ORCHID: To the Warren Heritage Center for recently adding a tribute exhibit to astronaut Ron Parise at the Neil Armstrong First Flight Lunar Module replica exhibit off Parkman Road in the city. The addition, in the form of a large illustrated biographical sign, stands as a worthy and needed addition to the site that pays homage to local heroes in space travel. Its main attraction is a half-scale replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Landing Module on the site where Ohioan and first man on the moon Neil Armstrong made his first airplane ride. Warren-born Parise more than earned his place at the memorial as he soared as a scientist, astronomer and NASA payload specialist who logged more than 614 hours in space across two Space Shuttle missions.

ORCHID: To the Cafaro Foundation for its generosity and civic-mindedness in recently donating $100,000 toward Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio’s JA Discovery Center at Eastwood Mall. The gift will be used to help construct and operate the center, which will have two components: JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. Together, they will combine classroom learning with hands-on simulations to teach financial literacy, work readiness and career exploration . We’re confident the Discovery Center will go far toward meeting JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in today’s expansive global economy.

ORCHID: To the Ohio Adult Parole Authority for last week denying early release of convicted Trumbull County 61-year-old child rapist Ronald Harris from the Marion Correctional Institution. The authority clearly listened to the well-founded pleas of Trumbull Prosecutor Dennis Watkins’ Child Assault Prosecution Unit led by Gabe Wildman and Jennifer Paris. As Paris pointed out in her communications to the authority board, “”The facts underlying Harris’ conviction reflect a prolonged and calculated pattern of sexual abuse against… a vulnerable child in his care.” That threatening demeanor, coupled with a relatively recent incident of Harris violating prison rules by engaging in sexual activity inside the prison, clearly indicate he does not deserve an exit door this year from his maximum sentence of life in prison.

ORCHID: To disreputable home-improvement companies and contractors that pocket sizable down payments from customers but then fail to complete work, do shoddy work or do no work at all. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently sued a Mahoning Valley contractor, alleging violations of the Consumer Sales Practices Act and the Home Solicitation Sales Act. “This contractor pocketed down payments only to abandon the projects,” Yost said in reference to the Valley case, in which several complaints of scams were filed. Heed the attorney general’s words to the wise: Check credentials of home-improvement companies before signing any contract and avoid any requiring a large down payment or requiring full payment before the project is completed and inspected.

ORCHID: To responsible safety-conscious drivers and hard-working law enforcement agencies for producing the safest Memorial Day weekend on Ohio roads in two decades. Over the four-day holiday weekend, only six traffic fatalities were recorded throughout the Buckeye State. That compares to 14 last year and 26 deaths in both 2023 and 2024. Part of that steep decline must be attributable to the stepped-up saturation patrols and OVI checkpoints during and in advance of the weekend by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. With traffic fatalities in the state running slightly above last year’s level overall, now the challenge must be to continue and improve upon the holiday weekend’s relatively strong safety record throughout the second half of the year.

ORCHID: To the Newton Falls and Maplewood boards of education for finalizing last week a shared-services agreement for treasurer in both districts. Under the agreement, Maplewood Treasurer Merri Smith will work half-time at each school system. It’s a win-win for both districts as they get a seasoned, knowledgeable treasurer with a reputation for strong professionalism. Taxpayers to the districts also rake in substantial benefits. In Newton Falls, for example, the anticipated savings of the shared-services agreement over three years stands at $71,000. Other districts in the Valley should consider such taxpayer-friendly cost-cutting moves.

ORCHID: To retiring Howland Local School District language arts teacher Ed Whittaker for his 30 years of service to the district as an educator of students and as a leader of the district’s instructors. Whittaker, who also serves as a Weathersfield Township trustee, served as president of the Howland Classroom Teachers Association and helped to negotiate four contracts with administrators. The veteran educator and coach took time last week to attend a school board meeting to thank board members, administrators and staff for their professionalism and cooperation over the years. With him was his wife, fellow retiring Howland math teacher Carlene Whittaker. Together, they have 62 years of experience in the suburban district’s classrooms. We’re certain the Howland administration and many of the couple’s hundreds of students over the years would be quick to return those thanks to the Whittakers.