Support the Marietta Tigers

August 16, 2023

This week my husband, Mark and I photographed the band members and fall athletes for Marietta High School. We worked with over 350 students and 50 coaches. Clearly the efforts of the staff is recognizable. The students were polite, respectful and enthusiastic. We were thanked personally those days and recognized on social media. I was even presented a bouquet of flowers by the volleyball team. The administration and athletic department have been working hard to improve the culture at the high school. These students are encouraged to volunteer in our community in projects such as trash ...

Caution for churches and religious organizations advocating for legislation

August 10, 2023

A church is a place of worship including Christian churches, temples, mosques, synagogues, and other worship places. Churches also include conventions and associations of churches—for example, the United Methodist Church or the Southern Baptist Convention. Churches exist to allow congregations to come together for spiritual renewal. For purposes of U.S. tax law, churches are considered to be public charities, also known as Section 501(c)(3) organizations and are exempt from federal and state taxes. This privilege assumes that the Church in question is adhering to the purposes ...

Levity at a funeral

August 3, 2023

While Mel My late husband and I were attending funeral of a dear friend and Professor. A pleasant surprise lead to wonderful memories. We were gathered at a large church across from a College where the Professor had worked beyond his retirement as Emeritus Professor. The Professor had lived in the area for decades. He had developed many friendships. Both he and his family contributed in so many ways to the community and world at large. His late wife was a teacher and his children were accomplished in their fields. Not all of their contributions resided within a small College town but ...

When Marietta comes together

August 2, 2023

As a resident of Washington County, I sometimes can’t appreciate the warmth, hospitality as well as the generosity of our community, until the need arises. That was the case, last Sunday, July 23. It was 45 years ago, on that very day and date, that the Washington County, Division #1, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, an Irish American fraternal organization, was chartered. To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the Monsignor Donal O’Carroll, Division invited the A.O.H. Ohio State President, Dennis Parker, and his guest, Ms. Jeannine Spalvieri to attend as well as other ...

Chaotic world?

July 25, 2023

As we are grasping at straws, while being bewildered by our own world, as we know it. It is becoming more diasporic. Perhaps it is an awakening call. Dr. Krishna S. Dhir diligently describes in his recent publication of “The Wonder That is Urdu” He describes development of language and cultures through the struggles that persisted through time. There always have been conflicts. The difficulties that we face today are not a new phenomenon. They have existed indefinitely. We seem to be tossed into Chaos daily. It is all around us in our daily lives. It is in our government (In USA ...

A brief history of Ohio constitution amendments

July 21, 2023

“You are engaged in framing a constitution under and in accordance with which the people are to get and to do justice and absolutely to rule themselves.” -Theodore Roosevelt, “Speech at the 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention.” I’m not writing this letter to address the ballot issue in November, but to discuss misinformation concerning Issue 1 this August. Ohio has gone through four constitutional conventions, the most recent being 1912. The 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention has been viewed by some as “the most outstanding single event in the political evolution of the ...