Soldier graduates basic training

Army National Guard Pfc. Aaron J. Murphy has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

He is a 2010 graduate of St. Joseph Central High School, Ironton.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Murphy is the son of Colleen Griffiths of Ironton.

 

Event showcases businesses

The Downtown Russell Business Association is sponsoring a scavenger hunt in order to bring awareness to the growing business community of the downtown area. There are new businesses that have opened in the downtown district that many people are not yet aware of as well as several new ones ready to open.

Construction has begun on the new Senior Citizen’s Center (formerly Rail City hardware. It is becoming, once again, a regular destination for many shoppers and people looking for a unique experience.

The scavenger hunt is on Saturday, Sept. 22. Registration begins at noon and ends at 2 p.m. in the Old Russell Train Depot at the top of Ferry Street in downtown Russell.

There are no entry fees and you can enter as an individual or as a team. The prizes will be awarded at 4 p.m. and you must be present to win. There will be cash prizes over $500 with the first place team being awarded $250.

For further information, please call Randy at (606) 836-3811.

 

Accidents prompt OSU safety awareness blitz

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio State University has enlisted an army of volunteers to raise awareness of traffic safety on campus after a rash of crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that 200 volunteers in fluorescent green T-shirts will descend on the university’s busiest crosswalks and intersections Friday to distribute traffic-safety pamphlets.

Four incidents have been reported in the past 2 1/2 weeks where students were seriously hurt when struck while walking or riding bikes.

A task force of students and faculty and staff members plan to review the university’s existing efforts and look for new opportunities to promote safe travel on campus. The group of about 25 people is scheduled to meet for the first time Thursday and make recommendations by Oct. 1.

 

Wet on Wet oil painting classes scheduled

PORTSMOUTH — Two different time sessions of wet on wet oil painting will be offered this year from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Oct. 2 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

Oil painting is made easy for both the beginner and the experienced painter. With the wet-on-wet method, the painting is completed with one layer of paint which is usually opaque or semi-opaque.

The wet-on-wet method of painting goes back to the origins of oil painting and used by several of the best early Dutch painters, Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden.

“I will use my experience in oil painting to share the wet-on-wet method step-by-step,” instructor Joyce Packard said.

Beginner participants will need the Bob Ross basic kit, a linear brush, a No. 6 fan brush, black oil paint, a palette or palette sheets, paint thinner, an empty container with a lid and a canvas.

Experienced participants will need a full range of Bob Ross paints (13 tubes), a Bob Ross knife, one-inch and two-inch Bob Ross brushes, three-inch and six-inch fan brushes, a liner brush, a filbert brush and a canvas.

All of the supplies can be purchased at Toy Town with a 10 percent discount to SSU students or at Hobby Lobby that has discount coupons online.

The cost is $69 for each course. For more information or to register, contact SSU University Outreach Services at (740) 351-3274 or toll free at (866) 672-8778.

 

Vinton County Air Show is Sunday

The Vinton County Air Show, Ohio’s largest free air show, will be held at the Vinton County Airport, six miles north of McArthur, just off State Route 93 on Airport Road, Sunday.

The airport’s legendary BBQ chicken dinners with all the fixings will be ready to serve at 11 a.m. The air show will begin at 1 p.m. with a performance by the Vinton County High School Band and members of the airport’s Screaming Chicken Skydiving Team will thrill the crowd as they float to the ground.

There will be lots of airplanes in the sky during the day, big planes and RC models, and there are always a few surprises as the day moves forward. Near the end of the air show, there will be a candy drop for the kids.

There will be vendors on site and the Red Cross will have a blood drive during the day. The Vinton County Band Boosters will sell a variety of sandwiches and cold drinks. A $10 donation for parking will be requested at both gates. There is no additional charge to see the air show.

Once the show is over, pilots from the Vinton County Pilots and Boosters Association will offer airplane rides. It is recommended you purchase ride tickets early since the ride line gets longer as the day goes on.

For more information, call Booster President Nick Rupert at 740-357-0268 or Booster Secretary Steve Keller at 740-418-2612.