Cousins Nikki and Andrew French became parents for the first time early morning January 7, when Cousin Mae was born. It was a few hours after the final BCS game, which was very appropriate considering the family's relationship with Ohio State and its football team. On January 14, I returned to Kent State for my final semester, taking four classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They were High Impact Speaking, Criticism of Public Discourse, Visual Design Media, and Communication Research Methods. Criticism of Public Discourse was my favorite since it had me reviewing historical speeches.
I turned 30 on March 30 and had a great day. This is a Facebook post that I wrote that day:
- Thanks to all for the birthday wishes for my 30th! I went bowling with my best friend Scott Demko yesterday. This morning I tried Taco Bell breakfast today with Scott and his parents before going to church. Mom's cousin Karl was visiting from Tennessee and we had a good conversation after the service. I then went to Bob Evans where I had lunch with Stephanie Jerin, Megan Lengyel, and Lindsay Foley-Motil. I had birthday cake with my parents and I mixed in some March Madness this weekend when I had a chance. I'm wrapping up my spring break from Kent State, so the few extra days off helped me to get caught up with my appointments. I also got to go to work early at 6am for the first time on Saturday, which gave me an extended weekend. I still have a few more birthday activities to look forward to in the next few weeks.
In April, I was scrambling to find an internship for the summer semester since I was graduating in August. Aunt Kathy saw an article in the Beacon Journal about College Now, an organization that assists college students, opening an office in Barberton. I called the director, Jason Miller, and he suggested that I complete an internship where he did, the Barberton Community Foundation. I went to their office for a meeting to meet the staff and they agreed to take me aboard. I had a wonderful experience with the BCF, helping them with everything from writing and organizing their binders. They have a great staff, in addition to their Board of Directors.
Grandpa Webster turned 90 on June 11, before he passed away from lung cancer on June 17. I went to his calling hours on June 20 at Boyd-Born Funeral Home in Marion. The week of his death (June 15 to June 21) was a pretty crazy week for me. I got bronchitis for four days to start the week and I had tickets for the Indians-Tigers game on the evening of June 21. During the pregame, my favorite childhood baseball player, Omar Vizquel, was introduced to the Indians HOF. I only ended up working two days that week, but I had personal and bereavement pay, so I didn't lose any income.
On July 3, Grandma Maybin died in her sleep during the early morning at age 92. I went to her calling hours on July 6 at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home and on July 7, I was a pall bearer at her funeral and burial. The funeral was at Barberton First Baptist Church (officiated by Mike Prebynski) and the burial was at Hillside Cemetery.
Both of these grandparents were World War II Army veterans (Grandpa was a Military Police and Grandma was a nurse) and both maintained sharp minds until the end. After Grandma Muffet and Grandma Webster died in 2004 and 2005, I would commonly say that my biological grandparents were deceased, since I was still able to call these two my grandparents.
In August, I took my second week of paid vacation from Acme. On Friday, Dad and I finally made it to Lawrence County, Ohio to see Grandpa Hanshaw's grave. It was Dad's first trip there since Grandpa's funeral in 1988 and my first trip there in general. It was a challenge finding the grave in the unincorporated cemetery, but when we did, it was so fulfilling. Grandpa was buried at Hecla Cemetery, but we also paid a visit to Zoar Cemetery, where his parents and other relatives were buried. The following day, Scott and I went to see the National Road Museum in Muskingham County. It was one of a handful of road trips that Scott and I made this year. We also visited three Ohio casinos, Cleveland's Horseshoe, Northfield's Hard Rock Rocksino (my favorite), and Austintown's Hollywood Casino, in addition to the Indians game.
I also went to my first editorial meeting at the Barberton Herald in August, which led to three articles. I've continued to write about one article per week. I enjoy working with the staff and have met many interesting people while conducting interviews. However, I work as a independent contractor and will continue to look for full-time work. In September, I applied for a position as Manager Trainee for Acme, but did not receive the job. I also attended a job fair at Kent State in October, which led to some additional interviews, although none successful.
Speaking of work and my current job at Acme, my co-worker Kathy Sharkey trained me to complete register and bulk candy-gum orders while she was on vacation. I did this the weeks of March 30, June 15, July 6, and August 3. On October 16, Acme opened a new location in Green and Kathy was transferred there a few weeks later, so I am now completing the orders on a weekly basis.
On September 20, I attended a wedding for BHS friend Stephanie Jerin and her new husband, Neil Laughlin. The wedding was at Unity Chapel in Tallmadge and the reception was at the SYB Hall in Stow. I was very nice and I got to see several BHS friends there. During the break between the wedding and reception, I spent time at a local bar with Cousin Rachel's husband, Ron Musilli, and a few of their friends.
In December, I attended a few Christmas parties, one at Matt D's new house and the usual Tarsis Christmas party, where I have my usual run-ins. Nikki hosted Easter and Thanksgiving for the first time in 2014, but Christmas stayed at Aunt Kathy's house. Christmas was a struggle this year, due to four family members being ill.
