2 • The Beacon December 24 , 2020

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THE COSHOCTON COUNTY BEACON is published weekly by AloNovus Corp ., 226 Main Street , Coshocton , OH 43812 . All rights reserved by AloNovus Corp . AloNovus Corp . does not necessarily support the opinion of writers . Mailed at Periodicals Postage Pricing Permit No . 25408 at Coshocton , OH , 43812 . Postmaster , send address changes to The Coshocton County Beacon , 226 Main Street , Coshocton , OH 43812 . Address changes may be sent via email to addresschange @ coshoctoncountybeacon . com . To request free in-county delivery of The Coshocton County Beacon , visit our office at 226 Main Street in Towne Centre , Coshocton to fill out a requestor card . You can also request free in-county delivery of The Beacon online at www . iwantmybeacon . com .

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The Beacon is published by AloNovus Corp . © Copyright 2020

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By Jen Jones

In 1820 pioneers arrived on foot and by covered wagon to the hill top known as Keene , Ohio . They named the area after their hometown of Keene , New Hampshire , and one of the first settlers wrote a letter home describing the area by saying no forests in the world were as beautiful as those of Keene .

In the 200 years since , Keene has changed very little . It is still the same small village surrounding the church and the school . It still has the same beautiful trees and close-knit families . The church and school still pull those families together .

Some things have changed . At one time Keene had its own post office , a general store , the school , a hotel , two churches and other businesses . The school was built in 1888 in its present location , and the gymnasium was across the street where the playground is now . The gym was built in 1929 . The original school burned down on June 30 , 1913 , and was rebuilt in the same location . The gym was torn down in the 1960s , and a gym was built onto the school .

The school was for kindergarten through 12th grade , but when River View School District was formed , it became an elementary school . Many local people remember going to school there , and if the student had a note from a parent , they were able to go to the general store at lunch time and purchase bags of candy for a penny .

The Presbyterian Church in Keene was actually started on

The Coshocton County Beacon believes in our right of free speech . The Beacon will publish a letter to the editor or an opinion as space permits . There is a 500-750 word limit . A letter to the editor also must contain your name and city or village of your postal zip code . Example : John Smith , Fresno . Please provide us with your address and phone number in case we need to contact you with questions about your letter . Phone numbers and addresses will not be included in the paper . To maintain accuracy the preferred method of delivery is email in Microsoft Word format . Please email your letter to jsellers @ alonovus . com .

Printed or mailed letters to the editor will have to be retyped and The Beacon does not guarantee accuracy . Letters to the editor will be published as space permits . The Beacon reserves the right to refuse , edit , or otherwise reject any letter that is deemed inappropriate , offensive or slanderous . Letters need to be factual and the Beacon can request proof of fact checking .

Letters to The Editor are due by noon on Thursday . Letters from the same writer will not run consecutive weeks .

Letters expressing an opinion on a levy , issue or candidate placed on the primary , general or special election ballot that affects anyone in Coshocton County must be published two weeks or more prior to the election in consideration of early voting .

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Dec . 14 , 1918 , before Keene was formed . Rev . Cunningham traveled to what was known as Coshocton Millcreek Congregation . The 15 church members took turns hosting the services , or they met in the log school that was located where the school is today . The Presbyterian Church was incorporated on Feb . 25 , 1835 .

The Keene Methodist Church was started about 12 years after the Presbyterian . Many years later the membership numbers at the Presbyterian Church were declining , but the Methodist Church was gaining members . Because the Methodist Church had constant issues with parking and the Presbyterian had plenty of room , talks began on the topic of combining the congregations .

To reach the Beacon Staff directly ...

Please Call Michaela

740-622-0244 ext . 7701

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On Nov . 8 , 1966 , the Presbyterian Church closed , and the property was transferred to the Keene Methodist Church quickly . Renovations began to add classrooms and a fellowship hall that would hold the combined congregations . In December 1967 the Keene United Methodist Church held its first services in the new building .

Every year Keene holds its annual Memorial Day Parade . The parade was started in 1882 , and Keene is recognized as having the second longest continuously held Memorial Day Parade in Ohio .

At this time no celebration is planned for Keene ’ s anniversary .

Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission continues to offer assistance to households impacted by COVID-19 with past-due rent or mortgage payments and to prevent water and sewer disconnections .

Households who are at or below 200 % of the Federal Poverty Level ( a household of four may earn up to $ 52,400 in the past 12 months or $ 4,306.85 in the past 30 days ) and have fallen behind on rent or mortgage payments and / or water / sewer bills may be eligible for assistance . COVID-19 impact must be documented . Income documentation for all household

Shelby Theatres

members for the past 30 days or 12 months , Social Security numbers , eviction notices , past-due mortgage notices , water / sewer disconnection notice , photo ID , proof of U . S . citizenship / legal residency for all household members and other documentation must be presented .

Funds are available for a limited time with the program ending Dec . 30 . For more information or to apply , call 740-622-9801 . Due to COVID-19 restrictions and the safety and well-being of community and staff , the application process must be started via phone only , no in-person applicants .

460 Downtowner Plaza • Coshocton • 740-622-6855

Call for Show Times ! 740-622-3456 ( film ) STARTING FRIDAY , DEC . 25 : Wonder Woman ( PG-13 ) News of The World ( PG-13 )

TUESDAY IS “ MATINEE ALL DAY !”

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