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LEBANON — Warren County Genealogical Society celebrated its 27th anniversary with a banquet on April 16 at Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement Center.

With 61 members and guests in attendance, eight society members were inducted into First Families of Warren County, honoring their ancestors who settled in Warren County before 1821 and one member was inducted into Early Settlers of Warren County honoring his ancestor who settled in Warren County before 1883.

The ceremony, conducted by chairperson Mary Everhart of West Chester Twp., inducted the following members:

• Emily Ann Hills Aasted of Santa Barbara, Calif., who honored her ancestors Jeremiah Cory (1801) and John Eddy (1818) who settled in Turtlecreek Twp.

• James Earl Sheets of Fort Myers, Fla., who honored his ancestors, Samuel Sheets and John Sheets who settled in Clearcreek Twp. in 1819 and Susan and Jacob Sellers who settled in Turtlecreek Twp. in 1813 and 1809.

Sheets was represented by four generations of his family — his mother, Margaret Sheets, sister Lori (Sheets) Cook, daughter Sara Sheets Sinclair and grandson, Henry Augustus Sheets Sinclair.

• Craig Bell Anderson of Centerville and his children, Molly Jo, Ellen Ashley and Eric Robert honored their ancestor, Kenneth Anderson who settled in Franklin Twp. in 1817.

They were represented at the banquet by Kenneth's mother-in-law, Peggy B. Straughen of Centerville.

• Steven Lee Welton of Lincoln, Neb., was present to honor his ancestors, Solomon and John Welton plus Elizabeth and Jonathan Tullis who settled in Turtlecreek Twp. from 1806-18.

• Sandra Marie Warren of Seattle, Wash., who honored her ancestors Benjamin Dodds and John Dodds who settled in Turtlecreek Twp in 1799 and 1806.

• Elmer Kenneth Miller of Cumming, Ga., who honored his ancestor Solomon Miller who settled in Clearcreek Twp. in 1864.

Musical ministry to play at River of Hope

WAYNESVILLE — There will be a New River flowing through the River of Hope when Grammy-nominated Karen Peck and New River perform in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 10, at River of Hope Ranch near Waynesville.

Karen Peck and New River will bring their moving musical ministry to River of Hope Ranch, a Christian nonprofit organization offering mental health counseling to children and adolescents using a unique and innovative tool — horses.

In 2007, Karen Peck and New River's "A Journey of Joy" CD was nominated for a Grammy award.

Tickets for this special evening are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are on sale at Books 'N' More in Wilmington and Wilmington Christian Book Store. Tickets also will be on sale at River of Hope Ranch 90 minutes prior to the concert. For more information, call (937) 383-4109.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit River of Hope, which is located at Cross Creek Stables, 7565 North U.S. 42, near Waynesville.

To find out more about

River of Hope Ranch, visit

www.riverofhoperanch.org.

Deadline approaches for pride day event

WEST CARROLLTON — The last day to request assistance for the West Carrollton

Community Pride Day on May 17 is Tuesday, May 13.

"It is a way for local residents to help elderly or disabled residents in the community with outside jobs that they might not be able to complete on their own," City Beautiful Commission chairperson Stephanie Iiams said.

To request help, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (937) 859-5181.

Approximately 10-20 homes usually receive assistance during the event. Volunteers also help plant flowers in beds on Central Avenue and around the Civic Center.

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