By Megan Exline
Commoner Journal staff writer
Margaret Sowers, front middle, the widow of Sgt. Roy Sowers, and his children attend the ceremony honoring the late World War II veteran. (Photos by Megan Exline)
ALLENSVILLE – The Vinton County Historical and Genealogical Society honored a late World War II veteran and former prisoner of war during a memorial service held Saturday at the Mount Olive Cemetery.
Sgt. Roy Sowers, of Vinton County, was born Oct. 5, 1915 and had two brothers and two sisters. He was drafted during World War II. He fought in Belgium, Holland, France and Germany before being captured on Oct. 16, 1944, by the Nazis during a battle at Altdrewitz, Germany.
The Nazis placed Roy and fellow soldiers in the prison camp Stalag III E.
He was a POW for three and a half months, during which time he kept a log that detailed the hardships he and his fellow soldiers soldiers.
He escaped from captivity on Jan. 31, 1945, when the Nazis were in the middle of evacuating the prisoners to another prison camp and were intercepted by the Russians. The Russians took Sowers and his fellow soldiers to a farmhouse, where they stayed for several days before journeying through Germany and Poland.
Sowers arrived in Poland Feb. 8, left Europe April 19 and made it home on April 24, 1945.
“It was hard. I had little boys when he was drafted and I had my third child when he was in the service. He didn’t see the baby until he was 9-months-old,” his widow, Margaret Sowers, said.
Roy and Margaret had six children — Beverly, Brett, Doug, Jim, Jeff and Bill.
Charlie Young place a wreath on Sowers' grave.
During his lifetime, he was a superintendent for the Vinton County State Highway Department, a farmer, a member of the McArthur United Methodist Church, the Vinton County DAV Chapter 95, the VFW Post 5299 and the Allensville School Board.
Roy died Oct. 27, 1991.
Margaret is a member of the Vinton County Historical and Genealogical Society and volunteers there once a week. She first found out they were going to honor Roy about a month ago.
Her family lives in Lancaster, Chillicothe and the Allensville area.
Colin Tripp, 13, Sowers’ great-grandson, played taps at the ceremony.
“I’m very proud of my whole family,” Margaret said.
Lady Vikings to hold basketball camp
All girls entering third through sixth-grades are eligible to participate in this year’s Lady Vikings Basketball Camp, held June 11-14 at the Vinton County Middle School gymnasium. Grades 3 and 4 will attend camp from 9-11 a.m., and grades 5 and 6 will attend from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cost is $30 for preregistration or $35 the first day of camp. Additional siblings are $20 each. Cost includes daily instruction, T-shirt, and awards given at the end of camp.
Daily schedule will include ball handling, passing, shooting, defensive principles and 5-on-5. Parents are invited the final 45 minutes on June 14 for games.
Preregister by June 8 by calling Coach Dixon at 978-6014 or Coach Hale at 649-2518.
After calling, please mail your check (payable to VCHS Athletic Boosters) and the bottom half of this form to:
Courtney Hale
62243 Bolar Road
McArthur, OH 45651
This week’s contest winner
We would like to congratulate today’s contest winner. There were several correct responses to this week’s photo, but we can only accept the first one we receive. We would like to thank all other participants, but in the end there can only be one winner. So we say to today’s winner, go ahead, hold your head up high. Today, you show that you have more knowledge about what is in Vinton County than anybody else who responded to our photo. Be proud and brag about your win. You deserve it. Today’s winner is:
Michele
Michele correctly identified the location of this photo as Bolster Hollow Road.
By Paul McManis
Commoner Journal
McArthur's Memorial Day parade makes its way to Elk Cemetery Monday. (Photos by Paul McManis)
Only a handful of Vinton County residents turned out Monday for Memorial Day services held to honor those who have given their lives for their country.
Services started in McArthur, with a wreath laying at the Vinton County Courthouse, a parade and a ceremony at Elk Cemetery.
The day’s low attendance struck a nerve with the ceremony’s guest speaker, former Vinton County Judge and interim State Rep. Philip H. Rose, of Hamden.
“We salute all of those who have fallen in the service of this great country. How could we not do that,” Rose asked. “Why isn’t this cemetery full? It’s caused me angst. … It’s caused me some anger.”
Rose said the day is one that always conjures up memories and means something different for different people. He said for some it has seemed to have lost some meaning.
Rose said heroes are emerging everywhere and people should always remember to honor their memory.
Before closing the McArthur service, Rose made mention of Vinton County resident Greg Gosling, who always made time to honor those who were lost in battle. Gosling, a former military man himself, died Saturday in McArthur.
“He was a patriot from the get go and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention him,” Rose said.
Hamden’s services began with a parade starting in town and ending at Hamden Cemetery.
Rose again spoke to the few who gathered at the cemetery and challenged them to do all they can to get more people involved in the ceremonies.
Rose said he has been involved with the Memorial Day ceremonies since 1976 and wonders what has happened to the crowd that used to come to honor those who give the ultimate sacrifice.
“Parades in the past were an event. … Streets were lined four deep,” Rose said. “Take a message back: Where is everybody?”
Rose said he remembers Memorial Days when 1,000 people stood together on the hillside cemetery to pay tribute.
Rose reminded the young people in attendance to look at the flags near each headstone and remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms they enjoy. He said the ceremonies should not end, but they begin with those young people who will carry on the tradition in the future.
“Our responsibility and obligation to our veterans should not end with this last rally. They deserve better than that,” Rose said.
Ceremony Master of Ceremonies Jim Beckner said he also has been involved with Memorial Day events for nearly 40 years, and because of the lack of participation this year, he reiterated Rose’s challenge to get more people involved in the holiday.
The day’s events also included prayers, a 21-gun salute and taps by the Vinton County High School Marching Band.
COLUMBUS — Photography enthusiasts willing to capture the essence of Ohio’s recreational boating and spread the joy of being on Ohio’s waters can submit their photos to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Watercraft. Selected images will be highlighted in an online photo gallery.
The 2012 “Enjoying the Water” photo challenge is an opportunity for photographers, age 18 and older, to reveal their passion for Ohio’s spectacular boating opportunities. Photographs taken between Dec. 1, 2011, and Nov. 30 on Ohio waters can be submitted to the Division of Watercraft through Nov. 30.
Submissions must be the original work of the photographer and can portray any type of legal and safe boating related activity on any kind of registered watercraft. They can incorporate shoreline landscapes, wildlife or people enjoying a variety of boating activities. Both black and white and color photographs will be accepted. All submissions become the property of the Ohio Division of Watercraft.
Outstanding photographs will be featured on the Watercraft website and Facebook photo gallery. These photos may also be used to promote safe, responsible boating through the website and publications.
For guidelines and additional information, visit www.ohiodnr.com/watercraft. To enter, send an email to kris.weber@dnr.state.oh.us with the attached digital photo.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Information about ODNR programs and recreational facilities is available online at www.ohiodnr.com.
Reader photos: Summer brings fun to county
Mallory Bledsoe enjoys the pool at Walnut Creek Campground. (Courtesy photos)
Smith: A quick hello to the 87th Ohio House District
By Rep. Ryan Smith
Recently, I was appointed to serve the people of Vinton, Jackson, Gallia and Lawrence counties as the state representative for the 87th Ohio House District. I feel extremely honored to begin my work as your voice in the Ohio House, and I look forward to meeting with constituents in my service to the district.
As your new state representative, I think it is appropriate to share a bit of my background with all of you. I have worked as a financial consultant and adviser since obtaining a degree in finance from The Ohio State University in 1995. From 2005 to the present, I also have functioned as vice president and partner of Smith Financial Advisors of Hilliard Lyons. I am eager to bring my professional experience to the House. At a time when Ohio is in the process of economic recovery, I hope that my particular knowledge of fiscal policy will be an asset as I review and introduce new legislation.
In terms of public service, I have always strived to remain involved in my community. To this end, I held a seat on the Gallipolis City School Board of Education from 2008-2012 and have been reelected to the board through 2015. I also currently serve on the Holzer Health System board of directors. In the past, I have been president of the Gallia County Chamber of Commerce and have served as a board member and former president of the Community Improvement Corporation, which is the economic development arm for Gallia County.
Through all of these activities, I have tried to make my community an even better place to work and live, and I will apply the same effort throughout my time representing the 87th House District in its entirety. I believe that we should take pride in our communities here in Southern Ohio, and I know that all of you feel the same. It is with this sense of involvement that I start my time in service to my constituents.
I will always be looking for feedback and suggestions from everyone in the 87th District, so please feel free to drop by my district office hours or contact my office in Columbus. I am here to represent you, and I welcome any ideas you may have as we work together to improve Ohio.
Rep. Smith may be reached by calling (614) 466-1366, emailing District87@ohr.state.oh.us, or writing to State Rep. Ryan Smith, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215.
Weekly Top 10: May 21-27
Have you been away from your computer? Have you missed any important news this week? Be sure to check out the links below to see a recap of this week’s top stories in Vinton County. Don’t be the last to know. Check below to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
This week, our home page had 1,713 views. The following were our top 10 most-viewed stories of the week:
1. School Board president said Bible curriculum rejection not up for debate
2. Suspects arrested in Hamden breaking and entering
3. Local singer inspires with story of cancer survival
4. PHOTOS: Vinton County Relay for Life 2012
5. 2012 Vinton County Relay for Life participants honor loved ones
6. Three men arrested for alleged scrap metal theft
7. Resident uses latest technology to offer podcasts to community
8. Vinton County Airport introduces new event to start season
9. Reps. Johnson, Smith honor correctional officer from McArthur
10. Keep your eyes on the cards, don’t be tricked (When Life Whispers column)
Our top 10 list is compiled based on views by you, our viewers. Thank you for your support.
(Photos by Paul McManis)
LOGAN — Vinton County-based country band Eastwood sold about 120 tickets for Saturday’s Country Music Festival in Logan, outselling four other local acts for the latest entertainment slot in the evening.
The festival, held at Kaeppner’s Woods in Logan, was promoted by Little Big Dude Entertainment. The lineup for local acts was determined by ticket sales.
Columbus-based The Lee Gantt Band went on directly before Eastwood. Other acts earlier in the day included Jared Bartow, Charlie Tatman, Jack Lewis & 104 South Band and the Rockweiller Band.
Eastwood was followed by performances by national acts Karla Perretta, Austin Hicks, McGuffey Lane and Easton Corbin.
PHOTOS: Vinton County Relay for Life 2012
The 2012 Relay for Life included opening remarks, the survivor’s lap, baby contest, royalty pageant, Luminaria ceremony, Vinton County belly dancers, and local bands 4 This Cause and Eastwood.
For the full story on Relay for Life, click here.
