Greenville Baseball opens season against Marion-Local

The Greenwave baseball team opened its regular season tonight with a home game against Marion-Local. The two teams packed the Sater Street park with fans - as the younger boys were all getting in their first practice on the little league diamonds. Below you'll see Greenville shortstop Cale Marker rapping a bases-loaded single.


[Subscribers may have to visit website to view video.]

Is Celina's Governor's Cup Regatta a sinking ship?

Here's the story, which is being linked mostly just to continue the "sinking ship" theme.

Press release on auto accident

DARKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE NEWS RELEASE
DOUBLE FATAL ACCIDENT ON US ROUTE 127

Friday, March 27th, 2009
Contact: Sheriff Spencer (937-548-3399)

The Darke County Sheriff's Office is investigating a crash that occurred at the intersection of Sebring Warner Road and US Route 127 on March 27th, 2009 at approximately 12:45 PM. There were four injuries total and out of those four injuries, two have been pronounced dead.

The Darke County Dispatch Center received numerous calls reporting a serious accident at the intersection with several injuries and possible ejection.

The Darke County Sheriff's Office, along with Greenville Township Fire & Rescue and Arcanum Rescue were dispatched to the scene and Careflight was also notified. Two patients were flown by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and one patient was transported by ground to Wayne Hospital in Greenville. One patient was pronounced dead at the scene and a second was pronounced dead at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

The accident is still under investigation. This is the second fatal accident of the year and marks the third accident related death in Darke County in 2009.

[note: this press released was issued Friday, but acquired by email just today. There has been extensive coverage in the Darke County and Dayton media if you want more details.]

Darke County Website - Midlife & Beyond

Genni, Jan, Kara, and Holly have started a Darke County blog called Midlife & Beyond - geared mostly toward seniors. The ladies are affiliated with the Brethren Retirement Community (I think), and they have some interesting information at their website.

It might not be for everybody, but make sure to at least give them a visit (plus they gave DarkeJournal a plug, so that's commendable).

Senator Gary Cates to speak in Greenville

Ohio State Senator Gary Cates will be the speaker for the Darke County Republican Women’s Club meeting on Monday, April 13. Immediately after his speech, Greenville Schools Superintendent Susie Riegle and committee member Marlise McCallister will give a presentation about the upcoming school levy.

Senator Cates is Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, representing the 4th District since 2005. Previously he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Butler County, from 1999 until 2004. He was a Union Twp. Trustee 1990-1995, and had been on the Middletown City School Board.

Ohio Senate President Bill Harris named Senator Cates to the Senate Education Committee position which will include leading a group to dissect Governor Strickland's education plan and move forward with debate and discussion on the state budget bill.

“Schools” will be the theme of this meeting, which will be held at the Chestnut Village Community Center in the Brethren Home complex. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and reservations for dinner are required; please call Wavelene Denniston at 547-6477 by April 9.

The general public is invited. Those who wish to attend just the program and not the dinner, could come at 7:00 p.m. without prior reservations.

New banners brighten up Broadway

Downtown Greenville was a little brighter this morning with the addition of new and colorful spring banners.

The new additions are the artwork of several Greenville junior high students who won a contest to have their designs exhibited downtown.

The four different banners are alternated between existing banners for the City of Greenville.

The new look is part of a project sponsored by Main Street Greenville.

The people from Gerdes Turf Farms (Xenia, Ohio) don't know how to park a truck

Or maybe if you have a Ford F-550, you just figure you can park wherever you want.

Sutton's 6-hour sale - 4/4

Click on image to see full-size flyer.

EUM chicken bbq - 4/26

Chicken BBQ Sunday April 26th - 4:30 – 6pm - EUM Church on 111 Devor St., Greenville

The weather is clearing – time for yard work – baseball & soccer games – walks in the park ... Why not ORDER DINNER IN – so you have more FREE time for outdoor fun?? NOW is the time to order your chicken BBQ tickets to benefit Kids going to EUM’s Summer Camp Wild!! This is a week long adventure – camping, swimming, hiking, and most importantly a time to learn and grow closer to GOD!

Please consider buying a $7 ticket for a chicken BBQ dinner and support the kids…. The dinners are from Romer’s. Sunday April 26th - 4:30 – 6pm EUM Church, 111 Devor St., Greenville. We will have curb side pick up AND an indoor dining facility available.

To reserve your ticket – call 937-564-8211 - Leave your name, contact # and the # of tickets you would like. Tickets will be delivered to you – or your office – money is due when you receive your tickets!!

March 27 - two events this evening in Greenville

Nothing to do on a Friday night? Darke County has two unique events this evening ...

• Bear's Mill Art Exhibition and Reception
• Montage Cafe - Runway Rhythm / Uniting for Charity

Darke County 4-H fundraiser

Darke Co. 4-H Rabbit Raisers are selling $10.00 McDonald's Peeler cards for a fundraiser. The cards are available for a $10.00 donation, on the cards are coupons (peelers) to be used at many Ohio and Indiana McDonald's locations.

Specifically, here's what you get: (10) buy 1 get 1 free any regular priced sandwich, (2) buy 1 get 1 free an regular priced Premium Salad, (2) buy 1 get 1 free 3 piece Chicken Selects, (2) buy 1 get 1 free Southern Style Chicken Biscuit, (2) buy 1 get 1 free Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, (2) buy 1 get 1 free Meduim Iced Coffee, (4) Free Cone, Pie or Sundae with purchase of any Extra Value Meal.

The 4-H club will be selling the card at the Greenville K-mart on Friday (3/27) from 4pm to 6pm and on Saturday (3/28) from 10am to 2pm We will also have Papa John’s peeler for $10… The peelers on the Papa John’s are buy a large pizza and get a large pizza FREE .

Contact info: amoore207@yahoo.com

Check out ourohio.org

DarkeJournal reader "Art on the Moon" asked for a plug for the website Our Ohio, which is affiliated with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. It looks to be a pretty interesting website, and includes a huge recipe section (among many other things).

Check it out.

Thoughts on the Greenville school levy

I will be voting for the levy. Despite some recent frustrations, and maybe at least passing consideration of a "no" vote, there really is no choice in the matter. The economic vitality of Greenville depends on a strong school system. And that is the really frustrating factor here.

The current levy is an "emergency levy." I take the school district at its word that these funds are desperately needed. However, the reality of the situation (in my opinion) is that the passage of any levy now will necessarily hurt future attempts at levies. The people of Greenville can only take so much. A renewal levy was passed not too long ago. And I'm confident that this levy will pass too. But the passage of these two will be a perfect excuse for people to vote against the next one ... or two ... or three levies. You can only go to the well so many times.

The current levy is a band-aid. It's necessary, but it's still just a band-aid. The "emergency levy" will help us next year, whereas a new building (for example) might have helped us for a century.

When we are trying to attract industries and professionals and dollars to our community, a new school building is a great draw. One hundred year old buildings and trailer complexes are a poor draw. Emergencies levies are also a poor draw. I fear we may have missed a one-time opportunity to raise our community to an entirely new level when the move for the new school failed. I don't believe that the people who opposed that project fully appreciate the long-term impact of their actions.

Maybe if we had that big, beautiful, new school right now, we might also have a new industry or two here in town. Maybe the storefronts on Broadway would all be full. Maybe Greenville parents wouldn't be sending their kids to the county schools. Maybe ... maybe not. We'll never know now because we were deprived of the opportunity of finding out.

We could have been proactive and improved our entire community in the pursuit of replacing buildings that still currently need to be replaced. Instead, we are citing to Greenville's exceptionally low tax rate in order to address the current emergency. Unfortunately, that argument will no longer be available if this levy passes. But that's where we are - and the levy must pass if the district is to thrive and fight another day.

Congressman Jim Jordan comments on the president's budget

Jordan is Darke County's former state senator.


Comments?

Baseball! Greenville battles National Trail

The Greenville Green Wave hosted National Trail today at the Sater Street ballpark. The Wave built an 11-6 lead at one point, lost that lead, and then tied it up with a 2-run blast from Marc Shields (photo right - video below). Trail's Taylor Neal crushed an earlier run-scoring triple in the other highlight below. [excuse the low-res video]

So who won? Don't know - the latest was 13-13. But it was a beautiful early sping night for baseball. If anybody was around for the final, leave a comment.

Free First-Time Homebuyer Class

Looking into buying your first home?
Tired of throwing money away on rent?
Confused about the government tax credit?
Hunting for a home loan?

These questions and many more will be answered at a free first-time homebuyer class Wednesday March 25 or Monday March 30 from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Chestnut Village Center in Greenville.

To register you can contact Todd Finch at Leis Realty 937-548-5750 ext. 245 or Diane Hill at National City Mortgage 937-548-1300. Also, you can email Todd at trfinch@gmail.com or Diane at diane.hill@ncmc.com. When registering please leave your name, address, and phone number or email along with which date you wish to attend. Seating is limited so register soon. Any questions call or email the above contacts.

State Rep. Jim Zehringer wins Reagan Government Leadership Award

Runway Rhythm - Uniting for Charity

$20 for music, snacks, 2 drinks, and a style show - and all for charity.

Bring a canned good and you get a "downtown dollar" for use at Broadway retailers. There will also be plenty of door prizes given away.

It should be a fun time - and for a much lower cost that the usual local charity event.

Tickets are available as described on the brochure - or for more information, you can call Main Street Greenville at 548-4998.

First signs of spring

More experimentation with the macro setting ... the first buds open on a weeping crabapple (click on the photos for some incredible close-ups).

This star magnolia is already blooming.

Art Reception and Exhibition at Bears Mill

Art at the Mill ...

Dan Robertson's paintings

Rita Wiley's and Loretta Wray's stoneware pottery

Exhibition

March 27-April 26 during Bear's Mill business hours (Tuesday through Sunday)

Reception
Friday, March 27, 6-9 pm

Please join us in celebrating the work of these regional artists.
Open to the public with wine and light appetizers.

Greenville City Schools seek Emergency Levy

Local real estate tax comparison:

Click on picture to see full-size brochure.

Brethren Retirement Community offers lunch delivery

Email your orders to: holly.hill@bhrc.com. Fax orders: 937-547-8105.

State Rep Dick Adams to speak in Greenville Saturday

Dick Adams will be speaking at the Fairlawn Restaurant in Greenville this Saturday morning, March 21, at 8:00 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Darke County Republican Men's Club (light breakfast = $4).

Adams is serving his first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 79th House District, which includes Miami County and portions of Darke County.

Representative Adams comes to the Ohio House as a current member of the Unity National Bank Board of Directors. He previously served two terms as Miami County Commissioner. Representative Adams has a long history as an educator, having served as a high school agriculture instructor for Northwestern High School, vice president of Clark State Community College and founding superintendent of the Upper Valley Joint Vocational School District.

An active participant in community activities and organizations, Representative Adams has served on numerous professional, community and church boards. Most notably, he served as chairman of the National Association of Community College Trustees Board and as president of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Board. He has been a trustee for Edison Community College for 18 years, acting as chairman for three years. He currently serves as the chairman of the Miami County Republican Party Central Committee.

For his notable work in the community and as an educator, Representative Adams has received many awards including the Ohio Outstanding Administrator Award from the Ohio Vocational Association, and the Citizenship Award for Distinguished Service to Humanity from The Ohio State Alumni Association. He was named Distinguished Alumni by The Ohio State University College of Agriculture and named Distinguished Citizen of Troy by the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce.

Representative Adams holds Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Ohio State University in Agricultural Education and Education Administration. He and his wife Sandy live in Troy and have three children: Julie, Rick and Christian.

Adams campaign website can be found here.

[info from: Ohio House website]

Who the heck is Fred Strahorn?

If you live in the blue part of Darke County (see the map), Fred Strahorn is your new state senator, hand-picked by his party to replace the recently-resigned Tom Roberts.

So who is Fred Strahorn?

And who is Tom Roberts?

As a Darke Countian, it's fairly likely that you've never heard of these guys. And you probably don't stand a good chance of meeting them either. And that is because Ohio's 5th Senate District includes both Arcanum and inner-city Dayton. How's that for diversity?

Looking only at population, the segment of Montgomery County dwarfs the population of a handful of rural townships in Darke County. Even if Montgomery County wasn't in the mix, Darke's population is still miniscule as compared to all of Miami County. And because of this, the state senator from Ohio's 5th District rarely visits our county.

Fred Strahorn has a chance to prove me wrong - but I doubt I'll be seeing him at Miller's Tavern anytime soon.

Carter Lumber closes

The faltering economy has claimed another local victim. The Carter Lumber outlet (located at the intersection of 127 & Sebring-Warner Road) is now closed. The property is listed for sale. The Carter buildings sit on 19.248 acres in Greenville Township. The lot and buildings are appraised by the county at $603,900.

Carter is the second lumber chain to leave Greenville in a year, as 84 Lumber (Children's Home-Bradford Road) closed in the spring of 2008. At the time, 84 Lumber indicated its closure was "due to low or no housing growth in [the market]."

A mix of the ecoonomy, the opening of Lowe's, and Darke Countians' preference for local vendors probably all combined to force Carter and 84 Lumber out of business.



A view with U.S. 127 & the Anderson ethanol plant in the background.

More coverage on the carbon dioxide sequestration proposal

WHIO has a story and video on the Monday public hearing on CO2 sequestration.

To the general public: the CO2 proposal is merely a proposal, years away from implementation, if it ever gets that far, which is at best probably a long-shot. Furthermore, carbon dioxide is a natural substance which exists everywhere on earth. And if you are going to direct your energy anywhere, be upset about the regulations that force producers to inject CO2 into the ground, instead of the sky, which is forbidden despite any real evidence that carbon dioxide does any damage to the atmosphere.

To the people proposing the CO2 sequestration: if you want to convince Darke Countians of anything, don't send a guy with a British accent to make the sales pitch.

Comments?

Jerry Koverman, Kent Thompson honored at Ag Appreciation Dinner

The Darke County Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Appreciation Luncheon was held March 17th at Romer's Catering in Greenville.

Jerry Koverman was honored with the Service to Agricultural Community Award. Koverman also serves as mayor of Ansonia. Kent Thompson received the Service to Agriculture Award. Thompson serves as a Van Buren Township Trustee.

The sponsors and comittee are listed below.

Real Estate Auction Seminar Offered

Call Mike Baker for more details at 548-2540.

Toledo Symphony Orchestra to Perform on 3/21

Chamber of Commerce Ag Luncheon set for 3/17

For information, call the Darke County Chamber of Commerce at 937-548-5608.

Arcanum victimized by 90-foot shot

Casey Weber hits a 90 foot 3-pointer at the buzzer during the Section Finals game of Dayton Christian versus Arcanum at the University of Dayton Arena on March 6, 2009. [Click the "HQ" for a better picture]

DarkeJournal.com

DarkeJournal.com is not a newspaper, but was created with the idea that the local media miss a lot of good stories. And often the best people to tell those stories are you - the readers. Got a tip? Do you have a great photo? Want to write a story about your kid's 7th grade basketball game? Go for it. There are so many great stories out there in Darke County that go untold. Why sit around and hope that the newspaper will cover your event? Cover it yourself, and publicize it right here.

Submit yout tip - your photo - your p.r. announcement - or your entire story to contact@darkejournal.com.

Two of the stories below were email submissions. Submit your story now.

Cooking Show at Kitchen Aid

Greenville KitchenAid offers regular cooking shows featuring Eileen Litchfield. On Saturday, Eileen prepared crepes and omelettes for a crowd of 20 to 25 people. Customers are given written instructions to go home and try their hand at Eileen's recipes. Reservations are not required and you can learn about future shows by calling 316-4777.

Eileen prepares to add some white wine to her crepes.

Here is the chef in action - make sure to listen for the expert commentary part-way through the video.

Public mailboxes removed in Greenville

In an apparent cost-cutting measure, the public mailbox on the 600-block of South Broadway was removed last week. Presumably, several other local mailboxes were also removed - as this removed box was added to a truck with 6 or 8 other mailboxes already on board. The sidewalk now has an ugly - and potentially dangerous slab - where a very convenient mailbox used to be.

Progress continues with Wayne Hospital expansion

In recent weeks, the Wayne Hospital construction has been less-than-aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of rusted metal beams and plastic sheeting present (the latter in shreds after a series of windstorms). However, the project is advancing to the point that a fair amount of the finished exterior is now up.

The new wing has a light contemporary exterior, which is an interestng contrast with the tan brick of the original building. The current construction is on schedule to be completed in January 2010.

(Below is a current photo - and a prior artists' rendering of the finished project)

Wayne Theater Movie Review: Uninvited

Where else can you see a new release movie for $4.50 - while also enjoying the character of the Wayne Cinema?

Uninvited is a suspense-thriller geared toward a younger audience. It is from the same team that created Disturbia. If you liked Disturbia, you will also like Uninvited. The story line here is pretty decent, with plenty of twists and turns. However, fair warning - the movie also has its fair share of shock, gore, blood, and one head-turning corpse (as part of a dream).

The star is Emily Browning, who plays teenage Anna - haunted by the recent death of her mother. Anna's evil step-mother is played by Elizabeth Banks. Sister (Arielle Kebbel) and father (David Strathairn) round out the cast.

Uninvited won't be winning any Oscars, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat for a quick and fun 90 minutes. According to Yahoo! Movies, Uninvited scored a C with the critics - and a B+ in a 1000+ viewer reviews.

My score: B.

Alternate 49S to close in Arcanum from 3/16 to 4/16

The closure will be for sewer work, closing a span between Pearl Street and Albright Road. More details here.

Faith United Methodist food bank (Arcanum) is in need of donations

[From information provided] ... the Faith United Methodist food bank will help families in need, but only once per month, and with encouragement to seek employment and not rely on the charity. Sounds like a reasonable and worthy cause. And they are in need of donations/food.

The Faith United Methodist Church is located at 101 East South Street, in Arcanum. Their phone number is 692-8934.

Enrollment up at Edison Community College.

Story here.