Some mornings of Adena still bustle with townspeople of Adena who run errands to the bank, stores and post office. In the past, you could catch a glimpse of ladies wearing smiles and pink curlers in their hair while running about the town with their morning errands. My introduction to Adena was the source of its Agriculture, the birth of Adena's growth. Our family frequented our neighbor's Heil's Farm in County Road 15 and 15. In the late 70's I accompanied my brother Joe riding in his "new" Ford F150 truck to what we referred to as the "Feed Store. " The Adena Landmark still remains here in town and its central location accommodates three counties. I've heard tell of the Pastime Movie Theater, Saads Department Store, DeNobles Furniture Store, Candyland, Kay' Grill, P & M Restaurant, the drug store and the liquor store. I have lived in Adena for over twenty years. Ten of those years I worked full time out of town, so aside from my husband, Dan, and my two household felions, I didn't get the change to become familiar with the people of Adena. In 1987, I recall the patronizing three grocery stores, (Miners Supply, the Co-op, and Kanoskis Market.)

George Kasarda, owned and operated Kasarda's Furniture, and provided our home with carpet and quality home furnishings. George successfully turned his furniture business into a quaint a little convenient store I frequented. How I miss hearing George's and voice visiting his store.

In the late 80's there were three gas stations, (DeLongs, formerly Raymer's) George Madzia's, and Bud's Mini Market), two barber and beauty shops, Bangs Bargain Buys, Walkers Hardware and Kidd's hardware. The restaurant/pubs were Mario's restaurant, Terry's Bar, P & M and the "Drug Store" commonly known as Morris Pharmacy. Jim Morris used to greet you at the door and I picked up some prescriptions there. Before the Zeroski family built their garages for their excavating business, there stood on Blairmont's end, ye ole' Sugar Shack.

Today in Adena people still wave at each other and sometimes stop on the sidewalks to exchange greetings. The People's National Bank, the post office, Hair Headquarters barber and beauty shop, Kidd's Hardware store, Figgy's Fuel Mart, Bernosky Pizza, and Jefferson Landmark are still centrally located in the heart of the town. Adena's restaurant is closed but the building is still where the soda shop, Candy Land used to serve Adena years ago. Terry's Bar sells the best sub sandwiches in town, and when you walk into P & M Restaurant and Kidd's hardware, there is a warm recollection of Adena's past.

Adena has two operating schools; Adena West Elementary (formerly Adena High School) who is part of Buckeye Local Public School and Adena HeadStart located on Hanna Avenue in the former building of Adena St. Casimir's Catholic School. The Adena Branch Library can be found next door to the school also on Hanna Avenue.

George's Shell Gas Station, The Railroad Inn, Ann Prunesky's Place, and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad Inn have been removed. These places no longer exist in Adena. About seventy percent of Adena'a population is low income. There is no state route in town, and Adena is split between Jefferson and Harrison Counties. There is little communication between and Jefferson County government and Adena. There has been no major industry or state route through Adena. Due to decreases in local government funds, Adena continues the struggle with a low village budget.

Adena has two sportsman's clubs. One is Pine Valley Sportsmans, known for prime fishing of four lakes, picnic areas, shooting range, hunting, and camp sites, and the other is Short Creek Sportsman's renowned for Spring and summer ATV rallies. The three religious denominations in the Adena/Harrisville are; Presbyterian, Methodist, and Catholic. St. Casimir's Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church are located in town.

Adena has organizations that function independently for their cause. These groups are all non-profit entities. They are: Adena Fire Company, Adena Lions Club, Womens Club of Adena, AARP, Adena Baseball League, Adena Softball League, Adena Heritage Committee, Adena American Legion Post 525, Adena American Sons of the Legion Post 525, Adena Ladies Auxiliary, Adena Cub Pac 146, and Adena Boy and Girl Scout Troops. Here are some causes that our village has supported;
1. Aid to the U.S. Soldiers overseas.
2. Trees and plants have been donated to beautify the town.
3. Christmas Lights are used to brighten up Adena throughout the Holidays.
4. The baseball parks are much more beautiful due to hard work from the Baseball Leagues.
The Lion's Club made sidewalk pavement on the green possible
Polka dances are becoming prevalent in town.
The annual Adena Heritage Days are celebrated the first weekend in August.
All patriotic Holidays are observed.
Electrical enhancement on Town Square
An annual amateur Art Show at the library.
Seasonal visits from Santa and the Easter Bunny
Some Main street sidewalks have been replaced on Main Street.
New Waterlines are now installed throughout town.
Improvements have been made to Bedway Park and the village green.
New Benches for the Girls Softball Field are being installed.
Trees, Foliage, and Gazebo's have been purchased to beautify Adena.
The railroad bed has been raised on W. Main Street.
Outdoor summer events take place at all of the parks.
New street signs have been placed throughout the town.
The old AHS Football field has been repaired.
Short Creek has been landscaped in efforts to improve water flow and flooding.
The Bedway Coal office is now being used as the Adena Municipal building.
A New Fire truck in town.
The Adena Community center has been remodeled.
Police weaponry and equipment for the Adena Police department.

Town council has purchased former property that belonged to the Bedway family such as the village green and Bedway Park and there is no longer a Park Board.

There are several events that occur throughout the year. For the most part, organizations are considerate of each other. The Lions Club annually sponsors a Cantata, Minstrel, Halloween cakewalk and Costume Contest. There is Caroling on the Village Green, Visits from Santa, Lunch with the Easter Bunny, Polka Dances, and monthly events. Memorial Day and Veteran's Day Services are held the American Legion and Auxiliary of which Adena is the most patriotic town in the Ohio Valley. There is Spring baseball and girls Softball sponsored by the Adena Baseball and Girls Softball Leagues, Fourth of July Festivities sponsored by the Adena Fire Company, a kids basketball camp provided by the Masloski family and Adena Heritage Days in late summer. The town has three annual parades: Memorial Day, The Fourth of July, and Heritage Day.

In my research of Adena history one thing particularly has not changed. People who live here live seriously and I believe they want to improve the village. Adena's founding forefathers have prospered this town and it started with farming, when Adena was an industrial haven in the early 1900's. Most people who live here today work outside of the area driving 25-100 miles away. Hard work and generosity will again have to be achieved to tremendously improve this town, and work is being done at various paces. It is absolutely bliss to live in Adena.