Goodwill Readies For Jackson Activities & Training Center Opening

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Jackson) — Goodwill’s new Jackson center for individuals with disabilities is inviting the public for an open house on Tuesday, November 23rd.

The Jackson County Goodwill Activities and Training Center, located at 73 East Huron Street next to the WIC office and Save A Lot, provides services to assist individuals with disabilities in connecting with the Jackson community in various ways including volunteering, activities, and employment. They also receive life skills training such as cooking, laundry, reading, and math.

“We want the community to come visit us to see our center and learn more about the programs the community helps support when they shop at and donate to the store,” said Goodwill Missions Coordinator Cana Horner. “Currently, we have three individuals attending the center, but we have the capacity to serve many more individuals from Jackson.”

Goodwill of South Central Ohio operates Activities and Training Centers in seven counties of its eight-county service region. The decision to open the center in Jackson came after a meeting with the Jackson County Board of Developmental Disabilities which expressed there was a need for the center in addition to the services Goodwill’s workforce development team already provides in the community to help individuals reach their employment goals.

The center’s open house will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 and will include light refreshments.

Goodwill is a nonprofit agency focused on partnering with individuals with disabilities and challenges to help them lead the lives they envision across our eight-county region: Athens, Fayette, Hocking, Jackson, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, and Vinton. As of November, Goodwill of South Central Ohio, based in Chillicothe, is serving 293 people across its region.

To learn more about the new Jackson center, call 740-702-4000 Ext. 144 or visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JacksonCountyATC.


Area Parents Invited To Internet Safety Presentation

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

Parents from around the region are encouraged to attend an internet safety presentation January 12th at Paint Valley High School Gymnasium.

The presentation will feature nationally recognized former programmer Jesse Weinberger, between 6pm-8pm that day. Due to content being discussed and shown, the free presentation will be open to adults only.

Mike Smith spoke with Paint Valley Teacher Denise Peters on a Special Presentation of Litter Media Live about the January 12th presentation.

You can view that interview here: CLICK HERE:

Presentation highlights that Jesse Weinberger will share with the January 12th audience include:
*Value vs risk of tech use
*Parental complicity
*Mental health impact
*Cyberbullying, sexting, sexual predation
*Popular apps explained
*Extreme content & gaming
*How to monitor, supervise & consequence

Peters says this presentation applies to all parents.

Jessie Weinberger is the host of the podcast Big Mama’s House and is the author of The Boogeyman Exists: And He’s in Your Child’s Back Pocket.

Weinberger also has over 15 years of speaking experience at school districts all over the United States, with a particular skill of reaching audiences with the combination of humor and deep expertise in technology and digital content.

For more information about the January 12th presentation, contact Paint Valley High School.

Great American Smokeout- November 18th

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It!

(Chillicothe) – According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. About 4.7 million middle and high school students use one or more tobacco products, like e-cigarettes. In an effort to encourage people to quit smoking, the American Cancer Society began the Great American Smokeout – a day for individuals to start their journey to a smoke- free life.

In honor of this day, Ross County Health District will be hosting the Great American Smokeout scavenger hunt Thursday, November 18, 2021. Students representing Huntington High School, Zane Trace High School, and Pickaway Ross Career and Technology Center will be participating in this event. They will be on foot throughout downtown Chillicothe answering trivia questions about tobacco and vaping to promote cessation and prevention among Ross County youth. The winning team will receive gift cards to Paper City Coffee and runner ups will receive gift cards to Grandpa Joes Candy Shop.

Since 1976, the American Cancer Society has hosted the Great American Smokeout, a public awareness event to encourage people to quit smoking. It is held on the third Thursday of November. The campaign reminds people they don’t have to stop smoking in one day, but to start with day one. The Ross County Health District invites those ready to quit to make today, Day One, by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW to be linked to free resources to help you on your journey to a smoke-free life.

For kids under 18 who struggle with nicotine addiction, FREE text help is here! My Life, My Quit™ is for teens, 13 – 17, who want to quit vaping, smoking or chewing tobacco. Each teen gets quit help via TEXT, phone or online with trained staff. It’s easy!

Adults that want to quit tobacco can contact the Ohio Quitline: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).  The Ohio Tobacco Quit Line is available FREE of charge to ALL Ohioans of age 18 or older regardless of insurance status or income. There is also a special program for pregnant women. Nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges are provided for up to eight weeks at no charge to eligible participants.

My Life, My Quit™ uses proven methods for quitting. With evidence linking youth tobacco/vape use to addictive behaviors later in life, it is vital to get teens the support that works. My Life, My Quit’s™ compassionate coaching offers smart, simple, and effective help.

How can you reach My Life, My Quit™? Text 36072 for real-time coaching. Visit MyLifeMyQuit.com to learn more about the program and to enroll using our streamlined registration process.

The Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center also has a smoking cessation program for veterans.

When you’re ready, VA’s tobacco cessation programs can help — anywhere, anytime.

When you’re ready to try life without smoking — even if you’ve tried to quit before — reach out to your healthcare provider to learn about the treatment options that can help you reach your goals.  They may recommend a combination of treatments to increase your chance of quitting for good, such as counseling along with FDA-approved prescription medications or nicotine-replacement gum, patches and lozenges that can help you ease away from smoking.

Veterans can utilize tobacco cessation options that are available through all VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics.  No matter how many times it takes, VA will be with you every step of the way, with more proven resources than ever before to help Veterans quit smoking.  Veterans may call, text, have an in-person appointment or have a telehealth visit with a provider for smoking cessation counseling, and use these additional VA support services:

  • Quit VET: Veterans can call 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838) to receive tobacco cessation counseling and get help building their plan to quit smoking. Quitline counselors are available Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern time, to help you prepare for potential challenges and avoid relapse, and to offer continued support through follow-up calls and counseling.
  • SmokefreeVET: For tools and tips you can use to quit smoking, sign up for SmokefreeVET by texting VET to 47848.  SmokefreeVET provides regular text messages as well as extra support for Veterans who text the keywords URGE, STRESS or SMOKED to 47848.

Take a moment to imagine your life without smoking.  Then talk with your provider about which treatment options might best meet your needs and improve your life, health and future.

COVID Booster Eligibility Update

Presented By Classic Brands

As many of the first people to take the COVID-19 vaccinations approach the one year mark, questions arise as to when or if those fully vaccinated people should receive a booster shot.

The Centers For Disease Control along with U.S. Food & Drug Administration of approved the booster for some age groups and health risk groups.

The Ohio Department of Health has provided a chart that goes along with current CDC guidelines as of November 16th, 2021.

(See Guideline Graph Below)

(Ohio Department of Health)

Contact your local health department or physician if you have questions on the current booster recommendations.

The FDA could expand this booster shot recommendation to lower age groups, but has not made a determination on that as of the date of this report.

John Berry Christmas Concert Tour Comes To Chillicothe

Presented By Classic Brands

John Berry returns to Chillicothe’s Majestic Theatre for his Silver Anniversary Tour on Tuesday, November 30th at 7:30pm. While premier floor seating is “sold out”, all other sections of the Majestic still have available tickets for sale.

Country Singer John Berry © Moments By Moser Photography

The singer-songwriter rose to stardom on the country charts of the 1990’s with such mega hits as “Your Love Amazes Me”, “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” and “She’s Taken a Shine.” His annual Christmas tours have become a holiday tradition around the nation, including in Chillicothe, brightening the holidays for thousands as does his electrifying rendition of “O’ Holy Night.”

Ticket Pricing:
$30.00 – $55.00

Add-on VIP Experience $25.00:
Early access for VIP holders (one) hour before doors, casual meet & greet with John in the theatre or space mutually agreed upon, question and answer session with John and fans, 2 to 3 acoustic songs performed by John, VIP experience collectible souvenir laminate, 8×10 color photo for autograph, autograph opportunity with John, and photo opportunity with John.

Country Singer John Berry. Photo by Just Kaicles

For ticket information, CLICK HERE:

John Berry makes his annual concert stop at Chillicothe’s Majestic Theatre November 30, 2021 for a 7:30pm show. Tickets are available through the Majestic Theatre.