Friday, February 22nd from 4-7 pm. Fish, shrimp or combo, french fries or baked potato, coleslaw, applesauce and bread. Adult dinners, $8. Children Ages 4-11, $4. Children 3 and under free. Rome Fire Department is located on the corners of Routes 6 and 45 Rome, Ohio. Eat-In or Carry outs available.

The 2013 Fish Fry Flyer
(Click to enlarge)

Middle-schooler James Elliot of 1065 Evening Star took top honors at the Grand Valley Spelling Bee! Congratulation to you, James!

From the Star Beacon:

Seventh grader wins Grand Valley spelling bee
By WARREN DILLAWAY

ORWELL — The room exploded with raucous applause after James Elliott, a seventh grader at Grand Valley Middle School, spelled the word raucous correctly clinching his second straight district-wide spelling bee Tuesday evening.

Elliott also is the defending Ashtabula County champion and will soon be defending his title.

Twenty three competitors started the competition and almost 90 minutes later Elliott was in the final round with Summer Poyer, a fourth grader, and Alex Bill, a seventh grader.

As the three finalists entered the 13th round Poyer nervously tapped her feet. Elliott spelled his word correctly and the two girls missed their words setting up one word for Elliott to claim the championship.

Several contestants reacted happily after spelling a word correctly.

Pleasant, cucumber, subsequent, personage and archaic were just a few of the words the students had to spell.

During the first three rounds only four competitors were eliminated and there were still nine students left after seven rounds.

More than 80 fans sat on chairs in the school’s auditorium quietly hoping for a family victory.

Elliott is the son of Rebecca and Robert Elliott. He will be defending his title at the Ashtabula County Spelling Bee in February.

Carl Horst retired to Roaming Shores (822 Western Ct.). Carl and Nancy were prominent residents until they moved to Tucson. Nancy died last summer and we have learned that Carl died 29 Dec, while visiting his daughter in Alabama. No obituary has been made available yet, but they had many friends at the Lake and Carl was one of the original ROMEOs.

Our hearts go out to the Horst family.

The Rome Fire Department would like to remind everyone that that there is increased risk for home fires when you turn on your home heating system for the first time this year. However, many of these fires are preventable and citizens can reduce their risks of becoming a fire casualty by identifying potential hazards and following simple safety tips.

Winter storms can wreak havoc on our daily lives. Besides making travel difficult and interrupting electric service, the storms also cause an increased possibility of residential fires.  The use of candles, heating sources and makeshift cooking methods can significantly increase the chances of a fire occurring. But, by following some basic safety tips, you can protect yourself and your family when severe weather strikes.

The Rome Fire Department offers these tips:

Heating Safety

• Use kerosene heaters and space heaters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.
• Make sure your alternative heaters have ‘tip switches.’ These ‘tip switches’ are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
• Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
• Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
• Refuel heaters only outdoors.
• Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least three feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.

Generator Safety

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when using generators.
• Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
• Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
• Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
• Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or ‘backfeed’ can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

Electrical Safety

• If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power.
• Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
• Look for and replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs, and plugs.
• Exposed outlets and wiring could present a fire and life safety hazard.
• Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
• Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.

Additional Tips

• Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children.
• If the power goes out, make certain that all electrical appliances, such as stoves, electric space heaters and hair dryers, are in the OFF position.
• Make certain that your home’s smoke alarms are in proper working order.
• Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home’s electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.
• If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of snow, ice and debris for easy access by the fire department.

Wishing everyone a Safe Holiday Season

Rome Fire Department

Missing a canoe? OH0117DR? It was last spotted near the entrance of Plum Creek. If this is your canoe, please try to move it back to your dock. Thank you.

Please note that there will be no trash pickup on Labor Day. Trash pickup for the week will be delayed by one day.

From the Star Beacon:

AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP — Dr. Chester J. Prusinski, age 73, a resident of Roaming Shores, Ohio, passed away Monday, August 6, 2012, at Austinburg Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Oct. 5, 1938, he was the son of the late Chester Frank and Rose (Szarwark) Prusinski.

Dr. Prusinski was in private practice as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in Cleveland and Jefferson, Ohio and Medical Director at Glenbeigh in Rock Creek, Ohio.

He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (24 years); Benedictine Catholic High School Alumni; Case University (now Case Western Reserve) Alumni; Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni (1963 Graduate); Board Certified in Addiction Medicine; and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc.

He enjoyed travel, skiing, boating, aviation, reading, motorcycles, ball games and woodworking.

Survivors include his children: Christopher (Laleh) Prusinski D.O. of Melbourne, Fla., Monica (David) Bugar of Youngstown, Ohio, Brian Prusinski of Oceanside, Calif.; Paula (Ronald II) Prusinski-Ritner of Gates Mills, Ohio, and Danielle (James) Myers and her mother, Joy Prusinski, both of Columbus, Ohio; step-son, Kelly Bitsko of Highland Heights., Ohio; grandchildren, Amanda and Christian Prusinski, Gregory and Monique Ledesma and Brady, Joshua and Eli Myers; and brothers, David (Wilma) Prusinski of Delaware, Ohio, and Timothy (Arlene) Prusinski of Elyria, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Rose Prusinski; and spouses, Barbara and Cleo.

Memorial Service will be celebrated 11 a.m., Tuesday, August 28th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 3049 Route 45, Rock Creek, Ohio 44084, with Father David Weikart as celebrant.

Calling Hours will be 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, August 27th, at WALKER FUNERAL HOME, 828 Sherman St., Geneva.

The family requests donations to: American Brain Foundation, 201 Chicago Ave. South, Minneapolis, Minn. 55415, www.curebraindisease.org.

Arrangements were entrusted to WALKER FUNERAL HOME, 828 Sherman St., Geneva. Obituary and condolences at starbeacon.com.

Starting Friday the 24th and scheduled for 10 days, Raccoon Rabies Baiting will resume in Ashtabula County. Vaccines wrapped in treats will be dropped from aircraft and also scattered by hand. If you should happen upon a bait, please leave it.

Please click here for more information about the baiting program.