Letters to the Editor: April 13

Excellent ceremony in Houcktown I want to thank all those involved as we gathered to honor William "Dummy" Hoy and his wonderful contribution to the game of baseball. It was great for Houcktown to gather to remember him with this historical marker. Many folks gathered including the young woman from Riverdale High School who sang the National Anthem and the Riverdale softball and baseball teams, who were in uniform. It's great when a community gathers in honor of one of their own. Thanks who had a part in this. Gracyn and Sheri Simpson Mount Blanchard Faithful readers Early pioneers valued education and information. Nicholas Albertson arrived in Hancock County from his home in New Jersey in 1834. He was 14 years old and no doubt was expected to do a man's work in clearing the woods in Cass Township. His sister, Elizabeth, was 16 and it is reported she walked beside the family wagon all the way from New Jersey to their new home. We do not know if Nicholas did too, or if he had a horse to ride. The Albertson children attended the pioneer school in Cass Township, which was opened around 1835 in a vacated cabin on the farm of John Hardy. A history of Hancock County claims "all the youth of the township are freely admitted to the advantages which the common schools possess." The Albertsons did not help organize the Methodist Episcopal church in 1834 — perhaps they were busy erecting a cabin of their own — but they were early members who attended at the home of the Rev. Elam Day. Some other early settlers were the Eckles, Karn, Chaffin, Rhamy, Wagner, Brandeberry, Shaffer, Shippy, Hudson and Montgomery families. The Albertson children married into the Karn and Eckles families, their closest neighbors. A receipt for subscription to the Hancock Courier from 1851 attests to the interest Nicholas Albertson had in staying current with events and information. As a fifth-generation subscriber to The Courier, I also desire to read the local and national news each day. Knowing the newspaper business is a struggle in these electronic times, I am just thankful that The Courier arrives at my home six days a week. Karen Sunderman Deshler Today's conspiracy, tomorrow's 'news' "The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are delivered." — Proverbs 11:9, New King James Version. It seems there are many people who think that the ultimate dismissal of someone else's point is to simply slap on them the label of "misinformation." It is used as an "unfit for service" stamp of rejection. As if it's a soldier's recruitment packet, never to be considered again. However, as we've learned over the past couple of years, it will be considered again. Consider Hunter Biden's laptop. It was fall of 2020 before the election when the story first broke. What convenient timing for big tech/media to decide that the story was just another hoax. It was just another piece of misinformation or disinformation. Now their tune has changed. Recall the numerous people that were slandered as "anti-science" for saying that the most widely used masks do practically nothing against COVID-19. Now, if you really look into it, you can find that those "anti-mask conspiracy theorists" were actually following "the science." What's more, there were many people that felt that the COVID death count seemed a bit inflated. Well, they were labeled as "COVID deniers," and dismissed as "spreaders of misinformation." Recently, the CDC quietly cut 25% of their reported child deaths from COVID-19. Do you see why people are so distrusting of the Big Tech, Big Media, Big Government conglomerate? I recently heard my sister quote a saying that seems to have more truth as time goes on: "What's the difference between a conspiracy theory and the truth? About six months." So, before you try to "destroy your neighbor" by slapping a label on them, give them a little bit of time, because through knowledge they just might be delivered. Joseph S. Leguire Findlay Concerns with student attire I have concerns about the apparent lack of a dress code at Findlay High School. Evidently, there is no policy at all regarding what boys and girls can wear while trying to get an education. I have a niece who attends FHS. She is involved in several groups and activities, and I have picked her up and dropped her off at the school many times. I am appalled at the way some of these students are dressed. Why is it acceptable to wear a brassiere as a shirt? Why is it OK for a student's cleavage to be showing? I understand that it is in fashion right now for girls to wear short shorts. But there should be limitations. I'm sure there are plenty of boys who also dress inappropriately. School is a place we send our children to get an education. Policing students' dress code may be a first step toward better behavior in the hallways and classroom. Ask any police officer: felonies follow where misdemeanors lead. Shirley Long Findlay