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* Students at the Smoot Theatre's 2025 Camp Vaudeville are continuing a tradition that has been a favorite for local theater enthusiasts for 34 years. Children in grades three through twelve learn about the art of Vaudeville theater and get to become actors in their own original show. It is yet another of the many arts opportunities available to young people here in the Mid-Ohio Valley that we must not take for granted. We are fortunate here. "If we won't do these things for the children today, there won't be an audience tomorrow," said Felice Jorgeson, head volunteer at the Smoot. With a stepping stone as fun and interesting as Camp Vaudeville, young people are certain not only to become lovers of the arts, but perhaps performers themselves. It is an education that will benefit them the rest of their lives.
* It took a while, but the North Bend Rail Trail has yet another reason for visitors to enjoy the section near Walker, with the Walker Comfort Station finished at mile marker 14.1. With a picnic shelter, fire ring, bear-proof trash can and horse tie-outs, there is a place to stop and enjoy the trail's surroundings after a process that has taken more than a decade to complete. The original application for grant funding was in 2014. But persistence paid off and the comfort station is just one of many projects always in motion to improve users' experience on the trail. Well done, folks.