In the News: Helping after the snowstorm common in Newcomerstown

Ray Booth
·4 min read
In response to a challenge from Newcomerstown High School Principal Josh Branch, many students spent Martin Luther King Junior Day digging out sidewalks and driveways of area residents from the deep snow which fell late Sunday through Monday morning.
In response to a challenge from Newcomerstown High School Principal Josh Branch, many students spent Martin Luther King Junior Day digging out sidewalks and driveways of area residents from the deep snow which fell late Sunday through Monday morning.
Many students from Newcomerstown spent Monday helping friends and neighbors dig out of the snow.
Many students from Newcomerstown spent Monday helping friends and neighbors dig out of the snow.

NEWCOMERSTOWN — From young students in the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District to some not quite so young senior citizens, residents in the community stepped up to help deal with the recent blast of winter snow.

A snowfall ranging from 9-11 inches made travel difficult throughout eastern Ohio but volunteers helped shovel out the snow for their friends and neighbors.

Josh Branch, Newcomerstown High School principal, issued a challenge for students, asking them to go and help someone in the community by removing snow from driveways and sidewalks. Those students who took part in the challenge were then entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Nearly 30 students submitted pictures for the drawing and there were probably more who helped but did not submit pictures.

“Congratulations to Nathan Ellwood for being drawn as the winner of the snow day challenge,” Branch said. “Thanks (to all students participating) for getting out and helping people in our community remove snow from driveways and sidewalks. It is one of the greatest things we can do is to help the people in our very own community in a time of need.”

Branch also challenged students to build snowmen, also for a chance to win gift cards.

But students weren’t the only residents helping out with the snow. In response to a request for names of “Good Neighbors” who shoveled out their friends and neighbors, these residents submitted the following:

Robert Ferguson: “Steve Bush came and did my driveway yesterday, I shoveled three hours just to get my truck out. Then Steve came and cleared it later.” Ferguson also used his truck to plow out some areas.

Janet Bush: “Husband Steve Bush did neighbors, Robert Ferguson, Haley and Cody Vickers, the Smith/Gershick family, June, Amy Mendenhall, and helped the Abner’s on North College Street extension. At 66, he’s probably one of the oldest to help others.”

Nancy Orr: “A 4-wheeler with a blade came powering down the street and into our driveway. Several powerful pushes, the snow got out of the way. It was Eric Webb, who lives by Cy Young Park and has a fabulous Christmas light display. Then... here comes Steve Jones and took a few more passes and cleared out even more. Thank you! What awesome street neighbors.”

Wanda Joy Snyder: “Terry Henry did South and North Beaver Street sidewalks and driveways with a snowblower.”

Mark Wolff: “Eric Webb and Steve Jones did sidewalks and driveways on North College Street.”

Susie Hart: “Our neighbor of many years who always plowed us out had moved away. To our delight our new neighbor, Jeremy, plowed us out once he figured out how to attach his new and much needed snow blade. He was very excited to get to use his new toy. We are trying to decide how to repay him… Maybe a gift certificate to a restaurant for his family.”

Marian Murphy: “We live out in the country and two neighbor boys came up and shoveled our lane and area around our mailbox. They are Ridgewood students — great guys!”

Debi Bell Howard: “Hal Ringer over by my farm near Indian Camp, plus ALL the neighbors drives and refuse ANY type of payment. He's no spring chicken either! He's probably older than ANY of the people whose drives he plows.”

And while not in the Newcomerstown area, Brooke George-Stratton submitted this on behalf of her father, Del George, who lives near Cambridge: “Dad plows out our entire neighborhood and a few other houses out on Route 22. Around a dozen houses. No one ever asks him to do it. He just loves helping.”

Board of Education

Arlene Mayhew, outgoing Newcomerstown Board of Education member, was honored for her 21 years on the Board when members met in December.

The board also approved:

• Two percent salary increases for school administrators.

• Accepting a donation of $1,006.37 from the Newcomerstown Moose Lodge.

• Appointment of Fred Dickinson to the Newcomerstown Public Library Board of rustees.

• Membership in the Newcomerstown Chamber of Commerce.

• Volunteers, including Trevor Garretson, Jamie Lewis and Tom Addy for indoor track season; Chris Bryant, girls youth/junior high basketball.

• A change to policy to allow preschool aides to be teacher of record as a substitute teacher.

Hats, gloves, scarves

Destiny Davis, a senior at Newcomerstown High School, is doing a senior project to help area residents.

“I have decided to set out hats, gloves, and scarves at Newcomerstown High School for anyone who is in need. With this cold weather we have been getting, I just want to share this around so people could know about it. These hats, gloves, and scarves are for anyone and everyone. There is a wide variety (adults, teens, kids). As much as possible, I would like to give to those who need it most; I am also asking for those who are able to donate to please contact me.”

To submit an item for “In The News,” email the information to rbooth7747@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: In the News: Helping after the snowstorm common in Newcomerstown