Mark’s Musings – Nov. 4, 2015

Mark Fortune

I wrote in last week’s column that we would return to the positive this week. Let’s roll. As I drive around Coshocton County I see people starting new businesses – several in former locations of businesses. A new burger place is soon to open on Second Street and you can read about it in this week’s issue, a new country store is now open on County Road 9 – or as most of us call it – the “old” road to West Lafayette. Perhaps the folks in West Lafayette call it “the old road to Coshocton.” It is about halfway between the two towns. Speaking of that road, it has been repaved! And new guardrails provide safer travels. Nice job!

That repaving is on top of the Main Street paving project, State Route 541 repaving and various township roads and bridges being repaired in the past month or soon to be, prior to winter.

But I think the story of the year has to be County Road 12 and the incredible team effort that it took to get this project on the radar, get funding and approval and get the paving done. And it is. Wow. This story is one of great collaboration between the private sector and government. It is truly an example of what “can be done” when “people work together to get something done.”

Congratulations and a “great job” needs to go out to all those involved in this project. You can read more details in this week’s issue of The Beacon.

And if that was not enough for the week, several area high school sports teams had – and are having – a great year. Ridgewood volleyball – what a great run this group of girls has had. Let them know when you see them what a great meaning this will have as they reflect on it later in life.

The Ridgewood high school football team makes the playoffs and has a first round home game to celebrate. The atmosphere at the stadium will be something to behold this weekend. The Redskins just missed the playoffs by about one ball length if that was a form of measurement for the playoffs. Still, it was a great season for the Skins and congrats on winning the ECOL Gray division title.

The RV cross country teams – boys and girls – made it to the regional meet in Pickerington and finished strong.

And local high school music programs are also doing well with high school bands marching their way into the state competition this weekend.

All over Coshocton County people are working hard to make this a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Finally, I would like to reflect on the life and recent passing of Linda White. Linda was a person that we at The Beacon got to know through many years of working with her on the Premium Fair Book in her capacity as the secretary at the Coshocton County Agricultural Society, otherwise known as the fair board office. Linda was always kind to us here at The Beacon, loved and was very proud of her grandchildren and will be missed in this community. I enjoyed her sense of humor and she laughed easily. Linda will be greatly missed by this community.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion