Ernie and Rita Blankenship celebrate 50th wedding anniversary March 3
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Longtime community leaders and philanthropists Rita and Ernie Blankenship will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Saturday, March 3 at the Hillsboro Elks Lodge.
The special celebration, hosted by their sons, Todd, Ryan (Smoke), and Ernie, will be held from 5-9 p.m. There will be appetizers and drinks, and the Elks bar will be open.
The couple request no gifts; however, there will be a donation box for anyone interested in contributing to the Ernie Blankenship Scholarship Fund or to The Highland County Society for Children and Adults.
Ernie and Rita have been positive fixtures in the Hillsboro community for many years.
Ernie has been well-known for more than half a century as the "Radio Voice of Hillsboro and Highland County," and also as the dean of Ohio High School Sports Broadcasters. He called his final high school football game on a crisp autumn night in late October 2010, along with his longtime on-air partners, Jim Duckwall, Dale Martin and Richard Blankenship.
Rita, in addition to a long career of public service at Highland District Hospital and through local civic organizations, has joined Ernie in volunteering at the annual Highland County Society for Children and Adults Telethon.
Ernie was honored during halftime of his October 2010 Rotary Bowl broadcast. Hillsboro public address announcer John Barney called Ernie a "community leader, a great family man and a cherished friend."
Barney, who is the general sales manager for Clear Channel-Southern Ohio, worked with Ernie for many years at WSRW and WCHO radio stations.
Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent and longtime coach Rick Earley added: "All Ernie cared about was making a student's life better. Everything you've done for us is greatly appreciated."
In addition to his 52 years in broadcasting, Ernie served as an executive with NCB – where two annual scholarships are presented in his name – and he is a former director of personnel at Rotary Forms Press, Inc.
In a previous interview, Ernie said he's always been fortunate to have the support of his wife and family, as he's traveled countless miles to broadcast thousands of games and events.
"My family – my wife, Rita, and our sons, Todd, Smoke and Ernie – have given me tremendous support," Ernie said.
"They've always been there for encouragement. In fact, Rita and I scheduled our wedding around the sectional basketball tournament games. On our way back from Washington – on our honeymoon – Rita dropped me off at Athens to cover the games."
Ernie and Rita welcome their family and friends to share in their 50th wedding anniversary celebration from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Hillsboro Elks.
For more information, call (937) 402-1207 or 402-1654.[[In-content Ad]]
The special celebration, hosted by their sons, Todd, Ryan (Smoke), and Ernie, will be held from 5-9 p.m. There will be appetizers and drinks, and the Elks bar will be open.
The couple request no gifts; however, there will be a donation box for anyone interested in contributing to the Ernie Blankenship Scholarship Fund or to The Highland County Society for Children and Adults.
Ernie and Rita have been positive fixtures in the Hillsboro community for many years.
Ernie has been well-known for more than half a century as the "Radio Voice of Hillsboro and Highland County," and also as the dean of Ohio High School Sports Broadcasters. He called his final high school football game on a crisp autumn night in late October 2010, along with his longtime on-air partners, Jim Duckwall, Dale Martin and Richard Blankenship.
Rita, in addition to a long career of public service at Highland District Hospital and through local civic organizations, has joined Ernie in volunteering at the annual Highland County Society for Children and Adults Telethon.
Ernie was honored during halftime of his October 2010 Rotary Bowl broadcast. Hillsboro public address announcer John Barney called Ernie a "community leader, a great family man and a cherished friend."
Barney, who is the general sales manager for Clear Channel-Southern Ohio, worked with Ernie for many years at WSRW and WCHO radio stations.
Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent and longtime coach Rick Earley added: "All Ernie cared about was making a student's life better. Everything you've done for us is greatly appreciated."
In addition to his 52 years in broadcasting, Ernie served as an executive with NCB – where two annual scholarships are presented in his name – and he is a former director of personnel at Rotary Forms Press, Inc.
In a previous interview, Ernie said he's always been fortunate to have the support of his wife and family, as he's traveled countless miles to broadcast thousands of games and events.
"My family – my wife, Rita, and our sons, Todd, Smoke and Ernie – have given me tremendous support," Ernie said.
"They've always been there for encouragement. In fact, Rita and I scheduled our wedding around the sectional basketball tournament games. On our way back from Washington – on our honeymoon – Rita dropped me off at Athens to cover the games."
Ernie and Rita welcome their family and friends to share in their 50th wedding anniversary celebration from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, March 3 at the Hillsboro Elks.
For more information, call (937) 402-1207 or 402-1654.[[In-content Ad]]