Story behind the picture

Story behind the picture

EDITOR:

There is a wonderful story behind the photograph that appeared on the front page of the Nov. 8 Vindicator. The man pictured walking the dogs in Wick Park is Robert Shannon, and one of the dogs he was walking is Honey, Park Vista’s dog.

Mr. Shannon has faithfully walked Honey every day for nearly 10 years as a volunteer. He has been as faithful as the mail delivery, in rain, snow and sleet. Honey looks forward to this special part of her life and is excited when her friend arrives to take her for a walk. Often Robert brings his own dogs and Honey gets to enjoy their company and gets lots of good exercise.

It all started nearly 15 years ago when a Park Vista resident who loved dogs would have her caregiver take her outside in a wheelchair. She enjoyed watching Mr. Shannon in the park walking his dog. Noticing her enjoyment, Robert decided to bring the dog across the street to meet her. This developed into a daily meeting with the resident looking forward to bringing treats for the dog and having conversations with Robert.

In 1998, when Park Vista opened the Eden Alternative Center, the very gentle dog Honey came from Angels for Animals. The resident was excited about Park Vista having a dog and insisted that Mr. Shannon meet Honey and take her for a walk. The rest is history. Robert’s dedication has meant so much to Honey and all of us at Park Vista who love her so much. Thank you, Robert. You are a wonderful example of how meaningful just a small act of kindness can be.

JOAN WEST

Youngstown

X The writer is director of public relations for Park Vista Retirement Community.

Thanks for the music

EDITOR:

Youngstown area residents were able to enjoy an outstanding performance of opera on Friday evening, Nov. 9, when Opera Western Reserve’s production of Greiseppe Verde’s “Rigoletto” at Stambaugh Auditorium took place.

The many talented area performances, musicians, costumes, staging, lighting, and the musical director, made the 4th annual production an evening to remember.

Proceeded by the Youngstown Opera Guild’s Georgio Tozzi Scholarship dinner in the ballroom enabled opera lovers once again to locally realize a special evening of fine dining and opera.

Giacamo Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” will be presented, Friday, Nov. 8, 2008.

Thank you Opera Western Reserve and Youngstown Opera Guild for this spectacular evening in Youngstown.

MRS. ANGELO IANNUCCI

Boardman

Credit for the sponsor

EDITOR:

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, The Vindicator ran a story about Holocaust survivor Inge Auerbacher speaking at the Austintown Middle School. Inge Auerbacher’s visit was made possible by the Schermer Scholar-in-Residence program administered by Youngstown State University. YSU is committed to promoting diversity and an understanding of global perspectives as well as advancing the intellectual life of the region.

Youngstown State University’s Judaic and Holocaust Studies program is proud to support that mission through its community outreach educational programming, which is made possible through the Schermer Scholar-in-Residence program.

HELENE J. SINNREICH, Ph.D.

Youngstown

X The writer is director of Judaic and Holocaust Studies at Youngstown State University.

Helping in the extreme

EDITOR:

Our journey for the Woods family began on the morning of Oct. 16, when our co-worker Will “Woody” Woods and his family were all life-flighted to Cleveland Metro Hospital. Their home had exploded on Pine Lake Road. We all heard the frequent news blurbs and the more we heard, the more we knew that our goal was to obtain the 17-page application for ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

We thank the community for supporting our idea. The signature sheets in support of this project were everywhere. As a result, we have well over 24,000 signatures. (We were just hoping for at least 15,000 signatures.)

To the Copeland Oaks/Crandall Medical Center residents and employees, thank you for letting the Woods family know that a better life would be their goal. Our residents Virgil Springer, George Schreckengost and Bud Householder took pictures and created the required DVD of residents, community, fire departments, EMT units, and Megan’s and Jenessa’s school friends.

We have completed all of the requirements and soon it will be in the hands of ABC. Many, many people aided us in this venture. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

What would it be like to lose everything — not just once, but twice? We ask that your thoughts and prayers be with this family, and we ask ABC to please choose the Woods family.

Kindness in this world does matter. Peace to all.

HOPEANN CAUGHMAN, SHARON ROUSE, SUSAN SCHOENI and
SHEILA STEER

Sebring

X The writers are members of the Copeland Oaks/Crandall Medical Center Committee for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Community supports Lori

EDITOR:

Our family has been touched by the generosity of a number of community members. We wish we could thank each of them individually, but there truly are too many. Lori Grisdale Marsh and her family have been overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of so many people. Lori’s amazing friends and coworkers have rallied the entire Mahoning Valley, and the prayers, monetary assistance, kind words, food, and other gifts have been unbelievable.

The outpouring of love is helping all of us as we prepare for Lori’s bone marrow transplant on Nov. 27 and the recovery period that will follow at the Cleveland Clinic. With all the negative things we often hear, the true character of the Mahoning Valley has been evident to each of us in the past few months. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way - you have sincerely made a difference during these trying times.

KENNETH GRISDALE Sr. and Family

Canfield

Justice for Jimmy

EDITOR:

Words cannot express our gratitude to Michelle Nicks of WFMJ-TV for her reporting on the disappearance of 15-year-old Jimmy Higham. This is a tragedy that no child should ever endure. A young boy has been lost. If not for Michelle, we would never know the answer. It is unthinkable that a mother could lose her child, and unimaginable to not have his remains.

We have prayed for six years for an answer. The answer is devastating. It is our prayer once more to ask the city of Youngstown to recover Jimmy’s body. There would be a tremendous cost, but what is the worth of a child? A child who fell through the cracks. A child who never had a chance. I believe our city has a responsibility to his mother to find his remains.

Be assured that we have felt the failure, the unbearable pain of not keeping Jimmy safe. We will continue to trust in God, whatever the answer, and will respect the decision of our home town.

JAMES and KATHLEEN HIGHAM

Youngstown

X The writers are the grandparents of Jimmy Higham.