Jim and Kay Newton were childhood sweethearts. They met while Jim was working in the Gamble Store located on the east side of Washington Street off of 3rd. Kay’s father, Clive Pankow, owned the store where she also worked. Kay’s mother, Helen Pankow, served as County Recorder for many years. Evidently the couple never changed their minds of the love for each other since they have been happily married for fifty-four years. They have two daughters and four grandsons. Their oldest daughter, Susan Newton, lives in Indiana, and the youngest Loisann Ayala with the four boys, lives in California.

Life doesn’t always seem fair. Their youngest grandson has Prader-Willie Syndrome. It’s a fairly rare gene abnormality causing those with the disease to have a slight learning disability and the constant craving for food. The upside, though, both Jim and Kay agree that their seventeen year old grandson is a very loving person and a joy to be around.

Jim attended Hanover College and then transferred to Butler University where he graduated with a degree in pharmacy. As a registered pharmacist Jim worked several years with Osco and Krogers. He finally retired a second time after serving 14 years as pharmacist with Columbus Regional Hospital. Kay still meets once a month with her friends from high school the Class of 55.

The couple spend time together reading books. Kay likes love stories and Jim prefers westerns and mysteries. Other activities they enjoy are watching birds who visit their yard, rooting for the Cincinnati Reds and the Colts.
Both have belonged to the Senior Center for twenty years and are glad to see the move to Mill Race Center. As a couple they volunteer as meals on wheels drivers each month and also preparing the bi-monthly newsletter for
mailing. When not involved with volunteering they enjoy having lunch on occasion in the Café du Parc and the MRC travel program. Jim and Kay Newton are two of the many Mill Race Center members who volunteer their
time in hopes of helping to improve the life of others.

Interviewed by Barbra Heavner,
Senior Scribes