3 minute read
Former Democratic Party chair Tom Smith dies
Hunter served as president. Upon being elected as Sheffield Mayor in 2007, he tapped Smith as his law director, a position he held for 10 years until his retirement.
“Tom Smith was a personal friend and a strong leader, and he cared about everyone. He was a leader in the community, he was a leader in the Democratic Party. But the main thing he was a loyal friend to everyone,” Hunter said.
Ego was a word that didn’t exist in Smith’s vocabulary, Hunter said, echoing that losing him will be a big loss to everybody.
“I don’t know if he ever had a bad word for anyone. He was one of those people that was always looking for the middle ground. Always looking for some way to draw people together,” Hunter said.
Smith also served as chairman of the Elyria City Democratic Party and on the Lorain County Community College Board of Trustees, the latter of which he held almost since the college’s inception in 1963 in addition to LCCC’s foundation board.
Current Board of Elections Chair Marilyn Jacobik remembered Smith for serving Lorain County with integrity and bridging the gaps in finding solutions.
“Tom served on the Board of Elections for many years. He always served with integrity, setting the highest standards for honest elections. He was a steady voice considerate and appreciative of staff efforts. He was able to bridge both parties for the right solution when political interests enter into the discussion. He was an honorable man throughout and he will be missed,” Jacobik said.
Jacobik added Smith never had an ego that entered into anything he was doing and he was always looking to do the right thing.
Smith was an attorney with Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook and Batista Co. in Avon before his retirement.
Outside of politics, Jacobik said Smith was an avid golfer and his family was very important to him with his wife, Linda, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy.
JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide
The painting “Primitive Dentistry” by Archibald Willard circa 1875 has been restored through the generosity of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #2051. It how hangs in the Spirit of ‘76 Museum located at 201 N. Main St. in Wellington. It was donated to the museum by the original owner’s granddaughter Virginia Martina of York, Pennsylvania.
Spirit of ‘76 unveils new Archibald Willard painting
WELLINGTON — The Spirit of ‘76 Museum debuted the newest piece to its Archibald Willard collection on Saturday with “Primitive Dentistry” in an open house.
The piece was commissioned by Dr. Martin Noble in 1875 after attending an art exhibition by Willard in the Philadelphia and was donated to the museum by Noble’s granddaughter Virginia Nobel Martina of York, Pennsylvania.
The painting depicts a blacksmith extracting a tooth from the farmer supporting himself on the floor and a horse.
Wellington gas station sells winning lottery ticket
WELLINGTON – A local business sold a winning scratch-off ticket.
The Certified Oil gas station at 201 W. Herrick Ave., sold a $500,000 lottery ticket to Richard Brown, of Ashland.
After mandatory state and federal taxes totaling 28 percent, Brown will receive $360,000 in winnings.
$500,000 Cashword is a $10 Scratch-Off with a top prize of $500,000. As of April 12, 2023, there are four top prizes remaining in the game, according to an Ohio Lottery news release.
To date, the Ohio Lottery has contributed more than $29 billion to education since 1974.
Actress, author to speak at LCADA benefit
Actress and author Mariel
Hemingway will be the keynote speaker at The LCADA Way Pearls of Wisdom Annual Benefit and Recognition Dinner on Oct. 26, the organization announced April 17.
The LCADA Way Pearls of Wisdom Annual Benefit and Recognition Dinner honors individuals and organizations who help those impacted by drug, alcohol and gambling addiction. The annual benefit helps raise awareness of addiction support and raises funds to assist the nonprofit on its mission. It will be held at Embassy Suites Rockside in Independence on Oct. 26.
Noble Martina described the history of the piece in a plaque accompanying the painting on display.
“My grandfather, Dr. Martin James Noble, and his wife Estelle, of the Reading, Pennsylvania, area were the original owners of the painting. Later it was passed down to my father, Allen James Noble, and my mother, Janet Scott. And upon her death in 1987, to me, Virginia Noble Martina. The Noble family valued and enjoyed the painting for several generations,” she wrote. Willard’s painting, Martina said, inspired her grandfather to commission a painting depicting early dentistry that he could be displayed in his dental office.
“Early dentistry was performed by the local blacksmith. Hopefully, you can see the tear falling from the horse’s eye. My thought always was that Grandfather’s patients would be less fearful knowing how it could be.”
The painting the was in the same family for three generations and is now on display for the public to see after being restored with help from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2051.
The Spirit of ‘76 Museum was founded in 1968 bearing the name of one of Willard’s most famous paintings and housing several of his works.
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