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Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To Bud Brown, 87, of Champion, who participated in the Turkey Trot for the 34th time in 37 annual races. Orchid also to Brown’s son Lee and his granddaughter Kelly, who joined Brown, and to each of the 2,200 runners and walkers that came out Thanksgiving morning for this fundraising event for the Warren Kiwanis Club.

ORCHID: To Diane Sauer of Diane Sauer Chevrolet in Warren, selected from 16,000 nominees nationwide as one of 50 finalists for the prestigious 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year award. Finalists were chosen for their success as auto dealers who also demonstrate long-standing commitment to community service. The winner will be announced April 1 in Las Vegas.

ONION: To Michael Marrara of Niles who pleaded guilty this week to felony theft involving charges that he embezzled $97,000 from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He faces much-deserved prison time, along with restitution. How low can one stoop to steal nearly $100,000 from a church?

ORCHID: To Jenna Brian of Niles who is competing this week in Dublin, Ireland, at the International Union of Kettlebell Lifters world championship. Brian competed over the summer through the National Kettlebell Alliance in national meets or qualifying rounds for the international event.

ORCHID: To all the organizations, volunteers and donors who gave their time and efforts this week to provide hundreds of Thanksgiving meals to our less fortunate friends and neighbors. Some of those organizations and / or locations included the Bristolville United Methodist Church, the Brookfield Outreach Association, Newton Falls American Legion, JFK Alumni at the St. Vincent DePaul dining hall and the Warren Family Mission, to name a few.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To all the “mathletes” who participated in “Challenge 24,” a very challenging and fast-paced math competition for elementary and middle school students in Trumbull County. The event, held Wednesday at Warren G. Harding High School, shines a spotlight often seen only in scholastic athletic competitions instead on the importance of math and academics.

ORCHID: To Trumbull County residents Harold Kagy, John Bland and Claudi Soukenic Ogan, and any others who worked to unearth details surrounding the seven pine trees planted in the 1940s near Maplewood Elementary School to honor their relatives, who were among seven fallen World War II soldiers. Last week they honored the solders with plaques and a rededication.

ONION: To Youngstown State University football coach Bo Pelini for his childish antics on the sidelines of last Saturday’s game against North Dakota State. His tantrum was so outrageous that it cost his team two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and 30 yards. But worse, it likely also cost him the respect of those who had the chance to witness the tirade.

ORCHID: To the hundreds of Trumbull Mobile Meals volunteers who were honored recently during a luncheon in Warren for the time and effort they donate to help provide meals to residents of Trumbull County. At least two have been volunteering for 45 years.

ORCHID: To Southington Board of Education, which announced this week that it has overcome funding struggles enough to take back some of the financial responsibilities, like costs for advisors for drama club and majorettes and pay-to-play fees, that had been shifted in recent years to parent groups. Orchid, also, to the Southington PTA and booster clubs for stepping up in times of need.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To all the “mathletes” who participated in “Challenge 24,” a very challenging and fast-paced math competition for elementary and middle school students in Trumbull County. The event, held Wednesday at Warren G. Harding High School, shines a spotlight often seen only in scholastic athletic competitions instead on the importance of math and academics.

ORCHID: To Trumbull County residents Harold Kagy, John Bland and Claudi Soukenic Ogan, and any others who worked to unearth details surrounding the seven pine trees planted in the 1940s near Maplewood Elementary School to honor their relatives, who were among seven fallen World War II soldiers. Last week they honored the solders with plaques and a rededication.

ONION: To Youngstown State University football coach Bo Pelini for his childish antics on the sidelines of last Saturday’s game against North Dakota State. His tantrum was so outrageous that it cost his team two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and 30 yards. But worse, it likely also cost him the respect of those who had the chance to witness the tirade.

ORCHID: To the hundreds of Trumbull Mobile Meals volunteers who were honored recently during a luncheon in Warren for the time and effort they donate to help provide meals to residents of Trumbull County. At least two have been volunteering for 45 years.

ORCHID: To Southington Board of Education, which announced this week that it has overcome funding struggles enough to take back some of the financial responsibilities, like costs for advisors for drama club and majorettes and pay-to-play fees, that had been shifted in recent years to parent groups. Orchid, also, to the Southington PTA and booster clubs for stepping up in times of need.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

l ORCHID: To the dozens of units, including marching bands from Warren G. Harding and Lordstown high schools, that participated in the Trumbull County Veterans Day parade Wednesday in Warren, and also to the nice crowd that lined the parade route to honor our veterans.

l ORCHID: To Trumbull Probate Court Judge James Fredericka and all those who worked to make this year’s National Adoption Month a festive and successful event, celebrating more than 65 Trumbull County adoptions this year, including five on Friday.

l ONION: To those involved in the debacle at Mahoning Valley Race Track, in which an unregistered horse won a race. The Ohio Race Commission still is investigating, and even if it is determined there was no intentional deceit, someone there wasn’t doing his or her job.

l ORCHID: To members of Warren G. Harding’s symphonic band and the Dallas Brass for their hard work in preparing for a performance this week at Packard Music Hall. For 33 years, the Brass has been using music to educate the public, and this week it touched the lives of students in Warren.

l ORCHID: To world-renowned guest conductor Loras John Schissel and to the Packard Concert Band for the wonderful salute to veterans they presented this week at Packard Music Hall.

l ORCHID: To Maplewood boys cross country team for repeating as the Division III Cross Country state champions, and to Tristan Dahmen, who crossed the line first at 15:18.8, just about 2 seconds shy of the all-time record. Orchid also to the McDonald girls team, which finished third in the division.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

l ORCHID: To the dozens of units, including marching bands from Warren G. Harding and Lordstown high schools, that participated in the Trumbull County Veterans Day parade Wednesday in Warren, and also to the nice crowd that lined the parade route to honor our veterans.

l ORCHID: To Trumbull Probate Court Judge James Fredericka and all those who worked to make this year’s National Adoption Month a festive and successful event, celebrating more than 65 Trumbull County adoptions this year, including five on Friday.

l ONION: To those involved in the debacle at Mahoning Valley Race Track, in which an unregistered horse won a race. The Ohio Race Commission still is investigating, and even if it is determined there was no intentional deceit, someone there wasn’t doing his or her job.

l ORCHID: To members of Warren G. Harding’s symphonic band and the Dallas Brass for their hard work in preparing for a performance this week at Packard Music Hall. For 33 years, the Brass has been using music to educate the public, and this week it touched the lives of students in Warren.

l ORCHID: To world-renowned guest conductor Loras John Schissel and to the Packard Concert Band for the wonderful salute to veterans they presented this week at Packard Music Hall.

l ORCHID: To Maplewood boys cross country team for repeating as the Division III Cross Country state champions, and to Tristan Dahmen, who crossed the line first at 15:18.8, just about 2 seconds shy of the all-time record. Orchid also to the McDonald girls team, which finished third in the division.

editorial@tribtoday.com

Orchids and Onions

ORCHID: To local Girl Scout Monica Kotyuk who coordinated an art program between Howland Glen Primary School students and clients of the nearby Children’s Rehabilitation Center. The project first ended with an art show – but ultimately led to the creation of a functional art piece, “the Dr. Seuss Interactive Textural Sculpture” for the children’s rehab center to enjoy.

ORCHID: To all the voters who turned out to cast ballots in time for Tuesday’s election. Trumbull County saw an amazing 46 percent turnout. That’s a great representation and endorsement of the importance of American Democracy.

ONION: To the Ohio woman who has decided to auction the license plates that were on the limousine carrying President John F. Kennedy when he was assassinated in Dallas nearly 52 years ago. The opening bid is $40,000. If she has decided to part with the plates, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to donate them to the Smithsonian or some other American museum where they can be viewed by JFK’s adoring public?

ORCHID: To Howland residents Harry and Helene Ludeman who donated a gazebo to the township. The Ludemans paid to move the gazebo to its new location at Bolindale Park.

ORCHID: To the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission for its attempts to make area crossings safer for motorists. More than a dozen railroad crossings in Trumbull and Mahoning counties will receive stop sign safety upgrades at these locations.

editorial@tribtoday.com

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