Thursday, September 30, 1999
Neighbor crusades against Ryle High's celebratory cannons
BY KAREN SAMPLES
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The anti-fan: Sports is religion around here. Stuart Ferguson doesn't care. He won't give up his crusade against cannon shots and fireworks at Ryle High School.
Those displays are how Ryle celebrates football and soccer games. Mr. Ferguson lives next door. He hates the noise and worries about safety. He argues that school rules prohibit explosives on the grounds, along with guns and knives.
Well, yes, but a celebratory cannon is different. Princi pal Randy Cooper says safety precautions are taken.
“We are very proud of our school and community,” he says. “It is unfortunate that one of our neighbors does not share our enthusiasm.”
Indeed. Mr. Ferguson has complained for two years. He's written a dozen letters and faced a mob of indignant football players at a school board meeting.
Then there was that memo from Jeff “The Cannonman” Flannery. In 1997, he got wind of the complaints and fired off a letter to Ryle fans.
“This is an intolerable travesty of justice that a complaint in our community could force down a program that does so much for so many,” wrote the man be hind the cannon. “THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO RYLE HIGH SCHOOL.”
And to Mr. Ferguson, who's still looking for a way to silence the racket.
Sound off: In response to an item about displaying white crosses to condemn abortion, Kate Higgins of Covington writes:
“This practice always makes me think how much more positive and productive it would be to see a cross for every unwanted, abused or abandoned child that was adopted by a member of the congregation. Promoting adoption and reproductive responsibility and supporting enforcement of child-support payments ... might accomplish something worthwhile.”
Give blood, get ghoulish: The blood shortage has prompted the Costume Gallery in Newport to make a deal. Anyone who donates at the Gallery's blood drive Saturday will get 20 percent off a Halloween costume. The drive is from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and benefits Hoxworth blood centers. Call 451-0910 for an appointment.
Dressing geese: Fall's here, and you know what that means: Time to dress lawn ornaments in warmer clothes. Contact me with nominations for the area's best-dressed concrete geese.
Karen Samples is The Enquirer's Kentucky columnist. Her column appears on Sundays and Thursdays in The Kentucky Enquirer. She can be reached at 578-5584 or email
her at ksamples@enquirer.com
