Monthly Archives: December 2021

News

Schedule Set For 21st Annual MLK Legacy Celebration At Ohio University

Presented By Classic Brands

(Athens) – Ohio University will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January 2022. The University’s 21st annual celebration, with the theme, “UNITY, CommUNITY, and OpportUNITY,” will take place Jan. 17-22.

Each year, Ohio University honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with inclusive OHIO and regional communities’ tributes that highlight equality and social justice. We honor Dr. King for his work toward racial equality and justice for all people and for his dedication to nonviolence. 

The events are sponsored by the Ohio University Division of Diversity and Inclusion and are coordinated by the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. This year the committee is co-chaired by Travis Gatling, director of the School of Dance in the College of Fine Arts, and Vanessa Morgan-Nai, coordinator for Multicultural Advising and African American Student Success, Office of Multicultural Success and Retention (OMSAR). 

The MLK Jr. Celebratory Brunch details and ticket information are included below:

Monday, Jan. 17 (National MLK Jr. Day)
Silent March 
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Galbreath Chapel
Sponsor: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

The Silent March will begin in front of Galbreath Chapel and end at the fourth-floor entrance of Baker University Center. This event is open to the public. 

MLK Jr. Celebratory Brunch with Featured Speaker – Patricia Russell-McCloud, Esq.
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Baker University Center Ballroom 
Sponsors: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., MLK Jr. Celebration Committee, others to be announced.

The annual brunch will include dance and vocal performances and feature a keynote address by Pat Russell-McCloud, Esq.

Ticket prices: Non-student brunch tickets are $25 each; OHIO student brunch tickets are $15 each. Non-student sponsorships (includes a table of six seats) are $300 per table, OHIO student sponsorships (includes a table of six seats) are $150 per table, Individuals, departments, organizations, and companies that purchase a table will be recognized as event sponsors.

A $500 Celebration sponsorship for all of the week’s events is also available. This includes a table for six at the brunch, with certificate of sponsorship to be presented during the brunch program.

Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online or by contacting the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at diversityinclusion@ohio.edu.

The University’s celebration will continue throughout the week and below is a preliminary list of events:

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Featured speaker: The Rev. Dr. Bernard LaFayette Jr., moderated by the Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan Jr.
Time: 7 to 8 p.m.
Location: This event will be held virtually and registration and details will be forwarded in early January. 
Sponsors: OHIO’s regional campuses and MLK Jr. Planning Committee

The Rev. Dr. LaFayette, one of the original Freedom Fighters, is an American civil rights activist and organizer who was a leader in the civil rights movement. He played a leading role in early organizing of the Selma voting rights movement; was a member of the Nashville Student Movement; and worked closely throughout the 1960s movements with groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and the American Friends Service Committee. 

Wednesday, Jan. 19
Well-being Wednesday Resource Fair
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Baker 240 and 242
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Thursday, Jan. 20
Bridging the Gap: Unifying Our Community
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Baker 240 and 242
Sponsors: Bobcats Lead Change and MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

“Why Justice Seekers Need Co-Conspirators More than Allies”
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Hosted virtually via Teams
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

In this forum, participants will consider the limitations of allyship while discovering steps they can take to work as co-conspirators who live in solidarity with justice-seeking people and communities.

Facilitator: The Rev. Jack Sullivan Jr., D.Min., D.D., (BSC ’83), executive director of the Ohio Council of Churches and Recipient of the 2020 Social Justice Award from the State of Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission.

Friday, Jan. 21
Variety Show
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: Baker University Center Theatre (second Floor)
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Saturday, Jan. 22
Day of Service – Letter Writing Campaign
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: 29 Park Place (Academic Engagement Center)
Sponsor: MLK Jr. Celebration Committee

Other community service activities will be announced in January.

News

Santa On The Block Slated For Saturday, December 11th

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin It! & Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

The jolly old elf will be making one of his many stops to Chillicothe this Christmas Holiday season, on Saturday, December 11th.

The Santa on the Block Event will be held from 11am to 1pm Saturday, hosted by First Wesleyan Church at the corner of Fifth and Mulberry.

There will be photos with Santa, an interactive Christmas story, carriage rides, cookie decorating, a hot chocolate bar, and much more.

And it’s all FREE!

News

Mighty Children’s Museum Offers Christmas Holiday Events

Presented By Atomic Speedway & Chillicothe VAMC

(Litter Media/Dan Ramey)

The Mighty Children’s Museum is in full throttle for the Christmas holidays, offering youngsters and their parents a number of events and fun activities while learning.

The Polar Express comes to the museum on Thursday, December 9th, between 9am-2pm. Director Kelcie Pierce says this features ice skating, an interactive snow globe, train rides, breakfast with Santa and the Grinch.

There are no mask restrictions at the Mighty Children’s Museum at this time.

To purchase tickets for the Polar Express event, go to the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/polar-express-with-mcm…

Regular hours at the 21 East 4th Street, Chillicothe museum are Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1pm-5pm.

If you have a youngster with a birthday coming up, you can have the Mighty Children’s Museum play host for up to 30 guests for a two hour time frame that you pay to reserve. This gives you full access to the museum as well as their party room upstairs.

Call the Mighty Children’s Museum at (740) 773-6444 for more information.

News

Church Walk Tour Considered “Big Success”

Presented By Rathkamp Financial & Chillicothe VAMC

Chillicothe’s first effort of hosting a Downtown Tour of historic churches is being called “a great success” by organizers.

Organizer Charlie Frazier told Litter Media’s Mike Smith they had over 200 people buy tickets for the December 4th evening event, which was considered a sell-out.

Several churches participated in the event, which allowed the host churches to share the history of their congregation and the impact they have played in developing the City of Chillicothe.

The inaugural Chillicothe Christmas Church Walk included St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Walnut Street United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, First Wesleyan Church and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. 

Frazier said they are hoping to host the event again next year after receiving such tremendous feedback in their first effort.

News

Rural King “Church Week”

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc. & Accurate Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

(Rural King)

Rural King, which a farm supply store, will be focusing some of their resources on Christian churches, schools and radio stations during their Rural King Church Week observance. This runs December 10th-24th

Rural King has area stores in Chillicothe, Circleville and Waverly, along with other stores in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Alabama.

What is Rural King Church Week? Church week is an opportunity for Rural King customers to support their local Christian churches, schools, and radio stations.

From December 10th – December 24th 2021, customers can upload their Rural King receipts to www.ruralking.com/churchweek and 10% of their receipt total after sales tax will go to the registered Christian organization of their choosing. 

For more information click here to see the Rural King Participation Letter.

Sports

Paxton Steps Down As Unioto Track Head Coach- Will Remain CC Head Coach

Presented By McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It & Ross-Chillicothe Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

Unioto will be looking for a new spring Track and Field head coach with Matt Paxton’s announcement that he’s going to yield that position to become the team’s assistant coach, in order to dedicate himself to the distance runners in the spring.

Paxton will remain as head coach of the high school Cross Country team in the fall. Matt will also focus on building the distance program in the lower grades, along with coaching indoor runners. He told Litter Media’s Mike Smith that he is currently working with 40 runners this winter and “That has become a full time commitment in and of itself the last few years.”

Matt Paxton made his plans public on his Facebook page with the following- “We, (Unioto), are seeking a head varsity boys track coach for 2022. Info is at the following link.  And NO I am not burned out or getting away from coaching.  I have just decided i can best serve our athletes by focussing on our distance athletes in the spring and building the distance program in the lower grades. I’ll still be coaching indoor, helping with outdoor as an assistant for distance and coaching CC as the head coach.  We just really need to get some help with the sprints hurdles and throws so I can focus on  our growing distance program full time in the spring.”

Since 2002, he has led 16 Unioto teams to spring Track & Field SVC Championships. 10 of those titles were in succession between 2007-2016.

Paxton has led Unioto to 20 SVC Cross Country titles, including state runner-up and one third place finish. Those have come in stretches of 13 straight and most recently the last 7 in a row. Again, Paxton will remain as Cross Country head coach.

If interested in the head coaching position for spring Track & Field at Unioto, Paxton asks individuals to contact the Union Scioto District Office.

News

Holidays on the Mountain Now Freed Admission, Donations Will Be Accepted

Presented by Atomic Speedway

News from Sugarloaf Mountain: Holidays on the Mountain is now a free event.

“After hearing from numerous people in the community that they simply didn’t have extra money to do a holiday event with their families, we’ve decided to make this a free event” explained Brandon Smith, President/CEO of The Scioto Society in a news release Saturday morning.

Previously, the producers of Tecumseh charged $20 per car for admission for the event. While admission to the remainder of the event will be free, donations will be accepted.

The event continues through Sunday and next weekend from 12pm-6pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Holidays on the Mountain” is something new at Sugarloaf Mountain, featuring The Timberworks Lumberjack Show with shows at 1pm, 3pm, and 4:30pm daily.

Smith adds “Enjoy seasonal food and drinks, try your hand at axe throwing with Southern Ohio Axe Throwing, enjoy classic holiday movies, shop our gift shop for unique gifts and more.”

(Logo from Scioto Society)
News

2021 Holiday Lights Competition Winners Announced

Presented by Rathkamp Financial

Entries in the Chillicothe Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Holiday Lights Contest were judged Thursday evening and here are your division winners.

Norman Rockwell Division (Traditional Display):

1st Place: Cathy and John Zangri, 330 Piatt Avenue.

2nd Place: Leonard and Trish Steyer, 629 Arch Street

3rd Place (TIE): Wahneda Dalton and Anthony Clark, 90 Sharon Road; James Glandon and Shannon Berry, 132 Grand Avenue

Clark Griswold Division (Wild Lights Display):

1st Place: Jason Adkins, Sr., 341 Clay Street

2nd Place: Randy Kelley, 694 Orange Street

3rd Place (TIE): Emily and Zachery Leasure, 637 Linn Street / John and Carol Welch, 132 Yaples Orchard

The winners of each division receive a free shelter house rental and five day passes to the Chillicothe Swimming Pool. Second place finishers receive a free shelter house rental and third place finishers will take home five day passes to the pool.

Part of the 2020 display by Cathy and John Zangri, winners of the Norman Rockwell Division. Dan Ramey/Litter Media
News

Thursday Brought Three More Local Winners in Ohio Vax-2-School Lottery

Presented by Classic Brands

Three more local students were announced as winners of $10,000 scholarships in the Ohio Vax-2-School lottery drawing Thursday.

Brogan Combs of Chillicothe, Abigail Mosley of Lancaster and Alexys Dray of Baltimore were among the 30 names released Thursday.

Tuesday’s announcements, made on the State’s promotional Twitter site #OhioVax2School, had some hits in South Central Ohio. Among them, Chillicothe’s Erin Kulhanek, Colsen Oyer of Jackson and Bryce Bennett from Washington Court House.

Friday’s final drawing will bring the total to one hundred fifty $10,000 scholarship winners. At 7:30pm Friday, five $100,000 scholarships will be drawn as grand prize winners.

Sports

Football Coaching Landscape Changing in the FAC

Presented by McDonald’s, I’m Lovin’ It! & Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Frontier Athletic Conference coaching ranks will look different next football season.

Hillsboro’s Jack O’Rourke reportedly has resigned according to the Highland County Press, Chillicothe’s Doug Pryor has posted on Facebook he’s been non-renewed for the next season and McClain’s Jake Orr-Zody will not return under a separation agreement with Greenfield Exempted Village Schools effective December 1st.

O’Rourke compiled a 30-31 mark at with the Indians from 2016-2021, a stint which saw Hillsboro go 16-5 during the ’17 and ’18 seasons. He was named Ohio’s Division VI Coach of the Year in 2018.

Pryor stated in his post he’d been given the opportunity to reapply for the position and that he has.

Cavalier Football Head Coach Doug Pryor’s post on his Facebook Page, stating he’d been non-renewed.

It’s not uncommon for school districts to hire coaches on a year by year basis.

Pryor is 14-12 in three seasons with the Cavaliers after succeeding Ron Hinton who stepped down after the 2018 season. Pryor’s Cavs won the FAC Championship during the shortened season in 2020. Chillicothe just missed the playoffs this season going 5-4.

Chillicothe Head Coach Doug Pryor delivers his first pregame pep talk to the Cavaliers before facing Teays Valley to kick-off the 2019 football season. SEE THE PHOTO ALBUM HERE: http://bit.ly/2rKIeJa WATCH THE GAME HIGHLIGHT VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/1oLfgI51IBU

Last October, Orr-Zody was placed on administrative leave from the school district before the Tigers’ game with Miami Trace. He did not return to the sideline the remainder of the season.