Puskarich Public Library - Mosaic Dedication

THE PUSKARICH PUBLIC LIBRARY unveiled the county's newest showpiece at an Oct. 17 ceremony. More than 60 people arrived to view a pebble mosaic, which is the result of a summer's volunteer work.

The mosaic is a combination of many types of stone, various brick and colored cement that forms an open book with a multi-colored background. The bricks that frame the mosaic on the side form two large bookends, and the top and bottom bricks are arranged to resemble books on a shelf.

The area can take pride in knowing the mosaic was entirely produced and designed locally through volunteer work. Matt Kidd of Scio, a current architectural student at Judson College, designed the mosaic.

In addition, the mosaic was inspired by "The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook," which came through interlibrary loan.

During the dedication, Head Librarian Sandi Thompson welcomed everyone. Lori Milleson, president of the board, recognized the volunteers and Jon Kirkland, vice president of the board of trustees, gave the dedication.

The mosaic was dedicated in honor of John and Frances Rogers. John and Frances were the owners of Rogers Western Auto and well-known for their involvement in the community and their support of the library.

"They were really generous with their money, but they were also generous with their time," Kirkland said, adding that served on the Chamber of Commerce, the school board, church and developed a very loyal following in their business, which they ran personally for almost 60 years.

The unveiling was followed by an open house where Kidd presented a slide show of the work's progress during the summer.

"It was really encouraging to see the development and everything coming together," he said. "My helpers were fantastic. I really couldn't have done it without them."

He added that this was the first time he and the volunteers ever took on a project of this type.

"We were learning as we were going. A couple of times, I didn't think we were going to get done," he said, adding that the support and help from the area was more than enough to bolster them through the difficult times. "Everyone was encouraging me."

"It was a great opportunity Sandi gave me. We were doing something very unique," he said. "It was a blessing to have the people around me."

"It was interesting to watch the entire process," said Thompson. "They kept it covered to protect it, which made the unveiling more suspenseful."

Among those present for the unveiling were Harrison County Commissioner Bill Host, Cadiz Mayor Don Bethel, County Court Judge Mark Beetham, Rumley Township Trustee Matthew Dulkoski, Public Defender Adrian Pincola, and representatives from the library board of trustees.

"It's very becoming to the library," said Host. "It's really nice, as good a people as these Rogers were, to have something like this dedicated in their memory. I'm delighted the county's got a library like this for the people."

"It's an open book to learning," said Dulkoski, adding that he would often observe their progress during the summer. "They were working very hard, but always seemed to be having fun. You'll go far and wide to find another pebble mosaic like that."

Kidd thanks volunteers Terry and Julie Will; Jennifer, Diana and Dan Kidd; Bryan Hirshbach; Eric Brown; Carrie Kirkland; Katlyn Beadle and Tyler Tenley.

He thanks Robert Stewart for providing machinery for the project; Kenny Holmes for donating bricks and Bob Wolfe for donating slate.

Kidd and fellow volunteers left their signatures on the finished mosaic.

View a slideshow of the construction and dedication of the Mosaic project.