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What's Happening in Champaign County?

Champaign co. high school basketball report jan. 22-28

1/29/2021

 
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By Adam Moore - We Spend Local Network
Graham

Boys: Record 8-7 (1-4)
Friday (Jan. 22) – Lost 49-45 vs North Union.  Led by Brady King (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Ben Sells (12 points)

Tuesday (Jan. 26) – Won 49-35 @ Kenton Ridge.  Led by Brady King (18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists) and Sam Ludlow (8 points, 9 rebounds)

Upcoming: Saturday (Jan 30) vs Urbana, Tuesday (Feb 2) @ Benjamin Logan.
​
Girls: Record 8-10 (4-5)
Wednesday (Jan. 20) – Won 62-60 vs Northwestern.  Led by Abby Yukon (20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) and Brooke Shoemaker (12 points, 4 assists, 2 steals)

Friday (Jan 22) – Lost 42-51 @ Indian Lake.  Stats not reported.

Saturday (Jan 23) – Won 62-30 vs North Union.  Led by Arial Cupps (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Abby Yukon (14 points, 9 rebounds)

Wednesday (Jan 27) – Won 53-52 @ Benjamin Logan.  Led by Abby Yukon (19 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals) and Lauran Bailey (10 points, 6 assists)

Upcoming:  Friday (Jan. 29) vs Butler, Monday (Feb 1) vs Jonathan Alder, Wednesday (Feb 3) vs Indian Lake

Mechanicsburg
Boys: Record 4-7 (4-6)
Saturday (Jan. 22) – Won 61-34 @ Southeastern.  Led by Hayden DeLong (18 points, 5 rebounds) and Tristan Hall (15 points, 10 rebounds)

Tuesday (Jan. 26) – Won 54-46 vs West Jefferson.  Led by Kyle Smith (25 points, 9 rebounds) and Josh Lim (10 points, 6 rebounds)

Upcoming:  Friday (Jan. 29) @ Triad, Saturday (Jan 30) @ Kenton Ridge, Tuesday (Feb 2) @ Fairbanks

Girls: Record 12-4 (10-1)
Wednesday (Jan 27) – Won 76-32 vs Triad.  Stats not reported. 
Upcoming:  Saturday (Jan. 30) @ Fairbanks, Monday (Feb 1) @ Greeneview, Thursday (Feb 4) vs West Liberty-Salem
 
Triad
Boys: Record 1-12 (1-9)
Saturday (Jan. 23) – Lost 63-64 @ Riverside.   Led by Ayden Spriggs (26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals) and Carson Manley (11 points, 4 rebounds)

Monday (Jan 25) – Lost 40-55 vs Marion Harding.  Led by Batai Lease (10 points) and Ayden Spriggs (10 points, 5 assists)

Tuesday (Jan 26) – Lost 26-45 @ Fairbanks.  Led by Batai Lease (7 points, 4 rebounds)

Upcoming: Friday (Jan 29) vs Mechanicsburg, Saturday (Jan 30) vs Benjamin Logan, Tuesday (Feb 2) @ Northeastern.

Girls: Record 5-11 (2-9)
Wednesday (Jan 27) – Lost 32-76 @ Mechanicsburg.  Cati LeVan (11 points, 4 steals, 5 assists)

Thursday (Jan 28) – Score Not Reported.

Upcoming: Monday (Feb 1) vs Madison Plains, Wednesday (Feb 3) vs West Jefferson, Thursday (Feb 4) vs Franklinton Prep

Urbana
Boys: Record 4-5 (1-3)
Friday (Jan 22) – Lost 54-73 @ Benjamin Logan.  Led by Wyatt Teets (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) and Will Donahoe (16 points, 7 assists)

Saturday (Jan 23) – Lost 33-57 vs London.  Led by Johnathan Hildebrand (10 points, 6 steals)

Tuesday (Jan 26) – Lost 51-60 @ Tecumseh.  Led by Rayvon Rogan (14 points, 17 rebounds) and Nick Weyrich (14 points, 7 rebounds).

Upcoming: Friday (Jan. 29) @ North Union, Saturday (Jan. 30) @ Graham, Tuesday (Feb 2) vs Indian Lake.

Girls: Record 9-8 (7-1)
Saturday (Jan. 23) – Won 55-26 @ Northwestern.  Led by Maleah Murphy (17 points, 9 steals, 6 assists) and Shelby Stoops (14 points, 10 rebounds)

Monday (Jan 25) – Postponed.

Wednesday (Jan 27) – Won 51-33 @ Indian Lake.  Led by Samantha Rooney (22 points, 5 steals) and Marah Donahoe (11 points, 4 rebounds).

Thursday (Jan 28) – Won 45-33 vs Northwestern.  Led by Marah Donahoe (12 points, 5 rebounds) and Shelby Stoops (10 points, 6 rebounds)

Upcoming – Saturday (Jan. 30) @ Shawnee, Monday (Feb 1) vs Fairlawn, Wednesday (Feb 3) @ North Union, Thursday (Feb 4) @ Dayton Christian.

West Liberty
Boys: Record 9-6 (6-4)
Friday (Jan 22) – Lost 46-56 @ Springfield Catholic Central.  Led by Logan Saylor (12 points, 3 rebounds) and Nick Burden (11 points, 5 rebounds).

Saturday (Jan. 23) – Won 56-53 vs Anna.  Led by Nick Burden (14 points, 6 points) and Logan Saylor (14 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals).

Tuesday (Jan. 26) – Won 65-45 @ Northeastern.  Stats not reported.

Upcoming – Friday (Jan. 29) vs Fairbanks, Tuesday (Feb 2) @ West Jefferson.

Girls: Record 15-0 (11-0)
Tuesday (Jan. 26) – Won 45-33 vs Greenon.  Led by Emily Hollar (18 points, 3 rebounds) and Selena Weaver (9 points, 13 rebounds)

Thursday (Jan 28) – Score not reported.
​

Upcoming – Saturday (Jan 30) vs West Jefferson, Monday (Feb 1) @ Northeastern, Thursday (Feb 4) @ Mechanicsburg.

peaceful parenting classes available at osu extension office-champaign co.

1/26/2021

 
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OSU Extension-Champaign County Family & Consumer Sciences Educator Kellie Lemly will be offering classes for Peaceful Parenting throughout 2021. 

What is Peaceful Parenting? Peaceful Parenting is 3-part parenting class, offered to parents of children aged birth to 17 years.  Learn strategies for everyday parenting dilemmas and difficulties.  Certificates are given for 7 hours of parenting upon completion of the course series.

​What is the Fee?
 Registration fees are $25.00 per person and are due one week before the chosen sessions.  Pre-payment is required, and can be done online with a credit/debit card.  You may also pay by check in advance of the class.  Certificates will be given at the end of the session to those attending who have paid the fee.

Where are the Classes Located?  Unless conducted virtually due to the pandemic status at the time, classes will be held in the Champaign County Community Bldg, 1512 US Hwy 68 S, Urbana, OH  43078.  Either conference room B or C will be utilized.  



2021 Scheduled Dates and Times
February 11, 18, & 25           3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.          
March 11, 18, & 25                10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.         
April 1, 8, & 15                      3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.           
June 3, 10, & 17                    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.          
August 5, 12, & 19                4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.         
October 8, 15, & 22              1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.            


Upon registration, you will be notified whether your course series will be conducted in person or virtually.  This decision must be made close to the time of the course dates, as the pandemic status is changing continuously. ​


To register for these classes online visit: go.osu.edu/champpeace

Champaign co. high school basketball report jan. 15-21

1/23/2021

 
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By Adam Moore - We Spend Local Network
Graham
Boys: Record 7-6 (1-3)
Friday (Jan. 15) – Lost 57-80 at Indian Lake.  Led by Ben Sells (18 points, 9 rebounds) and Brady King (16 points)

Saturday (Jan. 16) – Lost 40-46 vs West Liberty.  Led by Brady King (10 points, 3 assists)

Monday (Jan. 18) – Lost 53-85 vs Kettering Alter.  Led by Eric Goddard (12 points) and Brady King (11 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds)

Upcoming: Friday (Jan. 22) vs. North Union, Tuesday (Jan. 26) @ Kenton Ridge

Girls: Record 5-9 (1-4)
Saturday (Jan. 16) – Lost 27-47 vs Urbana. 

Monday (Jan. 18) – Lost 42-52 vs London. 
 
Wednesday (Jan. 20) – score not reported.

Upcoming: Friday (Jan. 22) vs. Northwestern, Saturday (Jan. 23) @ Indian Lake

Mechanicsburg
Boys: Record 2-7 (2-6)
Saturday (Jan. 16) – Lost 49-53 @ London.  Led by Kyle Smith (24 points, 6 rebounds) and Tristan Hall (17 points, 6 rebounds)

Tuesday (Jan. 19) – Won 61-39 vs West Liberty-Salem.  Led by Hayden DeLong (24 points, 4 rebounds), Tristan Hall (12 points, 7 rebounds) and Brooks Tom (2 points, 13 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals)

Upcoming:  Friday (Jan. 22) @ Southeastern, Saturday (Jan. 23) vs Bellefontaine

Girls: Record 11-4 (9-1)
Friday (Jan. 15) – Won 45-32 vs. West Jefferson.  

Monday (Jan. 18) – Won 60-30 vs Southeastern. 

Upcoming:  Saturday (Jan. 23) @ West Jefferson, Wednesday (Jan 27) vs Triad

Triad
Boys: Record 1-9 (1-8)
Friday (Jan. 15) – Lost 58-85 vs Springfield Catholic Central. Batai Lease (17 points, 3 rebounds) and Ayden Spriggs (14 points)

Upcoming: Saturday (Jan 21) @ Riverside, Monday (Jan 25) vs. Marion Harding, Tuesday (Jan. 26) @ Fairbanks.

Girls: Record 5-10 (2-8)
Saturday (Jan. 16) – Lost 47-65 @ Greeneview.  Led by Frani LeVan (13 points, 4 steals) and Cati LeVan (11 points, 7 steals, 5 assists)

Upcoming: Wednesday (Jan. 27) @ Mechanicsburg

Urbana
Boys: Record 4-2 (1-2)
Wednesday (Jan. 20) – Won 70-36 vs Southeastern.  Led by Will Donahoe (13 points, 3 steals) and Nick Weyrich (12 points, 6 rebounds)

Upcoming: Friday (Jan. 22) @ Ben Logan, Saturday (Jan. 23) vs London, Tuesday (Jan. 26) @ Tecumseh

Girls: Record 6-8 (4-1)
Saturday (Jan. 16) – Won 47-27 @ Graham.  Led by Samantha Rooney (20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists)

Wednesday (Jan. 20) – Won 51-27 vs Ben Logan.  Led by Samantha Rooney (29 points, 2 steals) and Shelby Stoops (11 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals)

Upcoming – Saturday (Jan. 23) @ Northwestern, Monday (Jan. 25) @ Ben Logan, Wednesday (Jan. 27) @ Indian Lake, Thursday (Jan. 28) vs Northwestern

West Liberty
Boys: Record 7-5 (5-3)
Friday (Jan. 15) – Lost 49-78 vs Cedarville.  Led by Nick Burden (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Logan Saylor (11 points, 4 rebounds)

Saturday (Jan. 16) – Won 46-40 @ Graham.  Led by Nick Burden (16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals) and Logan Saylor (13 points, 9 rebounds)

Tuesday (Jan. 19) – Lost 39-61 @ Mechanicsburg.

Upcoming – Friday (Jan. 22) @ Springfield Catholic Central, Saturday (Jan. 23) vs Anna, Tuesday (Jan. 26) @ Northeastern.

Girls: Record 14-0 (10-0)
Saturday (Jan. 16) – Won 55-53 @ Springfield Catholic Central.  Led by Emily Hollar (18 points, 5 assists) and Selena Weaver (17 points, 8 rebounds)

Monday (Jan. 18) – Won 48-36 vs Versailles.  Led by Elena Weaver (23 points, 15 rebounds) and Grace Estes (13 points, 4 rebounds)

Thursday (Jan. 21) – Won 50-25 vs Fairbanks.

Upcoming –) vs Fairbanks, Tuesday (Jan. 26) vs Greenon, Wednesday (Jan. 27) @ Northeastern

Certified Physician Assistant Joins Memorial Medical Group

1/21/2021

 
Madelyn Bartsch, Certified Physician Assistant
Madelyn Bartsch, Certified Physician Assistant, will be treating patients at the Memorial Primary Care
Marysville, Ohio – Memorial Health today announced Madelyn Bartsch, Certified Physician Assistant, will be treating patients at the Memorial Primary Care │ Urbana practice effective January 18, 2021. Bartsch will be providing care to patients of this growing practice, along with practitioners John Crankshaw, MD; Joseph Metz, MD; Rochelle Clark-Pulfer, PA-C; and Danielle Smith, PA-C.
 
Bartsch completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Ohio University. She has been a Certified Physician Assistant for three years, and comes to Memorial with experience providing high-quality patient care in a primary care setting. Bartsch will provide a full-range of patient care services, treating individuals with acute illnesses or those patients with advanced conditions.  
She has expertise, and a passion, collaborating with patients for the treatment and prevention of chronic diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
 
If you are interested in becoming a patient of Memorial Primary Care │ Urbana, please call the office at (937) 652-1834.
 
Memorial Health is an independent health system based in Marysville, Ohio, which consists of Memorial Hospital’s main campus and satellite outpatient locations including Memorial City Gate Medical Center; Memorial Urbana Medical Center; Memorial Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center; Memorial Gables – a skilled nursing facility; Memorial Medical Group – a network of 42 physicians and mid-level providers with office locations throughout Marysville, Plain City, Richwood, and Urbana; and the Memorial Health Foundation. To learn more, visit memorialohio.com.

Dr. E.W.B. Curry: Better futures through education

1/21/2021

 
Urbana students research history, legacy of Urbana educator
Dr. Curry’s High School Graduation photo
Dr. Curry’s High School Graduation photo

​The student work presented below about Dr. E.W.B. Curry was collaboratively written by eighth graders Preston Wisma, Lauren Shelpman, Colton Lafferty, and Kenadi McKee with extra research provided by Bryce Stambaugh.

The following article was made possible by students at Urbana Junior High School who have been doing research through articles, exhibits, and coordination with groups such as the Champaign County and Delaware County historical societies and the Champaign County Recorder’s Office. This is the 3rd article written by Urbana Junior High students, click here to read Part One and Part Two. 

Students at Urbana Junior High School have decided Dr. E.W.B. Curry was a very successful and important part of the history of the education system in the post Civil War era who deserves recognition for his part in our community.  The often underrecognized Dr. Curry founded a successful and influential school to teach African Americans important life skills that would help them gain jobs right here in Urbana, OH.
 
E.W.B. Curry found success from setting up the Curry Institute in Urbana, Ohio.  Curry had a dream of helping African Americans get better and higher-paying jobs.  He followed through with that dream in 1889, when, while still going to school at the young age of 17, he began to teach African-Americans of all ages in a small shed kitchen in Delaware, Ohio.  He taught anyone who could pay the tuition of 25 cents per week, old or young.  As enrollment in the school increased, he moved the school to Mechanicsburg for two years.  When he began to get more interest in the school, in 1897, he moved it to a building at 325 East Water Street in Urbana, Ohio, and founded the Curry Institute. 

At the Curry Institute, course work was offered in elementary, industrial, normal, and religious training.  Since course work was offered in industrial training, this helped many African Americans gain the skills needed to work in a specific job of their choosing.  The goal of the school was to focus on offering job specific training for African Americans so they could gain employment, but people of all races and genders were allowed to go.  Curry opened up his school for all ages people because many African Americans had missed out on an education in their youth, especially in the South.

 At the Curry Institute, men were taught in industrial classes, leather working, printing, cement and paving, domestic arts, paper hanging, decorating, house painting, and gardening. Women were taught nursing, domestic science, sewing, hair dressing, and millinery. Curry also owned farm land for the purpose of teaching African Americans farming techniques.  E.W.B. Curry said, “Nothing is taught that does not have a bearing upon actual everyday life” (Wilson 1993).  Curry only taught his students what he thought they would need to thrive in everyday life.  Curry helped many people get employed through his training and worked to foster an appreciation in Urbana’s African American community for striving to increase their position in life through education.  He was clearly a great citizen who wanted to make a difference, evidenced from a quote out of his own book detailing the purpose of the Curry Institute as helping, “…form a place of knowledge for old and young to uplift humanity, a school where students could better themselves industrially, spiritually, and culturally.”  Curry started this school because he wanted to help African Americans live better lives by teaching them better job skills which allowed them to gain more money.  One of Curry’s successes is recorded in an exhibit panel about Curry from the Delaware County Historical Society stating, “The skills described would enable African-American men and women to be employed in a good-paying job, perhaps even leading to owning their own business.”

Dr. Curry opened a school for African Americans when he himself was an African American, which would’ve been no easy task for Curry because he set it up shortly after the Civil War and racism certainly could come into play.  Some people would’ve been against the school because it was made by an African American and it was for the education of African Americans, though there is evidence Curry found plenty of positive support in Urbana. Even when there was a lot of adversity coming his way when it came to civil rights and segregation, he made it possible for anyone to attend his school of any race, gender, or age.
 
Dr. Curry was a very productive man and wanted to help his students by giving them the best resources and materials for them to get the education he thought they deserved. He found multiple teachers who could teach different types of job skills such as religious, industrial, or mechanical training as well as jobs like carpentry, dealing with livestock, and gardening. Since he was making this school for primarily African Americans he brought on several African American teachers including Miss Emma Davis, Mrs. Julia Porter, and Mrs. Mary McWilliam (Curry’s book “The Curry Institute” written in 1889).  One teacher, Dr. T.W. Burton, was actually the first African American doctor in Springfield, OH. Curry recruited this doctor to teach the skill of nursing to his students (Clark County Historical Society). “Curry strongly advocated the employment of African-American teachers for African-Americans, citing the importance of self-help, meeting the students emotional and educational needs, and an environment free of racism,” according to an article written about Curry as one of the first African American teachers in the state of Ohio.  The passage also states, “...Curry was hailed as one of the most influential spokesmen for African-American education.” (Wilson 1993)  Curry wanted to show African American students that they could grow up and do something outside of regular expectations. Curry also wanted to give African Americans confidence and redemption from their past. So, Curry taught what students would need in everyday life to thrive, showing that Curry wanted his students to have equal opportunities.
 
Dr. Curry and the Curry Institute owned three properties around Urbana, which, as an African American, was impressive for the time period. The Curry Institute was located at 325 E. Water Street, which has now become a private residence.  Curry also purchased two additional properties along US-68.  The first was 75 acres south of town on Dallas Road that he hoped to use for agricultural education through real farming.  The second property was located on US-68, and through our research with the Champaign County Recorder’s Office we have found evidence that it may have bordered property that is now our school (the new Urbana Elementary and Junior High Schools on US-68). This second property was where Curry had plans to build a newer and larger school for his Institute.  Curry had started building on this property before he died, but only the outer shell of the building was completed. Curry died in 1930, and the remainder of the bricks and supplies for the new school were gifted to Wilberforce University, the first college for African Americans in Ohio.  Through our research with the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center as well as Wilberforce University we have found out that the bricks were used in the construction of an addition to the Wilberforce Carnegie Library, which is now where the offices for the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center are located.  We believe the original foundation of Curry’s unfinished school completed could still exist on property in Urbana, and we are hoping to work with current landowners to identify their location and existence.
 
Dr. Curry was a noteworthy part of our African American history in Urbana, Ohio as a man of imagination, hope, citizenship, and honor.  These are the traits that made Curry successful, helped him influence our local history, and allowed him to better people’s futures.  Curry worked long hours and juggled many things at a time, but he never gave up. Curry had to overcome many obstacles, but, in the end, he proved many people wrong and stood proud for the people that were cheering him on. This is why Curry needs to be recognized in a huge manner.

Dr. E.w.b. curry: Where it all began!

1/21/2021

 
Urbana students research history, legacy of Urbana educator
Dr. Curry’s High School Graduation photo
Dr. Curry’s High School Graduation photo
The Shed Kitchen School, 1889.
The Shed Kitchen School, 1889.

By Mary Ober and Jahna Sloat

The students of Urbana Junior High School have selected Dr. Elmer Curry for their 2020 Project Based Learning assignment. This is the 2nd article written by Urbana Junior High students, click here to read Part One and Part Three.

Where it all began! E.W.B. (Elmer Washington Bryant) Curry was just 17 years old when he started his very first school in Delaware Ohio in January of 1889. Dr. Curry’s neighbor, Isaac Merriday, offered his kitchen shed, located at the back of his house, for Dr. Curry to use. Curry rented the kitchen shed for 50 cents per month. Dr.Curry also taught at the Delaware Night School for 2 years and he was the first African American to teach at the night school. Once the Shed School started, he charged his students 25 cents per week for tuition.. He called his school the “The Place of Knowledge for Old and Young”.  Dr. Curry’s school accepted all genders, races, and ages (from 12 and up). For example, Curry’s first student was a 50-year-old man who was a day laborer. Dr.Curry was such a distinguished person that on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the City of Delaware unveiled an honorary street sign commemorating the life and work of Elmer Washington Bryant Curry (1871-1930).  

​Dr. Curry moved his school to Mechanicsburg Ohio in September of 1895. The school opened with 19 students and 3 teachers. After the first year the school did not have any graduates and it started losing support in the community.So in order to keep up the school's support Dr. Curry and his then fiance held their wedding ceremony and invited everyone to it. Later in September of 1897 the Baptist Association removed the support and closed down the school. Brothers Charles Swayne, W. T. Hill, D. R. Jones and J. H. Chavers recommended Urbana to Dr Curry.

Dr. E.W.B. Curry: the curry school

1/21/2021

 
Urbana students research history, legacy of Urbana educator
This “Then” photo of The Curry School was taken on the occasion (Sept. 20, 1913) of the reunion of black Civil War veterans and widows, sons and daughters from all parts of Ohio (Urbana Daily Citizen). Professor Elmer Curry is on the grass at the extreme left. This building at 325 E. Water St. was originally a residence owned by Philander B. Ross. It was purchased by the Urbana City Board of Education, which used it until 1898. Then Professor Curry acquired the property and moved the Curry Normal and Industrial Institute into the building. Over 2,000 mostly African-American students, youth and adults, were instructed in industrial skills, higher academics, and morality at the Institute. (Source: Sherry Virts, Champaign County Preservation Alliance)
This “Then” photo of The Curry School was taken on the occasion (Sept. 20, 1913) of the reunion of black Civil War veterans and widows, sons and daughters from all parts of Ohio (Urbana Daily Citizen). Professor Elmer Curry is on the grass at the extreme left. This building at 325 E. Water St. was originally a residence owned by Philander B. Ross. It was purchased by the Urbana City Board of Education, which used it until 1898. Then Professor Curry acquired the property and moved the Curry Normal and Industrial Institute into the building. Over 2,000 mostly African-American students, youth and adults, were instructed in industrial skills, higher academics, and morality at the Institute. (Source: Sherry Virts, Champaign County Preservation Alliance)
The article below was authored by 6th graders Elaei Brown, Grady Lantz, Ethan Rose, Janaya Scott, Gavin Stacy, and Michael Upchurch.
​

The students of Urbana Junior High School have selected Dr. Elmer Curry for their 2020 Project Based Learning assignment.  They used primary and secondary resources to research his family history, educational background, and his different learning institutions. 
This is the 1st article written by Urbana Junior High students, click here to read Part Two and Part Three. 

 Dr. Curry was a pioneer in educational reform for African-Americans in the early twentieth century and many of his progressive schools were located throughout Champaign County. ​

​​Elmer Curry was born on March 23, 1871 in Delaware, Ohio. He lived in a log house on South Street with his mother Julia and his father George. His dad worked as a minister at The Second Baptist Church on Ross Street, which had a great impact on his future career in education. African-Americans that were freed from slavery were not permitted to an equal education that would have helped them to live a better life. Elmer was interested in helping solve that situation through education.
​

While attending Delaware City Schools at the age of 17 years old, Elmer rented a kitchen shed for 50 cents per month to start his own school for African-Americans. His school was called The Place of Knowledge for Old and Young. It was located at 19 Davis Street in Delaware, Ohio. The tuition was 25 cents per week and his first student was a 50 year old man who was a day laborer. After attending Michael College and graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University, he went on to become the first African-American teacher at the desegregated Delaware City Schools. 

In 1889 moved to Urbana, Ohio and founded the Curry Normal and Industrial Institute. His school had a traditional education, which focused on reading, writing, and math.  It also taught trade school skills, such as nursing, caretaking, farming, printing, and clothes making. The building still stands today and is located at 325 East Water Street.

Dr. Curry passed away June 19th, 1930, in Springfield and was buried at Oakdale Cemetery in Urbana, Ohio. There were over 2,000 students who attended the various Curry Schools. Dr. Elmer Curry’s story illustrates activist African-Americans from Ohio utilizing the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments in an attempt to better the lives of African-Americans.

ohio barn project comes to champaign co. historical society

1/19/2021

 
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"Nutwood" by Artist, Robert Kroeger. A painting of an old barn located here in Champaign County as part of the Ohio Barn Project.
Artist and writer, Robert Kroeger, based in Cincinnati, recently finished The Ohio Barn Project, which involved painting at least one old barn and writing an essay about it in each of our 88 counties - sort of a way to preserve the history of them before they are gone.  The History Press/Arcadia Press will publish the book in March 2021. 

For the next few years, Robert is offering fundraiser opportunities to historical societies. We were fortunate to schedule such a fundraiser at our Champaign County Historical Museum on March 31, 2021 at noon.  ​
​

The fundraiser will feature a book signing, him telling a few barn stories, offering a few paintings for auction, and a palette knife demo painting that will then be raffled.  Half the proceeds from the auction and raffle will be donated to the Champaign County Historical Society.
 
A great way to get a flavor for Robert’s background, paintings and essays is to visit this website:
 THE BARN PROJECTS (weebly.com). 
​
Regarding the Ohio Barn Project itself, visit its Facebook site and news clip airing in December 2019:
https://www.facebook.com/historicbarnproject/?view_public_for=105167601409240
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRmX7aPbq8I&feature=youtu.be

St. Paris Growing its Commerce

1/19/2021

 
Laryssa Vanhoose has her hair cut to shoulder-length at Family Country Cuts in St. Paris. Vanhoose drives from Springfield to patronize Janie Douglas and her salon. Photo by Andrew Grimm | Andrew Grimm Photography
Laryssa Vanhoose has her hair cut to shoulder-length at Family Country Cuts in St. Paris. Vanhoose drives from Springfield to patronize Janie Douglas and her salon. Photo by Andrew Grimm | Andrew Grimm Photography
By Andrew Grimm, Urbana Daily Citizen Contributing Writer

ST. PARIS — Last year was a rough one for small businesses with a pandemic and measures taken in Ohio to slow the spread of the virus and with many shoppers buying online instead of local. Despite the challenges, small municipalities like St. Paris are striving to keep their commerce areas surviving and thriving.

Village Administrator Spencer Mitchell has actively promoted businesses around the village. Mitchell has been sharing updates on existing and upcoming businesses at village council meetings and on social media.

“There are businesses here that are important to the people of St Paris,” said Mitchell, citing a number of existing small businesses that have managed to navigate the COVID-19 situation and continue to serve the community. “Kyle Bowman of St. Paris Hardware, Jeff Wooten of Wooten Automotive and Dale Thornton of Thornton’s Carpet — those are just some of the business owners that I’ve spoken to throughout this stressful year.”

Mitchell credits each owner’s business acumen and commitment to the St. Paris community to “grow stronger” in 2021. “Shopping local, supporting local businesses and promoting goodwill in the community is what we in St. Paris believe in,” he said.


Mitchell is highlighting the accomplishments of business owners and businesses that recently opened, are planning to open, or are renovating in the village.

Family Country Cuts, located at 211 W. Main St. opened this month.

Janie Douglas’s salon offers a variety of services such as haircuts for men and women, coloring, make-up, facial waxing, manicure and pedicure and facials.

Douglas brought on two more workers, one full time and one part time, and is excited to see the growth of her business. Hinting at possibly including massage therapy, Douglas hopes to see the small operation become a full-fledged salon.

Walk-in hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment only weekdays after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays. Appointments can be made by calling 937- 869-8300.

Longbow Health Plans, located at 120 S. Springfield St. opened in June of 2020 and is an agency composed of insurance professionals who offer “high quality insurance products and retirement planning services to meet your goals and budget.”

Clay Ruffner, the founder of Longbow, graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and later Case Western Reserve University with an MBA. Clay is a licensed, independent agent “committed to not only finding clients fantastic coverage,” but also providing ongoing support. “We aren’t finding you coverage and then leaving you in the dust,” Ruffner said. “Put us as a contact on your phone, because we never want to be far away, and always want to be your trusted expert.”

Longbow Health Plans holds office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and can be reached by calling 937-788-7713.

Retail store Pony Wagon Bargains, located at 146 S. Springfield St. opened in October of 2020.

Owners Jason and Jessica Anderson held the store’s grand opening on October 31. Claiming to have “something for everyone,” the Pony Wagon Bargains offers discount prices on many top name-brand items including electronics, household, health and beauty, children’s toys, baby items and more.

Pony Wagon Bargains is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Future offerings
A new grocery is preparing to open this spring after the village lost its IGA to closure. Since the IGA closed, village residents have been relying on a chain store retailer and the local farmers market during the warm season.

Mitchell met with the owners of the new business and toured the progress of renovations in late December.

Mitchell said the new owners do not wish to speak publicly, but promised to relay any permissible information to the public as it becomes available. “He’s excited to join this community and the community is excited about having a grocery store once again. Details on branding, staffing and things of that sort have not been communicated to us yet,” Mitchell said of the unnamed owner.

Debbie McGuire Lyons is the building owner at 115 Main St.
​
Braden’s Cafe & Sweets was the last tenant and has since closed.

Lyons is in the midst of a full renovation of the entire building, but has not indicated what the long-term plans will be. Lyons declined public comment but did say “the structural repairs are underway” as she has “big plans for the building’s future.”
Reach Andrew Grimm at UDCeditor@aimmediamidwest.com.

corporate extended stay available in downtown urbana

1/18/2021

 
This adorable, free standing, five-room cottage in Urbana, Ohio has been restored, preserving its original rich charm and character.  Built in 1920, it is situated less than one-half mile from the Monument Square District (downtown).
 
The interior was designed with predominately hard surfaces to facilitate deep cleaning and sanitizing.  It includes refinished hardwood floors and solid cherry and mahogany wood furniture by Ethan Allen, Lexington, Fairfield, and Bassett.
 
The kitchen and bathroom are new.  The kitchen includes a new oven, stove, refrigerator, and microwave.  There is a full laundry in the utility room.  Off the Florida room Is a private deck in the rear, equipped with a gas grill.  Both front and rear porches are home to Amish-made swings and a gazebo.
 
The exterior is maintained by a caretaker.  There are two off-street parking spaces.  The entire area is very well lit.  The home is secure.
 
Other Amenities:
  • Accommodations can be arranged for overnight guests.
  • Fitness and exercise room can be arranged
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free cable
  • Free Amazon Alexa
  • Free long-term parking
  • Free private laundry
 
Terms:
  • Extended stay – 30 day minimum
  • $3,250 – includes everything.
  • No Smoking
  • No pets
Please contact us at (614) 581-7600 for any additional information.
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