6 • The Beacon August 26 , 2021

We ’ re fortunate to live here . I ’ m not sure if you take time to ponder your life circumstances — as in , how did I end up here ? Most people probably don ’ t think about it too much . Most people are probably way too busy just trying to put bread on the table and get the kids to 4-H , dance lessons , soccer practice or myriad other parental obligations .

That leaves the rest of us to ponder our life and how we ended up in such a grand place as Coshocton County , Ohio , U . S . of A . Or some of us anyway . I am one of those folks , I guess . It hit me this morning when I opened the garage door — Actually , the door opener did that . Who actually opens their own garage door anymore ? — and stepped out into a balmy 70-degree morning in August . And there it was — that sweet scent of pineapple . No , not really . We don ’ t live in Hawaii for gosh sake . It was corn — yellow gold to farmers in the

Mark Fortune

Mark ’ s Musings

Midwest .

According to the internet , or better yet , try a farmer or the folks at the OSU Extension who have a lot more knowledge on this than little , ol ’ me — we never raised corn , just some cattle that ate corn — but back to the internet : It ’ s the corn pollen that you smell early in the morning and only for a few days . Let ’ s hope I have this right . I don ’ t want to be an embarrassment to our county .

Where we live is a relatively safe place with the impact of dangerous weather events like wildfires and hurricanes nonexistent and rare is a tornado . I ’ m not sure how earthquake-prone we are , but it is safe to say not even close to that of California . We have some flooding from time to time and , of course , our share of thunderstorms , heavy rains and snowfall . Regardless , you get the idea — our geographic location in Ohio and the nation is something to relish .

I ’ m sure you have enough information and news on the dilemma in Afghanistan and the renewed

spike in COVID-19 delta variant cases . You also know we are facing mask mandates , employers considering and forcing the vaccine on employees .

The Buckeyes start the season next Thursday , Sept . 2 at Minnesota with a night game — scheduled to start at 8 p . m . Then Oregon comes to Columbus for a Sept . 11 game with kickoff at noon .

The Cincinnati Reds are — as of today — in the wildcard playoff . There are still a lot of games to go , but the Reds are hot , and the Padres just lost eight out of 10 . The Indians — forget about it .

Coshocton Regional Medical Center welcomed Dr . Stephanie Richcreek back to Coshocton County . Richcreek is returning to her hometown to provide care for her community . She will provide primary-care services at the Family Care of Coshocton practice at 311 S . 15th St . in Coshocton .

“ We are thrilled to welcome Dr . Richcreek back to Coshocton County ,” said Melissa Snider , the director of physician services at Coshocton Regional Medical Center . “ Not only is she passionate about providing quality care , but she has a wonderful insight into the Coshocton community and the type of healthcare we need . Our community needs access to quality primary care , and Coshocton Regional Medical Center is committed to making that happen with amazing partners like Dr . Richcreek .”

Richcreek will provide a broad base of acute and chronic care for ages birth through geriatric . She is currently booking appointments and will begin seeing patients on Tuesday , Sept . 7 . New patients are welcome . To make an appointment , call Family Care of Coshocton at 740-622-0332 .

Fall is on the way . School is back in session — watch out for the kids and the school buses . Here ’ s hoping everyone is ready for a “ normal ” year of school and that we can keep the kids in school . Thanks to all those who work hard every day to keep our kids safe and healthy .

Dr . Stephanie Richcreek

Submitted