Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Beachy Amish


MACON COUNTY, Ga. — In 1953, when military bases were expanding and land prices rising near Norfolk, Va., members of a growing population of Beachy Amish there began to shop around. “Carloads of men would go out and look,” said Crist Yoder, who was 1 year old at the time but heard the story from his father, Crist Yoder Sr.   They traveled the South, stopping in South Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. But the price was right in Montezuma, Ga.                                               So in 1954, 11 families uprooted. They were mostly Yoders. Crist Yoder Sr. and his four older brothers and their families, along with Weavers, Kauffmans and Swartzentrubers, started a dairy farming community just outside Montezuma. “If you weren’t a Yoder, you married into the Yoders,” Yoder said. “Everyone was related.”                                                            

Amish groups — both the Old Order and the progressives, like the Beachy Amish and Amish Mennonites — have been moving to new states and communities throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. But today it is likely to be for a reason other than land prices. “It is possible that there’s more of that happening simply because the [Amish] population is larger,” said Donald Kraybill, who researches Amish life at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College. “It’s doubling every 20 years"  Today the Amish Mennonite community near Montezuma includes around 350 members, 150 or so families.

 Beachy Amish roots go back to the 1920s. Today they have about 7,500 members and 97 congregations in 20 states.                 “They tend to be more independent in the sense that they aren’t connected to a larger group,” Kraybill said. Amish Mennonites have regional conferences; Beachy Amish don’t. Click to read the article By Kelli Yoder, Mennonite World Review October 29, 2012.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Aden Beachy Writes Book


Book title "The wild One" The life and Thoughts of Aden Beachy.
 "In this beautiful memoir, Aden recounts his memories of his life on the family farm in Holmes County, Ohio, his new life in Christ when he dedicated himself to God, and the wisdom he's learned along the way."  Quoted from the back cover.
I bought my copy from Amazon.com. It is an easy read, published in paper back. Thanks to Aden for sharing his story. 

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Laura Beachy Somerset Co. Flight 93



A local filmmaker’s documentary about the impact of the crash of Flight 93 was successfully funded this weekend.
Dingman Township native, 23-year-old Ryan Balton, is co-producing the film “We Were Quiet Once.” The feature-length documentary shows how the crash of Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001 affected the people of Somerset County who witnessed it from the ground.
Laura Beachy, the film’s executive producer, grew up in Somerset and was in sixth grade several miles from the field where the plane went down in 2001.
The film’s fundraising campaign on Kickstarter.com raised $6,682 from 121 backers. Kickstarter is a crowd-sourced funding platform for creative projects, with an all or nothing approach. The goal was to raise $6,000 in 45 days, a goal which was exceeded by 11 percent on Saturday night.
“We’re so thankful to have such a supportive community behind us,” Balton said. “The contributions from my friends and neighbors in and around Pike County will allow us to take this film and share it on a much bigger stage.”
During the Kickstarter campaign, the project also received donations totaling over $2,085 in the mail. Many of the donors have been from northeast Pennsylvania, and involving the local community is something important to Balton. Donors will be thanked in the credits of the film, and will receive advance copies once the film is complete.
The money will pay for editing, finishing and distribution. This includes entering the film in festivals and holding screening events in northeast Pennsylvania, such as the recently passed Black Bear Film Festival, which has featured Balton and Beachy’s work before. Click for the article in The Abington Journal.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Bonnie Beachy Cypress Texas


The older you get, the more meaningful the little things in life tend to become.
For Bonnie Beachy, both Struthers High’s and Kent State University’s all-time scoring leader, visiting her respective alma maters this weekend and spending time reconnecting with old teammates, friends and teachers has taken on added importance.
Diagnosed with late stage cervical cancer six years ago and in remission until six months ago, she is battling the disease for a second time with an intensity and fight that translated into 1,448 career points in high school and another 2,071 collegiately.
“When I was first diagnosed six years ago, I became a very private person and just didn’t want anyone to know what I was going through,” Beachy said. “Back then, the survival rate was five years and I beat the odds. My doctors were even surprised.
“I am currently going through chemotherapy and while the cancer is not in remission yet, doctors expect that to happen by December.”
Beachy’s cancer is rare — it is diagnosed in approximately 20,000 people in the United States each year.
“My cancer was due to a gene defect that I never knew I had. I have five brothers and sisters and it can be passed down, so early detection is the key,” Beachy added.
“This particular gene defect causes ovarian cancer in about 45 percent of the people and breast cancer in nearly 70 percent. When I was first diagnosed and saw those numbers, I had a double mastectomy as well,” she said.
Beachy, who lives in Cypress, Texas, where she is an assistant principal, remains optimistic and said there was an upside to the diagnosis. Click for the article By Greg Gulas Friday, October 19. 2012 Youngstown Vindicator

Friday, October 19, 2012

Carol Beachy West Jefferson



While the leaves on the trees have just started to change colors and fall, plans are underway for the 2012 West Jefferson Christmas in the Park celebration.
This year, local business person Carol Beachy has stepped up to fill the void left by West Jefferson Community Association president Jeff Pfeil, who retired from the leadership position for the holiday festival. Pfeil had been a one-man crew testing and hanging the 300,000 holiday lights that decorate Garrette Park for the last 15 years.
Beachy said that things are moving along smoothly and added there are some new things being added to this year’s event.
“I have a lot of people coming out to hang lights and decorate,” Beachy said. “We are at Garrette Park every Saturday morning starting at 10 a.m. testing lights. If people want to help, they can just show up and we will put them to work. We can also use volunteers to help with the food during the event.”
While Pfeil is no longer heading up the holiday festival, he is still advising Beachy and her crew.
“Jeff had this down to a science,” Beachy said.
“He is doing a lot of advising and training. He may have retired, but he did not walk away.”
This year, Christmas in the Park will be held Friday, Dec. 7, through Sunday, Dec. 9, with opening ceremonies on Dec. 7 with the West Jefferson American Legion raising the American flag and Santa Claus arriving to throw the switch to light the park.
For more information about West Jefferson Christmas in the Park or to financially donate to assist the festival, you can contact Carol Beachy at West Jefferson Hardware at (614) 879-9036.
Click for the article By Kevin Dye Staff Writer. London Madison Press

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Jon Beachy Fontana Mayor


The possibility of the elementary school closing in Fontana is creating friction and causing emotions to run high between the USD 362 Board of Education and area residents.
A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 7 at Fontana elementary to determine whether the elementary school should remain open or whether it should close permanently. 
“Unfortunately,” Fontana Mayor Jon Beachy said, “what we have is a school board that is bound and determined – even though the public had an overwhelming vote of ‘no’ about closing the Fontana school – to choose to go against the public opinion and close the school here in Fontana. 
“It’s kind of put us all in a bind to the point where we’re kind of at our wit’s end as to what to do,” he said, adding that he believes Fontana is not being represented in the school board.
“Addressing the closing of Fontana isn’t only about Fontana,” Superintendent Chris Kleidosty said. “It’s also about the rest of the school district.” Click for article By Charity Keitel Posted Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Jonas Beachey Pickaway County, Ohio


TARLTON, Ohio -- A Pickaway County Amish man is getting some help from his friends while trying to get his dogs back. The Ohio SPCA said Jonas Beachy was running a puppy mill and confiscated 52 dogs from his farm on October 1.  
The animal rights group went to the farm with Pickaway County Sheriff's Deputies, and were armed with a warrant.
Beachey told ABC 6/FOX 28 he never was shown the warrant, and he was overwhelmed when the army of deputies, dog wardens, and volunteers showed up to his 52 acre farm.

Ray Spence said he has known Beachey for 10 years, and has never seen him mistreat his animals.  Spence and Beachey talked with County Commissioners this week about trying to have the dogs and puppies returned to the farm. Beachy said he is especially upset because the volunteers took his companion dog, Speckles.  "He is a wonderful dog.  He goes with us in the buggy to visit the neighbors.  Speckles would be happiest here on the farm.  He is special to us." Click here to read the complete article. Fox News, 
Reporter: Lu Ann Stoia Web Producer: Ken Hines, Thursday October 11, 2012

Mickey and Logan Beechy Newton Falls


NEWTON FALLS - Mickey Beechy knew he was in trouble after he saw the final scorecard.
His son, Logan, then 11 years old, was 16 strokes better than his father during a nine-hole round.
Logan, a Newton Falls High School senior, started playing golf only a year or two earlier.
"I've been playing my entire life and he started beating me with ease when he was 11," Mickey said. "I thought I had a few more years. I thought we would be playing and I would be kind of close together score-wise for year or two, but that wasn't the case.

Mickey, who has owned Duck Creek for 11 years, saw his son play many rounds over the years, but none as important as this weekend. Logan tees off Friday morning in the Division II state tournament at Ohio State University's Scarlet Course in Columbus.
Mickey can see a lot of his father, Myron, in Logan with every swing of a club. Logan has Myron's luck as well. Logan has three holes-in-one during his young career. Click for a great article By John Vargo, Tribune Chonicle. jvargo@TribToday.com

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

RyHanna Beachy Bonners Ferry Idaho

RyHanna Beachy Bonners Ferry Idaho, Like mother like daughter. Jenn Beachy bagged a Moose on Tuesday, daughter RyHanna bagged an Elk on Wednesday. See Jenn and Moose picture below.

Jenn Beachy Bonners Ferry Idaho

Jenn's name was drawn for a Moose tag and here is the picture of her and the Moose she bagged, October 2012. No story to go with the picture at this time. Congratulations Jenn!

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Arden Beachy Athletic Hall of Fame


FARGO, N.D. — Arden Beachy of Staples will be one of six new members who will be inducted into the North Dakota State University Bison Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 5.  Click to read a great detailed article about Arden achievements in the Brainerd Dispatch, Posted October 2, 2012.

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Logan Beechy Newton Falls


Logan Beechy has spent four years in pursuit of a goal.
In three previous tries, the senior from Newton Falls came up short.
But on Tuesday at Windmill Lakes Golf Club, Beechy came through in the biggest event of his high school career. He fired a 3-over par 73 in the Division II boys district golf tournament and qualified for the state tournament Oct. 12-13 at The Ohio State University Scarlet Golf Course.
“It’s my senior year, so I definitely wanted to go to state,” said Beechy, who finished second to Canton Central Catholic’s Adam Mallette (72) . “I’ve been wanting to ever since I was a freshman, but had some problems.”
Beechy’s accuracy off the tee, admittedly not always precise, was crucial as Windmill Lakes was soaked with morning rain.
“A lot of times I can’t get myself in play, in order to proceed, and today I hit almost every fairway,” Beechy said. “Then I progressed and put it on the green, just two-putted and made my way around the course.”
The rain made conditions difficult early in the morning, but Beechy scrambled his way to a strong start to the round.
“The first two I got away with pars on,” he said. “That got me going because I was struggling. That opened the door for me.” Click for article by Ryan Buck, Wednesday, October 3, 2012