This Sunday is “National Grandparents Day.” This holiday has been celebrated in the United States since 1978 and is always observed the first Sunday after Labor Day. Two separate U.S. individuals crusaded tirelessly for the holiday with purely altruistic (unselfish) motives. Their intentions were to educate people of the important contributions senior citizens made and that they would still be willing to make if asked. It was hoped that each of us would adopt a grandparent for the lifetime experience it would fulfill. It was never meant as a day for material giving, rather a reminder that we are social beings of value, with insight and wisdom and that our interaction with people of different ages and stages can enrich our lives and we can enrich the lives of others.
The forget-me-not flower has become the symbol of this holiday. Typically schools promote Grandparents Day with assembly programs, card making, etc. but we adults should attempt to visit a relative, neighbor or perhaps introduce ourselves to someone in a care facility and create a lasting relationship.
Most of us over 50 remember visiting our grandparents regularly on Sunday afternoons, as well as at family celebrations; picnics, first communions, graduations, etc. But today more than 13 million children live with their grandparents (185,469 in Ohio, plus another 42,393 who live with other relatives as of 2017). One in 4 grandparents help pay for their grandchildren’s medical and dental expenses and more than 2.7 million grandparents are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. These families are now known as grandfamilies.
The amount of children being raised by their grandparents has been increasing steadily for the past 40 years, doubling the amount of households in 2010 when compared to 1970. Contributors to this rise includes: poverty from unwed pregnancies, divorce, substance abuse and subsequent death of a grandchild’s parent.
Statistically, 21 percent of the grandparents have incomes that fall below the poverty line and 36 percent of the grandparents have been raising their grandchildren for more than 5 years. This has reached epidemic proportions with over ¼ of the foster care system comprising of children who are placed with another relative and families that have a grandparent raising a grandchild saves taxpayers over $6 billion (that’s $6,000,000,000) each year because they are kept out of the foster system.
Even 30 percent of children under the age of 5 with working mothers are cared for on a regular basis by grandparents. And grandparents are using their retirement savings to afford primary and secondary education tuition of their grandkids. As a result of the financial burden placed on grandparents there are now some resources and protection laws in place. For a list of state by state resources and statistics check out http://www.grandfamilies.org/State-Fact-Sheets
On the brighter side: Hunter was 4 years old and was staying with his grandfather for a few days. He’d been playing outside with the other kids, when he came into the house and asked, “Grandpa, what’s that called when two people sleep in the same bedroom and one is on top of the other?”
His Grandpa was a little taken aback, but he decided to tell him the truth. “Well, Hunter, it’s called lovemaking.” “Oh,” Little Hunter said, “OK,” and went back outside to play with the other kids.
A few minutes later he came back in and said angrily, “Grandpa, it isn’t called lovemaking. It’s called Bunk Beds. And Jimmy’s mom wants to talk to you.”
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Tonight the Boys Golf team competes against Russia beginning at 4 p.m. and the Girl’s Golf team plays against Ft. Loramie beginning at 4:30 p.m., both matches are at Stillwater Golf Course. Also tonight the Varsity Football team brings Coldwater to Hole Field beginning at 7:30 p.m. This is also Military Appreciation night.
Monday, September 10, the Girls Golf team competes against St. Johns beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Stillwater Golf Course and Versailles Volleyball team plays Celina at VHS beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 11, the VHS Cross Country will participate in the Ft. Loramie Invitational, then Tuesday evening the Darke County Right to Life will be giving a presentation on euthanasia from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the K of C Hall, 8440 State Rt. 47, Versailles. This is an important legal topic within our government today. I encourage you to learn more about euthanasia and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care documentation. This event is open to the public.
Wednesday, September 12, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the VHS Band room there will be rehearsal for any adult aged musician that would like to join the Versailles Community Band. For more information contact Betsy Hoelscher at [email protected].
Thursday, September 13, the Boys Golf team plays Ft. Recovery at 4 p.m. at Stillwater Golf Course and the Versailles Volleyball team plays New Knoxville at VHS beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Happy 99th birthday to Cyril Frantz, also birthday wishes to Louise Grilliot (95), Jerome Kemper (89), Selena Barga (2), Huxley Murphy (2), Ezra Quatman (2), Jane Pierron, Carolyn Armstrong, Karen Holsapple, Chris Lennon, Carol Frey, Benita Jenkinson, Oliver Brunswick, Michelle Fortkamp, Dawn Petitjean, Karen Platfoot, Savannah Maxwell, Charlie Hartzell, Jessica Smith, Vivian Huwer, Betty Pothast, Vickie Barhorst, Jennifer Mertz, Amy Rismiller, Chloe and Grace Francis, Leah Schmitmeyer, Linda Grisez, Alex Boerger, Jim Kelch, Miriam Poling, Brian Collins, Ben Klipstine, Nikki Roll, Lynn Gerling, Elijah Miller, Natalie Hite, Sarah Rhoads, Mary (Leggs) Francis, Jacob Grow, Christina Bowersock, Leigh Fletcher, Matt Mangen, Wyatt Murphy, Roger Bey, Julie Strait, Scott Langston, Bill Pohlman, Elaine Marshall, Jean Worden, Scott Mumaw, Mike Fourman, Jody Curtis, Elaine Peck, Bill Rindler, Anne Cox, Connie Harshbarger, and Kristina Stout as well as, anniversary wishes to Lori and Jeff Zirkle (4), Kat and Jeff Unger (10), Netti and John Worden, Natalie and Craig Bruns (20), Barbara and Tom Sanderson (23), Tammy and Bryan Shafer (24), Cathy and Scott Peters (25), Carla and Mike Drees (28), Julie and Kevin Didier (29), Jenny and Tom Crandall (29), Kathy and Carl Bensman (29), Cindy and Jeff Langston (31), Deb and Les Ward (31), Doris and Bob Goubeaux (38), Sue and Pastor Dennis Mohler (40), Pam and Michael Beisner (40), Marg and Rick DeMange (40), Joyce and Joe Magoteaux (40), Cindy and Joe DeMange (41), Deb and Fred Bruns (42), Carol and Mike William (44), Karen and Eldon Schultz (45), Mary Lou and Jim Nerderman (48), Linda and Pastor Wilson (49), Rosie and Dean Derr (51), Alma and Louis May (53), Ethel and Carl McEldowney, Norma and Lester Monnin (54), and Joann and Jerry Wilker (59). This is a special hello to Maureen McCabe, Patricia Wilkey, and Jake Monnin and his breakfast club buddies.
Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Jerilyn Monnin, Cayla Batten, Lori Skinner, Fr. John White, Holly Finnarn, Susie Hileman, Kellie Gehret, Shirley Tapp, Becca Pohl Liette, Dean Kreitzer, Elaine Brown, Jim Kelch, Karen Hilgefort, Scarlet Unrast, Tami Russell, Jenni Meyer, John Brandt, Donna Apple, Marcia Davidson, Alice Luthman, Michelle Sherman, Richard Pierron, Miriam Harman, Patricia Borchers, Bob Miller, Iona Gariety, Loretta Bey, Steve Bey, Aiden Myers, Betty Brown, Claire Owens, Angie Keiser, Jerry Paulus, Cyril Frantz, Jack Borgerding, Alvira Marchal, Earl Gigandet, Ruth Wirrig, Marge Prakel, Mary Batty, Dave Magoto, Norma Magoto, Betty Kremer, Virginia Smith, Anabelle Subler, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Eileen Rahm, Samantha Smith and those not mentioned by name who are recuperating, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers.
Please join in extending your heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of Gary Berger (57), Kay Riffle (80), Thelma Rhoades (90), George Klipstine (93) also remembering Janet Mae Bey, John Thiebeau, Richard Mescher, Mary Ann Wendel, Martha Carine, James Monnin, Mary Ruth Lewis, Joe Slonkosky, Agnes Heintz, Samuel Wuebker, Rachel Jones, Patricia DeMange, Cindra Fleenor, Emily Timmerman, Bryan Schlater, Patrick Grieshop, Cory Michael, Stacy Mortensen, Gary Shafer, Tom Foley, John P. Simons, Tom Meiring, Scott Shappie, Ruth Goubeaux and all our friends and family not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing nears.
“A Grandparent’s love never grows old” ~C. Edwards
“Those who have no grandparents lose very much.” ~Spanish proverb
“A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.” ~Unknown
