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by Tony Russell
Vivian tells me that twenty-nine people have signed up so far for John Oshoway's "Legal Issues" class, which begins on
Tuesday, April 2, at the Career Center. John, over the course of three consecutive Tuesday evenings, will provide participants
with a general overview of legal issues surrounding wills, estate planning, Medicare, Medicaid, powers of attorney, living wills,
and social security. We appreciate John's willingness to share his experience and legal expertise with the community. He
originally indicated that he could work with a group of up to fifty people, so there are still slots available if you are interested.
Just call Vivian Dye at 354-7595.
Cheryl McCallister, our Career Center Site Coordinator, also reports that Zane Gherke's "Basic Computer Repair and
Troubleshooting" class was a real success, and that they constructed two new computers from parts. We hope that our
package of computer-related classes provides not just nice skills for individuals to have, but some marketable skills that can
open the door to economic opportunities as well.
One of the programs the Middle/High School has been working on, also with an eye toward economic development, is a
summer equestrian program. Peig Schmitz has been the visionary and driving force on this one. She has enlisted a number of
the county's horse lovers, including Patsy Kisner, Russ Ferrell, and Susan Grahame. Together they have put together a
proposal for a six-Saturday program this summer at the Middle/High School. The proposal still needs to go to our Partnership
Committee; if it flies (Pegasus?), look for announcements on specific dates and topics.
Our Middle School Newspaper class with Julie Brown has produced its first issue, and circulated four hundred copies. We
still have a few in the office, if you would like to see their handiwork. Congratulations to the staff of the "Red Devil Press,"
including Briana Blankenship, Jacob Richards, Joe Shook, Tabbitha Scott, Anissa Holcomb, Triea Gregory, Tiffany Swisher,
Ashley Hardman, Sarah Moore, and Hayli McKinstry.
Linda Jones, Peig Schmitz, and I recently attended a regional training program near Cincinnati for people involved with 21st
Century projects like ours. One of the constant refrains we heard was that people couldn't get folks in their community
involved. I came back home feeling really grateful to George Ward and to all the people on the Partnership Committee who
got our project off on the right foot, with tremendous community involvement from the very start. That community support has
resulted in an extraordinary number of hugely successful activities at every site. When it came time at the meeting to share
what had worked in our program, I was embarrassed, because the list of "things that worked" was so long that it sounded as if
I were bragging. And I guess I AM bragging, on all of you who have given this program its special zest and enthusiasm.
Congratulations to the High School Band and director Harry Beall for being awarded a "1," the highest ranking, at their recent
adjudication. Harry has brought a real love of music and work with kids to his position, and his enthusiasm motivates others as
well. It has been a great pleasure to work with Harry and Trina this year, and rewarding to see the difference dedicated folks
can make in young people's lives.
Dan Cosgrove tells me that he now has the names of five people who want to take the "Conversational Spanish for Adults"
with Norma Randall-Myers at Arnoldsburg School. We would love to see this class become a reality. If you want to be part
of it, give Dan a call at 655-8616, ext. 3.
Finally, I'd like to thank Joyce Williams publicly for the role she has played in promoting Lights On! at Pleasant Hill. She
works with the "Studdy Buddy" program, but beyond that, does those helpful, unobtrusive things that glue a staff and a
program together. She's like a basketball player who does all the things that a coach looks for-block out on rebounds, switch
on defense, hit the open player, move without the ball, get back fast on transition-things that don't show on the statistics, but
which make all the difference over the season between a great team and a flop.
Those are our Lights On! Highlights for this week. We'll shine our flashlights in a few new places next time.
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