Adena prepares for spring showers, flooding

BY ALYSSA HOWARD

Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

ADENA—Adena council met on the evening of Tuesday, February 14. The meeting started with the police report, and they are still looking for those that stole the lights from under the pavilion at Bedway Park. If the person(s) involved are discovered, the village does plan to prosecute.

Council has big plans for village improvement this year. Mayor Brenda Roski reached out to the electrical students at Jefferson County JVS to potentially partner with them to fix the wreaths that hang throughout the village during the Christmas season. Roski is also hoping to get new, easier-to-set-up Christmas decorations for the village green.

Street Supervisor Mike Reynolds spoke about the street projects that have started. He has completed some patch work around Churchill and towards Dogtown.

The village has partnered with Sebring Excavating. They are enacting the work on controlling flood water from the streets to a proper drainage system before the spring rains come. Reynolds is also working to clear debris out of the creek to help with water flow. Sebring Excavating is also doing some other road work throughout the village.

Reynolds and President of Council R.J. Konkoleski spoke of the replacement of the “Welcome to Adena” sign on County Road 10 coming from Harrisville that not long ago was hit by a vehicle. Konkoleski mentioned that it might be better to put it closer to town instead of the turn it originally stood on. The council and the street department are planning to speak with property owners in that area to negotiate where to place the new sign.

Roski commended Reynolds on his help with not only village roads but the water department as well.

“Mike, I want to publicly thank you for pitching in and helping with the water department. We appreciate everything you are doing.” Roski said.

Council discussed cross-training village employees to help with multiple tasks around the village. They are also considering looking for another village employee in the future. They are also looking into some building stabilization, work on the grandstands, and painting at the Golden Wave Stadium at Pit Field. They are hoping to make improvements using recycled, eco-friendly equipment.

Roski again talked about having pride in the village. She mentioned that if you see any street lights out, there is a pole number and a phone number on the pole to call. If there is not, look at the house it is by, get the street name, and call AEP Ohio and report it, or go online and report it. AEP Ohio will come right out and fix the light. You could also contact council member Nicholas Wallace to report a light outage.

On a lighter note, Konkoleski brought in a “history show-and-tell,” an old Valentine card from 1919 mailed from Robyville. He then quizzed Mayor Brenda Roski on how many post offices were in Adena in 1910. She named all 4: Adena, Robyville, Blairmont, and Herrick. She also mentioned that mail used to come by train back in those days. The trains would slow way down, and they would toss large bags of mail off the train cars to mail carriers waiting by the tracks with carts. She said that on a trip to Alaska that she took years ago, that practice was still used in most places.

All interested in joining 4-H and any other programs in Harrison County should call the Harrison County Extension office at 740-942-8823. PHOTO PROVIDED

BY ED BANKS Harrison News-Herald Staff Writer

CADIZ—A visit to the Harrison County Extension Office will quickly validate the office's mission. That mission is to offer creative ways to involve the county's youth through programs such as 4-H, the fair, and scouts. These types of programs educate and involve the county's youth in many different ways. The office itself sets the tone, as youth-oriented objects and communications reflect the connection between the office and the county's youth.

"By encouraging the county's youth to join our local and state programs, the opportunity to be educated through participation exists," said Caity Romshak, Harrison County 4-H youth educator. "We also engage with the communities around the county."

Romshak is in her third year in the position, and she definitely walks and talks the language and the initiative of the position. She stated that not only do the program club members learn through their experiences but they are also instructed on how to use the learning. She also mentioned that 4-H is not just about the fair; it is for everyone. The program itself is not shaped by background or any one interest but is designed in a way for all youth to be successful.

"This office is comprised of very intelligent and dedicated individuals," Romshak added. "Our educators are amongst the top of their individual professional fields. I personally do not call this work or a job because I love what I do. I am pleased to say that a lot of the communication you see here comes from youth all over the county. In many ways, they show or voice their thankfulness for being asked to join the program."

Romshak also shows interest in the programs by attending some of the activities and by going to the fair. Using approved volunteers is a very special way of engaging with the community. Where and whenever an activity, program, or special event is being held, chances are volunteers are performing an important part of the delivery.

"Our programs also get assistance through volunteers," Romshak went on. "The process of becoming a volunteer is a multi-step process. An application is the first step in the process; then, the applicant must provide acceptable references. The following step is to go through an interview. Following the interview process, the applicant will go through a mandatory background check with fingerprinting.”

Anyone interested in volunteering call 740-942-8823 by April 1.