Tri-State artists celebrate 5 years at Pendleton

ASHLAND, Ky. – The Pendleton Art Center celebrated its five-year anniversary on Friday with cake, music and fun.

Each month, the Pendleton has an art walk called First Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., which is a gallery showing open to the public on the first Friday of every month. This month they celebrated five years.

During the art walk, artwork was available to be purchased directly from the artists.

To commemorate the occasion, cake was served and there was live music from Ashland musician Tom Holmes.

The art center located in Ashland houses the studios of 35 Tri-State artists, according to manager Chrissie Smith.

Some studios are open daily and others are open by appointment with the artists.

There are also art classes available for adults and children.

To find out more about the Pendleton Art Center, classes or the artists, call 606-920-9863, or visit www.pendletonartcenter.com.

— By Michelle Goodman

Local students graduate from online high school

 Columbus — The Virtual Community School of Ohio (VCS Ohio) recently honored the class of 2010 at a graduation ceremony at the Bridgewater Banquet and Conference Center in Powell.

This year’s 114 high school graduates make up the eighth graduating class since VCS Ohio’s inception. 

Four members of the graduating class reside in southern Ohio:

  Jennifer Cox, Jackson

 Cameron Glass, Wellston

 Angel Jackson, Ironton

Lani Lear, Gallipolis

 VCS Ohio students choose to attend school online for a variety of personal and philosophical reasons. All students benefit from the flexibility and safety that an online learning environment provides. The accredited teachers and comprehensive curriculum at VCS have prepared the class of 2010 for furthering their education or entering the workforce.

 Virtual Community School of Ohio offers students in grades K-12 a high-quality, accredited online education from the comfort and safety of their homes. The mission of VCS Ohio is to make a difference in the life of a student.

America’s Best Model Showcase at Ashland mall

ASHLAND, Ky. — The Ashland Town Center will host America’s Best Pageant and Model Showcase Friday, June 11, 2010. Registration is at 6 p.m. and the pageant begins at 7 p.m. near TJ Maxx.

Contestants have a chance to be featured on the web-site and advertisements for America’s Best. Entries are now being accepted.

The pageant is for girls and boys. A Queen and King will be chosen in each age division. The age groups are as follows: Boys: 0 – 23 months, 2 – 4 years, 5 – up. Girls: 0-11 months, 12 – 23 months, 2 – 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 – 7 years, 8 – 9 years, 10 – 12 years, 13 – 15 years and 16 and up. Everyone will receive a trophy.

Entry forms for the pageant are available at the Ashland Town Center Guest Services center.

Local firefighters get specialized oilfield training

Granville — Emergency responders from around Ohio recently took part in the Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program’s (OOGEEP) Responding to Oilfield Emergencies Training Workshop. 

Local firefighters included Brian Sherman and John Huckworth, Coal Grove Fire Department, and Charles McFarland, Jr. and Stacey Ruggles, Hamilton Township Fire Department.

Ohio took the lead in the U.S. by creating and implementing the nation’s first Oilfield Emergency Response Training Program.  OOGEEP’s permanent training facility is located within the Wayne County Fire & Rescue Regional Fire School, in Applecreek, Ohio. 

To date, over 525 Ohio Fire Departments, from 33 Ohio Counties, and seven other states have participated in OOGEEP’s unique training program.  The program and training facilities have been funded 100 percent by Ohio’s natural gas and crude industry.

“We believe it is also our responsibility to help educate Ohio’s firefighters especially in areas where crude oil and natural gas development may be somewhat new to their area.  In Ohio, we have drilled over 273,000 wells, and advanced technology will continue to make these operations safer and environmentally sound, while helping Ohio produce more of our own energy needs,” notes Rhonda Reda, OOGEEP executive director.

In 2010, Ohio celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first commercial oil and gas well drilled in the state.

The Oilfield Emergency Response Training Program presents background information and practical guidelines to assist responders in communicating at the emergency site, evaluating the emergency, and responding to both drilling and production emergencies. The hands-on training portion includes “live burns” utilizing both crude oil and natural gas props. 

Historic marker to be dedicated at Payne Cemetery

Nelsonville — The Wayne National Forest is placing an historic marker at the Payne Cemetery to commemorate the African American site of Paynes Crossing on Saturday, June 19 at 11 a.m.

The site is being recognized by the Friends of Freedom Society as a significant Underground Railroad community.

The event and short program will pay tribute to the descendants of the families who lived in the settlement and the countless partners who have researched this site over the last 20 years. It is being held to coincide with the historic African American holiday known as “Juneteenth.” This holiday celebrates the day (June 19, 1865) that the last group of African American slaves was told of their freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.

Payne Cemetery is located on the Hocking/Perry county line approximately two miles south of New Straitsville on State Route 595. Visitors are being asked to park in New Straitsville where buses will shuttle people beginning at 9:30 am. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, contact Ann Cramer, Forest Archaeologist at (740) 753-0553.

Ohio Northern University deans’ list for spring

ADA — Nicholas E. Hall, son of John and Vicki Hall, 148 Township Road 1363, Chesapeake, has been named to the Ohio Northern University deans’ list for the spring quarter 2009-10. He is a sixth year majoring in pharmacy.

The deans’ list includes students who attain a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 grading system.

OLBH set to host Cancer Survivor’s Day ceremony

RUSSELL, Ky. — Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH) once again will recognize National Cancer Survivor’s Day by hosting an event for survivors and family Sunday, June 13 at Bellefonte Pavilion on the OLBH campus from noon until 3 p.m.

Cancer Survivor’s Day has been a national event since 1988. OLBH began its annual event that same year. The occasion celebrates victory over cancer by both survivors and their family. At the event, survivors can relate their inspiring stories to attendees.

For more information, contact the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273).

Boyd County Library plans eight weeks of water-themed fun

ASHLAND, Ky. — Get ready to “Make a Splash” with the 2010 version of Boyd County Public Library’s Summer Reading program. The eight weeks of fun (and reading) runs throughout June and July at all three library branches.

As always, there are programs for kids of all ages, from toddler through teen. This year, the adult summer reading program is longer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Each week, there are fun and educational water-themed programs for kids at Ashland, Catlettsburg and Summit. Just pick the time and place most convenient to you. Sprinkled throughout the summer will be special guests, including the Newport Aquarium at the June 5 kickoff, and a theatrical performance of “The Ugly Duckling.” Each Friday, we’ll also show a water-themed family movie at the Main Branch at noon.

The “Make a Splash” program once again has separate meeting times/locations for tweens (ages 8-12) with more complex crafts and activities. Teens have their own program, called “Make Waves,” with weekly programs at both Main and Summit.

The adult version has no weekly programs. Adults simply fill out brief (about 25 words) book reviews for each book they read and earn rewards based on the number. There will be a Garden Party finale for the adults, with lots of door prizes and a Sony Reader grand prize, donated by BCPL Friends.

The Friends group is also donating funds to purchase all the “book of your choice” rewards that kids and teens earn for reading 25 hours, and that adults earn for reading 20 books.

Kids and teens can start keeping track of their reading hours/books on June 1 – just fill out a registration form and pick up a reading log at any branch. Kids can add up their time spent reading to qualify for rewards, including water bombs, beach ball, beach towels and an inflatable alligator toy.

For more information on Summer Reading 2010, call Misti at (606) 329-0518, ext. 1310, or visit www.thebookplace.org.

OUS set to host graduate recognition ceremony June 11

IRONTON — The 2010 Ohio University Southern Graduate Recognition Ceremony will be held on Friday, June 11 at 7 p.m. in the Shafer Courtyard at the Ironton campus.

Ohio University Southern graduating nurses will have their Pinning Ceremony Friday, June 11 at 3 p.m. in the Bowman Auditorium at the Ironton campus prior to the graduate recognition ceremony.