Letters to the Editor
What is Your Legacy?
Whether we know it or not, we all leave a legacy behind when we leave this world. Depending on how we conducted our lives, that legacy can be either good and long lasting, or sour and something to be forgotten as soon as possible.
Recent issues of the Geauga County Maple Leaf have carried a pair of obituaries of folks who, although long ago, even long, long ago in my case, treated me as I would want to be treated in life. Those folks are Lucille Weber, my seventh-grade English teacher at Park Junior High, and indirectly, Mrs. Bernie Campbell.
To be clear, I found out that Mrs. Campbell, formerly known as Joan Aitken, is no longer with us via the obituary of her husband, Mr. Bernie Campbell. I got to know him two years ago as he processed the election of my brother, Curtis Kelly, to the Chardon High Alumni Hall of Fame. I had no clue as to who Mr. Campbell’s wife was until I saw his obituary recently.
Miss Aitken, as we called her back in the mid 50s, was my first-grade teacher at Park Elementary School, which still stands proudly today. I recall vividly now about how patient she was with students, especially me. I have from time to time wondered what became of her life, and now I know she had married a fine man and lived life as it should be.
Mrs. Weber also had a kind heart. We had some wild and crazy kids in our class of 1966 at Chardon, but rarely did she lose control of things each day in class.
While sorry to see of her passing, at 91, she had lived a fine life serving those around her, as did Mrs. Campbell.
Their legacy will stand strong in lives of all their students for many more years.
Legacy also applies to others as well, especially in the field of education. Few folks are unaware of what has gone on in the Newbury school system the last three to four years, and the legacy left behind by those involved with that also will make a mark, some positive, but, sadly, far too negative.
Students have seen their educational process sink into the sunset in many cases. Those involved directly leave a legacy, too. What were students supposed to think as those making decisions of their future, rarely, if at all, showed up for school events such as high school sports or programs? What will that legacy bring to mind?
At a game between the West Geauga girls hoops team and Berkshire, at Berkshire, one board member from Newbury spent most of the night chatting and hugging anybody in a West Geauga team jacket. Is that the type of legacy that person wants to be remembered for? I hope not.
Just a simple reminder to all: How you conduct yourselves will build the legacy you leave for others, including your own families. Be careful what you are doing and who you are doing it with.
Rich Kelly
Jefferson
Legacy of Judge Henry
I had the pleasure of participating in the Caveman Crawl 5K run/1-mile walk Sunday morning at The West Woods Nature Center. The race takes its name from the hilly terrain of the park and its natural cave feature called Ansel’s Cave.
This event is a fundraiser for the Chip Henry Institute, a summer outdoor adventure camp/activity program for youth grades 5-10, put on by the Geauga Park District, established as a memorial to the late Judge Charles “Chip” Henry, former Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge and avid outdoorsman.
In my career as a social worker, working with students who exhibited challenging behaviors, I spent a significant amount of time in Judge Henry’s courtroom advocating for vulnerable students and appreciate that his legacy includes both his passion for caring about children and youth who appeared in his courtroom as well as interest in their exposure to and understanding of our natural environment.
Thanks to the park district for hosting this event and for all the volunteers and sponsors who make it happen, and to the Henry family for continuing to support the values of environmental education and conservation, and for sharing this legacy with us.
Barb Partington
Munson Township
Safety Concerns
I have safety concerns for those to be housed at the site chosen by the Geauga Faith Rescue Mission on Wilson Mills Road in Chardon.
There is a hill on Wilson Mills that makes it hazardous to cross. One cannot see approaching traffic easily.
Pulling out of Dairy Queen or Park Avenue is hazardous at times.
I think a safer site could be found.
Margarete Wachsmuth
Chardon
