From driving school to The Boot Life: A local story of success:
Donald James Ricker:
Throughout the fall of 2021, Fredericktown resident Albina Ramey tried to convince her mother to leave their home country of Ukraine.
Then, when Russian troops invaded and started bombing Ukraine at the end of February, she made another plea. But Ramey says her mother refused.
And the 83-year-old remains in central Ukraine today – amid the ongoing conflict. So Ramey reminds her mother to place pillows against her windows to prevent shrapnel and glass from shattering inward in case of an attack.
She reminds us that you never know how events can turn around. The war is not over. Ramey’s mother, aunt and several cousins also still reside in her hometown, which so far has been spared from Russian invasion and bombings. But still, they’re impacted by the proximity of war.
Ramey was born in Kropyvnytskyi in 1971. The city is home to about 200,000 people and Ramey said it has a big-city feel. The major industry in the area includes the production of agricultural machinery.
And as far as Ramey has heard, the city has adapted to conflict quickly this winter. Her mother and relatives say they turned basements into shelters overnight, established security teams to protect the city’s borders and launched efforts to provide humanitarian aid and weapons to those on the frontlines.
Ramey refers to those on the frontlines as warriors. Ramey found out Russian troops invaded Ukraine and began artillery attacks the morning of Feb. 24 after seeing it on the news. She was at work at the time.
She immediately called her mother – who was safe. But now, as Ramey hears information from her former neighbors and relatives about increasing difficulties with day-to-day travel and security. Her mother is clinging to a waning sense of normalcy.
Ramey arrived in Fredericktown in 1998. She received a surgical technician degree from Central Ohio Technical College. She now works at Ohio Health in Mansfield. She’s also an author – publishing her first book in English in 2020 – a children’s book titled “Maya in the Nimbus Valley.”
Since Ramey immigrated to the U.S., she has visited Ukraine a handful of times, specifically to introduce her children to the lifestyle, foods and culture of her home country. But she also weaves components of her culture into her life in Fredericktown, through actions such as cooking and sharing Ukrainian meals.
First woman admitted to the bar in the U.S. was from Ashland
Now, some local history. Did you know that a one-time Ashland citizen was the first woman to graduate from law school and be admitted to the bar of any state?
Sarah Killgore Wertman was born in Jefferson, Indiana, graduated from the University of Michigan Law School, and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 1871.
She moved back to Indiana and married and although she and her husband opened a practice, Indiana state law prevented her from making court appearances.
In 1878, the couple moved to Ashland, and she temporarily retired from law to raise her children. When they were older, she passed the Ohio bar and rejoined her husband’s law practice, specializing in real estate law.
The Boot Life is an owner-driven local shop
Next, Chris and Holly Troupe have always dreamed big, from owning a driving school to currently owning and operating a retail store.
When Chris and Holly owned Superior Driving School, they realized the public was not spending money in the area, simply because there were no local shops to supply them with what they needed, specifically work-related gear.
They thought they could help solve this problem. So Chris and Holly sold the driving school to another entrepreneur, and they moved onto their next project. The two hiked up a multitude of mountains when they started their new journey, learning the ropes of retail as they went.
Now, their store is positioned five miles within every major manufacturing company – yes – downtown Mansfield. The goal is to help support employers that provide work boot vouchers to their employees. They sell a curated inventory that is unique but also of great quality. They want to make lives better one boot at a time. Check them out at thebootlife.com!
Donald James Ricker
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Donald James Ricker. Don was born in Crestline and graduated from Ontario High School with the Class of 1989.
He worked as a supplier at School Specialty for several years. Don enjoyed reading, fishing, and following his favorite sports teams: Michigan University and the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders.
He also enjoyed watching NASCAR races. Caring for his special feline companions brought him peace and comfort.
Don is survived by two children, three siblings, an uncle, five nieces and nephews, and a great-niece.
Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Don’s life.
