Our rural community (we live near Old Woollam) is blessed to be a part of the larger Owensville High School community, which includes some wonderful young people who will be on the football team this fall.

It is our understanding that Coach Paul Schmanke is stressing community service by the team members, and on Saturday, June 13, 10 of these young men along with their coach, painted the fence and entrance to the Old Woollam St. John Cemetery on Brick Church Road.

One of the young men’s father, Ron Young, is caretaker for the cemetery. He coordinated, organized and prepared supplies for the event including food for these young people. Cemetery association members and other interested members of the community helped fund and provide support, but the major work was accomplished by these young men and their coach.

Those of us who stopped by, were most impressed by the enthusiasm and positive attitudes of the participants.

For most of these young men, a hot summer Saturday morning spent painting a rural cemetery fence was probably not too appealing. We observed no complaining about either the heat or the event. Moreover, we were favorably impressed with the polite conversation, comments and tolerance for the activity, expressed by the team participants.

We appreciated this service project for our rural community, and wish these young men and Coach Schmanke continued success as they prepare for the gall gridiron season

Gene and Gloria Ridder