James Arthur Hedges “Jim”, 85, of Big Cove Tannery, Pennsylvania, passed away March 4, 2024, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, surrounded by his family. He was born May 10, 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, to Robert and Mary Margaret (Ayres) Hedges. Jim graduated from Citi High School in Iowa City in 1956, State University of Iowa in 1960 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music, and University of Maryland in 1972 with a Master’s degree in Geography. He retired from the U.S. Marine band in 1980 after 20 of service as a tuba player. Jim married Carolyn Dick on June 16, 1990 in Hancock, Maryland.

Jim built his own house in Fulton County in the 1970s. After retirement, he worked part-time at Keystone Printing and The Fulton County News. Jim was an avid printer and ran his own business called Camel Press. He also volunteered as a printer at Old Bedford Village.

Jim was a long-time member of the Prohibition Party and ran for United States President in the 2016 Presidential Election. He was on three state ballots and received approximately 5,500 votes. He was a member of the National Speleological Society and many other organizations, and he had hobbies such as cave geology, writing, volunteering in 4H, and playing in bands in Mercersburg, Shippensburg, Chambersburg, Hagerstown, or wherever he could find them. Jim also had a great love for animals.

Jim is survived by his wife of 34 years Carolyn, step-children whom he considered his children Tony Fisher-Howell (and Ron) of Hagerstown, Kelly Howell of McConnellsburg, and Susanne Ketterman (and Todd) of Biglerville, Pennsylvania, adopted daughter Karen, grandchildren Tyler Bohrer, Jay Howell, and Sofia Fisher-Howell, and great grandchildren Avarie, Weston, Bryson, Jackson, and Gracie. He is also survived by siblings Ben Hedges and George Hedges (and Maggie), sister-in-law Kathy, niece Amy Newlin (and Barry), and other nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Sally and brother Alan.

A celebration-of-life meal will be held on Saturday, March 16, at 3:00PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, Hagerstown, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, sympathy cards and notes may be sent to Carolyn Hedges, PO Box 212, Needmore, Pennsylvania 17238. The family has entrusted Jim’s care to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home in McConnellsburg, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kelso-corneliusfuneralhome.com.

Posted online on March 06, 2024

Jim was an APA Member from 1987 through 2021.
He remained with the group as a Tramp Printer until his death.

To round out the 2024 Membership Roster, please note the following changes:

#865: John Hunt, #980: Steven Pammer and #984: Brent Comstock
have resigned their memberships for at least this year..

To fill out our membership at 150 members, let’s welcome our new members:

Plus, one reinstated member:

#943: Ethan Lipton
Venice, California

Born prematurely to Tillie Ann and Melvin Arndt on September 8, 1947, their tiny son was definitely not the most beautiful baby. Given the circumstances, his mother jokingly nicknamed him “Cork.” To this day, that is how he has always been known to his extended family.

Mel passed away on January 15th, in the gentle care of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. We are grateful to them for their kindness and support. Mel is survived by his younger sister, Sue, and his loving companion, Shari. Mel was preceded in death by his parents; his younger brother, Bob; and his many “furbabies.”

Mel had the most curious mind of any person I’ve ever known. His interests and talents were those of a true Renaissance Man. He was a carpenter, photographer, specialty letterpress printer, computer builder and repairman, baker, cook, brewer, and gardener. He was an avid train collector and amateur railroad historian. He loved art and music and travel. His mind never stopped questioning, and his enthusiasm for knowledge and friendship were boundless. He loved children and looked forward to bringing them joy each Christmas as Santa.

Mel loved meeting and talking with people and obtained his HAM radio license in 1961 as WN8BYX and currently broadcast as W8QO. Mel was the current president of the Quarter Century Wireless Association, Chapter 142.

Some of Mel’s favorite years as a young man were spent as manager of Toledo’s iconic college bar, the Tabard Inn, back in his “psychedelic youth.” It was so much fun! From there, he moved on to significantly more responsible endeavors, working for NASA, in Cleveland. He later went on to assist with computerizing the plant and office operations of the Campbell Soup Company, in Defiance, OH, retiring in 2007. Never ready to actually retire, he started his own small independent printing company, Willowdell Press, in Toledo. He remained active in the Amalgamated Printers Association until the end.

Mel was a graduate of Whitmer High School, class of 1965, where he was a total science and math geek. After some time on the Engineering track at The University of Toledo, he decided the very structured life, in those days demanding a dress shirt and tie, was definitely not his style. He switched his major to Art. Mel specialized in photography, printmaking, stained glass and the crafting of fine furniture.

Active for decades in the German-American community in Toledo, Mel served as a past president of the German-American Festival Society, and treasurer of the German-American Festival. He was past president of the German Benevolent Association, the Bavarian Sports Club, and a longtime president of the Bayerischer Unteratützungs Verein. Proud of his heritage, Mel traveled numerous times to Germany. He particularly loved its people and its hearty food. He had been hoping for one more visit to Bavaria and that wish will be fulfilled.

Mel worked hard, played hard, enjoyed life, and shared so much love. He will be deeply missed. Sue and Shari invite you to join with other friends and family for a celebration of Mel’s life, honoring him on Sunday, February 18, from 2:00-6:00 pm at the Oak Shade Hall in the Chalet, 3624 Seaman Road, Oregon, OH.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or another charity of your choice.

Published by The Blade on Feb. 4, 2024.

Happy New Year, and Welcome to 2024.

With the new year, there are the usual roster changes.
Below are the current changes:

Members Who Resigned or Were Removed:

Plus, we recently noted the death of long time member
Melvin Arndt, #766, this past Monday, January 15th.

New Members Joining Our Ranks in 2024:

Former Member Being Reinstated:

#570: Jon Hinkel
The Tight Squeek Press
Duluth, Minnesota

Member Who Passed During 2023:

#813: Don Black [June]