Sue Adams keeps Deersville and Holloway connected through community columns

For more than a decade, readers of The Harrison News-Herald have turned to the Deersville and Holloway columns to stay up to date on small-town happenings, thanks to the dedication of one woman who has made community storytelling her mission.

Since about 2014, longtime Cadiz resident Sue Adams has been reporting on both villages in an effort to keep readers informed of events, celebrations and milestones.

“The correspondent that was writing for Deersville wasn’t putting any news into the paper,” she said. “So I would type items and send it to the paper for them to add to her column. Finally, she called me and asked if I just wanted to take over, so I did. She was caring for family and just didn’t have the time.”

From penning letters to family scattered across Canada, Germany, Guam and the U.S. to writing for her high school paper and her role at American Electric Power, writing is second nature to Adams.

Her roots span several Ohio counties. Born in Belmont County, she lived in Holloway for much of her childhood before moving to Portage and Stark counties after the death of her parents. In 1969, family members in Cadiz encouraged her to apply at Ohio Power, and she was hired. That job launched a 41-year career with AEP, where she worked in multiple offices before retiring in 2010.

“I loved my job—AEP was good to me—but I really love retirement,” she said.

Her ties to Deersville and Holloway made her the perfect choice to correspond with the newspaper. Deersville was her late husband, John’s hometown, and the two often attended church there together. Over the years, she has served as a church trustee, Administrative Council member, Women of Mission member, and treasurer of the Deersville Garden Club. She’s also been active in the Deersville Improvement Historical Preservation Society, even helping restore the Homer Poulson house.

“I wanted people to know about what all Deersville had to offer and that there was a lot of activity they could participate in. It is a wonderful place.” she said.

Her Holloway column began after readers from her former hometown asked her to share their news as well, “I told them I would but they would have to help me by keeping me informed.” What began as a short-term commitment has now stretched several years.

Though she now lives in Cadiz, she stays connected through phone calls, Facebook pages, and attending events whenever possible—from Holloway’s Old Timers celebration and Alumni Banquet to fire department and church activities.

“Since I first came to town, everyone has been so welcoming and accepted me and made me feel at home,” she said. She and John, a barber by trade who also worked in the coal industry, built their life together in town until his passing from ALS in 2002. Though they had no children, her many nieces, nephews, and cousins fill her life with family. “They tell me I’m the glue that keeps everyone connected,” she said.

Adams is the secretary-treasurer of the Harrison County Genealogical Society, a board member of the Harrison County Metropolitan Housing Authority, and active with the Daughters of the American Revolution and Eastern Star. She also supports Belmont College, where she earned a business management degree.

“There are so many doing so much to make Holloway and Deersville great places to live,” she said. “I hope the children growing up there now end up with as many good memories as I have.”