30 years ago September 1994  Iola High School has begun an open lunch period, meaning that students may leave the campus and eat elsewhere. Those choosing to eat at school have a variety at lunch,…

Hand after hand raised as Iola Middle School students peppered Patricia Ward Kelly with a wide variety of questions about her husband, the iconic movie star Gene Kelly, during a discussion at the Bowlus Fine…

“Dignity. Always dignity.” In the musical “Singing in the Rain,” Gene Kelly’s character utters that line to describe his acting philosophy as the scenes on screen reveal a very different — and very undignified —…

Calling all local filmmakers, dramatic producers, content creators and social media influencers.  The Buster Keaton Festival is offering a film competition this year, awarding prizes for the best short film — and by short, expect…

The return of the 26th Buster Keaton Celebration to Iola after a four-year hiatus was supposed to be an opportunity to offer something new and innovative.  Something that would entice the community to attend and…

Buster Keaton is back in Piqua. Thanks to the hard work of Paige Olson, Shelia Lampe, Andi Lou Garrett and others, colorful new signs now adorn the entrance to the Buster Keaton and Piqua Museum…

Buster’s back. The Buster Keaton Celebration will return to Iola in September after a four-year hiatus.  Starting in 1993, annual festivals honored the legendary screen actor and innovator who was born in Piqua. When a…

HOLLYWOOD (AP) — Buster Keaton, 70, the baggy-pants comedian of the silent screen, died today. A spokesman said he succumbed to lung cancer at his home in suburban Woodland Hill. His wife of about 25…

Sometimes nature itself seems to herald the birth of something magnificent. The date was Oct. 4, 1895, and tornadic winds were rising and beginning to whip and tear near the Woodson-Allen County border. A vaudeville…

DAY THREE — I was sitting near the birthplace of silent film legend Buster Keaton in Piqua when Gov. Laura Kelly’s state-wide “stay at home order” came through. The COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the nation for…