The Telegram, October 12, 2008

Oak Hill's Central Memorial Park
to receive 'Good Neighbor Award'

JACKSON - There are many good things going on in and around the Jackson area, and one of the most notable occurred this year in southern Jackson County.
This is where, in the village of Oak Hill, a group of men, women and organizations banded together to bring a new life to the area known as the old Central School, and the result is the outstanding Central Memorial Park.
For this achievement, the Oak Hill Central Memorial Park Committee will receive the Good Neighbor Award this year from the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce.
They will be honored at the chamber's Annual Appreciation Banquet to be held on Thursday, October 23 at the Christ United Methodist Church Family Life Center on Portsmouth Street.
This is the first time the chamber has given such an award, and Randy Heath, executive director of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, thinks he knows why, ‘This was such a notable achievement, I believe it 'has captured the attention of not only all of Jackson County, but southeastern Ohio as well,’ said Heath. ‘This park just speaks volumes about the commitment and love the residents of the Oak Hill area have for their property and their community.’

The man who spearheaded the committee and served as its chairman, was a gentlemen who has spearheaded many of the advancements Oak Hill has seen during his lifetime, Evan Davis. '1t was Evan's vision and his energy that caused this to come together,’ said Ed McQueen, the vice-president of the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce and member of the park committee. ‘But it takes a lot of good people to get something like this accomplished.’
And there were many good people who played an integral role.
Betty Jenkins funded the, quarter-mile walking track and Don LeGrand funded the construction of the shelter house in memory of his wife, Eileen.
WesBanco was responsible for supplying the financial sup-, port for the pavilion and an anonymous donor paid for the fence.
The Planning Committee for the project included Davis, McQueen, Dan Brisker, Sam Crawford, Crystal Davis, Joyce McClurg, Linda Morgan, Kurtis Strickland and Howard Lemon. Lemon was recognized, along with McQueen, for leading -the way for this project and for personally donating countless hours to the project by Strickland, who is the president of the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Photo By Pete Wilson

  Oak Hill Area Chamber of Commerce officers (from the left) Becky Coleman, John Barkhurst, Kurtis Strickland and Sandy Borden are pictured with the membership plaques that were distributed during the June 14th meeting. From The Telegram 06/19/10.
 

Oak Hill has much to Appreciate
 

BY PETE WILSON Telegram Editor
The Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce conducted its first-ever Appreciation Banquet Saturday night, honoring some of the people who have worked to make the community a better place to live and work.
A large crowd of approximately 150 persons was on hand at the Oak Hill High Schoo1/ Middle School cafetoriurn to celebrate recent success stories in the Oak Hill area. The objective was also to honor those who have worked to bring new jobs 'and services to the community and also to beautify it and provide the civic and volunteer service and support to make it better.
Chamber President Kurtis Strickland, who served as emcee of the event, introduced the award winners and also provided an overview of the progress made in the Oak Hill area the past two years, including the establishment of the IronOak Center at the site of the former Davis Home, the development and opening of Central Memorial Park and painting of historically significant murals at nine different locations in the village.
The main awards of the evening were as follows:
Beautification Award to the Beautify Oak Hill Committee and the Oak Hill Festival of Flags for the new murals; Volunteer of the Year Awards to Howard Lemon and Ed McQueen for their work on the Central Memorial Park project; Meritorious Service Award to Mildred Bangert for her civic service to the Chamber and many other community organizations; Citizen of the Year Award to Evan Davis for his service, leadership and ,his role as a benefactor; Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Patrick and Melissa Ball for their development of the IronOak Center; and Business of the Year Awards to Adena Health Center-Oak Hill and Abbott Home Care for establishing businesses in the lronOak Center.

Oak Hill's community pride in spotlight
Citizens, businesses honored at Chamber's
inaugural Appreciation Banquet
 

Meritorious Service – Strickland noted that Mildred Raugert had earned the Meritorious Service Award not only for her work for the Chamber, but also for her community service through many other community organizations.
For the Chamber, Bangert orders the meals for Chamber luncheons, takes reservations for Central Memorial Park and keeps an eye on the park from her nearby residence. Strickland referred to the retired teacher as "a pillar of the community" whose service includes being the curator of the Welsh-American Heritage Museum, an organizer and leader of other Welsh culture activities, a member and leader of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church, a founder of the Oak Hill Christmas parade, a member of the Oak Hill Festival of Flags Committee, the Oak Hill Beautification Committee, the Oak Hill Community Choir and being a long-time columnist for the local newspapers.
When it came time to accept the award, Bangert smiled and simply said, "Thank you."

Citizen of the Year - Very likely, no one person has given more and done more in recent years to contribute to the betterment of Oak Hill than Evan Davis. President Strickland stated that Davis' motivation to contribute to Oak Hill is his "strong sense of community."
As a generous benefactor, his financial support helped make the Davis Stadium complex possible at the new Oak Hill High School campus. He also donated the use of an office building on Front Street that now serves as the new village administration building.
Also, Davis has been an active member of the Oak Hill Chamber and served as chairman of the Central Memorial Park Planning Committee. He also is allowing the Chamber to hold its monthly luncheon meetings in his Cardigan Office Building on South Front Street.
In his remarks made after accepting the award, it was clear Davis takes pride in his hometown, and will always do much to support it.
"It's just what I like to do," Davis responded. "I feel it's my job to repay all the people in the community who have helped make my business life and my personal life successful."

Business of the Year - While the Balls were honored for setting the table, both Adena Health Center Oak Hill and Abbott Home Care received the Business of the Year Award for coming to the table.
Nurse Practitioner Alicia Kammler, who returned to her hometown to work at the new office, was proud to report that Adena Health Center-Oak Hill was a big success in its first year in 2009, receiving 2,700 patient visits.
But rather than numbers, Kammler says she measures the success by the positive human impact she and other staffers have experienced by providing "a medical home" that is available without traveling away from Oak Hill.
Meanwhile, Abbott Home Care also seems pleased with its experience in Oak Hill to date, according to Registered Nurse Amanda McNeal and Marketing Executive Brian Gilpin.
"Our motto is 'Caring Professionals Caring for the Community' and we're glad to be here," McNeal stated.

"Thanksgiving has come early to Oak Hill, Ohio."

Photo By Pete Wilson

The Governor's Office of Appalachia delivered a $42,500 check Wednesday that will help Adena Health Systems place a primary-care medical office in the IronOak Center (former Davis Home) in Oak Hill. Pictured (from the left) are: County Commissioners Tom Walton and Rick McNelly, Adena Dr. Stephen Owen, IronOak co-owners Melissa and Pat Ball, Adena Health System President and CEO Mark Shuler and Fred Deel, the director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia.

By Pete Wilson
Telegram Editor

With those joyful words, building co-owner Pat Ball was happy to announce on Wednesday afternoon that Adena Health Systems would soon become the first tenant in the new IronOak Center on Washington Street in Oak Hill.

The IronOak Center, owned by Jackson residents Pat and Melissa Ball, represents a second chance at life for the former Davis Home For The Aged, which closed last year after 50-plus year history in the village.

Wednesday's announcement was the first step in the Balls' dream to bring much needed new jobs and services to Oak Hill.

"Melissa and I could not be happier," Mr. Ball said. "For the first time in nearly a decade, people in small, isolated communities across southern Jackson County, northern Lawrence County and western Gallia County will have access to truly exceptional primary-care services.

"This partnership with Adena Health Systems will improve the quality of life for the residents of our region and help further our efforts to bring new jobs and services to Southeastern Ohio."

Adena Health Systems representatives were present to announce that the IronOak Center would become the site of the new Adena Health Center – Oak Hill. The new medical facility is tentatively scheduled to open sometime in mid-December after renovation work is completed. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled once the office has opened.

Fred Deel, the director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, was on hand at the IronOak Center to officially present a $42,500 check from his office that will help Adena pay for some of the equipment in the building.

Deel commented, "The Adena Health Center here in Oak Hill presents a direct opportunity for Ohio and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia to make a contribution to our quality-of-life standards. Partnerships like these serve to revitalize our communities."

Meanwhile, Adena’s decision to open a health center in Oak Hill ends a long period of the village not having a medical facility that began when the Oak Hill Community Medical Center closed.

Mark Shuler, President and CEO of Adena Health System said, "Having resources to make primary care available in the village of Oak Hill is something that has been one of our priorities, and we are truly appreciative of the funds presented today by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia that will assist us in this venture."

Shuler also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Ball for his energy, focus and for the support of the local community. He also thanked Jackson-based physician, Dr. Stephen Owen, for providing physician leadership throughout all stages of the site planning and development for the Oak Hill facility.

Shuler described Dr. Owen as being a "driving force" in the project and Mr. Ball said Dr. Owen’s commitment to help staff the Oak Hill facility was a critical piece of the puzzle.

Adena Health Center – Oak Hill will feature family-oriented healthcare services provided by the Jackson Area Family Practice and Pediatrics. In addition to primary care, diagnostic treatment and services will be available, including EKGs, blood-sugar checks, blood pressure, pulse oximetry and nebulizer/breathing treatments.

Former Oak Hill area residents Alicia Kammler will serve as full-time nurse practitioner at Adena Health Center – Oak Hill. Dr. Owen will be at the Oak Hill center one day a week and Jackson-based pediatrician Dr. Jill Neff will see patients at Oak hill a half-day each month.

A grateful and excited Ball thanked many who supported his efforts to place Adena in the IronOak Center, in addition to Adena and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, this list included the Jackson County commissioners, the renovation contractor, Sunrush Construction, the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission, the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce, the village of Oak Hill, Mr. Ball’s co-worker, Angie Sprouse, and the Davis family, who were founders and owners of The Davis Home.

Speaking for the Oak Hill Chamber, President Kurtis Strickland noted that the development of the former Davis Home was one of the Chamber’s main goals for the year. He feels this is another positive development that will make Oak Hill a good place to live.

Meanwhile, the Balls are hoping to attract other tenants to the IronOak Center as the medical facility will use only 2,300 square feet of the 14,000-square-foot building. Mr. Ball told The Telegram other possible uses considered for the remainder of the building includes Child care providers, respite care services, a diner, home health care services and medical transport services.

"Anything that provides a job with a decent wage will be welcomed with open arms," Ball told The Telegram.

There is also space upstairs that the Balls think could be used for residential apartments or perhaps as a base for home health care services.

Those interested in possible leasing options at the IronOak Center may call Pat or Melissa Ball at 256-4992.

Martha Stewart
Living

from the experts
Wondering where to find the most impressive foliage? This month on Martha Stewart Living Radio's Home-Grown gardening experts Andrew Beckman and Margaret Roach suggest scenic sites throughout the United States, including the following:

• New England
Mohawk State Forest. Cornwall and Goshen. Connecticut; Pineland Public Reserved Land, Gray, Maine: Cape Cod, .Massachusetts; Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

• Mid-Atlantic
Hudson Valley. New York; Greene County, Pennsylvania

• South
Cullman County, Alabama; Ozark National Forest, Arkansas: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia; Asheville. North Carolina: Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

more on health each month
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will debut two health-related initiatives this fall. The Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai, in New York City, will support awareness$ about healthy aging, and every magazine will include more coverage of health-related topics: Martha Stewart Living. Martha Stewart Weddings. Everyday Food, Blueprint, and Body+Soul as well as the Martha Stewart Newsletter and Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing newsletter. Whether the focus is fitness, nutrition or how to attain a more balanced life, each article will promote the lifestyle that Martha lives and advocates.

PLANT A SEED The Garden for Living, located across the street from the center at Mount Sinai, was designed by Martha Stewart Living gardening editors and neighborhood volunteers to promote ga1'dEming enthusiasm in the community.

• Midwest
Ohio River Valley. Illinois: Carter Caves State Resort Park, Olive Hill, Kentucky; Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, Minnesota: Jackson Lake State Park. Oak Hill. Ohio

• Southwest
Guanella Pass. Scenic and Historic Byway, Georgetown, Colorado; Lost Maples State Natural Area. Vanderpool. Texas

• West
Yosemite National Pork, California; Aspen Alley, Wyoming

• Pacific Northwest
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon: North Cascades Highway. Washington