Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get back to the 1800s and the Oakland Female Seminary in Hillsboro. The seminary started in 1839 at the old Presbyterian Church, which was located at the Y intersection in Hillsboro at current day U.S. 50 and state Route 124, and in the mid-1850s moved to a new facility that was built between Main and West Walnut at Oak Street.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mack Sauer was known as the Will Rogers of Highland County and was a publisher, writer, public speaker and candidate for public office who hosted a radio show from a studio in his home.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been said that no one represents Hillsboro City Schools with any more pride and passion than Beverly Rhoads. Born and raised in Highland County, Rhoads graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1957 and went on to devote 62 years (and counting) to the school district.

Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Paycheck was born Donald Eugene Lytle on May 31, 1938 in Greenfield, Ohio. By the age of 9, Lytle was already playing in talent contests. He was singing professionally by age 15, billing himself as “The Ohio Kid.”

Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Paycheck was born Donald Eugene Lytle on May 31, 1938 in Greenfield, Ohio. By the age of 9, Lytle was already playing in talent contests. He was singing professionally by age 15, billing himself as “The Ohio Kid.”

Ladies and gentlemen, in the realm of music, arts and entertainment, John Glaze has been well known and respected in Highland County and beyond for many years.

Former State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, who represented Highland County in the Ohio House of Representatives, read his final proclamation in the 129th General Assembly, written in Betty Bishop's honor. “If there was a Hall of Fame for public officials in Highland County, Betty would be the first person inducted,” Rosenberger said. “There is no harder worker or better advocate for the city of Greenfield. To Betty, it’s not about numbers, it’s about putting food on people’s plates; it’s about educating children; and it’s about finding jobs for the people."

Former State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, who represented Highland County in the Ohio House of Representatives, read his final proclamation in the 129th General Assembly, written in Betty Bishop's honor. “If there was a Hall of Fame for public officials in Highland County, Betty would be the first person inducted,” Rosenberger said. “There is no harder worker or better advocate for the city of Greenfield. To Betty, it’s not about numbers, it’s about putting food on people’s plates; it’s about educating children; and it’s about finding jobs for the people."

Former State Rep. Cliff Rosenberger, who represented Highland County in the Ohio House of Representatives, read his final proclamation in the 129th General Assembly, written in Betty Bishop's honor. “If there was a Hall of Fame for public officials in Highland County, Betty would be the first person inducted,” Rosenberger said. “There is no harder worker or better advocate for the city of Greenfield. To Betty, it’s not about numbers, it’s about putting food on people’s plates; it’s about educating children; and it’s about finding jobs for the people."

Ladies and gentlemen, as we discussed in our last offering, the Highland County Historical Society is honoring John Mills Barrere (1800-1888) on a banner that is hanging at the corner of East Main Street and South East Street in Hillsboro near the Highland House Museum.

Each year, the Highland County Historical Society sponsors a banner that hangs at the corner of East Main Street and South East Street near the Highland House Museum. Over the past few years, the society has honored Raymond Stout (the first Highland County soldier killed in World War I), Bob Hodson, Gov. Joseph Foraker and Gov. Allen Trimble. This year, the HCHS is honoring the late John Mills Barrere.

Ladies and gentlemen, as many of you know, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since that time, it’s been observed on the last Monday in May. Math has never been my strong suit, but my calculator tells me the first Decoration Day was observed 154 years ago.

Ladies and gentlemen, John Gossett, a pioneer of Ohio and Highland County, was born in 1769 and settled near New Market in 1799 – roughly 222 years ago. As we discussed earlier, he built the first gristmill in Highland County, was the first state representative from Highland County, and was a farmer.

Ladies and gentlemen, Highland County pioneer John Gossett was elected Ohio state representative in the county’s first election in November 1805, while fellow pioneer George Washington Barrere was elected to the state Senate.

Ladies and gentlemen, depending on when you peruse this festive offering, Christmas will be almost here, or here, or even past. If you still have some last-minute shopping to do, I suggest we hop in the way-back machine (i.e., the good ol’ Studebaker) and cruise back 50 years to uptown Hillsboro.