AURORA
OLDENBURG
DILLSBORO
Page 6B THE BEACON September 2018
AURORA
By Fred Schmits
Community Correspondent
O ur
Communities aurora @ goBEACONnews . com
HI NEIGHBORS !!!
The other day the boys at the “ coffee club or liars ’ bench ” were talking , as usual , about many different topics . Sometimes many conversations take place at once . But on this particular day , the topic was CHANGE !!
Philosophers maintain that there is no change since they believe nothing remains the same . Other people can see something being different as soon as they look at it . The dictionary tells us change is just that … causing or doing something different . One lasting comment heard was that no matter what changes , it never lasts . Others said everything remains the same .
Let ’ s look at some of the things and people changing in our neighborhood . A prominent focus is our streets and highways . The increased tax on a gallon of gas is funding the U . S . Highway 50 project . The construction is much needed and should last a long time .
Second Street in downtown Aurora has also seen a marked change that with the installation of new infrastructure . Water lines that have been in service since 1904 have been replaced . New sidewalks now
Joan Greive is eighty-eight years young !
support street lights that were installed last year and bring a beautiful glow to the downtown area . Brick crosswalks at each intersection on Second Street will be installed upon completion of paving .
Stay tuned for changes that will include a new park and community involvement . Aurora ’ s 200th birthday is just around the corner !
Significant changes are occurring in our schools . The administration of SDSC has many new leaders . Mrs . Schmeltzer , Principal of St . John ’ s School , announced they have a new 7-8 grade teacher , Ms . Rachael Burkhart .
Longtime leader , James Tush , has moved on from St . Mary School . Mr . Bob Brookbank will assume that position this year .
“ I am excited to have this opportunity to lead St . Mary ’ s school . The students are fantastic !!” stated Mr . Brookbank . “ The experienced and innovative staff and parishioners will be my pillar of strength .”
Mr . Brookbank steps up
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Fiona happily took a treat from Cindy Rottinghaus .
after teaching seventh- and eighth-grade science this past year . Many neighbors are familiar with him since he has thirty-eight years of experience in surrounding schools . Mr . Brookbank is married to Angela ( Stoll ) and has three adult children and one grandchild . A relative of the family , Helen Stoll , taught at St . Mary ’ s for many years .
Both of these schools offer challenges to students , stimulating atmospheres , and balanced emotional growth .
Other changes in Aurora have attracted young and old alike . One is the birth of a baby “ hippo ” at the Cincinnati Zoo . Fiona has been the singular most exciting attraction at the zoo after many years of tigers , gorillas , and bears . Our own Cindy Rottinghaus had the opportunity to feed Fiona during a recent visit to the zoo .
Main Street Aurora hosted a Senior Dance and welcomed around one hundred guests . A great time was had by all . Another dance is planned for Sept . 8 . ( See ad on page 8A )
The flood gauge at Lesko Park will soon be updated to reflect the highest point of the recent flood in Aurora . Seeing how the town has recovered is inspirational .
More murals have been finished all around town . Be sure to visit and see all of the new artwork . It ’ s all part of what makes Aurora great .
Joan Greive recently turned 88 . She celebrated her special day with her family and enjoyed a delicious birthday cake on the auspicious occasion .
Well , that ’ s it for now . But did you ever wonder … when will the roadside weeds on I-275 be cut ?
Let me hear from you .
Elmer Siefert , shown with his sons and daughters , celebrated his ninetieth birthday .
OLDENBURG
By Sue Siefert
Community Correspondent
oldenburg @ goBEACONnews . com
Village people gathered during Freudenfest festivities to surprise their Town Marshal , Bill Dramann as he celebrated his fifty-year law enforcement career milestone . Bill was joined by his family , community members , police officers from surrounding agencies , and government officials , including Indiana Gov . Eric Holcomb , to mark his half-century achievement .
Gov . Holcomb recognized Bill with the Circle of Corydon Award , which is one of the highest civilian honors one can receive in Indiana . The jovial officer was also presented with a wooden plaque , crafted by Weberding ’ s Carving Shop , depicting the badges of the agencies where he has served . Bill began his career in 1969 at the Batesville Police Department , where he was promoted to the rank of Chief of Police . After serving two terms as the Ripley County Sheriff , he worked with the
DILLSBORO
By Rebecca Davies
Community Correspondent
dillsboro @ goBEACONnews . com
Dillsboro High School ’ s Alumni dinner and dance at the freshly renovated Civic Center was well attended . Celebrating forty years , the Class of ‘ 78 was represented by a few and was the last graduating class from Dillsboro . Alberta Ochs Lewis , Class of 1940 , was the oldest graduate present and led the group of past cheerleaders in the school song . The largest class of DHS with forty-seven graduates was the Class of ‘ 68 . Twenty-two returned to attend parties and the Alumni event to celebrate their fiftieth class reunion . Pictures and candles in memory of the eleven classmates no longer with
We Salute Officer Bill Dramann !
Sunman Police Department for seven years . Since 2014 , Bill has served as Oldenburg ’ s Town Marshal .
The loyal civil servant has spent his life serving and protecting area residents and prides himself in knowing most by name --- including their children and grandchildren . He ’ s quick with a smile , a wave --- and depending on the situation , a funny story or comforting words . Steins were raised and hats were tipped as locals expressed their appreciation !
Congratulations to lifetime Oldenburger , Elmer Siefert , as he marked the occasion of his ninetieth birthday with a gathering of family and friends .
Das ist alles von der ’ Burg !
them graced their long table of classmates and spouses . Earlier this year nine members of the class of ‘ 68 embarked on an actual “ Senior ” trip to Las Vegas .
After nearly twenty years , Ryan Brandt has retired as Dillsboro Police chief . He was appointed to the Dillsboro Police Force as a reserve officer in 1999 . Chief Brandt became Dillsboro ’ s first full-time police officer in 2001 and Police Chief in 2006 . A South Dearborn graduate , Chief Brandt served in the US Marine Corps . He was instrumental in getting our second fulltime officer . In 2015 Cincy Magazine named Dillsboro thirty-second in the Top 50 Communities in the Tri- State for safety . In 2012 , with the help of Officer Josh Cady , Chief Brandt was able to add K-9 Officer Chevy through grants and donations . Chief Brandt now joins South Dearborn Community School Corporation as a Resource Officer .
“ I ’ ve grown personally and professionally during my tenure in Dillsboro , so I believe it is time to take my skills and experience to another level of school safety , “ stated Chief Brandt .
Officer Josh Cady became the new Dillsboro Police Chief on July 28 .
This year ’ s Dillsboro Heritage Festival ’ s theme is Sports and will highlight memorabilia , news clips , photos , activities around that theme .
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