Back To School in Amherst Ohio: A Letter From Steven Sayers
August 17, 2011
The following is a letter from Amherst Ohio Schools Superintendent Steven Sayers to residents and students.
Welcome Back to School Everyone!
As Amherst celebrates its Bicentennial year, we are reminded of Amherst’s rich history and those who have made our great city and schools what they are today. From our first settlers like Jacob Shupe and Josiah Harris in the 1800’s, to Marion L. Steele, Fred Powers, and Walter G. Nord of the 1900’s, the list of those who have owned businesses, influenced politics, protected our city, and educated our children is extensive and impressive. As we head through the 2000’s, we need our community to continue the traditions and pride of Amherst.
The Board of Education, administration, and staff are excited about the future ahead of us. We look forward to educating the children of our wonderful community and partnering with you to ensure their future success. We hope to see you at the many school activities and events scheduled throughout the year.
As always if you have concerns, questions, or comments, feel free to call me at the board office at 988-4406, at home at 984-2999 or email at steve_sayers@amherstk12.org.
Have a great year and “Go Comets”!
Sincerely,
Steve Sayers
Superintendent, Amherst Schools
Amherst Ohio Bicentennial: 200 Years of History
August 14, 2011
As many of you know, 2011 marks the 200th birthday of the City of Amherst, Ohio. At this year’s Old Time Jamboree, I was excited to purchase a copy of a “Bicentennial Portrait” booklet from the Amherst Historical Society, which contains historical photographs and historical information about our city’s rich history.
I encourage any of you who are interested in the history of Amherst Ohio to stop by the Historical Society and purchase one of these great booklets. It is a very interesting read, and has a wealth of great old photos and well-written info that will keep you turning the pages.
Below is a short excerpt from the Bicentennial Portrait, but you’ll have to go purchase a copy for yourself to check out the rest!
Introduction From The Amherst Historical Society’s “Bicentennial Portrait”
This year the city of Amherst celebrates its bicentennial, its 200th birthday!
Many feel something 200 years old is long gone and forgotten. But the next time you walk through the downtown area look up at the tops of some of the store fronts. See the names of early business men, Plato, Nicholl, Ebbs and Jaeger, etched in the stone.
Many of the downtown establishments built in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s are still in use today. A few changes in the brick and facade may have occurred over the years, but as you enter the tin ceilings and rich wood moldings are remembrances of the past.
The Amherst Town Hall, built from sandstone quarried from deep in the earth, was erected in 1884 to serve the residents of the early village and continues to be a vital component of city government to this day.
Several of our schools bear the names of the early settlers. Shupe School honors Jacob Shupe, the first settler in the territory. He had the first lumber mill, distillery and grist mill in the village. Harris school honors Josiah Harris, a teacher in the district, who later became an associate judge of the Common Pleas Court of Lorain County.
The streets surrounding downtown Amherst bear the names of other early settlers. Crocker Street for postmaster, Alonzo Crocker, and Tenney Avenue for Dr. Luman Tenney. Shupe Avenue was named for Jacob Shupe’s youngest child, Isaac, and Minerva Street named or Isaac Shupe’s wife. Crosse Road is named for Dr. Crosse, the first mayor of Amherst. Other named streets are Sipple, Harris and Axtel.
Even though the founding fathers may be termed “what went before,” they let us a rich inheritance in their legacy of preserving their past for our future.
Let’s Go Support a HERO: Marine Sgt. Dennis Kancler of Brecksville
August 9, 2011
I was distressed this morning to learn some upsetting news: the infamous and disgusting Westboro Baptist Church is calling on its members to protest at the upcoming funeral for Marine Sgt. Dennis Kancler, a hero from Brecksville who gave his life fighting for our country in Afghanistan.
I’d like to invite anyone who reads this post to join me in attending Sgt. Kancler’s funeral to show our support for this local hero and counteract the disgraceful displays of the Westboro protestors.
Several years ago, I had the honor of working with Sgt. Kancler’s father, Brecksville Police Chief Dennis Kancler. Chief Kancler is a wonderful man, and he frequently told me how proud he was of his Marine son. I was in Officer Candidate School with the Ohio Army National Guard at the time, and Chief Kancler would often stop by my office to talk about the great things his son was doing in the Marines.
A group called the Patriot Guard Riders is asking Ohioans to join them in attending Sgt. Kancler’s funeral in Brecksville on Thursday morning to protect his family from the Westboro protestors. I have taken the morning off work to attend and show my support, and I hope that other residents from Amherst and across northeast Ohio will join me.
Sgt. Kancler’s memorial service will take place this Thursday, August 11, at 10:00 AM, at Saint Basil the Great Catholic Church, 8700 Brecksville Road, Brecksville, Ohio. I contacted a representative of the Patriot Guard Riders, and was told that they welcome anyone to join them. If you can, please bring a small American flag to wave, or a respectful homemade sign voicing your support.
If you would like more information, please call my cell phone at (440) 506-0449. I would be proud to stand with you on Thursday morning and show support for a genuine American hero. I am embedding a map below with directions to Sgt. Kancler’s memorial service in Brecksville.