Hilltop press 110916

Page 1

HILLTOP PRESS

3 Day Sale

Your Community Press newspaper serving College Hill, Finneytown, Forest Park, Greenhills, Mount Airy, Mount Healthy, North College Hill, Seven Hills, Springfield Township

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2016

FREE

11/11•11/12•11/13 turkey! See page 3A for details!

$1.00 BECAUSE COMMUNITY MATTERS

Far from home; close to heart In the meantime, she’s keeping a positive attitude and crossing her fingers. “I haven’t prepared a box, because may he can make it home again this year,” she said. “Last year, he surprised me. This year...I don’t want to think about it. I’m still hopeful.” By Jennie Key, jkey@communitypress.com.

Holiday season emphasizes pain of separations, anxiety for families of military personnel Community Press Staff Report

When the Colerain Township Fire Department asked Jessica Smith-Allen to come outside for a photo with the new truck last December, she was happy to comply. The truck was nice, but what set the day care owner dancing and shrieking in the parking lot was the sight of her 19-year-old son, a Marine, who she did not expect to be home for the holidays. Marine Pfc. Rodney Allen Jr., a 2015 Colerain High school graduate, came home unannounced and surprised his mom, wearing his camouflage utilities with permission because his luggage containing his dress blues was lost during the 19-hour bus ride from Mississippi, where he was in training. Jessica and Rodney Allen live in Colerain Township, where they also own and operate a business. Both of their sons are now away from home:

Mom says communication makes separations easier to bear

PROVIDED.

From left, Rodney Allen Sr., Rodney Allen Jr., and Jessica Smith-Allen

Rodney whose current assignment has him in Japan and Keiton Allen, 22, who works in Atlanta. Jessica says her holidays may be childless this year. Jessica says she and her husband lent their son to the government when he joined the service, and she knew separations were inevitable. “It’s something you have to accept,” she said. “It’s possible we won’t get to see him.”

PROVIDED

Then Marine Pfc. Kevin Staigl and his mom Jennifer at Parris Island in 2014.

She says her son is focused on a career in the Marines. “He is really enjoying the opportunities the Marines has given him,” she said. “He’s traveling, seeing other countries, and he loves the people in Japan. If so, she says technology

such as Facebook and texting will have to do. She’ll send a Christmas box. For Thanksgiving, she may find a local church that provides dinners to work at and keep busy during the family holiday.

Celebrating family time when family can be together is key to coping with military separations. For the Staigl family, a potential deployment is casting a shadow over the holidays this year. Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Staigl, a 2014 graduate of Colerain High School, shipped out for basic training at Parris Island the some month he graduated from high school. He said at the time that patriotism, family history and his opinion that the Marines are better than other branches inspired him to enlist. His parents, Jennifer and Kevin Staigl of Colerain Township, were proud. He did well in basic training, See HEART, Page 2A

ArtLocal show promotes local artists’ work Jennie Key jkey@communitypress.com

Springfield Township presents a chance to enjoy local art, support local artists and be part of a celebration of what art can do within a community. The Arts Connect brings the community together for its Fourth Annual Art Local art show, a two-day celebration of the arts. Kimberlee Flamm, projects, events and communications coordinator for Springfield Township, says the Centennial Barn, 110 Compton Road, will hold a gallery of artwork from about 40 artists, residents of the community and surrounding neighborhoods. Artwork from long-time Springfield Township resident, nationally known artist Charley Harper, will also be on display. The art show kicks off with

an evening artist reception from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. Flamm says the evening event will include a wine tasting, light appetizers, live music, a silent auction, a raffle and a “People’s Choice” award. The wine tasting includes a flight of four tastes for $20. Residents and visitors will have a chance to mingle, meet the artists and enjoy the art. Flamm says there will also be live art demonstrations and information available on classes offered through Arts Connect. Representatives of the township’s nonprofit arts group will provide an update on future plans. The evening is also an opportunity to celebrate the artists who have their work on display. Many of the artwork will be available for sale. The gallery will reopen Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for art lovers to take a closer look

GOBBLE, GOBBLE. It’s the 28th annual Dress the Turkey Contest. See entry form on 4A, but hurry. Deadline for entries is Thursday, Nov. 9. See details on entry form.

and enjoy art at their leisure. The Springfield Township Arts and Enrichment Council is a five-member board that organizes, plans, and raises money for community events and art programs in the township. ArtsConnect is the council’s official, trademarked brand. The group seeks volunteers and additional resources to bring quality programming to Springfield Township in support of a vibrant community. In addition to the annual ArtLocal art show, the ArtsConnect presents concerts, the dinner theater series, Macy’s Art Sampler, the popular Mom Prom and Daddy Daughter Dance, WinterFest, the Playhouse in the Park series, and Puppets for Lunch. Other programs presented by the arts council include adult events such as Art & Wine Wednesdays, and classes for

DONATIONS BENEFIT ARTS CONNECT AND YOUR BOTTOM LINE

PROVIDED

The work of a number of local artists will on display and available for sale at the Fourth Annual ArtLocal.

watercolors, stain glass, painting with acrylics and beginning sculpture. Classes are conducted at the Springfield Township Senior and Community Center, 9158 Winton Road, behind the Springfield Township Fire station. Interested in ArtsConnect

Contact The Press News .........................923-3111 Retail advertising ............768-8404 Classified advertising ........242-4000 Delivery ......................853-6277

Being a patron of the township’s arts council can pay off at tax time. Contributions to the Springfield Township Arts and Enrichment Council are tax deductable. The Springfield Township Arts and Enrichment Council is an official 501(c)(3) public charity. If you itemize your tax return, donations to the Springfield Township Arts & Enrichment Council do qualify as a tax deductible donation. Please contact a certified tax consultant for reporting details.

and want to engage? To be notified of volunteer opportunities, register your name and email address from the website homepage at theartsconnect.us. For a more regular or specific volunteer commitment, call 513-522-1410. Vol. 79 No. 39 © 2016 The Community Press ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

See page A2 for additional information

Learn more at LaSalleHS.net

CE-0000657293


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.