By Tamara Taylor

Two Greats- Underestimated yet quietly inspiring

It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of one of our own . Maxine Klump , the beloved New Alsace correspondent , passed away on Nov . 18 . But it is with great joy that we celebrate that she is in a better place .

Mrs . Klump was born in New Alsace and was a lifelong member of St . Paul Catholic Church . She was class Valedictorian at Guilford High School . Her education continued at Edgecliff College and then Thomas More College where she earned her Bachelors Degree . But she didn ' t stop there . Mrs . Klump received her master ' s degree from Xavier University and then taught for over sixteen years .

Mrs . Klump was a member of the Morgan Raiders Trail Committee , the Hillforest Historical Foundation , Literary Guild , North Dearborn Band Boosters , NDHS PTO ,

and was program chairperson for the Cincinnati Symphony Club . She was also a charter member of the North Dearborn American Legion Post # 452 Ladies Auxiliary .

We have all been very fortunate to share in the wit and wisdom of such a jewel of our community through her New Alsace column in the BEACON .

Four score and seven years ago ( okay , maybe not that long ago ,) I was elected to the Aurora City Council . As my first meeting approached , I was so nervous . That evening as I took my place in that tall council chair in front of the room . Then-mayor Leon Kelly called the meeting to order . Before the meeting got too far , we all heard a deep voice from the center of the room . There sat Randy Turner , a full grown man who had been given a small child ' s chair upon which to sit . I can still remember his words to this day . " I would like to welcome the first elected woman council member of Aurora ." Wow- way to make me feel special !

From that day forward I knew Randy Turner was someone special to our community . Always willing to help in a calm , quiet way . He gets things done and knows more about Aurora than all of the historians combined . Need to know where a water line runs or what street has been vacated and when ? Want

to know which citizen could use some assistance during a challenging time ? Ask Randy Turner .

" Someone once said that Randy Turner is the glue that holds Aurora together , cited Mayor Donnie Hastings . " I would certainly agree !"

Randy Turner ' s nickname is " Rose ." Supposedly this name stuck from elementary school football days , but that rumor hasn ' t been confirmed . ( Cool trivia question . If anyone knows for sure , please get in touch with me .)

Mr . Turner was born in Aurora and has lived here all of his life . He attended Xavier University and returned to Aurora to join the Aurora Utility team . Mr . Turner stepped up his commitment to the town by becoming superintendent of the utility company in 1983 . Imagine the number of changes and upgrades in the infrastructure he has overseen during that time . Thanks to Mr . Turner ' s foresight and dedicated coworkers , the Aurora Gas utility is debt free . ( hmmm ... Turner for President in 2020 ?!)

When asked about their boss , Mr . Turner ' s employees consistently say that he is great to work with . They appreciate that Mr . Turner does everything he can to ensure that they have the most up-todate equipment and training . He is truly concerned for their well-being . Admiration for Mr . Turner ' s work ethic has

Randy Turner at one of the may events for which he volunteers .

been unanimously expressed . He is one to get into the trenches and do whatever it takes to get the job done . Mr . Turner only asks his crew to do what he would do himself .

" Randy looks after people in our community ," said longtime friend Dave Hizer . " He always has compassion and concern for utility customers and their well being . His employees think the world of him ."

Mr . Turner ' s love for his hometown community shows in everything he does . He is known to be one of the kindest and most generous men in the community . Mr . Turner has been a Lions Club member for over twenty years . He has served as past president and treasurer , as well being secretary of the fair committee on numerous occasions . I personally can ' t recall a Farmers Fair when I haven ' t seen Randy working the parade route or walking through the crowds in the evening , helping out wherever was needed .

" If there is an activity in town , you can bet Randy is there helping out ," said Mr . Hizer .

Mr . Turner is president of the Riverview Cemetery board , a beautifully designed and maintained cemetery located on the edge of Laughery Creek . He could be the keeper of many secrets of that cemetery- from glowing graves to rumored cars buried so that their past owners could take a ride whenever they so desired . Who says you can ' t take it with you !

Aurora residents benefit from Mr . Turner ' s efforts in so many ways , many of which they are probably not even aware of . Setting up the grand celebration of Miracle on Main requires over a week of solid preparation- guess who is there every step of the way . Mr . Turner gives back to his community in other ways

Randy , accompanied by Fred Stegerwald , donating his time and talents to Aurora In Bloom .

as well . He has served as chairman of the Relay for Life Committee and as president of the South Dearborn Regional Sewer District . He is also actively involved on the Aurora Park Board and serves as an advisor for the Main Street Aurora Design Committee . Oh , and one more thing ( that I know of ,) Mr . Turner has been an active member of Aurora in Bloom committee for many years .

Here ' s a bit of Aurora history trivia- who played the Grim Reaper in the Horror , History , and Haunting event ?

Senior dances , pancake breakfasts , Red White and Boom , Farmers Fair- Mr . Turner ' s hands are involved behind the scenes in these events and many more . A true silent volunteer who touches the lives of so many without ever expecting anything in return .

Mr . Turner knows the value of becoming involved in one ' s community . He always encourages youth to get involved in events or finds activities for them to do . He has donated his time to Pee Wee Football and Little League and loves ensuring that the community pool is available to those children who might not otherwise be able partake in summertime activities .

I am honored to know Randy Turner and to have had the opportunity to work with him on a few projects . Mr . Hizer summed it up perfectly when he said , " you couldn ' t ask for a better friend . He is 100 % a great guy ." I couldn ' t agree more . In honor of Maxine Klump , let me say , " Space gone . So long ."