Thursday, August 28, 2014
The
Volume 145 Issue 34 50 Cents
Putnam Standard
Putnam expands leader program By Amanda Smythers amanda@theputnamstandard.com
Kindegarteners from Lakeside Elementary gather around Batman after learning about the four rules of being a hero.
Batman brings message to kids By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
Being a hero takes four characteristics, and these ideal traits were shared with the students of Lakeside Elementary by one of their heroes, Batman. “Heroes-4-Higher is different than most costume shows because we don’t just come in and get pictures with the kids in our superhero costumes,” said John Buckland, the program’s creator.
“We want to inspire kids to be all they can be and teach them how to act toward others.” Batman paid the elementary school a visit last week to teach the students the four rules of being a hero: never give up, always do the right things, help other people and never be a bully. He spoke to the kids about having a good heart and learning from mistakes, and taught them that tough times can make them stronger. “This is the best job ever,”
Batman said. “We get to make the kids smile and bring so much happiness. They get so excited when I or Spiderman, Captain America or Batgirl walk in.” Buckland’s idea for Heroes4-Higher came as “I think a message from God,” he said. Buckland was a firefighter and spent time in Iraq as such from 2009-11. When he came home, he and his wife relocated to the Huntington area where she was See Heros, Page 15
Putnam County schools expanded the Leader in Me program to include all of its elementary schools and one middle school. Hurricane Middle School has started the process of implementing the program, taking advantage of newly designed curricula that has only recently been released for public use. “We have their first secondary materials,” said Cindy Daniel, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. “This is based on an elementary model so it takes on a little different look. Hopefully, for the kids from Putnam County, the seven habits are
“We started developing a philosophy that maybe it’s not enough to only develop academically. Maybe we needed to develop life skills for children..”
Chuck Hatfield Superintendent already engrained in them by the time they reach middle school.” Putnam County’s Leader in Me initiative began five years ago after Superintendent Chuck Hatfield said he noticed a sharp decline in success after students left high See Leader, Page 5
St. John builds addition By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
St. John United Methodist Church in Teays Valley is undergoing a makeover that will add a multi-purpose room and gymnasium, as well as renovate existing space underneath the old building to be used for offices and classrooms. “It started out of a necessity for space,” Pastor Martin Hallett said. “We have children ministries,
Vacation Bible School and other children’s programs that could have used more space.” In January, with plans in hand, the congregation met with several construction companies to see who would win the bid and help grow the church. Pray Construction has undertaken the project and expects the job to be completed by the second week of December, Hallett said. See St. John, Page 12
Family, friends remember Harrison’s acts of kindness By Amanda Smythers amanda@theputnamstandard.com The town of Buffalo suffered a loss last week as Charles “Charlie” Harrison died in a fatal train accident on W.Va. 62. Harrison, 73, was a native of Buffalo and left behind his wife, Edith, two sons, four sisters, a brother, a grandson and several nieces and nephews. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1959 and worked most of his life at the John Amos Plant. Maxine Cook, Harrison’s oldest sister and resident of Eleanor, said Harrison was a hard worker for all of his life.
“We lived on a farm,” she said. “He was always coming home and helping at the farm. Charlie was good.” Harrison continued helping others throughout his life, Cook said. He would check in on her as often as he could. “Every time he’d go out on the hill to my mom’s he’d come down and see if I needed anything,” she said. “He was always checking on everyone. He was always doing his neighbors that way, too.” Harrison’s influence on others can be seen on the Rayne’s Funeral Home website, where well wishers shared fond memories of their time with Harrison.
“He was always trying to give me something,” said Sabrina Sawyers, Harrison’s Home Health Nurse. “He gave me blackberries he picked from his back yard. He was always so thoughtful and kind. We shared a lot of good stories about his Mom and Dad. He loved his family and friends very much.” She said she loved Harrison and his wife, despite the short time she knew them. “Even though I knew him a short time it felt like a lifetime,” Sawyers said. “Prayers to his family during this tragedy of a great man who will be Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department Captain Bill Martin redirects traffic away from the W.Va. 62 train crossing See Accident, Page 4 where a train claimed the life of Charles Harrison.
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