Today's Features

Doug Schwartzman had put a lot of miles on his old bike.

He had been living in Florida for several months, making a humble living playing the guitar and hustling pool when he decided to go home to Pontiac, Mich.

Schwartman, 51, gathered up his few possessions, bought a bus ticket and made plans to head home.

But his plans suddenly changed.

He missed his bus.

Instead of catching the next one, Schwartzman said he decided to hit the highway under his own power. He loaded up his bicycle and headed out.

I played bridge last week and got home about 5 p.m., just in time to get the car into the garage and close the garage door before the lights went out.

The electricity flicked on and off several times before giving up the ghost and going off completely. I scrounged around in cabinets and closets and found all the candles and placed them strategically around the house in case the power didn’t come back till after dark. I have a gas range, so heating soup for supper was no problem.

Owen County Schools is pleased to announce that Queena Gross has been selected volunteer of the month for September. This is Gross’ first year volunteering in Owen County. She is working in the primary school with the pre-school classes.

“I wanted to volunteer to help out the teachers and to help the children learn routines to get them ready for kindergarten,” Gross said.

Gross floats in three different preschool classes throughout the week, performing various tasks such as helping with reading groups, snack time, and rubbing backs during nap time.

A musical Phoenix is hoping his career will take flight starting with a Friday night gig at Pit Stop in Sparta.

Owenton resident Clayton Phoenix Smith has been honing his musical attributes for years, and his long road has led him back to a community where his grandfather grew up.

The journey started in Smith’s hometown of South Philadelphia, where he worked in small venues while developing his talent. His father also cut some records while living in Philadelphia.