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Saturday, August 7, 2021
Harrison News-Herald Area
Teresa’s Tales
How far does the Harrison News-Herald travel?
BY TERESA DULAC
And the circulation isn’t even 100% contained within the United States. One CanaFrom the 1800s to the 1960s, three inde- dian subscriber has single-handedly made pendent newspapers worked to inform the the Harrison News-Herald an international people of Harrison County: the Freeport publication. Long-time subscriber Debra-Jo Press-Herald, the Scio Herald, and the Cadiz Sujka currently lives in Toronto, a city in Republican. But in 1968, the province of the three papers merged “The newspaper is an Ontario, and she’s to form the Harrison an avid reader of extension of local culture News-Herald. While the News-Herald. the name “Harrison that facebook and other Sujka has roots in News-Herald” has only platforms cannot recreate. both Harrison and been around for 53 years, Home is important, and to Athens Counties; the legacy of the three she grew up in many, the newspaper allows newspapers that formed Harrison County today’s paper has lived them to return home. It is and went to school for more than 200 years. not surprising that so many in Athens, Ohio, The News-Herald’s staff take their subscriptions where she was part works together to put of Ohio Universiwith them as they move. out 2,350 printed papers ty’s Class of 1970. a week and gratify over The News-Herald’s “I like to find out 4,000 — and climbing widespread readership is — email subscribers. what’s happening The Harrison a good reminder that our there in Harrison News-Herald isn’t community spans beyond County,” Sujka confined to Harrison our county limits.” stated. “I do admit, County, or even to the —BONNIE RUTLEDGE, I will look at the state of Ohio. Current Owner sheriff’s reports to News-Herald readers see if anyone’s gothail from Colorado, ten into mischief, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska, Arizona, but it’s more to see what’s happening, how the Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, county is evolving.” Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and As mentioned, Sujka has family roots in Washington, to name a few. Harrison County. Her great-niece is the sevWhile local residents can easily get the enth generation to live locally: “Even though Harrison News-Herald delivered to their I now live in Toronto, Ontario, I still have door for $40 a year, longer distance readers roots in Harrison County, Ohio.” Sujka says pay $70 to accommodate for extra postage her favorite part of the Harrison News-Herand logistics. Per request, the News-Herald ald is “the bits and pieces of history” and that staff even mails a weekly batch of papers firstit’s not just Cadiz she likes keeping up with class to be delivered on time hundreds or even thousands of miles away. — but the people as well.
East Sparta Homecoming: Person of the Year 2021
Gary Piatt is a familiar face in the East Sparta-Sandy Valley area. He was born in Piedmont, Ohio, but he moved to Canton to get a job in 1959 (right after graduating from high school). Gary was successful at job hunting and was hired at Sugardale as a crew leader for 30 years. But Gary had too much energy for just one job; he was a realtor for 36 years, an auctioneer for 28 years, and was a close friend to Santa. In fact, Gary and Santa were almost like twins. Santa called on Gary to help him — for 47 years. Even today, Gary makes a person do a double-take as he still looks like Santa. Gary is still getting together with his high school alumni and has been his school’s alumni leader since 2001. East Sparta has benefited from Gary being an active Homecoming volunteer for the
past 30 years. He has served as the annual parade announcer and will also take your money at the Eat Stand, serving as a cashier. He is chairman of the board for the East Sparta Methodist Church. And Gary is a 32nd-degree Scottish Rite Freemason and Chaplin for two of their temples. Gary’s home helper is his wife, Phyliss. Phyliss met Gary on a blind date, which resulted in 32 years of marriage and still going strong. They have two daughters, Cheryl and Chelly. And a big smile comes on Gary’s face when he talks about his four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Thanks, Gary — for always being there for our village. Gary Piatt is the 83rd East Sparta Homecoming’s Person of the Year.
Jewett council to contribute funds to museum BY JD LONG jim@harrisonnewsherald.com JEWETT—On Wednesday, Jewett’s council discussed the needs of the Jewett Museum with acting Mayor Bo Bailey, who was sitting in for the recently deceased Mayor Dwight Busby. Bailey raised the issue of a contract between the village and the museum allowing the village to pay $1,500 per year if needed. “They’ve been taking care of everything up there,” Bailey told council. “They never had asked us for nothing.” Treasurer Linda Ager noted that the village owns the building and reiterated giving the museum $1,500 per year “if they needed it.” Ager said the museum had been paying all the utilities, but Bailey added they were attempting a fundraiser, which they speculated COVID might have contributed to a lack of business. “Yeah, they probably do need money,” Ager told the council. Bailey said this was the first time the museum had asked for funding. All agreed to issue the funds.
PART 1
A walk through time: Henry Law Farm completes catalog of 10,000 antiques BY SHAWN DIGITY twitter@DIGITYnodoubt The Law Reed Huss Farm is located beyond the western ends of Tappan Lake and Willis Run Bay, just past the reservoir. And it’s planted perfectly at the intersection of Plum Run and Reed Roads, as pretty as a picture. Bill Huss, the farm proprietor, and other members of the Huss and Reed families hosted an open house in late July to celebrate the completion of a massive, 10,000-item cataloging venture. The farmhouse has already been distinguished as a historic site. It’s had that designation for quite some time, but the cataloging process was a large-scale and time-consuming undertaking. However, upon arrival, the plaque honoring the farmhouse was one of the first features that drew the eye. Qualifying as a historic site, at least as a historical homestead, requires that the same family hold the property for at least a century. Indeed, the idyllic farmhouse was beautiful, but the cataloging endeavor had turned it into something more — more than both a farm and a historic site. It had become a giant time capsule. The Henry Law Farm (another name for the homestead) left the viridescence of the Plum Run holler behind and opened a portal to a time 150 years ago. As it opened up, it exuded the spirit of the late 1800s and early 1900s, which set the stage for the rest of the house. The atmosphere exuded more than just history, though, because it took nearly a year’s worth of time and effort to set up and catalog the thousands of items. More so, the man behind the process, art historian and cataloger of the Law Reed Huss Farm collection David Kencik, was present for the event. Bill Huss was first to express his gratitude for Kencik’s knowledge and work for the cataloging: “David ended up being a perfect fit.” Kencik, who studied at Ohio University, sparked Huss’s interest after seeing that the university had a Museum Studies program. And one member of the Law family, Loretta Law Duswald, was also an alumna. Kencik ultimately ended up leading an impromptu tour as guests began migrating into the house. Much of the Law-Reed-Huss family was there, as well, but they went their own route for family photos and fellowship, so the tour shrunk to two people. As Kencik guided the way, he broke down the interior of the living room. In one corner sat a bookshelf, chock full of various subjects. The bookshelves were seemingly fixtures in nearly every room, however. It shouldn’t be seen as a surprise. Kencik said that
the family was well-read, and reading, in general, was very prevalent in the 1800s and 1900s, before radios and TVs entered the scene. Hanging in another corner was also a certificate. While the plaque outside was bestowed nationally, the certificate in the living room was recognized by Ohio. The certificate confirmed in more words what the front porch plaque symbolized. It honored the Henry Law Farm “for a century or more of continuous family ownership of an Ohio homestead or tract of land. To the dedication and perseverance of the founders and heirs of these lands, we owe the wealth of the Great State of Ohio.” It had been approved and signed by the presidents of The Ohio Historical Society and Board of Trustees to officialize the honor. As the living room tour continued, Kencik made mention of some of the furniture. A royal purple coach, in particular, was especially noteworthy since it was Victorian-era inspired and in near-mint condition. The couch was made with woven and dyed horsehair, Kencik informed, and it was still capable of holding people. No one tested the couch’s integrity on that matter, though. Next, the tour shifted toward the parlor, off to the side of the living room. And it held many stories. There was a piano with some sheet music, a giant crock with an undisclosed purpose, a desk with its pens and an ink jug, a hope chest, a bed on a brass frame, and another bookshelf. But Kencik noted one particular piece of furniture at the foot of the bed: the game table. The table part was obvious; it looked like a run-ofthe-mill hardwood table at first glance, but it held a secret that made it convenient for parties and get-togethers. The top of the table could swivel to reveal a compartment where the host could store game pieces, dice, or playing cards. And keep the hidden compartment motif in the back of your mind; the game table foreshadowed another piece of furniture later in the tour. The parlor would be the first of many, but most rooms boasted ornate and flamboyant Victorian-style wallpaper reproductions. Some featured jewel-toned Victorian-era designs and some had symbolic wreaths with red ribbons and moths. Kencik explained that wallpaper was more in vogue during the early 1900s because of a dearth of paint selections. However, advancement in paint technology eventually allowed for new palettes of colors, and consequently, it led to a new wave of interior design. Kencik mentioned that the color options became so variegated in the 1940s, homeowners would straight-up paint over hardwood furniture to keep up with homemaking trends.
