Elsie Young, Nick Thompson honored at annual holiday parade

On a Saturday afternoon in which the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association Holiday Parade had to compete with the Ohio State-Michigan football game, hundreds of residents nevertheless lined the streets in the historic uptown area.

The Hillsboro Uptown Business Association selected Elsie Young as grand marshal for the 2013 Holiday Parade. Mrs. Young was chosen in recognition of her countless hours of dedication and service to the community over the course of the last 97 years, according to Rachelle Trefz of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association.

Mrs. Young is active in her church, and many service and social organizations in Southwest Ohio. She has also been a leader in the civil rights movement and has been honored by two presidents of the United States of America.

While she manages to keep busy in the community, Elsie has always made time for God and her family, which she believes to be core values along with being a champion of education.

Highland County Press online columnist Lori Vance wrote of Mrs. Young earlier this week: "This year's grand marshal represents good, old-fashioned decency. We, as a community, are honoring a local hero who doesn't need her name in every newspaper.

"Mrs. Young will continue to help those less fortunate. She will continue to help her church. She will continue to be an active member of this community – even after Santa waved from his perch on the firetruck at the end of the parade."

"Mrs. Young has stood up for what she believed in, even when it wasn't the cool thing to do. She did it without the notoriety, she did it without the thought of getting votes, she did it without a crowd gathered to watch her. She did it for her nine children and five stepchildren. She did it for all of our children. She did it for us. All of us."

Following the grand marshal in the parade lineup was longtime Hillsboro Police Chief Nick Thompson, who retired this year.

A retirement reception for Chief Thompson will be held Friday, Dec. 6 from 2-6 p.m. at the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church. The public is invited to stop by the reception to thank Chief Thompson for his service and wish him well in his retirement.

New Highland County Sheriff Richard Warner followed Chief Thompson. Warner was recently appointed sheriff by the Highland County Republican Party Central Committee after Sheriff Ron Ward resigned earlier this month.

A number of trophies were presented to parade entrants, including to:

• Rick's Hometown TV and Appliance Center for best commercial entry with his 1947 Chevrolet pickup truck;

• Southside Praise and Worship for most humorous;

• The Highland County Senior Citizens Center, first place, most original; and,

• The Lynchburg Village Christmas float, second place, most original.

Lions Club District 13J Governor Sherry Bingaman rode in this year's parade, being escorted by Don Edwards.

Additional participants included: the Hillsboro High School Marching Band, Lynchburg SAY Soccer boys state Elite Eight team, the Highland County Humane Society, local equestrian groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, church and civic groups, local businesses, police officers, sheriff's deputies, and local firefighters and EMTs.

Brian Vance and Alex Butler served as parade announcers from the corner of West Main and High Street.

(And, by the way, Ohio State defeated Michigan Saturday, 42-41, in one of the most thrilling games in the 109-year history of the rivalry.)