Legendary Locals Of Berea

A diverse immigrant population that arrived to work in Berea's sandstone quarries, plus the academic atmosphere of a liberal arts college, provided a distinct cultural heritage uncommon in American suburbia. The town has inherited a strong work ethic and deep spiritual values from early Bereans. Consider Dr. William Pierce, first resident pastor, who gave the town "a stamp of culture." Capt. Edward Kennedy, Civil War veteran and survivor of the tragic Sultana explosion, served Berea in nearly every elected capacity. Mary Elmore, elected to the Berea school board years before the 19th Amendment passed. Modern-day Berea has its legends, too, like Arthur Bassett, NASA astronaut; Daisy G. Collins, federal administrative law judge; John-Michael Tebelak, creator of Godspell; Frances Millward, known as the "Mother Teresa of Berea"; and dozens more.

Among southwest Cleveland suburbs, Berea, a community of 19,000, is unique. Berea was once called "The Sandstone Capital of the World," but the area's quarrying industry ceased in the mid-20th century. Immigrant quarrymen and their descendants remained, adding an eclectic and resilient mix to the academic atmosphere. Where blasting once shook the quarries, a pleasant area of lakes, trails, and picnic spots now delights residents and visitors alike. The historic home of the town's first doctor enjoys new life as a bed-and-breakfast, contemporary architecture integrates a historic church as part of the university, a wind turbine generates power for the fairgrounds, and community gardens offer produce to local food pantries.

Founded in 1871 by Collis P. Huntington, the rail tycoon's namesake city thrived as a gateway to the coalfields of southern West Virginia. The city's earliest leaders included Mayor Rufus Switzer, who created one of the community's true jewels, Ritter Park, and John Hooe Russel, who opened the city's first bank and, when it was robbed, jumped on his horse and gave chase to the bandits. Over the years, Huntington has been home to such varied individuals as Carter Woodson, the father of Black History Month; Dr. Henry D. Hatfield, who was West Virginia governor but said he would rather be known as a "country doctor;" Dagmar, the blonde bombshell of 1950s television; basketball star Hal Greer; golfing great Bill Campbell; Stella Fuller, who spent her life ministering to Huntington's poor; and the spectacularly generous Joan Edwards, who gave away $65 million. Legendary Locals of Huntington captures their stories and many others in a striking panorama of a remarkable community.

It was 1810 when a group of men from Connecticut roved west to Ohio, establishing the first permanent settlement in what became North Ridgeville. Led by David Beebe Sr., they foraged for food and shelter. The pioneer spirit of the aggregation sustained them and others who followed. Farming provided sustenance and many farms including those owned by the Solomons, Gerharts, and others have continued the tradition. Education was greatly respected and 10 school districts became part of the communitys landscape. An early school still stands on Jaycox Road, where retired teachers Julie Bajda and Barb Sutton reenacted the roles of teachers from earlier times. The former Buffalo Trail became Center Ridge Road, the citys main thoroughfare, and, in 1960, the township developed into a city governed by a mayor, council, and various department heads. Businesses, such as Bueschers Hardware and the Bogner Funeral Home opened and remain today. Groups of residents cultivated interests into organizations with a goal of working together seamlessly for the good of the community.

Jesus said in John 16:4, “I am the way, the truth . . .”; Jesus came to this world to destroy the works of the Devil; because Satan is a liar, and the father of it(John 8:44); when the truth is revealed to us we do not have or display any excitement about it and much less do we develop or acquire a mental capacity and ability to relate, understand and to accept anything as an absolute truth. The Bible is the sacred inspiration of God which contains divine and infinite truths.

“Timely . . . [the collection] paints intimate portraits of neglected places that are often used as political talking points. A good companion piece to J. D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy.”—Booklist The essays in Voices from the Rust Belt "address segregated schools, rural childhoods, suburban ennui, lead poisoning, opiate addiction, and job loss. They reflect upon happy childhoods, successful community ventures, warm refuges for outsiders, and hidden oases of natural beauty. But mainly they are stories drawn from uniquely personal experiences: A girl has her bike stolen. A social worker in Pittsburgh makes calls on clients. A journalist from Buffalo moves away, and misses home.... A father gives his daughter a bath in the lead-contaminated water of Flint, Michigan" (from the introduction). Where is America's Rust Belt? It's not quite a geographic region but a linguistic one, first introduced as a concept in 1984 by Walter Mondale. In the modern vernacular, it's closely associated with the "Post-Industrial Midwest," and includes Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as parts of Illinois, Wisconsin, and New York. The region reflects the country's manufacturing center, which, over the past forty years, has been in decline. In the 2016 election, the Rust Belt's economic woes became a political talking point, and helped pave the way for a Donald Trump victory. But the region is neither monolithic nor easily understood. The truth is much more nuanced. Voices from the Rust Belt pulls together a distinct variety of voices from people who call the region home. Voices that emerge from familiar Rust Belt cities—Detroit, Cleveland, Flint, and Buffalo, among other places—and observe, with grace and sensitivity, the changing economic and cultural realities for generations of Americans.

The story of African Americans in Kentucky is as diverse and vibrant as the state's general history. The work of more than 150 writers, The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia is an essential guide to the black experience in the Commonwealth. The encyclopedia includes biographical sketches of politicians and community leaders as well as pioneers in art, science, and industry. Kentucky's impact on the national scene is registered in an array of notable figures, such as writers William Wells Brown and bell hooks, reformers Bessie Lucas Allen and Shelby Lanier Jr., sports icons Muhammad Ali and Isaac Murphy, civil rights leaders Whitney Young Jr. and Georgia Powers, and entertainers Ernest Hogan, Helen Humes, and the Nappy Roots. Featuring entries on the individuals, events, places, organizations, movements, and institutions that have shaped the state's history since its origins, the volume also includes topical essays on the civil rights movement, Eastern Kentucky coalfields, business, education, and women. For researchers, students, and all who cherish local history, The Kentucky African American Encyclopedia is an indispensable reference that highlights the diversity of the state's culture and history.