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Local News

Saturday, October 24, 2009

BGSU honors Findlay man
Fruth's Sugar House Greenhouse
By MARGARET DWIGGINS

Family Editor

BOWLING GREEN -- Amanda Hills thinks her grandfather, Bruce Hills of Findlay, is an extraordinary man. The folks at Bowling Green State University think so, too.

Today, during the football game against Central Michigan University, Amanda will accept BGSU's Parent of the Year award on behalf of her grandfather.

Obviously, the award is not intended to honor a grandparent, but Amanda says it's recognition her grandfather well deserves.

"He took me in when I was 4, so I consider him my mother and my father," she said.

Amanda, 23, a Findlay High School graduate and now a senior at BGSU, nominated Bruce, 77, in gratitude for all he has done for her. She wrote a nomination letter (see related story) praising him.

"He didn't have to take me in, he'd already raised three children and he didn't have to raise another one, but he did," she said this week.

Amanda enjoys a good relationship with her mother, Amy Kortan, but said her mother was going through a tough time when Amanda was a young girl and Bruce stepped in to help.

"He used to baby-sit me while my mother went to work. It was hard for him to have to leave me and hard for me to leave him, we were so close," she said. Eventually, Bruce assumed the role of full-time caregiver.

Bruce and Amanda's grandmother were divorced, so Bruce juggled the demands of working and taking care of Amanda on his own. Bruce worked at the YMCA for many years and then as a baby-sitter.

"He would take me every day to school and pick me up, and then I would go to the YMCA every day," she said.

Amanda said she and her grandfather never had much, but Bruce provided her with everything she needed. And he was generous with others, too.

"He made sure I had food and then he'd give the rest of his money to the neighbor," she said.

Although they lived frugally, Bruce made Amanda's education a priority.

"He set up a savings account for me to go to college when I was 4, and when I graduated high school he presented me with a savings account so I was able to go to college. He's just been more than what I could have ever expected out of a parent, he's always put everyone before him. He's just an extraordinary guy ... words aren't sufficient."

Until just recently, Bruce was working for LaRiche Toyota but retired because of health problems.

"He was working full-time so I could go to college," Amanda said.

Amanda, an art history major, said she plans to pursue a doctorate after graduation and become a professor.

This summer, Bruce's health deteriorated and he was hospitalized for several weeks. He is now living at St. Catherine's Care Center, where his daughter Amy is employed and regularly sees him. Bruce will be unable to attend this weekend's festivities.

Amanda will accept Bruce's Parent of the Year award from BGSU President Carol Cartwright and will attend a brunch Sunday.

Dwiggins: 419-427-8477

Send an e-mail to Margaret Dwiggins


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1 Comment

Tamara wrote:
Mr. Hill
“ This is a very warm and touching story. I grew up in Findlay, and as a child (which was 30 yrs ago) Mr Hill lived not too far down the street from my family. He was always offering my parents to take us kids to different places around town. Mainly I remember that they were parades, which may sound small, but to a kid it was magical! We didn't always get to go, but the times we did, were memorable. I haven't seen or talked to Mr. Hill since then, and he may not even remember me....but I remember him, and he is very deserving of this award! Congrats to Mr. Hill, his granddaughter, and family! ”
Saturday, October 24, 2009 11:39:32 AM
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Lauger's Carpet One
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.