Ada Kiwanis members heard a "toy story" at their Nov. 8 meeting.
Jim Pruden and his wife, Sandy, presented a program on the Kenton Toy Company.
The Prudens related the history of the company beginning with its establishment in the late 1800s as the manufacturer of a cast-iron bank, the “Empire Bank Building.” In addition to banks, the company also produced horse drawn toys, a zoo wagon and many more.
They mentioned a book, written a number of years ago by Charles Jacobs, then curator of the Sullivan-Johnson Museum in Kenton. The book, which is available at the Kenton museum, is considered by many as the definitive source of the company and its products.
An eight-story co-ed residence hall at Ohio State University has been named in memory of Jon T. Busch, brother of Larry Busch of Ada and ONU. Jon was Missing in Action in North Vietnam for many years.
Larry graduated from ONU in 1963 and began the university's computer program shortly after graduation. Fifty-three years later he continues there as grant research analyst in the office of information technology. He and his wife, Joyce, a retired Ada teacher, live southwest of Ada.
Larry's brother, Jon, was deployed for Vietnam in November of 1966. While flying a mission over North Vietnam his plane was shot down and he was taken prisoner of war.
By Monty Siekerman
This is an incredible story of strength: the life story of Ahlam Anteer of Iraq, now a U.S. Citizen who voted Tuesday.
You see, Ahlam's father was kidnapped and murdered in Baghdad. She described him as "a high government official and international lawyer."
Three of her brothers were murdered, as well.
Ahlam, a teacher, and her mother fled to northern Iraq where her mother died from the stress of losing most of her family. Ahlam worked her way to Syria, which at the time was not in the throes of civil war as it is today. The United Nations came to her rescue, sending her to Sterling Heights, Mich.
It's no secret who Neil Williams is voting for since his front yard is full of political yard signs and he's been active in county Democrat politics.
The Community Health Professionals building hosted the two Ada precincts where 400 people had voted by 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Twenty-five voters were in line when voting began at 6:30 a.m. (Monty Siekerman photo)
By Monty Siekerman
Longtime Ada/Liberty Fire Chief Jay Epley was named Citizen of the Year during the 51st annual Town and Gown banquet on Monday evening in McIntosh Center ballroom. More than 200 people attended the gala event.
A Hardin County farm boy who served 22 years in the National Guard, Jay is most known to many for his incredibly long run of 38 years as fire chief. He has been a member of the department for nearly 50 years.
In accepting the award he thanked the voters for their support of levies and his wife of 49 years, Linda, and daughters.
By Monty Siekerman
The Ada Icon caught up with Amos Wolber at the Harold and Nancy Barker home where Amos was filling a tank with fuel for his riding mower. In two months, Amos will be 95 years old...and he's still going strong.
Amos continues to repair lawnmowers, even make the mower parts, if needed. He's been a machinist most of his life, having learned the trade at Lima Locomotive, which turned into Lima Baldwin Hamilton, which turned into Clark Equipment, which finally closed the facility in Lima.
Amos was born in Ada, but lived elsewhere. In his youth, he took farm jobs in various states.
