Historical Society to induct 6 individuals into Hall of Fame
The Highland County Historical Society will induct six honorees into its Hall of Fame this August.
Those to be enshrined in the 2023 class are Albert “Uncle Al” Lewis and Wanda Lou “Captain Windy” Lewis, Ted and Eileen Salter, Admiral John Jennings Ballentine and Maynard Roberts Surber.
Al Lewis (1924-2009) and his wife, Wanda (1926-2020), were hosts of one of the longest running children’s television shows, “The Uncle Al Show,” from 1950 to 1985.
“Uncle Al” holds the unofficial record for the longest-running regularly scheduled series with the same host for the show’s entire run. The iconic show had a 35-year run on Cincinnati WCPO-TV, and Al and Wanda Lewis made their home in Highland County in 1979, where they lived for the remainder of their lives.
Ted (1914-2001) and Eileen (1924-2012) Salter performed variety act shows of puppetry, music and British pantomime for audiences, paying or not. The Salters appeared on “Truth of Consequences” and “The Steve Allen Show.”
The Salters made Highland County their home, and Ted even wrote a song for Hillsboro entitled “Hillsboro, O-HI-O.”
Admiral John Jennings Ballentine (1896-1970) was Highland County’s highest ranking naval officer. Admiral Ballentine was best known for his contribution to the U.S. Naval carrier activities during World War II.
He was born in Hillsboro Oct. 4, 1896, and after graduating from Hillsboro High School at age 17, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, where he graduated in 1918. He retired from the military in May of 1954, but was recalled to active duty in November of 1956 and served in the Pentagon in Washington with the joint chiefs of staff, finally retiring in full in 1958.
Maynard Roberts Surber (1920-2012) was actively engaged in dairy, livestock and crop farming in Highland County for more than 70 years, beginning in 1936. The family farm was first established in 1820 and is one of the 15 oldest active farms in Ohio today.
He was a veteran of World War II, 1943-1945, Battalion Commander, drafted in 1943, commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Calvary, and ultimately attained the rank of Lt. Colonel. Mr. Surber was also a founding participant in creating the current Highland County Fair and was a founding board member in 1946.
The Highland County Historical Society created the Highland County Hall of Fame to recognize, honor and celebrate those who have made invaluable contributions to the county and/or the world beyond. By honoring and recognizing these people, the Hall of Fame serves to stimulate an interest in – and appreciation for – the value of the history of this county and its citizens. Further, the Hall reinforces to our youth that they can, and should, strive for excellence in any endeavor they may undertake.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church with a reception and social hour immediately following at the Highland House Museum. The Highland County Historical Society cordially invites the public to attend.
For more information on the Highland County Historical Society or the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, please call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.