ADA — Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, Mary Jo Yeakel cherished her time in church, inspiring her to become a pastor herself. Reverend Yeakel has been pastor at the Ada First United Methodist Church since July of 2011. Since being ordained in upstate New York, she has also pastored in Ansonia, Dayton, Columbus, Worthington and Athens. She likes to call herself a “professional visitor.”

It has become commonplace for people to provide food for others at Christmas who may not have the means to pay for a meal. Toys are given to make the Christmas season happier for the young people of the community. But Dennis and Peg Wells are offering something unique this holiday season – live Christmas trees to those who might otherwise go without one.

The Kenton Elks Lodge honored the top teens from each of the six area schools as Teenagers of the Month at a luncheon on Thursday.

Christmas Around the Square celebration is Saturday in the Hardin County Courthouse. Sponsored by the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance, the craft fair features three floors filled with arts, crafts, and home party dealers. The Kenton Top Twenty will perform holiday music at 9:30 a.m. Homemade food is provided by the Hardin County Homemakers.

No one who watched Henry Cole with the Kenton Elementary students Wednesday could accuse him of being boring. The author/illustrator of more than 120 children’s books pranced and joked with the young people who snickered and roared back in response. He was animated in telling the students how he became interested in art at a very early age and the encouragement of his mother.

Col. Tom McBrayer (left) is presented a proclamation by State Sen. Cliff Hite on Wednesday during the Veterans Day service at Kenton’s Walmart. The Senate honored McBrayer, who Hite called “a hero in this area,” for his service to his country and to his community.

MOUNT BLANCHARD — Riverdale High School senior Alec Porter challenged his peers to never forget the veterans who fought for the United States. Porter was the speaker at Riverdale’s 2015 Veterans Day Assembly presented by the National Honor Society on Wednesday morning. The local veterans in attendance were treated to the singing of “Thank You Soldier”...

When Victor May joined the Kenton Elks lodge in 1909, he was given a package of gifts at his initiation, including a silk pocket flag. In the years to come, that small flag would be involved in two world wars, travel around the world and become lost at least twice before it made its way back to Kenton.

About 130 veterans and their guests gathered Tuesday evening at the Hardin County Council on Aging for a meal to celebrate Veterans Day.