January 8, 1970

Cat Causes Power Failure

John L. Markins, manager of the Adams Rural Electric Co-operative, said recently a very brave, yellow housecat wandered into the utility company's 69,000 volt substation at Lawshe, Adams County, and apparently used all of its “nine lives” quickly.

In a short time, an estimated $7000 in damages resulted. 1100 customers were without power for four hours and ten minutes.

Markins said an undetermined amount of damage was also caused in the Columbus and Southern Ohio's substation, near Peebles.

The latter utility dispatched crews to aid REA's workers in restoring service.

January 20, 1970

McCleese Wins V.F.W. Contest

Wanda McCleese, a Peebles High School student, is the first place winner in the Voice of Democracy contest sponsored by the Peebles Veterans of Foreign Wars, Memorial Post No. 1029. The subject was “Challenge of Freedom.”

Pictured left to right are Past Commander Aaron Evans, chairman; Glenn W. Jamison, post quartermaster; Kenneth L. Smalley, commander; Miss McCleese; her mother, Mrs. Frank McCleese, and Mrs. Genevieve Unger, teacher and contest instructor.

February 17, 1970

Thomas Snider Honored With Silver Beaver Medal

Thomas Snider, of Peebles, is one of two Scouters that received National Silver Beaver awards at the annual appreciation dinner of the nine-county Scioto Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. The event was held in Portsmouth.

The Silver Beaver awards, presented by George W. Glaskin, member of the council's Silver Beaver committee, are the highest honorary awards that can be given by the local council. They are presented for distinguished service to boyhood.

Mr. Snider has been in scouting for 24 years including three years as a Cub and two years as a Boy Scout. He served two years as Scoutmaster at Seaman and also as Scoutmaster for Troop 66 from 1951 to 1956.

In 1953, he served as Scoutmaster for over 60 Scouts on their excursion to the National Jamboree at Irvine Ranch, California. The previous year he accompanied a group of Scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch.

Mr. Snider's record includes serving as assistant commissioner and commissioner of Serpent Mound District, troop committeeman of the Serpent Mound District committee and as a long time member of the executive board. He also is the holder of the President's Award.

He is a first aid instructor for the American Red Cross in Adams County, first aid and safety instructor for Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric Co., conducts safety and first aid classes for the electric company employees, conducts first aid classes for the Red Cross, Girl and Boy Scouts, police department and other civic groups.

He is a member of the Peebles Fire Department, served as special deputy sheriff, is a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and an officer in Southwestern Ohio Fire Fighters Association.

February 24, 1970

Test Facilities Increased At G.E. Center At Peebles (edited)

The General Electric Company's Test Center located at Peebles is rapidly changing in complexity and capability. The number of fully operational test installations was raised to ten at the 5,000 acre facility with the addition of Site V and Site III. Both test rigs are equipped with 34 feet high engine support structures. Free field performance tests can be run on either of the new installations.

The newest, Site V, is capable of running, testing and monitoring two different engines at the same time. Its abilities were proven at an October 1969 test of a TF39 engine with 41,100 pounds of thrust and a test of a CF6 with 40,000 pounds of thrust, both at the same time. The CF6 class of high bypass turbofan engines are being tested for use in subsonic airliners.

Site III is a thrust vectoring and special fuels test facility. One area is used for engine and cruise fan tests. A second area is an afterburner facility and the third a direct lift device test facility. A fourth installation is a variable engine attitude test facility.

In 1955, General Electric first opened the Peebles Test Center. The grounds were selected and developed by the company because of the suitability for construction and operation of outdoor test facilities for aircraft gas turbine and rocket motor test. The valleys and large land area provide sound attenuation and protection for operating personnel at other test sites. It also has a large natural water supply for cooling purposes.

March 17, 1970

Junior High Has Co-Champs

Sinking Spring defeated Manchester 57 to 36 to share the role of Co-Champs in the Junior High ranks. The team includes: Doug McElwee, Donald Robinson, Tom Myers, Richard Rhodes, Donnie McElwee, Larry Robinson, Donnie Goosey, Tommy Zile and Ronald Robinson and coached by Arthur Myers. (West Union was the other Co-Champion) (there may be others not named)

May 26, 1970

Local Scouts Go To World Jamboree (edited)

First Scouts approved to represent the Scioto Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, at the XIII World Jamboree to be held in Japan in August, 1971, were announced today.

They are Dave Snider and James Randall Franklin, of Peebles, and David Lindner, of Portsmouth.

Snider and Franklin are members of Troop 66 which is sponsored by the Peebles Lions Club. Lindner is a member of Troop 17 which is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Portsmouth.

The world jamboree will be the largest gathering of Scouting's International brotherhood since the XII World Jamboree was held in Idaho in 1967, according to Lloyd W. Burwell, Council President.

The twenty day trip will include an 8-day tour of Japan, including the 9-day encampment at Asagiri Heights in Shizouka Prefecture on the west side of Mt. Fuji.

At the jamboree, Scouts will compete in Scout skills, trade friendship tokens, meet around campfires, sample each other's foods, play wide games, and learn how Scouts live, Scouting around the world, Burwell said.

May 26, 1970

A “Farewell” To A Loved And Respected Citizen by Ralph F. Crawford (edited)

On Wednesday, May 13, Peebles lost one of its oldest and most respected citizens, D. W. Shoemaker, “Granddad” as he was affectionately known to those close to him, both young and old. There is not too much to say about Granddad. His life is his monument to his friends and to his community in which he lived and loved so many years – since 1899 when he first came to Peebles.

“Granddad” or “D.W.” was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was kind, polite and a gentleman, both in business, in his home, or just meeting him on the street.

I have known him all my life and there are others, too, who remember him when they too were young. The days when we had only a few pennies, perhaps a nickel to spend for candy, it was the place to go, to Shoemaker's store where you always got that little extra gumdrop or licorice. The store then was in the building now occupied by Duminel Drug Store. He later moved his store across the street, now part of the Farmer's Bank.

In later years when I wanted to ask about someone or history pertaining to Peebles, I would go to him (there aren't many to go to anymore) and it would please him so much to talk about the past, the early days of Peebles. His mind and memories were remarkable for his age. He told me of staying at my grandparents' hotel, known then as the “Crawford Hotel,” and of the other young men, all who later married and started their own business in our young town. L. Kirshchner, George Hentz, C. A. Watts, and many others.

D. W. Shoemaker always took an active part in civic affairs, was always interested in the better things for his community, having served as president of the Great Chautauqua, known for the high class entertainment and the top speakers of the day, served on the school board, was a charter member of the Peebles Lions Club, devout church worker and Sunday School teacher.

I cannot help but think if there were more people like “Granddad” with his outlook on life and his kindness to others, that our country would not be in such a turmoil as it is today. Perhaps even our own community would be a little better, too.

June 9, 1970

Summer School Plan Offered At Peebles

Federal funds from Title I (P.L. 89-10) are being used this summer to offer a program at all grade levels for the students of the Peebles District. The purpose of the program is to allow students who have failed or who have not achieved to their ability to review and make-up work without having to repeat an entire grade for a whole school year.

Grades one, two and three will meet at the Peebles Elementary building: Headstart and grades four, five and six will meet at the Franklin building: grades seven and eight and the high school will meet at the high school building.

High school classes will be offered for credit. They are English I, English II, English III, American History, Government, Algebra I, and General Science – each one credit: Typing and Health – one-half credit.

The high school program will be well attended since 140 have registered.

A school bus will run between the three attendance areas. It will leave from Sinking Spring at 7:45 each morning, drop off students at Locust Grove and pick up students for Peebles. After delivering students to the elementary and high school building, it will pick up fourth, fifth and sixth grades for the Franklin building.

Classes will be from 8 a.m. until 12 noon starting June 8 and ending July 24. Health Class will end July 3 and Typing Class on July 31.

Mrs. McFarland received her B.S. Degree in Education in August, 1969, and has since continued to take courses at Ohio University, Portsmouth. She was on the dean's list at OU for eight semesters, and was accepted into Phi Kappa Phi, a National Honor Society, during her senior year. Mrs. McFarland was valedictorian of her graduating class from Franklin High School in 1963.

Mark is indeed to be congratulated for attaining these high levels in scouting, but particularly for completing the requirements at his tender age. Only one percent of all scouts reach the rank of Eagle and a yet fewer number have the perseverance to qualify for God and Country. This requires a minimum of one year of work under the close supervision of a church appointed counselor. Much is required in the way of Biblical knowledge, and memory work, written project reports and many personal services to the church as well as regular church attendance.

Sharing in the congratulations are his parents and a sister, Paula, maternal grandparents, Mrs. Ruth Peterson and Mr. Paul Peterson of Peebles and paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Campbell, of the Wheat Ridge Community.

Mark, who has been an inspiration to all who have come to know and love him, will be genuinely missed by his friends as he and his family will in the near future be moving to Topeka, Kansas, where his father will be stationed with the U.S. Air Force following his return from Vietnam. Our best wishes follow them to their new home.