Once Upon a Time in Sandusky

Time flies by and much is soon forgotten. But the newspapers carry on.  Here you will find stories and articles that were in the newspapers of days gone by. Be sure to stop by again and see what's been going on Once Upon a Time in Sandusky.    

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(From the Greensburg Daily News 1978) 

Pitts Older Hoosier State Contest Entry

By Bob Hyle

 Orville Pitts, president of the Senior Citizens of Decatur County was named winner of the county portion of the Indiana Older Hoosier of the Year Award.

Pitts received  a plaque Tuesday evening at the monthly dinner meeting of the Senior Citizens Group at the Parks and Recreation Building from Parks Director Bob Barker.

Pitts was born in Fleming County, KY. In 1921 he moved to Sandusky where he taught school for 22 years. Later, he became principle and served a total of 41 years in the education field.

In the past, he served as supervisor of  baseball and softball programs in Clinton Township and worked with the 4-H groups. He is a member of the Sandusky Methodist Church and has continued to teach Sunday School classes there for several years.

He received the Meritorious Teacher Award in the field of Industrial Art Education and he has served two years as president of the Decatur County Retired Teachers.

Pitts was treasurer of the Decatur County Senior Citizens and is now president of the organization. He has been president of the County Council on Aging. At the present time he serves on the executive board on the State Council on Aging.

In Oct of 1977, Pitts received an Older American Award from Gov. Otis Bowen for his work with Aged and Aging.

Mr. Pitts also serves on the County Housing Authority, the Board of Directors of the Housing for the Elderly, and the Decatur County Cancer Board.

Pitts was married to Evelyn Volz in 1939 and she dies in June of 1977. A son, Eugene, is a third generation teacher.

The criteria for this award are that the person must be at least 60 years old and a resident of Indiana. The amount of community and professional involvement before and after the candidate reaches the age of 60 and what that person has done during the last year.

One other guideline is that the person picked for this honor represent to the public the pleasures and challenges of retirement living. Orville Pitts is a fine example of that in Decatur County.