"Doing Something is More than Words"

25 April 2010

History is made up of people coming and going. There is always a lot of talking going on but few who actually do any thing that makes a difference.

As you know, Chillicothe Ohio is known as "First Capital City." We can boast of being the third capital also as Zanesville, Ohio has the honor of being the "Second Capital City." Now with that said, Columbus Ohio has that honor of being the "Fourth Capital City." For more in depth trivia I refer you to some Ohio basic history.

Long before any of us who are reading this appeared on the scene the area known as Chillicothe Ohio was well known. Those first European settlers arrived while Native Americans filled the valley as they had for generations upon generation. These new pale faced aliens had odd customs and peculiar manners compared to the locals. As the push West across the Alleghany Mountains became more familiar more and more settlers arrived. Old ways and old customs were forced away as these new arrivals moved in. Odd that in merely 200 years those who had lived here first are now moved into the back pages of history.

My family background was second cousin to Rufus Putnam founder of the first settlement of Ohio. I know that makes any claim to actual relation a stretch but I still like to state the fact. Rufus was a Revolutionary War Soldier and was given the land for his service to America. Of course, the locals weren't none to pleased with his arrival. Based on what I have read and what is taught down in Washington County, old Rufus wasn't about to leave. For more in depth look at those early scalpings, killings, fightings and the like I again refer you to history books.

Like I said history is about people coming and going, as well as, the mark they left behind. Some things we cannot keep from happening. One group arrives and another group leaves. Some things are remembered, some things are honored. Here in Chillicothe we have the outdoor drama Tecumseh about the Native America leader who fought bravely against those early settlers but was defeated. Rather than refer you to a history book I want to invite you to see this production, you won't regret it.

Now to my closing remark: Being neighborly isn't just a buzzword but an action oriented requirement for each of us. We can learn from the past that it takes determination and intestinal fortitude to make a difference and leave a mark. I hope you'll leave a mark that will be a good one. As neighbors we have responsibility. Pride is seen in how we talk, how we live and how we interact with those around us. Property values go down when one neighbor allows his/her place to fall into disrepair. It can be something as simple as crab grass running rule across an unkept yard, broken sidewalks, gutters hanging down, broken down vehicles in the drive, maybe it’s having a building unpainted or burned out and abandoned. It takes more than friendly words and good intentions, it takes doing something. You get the picture. Take pride in your own property as it affects the neighbors and what people say about you.

By the time you read this I will be gone again with the military. Off and on for over 40 years I have volunteered to serve my Country. I can tell you this time it wasn’t so easy for me...never had it hit me this hard before but maybe it's because I am older and appreciate the neighbors and community that I call my hometown.

So, you see, it's up to you ... always was. I just tried to make a difference, leave a mark...’cause I know that things change faster than any of us can see coming over the horizon.

"CATCH THE VISION OF POSSIBILITIES"
H. R. Grimm