faye Burnett, Wilma Ruth Shamblin, Mary Selena Heiser, and Patricia Joanna Peters.

Services for Dora, officiated by Rev. Henry Mooney, will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 3, in the R.K. Lindsey Funeral Home at Dennison. Interment will follow in Greenmont Union Cemetery at Freeport, Ohio. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday. A full obituary will appear in the next edition of the Harrison News-Herald.