Saturday, May 31, 2014

12 Year Old Injured in ATV Accident

No comments:

On May 30, 2014 at approximately 7:24 pm Darke County deputies, along with Arcanum Fire, Arcanum Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to 1872 Arcanum-Ithaca Road in reference to an ATV injury accident.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 400 Arctic Cat 4-wheeler driven by Travis C. Behnken, 35, Arcanum, Ohio stopped the ATV on the roadway before accelerating to do a wheelie. Behnkens 12 year old female passenger was thrown off the rear of the ATV and landed on the roadway striking her head.  The 12 year old female victim was not wearing a helmet.

Arcanum Rescue transported the victim to Phillipsburg, Ohio to connect with CareFlight. CareFlight transported the victim to Dayton Children's Hospital.  The 12 year old victim is listed in fair condition. Travis C. Behnken was not injured.

This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE FARMERS’ MARKET RETURNS FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON

YOU WILL FIND A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF FRESH PRODUCE, HOME BAKED GOODS, AND HANDMADE ITEMS AT OUR DOWNTOWN FARMERS’ MARKET.

GREENVILLE, Ohio- Main Street Greenville invites you to visit the Downtown Greenville Farmers’ Market (sponsored by Greenville National Bank and the KitchenAid Experience Retail Center). The Farmers’ Market will return on Saturday, June 7 in front of the Darke County Courthouse on the corner of 4th and Broadway.

The market will run every Saturday from June 7th - October 11th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Downtown Greenville Farmers’ Market has been a Darke County staple since 1998. This year promises to be another great year for fresh produce, baked goods and crafts from local vendors.

Farmers’ Market attendees can expect to see the following vendors: Innisfree on the Stillwater Farm, Byers’ Family Farm, Wolf’s Produce, Janet’s Broadway Bakery, S.T.U.F.F., Aultman Farms, Rhoadeside Noodles and More, Kraut Creek Pastures, Granny’s Pantry, Burning Maple Farm, Ansonia FFA Greenhouse, Stoneboat Apiary, OH FUDGE!, Threadworks, Linda Emerick , Joseph & Danell Rife, and more throughout the season.

Vendors will offer various goods ranging from fresh produce, local honey, homemade lip balms, handmade jewelry, embroidery & sewn items, fudge, seedlings, jams & jellies, local meat, fresh baked goods, noodles, craft items, fresh flowers, herbs, whole bean coffee, and more! Event attendees can expect to see a varied lineup of vendors and goods each week.

Vendor applications are accepted throughout the season. For application inquiries or further information about the Farmers’ Market, please visit www.downtowngreenville.org, like Downtown Greenville Farmers’ Market on Facebook or call Executive Director, Amber Garrett at 937-548- 4998.

Main Street Greenville is a non-profit organization that supports downtown Greenville, Ohio through stimulating and supporting revitalization efforts, historic preservation and economic growth.

Floating the Greenville


It’s Paddling Season! Join the Darke County Parks on Thursday, June 5th at 6:00pm for an evening float. Grab the water bottles, sunscreen and a hat and let’s get on the water! We’ll put our boats in and paddle the Greenville, enjoying the sights along the way. This will be a relatively slow paced float, but some prior experience is required. Ages 10 and up, please (call with questions). Reserve a canoe for two or solo a kayak. Dress for wet, bring sunscreen and water. Reservations can be made by calling the Nature Center at 937.548.0165. For a complete list of programs offered by the Darke County Parks, visit our website at www.darkecountyparks.org

Friday, May 30, 2014

Versailles Woman Airlifted After Vehicle Strikes Pole

No comments:
On May 30, 2014 at approximately 9:29 am Darke County Deputies, Versailles Fire, Ansonia Rescue and Miami Valley CareFlight were dispatched to the intersection of Shaffer Rd and Wolf Rd on a single vehicle injury accident. 

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2014 Hyundai, driven by Janie Kress (40) of Versailles, was traveling south on Shaffer Rd approaching Wolf Rd. The vehicle traveled through the intersection striking a utility pole. The driver was transported from the scene to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight where she is listed in serious condition.
                                                                                
This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

Annie Oakley Parade Cancelled, Festival Moving to York Woods

In a post on their webpage, The Annie Oakley Festival Committee announced big changes to this year's festival.

The festival itself is said to feature the same items as in recent years, but is moving its location from the Fairgrounds to York Woods, North of Greenville on US 127. The other major change is that the parade that traditionally made its way downtown each year on the Saturday of the festival is now cancelled. The committee cites a "lack of volunteers and community support" for the cancellation.

Along with the announcement, the committee also notes that they are still open to new vendors. If you're interested, there's still time to contact the committee.

Click here to read the full announcement at the homepage for the Annie Oakley Festival.

A Mama Bird Feeds Her Young - Photo by Jennifer Burkett


Jennifer Burkett sent in this amazing photo she took this week.

Do you have an interesting or fun photo to share? Email it to darkejournal@gmail.com

GHS Class of 1989 25th Reunion!

If you are a 1989 graduate of Greenville High School and have not yet received an invitation, please accept this as your personal invite!

Please join us for an evening of fun & food while reminiscing with your fellow classmates from Greenville High School.

Location: Greenville Eagles – 6236 Shade Road
When: August 16, Doors open at 5pm, Dinner service begins at 6pm
Cost: $25 per person (no children please) includes:

  • Dinner catered by “Michael’s” which includes two meat entrees, one potato side dish, one hot vegetable, salad, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers & dinner rolls
  • Iced tea, lemonade and bottled water will be served with the meal
  • Pop and alcohol will be sold at the bar
  • Music from our high school years

Please RSVP before June 30 with you & your guest’s name that will be attending. Checks made payable to: “GHS Class of 1989”. Please mail your RSVP to: Travis Teaford, 8113 Kniseley Road, Greenville, OH 45331

Also, please help us spread the word! If you know of classmates who have wandered off, please forward this information on to them.

Meandering for Butterflies

Let’s meander for butterflies! We will grab our nets and walk the trails of Shawnee Prairie Preserve (4267 State Route 502 West) in search of butterflies. The hike will be on Monday, June 2nd at 6:30pm the weather will hopefully bring us a warm and sunny day for butterflies to be fluttering about in search of nectar. On this hike you will learn common butterflies of Darke County and helpful tips to I.D. them. For more information about this and other programs offered by the Darke County Parks, please call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165 or visit our website at www.darkecountyparks.org

Cancer Association of Darke County Support Group to discuss pain management

The monthly cancer support group will meet at Wayne Health Care in the Board Room (on the first floor down past the lab) on Thursday evening, June 5, 2014 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The topic this month will be on pain control. Those planning on attending are invited to share information with the group on interventions which have helped them to deal with different kinds of pain. Perhaps you have tried distraction, massage, music, relaxation techniques, etc. and those things have helped. The group is encouraged to bring any written information to share. If you need copies made, please call the office and Christine will be happy to make those copies for you to share.

The association partners with United Way and is not affiliated with the American Cancer Society.

The 2014 corporate sponsors of the association at this time (more added as the businesses come onboard) are: Wayne Builders, St. Henry Tile Co., Berne Ready Mix, American legion Post 140, Second National Bank, Women of the Moose 102, Leis Realty, Shrader’s Inc., Williamson Insurance, LLC, Greenville Moose Lodge 329, American Legion Auxiliary Post 140, Johnston Chiropractic Clinic, Greenville Memorial Auxiliary, Fraternal Order of Eagles~ Ladies Aux. 2177, Diane Evans, Insurance and Kiwanis Club of New Madison

If you have questions, feel free to call the office and speak with Christine Lynn, Director at 937-548-9960.

Academic Reading Program at Library

The Greenville Public Library will be offering free reading lessons this summer for children wishing to strengthen their reading skills, or who need help reaching their academic reading levels.

The Academic Reading Program is a scholarship offering of the Greenville Friends of the Library. It is also being supported by the Woodland Heights PTA and members of the community. It is free to Greenville City School District students.

Group sessions begin June 9th for students going into the second grade this fall and June 10th for students going into the third grade. There will also be a second session for each grade beginning in mid-July. Sessions are limited to six students and allow children to build their reading skills while improving comprehension and fluency through group reading, discussion, and interaction.

Also available are free private sessions for the student who is better served by individualized instruction. These can begin at any time during the summer and are available to all grade levels, pre-K through 12. All instruction takes place at the library during its regular hours.

For more information or to enroll your child in the program, please contact Susi at the Greenville Public Library at 548-3915. Enrollment forms are available at the Circulation Desk.

SPENDING YOUR MONEY - A Guest Post from Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall

Guest posts are welcome and encouraged. If you have something to say and are able to do it in a respectful, reasonable way, send your piece to darkejournal@gmail.com. The contents of guest posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DarkeJournal.com.

We all pay taxes, a lot of taxes. Nobody enjoys it, and everybody knows that government blows a lot on unnecessary things. Governments do that, that point is not arguable, especially, the higher up in Government you go. Spending the people’s money is what government does. The questions that need asked and answered though is this: Is this how you run your own house? Would you do that if this was your own money? If not, what makes you think you can spend other people’s money this way? For years, government spending has gotten out of control, at the Federal level and the State level. I am not here to defend the local governments totally, there are some counties and townships that are very inefficient. However, I will state the case for what we do in Darke County.

Ever since I was elected, I promised to be fiscally responsible. I know that Mike and Diane feel the same way. I stated from the beginning that fiscal responsibility consisted not of spending no money at all, but spending it wisely. That is the key! When you elect people to positions, you should make sure that whatever they do, especially with your money, they do for the right reasons, and do it with a lot of thought. Whenever we spend money on anything, we should be able to defend that expenditure to you, the public. We owe that to you. What most people forget is that we pay taxes too, and I don’t want to pay anymore than I have to. I do realize, however, that money needs to be spent on essential things, so as a taxpayer I too watch what we do.

This year is a different one for us in the County. We have arrived at the crossroad where we have to fix things. Things have been let go for too long. When I was elected, I said that from my first day, Jan. 1st, 2011, all the counties former problems became my problem. No excuses, you elected me and the others to fix problems. This year, we are spending a lot of your money. In my opinion, and what I will tell you if you ask, is that these are necessary expenditures.

This year, money is to be spent on buildings, computers, parking lots, and other maintenance. They are necessary because all of us who pay taxes have paid for these. They are granted to us by you, the public, to use to run the County. It is not being responsible to let them deteriorate. By maintaining what you give us, we can make them last for the next group that comes in here. Some of you will agree with this assessment, some of you will see this as unnecessary. That is ok. We cannot please everyone, nor will all of the 3 Commissioners always agree on what to do. That is the way it works. All I ask is that you hear why I am doing what I am doing, and then decide. Give me a chance to explain my position. You don’t have to agree, but at least you will know why I do what I do. That is what you are supposed to do. You are supposed to keep an eye on what we are doing, making sure we are doing what you want.

I have tried to be as open as possible with what we do here. I write columns in the papers, I make appearances every month with my “Coffee with the Commissioner” outings at different places so more of you can meet me personally and ask questions. Myself and the other Commissioners are on the radio once a month answering questions you have about what we are doing. I am not ashamed of what we are doing. I am proud of it. I am proud of the way we have spent your money the last 4 years. Since this is a re-election year for some of us, this is the time when most politicians promise to do a lot of things to get your vote. Not me, I am sticking to the promises I made 4 years ago; to be fiscally responsible, work on economic development, and if it’s broke, fix it. I see no need to make any more than that. Being Commissioner has been a joy for me. I enjoy it, and the responsibility of making important decisions and spending your money. I take it seriously, and I will do so in the future. Spending your money is easy. Spending it wisely, that’s just smart for all of us.

Mike Stegall- Darke County Commissioner

Greenville Toastmasters Induct New Members


Greenville Toastmasters Club inducted 3 new members into their club. They are right to left President Gary Venenga, new members: Pam Neff, Connie Stollar & Bill Downey.

Greenville Toastmasters Club is very proud to welcome these new members & congratulate them for their dedication to continued education in leadership & communication. Greenville Toastmasters Club #1238 meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Brethren Home Chestnut Village facility. They welcome guests to attend any of their meetings, come & find out what Toastmasters are all about.

GORDON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM SOCIAL

SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 5 P.M. – 7 P.M.

Come to the annual Gordon Ice Cream Social to enjoy our famous homemade, hand-cranked ice cream. We offer 7 different flavors – vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, lemon, pineapple, peanut butter and peach. Besides our delicious ice cream, we offer grilled hamburgers, cheeseburgers, shredded chicken sandwiches, home-made potato salad, baked beans, pies, and cakes. In addition, there will be vendors set up in the adjoining park. Mark your calendars for June 21st now! The Church is located at 311 East St. in the village of Gordon on SR 722, just 4 miles west of SR 49 in south-eastern Darke County. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

*UPDATED* Man Fails to Yield at Intersection, Passenger is Airlifted in Afternoon Crash

Update (5/29/2014):

On May 29, 2014 the Darke County Sheriff's Office was informed by the Montgomery County Coroners Office that Olive Custer (91) Arcanum, had succumbed to her injuries at approximately 8:30 AM at Miami Valley Hosptial, resulting from the injury crash at the intersection of State Route 571 and Arcanum Bears Mill Road on May 27. This is the third fatal crash this year in Darke County.

Original Post:

On May 27, 2014 Darke County Deputies along with the Darke County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Team, Gettysburg Fire, Arcanum Rescue, Greenville Twp. Rescue, and Miami Valley Hospital’s Careflight responded to the intersection of St. Rt. 571 and Arcanum Bears Mill Rd. on an injury accident.

Preliminary information reveals that a vehicle driven by Michael Custer, 67 years old of Arcanum, was traveling northbound on Arcanum Bears Mill Rd. and failed to yield for a stop sign at St. Rt. 571. Mr. Custer’s vehicle was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound on St. Rt. 571. That vehicle was driven by Timothy Cox, 23 years old of Greenville.

Custer and a 25 year old passenger from the Cox vehicle were transported by rescue squad to Wayne Hospital for treatment. A 91 year old passenger from the Custer vehicle was taken by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital where she is listed in serious condition. Cox refused treatment and transport.

This case remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

Here's raw video from the scene from WHIO's Steve Baker:

Article for Discussion: School Edits Yearbook Photos to Add Sleeves and Other Clothing (Dayton Daily News)

The Dayton Daily News posted the below story from Utah where a high school administration is being criticized for editing yearbook photos of female students they deemed to be violating the school dress code. You can watch the video below, but basically the girl's complaint is that they were unaware editing was a possibility and that the edits were poorly done and the decision of what to edit seemed inconsistent.


What do you think? Should the school be editing the photos after the fact? Should the students have a retake option instead?

John's Journal: A Call for Submissions and a Note About Comments

John's Journal is a series of posts that serve as a place to ramble about the day to day life of living in Darke County, Ohio, The USA, and Earth. It is written by the curator of DarkeJournal.com, John Liette. Join the conversation by commenting below the post.

A Call For Submissions...

It feels silly to post a call for submissions when I feel bombarded with the ones I already get, but I'd like to gauge interest in different kinds of articles than what you typically find here. The vast majority of submissions I currently receive are from local organizations who provide updates on their programs and promote upcoming events. These are wonderful and I'm very happy to be able to share them with everyone, and I'd like to augment those by soliciting submissions of varying content.

Posts from folks like Abraham Lincoln and Elizabeth Horner are fairly popular, as well as some of the great photography from folks like Dick Brown and Anne Mangen. I'm interested in posting more "life" type items. Do you write or take photos or videos? I'd love to share them the rest of DarkeJournal.com's visitors.

Essays, photos, videos, poetry, fiction, illustrations, I'm interested in all of it. It helps if it is related to life in Darke County, but that isn't necessarily required either.

If you have a work that you'd like to share, send it to darkejournal@gmail.com.

A note about comments on articles...

The chat box was one of the most polarizing things this site has ever had. If you were not around when it was active, it was a 24/7 chat room embedded on the page where anyone could (anonymously if they didn't declare who they were) sign on and chat with other readers of the site. This was both a fantastic use of the web medium and a pain in the rear to monitor. Every once in awhile someone would pop in and anonymously start and/or spread a rumor, gossip, or generally share uninformed, misguided, or in some cases, malicious opinions often masquerading as facts. Eventually, I made the decision to remove the feature as the amount of time and energy I was spending monitoring it was ever increasing as the amount of participation and enthusiasm from those who used it positively seemed to be at an all time low.

As popular as the chat box once was, I get the feeling that many people refrain from using the commenting feature because, in the past, comments were submitted to a queue and only displayed after they were approved by a moderator, among other reasons, but that large hurdle is no longer in your way.

For the past month or two, comments on the articles no longer get held up for approval when they're submitted. As long as the built in spam filter doesn't pick it up, it is posted immediately. This means that comments can now serve as a form of 'chat' function in real time. You can post comments with your Facebook or Twitter account, or you can create a Disqus account (Disqus is the plugin I use for the comment feature). Or, if you prefer, you can post as a guest, providing a name to post it under as well as an email address. Guest commenting is fairly close to being anonymous and will be available so long as it isn't abused.

I wholly encourage DJ visitors to interact via the commenting feature as it's now positioned more closely to the function the chat box held: interacting in real time with other visitors to discuss a topic at hand.

And of course, if you ever have an issue relating to this or any other feature of the site, feel free to email me at darkejournal@gmail.com.

Gaming Laws in Ohio Should be Uniformly Enforced

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy

I recently teamed up with State Representative Bill Blessing from Cincinnati to work on a bill that passed the Ohio House to address concerns about gaming in Ohio. By gaming, I am referring to activities like gambling, playing the lottery and going to the casino. These activities, when done responsibly and administered fairly, can provide great enjoyment to a lot of people.

But it is important that a structure is in place to make sure Ohio residents have access to a gaming system in which they are not cheated or treated unfairly. This had become a problem in Ohio in recent years because of bad actors trying to find loopholes in state law that ended up hurting Ohioans, such as what were called “Internet cafes,” which were places that operated games of chance—some legally, some illegally—that were not well regulated. Ohio took a big step last year in outlawing Internet cafes so as to reduce the likelihood of Ohioans being cheated out of their money.

Part of Governor Kasich’s Mid-Biennial Review (MBR), House Bill 491, sharpens the teeth of these regulations, as well as making the way gaming facilities are regulated more uniform across the state. For example, the bill would require skill-based machine operators and vendors to be licensed, and crack down on Internet café operators who have simply rebranded themselves while still performing the same illegal activity.

These regulations are not an attempt to shut down gaming in Ohio, but rather to make sure that the gaming we do have in the state is operated fairly, honestly and legally. When testifying in committee, Matt Schuler, Executive Director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, said, “To eliminate doubt and ensure fairness to Ohioans, consistent and uniform statewide regulation is necessary.” He also said that, despite the fact that many establishments are violating state law, enforcement of those laws is not up to par.

Gaming can be an enjoyable escape for a lot of people. But having a patchwork of regulations that are not enforced equally puts Ohioans at risk. We need uniform enforcement of the law, and that is what House Bill 491—along with other recently passed reforms—hopes to accomplish. This measure has passed the Ohio House of Representatives and is now being considered in the Ohio Senate.

To provide feedback on this, and other issues in the news this month please complete my online survey at tinyurl.com/buchymay2014

Sign Up For Arcanum Library Summer Reading Program

The Arcanum Public Library is gearing up for the 2014 Summer Reading Program "Fizz Boom Read" The program runs from June 2 through July 26. Registration begins on June 2.

Movie day will be on Wednesday, June 4 with two movies being shown. Iron giant will be shown at 10 a.m. and the Nutty Professor at 2 p.m.

Mr. Molecule is scheduled for Thursday, June 5 at 10 a.m. This fun and informative science program is open to all ages. Everyone will enjoy this show!

Stop in to register and pick up a complete summer activity guide with all programs, dates and times. For more information call 692-8484.

Lunch on the Lawn

Summer would not be complete without Lunch on the Lawn! Again this year the Greenville Public Library is partnering with Main Street Greenville to sponsor three lunches in June, July, and August from 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. The public is invited to stop by the Library grounds to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting and entertainment. If you’d like, bring your own lunch or purchase a delicious meal from the vendor.

On Friday June 6th those will be music by Tommy Renfro and a box lunch provided by The Bistro Off Broadway! The $7 box contains half a wrap (sweet & spicy turkey), cole slaw, potato chips, a cookie, and choice of drink (lemonade, iced tea, or water). One dollar from every lunch sold will be donated to Main Street Greenville’s downtown-matters! initiative.

Tommy Renfro fans will be happy for another opportunity to hear his beautiful and inspiring music beginning at 11:45. Tommy attended Tri-Village High School and now teaches life sciences there. He was married to his wife Jordan last year.

Tommy’s been into music since age 12 when he sang in his church choir and at 13 lead the youth band. He studied music and singing in high school and played in a band - starting his solo career at 19.

Tommy writes all his own music and lyrics and has two albums so far. His band The Verse plays at concert halls, large churches, festivals, and fundraisers and recently signed on with Life Stage label. Check out www.tommyrenfro.com and his Facebook, Twitter & iTunes for more info!

Fort GreeneVille DAR Chapter honors Historical Preservation Month.

Top Left to Right: Members Caroline Petitjean and Linda Riley at the Holy Family Cemetery in Frenchtown, OH. It was a region of French pioneers, Taylor and Chris Nehring at St Peters Cemetery and church, and Brenda Arnett gave a presentation of WWI Hero Wilk Gunkle at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Versailles, OH. Bottom left: Susie Brewer and Helen Wright at the Hoover Cemetery grave of American Revolutionary War veteran, David Ward. Bottom Right: Docents at Greenlawn Cemetery were Debbie Nisonger, Mary Jane Dietrich, Doris Aultman, and Brenda Arnett. Also pictured are Abby and Alexa Nisonger.
In celebration of Historical Preservation Month, Fort GreeneVille DAR collaborated with Versailles Historical Society to present a tour of Versailles, Ohio cemeteries. The DAR chapter gave tours in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Frenchtown Cemetery, Hoover Cemetery and St. Peters Cemetery and Church.

5 AREA STUDENTS WIN LEAD THE WAY SCHOLARSHIPS

CBC/VECTREN AWARD EACH $1,000 FOR BLOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGNS

DAYTON, Ohio – Community Blood Center (CBC) and Vectren have awarded Lead The Way Creative Scholarships to five Miami Valley high school seniors for skillfully using video, poetry, art and ingenuity to create winning blood drive recruitment campaigns.

The 2014 winners represent schools in Montgomery, Clarke, Miami and Darke County. The five seniors awarded $1,000 for college tuition are Margaret Woolf from Northmont High School; Jennifer Felzien from Northeastern High School; Rachel Neff from Oakwood High School; Hannah Saxe from Dayton Christian High School; and Kristina Parke from Bradford High School.

Applicants were asked to create a theme for their high school blood drive and explain why it would effectively encourage fellow students to donate. They were also challenged to express the theme in a clever, creative fashion using conventional marketing techniques or innovative, artistic expressions.

Margaret Woolf (Northmont High School) is from Phillipsburg, OH. She created the slogan “Feed the Need” and playfully illustrated it using the iconic Pac-Man video game. “Retro is something that is really ‘in’ right now from all different decades,” she said. “Even if you haven’t played Pac-Man, everybody knows what Pac-Man is.” She plans to study architecture and historical preservation at Miami University.

Jennifer Felzien (Northeastern High School) is from South Vienna, OH. She combined several creative talents in a strikingly different recruitment brochure titled “Ordinary Heroes and the Power Within.” The outside folds are designed as high school locker doors with sticky notes as blood drive reminders. Inside is an original poem titled “An Ordinary Hero” about one girl making a blood donation while another receives blood in the emergency room. She included a crossword puzzle with key words and facts that support the theme. Jennifer will attend Cedarville University and would like to serve in the Ohio National Guard as a combat surgeon.

Rachel Neff (Oakwood High School) lives in Dayton. Rachel created the theme “How to Be a LifeSaver” and illustrated it with a t-shirt, poster design, and an original video. Her artwork borrowed the rainbow of LifeSaver candy colors, but replaced the rings with blood drops. Her t-shirt design assigned blood types to each LifeSaver ring and asked, “8 Flavors – What’s Yours?” Her “Pump It” video with tips on getting ready to donate was energized by upbeat music, fast-motion editing, and the frenetic dancing of her costumed classmates. Rachel will study business at the University of Alabama and wants to work in marketing and advertising.

Hannah Saxe (Dayton Christian School) lives in Dayton. Hannah designed a t-shirt and video campaign around the slogan “Would you save a life for a free t-shirt?” She explained, “In borrowing from the Klondike campaign of ‘What would you do for a Klondike bar?’ I created video asking select students from my high school if they would be willing to do simple, fun things for a free t-shirt and at the end challenged all of my classmates if they would be willing to save a life for a free t-shirt by participating in the blood drive.” Hannah will study Media Communication at Asbury University in Kentucky and hopes to work in the film industry.

Kristina Parke (Bradford High School) is from Covington, OH. Her campaign featured a creative and unusual donor gift: A bracelet woven from 70 feet of red and white parachute cord. It’s an idea she says would appeal to her classmates more than a t-shirt because it is both symbolic and trendy. “The Paracord Bracelet is used in the armed forces for an extra parachute string,” she said, explaining her slogan “70 Feet of Paracord can save ONE life, a Few Minutes can save up to THREE! So have STRENGTH and Come Donate.” Kristina plans to study pediatric nursing at Kent State University.

2014 Lead The Way scholarship applicant videos and samples of winning artwork will be available at: www.GivingBlood.org/giving-back/reward.

The Lead The Way Creative Scholarship for High School Seniors is made possible by a $5,000 grant from Vectren. It is open to all graduating, college-bound seniors in CBC’s 15-county region whose high school hosts a CBC blood drive.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org

The Chickasaw Volunteer Firemen will be sponsoring their 3rd Annual Siren

Sounder 5k on Saturday, June 7, 2014. The 5k run/walk will begin at 9:00 a.m. by the VFW park on Maple St and will be routed through the streets of Chickasaw.

Awards will go to the top 3 overall men and women and also to the top 3 men and women runners in each age division. The proceeds of this race will help our fundraising efforts to supply firefighting protective clothing known as turnout gear. The turnout gear is the clothing that firefighters use to protect themselves when they enter a burning structure to locate a possible victim. Our existing turnout gear does not meet today’s standards for protective clothing and needs to be replaced so that our firefighters are protected from the extreme heat and dangers that a fire can present while fighting the fire. In addition, there have been many new improvements to the design of protective clothing which will help our firefighters do their job quicker, safer and more effectively. You may pick up a registration form from area businesses, Mercer Health’s 5k challenge website (www.mercerhealth5kchallenge.com under entry forms), or any Chickasaw fireman. Same day registration will also be available. Come join the fun!

2014 Ohio Field Crop Enterprise Budgets

Barry Ward, Leader, Production Business Management, Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics announces the release of 2014 Ohio Field Crop Enterprise Budgets.

Budgeting helps guide you through your decision making process as you attempt to commit resources to the most profitable enterprises on the farm. Crops or Livestock? Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Hay? We can begin to answer these questions with well thought out budgets that include all revenue and costs. Without some form of budgeting and some method to track your enterprises’ progress you’ll have difficulty determining your most profitable enterprise(s) and if you’ve met your goals for the farm.

Budgeting is often described as “penciling it out” before committing resources to a plan. Ohio State University Extension has had a long history of developing “Enterprise Budgets” that can be used as a starting point for producers in their budgeting process.

Newly updated Enterprise Budgets for 2014 have been completed and posted to the Farm Management Website of the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Updated Enterprise Budgets can be viewed and downloaded from the following website:

http://aede.osu.edu/research/osu-farm-management/enterprise-budgets

Enterprise Budget projections updated for 2014 include: Corn-Conservation Tillage; Soybeans-No-Till (Roundup Ready); and Wheat-Conservation Tillage.

Our enterprise budgets are compiled on downloadable Excel Spreadsheets that contain macros for ease of use. Users can input their own production and price levels to calculate their own numbers. These Enterprise Budgets have color coded cells that allow users to plug in numbers to easily calculate bottoms lines for different scenarios. Detailed footnotes are included to help explain methodologies used to obtain the budget numbers. Budgets include a date in the upper right hand corner of the front page indicating when the last update occurred.

For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.

Diabetes Overview

Having diabetes can be overwhelming. You may not be sure what to eat, what your blood glucose level should be, or understand how different medications impact your blood glucose level.

Karen Droesch RD,LD,CDE from Wayne HealthCare will discuss “Diabetes 101: Living Healthy with Diabetes”. The presentation will discuss an overview of what diabetes is, and the different types of diabetes. We will review screenings to monitor for complications, overview of healthy eating, impact of exercise on blood glucose, and target blood glucose levels.

The program will be held on June 10, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in the third floor conference room at Wayne HealthCare. The program is FREE to attend. If you have questions about the program please call 937-547-5750.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

84 Year Old Man Struck in Hit-Skip

On May 28, 2014 at approximately 11:17 AM Darke County Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue responded to 8600 block of Grubbs Rex Road on a report of an injury pedestrian hit-skip crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed James Robinson (84) Arcanum, was walking westbound along the south side of the roadway with his walker, and was struck in the shoulder area by an eastbound larger Grey full size pick up truck, unknown make and model. This vehicle left the scene without stopping. Mr. Robinson then walked to his residence before calling for medical assistance. Robinson was transported by Arcanum Rescue to Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton with non-life threatening injuries.

A witness to the crash described the truck having loud exhaust. Anyone having information to this accident is urged to contact the Darke County Sheriff's Office at 937-548-3399.

2014 City of Greenville Hydrant Flushing Schedule

The Greenville Fire Department will begin flushing hydrants on Monday, June 2, 2014 and end on Monday, June 30, 2014. Anyone living within four (4) blocks of any of the following streets please be aware your water may also be effected. Check for water quality before using as possible rusty water could damage clothing.

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014
Avenue A
Avenue B
Avenue C
Avenue D
Avenue E
Avenue F
Ft. Recovery Road
Garst Avenue
Harmon Drive
Knoll Avenue
Maple Avenue
Meadow Lane
Meeker Avenue
North Broadway
North Main Street
North Street
North West Street
Park Drive
Parkside Drive
Short Street
South Avenue A
Spring Street
Union Street
Wayne Street
West Street
West Maple Drive
West Meeker Avenue
West Park Drive
Wilson Drive


Commissioner's Corner - May 2014

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the half-way point of the year. May has certainly been a month of change. We started out cold and wet, then got warmer, and then a later snow, coupled with storms and even some hail in spots. Now, at the end of the month, May has acted like May should! Warmer temperatures, sunny, and just a little touch of humidity to remind us that summer is just around the corner.

Darke County has certainly had a rough winter, and a wet spring, but that has not stopped anyone. Here in the Commissioner’s office we are moving ahead on quite a few projects, and as we cross our fingers, it looks to be an exciting year for all of us. We are finishing up on some projects, planning new ones, and looking ahead to what we need to do next. We finally have awarded a contract to Enviro-Flow out of Zanesville, Ohio, to reline the sewers at the Sheriff’s office. This is a unique process, and saves us a lot of time and money by not having to completely tear out the old plumbing, but relining all of them with a hard resin solution that is guaranteed to last for years. It may sound expensive, $278,750.00, but that is much cheaper than trying to remodel the jail’s plumbing. Enviro-Flow will start shortly and should be done in about a month. Foster Tree and Landscaping was awarded a tree removal and trimming contract for the Garst Ave. Government Center.

Several trees will be trimmed, and the big Locust tree south of the building will be removed and the stump ground out. The cost for the entire project will be $1700.00. The fairgrounds demolition of the burned cattle barn is completed and the first payment towards the new barn has been made to the Fair board. We are required by law to insure the buildings, and this first payment of $447,627.00, allows the fair board to pay some bills and get started on the new building. Final payment will be made upon completion of the project. Another completed project is a new field tile at the North Farm off of Children’s Home Rd. This project was done by Todd Grow excavating along with help from our ditch maintenance people. Finally, the big project we are completing this summer is new pavement at the Wagner Avenue Government Complex. This has been needed for years, and thanks to rising revenues and smart expenditures, we are asphalting it this year. The project will be let on the 28th of May with an estimated cost of just over $382,000.00. Thanks to Jim Surber for his expertise and help on this project for the County. We are also looking at the steps on the Courthouse. This winter was very hard on them, and they are probably close to 90 years old and need replaced. We will see what we can do this year, and if not, we will put that on the list for next year. As always, we have other small replace and repair jobs, one of them is new computer servers for the Commissioner’s Office and the Courthouse. We are looking to modernize and update, so this project is going forward. More information will be forthcoming as we lock up the final details of this project.

Darke County had some wonderful economic news this month as our unemployment rate has dropped to 4.7%, making us the #18 county in the State! According to Homefacts, Inc., in January of 2010, our unemployment rate was over 13%! Our ongoing efforts in job creation and retention, along with workforce development are really starting to bear fruit. As always though, this is not possible without the co-operation of our companies, schools, colleges, business leaders, and government all pulling in the same direction. This “Partnering 4 Progress” effort is unique and very successful! Thanks to all of you for helping Darke County
continue to be a leader in the State! Our E.D. office has more news coming on some projects and we will inform you as soon as we can.

Things are looking up here in the County. Come and let us know what we need to do to make things better.

We meet publicly on Monday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioner’s office at 520 South Broadway in Greenville, just south of the Courthouse. See you there!

The Darke County Commissioners

Experience a Giving Dinner at First Friday with KitchenAid® for United Way

Barbara Brewer and Gloria Keller-Brinley of KitchenAid ® Experience
The KitchenAid® Experience and Whirlpool Corporation are partnering with United Way to make delicious homemade dinners to celebrate First Fridays in Downtown Greenville on Friday, June 6th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm at the KitchenAid® Experience.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy homemade taco salad or gourmet club wrap with chips, cookie & drink for $5.00. All proceeds will benefit the Darke County United Way.

To “Experience a Giving Dinner & First Friday Event” at the KitchenAid® Experience, please make your meal reservations by calling the United Way at 937-547-1272 or KitchenAid® Experience at 937-548-4126 ext. 6905 by Tuesday, June 3rd. Walk-ins are welcome that evening at the KitchenAid® Experience, but meals may be limited so make your reservation today to ensure your meal. Also, register to win a KitchenAid® countertop appliance with dinner purchase.

Darke County United Way would like to thank the KitchenAid® Experience and Whirlpool Corporation for hosting this event. We are excited to make gourmet dinner for you on Friday, June 6th at the KitchenAid® Experience, downtown Greenville, so make your reservations today!

Cancer Association of Darke County Hosting Walk for National Cancer Survivor’s Day


COME AND WALK WITH US!!

Cancer Association of Darke County is walking in conjunction with National Cancer Survivor’s Day!

Join us at Chenoweth Trails, 440 Greenville Nashville Road, Greenville, Ohio

Sunday evening, June 8, 2014.

Registration starts at 5:30 pm and the event lasts from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

Hamburgers, brats, chips and desserts will be served for a donation.

LIVE MUSIC!

Registration forms are available at the CADC office at 1111 Sweitzer St., Suite C on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (Located next to Hansbarger’s.)

Early registration cost: $20. Day of event: $25.

All proceeds go to the Cancer Association of Darke County. Call 548-9960 and talk with Christine with any questions.

Poultry Days will rock your socks off... That’s a fact, Jack!

Top Left to Right: Saw Creek, On the Radar, Renegade, Mark Cantwil, and Taylor Huffman
Bottom: The MicStandBand
While you’re out sporting your beards during “Cluck Dynasty”, make your way to the Poultry Days Social Tent to enjoy the incredible line up slated for this year’s festival. For the second year we have managed to schedule 11 live music acts during the weekend with a variety of talent and musical styles. We will close the highway at 459 South Center Street, Versailles and throw the largest party in the area.

To quench your thirst the Social Tent will continue to offer fine wines from the Versailles Winery and a selection of craft beers. The festival will also be making a very large and surprise change to the social tent beverage selection that people have been suggesting for years! The Social Tent will be sponsored again this year by our friends from Anheuser Bush Distributing.

Friday, June 13th 3:30-4:30, On The Radar - These three Versailles High School students are no strangers to performing at Poultry Days. Returning to the Social Tent stage, they bring a high energy show that rocks the crowd with their mix of Classic Rock and New Rock. 4:30-7:30, The MicStand Band - Making their Poultry Days debut is the acoustic duo of Mike and Stan McClurg. Two brothers who got their start playing in back yards effortlessly blend a selection of Country and Classic Rock into a style all their own. 8:00-11:30, Renegade – Rounding out the Friday night lineup, Renegade brings with them an arsenal of Rock, from Classic to New, which has proven to leave fans wanting more. These guys know how to get the crowd on its feet with their renditions of all the tunes you love. Accompanying Renegade, Versailles native and winner of the 2013 USA Karaoke Finals, Taylor Huffman will be delighting us all with her incredible vocals with accompaniment from Bryant Ahrens.

Click to enlarge: Top to Bottom:
8 Ball, Empty Tank,
Frohna & Warner, and
Higgins-Madewell
Saturday, June 14th 12:15-1:15, T.R.S.S. Drum Corp of Dayton – Percussion! Having been involved with drum corps for 25 years, Director Montrea Blackshear founded The Return of ScoomSquad in 2003. Immediately following the 11 AM Grand Parade TRSS will bring energy, excitement and enthusiasm to the show. 1:30-4:00, Higgins-Madewell – Voted “Best Local Rock Band” by ActiveDayton.com three years in a row, this dynamic duo has been wowing audiences since they began performing together in 2006. Higgins-Madewell’s versatility, professionalism, dedication, and genuine love for the audience is very apparent. Hippie Country that rocks! From cover songs to breathtaking original music, the performance by Erin Higgins and Jeff Madewell will leave you in awe. 4:30-7:00, Mark Cantwil – Singer. Songwriter. Musician. Multi-talented hometown favorite, Mark sings heartfelt music inspired by his experiences and small town roots. This recognized solo artist and songwriter brings an incredible lineup of original music from his album “Last Chance Johnny” as well as some crowd-pleasing cover songs. 7:30-11:30, 8-Ball – Making a return to the main stage, 8-Ball will be sure to rock the Coop! Their individual musical talents run deep but when their powers combine, it’s an incredible sound. A Versailles-based band who won the Dayton Battle of the Bands in one of their first appearances. This group started out with Classic Rock and “Big Hair Band” rock. They soon expanded into popular grunge music other bands would not attempt to play. Today, 8-Ball plays grunge, new rock, and older rock songs with a new dated sound. A dynamic lead singer and powerful guitar backed by inspiring drums and bass, they are guaranteed to impress.

Sunday, June 15th 12:30-3:00, Frohna & Warner – Hurry home from church! Kicking things off on Sunday, Frohna & Warner aim to deliver with an acoustic mixture of 50’s to present; these guys cater to all ages and bring a unique twist to familiar favorites. Influences include Steve Winwood, Jack Johnson, Colin Hag, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Paul Simon and many more. 3:30-6:00, Saw Creek – New to the Social Tent this year, please welcome Saw Creek! Lead by experienced musician Steve Rosenbeck, this country music band specializes in Classic and Top 40 Country music by the likes of Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Zac Brown Band, Kenney Chesney and many more. 6:30-10:30, Empty Tank – At the helm of this year’s closing ceremonies, Empty Tank will be bringing down the house! Variety is the ticket and Empty Tank has it mastered, rocking every genre from 60’s to present. Always a crowd favorite, this hometown band is certain to pack the Social Tent for a high energy grand finale to the 2014 Poultry Days Festival.

Versailles Poultry Days and the Village of Versailles would like to invite you to the 63rd annual Poultry Days Festival June 13, 14 and 15th, 2014. This year’s festival theme is “Cluck Dynasty”. Please visit the website www.versaillespoultrydays.com for event details and schedules.

Nutrient Management Innovation

Harrod Farm’s from Northwestern Darke County took nutrient management to the next level this week.

Last year the Harrod’s worked with OSU Extension’s Glen Arnold, Manure Nutrient Management Specialist, and me as we did our manure side dress plots using a liquid manure tanker and applicator tool bar to place swine manure in standing corn. We used a replicated plot to compare the corn that was side dressed with swine manure to the corn that was side dressed with commercial fertilizer.

2013 Tanker Side Dress in replicated plots at Harrod’s

2013 replicated plots at Todd Schmitmeyer’s

The Harrod family was happy with the results and set out to design and have a tool bar built that they could pull a drag line and do the treatment large scale.

On Wednesday, the Harrod’s and Tom Heckel (commercial applicator who supplied the pump, dragline and expertise), began the process of side dressing the corn using the new equipment. Glen Arnold and I were there to observe and to offer our thoughts and advice as the system was fine tuned.

Side dress manure application at Harrod’s this week

Tom Harrod explained that he planted the 60 acre field in two sections. He planted one half of the filed perpendicular to the road as he would traditionally do. The other half was planted on a diagonal which would be the typical pattern used by a commercial dragline manure applicator. We were fortunate to dodge the rains and were able to complete the first half of the field on Wednesday.

The diagonally planted part of the field was completed on Thursday morning. I am happy to say that things were going well enough that the Harrod’s were going to move to another location and side dress another filed using the new system.

So why go to all the trouble one might ask? We are working to increase profitability while being good stewards of the resources we have been provided. Both the tanker system used last year and the dragline system goal is to place the manure between the rows of corn and to cover it with closing wheels to reduce the loss of nutrients and odor.

Glen has replicated plots across the western side of the state including additional plots here in Darke County as we work with farmers to place the manure in a more timely fashion at an ideal location. This will meet the need of the growing crop while reducing the chances for loss of the nutrients thru run off or volatization.
For more information about OSU Extension, Darke County, visit the Darke County OSU Extension web site at www.darke.osu.edu, the OSU Extension Darke County Facebook page or contact Sam Custer, at 937.548.5215.

Help Wanted at BRC


State of the Heart Hospice Receives $1,200 for Camp BEARable From Community Foundation of Randolph County/Union City Fund

State of the Heart Hospice, with offices in Portland, Greenville, and Coldwater, recently received a $1,200 grant from the Community Foundation of Randolph County’s Union City Fund. The funds will go toward sending children from Randolph County to the nonprofit agency’s fourteenth annual Camp BEARable for grieving children.

The camp, which is open to youth ages six through 15, will be held July 11-13 at the Spiritual Center at Maria Stein. Over 550 youth have attended the camp since it was started in 2000. It is free and open to any child needing help with grief and loss, and there need be no association with hospice. As a matter of fact, only a small number of youth attending camp have any association with hospice care.

State of the Heart has cared for patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are confronting a life limiting illness for 33 years. As a nonprofit agency, State of the Heart provides services and care to anyone who needs hospice care, regardless of ability to pay.

There is an application at the agency’s web site, www.stateoftheheartcare.org. Go to the bereavement tab and click on Camp BEARable. You can print the application and mail it in to any of the agency’s offices. If you have questions about camp, please call 1-800-417-7535 and ask to speak to a member of the bereavement staff.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

John's Journal: Flat Tire Edition

John's Journal is a series of posts that serve as a place to ramble about the day to day life of living in Darke County, Ohio, The USA, and Earth. It is written by the curator of DarkeJournal.com, John Liette. Join the conversation by commenting below the post.

Today is my first day back to the full time grind following a couple of weeks off after our son was born. I wasn't ready to leave, but I was anxious to get back into a normal rhythm of the real world rather than the stay at home fantasy world I started to pretend was my new reality. Today may be Tuesday, but it's "Monday" for most people after the holiday, so I feel like it is "Super Monday" after so much time off. 

Needless to say, this is not how I wanted my Super Monday to start...


Ah, c'est la vie, am I right, guys?

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and it feels like it. We're already trying to figure out how to survive in our sweltering home that seems incredibly inefficient (or maybe it's the central air unit that needs to be replaced, all I know is that it's barely touched 90 outside and it felt not so comfy indoors already).

Besides sweating and trying to help our daughter adjust to life with the baby, we finally got our garden going for the year. 

This year we are trying square foot gardening. We had a couple of boxes put together (thanks to my brother), my little gal and I filled them with dirt, and then she and her mother planted a variety of vegetable starts and seeds we bought from the Ansonia FFA Greenhouse.


I'm curious as to how many others grow a garden each year? We have tried several years in the past, but typically end up not able to spend enough time and attention on it or get too ambitious with how much we put out. This year with the garden boxes, weeds should theoretically be at a minimum, and we've planted only what we think we can handle while chasing a toddler and taking care of an infant this summer. 

What sorts of things do you grow? How long did it take you to get the hang of gardening or add it to your normal routine of things to upkeep around your home? Write a comment below (or share a photo of your own garden).

GPD Welcomes New Emergency Communications Operator

The Greenville Police Department would like to congratulate Ms. Tawni Cress for being chosen as the newest Emergency Communications Operator. After an intense hiring process, Ms. Cress was chosen to join the excellent team of dispatchers employed by the Greenville Police Department.

Ms. Cress will go through several weeks of training during which time she will learn the in-depth requirements of being an Emergency Communications Operator.

In addition to enjoying her children's sporting activities, Ms. Cress also likes to read and take walks.

On behalf of the City of Greenville and especially the Greenville Police Department - WELCOME.

Pets of the week


We have CoCo at the Darke County Animal Shelter. He is a 1 year old Lab mix. He is brown with a white chest and short hair. He is a friendly little guy and only weighs around 45 pounds. He loves to play and have fun. He is current on his shots and will make a great companion and friend. He is looking family to live with and have fun.

We have Tex at the Darke County Animal Shelter. He is a 2 year old Australian Shepherd mix. He is white brown and black with medium length hair. He is a friendly guy and loves to play fetch. He is a people dog and will make a wonderful friend. He is current on her shots and waiting to be adopted.

We also have a couple of hound mixes, a Min-Pin, a blue heeler a couple lab mixes, a shepherd mix and numerous other dogs. We also have cats and kittens for adoption.

The Shelter hours are 8am till 4:30pm Monday-Friday and 9:00 till noon on Saturday. The Shelter is located at 5066 County Home Road in Greenville, and the phone number is 547-1645.

ALL DOGS OVER 3 MONTHS OF AGE MUST HAVE A LICENSE. For more information you can contact the Animal Shelter at 937-547-1645. To see the dogs we have, go to our web site at www.darkecountyanimalshelter.com.

BENEFIT RIDE / BIKE BLESSING

ATTENTION ALL MOTORCYCLISTS: NextStep Ministries is hosting its third annual Bike Blessing and Benefit Ride on May 31 (rain date June 7) at the EUM Church Worship Center located at 1451 Sater Street in Greenville, Ohio. Registration will begin at 12:00 pm with the Bike Blessing following at 12:30 pm and the ride at 1:00 pm. The price is $15 for a single rider and $20 for a double.

Join in for a great, scenic motorcycle ride through Darke County and beyond! There will be a Biblical stop along the way and ice cream could be involved! A meal, live music and door prizes will be provided after the ride at the Worship Center.

Donations are welcome and the benefit ride will help fund NextStep Helps Ministry. Next Step Helps provides emergency help and assistance to the less fortunate in our community by providing help with utility bills, prescriptions, gas vouchers and information on other services and benefits in our area. Call 937-316-8420 for more information.

Come be a part of this fun and worthwhile outing! Hope to see you there!

NextStep Ministries is a ministry of EUM Church. Jeff Harper is Lead Pastor at EUM Church and regular worship services are Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:15, 9:45, and 11:15 a.m. at the Worship Center located at 1451 Sater Street (corner of Sater and Sebring-Warner Road) in Greenville, OH. Kidmunity Children’s Ministry is available for kids age birth through grade six at the 6:30 pm, 9:45 and 11:15 am services. The Downtown Campus, 111 Devor Street, houses the offices and preschool. For more information, go to www.eumchurch.org or call 548-3211.

Auction to Offer an Original Annie Oakley Signed Document


In 2013, The Annie Oakley Center Foundation, Greenville, Ohio, was given an original check signed by Annie Oakley Butler. The check was donated to the foundation by Annie Oakley’s great grandniece to use as a fund-raiser for the foundation and The National Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum in Greenville, Ohio.

The National Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Annie Oakley artifacts. Among its collection is a letter written by Annie Butler, (Annie Oakley’s married name), to Fern Campbell, Annie’s niece, that details the reason why the check was written. The letter thanks Fern for sewing work and states she is sending Fern payment. The dates on the check correspond to dates in the letter. The check is original and has never left the family’s possession.

An excerpt from the letter:
“The box arrived safe. The dress is a dream, but I was expecting a lilac shade and was some disappointed in the color. I do not look good in salmon. But I looked at it last night and it looked a deep pink so I guess I can wear it ok. It has been so long since I sent that letter that I guess you forgot about the color.”
To raise funds for The Annie Oakley Foundation and The National Annie Oakley Center at the Garst Museum, the foundation will offer the following on an e-Bay auction starting on June 5, 2014. The e-Bay auction will include the original check, a reproduction copy of the reverse side of the check and letter, two reproduction photos of Annie Oakley and a transcript of the hand written Oakley letter all framed with conservation quality matting and glass. See photos attached.

The e-Bay auction will start online on June 5, 2014. It will end on June 15, 2014. The Garst Museum will be handling the sale of the item through its e-Bay store account. Seller ID is garst306.

Register Now for Darke County Chapter of Farm Safety for Just Kids Safety Day

The Darke County Chapter of Farm Safety for Just Kids will host a farm safety awareness day at the Darke County Fairgrounds, Greenville, OH, on Tuesday, June 10th.

The Progressive Ag Safety Day will be an interactive learning opportunity for children ages 7 thru 13 who live on, or frequently visit, farms to develop an awareness of farm & health hazards.

The sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will feature a variety of speakers and demonstrations. Topics will touch on safety around animals, PTO/Equipment, ATV, grain, drugs, healthy lifestyles, and farm dangers featuring the Greenville Township Rescue Squad.

Each participant will receive a T-shirt, lunch, and a take-home bag with resources and information. Door prizes including a boys and girls bicycle will be given away at the end of the day. Registration is $3.00 per child. Participants must pre-register by contacting Rhonda Kress at 937-417-7412 or rhondajkress@gmail.com.

DC Summit Tryouts to Be Held

Do you love the beautiful game of soccer and want to take your game to the next level? Darke County Soccer has combined with Summit Soccer Academy to create teams that will train and compete at a higher level. Darke County Soccer tryouts are June 2-3, 6-7:30. Try outs for DC Summit teams will have tryouts June 8, 3-4:30. Players that try out for DCSA will also have the opportunity to try out for a DC Summit team.

Any questions contact Mark Coppess at 937-901-9642 or mkcoppess@msn.com

NAACLS Grants Edison’s Medical Laboratory Technician Program Accreditation

Edison Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program has once again received the highest level of accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The NAACLS Board of Directors granted seven-year accreditation to the program on April 10, 2014, based upon the continuing accreditation review process that included a site visit.

As a career field with excellent job prospects, Edison’s in-demand MLT program is available to individuals wishing to make a contribution to the healthcare field by performing diagnostic testing to help physicians accurately diagnose and treat patients. In this program, students learn the skills needed to obtain, process, test and evaluate various biological samples taken from patients.

“I like to think of the MLT profession as the crime scene investigation of healthcare,” said Kathy Gehret, director of the MLT program. “Medical Laboratory Technicians are doing the behind the scenes work to determine how to properly diagnose an illness and prescribe the right antibiotics for treatment. This field of work is great for analytical thinkers who have an interest in the healthcare but don’t necessarily want to work directly with patients.”

To obtain reaccreditation, Edison’s MLT program participated in an extensive self-study process measuring the program and its services against standards of the NAACLS accreditation criteria. The program received accreditation after an on-site visit by NAACLS review committee in Fall 2013 to ensure that it met each of the eight program standards.

Sustaining accreditation from the NAACLS is an ongoing process. During the seven-year accreditation period, the program will be required to make annual reports documenting that they’ve maintained compliance with the review process standards.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science is committed to being the premier international agency for accreditation and approval of education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences and related health care professions. NAACLS provides leadership in fostering innovative educational approaches and actively supports cooperative efforts with other agencies.

For more information about Edison’s MLT program or its NAACLS accreditation visit www.edisonohio.edu.

Historic Preservation Recognition Award Given to St Clair Manor Owners Mike and Sherri Jones

Mike Presnall, St Clair Manor owner
Sherri Jones, and Regent Chris Nehring
On May 17th Fort GreeneVille Chapter and Ohio Regent Sandy McCann presented the National Historic Preservation Recognition Award to St Clair Manor owners Mike and Sherri Jones. Sherri accepted the award during the 100th Anniversary Mother's Day Tea Party hosted by the Fort GreeneVille DAR Chapter at the St. Clair Manor.

The Historic Preservation Recognition Award recognizes and honors an individual or group that has done recent remarkable volunteer work at the community level.

Ohio Regent McCann, St Clair Manor owner
Sherri Jones and Fort GreeneVille Regent Chris Nehring
The award may be presented to DAR members and non-members and recognizes achievements in all areas of historic preservation: buildings, landmarks, monuments, cemeteries, historic districts, statues, museum collections, manuscripts, documents, and archival materials. It also includes writing or compiling and publishing books on historic preservation projects, historical properties, genealogical and court house records, and photography collections; as well as compiling oral histories; and serving as historical guides, interpreters or docents.

This award is administered by the DAR National Vice Chairman, Historic Preservation Recognition Award, Katie Hyman.

Fort GreeneVille Chapter DAR Hosts a 100th Anniversary Mother's Day Tea Party

Fort GreeneVille and Commodore Preble Chapters and guests
On May 17th Fort GreeneVille Chapter hosted a 100th Anniversary Mother's Day Tea Party. It was held at the historical St. Clair Manor with Ohio Regent Sandy McCann in attendance as the special guest. Also in attendance were Commodore Preble Chapter members, family members and friends. Fort GreeneVille Chapter Chaplain Karen Burkett gave a 100th Mother's Day Anniversary program while Commodore Preble Regent Linda Coleman acknowledged Armed Forces Day. Following the program, numerous door prizes were given out.

BBBS Announces Daffy Duck Derby & Duck N’ Run 5k!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County is making plans for the upcoming fundraising event, 2014 Rubber Duck Race. This event will be held on Thursday, June 19th. The Duck launch will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Geib Pavilion in Tawawa Park.

In addition to the duck race, the agency will also host the eight annual Duck N’ Run/Walk 5k race, which is a part of the Shelby County 5K Tour and the Wayne Healthcare Challenge. The 5k run/walk will be held on the same evening of Thursday, June 19th with race time at 8:15 p.m. through scenic Tawawa Park in Sidney. Registration will begin at 7:00 p.m., and a shot-gun start will begin the race at 8:15 p.m. Runners (walkers also welcome) will follow the course through the scenic park, with refreshments and an awards presentation waiting at the finish line. Runners can pre-register for the event for $25.00, which includes t-Shirt and Rubber Duck Adoption. $20.00 allows a runner to participate and receive a t-shirt, or $12.00 will cover the cost of the race only. Race day registration is $15.00 and does not include a t-shirt. Duck adoptions and t-shirts will also be sold separately on race day.

The public is invited to come out at 7:30 p.m. for the Rubber Duck Race to cheer on their adopted rubber duck and compete for some awesome prizes. The HITS Crew will do LIVE broadcasting at the event.

Last year nearly 3,000 rubber ducks made their way down Mosquito Creek to compete for the many fabulous prizes. This year’s grand prize will be a $1,000 Shopping Spree (some restrictions may apply!) There are also many other great prizes, including; two “3-day” passes to the great Country Concert at Hickory Hills, Dayton Dragons tickets, and Resturant gift certificate; and much more!

The Daffy Duck Derby is a fun and exciting way to help children within the Shelby and Darke County communities. By “adopting” a rubber duck for $5 or a Daffy Dozen (6 ducks) for $25 you not only have a chance to win some fantastic prizes, but you will have made a difference by providing financial support to a Big and Little and our mentoring programs. Starting in May, Duck adoptions will be available at the BBBS office, Ron & Nita’s downtown Sidney, Meyers Garage and Drive Thru in Newport, Sidney Body Carstar, Best One Tire, Sidney Tire, 47 Bar in Grille in Port Jefferson, and Roots Hair Salon in Greenville. Ducks will also be sold at selected times at the Kroger Stores in Sidney and Greenville. Any “early birds” who adopt their Daffy Dozen by May 24th will receive one free duck adoption.

If you would like to register for the 5k Race, or adopt a “duck”, please call the local office at 492-7611 or 547-9622. Interested persons also have the option of obtaining a registration and/or order form on-line. Log on to www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org and download your forms today!

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer or are a single parent and would like your child in the program, please call 492-7611 or 547-9622. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way member agency and an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Start Something…Make A Positive and Lasting Impact!

DARKE COUNTY JUNE BLOOD DRIVES ANNOUNCED

DARKE COUNTY, Ohio – June is filled with opportunities to donate blood in Darke County. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment at www.DonorTime.com. Local contact is Dana Puterbaugh, Darke County Account Representative 937-997-2199 or dputerbaugh@givingblood.org

Monday, June 2, 2014
BASF
7:30 am – 11:30 am
Employees Only

Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Greenville Technology, Inc.
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Employees Only

Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Greenville Technology, Inc.
7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Employees Only


Monday, May 26, 2014

Car Leaves Road and Strikes Concrete Post

No comments:
On May 26, 2014 at approximately 2:26 AM Darke County Deputies, along with Liberty Township Fire Department, Tri Village Rescue, and Careflight, were dispatched to the 4300 block of Crumrine Road in reference to a one vehicle, injury accident.  Preliminary investigation revealed that a white, 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by 16 year old, Taylor N. Barnes, of Lynn, Indiana, was northbound on Crumrine Road, north of Byrket Road, when she failed to negotiate a curve and drove off the right side of the roadway.  The Cavalier struck a concrete post with the passenger side.  Barnes was able to climb out of the vehicle by herself and summon help.
    
Barnes was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Careflight with non-life threatening injuries.  At press release time, Barnes was listed in stable condition.
 
The accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Consolidating Manure Management will Cut Down on Bureaucratic Red Tape

Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy

Sometimes, government has a tendency of continuing to do things the same way year after year. Enough years go by, and people stop asking questions because, “That’s just the way it’s done.”

That is why I was happy to see House Bill 490 be introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives. One component of House Bill 490 changes some of the regulatory oversight practices of how manure is handled in Ohio.

Specifically, the bill transfers the oversight of manure control from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources via the local Division of Soil and Water Conservation to the Ohio Department of Agriculture except for distressed watersheds such as, Grand Lake St. Marys. Why is that important? As most people know, manure is a valuable asset for the purpose of fertilizing fields. But for obvious reasons, it is critical that it be applied and contained in a proper way, so as to not infiltrate and affect our water supply.

This issue will strongly impact rural areas of the state like in western Ohio. The 84th House District is the largest agriculture-producing district in the state, including heavy livestock and poultry production.

The largest agricultural operations—the permitted, concentrated animal-feeding operations—obviously already have to have strict control over the application of manure. This legislation recognizes the quality management of manure production by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in the Division of Livestock and Environmental Permitting as it relates to large farms. Under the new law management of manure issues will be transferred to the Ohio Department of Agriculture for farms of all sizes with the exception of those located in a distressed watershed.


Natural Play Zone OPEN at Shawnee Prairie


The Darke County Park District would like to extend a HUGE thank you to the Ami McClurkin Community Fund and the Kremer Family Farms Fund, both administered by the HOPE Foundation of Darke County. Through the generosity of these foundations, The Darke County Park District was able to open the Natural Play Zone at Shawnee Prairie Preserve (4267 State Route 502 West).

The Natural Play Zone has been developed to combat an epidemic known as Nature Deficit Disorder. Recent studies show that children are smarter, happier and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors, according to the Children & Nature Network, a national non-profit organization designed to encourage and support the people and organizations working to reconnect children with nature.

Featured in the Natural Play Zone is a balance beam, natural loom, digging pit, jumping logs, climbing mound, tunnel and much more. Children are encouraged to explore the area, build shelters, dig, play and have fun, all while parents can watch over from designated “parent areas.” There are special tools for children to utilize in a lock box located near the digging pit. This zone allows for kids to be kids! There are only two rules: 1) Always be careful and respectful of others and nature 2) Take pictures and Leave only Footprints. Through discovery and imagination, the sky is the limit to this ever-evolving zone within the woods of Shawnee Prairie Preserve.

The Natural Play Zone is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. If you have any questions, please call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165. We hope to see you and your children out exploring nature!

Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society Sponsors Summer Program

Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society is sponsoring a new summer program, "Coffee and Conversation Series", on selected Saturday mornings beginning at 10 a.m.

The series will be a relaxed time to exchange memories about growing up in Arcanum and Southern Darke County. It will be a time to tell stories; your stories and those of our guest host. Or, just come and listen. This is a chance for newcomers to learn more about our area.

The dates and names of the guest hosts are as follows: June 7 - JoAnne Hill, June 28 - Richard and Marilyn Rinehart, July 12, Tom and Liz Stephens and Aug 9 - Marilyn Graeff. The series is free and students are welcomed.

Please join us for the first C&C June 7th, when JoAnne will share growing up with responsibilities at the family business,The John Smith Store, even at a very young age. Then as a teenager she volunteered as an air raid warden during WWII and later managed the John Smith Store with her late husband Dave Hill. She wants to hear your stories too. For more information call 937-678-7832.

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