Thursday, October 2, 2014
The
Volume 145 Issue 39 50 Cents
Putnam Standard
Community joins together in Hometown rededication By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com Hometown Park has been regarded as a place to avoid for many years as it fell under the classification of abandoned and became a place for drug dealers to do business. With the work completed by Rivers to Ridges, Putnam County Parks and Recreation, Toyota and many other organizations the park has been rebuilt, reopened and rededicated. “The staff, the groups, the volunteers and the residents have taken ownership of this [project] and this is now a true community park,” said Scott Williamson, director of Putnam
County Parks and Recreation. “It’s brought a lot of people together, people who want to improve the community and the county. I am very proud of it.” As part of the Rivers to Ridges program, Hometown Park was rededicated Sept. 25 and a new sign signals the entrance to the park. Two new podiums of information about the park’s history were installed. Hometown Elementary students were on the scene to learn the history of the park and to lead the Pledge of Allegiance for the ceremony’s opening. After the unveiling of the new sign and the information plaques, the children were able to play on the playground equipment and run in the
newly cleared grass. Work on the park began in 2009 but before Parks and Recreation picked it up, the grounds were grown over, the shelters were covered with moss and the darkness was home to the dealing of illegal substances. “[The Park] was a known drug haven, was neglected and it just got rough to look at,” Williamson said. “So we came in and saw a need. We asked Amherst Coal Company if we could come in and rehabilitate the park and they said absolutely.” Parks signed a long-term lease with Putnam County Commissioner Andy Skidmore (left) Amherst and began repairs on the park. joined Parks and Recreation Director Scott Williamson and Chris Chiles, a representative of Sen. Joe Manchin, See Hometown, Page 5 for the rededication ceremony.
Buffalo FFA hosts auction By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard.com
A total of 186 runners competed in the 5K maze run held in September. The race, which kicks off the fall season for the farm, led runners through the Gritts’ famous corn maze.
W.Va. history helps guide visitors By Amanda Smythers amanda@theputnamstandard.com Knowledge of West Virginia history will help people traverse Gritts Fall Family Fun Farm maze this year. “It’s a 10 acre maze,” said Brad Gritt, son of owner Bob Gritt. “It has the outline of West Virginia and in the center there’s a huge West Virginia cut out. There are 10 questions in there that will help you guide through the maze - all facts about West Virginia.” Gritts Farm, a locally owned farm in Buffalo, It opened its doors for its annual Fall Family Fun Farm when it kicked off the season with a 5K maze run The corn maze at Gritts Farm is an outline of the state Sept. 21 where 186 runners made their way throughtof West Virginia. To get to the end of the maze visitors See Gritts, Page 5 will need to know their W.Va. history.
Charlie Harrison, a Buffalo resident who was killed when his truck was struck by a train last month, continues to help the community where he lived all his life. The equipment from his estate will be sold at the upcoming Buffalo High School FFA farm auction scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The funds will help with an annual trip to the national convention in Louisville, Ky. FFA member Megan Parsons’ father was a very good friend of Harrison and has helped to bring the equipment into the auction, Parsons said. “We were excited that they wanted to do that for us,” said Danielle Grant, FFA advisor and agriculture teacher. “He had a lot of equipment and tools that will be put into the auction including mowers.” See FFA, Page 4
Hocker turns 100 years By Michael Circle michael@theputnamstandard. com America has seen its share of growth and change in the last century and so has Marie Hocker. Celebrating her 100th birthday, Hocker sat in her usual chair at Teays Valley Assisted Living with a birthday tiara on her head. She enjoyed the people crowding around her to wish her
Marie Hocker celebrated See Hocker, Page 4 her 100 birthday.
Harvest Festival, page 4