Victim's family thanks community (10/21/2008)

To the editor:

The family of Shawn Buckner would like to thank so many people for their tireless effort in trying to help find our son when we reported him missing on Sept. 9th. 2008.  A special thanks goes to the Portland City Police Dept., Jay County Sheriff's Dept, Portland Fire Dept., Jay Co. Ambulance Service, all emergency response teams, Richmond Task Force Dept, Dunkirk Police Dept., Delaware County Sheriff's Dept, and volunteers who, in the heat of the sun, walked every other row of a cornfield, in the hopes of finding our son alive. Many others joined in the search, looking everywhere possible in a combined effort to find Shawn.  We cannot begin to thank you enough. You have all helped keep a warm feeling in our hearts from your help and devotion with such an outpouring of love and concern. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless our son, Shawn Buckner.

Mike and Carolyn Buckner

Hartford City

Great program

To the editor:

The Jay County Public Library, with the help of Shirley Dollar, has offered a program for anyone that is homebound for quite some time. She will deliver books of your choice with you saying how many, what kind, and also how often you want them.

It's a great service that maybe the public is unaware of. So if you are stuck at home for whatever reason, give this a try. You will never regret it and a book is one of the best friends you could ever have. It won't talk back unless you as for a book on tape, but it's a great way to keep your mind open and informed.

So if you are stuck at home for whatever reason, give the library a call or have a friend stop by and get a form for you to fill out.

Take advantage of our great Jay County Library.

The phone number is (260) 726-7890.

Penny Imel

Portland

Missed?

To the editor:

I have been an employee at Bearcreek Farms for more than 15 years. Recently I have had several people approach me concerning a rumor that Beacreek Farms is closing. I want to set the record straight by letting everyone who has heard this rumor know it is entirely not true.

Carla Strong, the general manager, held a staff meeting several weeks ago stating that Bearcreek Farms would remain open for the 2009 season but that there would be many changes taking place.

The staff and customers should look forward to many festivals, concerts and fun for the entire family. She voiced her concerns that the expenses to maintain the facility are increasingly rising and that cuts would have to be made in order for Bearcreek Farms to continue to serve the surrounding counties and states.

She further stated it would require the staff and local residents to help volunteer in clean-up, maintenance, in the museums and basically just support this business that has struggled for 33 years. The farm is only part of Jay County because Bearcreek Farms was Don Strong's hobby, but it can no longer just be a hobby to the Strong family.

The great thing about this meeting is that it was not a downer, but very uplifting and motivating.

Tom Kennedy, Portland, was chosen customer of the year; Francis Goss, Bryant, was chosen Bryant senior of the year; Ed and Mary Smith, Celina, were chosen volunteers of the year; and several employees were noted for "going above the call of duty" to help customers and help out the Strong family by volunteering their valuable free time to Bearcreek Farms.

I think the residents of Jay County should look into their own backyards and see what a hidden treasure there is at Bearcreek Farms. If not, it truly will be missed in the years to come.

Carol LeMaster

Geneva[[In-content Ad]]