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Letters to the Editor

First Congregational Church celebrating 230 years

While our country is celebrating its 250th birthday the First Congregational Church, in Marietta, is celebrating the 230th year of its founding. The Congregational Church at Marietta was organized December 6th, 1796, with the creation of an organization called the First Religious Society. It was composed of members residing in Marietta, Belpre, Waterford and Vienna, VIrginia. Rev. Daniel Story served as its first ordained minister. On August 22, 2026 the second in a series of free programs, focusing on early leaders in Marietta, will be held at First Congregational Church, 318 Front ...

Letter to the Editor: See something say something

When Roger Kalter spoke as a long-time citizen and one time councilman of Marietta about someone cutting down a tree at Knox Park and another person pouring a driveway that encroaches on the park property, he was openly mocked by some members of the present city council. Many years ago, Roger got permission to put a raised bed flower garden in the park in his mother’s memory. Paid for and built by Roger. He also paid for a city water hook up to help maintain the flower bed. That hook up also served as a watering place for people walking their dogs. As citizens of this country, we are ...

Letter to the Editor: Thanks from Little Muskingum Grange #2621

Little Muskingum Grange #2621 wishes to thank the sponsors of their sixth annual catfish tournament and other events of the grange. We are also very appreciative for all those who showed up to fish and support us. We also would like to thank Bob Echart for allowing our organization to use the dock area for sign up and weigh-in. Thanks to Nic Kidd for all his help. The Grange founded in 1867, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal, patriotic organization that advocates for rural Americans and agriculture. The Grange has a strong history in grass-roots activism, family values, patriotism, ...

Letter to the Editor: Thoughts on Knox Park

As a person who has frequent occasion to walk by Knox Park, I would like to offer some observations. I see the park and its prominent raised bed in all seasons. The bed remains untended the majority of the time and currently is overrun with Bind weed, an invasive and noxious vine prohibited by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There are also clumps of poison ivy, which can be a beneficial weed but not if you are inviting people to pick it. There is black walnut sapling as well as a coffee tree sapling. Both are native and desirable trees, but wholly unsuited for a raised bed. ...

Letter to the Editor: Stop the steal of Knox Park

Adjacent to my side yard is an undeveloped, neglected acre or so of land that belongs to the City of Marietta. My dogs and I would love it if I expanded my fenced yard to give them more room to roam. Who would care? This is a “vacant” lot (except for trees, understory, deer, and squirrels) that no one ever uses—except to toss litter. Why can’t I just grab that land and consider it my own? No one would notice or care. I probably wouldn’t even have to pay property taxes on it! I wouldn’t take the whole lot, just a few feet where it borders my property. Why not? Claiming it ...

Thank you

The members of Marietta in Bloom want to publicly thank the following individuals, businesses, and organizations who, in 2026, supported our annual efforts to beautify the City of Marietta: Mr. Russ Thomson and Mr. Larry Ohn, of Thomson's Landscaping, once again sold Lantana, Profusion Zinnias and Bubblegum Pink Petunias, Coleus and other annuals at greatly reduced prices for planting in our gardens. Mr. Jack Haessly, Haessly Hardwoods, provided loads of lovely mulch, free of charge, that were then delivered by the City of Marietta employees to our various planting locations! Mr. ...