Highland County Historical Society to enshrine four more in Hall of Fame

NOTE: This is Part 1 of a series leading up to the Highland County Historical Society inducting four more members into its Hall of Fame on Aug. 18.

By Steve Roush
HCP columnist

Ladies and gentlemen, many years ago 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 youths that they can, and should, strive for excellence in any endeavor they may undertake.

Next month, the Highland County Historical Society will induct four more members into its hallowed Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include Dr. Larry Dukes, Steve Faris, Vicki Knauff and the late Ernie Blankenship.

The ceremony will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 2 p.m., with a reception and social hour immediately following at the Highland House Museum. The Highland County Historical Society cordially invites the public to attend and honor this outstanding group.

The four to be inducted expands the number of those enshrined to more than 70.

So before we delve into profiling each of those to be honored in the coming weeks, let’s take a few moments to take a brief look at each inductee:

• Ernie Blankenship (1936-2013): The Dean of Ohio High School Sports Broadcasters, Mr. Blankenship retired from NCB Bank in Hillsboro as the senior vice president with over 25 years of service. He had also worked as the personnel manager for Rotary Forms Press in Hillsboro for 37 years and served on the Highland District Hospital Foundation Board. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a life member of the VFW Post 9094, a life member of the AmVets Post 61, a life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1161, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 361, a member of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, a member of St. Mary Catholic Church and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. 

Mr. Blankenship served the community in many capacities and had received awards and honors that include over 50 years of broadcasting on WSRW/WCHO radio. He was inducted into the Ohio Southeast District Coaches Hall of Fame and recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for lifetime achievement.

He was one of the founders of the annual telethon for the Highland County Society for Children and Adults, which is now named in his honor.
 
Ernie played football for Hillsboro High School from 1951-55 and was an All-South Central Ohio League and All-Ohio athlete. He was inducted into the Highland County Sports Hall of Fame in August 1998. Ernie was a 1955 graduate of Hillsboro High School, and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master's degree from Xavier University. 

On Aug. 29, 1998, the "Victory Bell" at Richards Memorial Field was dedicated to Ernie in honor of his endless support to Hillsboro High School football.

• Dr. Lawrence N. “Larry” Dukes: Dr. Dukes, who served as president of Southern State Community College from 1995-2007, and later served as SSCC President Emeritus, has been very active in local community service.

 A few of his many community activities over the years include:

 • Highland County Chamber of Commerce – Board member since 1997, president in 2000;
 • Rotary Club member – 1995 to present, president in 2005;
 • Samaritan Outreach Services – board member for 7 years, chairman, 2002-2004 (Good Samaritan Award in 2004);
 • Leadership Highland board member, chairman 1998-99 (Community Leadership Award in 2005);
 • Business Advisory Committee – Hillsboro City Schools, 2000-05;
 • United Methodist Church – chair, Administrative Council;
 • Community Access TV – board member;
 • YMCA Board and Finance committee – 2009 to present;
 • US Bank Corporation – Regional Director;
 • Workforce Investment Act - board member.

 As SSCC president, Dr. Dukes led the college to its first 10-year accreditation in 1996 and a second 10-year accreditation in 2006. During his tenure, Southern State added or renovated campuses in Fincastle, Wilmington and Washington Court House, and completed the Patriot Center on the Central Campus in Hillsboro. He has also been a very active member of the Highland County Historical Society over the years.

• Steve Faris: Mr. Faris is a professional magician whose credits include state fairs and trade shows throughout the United States, seven seasons at theme parks, including King’s Island, luxury cruise ships, and an opening act for a vast variety of performers including comedians Steve Martin and Martin Mull, and musicians Earl Scruggs, Ramsey Lewis, Santana and Ricky Nelson. Faris grew up in Hillsboro and after living in the Cincinnati area for 40 years, has semi-retired and relocated back in Hillsboro.

Mr. Faris mentions his first television appearance was on the Uncle Orrie Show in Dayton with Hillsboro’s own Joe Rockhold. He has served as president of the Highland County Historical Society and is currently a member of the society’s board of trustees.

• Vicki Ryan Knauff: Ms. Knauff has served as Highland County Historical Society executive director since 2014. She served on the HCHS board of trustees before that and was a longtime educator.
 
Knauff, of Sinking Spring, retired in 2013 after 32 years of experience as a history teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Xavier University.
 
Knauff is a member of the Highland County Women’s Hall of Fame and is a longtime member of the Highland County Historical Society. She has held leadership positions in a number of other committees and organizations, including the Ohio Council for the Social Studies, the Great Lakes Regional Social Studies Conference and the Ohio Bicentennial Commission.
 
As director, Vicki led the Society after a re-organization, through a major remodel of the back wall of the Highland House, the recent remodel and move into the Hodson House (of the offices and library), the acquisition and management of numerous exhibits, contributions to the Marching Mothers exhibit, setting up and managing numerous events, fielding many inquiries from members and the public, and many other duties and accomplishments.
 
For more information on the society or the upcoming Hall of Fame ceremony, please call (937) 393-3392 or email the society at hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
 
Steve Roush is president of the Highland County Historical Society and served as chairman and vice chairman on the HCHS Board of Trustees for two terms, a board member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation, a vice president of an international media company and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached by email at roush_steve@msn.com.