🎃 Giant gourd rivalry

Good morning, Pickaway County. A 70-pound difference is all that separates Ray Anderson and his daughter Stacey Cowdery in their friendly pumpkin-growing rivalry at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Their massive gourds, aptly nicknamed the "Twisted Sisters," represent different cultivation approaches but share the same genetics—Ray generously shared his prized seeds with Stacey after last year's challenging growing season. Beyond bragging rights, this father-daughter competition has cultivated something far more valuable: cherished memories that will outlast even the most impressive pumpkin.

Meanwhile, the community mourns Kenny Lang, a 74-year-old Circleville resident whose passion for drag racing and ability to make instant friends left an indelible mark on those who knew him. In education news, a significant development for Ohio teachers has unfolded as a Franklin County judge temporarily blocked changes to the State Teachers Retirement System board that would have dramatically reduced educator representation, preserving teachers' voices in their own retirement decisions.

🌤 Sky Skoop

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Ashville

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South Bloomfield

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🎃 Father-daughter duo battle for pumpkin supremacy at Circleville festival. Ray Anderson and his daughter Stacey Cowdery are competing against each other with giant pumpkins nicknamed the "Twisted Sisters" at the annual Circleville Pumpkin Show. After a challenging growing season with heavy rains, Anderson gave his daughter one of his saved seeds from last year, setting up a friendly rivalry where they're currently separated by just 70 pounds. The pair used slightly different growing techniques—Ray trimmed one main vine while Stacey let hers grow naturally—but both pumpkins are tracking closely in size and appearance. Beyond the competition for bragging rights, the experience has created lasting memories between father and daughter.

🏁 Kenny Lang's warm heart and love of racing left a legacy. The 74-year-old Circleville resident passed away on September 22nd at Brown Memorial Home after a lifetime working in offset printing. Kenny was an avid racing enthusiast who once drag raced a Ford Anglia, and also enjoyed collecting coins, guns, fishing, and hunting. Survived by his wife of 44 years, JoAnne, four children, and his brother, Kenny was remembered for his jokes, caring nature, and ability to make instant friends with anyone he met. No viewing or services will be held following his cremation.

🏫 Ohio judge halts controversial change to teacher retirement board. A Franklin County judge has temporarily blocked a state budget provision that would drastically reduce educator representation on the State Teachers Retirement System board. The contested change would replace elected teacher seats with political appointees, cutting educator-chosen members from seven to just three. Representative Sean Patrick Brennan, a retired teacher himself, argues this undermines the voice of those who spent careers contributing to the system. The provision was added to the state budget at the last minute, raising concerns about transparency and the potential politicization of retirement decisions affecting thousands of Ohio educators.

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