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11th annual Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame recognizes individual and team excellence

KENTON--The Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame held their 11th annual banquet on Saturday evening, June 17, 2023 at the St John's Church in Kenton.  Six individuals and one team were enshrined as members of the "Class of 2023."  The evening started with a catered dinner and two local student/athletes garnering scholarships for their work in the classroom, community and athletic achievements.

BHS student and teacher remembers Gary Brown

CORRECTION: Brown taught 33 years at Bluffton High School.

By Bill Herr

What Bluffton High School teacher was most memorable and influenced students the most? As a graduate of BHS and later a teacher at my alma mater, my list would be great but I would narrow it down to include Lorain Basinger (Vocational Agriculture), Wilbur Howe (History and Government), Wilford Geiger (Biology), Margaret Weaver (Latin), Duane Bollenbacher (Mathematics), and my choice at the top of the list, Gary Brown.

Gary graduated from Ada High School in 1956, from Bluffton College in 1961 and received his Master's in Teaching from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1972. He taught high school science for 35 years: Physics, Chemistry, Advanced Biology, and Environmental Biology (for which he developed his own course of study). He taught 33 of those years at Bluffton High School where he was affectionately known as "Doc." He was an assistant coach in football at BHS for 10 years.

Soropimist International June update

Report provided by Soroptimist International of Kenton/Hardin County:

Soroptimist International of Kenton/Hardin County held the June meeting at the Kenton Elks Lodge. President Karen Kier called the meeting to order and welcomed guests Rebecca Diller and Madisen Jolliff. Attendees rose and recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Soroptimist grace. While club members enjoyed dinner, Speaker Rebecca Diller from Ohio Northern University spoke on “Effective Stress Management” and went through a few exercises that can easily be done on a regular basis.

Cairo park commemorates 1961 visit by Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige

Ada's Gail Altstaetter witnesses 1961 and 2023 events

By Cort Reynolds

CAIRO – In a historic local baseball game 62 summers ago, Cairo’s Memorial Park hosted the former Negro League Kansas City Monarchs, a legendary team featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige.

Sumner and Wilson named as Athletic Hall of Fame scholarship recipients

The Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame has announced the recipients for 2023 Scholarships. Courtney Sumner of Ada High School and Zeb Wilson of Hardin Northern High School will each receive a one-time $500.00 scholarship towards their academic endeavors.

Scholarship presentation will be made at a banquet on Saturday night, June 17, at St. John's Church in Kenton.

Sumner's future plans are to attend Ohio Northern University and major in Early Childhood Education. She explains, "While being at ONU I will also be playing basketball! After I graduate, I am hoping to become an elementary teacher and possibly even a basketball coach!"

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Mural to honor Hardin County baseball great Ray Brown

More than 40 years after his death, one of the greatest and most successful athletes from Northwest Ohio was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Now, 17 years after his enshrinement in Cooperstown, Ohio Northern University faculty and students are working with his hometown of Alger to honor him.

A historical marker and mural both are in the works to honor baseball great Ray Brown.

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