Blog Post Four

Being that I am not from Tuscarawas County I had no prior knowledge of the history of this county. My visit to the historical society was very interesting. The thing that I found that I would consider the most interesting or coolest was the fact that someone wrote a book entirely about the Dover Phila rivalry game. Personally I have never been to the "big" game, but I have heard that it is a pretty big deal. What I did not realize was that it was such a big deal that someone would write an entire book about it. This is what I love about small town life. Something as insignificant as a football game is essentially life or death to us. Another thing that I found to be very interesting was how much of Tuscarawas County used to be inhabited by Indians. I suppose now that I look back it makes sense being that most of the schools' mascots have something to do with Indians, I had just never made that connection before.  Harrison County, which is where I am from, does not have as much as a historical connection to Indians which I find fascinating since we are neighboring counties. The last interesting thing that I found was that there was a massacre in Port Washington. This town to me comes across as just a small peaceful town, so to think that something that horrific would happen there is mind blowing. My visit at the historical society was very nice, and had I had relatives from this county I would've loved to sit and read more, and try and find out more about my own family's history.

Blog Post #4

        Although I wasn't able to actually visit the Tuscarawas Historical Society, I still went online and found a few things pretty interesting. 

       In the small town that I live in, it's pretty rare that we celebrate anything or really have anything fun going on. Pretty much the only thing to look forward to is the Brewster Firemen's Festival in the beginning of June. I will say I used to have fun at it, but it's really gone down hill and there's not all that much to do. It's the same rides every year, the same boring games, and the same boring music. The food is definitely always good though. When I saw that Tuscarawas County has/had several celebrations and things to do it made me sad because I have always wished my town would do something like that. 

     In Uhrichsville they have what is called the Clayworker's Festival. I found it super interesting that they do this to celebrate when it used to be the Clay Capitol of the world because I didn't know this. It's all about clay where they have scavenger hunts, clay demonstrations, a tour through the clay museum, and even a kayak race. This is for sure something that I would want to go to.

     I also read that in New Philadelphia they used to have an Italian Festival. I have heard of it, but I never really knew what it was and what went on at one. I read that it is all about Italian-American food, drinks, games, rides, and various entertainment. These festivals started in 1989, but they just recently stopped due to not having as many people attending. 

     The Swiss Festival in Tusc County is an event I've always wanted to go to, but never have. It just sounds like people have tons of fun there and many people in my family have gone and suggested that I go. This festival is located in Sugarcreek and this year will be the 65th year of it. There's a parade, marching band entertainment, a swiss cheese making and eating contest, all while learning about the Swiss culture. Sounds like a fun time to me. 

There are so many more different festivals and activities in Tuscarawas County, but like I said, I wish my town or even towns around me did even half the things Tusc County does. I never really knew anything about this county until I began going to school here and it's nice to finally figure some things out about it. It's definitely a nice place to be.

Blog Post #4

Interesting Facts about Ohio

I have lived in Ohio my entire life. Considering this, I am slightly ashamed to admit how little history I actually knew about our state before visiting the Tuscarawas Historical Society. Sure, I knew that Ohio’s weather is known for being bipolar and that Michigan fans are sworn enemies, but there are so many other interesting facts to be discovered.

One of the first fascinating things I discovered was about the Ohio state flag. The flag was created in 1902, and in 2002, it was given a pledge:

“I salute the flag of the state of Ohio and pledge to the Buckeye State respect and loyalty.”

I had no idea Ohio’s nickname of being the Buckeye State went as far back as it’s flag’s creation. The creator of the flag even went as far as to say that the circle in the center not only stands for the “O” in Ohio, but it is also symbolism for its place as the Buckeye State.

It is crazy to me to think that something as casually thrown around as being from the “Buckeye State” was actually determined more than a century ago. I guess this just goes to prove that one never really knows what effect they will have on history.

                                                        

The Ohio State Flag

Another fact I found thought-provoking about Ohio’s history has to do with the presidents who were born here. Ohio is home to eight of the presidents including Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and William H. Taft.

The majority of these presidents were elected nearly in consecutive order! Ohio was home to the 18^th, 19^th, 20^th, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th, and 29^th presidents. Even more intriguing is that all of these presidents ran as Republicans (except for the 9^th president, William Henry Harrison, who identified with the Whig party of his time).

It is definitely interesting to be alive during today’s political era, but I can imagine the rumors of scandal that existed during these presidencies. Just imagine your politically crazed uncle visiting your Ohio family: “So, who did you Ohioans bribe this year to get one of your buddies in the door yet again?”

On the other hand, I bet it was a great time to be an Ohio child. Whenever some adult commented, as they often do, “There’s this nation’s next president” in reference to a kid, I bet the child gleamed with pride. After all, this had already happened to several people from his or her very own state. The odds were seemingly in their favor.

However, presidents are not the only famous citizens who have come from Ohio. You have James Ritty to thank for cash registers and Garret Morgan to thank for traffic lights. Both of whom were native to Ohio.

But let us not forget the Wright brothers who gave us our first steps in flight, and W.F. Semple who gave us the gum to pop our ears while we fly. Without a doubt, these are just a few of the inspiring people who came from the state of Ohio.

I may have not known much about our great state when I began this search, and I still do not know nearly close to everything, but I have realized something. Just like people, each state has a history of its own, and each history contributes in making our worlds the way they are today.

Reference information for Ohio book within the Historical Society: Blackwell, J. Kenneth. Ohio defined. (180 E. Broad St., 15th Floor, Columbus): Office of the Ohio Secretary of State, 2006. Print.

Blog Post Three- Kent State University at Tuscarawas Campus.

      As a student attending the Kent Tuscarawas branch in New Philadelphia, I would catch myself gazing at the buildings on my way to class. As a student, I feel in some sort of way I should know about how the school came to be, and the significance that the school detains. Each school out there is important for some reason or another. However Kent State at Tuscarawas branch building  is the only campus that is owned by the community itself and not the main branch that it supports.

             The movement of bringing Kent State to Tuscarawas  began in January 10, 1962. There were many reasons people wanted to bring this experience and opportunity to the New Philadelphia area, one being that this would make it easier to go and advance in college with it being closer to the student's homes. To operate solely and efficiently was the goal, but giving credit to Kent State University is not a problem at all. On July 8, 1962 the schools hopes of succeeding were lifted when 120 students attended an information night. In 1962 classes costed $11 per credit hour is the student was a part time student.

             Now in 2017, almost 2100 students a year choose to pursue a degree at Kent State Tuscarawas. Times have changed, but most importantly Kent State University helped play a part in having a community college, that is available to us at a small cost compared to many other colleges out there.

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Blog Post 3: State

Claymont High Schools isn’t known for the most appropriate things. However, our wrestling program is something our community is always proud to be a part of. Sure, we get supporters at other sporting events. But the turnouts are nothing like that of a wrestling match. Of course, the main goal is to get our boys to the state tournaments level. Every year we get quite a few, and have made plenty of traditions out of it.

            In order to celebrate the boys’ achievements of making it to state, many activities are held and performed. When it comes to state time, no one is in town. It’s like everyone just packed up and left. Leading up to that though, we start by decorating cars and rooms, making sure the boys know we are all proud of them.

            When the boys pack up onto the bus and leave for state, the town hosts a send off. In recent years, not many other sports have participated in something big. So this has mostly become a community tradition among the wrestling program. What happens is, parents, students, friends, and family, line the roads to which the buses are routed. They hold signs and banners as a form of good luck, sometimes airhorns. We watch the boys head for state, screaming and cheering. Then, the whole town packs up and heads off with them. And when they come home, we’re all still lined on the streets celebrating their achievements (and the fact they can finally eat now).

By Olivia

Blog 3

  For my family Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year. Thanksgiving is all about thankfullness , kindness and the act of giving. From a young age we are taught to be thankful for what we have and recieve, as well as we are taught to understand the power of giving. But, you could also say Thanksgiving dinner is always wonderful. 

   We all rush to get everything prepared in time, and stress ourselves out over the samethings every year, that in the end never actually really matter. We stress ourselves out about making sure everything is done on time, when we already know as usual everyone will be late for some reason or another.

    But once everything calms down and everyone get seated we all understand why once again we have celebrated this important day. We all then talk about the things we are thankful for over the last year. As well as talking about the things we didnt even realize we were indeed thankful for. 

     Generally after the dinner the men all go outside and show off the new guns from this past year. They also make sure everyone gets to take a turn with the new gun. The women usually stay inside to clean up and gossip. Also, talking about how everyone thought they day would go bad, but as usual Thanksgiving had been another memorable and successful year.

By Harlie

Blog 3

I wish I had some extraordinary family tradition. Although, most of our get togetherness are full of laughter, nothing exciting stands out. However, I do have  tradition that is different, which is that is spending most my free  time in a spiritual journey of recovery.  When I am not at working or going to school, I am surrounded by recovering alcoholics and addicts. I am highly involved with helping women who struggle with addiction and alcoholism.  I go to 12 Step Meetings, where they practice living an honest, spiritual and sober life. I have three years of sobriety and my “drug of choice” was alcohol.  I don’t think it really matters what your drug of choice because they  all involve an “obsession” of  the mind and end with powerlessness.

This has  been both a  painful and beautiful journey.  I have watched people recover and become compassionate human beings, I have also seen people who have succumbed to addiction. I know several people who have died due to the Heroin Epidemic. One of my closest friends is out there  and i can’t talk to her. She is not the same person i knew when she was sober( none of us are). In my own opinion,  there is a strange comparison between alcoholism and the story Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I can’t think of a better description of addiction.

Oddly enough, there are  the  12 Steps and 12 Traditions that assist with this spiritual walk in these meetings. It is suggested that going through all twelve steps, getting a sponsor, and helping others are the keystones to recovery. It also suggests to have a “Higher Power.” There are plenty of agnostics in the program,  it  simply states in the book of Alcoholics Anonymous ,  “having a God of our own understanding”, and realizing we are not God. There are Buddhist, Jews, Christians, etc. . There is no discrimination on religions. Just a group of people trying to stay sober.

I have failed on my journey to abstain from alcohol and I have succeeded. I tried to get sober when i was 22,  but I hadn’t reached my bottom. My  last sobriety date was when i was July 5th, 2013.  These people  and meetings taught me that the only way to get out of my own head and misery is to help another alcoholic, and to be grateful for whatever i have.  It basically comes down to selfishness which we trade for selflessness.

My daughters usually go on Sundays with me and most my friends are recovering alcoholics or addicts. My children have a wide diversity of knowing people of all walks of life because alcoholism doesn’t discriminate .  My oldest daughter,  once told me that she told everyone at school that i was an alcoholic, of course her teachers seemed immediately  concerned. However, when she talks about alcoholics she is referring to those who don’t drink anymore. My point is,t the only alcoholics she knows are the ones that don’t drink anymore. Unlike some stereotypes, of  an alcoholic with a brown bag that sleeps underneath a bridge.  She was proud of these people, because they are our friends and family.  We drink Coffee and smoke cigarettes and we have a lot of fun doing it.