OHIO
Written by Gene Williams
Monroe Historical Society
December 2010
THE END OR THE BEGINNING
As I write this months’ article, it is with bittersweet sadness that I am saying goodbye to this part of my life. My friend, Suzi Rubin, has chosen to discontinue this monthly newspaper, and I understand, and regret, that this is happening. I have always felt that she brought a fresh breath and a passion to this community in its many endeavors that was about the community and never about the money. For me, that has always been an important factor in the choices that I have made in my daily life. Honor, integrity, honesty, and a true self-worth, knowing that your word is your bond, and understanding that a person is truly judged by history, and not just by your peers, is a huge part of what my Mom and Dad taught me was the epitome of being a good person and a good citizen.
All of us will eventually see, or our children will see, what we have wrought upon ourselves over the last several decades, as we walk our different paths on this earth.
My original article this month was going to be about “The Reason For The Season”, giving, I hoped, more understanding, to why the Pilgrims came to our shores in the first place, why John Baker, Mr Sayre, Mr Sackett, and the twelve thousand of us “normal citizens” chose to settle in these here parts. I wanted to share with you, dear reader, that I happen to be a fairly religious man, who believes in the separation of church and state, but that all of us have a God-given RIGHT to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, BUT, with the understanding that along with those rights comes the PURE AND TOTAL RESPONSIBILITY of being a good CORPORATE and PRIVATE CITIZEN, who endeavors to work diligently for the common good that allows for the positive growth of ourselves, our families, our community, our country, and our world.
As I go forward with the next part of my life, a lot of change has come about me in the last few months………..I am leaving the Kroger job behind. My wife has retired from Cintas. We are more involved with our children and the various situations of being a grandparent to seven little darlings who all live within fifteen minutes of us (yeah, I know how lucky we are). I will continue to pursue the dream of seeing the Monroe Golden Lads Old-Tyme Base Ball team be a viable part of the community (and, yes, we are still looking for men, ages 18 to 80, who have a desire to have a lot of good, clean, family fun, by participating in a really enjoyable team sport……and, no, you don’t have to be a good ball player to participate). I will continue (after tax season is done) to teach the genealogy class at the museum on Saturday mornings. We, the Monroe Historical Society will continue to participate in and put on community events.
On the 4th of July, John Baker will be at the Cabin in the Park, watching his GOLDEN LADS put forth a great effort as they play our own Monroe Football Team, thanks to the wonderful reception that we received last 4th of July. The Garver Farm will graciously host the Apple Butter making the first part of October 2011, since it was such a rousing success this year. I still have a few “no-sugar added” and “regular” pints of apple butter available for sale (maybe three dozen) for those of you who either missed out or need more. To end the year with a bang, the Historical Society will be putting on a special weekend at the Park on October 21-22-23 of 2011. We will be hosting a good, old-fashioned Civil War Reenactment. We will be looking for volunteers to participate, groups to join in the fun, and more interested people to join the Historical Society, to give us the ability to do even more positive things in our community. Since we will be losing this venue to share our happenings, check out the Monroe Historical Society website and the Monroe Golden Lads website online. Good information and quite a few enjoyable pictures of people you will know. Please remember that what I have always endeavored to share with you is very simple. HISTORY is NOT His Story. HISTORY IS YOUR STORY. It is up to you to figure out whether or not you wish to be a positive part of the life that surrounds you. Join us and walk forward together as a community who cares.
GOODBYE AND GOD BLESS.
