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Local News

Saturday, October 24, 2009

BGSU honors Findlay man
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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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.