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By Del Deduit | Local Happenings Healthcare workers are being appreciated and celebrated for the job they do every day. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, residents and patients in Scioto County have noticed how hard people in the healthcare field have worked to ensure the safety of others. Although most enter the industry to help, some admit it’s nice to be recognized. “To be honest, it’s been great to be showered with gifts and food lately,” Jessi Miller said. “But that’s not why we do this. But recently we have been thanked by everyone, and I have to admit I kind of like it.” Miller is a respiratory therapist at Southern Ohio Medical Center, and is on the front line in the fight against the coronavirus. Her patients are at high risk for catching the virus. The way she prepares for work now has changed over the past several weeks. New protocols mean she spends more time getting ready to enter a patient’s room to administer breathing treatments or other procedures related to respiratory diseases. “We are more cautious now about who and how we give treatments because it can increase the spread of the virus,” she said. “It’s just an adjustment we had to make for everyone’s safety.” Her job has also taken on a new role. Since visitors and family are not permitted to enter the room, some patients are lonely and need someone to talk with for a few moments. “We not only give medical support, but emotional support right now,” Miller added. “Some are suffering alone, and we make sure to spend more time with them and comfort them. The normal visit from me is now taking a little longer, and it’s okay." When the news of the virus was a potential threat at the beginning of the year, Dr. David Byers said SOMC put together a planning committee to meet the situation head on. Byers, who is the Senior Medical Director for Infectious Diseases, said the hospital was out ahead of the virus. “It’s been amazing how all of this has evolved,” he said. “In February, we had an inkling that this might be an issue in the hospital and with the local health department. I believe health officials and the community have been well-prepared.” Byers, who has been at SOMC since 2013, said residents of Scioto County have done a good job in obeying the social distancing guidelines, and that is one reason the county has seen fewer cases than most throughout Ohio. “We remain ready and vigilant, and we are in no way out of the woods yet,” he added. “There are plans in place to reopen businesses, and that has potential to increase the risk of exposure.” Byers is grateful to the supply chain for the hospital, and he said workers have never been without what they needed to do their jobs. “A big thank you goes out to them because we had--and have--what we need,” he said. “We had all the masks and gowns and cleaning supplies we needed, and that takes some pressure off.” One area that has been impacted by the stay-at-home suggestions are visits to the hospital for normal health issues or even emergencies. “We want to make sure that people who experience a health concern can still come in and get checked out by a provider,” he said. “Right now, we are seeing less volume of patients because some are cautious not to come. If they have a need, they should come in.” Miller and Byers both said their jobs have changed “dramatically” since the pandemic started. Both are committed to providing the best care they can give when patients need it the most. “It’s what we are trained to do,” Miller added. “When we get thanked, it’s nice, but we would do it anyway.” Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

By Del Duduit | Local Happenings The COVID-19 pandemic is taking its toll on the area businesses and communities all over the nation, but it will not keep local kids in Southern Ohio from going hungry. That is the mission of Mark and Virgie Hunter, who founded and operate Steven's Power Pack program under the umbrella of the Steven A Hunter Hope Fund. The fund was established in January of 2006, in memory of their son, Steven, who died suddenly at the age of 21 from an undetected heart disorder while he was at Milligan University in Tennessee. Steven was a 2003 graduate of Portsmouth High School and an accomplished tennis player. His smile and enthusiasm inspired those around him, and living by his strong Christian faith, he spent his life trying to encourage others; helping those in need, not only of resources, but also of friendship. His parents felt the need to keep his acts of kindness alive and help area students. Southern Ohio has its economic issues, and many students receive a state-funded lunch. The Power Pack Program sends backpacks full of food home for the weekend for more than 1,300 elementary students in the area including three surrounding counties of Scioto, Pike, and Adams. Now schools have been closed because of the virus for the remainder of the academic year and that has brought another challenge to Mark and Virgie. “In the beginning of this pandemic, I was worried about the mechanics of getting the power packs to the students, and I reached out to a few of the schools,” he said, “but they have all come up with different and unique ways to make sure the students get their food, and their power packs. They have been fantastic.” One aspect that Mark was concerned about was the FreeStore Foodbank in Cincinnati, which makes and delivers the power packs to Steven’s Hope Fund in Scioto County, about two hours away. “They had to shut down their packing operations as far as bringing in the large number of volunteers because of COVID-19” he said. “That was a big adjustment.” In early April, Mark, who works full time at the Hunter-Williams Insurance Agency, said he and some volunteers from Portsmouth City Schools and Lifepoint Church had to pack about two weeks-worth of power packs because of the shutdown. Some schools that could store a month’s supply were in good shape, but there were others who were out of the power packs. “We’ve been trying to get more food in to make things better for our kids,” he said. “But we know God always provides. It’s just been a challenge. One need that was met was when the Ohio National Guard delivered 34,000 pounds of extra food for students in Scioto County. That was a big answer to prayer,” he said. “They were very substantial, and each box had 30 to 35 pounds of food, in addition to their normal Power Packs.” The other area of concern that lingers in the back of Mark and Virgie’s minds will be donations for the foundation this year. The Steven A. Hunter Hope Fund is a non-profit charity that operates on faith. “All of our big annual events right now have all been canceled because of the pandemic,” Mark said. “It might be a rough year and I have looked at applying for some grants to help us through the next few months to offset the lack of fundraising.” People have recognized how important the Power Pack Program is to local schools, and some have stepped up to help. For example, The Friends of Portsmouth organization, which is home to Mark and Virgie, donated $10,000 to the cause. Others have stepped up to the plate. “That was such a blessing,” Mark said. “People will rise up and help a good cause.” He feels confident he will be able to stay focused through the middle of May, when school typically dismisses for the year. However, this has not been the typical school year. “We have never seen anything like this before and our mission is to make sure the kids enrolled in the power pack program stay fed,” he said, "There are a lot of hungry kids out there who need us". Mark and Virgie have poured their hearts into this foundation to honor their son. They have worked to ensure young children are fed when they go home for the weekend through the Power Pack program. They are determined not to let a pandemic stop their mission. What do you do to help those around you in need? If you want to help out with a financial contribution go to http://www.stevenshopefund.org Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings Mex-Itali is a local restaurant right here in West Portsmouth. Tim and Sherri Wheeler purchased the restaurant in 2002 from the original owners who started the business in 1968. With many items to choose from, Tim’s favorite menu item is their beef burrito (with lettuce, tomato, sourcream, and CC dip) and homemade carrot cake for dessert! Sherri’s favorite is their baked spaghetti, garlic bread, a deluxe salad (with red dressing) and no-bake cookies for her dessert! Their daughter, Viv, likes the chicken taco bowl (with chips and guacamole), homemade rolls (with whipped butter), and peanut butter pie for dessert! With their Tex-Mex and Italian themed restaurant, they make most of their food homemade. Their rolls, refried beans, spanish rice, spaghetti, carrot cake, and fettuccine sauce are just a few of their homemade items! During this time, their restaurant has been impacted by COVID just like many others in our county. When asked what the local support meant to them during this time they said, “We are grateful for the outpouring of local support.  It really does make a difference to the 26 employees who work at Mex-Itali.” The next time you're unsure of what to have for dinner, consider Mex-Itali for your meal! Check out their menu and hours here!

By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings Friends of Portsmouth is a local non-profit community development organization. Founded in 2018, their mission is to catalyze and organize progress and change in our community. They host various large events throughout the year bringing tens of thousands of people to the Historic Downtown Portsmouth District. They have hosted many events over the last couple of years. From their 4th of July celebration to Winterfest, they are bringing big change to the community. They also hosted the World Record Breaking Plant Portsmouth and the annual Portsmouth River Days. They have established the Town Ambassador Program that brings volunteers together in areas of downtown to help with cleanup of store fronts and specific areas. In the future, they will be hosting comedy nights, a “festifall” event. Festifall will include craft beerfest, chili cook-off, Glocktoberfest, a car show, and a plethora of family and kid-friendly events. They are always finding ways to collaborate with multiple organizations in and around the tri-state area. The River Days Queens are a part of the drive thru canned food drive that will last for 12 weeks, every Friday. Keep up with them on their social media pages! Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/friendsofportsmouth Instagram:  http://instagram.com/FRIENDSofPORTSMOUTH

Local Happenings Doc grew up in a small town in southern Ohio and after some brief schooling at Indiana and Purdue Universities and Moody Bible Institute, in the Chicago area. Afterwards, he moved to Pittsburgh, PA, to help grow one of the 100 fastest growing corporations in the USA accordingly to Inc. Magazine. While traveling four continents extensively as an Industrial Scientist, he shared a liquid metals refining process that he originated, to improve quality and production performance of ferrous metals worldwide. The process and its’ technology are used in virtually every vehicle produced on the planet today. Moreover, high quality steels utilize this technology extensively for a broad scope of high strength steel applications. Married to his lovely wife for over half a century together, they spawned three children who multiplied into nine living grandchildren. They now live back in southern Ohio where he produces videos, writes screenplays (some which have been produced and earned awards), writing blogs, short stories, and books, while also enjoying the reading, the great outdoors, and traveling.

By Doc Dimento | Local Happenings The year was around 1951. It must have been around 11.00AM.  There was a hushed scurry around the Delaney household on this abnormally hot June day.  Mother was busy stuffing articles into a large bag and Gram (short name for Grandma Delaney) was scurrying in the kitchen preparing sandwiches and packing them carefully into a brown paper bag.  As a four year old, the situation made me anxious. On an adverse side, ‘Were we moving?’ I thought.  Or, on a favorable side, ‘Were we again taking a care package to someone in need?’  When I’d asked what was going on, mother had simply looked at me with a scorn and held her finger to her mouth to ‘BE QUIET!’ in a sneaky quiet sort of way.  I remember being anxious.  I didn’t like surprises, for they often meant pain and sorrow. In fact, this was the most mysterious thing I’d seen happen in our household yet. Little did I know that the surprise would soon be over as mother grabbed my small pint sized hand of four as we slipped out the door in a scurry.  As we stepped off the porch to the sidewalk to Eleventh Street, Mother yelled back at Grampy (great-grandpa Ulysses Grant Wheeler; yes of the Wheelers’ that founded Wheelers Mills, or more commonly today Wheelersburg), “See you in a little bit grandpa,” to which he responded, “Whaaaa?”  Like me the poor ole feller just couldn’t hear well, a common side effect of working at a steel mill, him the coke ovens of Detroit Steel Corporation in New Boston. The walk that hot morning seemed like an eternity to my short little legs, although it really wasn’t that far from our house on Eleventh Street, in the Williams Shoe factory area where mom worked.  Cars passed by in both directions as we scurried quickly down eleventh in the direction of New Boston.  My little heart raced as Gram and Mom exchanged words of how they had saved the money for this day.  So, whatever it was that we were going to do cost money, something that our house struggled to find those years that followed the Great War, World War II. Grampy was born during the Civil War, his Dad serving as an Ensign, and my Grandpa Harry H. Delaney serving in infantry during World War I.  My father in World War II, and me; well would it be World War III or like my Uncle Donald (mom’s brother) some place like Korea at Pork Chop Hill where he served as a Second Lieutenant.  Yes, a family of serving patriots from Scioto County.  Well, I digress, back to the anxious moments. As Gram and Mom pointed and rushed their conversation, in the distance I saw it.  On the left side of 11th were these tall light towers sticking up in the sky from a fenced area.  ‘Wow!’ I remember thinking.  ‘What was this place?’ As we approached the complex my heart began to rush with excitement, even though I still had no clue where we were going; plus, sweat began to run down my face as we seemed to be picking up the pace in a rush to go to this somewhere. Then all at once, I saw it!  Two large light poles stood erect high into the sky.  I could hardly believe that we were going to get to go to this place that my grandpa used to point at it, as we passed by touting, ‘Don’t fret Violet, one day we’ll get to go there.’  Grandma thought that every child should get to experience going to that place at least once in their lifetime.  And guess what, today it appeared we were going too.  My heart raced, no longer from the rush of this hurried walk, but from the excitement. As we passed in front of the place heading to the side entrance, the smell of chlorine was strong.  Even from Eleventh, I could see that the two shinny metal light poles jetted up from two concrete islands inside this gigantic pool of water.  Wow!  The water looked so sky blue and inviting that I wanted to strip down and dive in, if I could even dive. At the front of the large Pavilion, Mom and Gram had to show membership cards, since this was a private club.  After having done so, we rushed into change rooms where we all changed into bathing clothes.  Scurrying out the side door, in front of us was a large pool of water that, to my small eyes, looked like an ocean or lake.  People were everywhere.  There were screams of excitement, the sounds of water splashing as people dove in from the sidewalk or high diving boards, and from people in the fields that surrounded the place yelling as they engaged in various outdoor activities.  If I’d had time, I would have cried, but I couldn’t wait get in that water! The large pond of water was definitely the size of a football field.  In fact, today — over half a century later — I’ve never seen a pool that big.  The water was clean, more than clean, it was immaculate. The grounds that surrounded the pool made for a large park with picnic tables, lots of room to sun, play softball, punch beach balls into the air, play badminton, volleyball, run, play tag, and well anything one could imagine in their heads to be an outdoor fun, it was all there. The Pavilion had food, a restaurant, other forms of entertainment and if I squint my eyes, I swear I can even remember a shuffle board.  Really?  I do believe so.  There was one thing missing though, sadness and anxiety.  I mean, I think there was some kind of rule against it.  Really; I mean it.  There was this large white painted board with a lot of black print on it and there had to be a rule on it that said, ‘NO ANXIETY OR SADNESS PERMITTED’ because that whole summer running to Dreamland Pool and Park, is perhaps one of the sweetest memory of my early childhood.  There wasn’t even a moment of sadness, depression, or anxiety. Folks, I am here to tell you that Dreamland Pool and Park was named appropriately, for it was truly a Dreamland . . and . . to get to experience it, was a Dream Come True!  Wished you too could have experienced it.  By the way, in my next installment of ‘Reminisce,’ I promise not to be so windy.  Da Doc :-) Doc Dimento grew up in a small town in southern Ohio. He moved to Pittsburg, PA to help build one of the fastest growing corporations in the United States . He later moved back home with his wife, and is now producing videos, writes screenplays, writing blogs, short stories, and books. Find out more about him on Facebook.

By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings Chillicothe Street is home to a pub that takes you to another country. Resembling pubs in Ireland and England, Port City Pub is a restaurant welcoming the entire community to take part in its' experience. They are the only place in town where you can always get Guinness on a nitrogen tap, which is the proper way to serve it! Aaron and Nancy Prose bought the pub in August of 2016. They took over the business as soon as the previous owner put it up for sale. They had their eyes on it for a while, and jumped at the opportunity to make it their own. While they have a variety of menu items, Nancy’s favorite is their Irish Bookmaker. This item consists of ham, pepperoni, cheddar-cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and their house-made red dressing. Aaron’s favorite menu item is their Southwest Salad, with deli turkey, cheddar-jack cheese, with Southwest Ranch on top. Port City Pub, like all other restaurants, have been impacted by COVID-19. When asked what the local support meant to them during this time, they said “We have always been extremely grateful for how supportive the community has been to us, but there are simply no words to express how meaningful and heartwarming the community’s continued support is during this trying time.” The next time you are not sure what to have for dinner, check out Port City Pub on our website. With the new hours, carry-out options, and their menu right at your fingertips, you can easily plan your next meal! Visit https://www.localhappenings.net/portsmouthrestaurants/Port-City-Pub today!

Del Duduit is an award-winning freelance writer, blogger, and author from Lucasville, OH.  He is represented by Cyle Young, Hartline Literary Agency. He is the author of Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful (2018, BY Books) Bengal Believer: 40 Who-Dey-Votions for the Cincinnati Faithful (2019 BY Books) Dugout Devotions: Inspirational Hits from MLB’s Best, (2019, New Hope Publishers) and First Down Devotions; Inspirations from NFL’s Best (2019, New Hope Publishers). As a former sports writer, he won both Associated Press and Ohio Prep Sports writing awards. In the fall of 2016, Del began concentrating more seriously on his passion for writing and building his platform.  His weekly blog appears at delduduit.com, and his posts have been retweeted to as many as five million followers through social media across the United States and in two other continents. Del’s articles have appeared in Athletes in Action, Clubhouse Magazine, OhioStatehousenews.com, Sports Spectrum, The Portsmouth Daily Times, The Sports Column, One Christian Voice, The Christian View Online Magazine, and Portsmouth Metro Magazine. His blogs have appeared on One Christian Voice and its national affiliates across the country, on ToddStarnes.com and on Almost an Author and The Write Conversation. In 2020, Del and his agent will release Michigan Motivations, and he will also release Bama Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Roll Tide Faithful, and Auburn Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Tiger Faithful, from New Hope Publishers. Then in 2021, he will release three more devotional books. In November 2017, he was named Outstanding Author, 1st Place in Short Non-Fiction, and 1st Place in Inspirational at the Ohio Christian Writers Conference. He also won a 1st Place Blue Seal Award in non-fiction at the 2018 Ohio Christian Writers Conference. In 2019, Buckeye Believer: 40 Days of Devotions for the Ohio State Faithful, won second place in the Selah Awards for Best Devotional at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. His book, First Down Devotions: Inspirations from NFL’s Best was nominated as a finalist in the devotional category for the Selah Awards. He is a junior literary agent with C.Y.L.E. and a member of the Serious Writer, Inc. team. He and his wife Angie live in Lucasville, Ohio and attend Rubyville Community Church.

By Del Duduit | Local Happenings Ohio State Representative Brian Baldridge has a unique perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down most of the nation, including his state. Baldridge, a Republican from Adams County, is not only a legislator in his first term, but is also a firefighter and paramedic. He was a four-term county commissioner in office during the national economic downturn in 2008. His experience, he believes, will guide him to help his constituents get through this current situation. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was one of the first in the nation to shut down his state, and is being credited with getting ahead of the virus that has spread all over the world. However, as a result, many people have had to close their businesses, and the number of people filing for unemployment have skyrocketed. “This is certainly new territory,” he said on Good Friday, “but we did see how the economic recession in ‘08 affected our communities. For some, it was devastating. When we get past this, we will already know how to work with the local governments to help them and better assist our citizens.” Baldridge represents the 90th District, which includes all of Adams, Scioto and a portion of Lawrence County. He was appointed by the Ohio Speaker of the House to serve on the Economic Recovery Task Force and will examine ways to help Buckeyes get back on their feet as soon as possible. “We will discuss the economy with business owners and leaders to find a new direction in helping bring everyone together and help each other,” he said. “This is our opportunity to move forward to help local communities and businesses lift themselves out of this financial problem.” From a first responder standpoint, Baldridge said he is more aware than ever about making sure he takes precautions to protect himself, his family, and his friends. “This is a very serious time in our nation, state and community,” he added. “This pandemic has changed me and how I do business. I am more safety cautious, and I make sure that I don’t wear the same clothes I had on at the fire department at home. When I make my transition toward home, I disinfect and make sure I don’t bring anything potentially dangerous to anyone.” Schools in the area remain closed, and students are either learning online or from their parents. One area Baldridge said he will focus on as soon as possible is to put an emphasis to make broadband available to all Ohioans. “A lot of my district is rural, and there are some people who don’t have access to broadband,” he said. “A big portion of my district has people who are off the grid and cannot work at the same speed because of this, and it’s not a good situation. We don’t want anyone to fall behind because they don’t have broadband, especially students and people who are encouraged to work from home.” School districts are doing all they can to ensure students have what they need to complete assigned work", he added, "but they are limited if there is no broadband access." “Many districts are providing hard copies to students, and that’s great because they are doing their best,” he said, “but every student needs broadband access, and we are going to look at this issue right away.” He added the current situation is a trying time in Ohio and the nation, but it’s also a good opportunity to connect with people who are close to each other. “We are going to get through this,” he said. “And we will be wiser and stronger. But I am a firm believer in my faith, and this is a time to rely on friends and family and grow closer and stronger. That’s one big thing I see coming out of all this.” Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

By Del Duduit | Local Happenings Terry Johnson is a medical doctor, a veteran of combat, and a lawmaker in Ohio. He is a Colonel (ret) Senior Flight Surgeon in the Ohio Army National Guard. Johnson served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Kuwait, and has seen the ravages of war up close. The McDermott, Ohio native has served on medical and humanitarian missions in Panama and Ecuador, and on military and diplomatic missions in Serbia. He is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine of nearly 30 years and now serves the people of the 14th district in the Ohio Senate. He has witnessed many historic events throughout his years of service, but even he admits he has never seen anything like the coronavirus pandemic. The Covid 19 virus is a pandemic taking lives all over the world and shutting down economies. “These are extraordinary days,” he said. “This is something people may never see again for the next 100 years.” Quick action by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and his team might have saved many lives when this ordeal is over and after statistics roll in to be counted. DeWine was one of the first governors to close restaurants and other businesses across his state to slow the spread of the virus, and he urged social distancing. His decisions are now being applauded, while some were skeptical at first. “I despise armchair quarterbacks who criticize decisions people make, especially our leaders,” Johnson said. “The governor is setting the tone for Ohio, and he has a good heart and a genuine concern for people.” The decisions were part of a strategy geared toward keeping the virus from spreading until there is a vaccine, or when it tampers down. Unlike the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus in 2003 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) virus in 2014, this Covid 19 acts differently. “This got out of hand in China and spread fast,” Johnson said. “And now it has spread all over the world and come into the United States, and into Ohio.” The Coronavirus is highly mobile, according to Johnson, and cannot travel unless the host is also mobile. “It goes nowhere if we go nowhere,” he added. “That is why leaders encourage us to stay put for a while in our homes. Isolation is good from a healthcare standpoint, but there is a huge price to pay economically, but that is secondary when it comes to our health. This is unlike anything I’ve seen before.” As a past state representative and now senator, Johnson is aware of the financial toll shutting down government might have on the residents of Ohio. “It’s a risk/benefit thing we have here,” he said. “We have to keep people alive first – that is the main goal. But Ohio does not print money, and we have to watch the budget closely because you cannot stop this economy and expect us to continue.” The next several days will be key, Johnson said, and he receives daily updates and pays attention to what DeWine and President Trump have to say. “We could come out of this quickly,” he said. “We don’t know if this virus will continue as we approach summer when most influenza tampers down. There is a lot of uncertainty right now. But Americans are resilient, and I believe this economy is spring-loaded to roar back.” Johnson noted that while Ohioans and Americans are home, now is a wonderful opportunity to examine oneself because time is available. “What a great time to sit with your family and talk to them or sit with your pet that misses you all day when you go to work,” he said. “It’s a great time to recharge spiritually and read the Bible like I do as a Christian.” He added that the primary defense the human body has against diseases is its own immune system. “What a great time to start thinking about not smoking because smokers are at a greater risk of most diseases,” he said. “What a great time to shift from carbonated beverages to good clean water. And what a great time to eat better and think about planting a garden.” He added that people can take advantage of time at home to get out in the yard and exercise or try to slip away from pharmaceuticals that assist with sleeping. “This is the perfect time to examine yourself and think about getting well spiritually, respect yourself, forgive yourself and others, and the perfect time to reach out and help a neighbor,” he said. Johnson also urged people to call the local board of elections. request an absentee ballot, and vote before April 28. The Ohio primary was shut down because of the pandemic, but residents who are registered can still vote. There will be no in-person voting this primary, so the only way to vote will be via absentee. “This is our greatest right and privilege we have as Americans, and we need to take advantage of this opportunity to vote,” he added. “Ohio and America will come through this battle, and we will be stronger than ever.” Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings Local Happenings proudly presents Restaurant of the Week! This is our way of highlighting local restaurants in the community and giving them a chance to tell their story. For this week, we have chosen Pattis & Pints of Portsmouth, Ohio! "Located on the corner of 2nd and Court, sits a restaurant that takes you back to the days of prohibition. Patties & Pints resembles a speakeasy featuring craft beers and burgers. Owners Tim Wolfe and Brian Listerman wanted Patties and Pints to add to the renaissance effect that 2nd Street portrays. Their personal favorite menu items are their deep fried banana peppers and of course, the burgers. Patties & Pints has been voted the best burger in southern Ohio, as well as the most taps (50) south of Columbus!" "COVID-19 has taken a toll on their orders. Your support is everything to them. They built Patties and Pints for our community, and now they are staying alive because of the community’s support. Consider grabbing a delicious burger, or taking one of their craft beers to go for your next meal. You won’t be disappointed." Be sure to check out Pattis & Pints on Facebook! #LH #LocalHappenings #LHCommunityFirstInitiative #PortsmouthStrong