Payton Williams, 3, enjoys cake at the Ada Public Library centennial. She is the daughter of Sara Lansing and Blake Williams. It is conceivable that Payton could live to see the library's 200th anniversary, but she needs to take good care of herself and, in the future, obey all the "rules of the road" when driving her spacecraft, drone, or jet pack. (Monty Siekerman photo)
By Monty Siekerman
The Ada Public Library celebrated its 100th birthday on Thursday evening. The library can only be described as "You've come a long way, baby" because it began a century ago in the women's restroom of the town hall.
That arrangement didn't last long. By 1918 the library found a home in the Brewer Block on Main. By the next year, the books (and staff) were housed at 108 E. Highland, a distinctive brick building that is now for sale. The library remained there until 1953.
The library moved into its current building in 1953. An addition and renovation in 1994 expanded and modernized the facility.
James Lee Hadley, age 70, died on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 7:31 a.m. at his residence in Ada.
He was born on August 14, 1947 in Warren, Ohio to the late Alvin Dwight and Betty Jean (Standley) Hadley. On April 29, 1967 James married Melody A. Hare and she survives in Ada. James and Melody just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April.
Keith Durkin is a man on a mission. Durkin, professor of sociology at Ohio Northern University, has seen how drug use has ravaged the area during his seven years as a quality assurance specialist for the Hardin County Juvenile Court.
“The abuse of opioids is now at epidemic levels in the region, and juveniles are now abusing these dangerous drugs,” he said.
In response, Durkin has teamed up with Hardin County court official Wade Melton to develop a plan to combat this epidemic. Melton is director of programs for the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division. Their efforts were supported by an Ohio Department of Youth Services Competitive RECLAIM grant.
Abby Wright places a hat on the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Liberty National Bank. The bank, for the past 27 years, has collected new hats, gloves, coats, and scarfs for Project Warmth. The clothing helps keep Ada children warm in the winter months. Local residents are encouraged to donate. Click here to see the entire tree.
By Monty Siekerman
Tim Garmon of rural Ada has started a nondenominational church at Ada Vancrest.
The new church is open to residents and the public. The new endeavor, which met for the first time last Sunday, has services at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Garmon said he was led by God to begin a church for senior citizens. The church combines traditional and contemporary aspects of worship.
Several years ago, Garmon pastored United Methodist churches in Dunkirk and Patterson. He currently is head of maintenance at one of the equestrian complexes at the University of Findlay.
