In the spirit of the season, thanks

In the spirit of the season, thanks

Thanksgiving would have been a more appropriate time for this letter, but being thankful is an every day occurrence for me.

A recent visit to Dr. Allen Katz to confirm that the pace-maker he implanted is yet “going and going,” and the pleased and surprised reaction of his nurse that I will be 90 years old in a few months, prompts me to write this letter. The surprised reaction comes often of late, but I am not surprised, and I did have much to do with it. Let me explain.

I’m able to take this survival medical journey to the present date due to the guidance and advice of my family doctor, Armond L. Minotti.

The first serious threat to my life (excluding WWII) was a bowel cancer sometime in 1995 or ’96. Dr. David Dunch and staff removed that threat. As did Dr. Venkata S.K. Kollipara of an aneurysm shortly after. And then a brilliant team, Dr. Kenneth Young and Dr. Alejandro A. Franko, performed five by-passes and implanted a valve from a cow to replace a faulty one in my heart.

And it is because of the following doctors and staff that my minor afflictions remained minor.

Thanks to Dr. Lyn Yakubov for the lens implant that makes my days more colorful. And to Drs. Anthony Mehle and Daniel Garrhano, my skin cancer is no more. To William Diorio, my podiatrist, I walk with a surer step.

And to Dr. Robert Angelo at the Veterans Clinic who alerted me to the impending heart problem.

And I can address my next doctor with a beautiful smile thanks to Dr. Johanna Nogay.

With some sadness, but much gratitude, I remember Dr. Kenneth E. Camp.

What you see, what I am, and that I am, I owe to many.

In conclusion: Not for all the money in the world could I buy what they gave me.

Louis Mamula, Lowellville

An extraordinary gathering

Something extraordinary happened the weekend of Thanksgiving which I wish the entire city of Youngstown could have experienced. The children of Youngstown who are now adults, many of them parents of children themselves and some grandparents gathered for the 30th reunion of the South High School Class of 1980. This was coordinated by Gwen Lewis, class vice president; Trina Turner-Williams, class secretary; Jon Howell, class treasurer, and Darlene Wilburn-Woodberry, Patty Smith-Eiland, Mary Ann Stubbs, Janet Young, Richard Cecil and Lynn Johnson-Williams.

We came together to reunite and remember Youngstown as it was when we were students at South High School and how we made change happen. Not for change sake but, because it was necessary. It was clear to me that we were more than just classmates. We were family; I hugged and was hugged by so many people each night we gathered that I woke the next morning feeling like I just played a game of football. I always love the way I felt the day after a game and I felt that same way after seeing my classmates.

Change has occurred for many of our classmates. We have lost 25 members of our class to date. We remembered them and thought of the impact that each of these individuals had on our lives.

We stood proudly for the men and women who have served our country in two wars, with some of them serving 15 to 25 years in the various armed services. People like Lynn Johnson, who fought in the first Gulf War, to people like Mark Lott, William McDowell, Fred Thompson and John Steiner, who all made it through two national actions. People like Valencia Y. Marrow, clerk of city council, Dr. Bernard Harris of Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, Pastor Roderick Henning and many others.

Many of our class members have stayed in Youngstown and are making it work for themselves and their families. John Steiner is teaching: Mark Lott and his wife own a business, Marcie Harrison-Taylor works for WKBN still after 20 years. How times have changed my classmates — for the better, for most. Some still look like they did the day we graduated.

We had the pleasure to have two individuals as special guests, Penny Senyak and Ralph Goldstein, our high school counselor and teacher respectively.

We established class dues to offset cost for future reunions and for scholarships. We plan to establish a Community Development Corporation, with a specific focus on the South Side of Youngstown so that we can further our obligation to our hometown and fulfill our true legacy to Youngstown as South High School Warriors.

Kevin Tarpley, Boston

Tarpley was president of the Class of 1980.

A place senior citizens can enjoy

Many of the population in their 80s and 90s are isolated in their homes. Their spouses of many years have died as well as many of their friends. Some winter in Florida and escape the solitude that many of us face in our Ohio winter. Most of us like to be with people, relate to them, see them, eat with them, talk to them.

A new facility has opened on the West Side called “Austintown Senior Center.” I, for one, have taken yoga, line danced, walked with music, played Bingo, and hope to play cards soon. A meal is served daily for the cost of $2 and included is a bag of some kind of goodies.

Through many generous businesses we have a beautiful place to meet, two TVs, a pool table, large equipped kitchen, a small bus to take us on day trips, computers and more. The volunteers, who give so much of their time, are to be commended as well as the small staff in charge. Thanks to so many who are helping the elderly find some quality, help and happiness in their lives.

Grace Williams, Youngstown

Remembering those who helped

We would like to take a moment to thank all businesses, organizations, families and individuals who contributed big or small to Salem’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner at the Salem Memorial Building.

More than 650 meals were served or delivered because of the generosity of so many people who gave of their talents, resources and time. Thanks also to those who took the time to request meals for a neighbor, acquaintance or even a stranger they knew would appreciate it.

We are reminded every year of what a truly generous community and region we live in.

Thank you all for caring. Thank you all for giving. Thank you all for serving.

Nancy Miller and Jeff Schoch, co-chairmen, Salem

A time for people helping people

I Would like to thank the Se- nior Service’s Unit for thinking of us seniors for our Thanksgiving dinner and thanks to the Home Instead Senior Care for the Christmas gifts. It’s nice to know that someone cares and shows their love. I want to speak for everyone they gave to.

Virginia Barnett, North Jackson