Monday, March 28, 2016

Rider Airlifted After Motorcycle Crash

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On Sunday March 27, 2016 at approximately 6:13 PM, Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Fire Department and Rescue and CareFlight responded to the 3800 block of State Route 47 on a report of an injury motorcycle crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed Timothy S. King 57, of Union City, Indiana was operating a Red Harley-Davidson Classic westbound on State Route 47 and failed to negotiate a curve traveling off the right side of the roadway into the ditch, and King was ejected from the motorcycle into a field. King was taken to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFlight for his injuries. King was not wearing a helmet.

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

VERSAILLES HEALTH CARE CENTER HOSTS EASTER BUNNY BREAKFAST

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Versailles Health Care Center recently hosted Breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Over 100 children visited with the Easter Bunny and enjoyed Brown’s Sweet Shop donuts and refreshments at Versailles Health Care Center. After breakfast and pictures with the children, the Easter Bunny also made a special visit to all the patients and residents. “We had an awesome turnout for our first Easter Bunny Breakfast! We would to thank our community for sharing Easter fun with our patients and residents. It was such a joy to see all the smiles,” said Kristy Earick, CEO/Administrator at Versailles Health Care Center.

Versailles Health Care Center is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center that offers short-term rehab services, outpatient therapy, and long-term care. If you are interested in learning more about Versailles Health Care Center, please call at 937-526-5570 or visit on the web at www.versailleshealthcare.com.

Darke County Civic Theater to Hold Auditions

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Darke County Civic Theater will be holding auditions for two upcoming productions to be performed in the summer months. Auditions for an adult full length comedy which will be performed August 13th and August 14th, 2016 at the Elks Lodge entitled “Love, Sex and the IRS” will be held on Sunday, April 17th at the Shawnee Prairie Nature Center from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

This show has flexible casting and is seeking actors and actresses over the age of 18. This hilarious comedy is sure to be a hit and the performance at the Elks Lodge will be open to the public. Rehearsals for this production will take place on Sunday afternoons, starting after auditions and will run through the performance date.

Darke County Civic Theater has another opportunity for interested actors and actresses in the form of a melodrama. “THE PERILS OF PRISCILA…OR THE SCHOOLMARMS DILEMA” will be performed at the 2016 Annie Oakley Festival which takes place July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th 2016. Auditions for the 2016 Annie Oakley Festival Melodrama will be held on Sunday May 8th at the Shawnee Prairie Nature Center from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. This show has flexible casting and is seeking actors and actresses over the age of 10. This joyful melodrama is one that is sure to continue delighting the Annie Oakley Days Festival as it has in years past. Rehearsals for this production will take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting after auditions and will run through the performance date. Darke County Civic Theater is also always seeking new crew members for behind the scenes activities.

More information on auditions and upcoming productions for Darke County Civic Theater can be found at www.darkecountycivictheater.org For more information or questions concerning auditions, please contact Chris Chapa at darkecountycivictheatre@gmail.com

YMCA soccer league

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The YMCA of Darke County is set to begin soccer play at both our Greenville and Versailles locations in April! Participating in sports at the Y has benefits far greater than physical health. Sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out. If you have children between the ages of 4-10, we have a league for them! We will have a team for ages 4-6 and a team for ages 7-10. Registration is open now, so call 548-3777 or 526-4488 or stop by and register in person!

Key Dates:

  • Registration deadline- Friday, April 1
  • Pre-season for 7-10 age group- Saturday, April 2
  • Volunteer coaches meeting- Wednesday, April 6
  • Practice begins- Saturday, April 9
  • First game- Saturday, April 23
  • Last game- Saturday, May 28

Our leagues would not be possible without the support of volunteers! If you would like to volunteer to coach or help in any way, please contact Tyler Roberts at 548-3777 or troberts@ymcadarkecounty.org.

Edison State to recognize administrative professionals

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Edison State Community College will present a program on April 27 in recognition of Administrative Professional Day that salutes the many contributions of support staff throughout the area. The program is sponsored by the Office Systems & Administration Advisory Committee at Edison State Community College.

The program is open to all office support professionals, including administrative assistants, executive assistants, office managers, and other employees who provide secretarial or administrative support for one or multiple supervisors. Supervisors and managers of those administrative professionals are encouraged to attend with their valued employees.

“This will be the 24th year that we have held an event for Administrative Professionals at Edison State,” said Shirley Moore, Dean of Business, Engineering and Information Technology at Edison State. “We design this event as a celebration of the contributions and value that all administrative professionals bring to all work environments. We partner with corporate sponsors whose financial support makes this day possible.”

This year’s corporate sponsors include the City of Piqua; Emerson Climate Technologies; Greenville National Bank; Hobart/ITW Food Group, and Wilson Health.

The featured speaker at this year’s program will be Rene Delane, founder and CEO of Women Who Dare LLC. Her expertise is inspiring, educating, and advocating for women to be strong leaders, effective communicators, and confident influencers.

Delane’s presentation entitled “Your Voice Can Change the World” will provide attendees with how to secrets of success from her conversations with amazing women who have overcome gender, culture, color, and economic barriers and who have used failure as stepping stones to success.

“Administrative professionals are the heart of any office,” said Gloria A Harpest, Administrative Vice President of Human Resources and Marketing of Greenville National Bank and Chairperson for the Office Systems and Administration Advisory Committee at Edison State. “Smooth operation in today’s office is contingent on administrative professionals who are organized in every aspect of their work life.”

The day’s event schedule this year will include eight breakout sessions addressing a variety of pertinent topics: “Confidence: Getting It and Keeping It,” “Google Docs for Organizations: Move Your Document and Productivity to the Cloud,” “Forming a Transformation,” “Creating the Best Version of Ourselves,” “Social Media: How Do I Make the Connections?” “iPads in the Office: I have an app for that, do you?” “How to Stay Calm, Cool and Collected: The 3 C’s,” and “Skills to Look Like a Professional.”

Those interested in participating will need to register by April 15. Cost to attend is $35 per person, which includes admission to all sessions, a buffet lunch and refreshments, and entry in the drawing for door prizes. The event runs from 11:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held at Edison State’s Piqua campus. Limited reserved parking will be available.

For more information, contact Carolyn Jackson, OSA Assistant Professor, by calling 937-381-1541 or emailing cjackson@edisonohio.edu. Registration forms can be requested and submitted via mail, e-mail or fax.

Testing Update from Greenville City Schools

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by Laura Bemus, Assistant Superintendent

In February, 2016 districts across the state of Ohio received test data from the Ohio Department of Education for tests that were administered in April, 2015. After receiving A’s in Value-Added overall data in 2013 and 2014, Greenville City Schools received an F, according to the grades released by the Ohio Department of Education. Knowing that teaching and instruction methods have only improved during that time period, we became concerned about the testing method reliability.

What is value-added? Value-added measures, or growth measures, are measures used to estimate how much of a positive or negative effect individual teachers have on student learning during the course of a given school year, based on sophisticated statistical algorithms and standardized test results. Value-added progress is reported in Ohio based on testing in grades 4-8 in Math and Language Arts. The Ohio Department of Education states that, “Value-added analysis should help educators measure the impact that schools and teachers have on students’ academic progress rates from year to year and also that Ohio selected a value-added measure that should provide educators with information on how they can use data to focus instruction”. Both of these purposes have not been met with the 2014-15 school year testing and data. The information provided is not useful for us to focus instruction. It is comparable to a patient going to the Dr. for an illness in April, 2015 and getting the results and prescription for healing the illness in February, 2016.

Our concern for our students in Greenville, and across the State, has caused us to collaborate and research the data. Preliminary research using “similar districts” as determined by the Ohio Department of Education reveals a similar pattern with a correlation of changed testing format. In 2014-15 Districts were able to choose if they wanted to begin testing students online or continue using paper and pencil to test. We were also told by the Ohio Department of Education that every district in the State would be required to use computers for online testing beginning in 2015-2016, which is no longer true. However, the data indicates that districts that tested online had results that were greatly impacted for value-added reporting.

Michael Molnar, Executive Director of Educational Services for the Amherst Schools has the information from 438 schools and his data can be found at https://goo.gl/Td7NJH . The conclusion from the extensive research is:
“The data proves that the differing formats of last year’s PARCC testing greatly impacted and altered the value added data. Paper-only districts performed better than online-only districts. Many factors could contribute to this disparity but by comparing online testing districts to paper testing districts, the Ohio Department of Education is not providing accurate and fair information to the public. The 2015 value added grades released by the Ohio Department of Education are unreliable and invalid.”

The Ohio legislature should use these statistics to justify passing legislation to select one testing format (online or paper) for all future testing to ensure that all school districts are being compared and assessed equitable. Our results arrived after the deadline to declare how we will test students this spring, so many districts; including Greenville City Schools are going to give the tests online again in 2016, knowing that this caused unreliable and invalid data in 2015.

We should be accountable for achievement and growth for our students! We work diligently to make a difference and help students learn and will continue to do so every day. Our MAP scores from testing students in grades K – 8 three times per year are used in Math and Language Arts to frequently monitor learning growth (value-added), set goals with students and remediate or enrich instruction. The MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) scores are nationally normed for reliability. Our accountability is constantly monitored and not just based on one test each year.

At a news conference on Thursday Feb. 22nd in Columbus State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo) and State Board of Education member A.J. Wagner urged the public to ignore this year’s results, saying they’re from a flawed test that the state has already abandoned. Unfortunately the data was late, inaccurate and harmful to the children and communities across the state of Ohio.

Towne & Country Players of Versailles to Hold Auditions

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Towne & Country Players of Versailles, one of the area’s oldest Community Theatres is pleased to announce their upcoming auditions for their revival of the 1990’s hit musical/comedy “Nunsense” in cooperation with Samuel French Inc. of New York.

The cast is made up of five fun, energetic women who can be from 20 to 80 years young who can sing and dance. The auditions will be hosted at Trinity of Versailles in their dining room on Friday evening April 1st from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. No appointments are needed and all are welcome to attend. You are asked to come prepared to sing a humorous Broadway song of your choice. A pianist will be provided. Call backs will be held on Saturday afternoon April 2nd from 1:00 till 3:00 also at Trinity. Cast postings will be released on T. &C.P.’s website and facebook page no later than Sunday April 3rd by 6:00 p.m.

The production is scheduled for June 23rd, 24th, and 25th at the Versailles High School Performing Arts Center and may also have the opportunity to Travel to several area venues as well.

Jim Kelch returns to Direct with Phyllis Corbin and Angie DeMange assisting. Spread the news that the Little Sisters of Hoboken are coming back to town. The show is truly “habit forming”!

The Return of Marj Heyduck’s Memory

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Jeff Fluty with the Goodwill and Easter Seals Reading Program and Radio Reading Service recently visited the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society to see the Marj Heyduck display. Jeff is a volunteer reader for Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley, WORDS Radio Reading Service and records a weekly program called Miami Valley History. Jeff has been reading for GESMV, WRRS since January, 2007 and hosting Miami Valley History since September, 2012.

The display case, donated by the Arcanum Public Library, contains memorabilia of Marj including her two books Best of Marj; Anniversary Marj along with glasses, a newspaper clipping of one of Marj’s articles in the Journal Herald paper dated October 12, 1956 on Third and Main column, an article from the Greenville Advocate about her life, and several certificates and photos. And of course one of her hats! Story is she was photographed with all of her many different hats by the papers. According to Marilyn Walden of Arcanum Public Library, Marj told her listeners of the needs of the Arcanum Library which was destroyed by fire many years ago. Marj donated some of her personal collection to the library. A photo of Marj is included in the book “Arcanum Chronicles” Volume 2 about the Arcanum Public Library, written by the late William Gunder.

Jeff does prerecorded readings on the radio for visually impaired listeners. They have tuned in for some time listening to the life and writings of Marj. Jeff read from her books which he found on the Dayton History Books web site. Her newspaper articles, where she wrote for the Journal Herald papers, was called “Third and Main”. Some of the archived articles can be found at the Wright State Library and on-line with Dayton History Books.

According to Jeff and the Dayton news memorial dated October 7 1969, Marj wrote about the wrestling matches for the sports column in the 1940’s. As reporter, she would have attended the matches to report from southern Ohio. Marj related these stories to the ladies at her “Tea With Marj” occasions throughout the Miami Valley. She had the crowd in tears from laughing while she kept a straight face herself.

According to Arcanum residents they told of their memories of Marj. Fred Troutwine remembers his dad Deo eating and chatting with Marj at Clarks also known later as the Main Street and the Korner Restaurant along with Rollard Karns, Roger Warner, and Roger Byrd. Jeannie Miller wrote about Marj in the January 2007 issue of the AWTHS newsletter. Jean Hillis recalls the bus stopping on Rt. 49 to pick her (Jean) up and continuing on to Dayton. Jean sat on the bus with Marj who also rode the bus to her job in Dayton after boarding in Arcanum and eating at the local restaurant.

Marj graduated from Stivers High School in 1931 and went on to major in Journalism at Ohio State. From there she went to work for the newspaper known as Old Dayton Herald in 1936. She became a staff member of the Dayton Press and later was on the radio show WING. Later she returned to the Herald in 1943 and began her Third and Main articles. She became editor of the women’s newspaper department and carried the title into the Journal and Herald merger in 1949. Marj then become the assistant editor in 1966. Marj passed away at her home September 15 1969 and was found by a neighbor. She was the wife of Emerson Heyduck in 1934 and they had no children. She is buried in Woodland Cemetery. She was 56 years old.

Her awards are many: Marj won more than 75 prizes over the years in annual contests of the Ohio Newspaper Women’s Association. She won a National Headliners Award in 1946; was given the best column in Ohio award by United Press International in 1963; and her women’s pages won first place in the University of Missouri’s Penney Award for Excellence in 1964. Marj traveled 23 times to the Columbia University from 1952-1968.
According to Jeff she traveled the world and her passport is proof displayed in our case. Covered subjects included and were written from the scenes of the national political convention and inaugural balls. As well as the decks of river boars bound for New Orleans; from international fashion shows on New York’s Fifth Avenue and from her stateroom aboard the SS Independence cruising in the Mediterranean. But her best memories were writing about Darke County and Greenville, Ohio. Her residence was Wayne Lakes and according to Jeff her house was red (Lot 50) and she talks about it in her books. Marj’s writings were so loved and her descriptive use of words that they were put into three books titled: Best of Marj; The Third Marj; and Anniversary Marj. I like the part about her driving her pink Cadillac to Dayton even on treacherous roads. Pink was one of her favorite colors.

We have more information and clippings in our AWTHS reference library located in the display case including Marj’s obit. Also a photo of Marj at her favorite local restaurant in Arcanum in our digital files.

For those with visual impairment, information can be found at gesmv.org by clicking Radio Reading Service under the Senior Services tab. Complete the application to apply for a free radio to access the radio program and hear other stories by readers. Other services include readings of local and regional newspapers and magazines to people with visual disabilities and other physical or mental impairments.

I hope you’ve enjoyed memories of Marj Heyduck. It certainly opened an avenue of learning for me about her life and writings as I was only a child at the time. And it is a great service what the Goodwill and Easter Seals are providing to those with reading difficulties. We appreciate Jeff and his service.

Written by Annette Stewart
March 2016

Greenville Federal Announces Promotion

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Greenville, OH - Jeff Kniese, President/CEO of Greenville Federal, announced the promotion of Holly Hildebrand to AVP/Retail Lending Sales Manager. Mrs. Hildebrand began her banking career with Greenville Federal in 2006 where she has held positions in both Loan Processing and Loan Origination. Mrs. Hildebrand enjoys volunteering her time at church, reading, and spending time with her family.

Greenville Federal was founded in 1883 and remains the oldest locally owned financial institution headquartered in Darke County.

Greenville Federal is committed to providing excellent products and services to its customers and actively supporting the communities we serve.

MOON MOUSE TO LIGHT UP STAGE AT HENRY ST. CLAIR MEMORIAL HALL

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Darke County Center for the Arts Family Theatre Series
will present Lightwire Theater's Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey
to close its 2015-2016 season on Sunday, April 3 at St. Clair Memorial Hall in
Greenville, OH.
Darke County Center for the Arts Family Theatre Series will present Lightwire Theater's Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey to close its 2015-2016 season on Sunday, April 3 at St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville, OH. Internationally recognized for their signature brand of electro-luminscent artistry and poignant storytelling, Lightwire Theater, based in New Orleans, creates innovative theatrical experiences for audiences worldwide. “To say that this production sparkles doesn't tell the half of it,” said DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins. “Using five performers, electro-luminscent wire, puppetry, and recorded music to tell their story, Lightwire Theater creates a unique experience that can be enjoyed on many levels by audiences of all ages,” Mr. Rawlins continued.

Billed as a cosmic adventure about celebrating differences, the show uses over forty luminous characters operated by performers wearing costumes illuminated by Phosphor-coated thin copper wire as well as classic music like Elton John's “Rocket Man” and David Bowie's “Space Oddity” to tell the tale of Marvin, a constantly picked on little mouse who embarks on the space adventure of a lifetime to find the acceptance he deserves. “Lightwire Theater is passionate and knowledgeable about both theatre and technology; their goal is to inspire a new generation to come to the theater where they will enjoy eye-popping and exciting experiences,” stated Mr. Rawlins.

DCCA's Family Theatre Series was established to provide local families the opportunity to enjoy professional theatrical productions within their home community at an economical cost. Tickets are $5; these low ticket prices are made possible by the contributions provided by the following sponsors: Dayton Power & Light Company Foundation, Second National Bank, Greenville Federal, Greyson James Steyer Fund of the Darke County Foundation, Edison Community College, Gordon Orthodontics, Jordan Insurance Agency, The Andersons Inc., Wayne HealthCare, and Greenville Rotary Club.

The Jean Louise Thieme Fund of the Darke County Foundation and DCCA memberships also support Family Theatre. Additionally, the Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. DCCA also receives operating support from the Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial as well as funding from the Ketrow Foundation and Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust Fund.

Contact DCCA at dcca@centerforarts.net or 937-547-0908 to reserve tickets for Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey or purchase them online at www.centerforarts.net. Tickets are also available at Greenville Public Library and Readmore's Hallmark in Greenville, as well as Worch Memorial Public Library in Versailles. If any remain by showtime, tickets will also be sold at the door prior to the performance which begins at 2 p.m.

Another Successful DCCA A Taste of Wine & Jazz Sponsored by Kent & Melinda Myers

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Wine & Jazz sponsors Kent & Melinda Myers, Aaron cox of the Montage Café and Andrea Jordan, DCCA Executive Director with Deron Bell and the Jazz for you Band. The January A Taste of Wine & Jazz was a fundraising event for Darke County Center for the Arts.

Darke County Center for the Arts (DCCA) recognizes Kent & Melinda Myers for their sponsorship of the recent A Taste Of Wine & Jazz, held January 16, at Montage Cafe. According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, “DCCA thanks Kent & Melinda Myers for their continued support of the arts in Darke County, their commitment ensures continuing the party that has become DCCA’s most anticipated fundraising event.” “The monies generated will help enable our organization to bring high quality performing artists to our community,” concluded Jordan.

A Taste of Wine and Jazz included four wines for tasting, complemented by exceptional hors d’oeuvres created by Aaron and Michelle Cox of Montage. “Deron Bell And The Jazz For You Band” returned to bring the party to life. Deron Bell and his “Jazz For You” band, has earned a large local following. “Deron and the band are extremely skilled musicians who love to play and are dedicated to making sure that their audience has a good time,” DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins explained. The band's performance is made possible by the following sponsors: Merry Lee Cross and Shaun Hayes of BHHS Pro Realty; Edward Jones Investment representatives Ryan Carpe, Dave Connelly, Andria Haworth, Todd Subler, and Bill Wolke; Fry and Company; and Kent and Melinda Myers.

A Taste of Wine & Jazz is a fundraising event for DCCA; proceeds are used to help underwrite the cost of presenting high quality performing artists in Darke County, as well as preserving Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall as an important cultural center. For upcoming events or further information on the Darke County Center for the Arts contact the DCCA office (937) 547-0908 or visit their website at www.centerforarts.net.

Maple Sugarin’ a Success

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Carolyn Hollinger and Jillian King served the delicious waffles and sausage to the hungry crowd, and Stacy Adkins kept busy washing silverware all morning.
On Saturday March 5th, Darke County Parks hosted its annual Maple Sugarin’ at the Prairie Festival in conjunction the Friends of the Darke County Parks Waffle Breakfast. Over 500 people, including volunteers and staff, enjoyed the sausage and endless waffle breakfast with coffee, tea, juice, or milk. The Friends also hosted an extremely successful bake sale of maple flavored goodies. Fifty volunteers assisted with the waffle breakfast and festival, making waffles, serving, bussing tables, taking tickets, staffing the sugar shack, and much, much more. Roger Van Frank, director of the park district said, “I am continuously pleased with the event. I enjoy listening to the cabin fever stories as friends and neighbors reunite after the long winter.”

Throughout the breakfast and into the afternoon, park staff led tours illustrating the science, history, and process of making maple syrup, culminating in a stop at the sugar shack where visitors could see maple sap boiling down to syrup. A backyard sugaring display also illustrated the process on a much smaller scale. Despite the threat of morning rain which never arrived, the park staff was very pleased with the large number of people venturing out into the damp and chilly morning to learn more about Ohio’s cultural heritage. After the tour, everyone was encouraged to meander down the trail to the blacksmith shop and log house where historical volunteers were treating callers to a taste of history with samples of onion pie, beef tongue, and life on the frontier.

Throughout the sugaring season volunteers collected about 850 gallons of sap from two private locations and boiled that down to 18 gallons of syrup. Before the festival, about 250 school children also visited the park to learn about this sweet treat and even sample a little of it.

The park district and Friends would like to thank the following business for their donations: the New Madison Kiwanis Club for the use of their sausage trailer and club members to cook sausage, The Butcher Block and Smokehouse for the discount on sausage and monetary donation, Winner’s Meats for the beef tongue cooked in the log house during the festival, and KitchenAid Experience for the new waffle irons donated last year. The Darke County Park District would also like to thank the volunteers who donated countless hours helping with collecting and boiling sap, the waffle breakfast, helping with the school groups, and doing historical interpretation.

Make sure to mark the calendar for next year’s Maple Sugarin’ at the Prairie, March 4th, 2017!

Attention Teachers!

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Students learn about the miracle of life cycles
on the trails of Shawnee Prairie Preserve.
Darke County Parks offers hands-on, educational field trips that immerse students in natural and cultural history. Topics range from life cycles, to geology, to frontier life and everything in between. Naturalists are ready for students to visit their facilities, or they will visit the classroom YEAR-ROUND! Spring still has a few open dates to schedule a field trip, and May Naturalist-in-the-Classroom programs are filling up fast. Specifically for 8th grade students this year, a special history program called “The Civil War” will be conducted by the Ohio Valley Civil War Association, a premier living history unit on April 29th. Morning and afternoon sessions are still available.

For more information on all of the programs offered by the Darke County Park District, call the Nature Center at (937)548-0165, and ask for a naturalist, or visit the Parks’ Programs section of the website at www.darkecountyparks.org.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Greenville Police Issue Warrant for Felonious Assault Suspect

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Update: Kelly P. Miller, the suspect involved in a domestic violence complaint on March 17, 2016 in Greenville, was arrested on March 23, 2016 in Butler County, Ohio. Miller is awaiting extradition to Darke County to face charges.

Kelly P Miller
Original Post: On March 17 , 2016 at around 1208 hours, Darke County Sheriff's Office and the Greenville Police were dispatched to 205 Central Ave. on a domestic violence complaint. The victim, Hannah Miller, drove herself to Tri-Village Rescue for treatment of injuries. lt was later learned that Kelly P. Miller, estranged husband of the victim, had broken into 205 Central Ave. and waited for the victim to return home. Upon the victim arriving home, Kelly Miller then beat the victim with a baseball bat, causing injuries. Mr. Miller then kept the victim against her will for several hours and subsequently forced her to withdraw money from the bank. Mr. Miller then fled the scene.

A warrant has been issued for Kelly P. Miller for Felonious Assault.

Additional charges are pending.

Anyone with information.regarding any crime is asked to contact the Greenville Police Department at 937-548-1103, or the Darke County Crime Stoppers tipline at 937-547-1661. All callers may remain anonymous.

Darke County Chapter of PERI to Hold Luncheon

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Public Employee Retirees, Inc., better known as PERI, is a State wide organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the pensions and benefits of anyone who is already retired or is about to retire under OPERS, which is Ohio's Public Employees Retirement System.

The Darke County Chapter of PERI will be holding its bimonthly luncheon meeting on Monday, April 4, at 11:30 a.m. at the VFW on Ohio Street in Greenville. All Darke County OPERS retirees are welcome to attend. The luncheon meeting is $9.00 per person, payable at the door. For OPERS retirees who have not previously attended PERI meetings, reservations for the April 4 meeting must be in by Wednesday, March 30, by calling Vivian Nieport, Attendance and Contact Chairman, at 548-3961. Current members will be telephoned in the usual way by PERI'S calling committee.

John Vehre, Director of the Greenville Library, will be the main speaker. He will be reviewing the free programs and benefits offered by the library, including free computer classes especially designed for retirees who might have limited or no computer experience. "With so much information being transmitted by computer, even retirees with experience can benefit by learning of new computer programs that are available to them." he said.

A discussion will also take place regarding the challenges all PERI retirees had last year. First, they faced major changes with their OPERS funded insurance coverage. Secondly, a Consolidated Appropriations Act, called the Cadillac Tax, was introduced by Congress, which assesses health care providers when their coverage value exceeds certain thresholds. According to the Ohio OPERS Newsletter, this would cost OPERS tens of millions of dollars if it keeps its health care plan for retirees under 65 the same as it is today. Even though it is reported that the Cadillac Tax has been delayed until 2020, OPERS officials warn that it could impact health care in a major way.

Headed up by an administrative staff and seven trustees, PERI is composed of eleven districts, each with eight counties. Darke County is a member of District 3, along with Champaign, Clark, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties.

8th Annual 5K Bunny Run/Walk TOMORROW (Saturday, March 26)

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The St. Henry Emergency Squad is sponsoring our 8th Annual 5K Bunny Run/Walk on Saturday, March 26, 2016. The 5K run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. starting and finishing by the shelter house at the St. Henry Park on Geier Ave. The race will be routed through the streets of St. Henry. 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 from this race will benefit the squad’s equipment fund. Same day registration will begin at 8:00 am the day of the race. The top door prize this year is a Fit Bit Charge HR. Come join the fun!!

The Pitsburg Church of the Brethren will host the Morse Family in concert on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 6 PM.

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Jonathan & Heidi Morse have each seen the Lord's hand move powerfully in their lives. Having been through trying times and seeing how the Lord has taken them through them allows them to identify with those who are hurting and are thirsting for the Lord's touch in their lives.

The kids take part in the ministry as well. Carlie sings and plays her violin. Hope is learning violin and Holly just started mandolin lessons. They are singing more and more and Gabriel isn't afraid to get on the microphone either (well, most of the time!!) Gideon was born in January 2013 and has been exposed to Southern Gospel music early as he crawled around on the floor while we practice! Now he sings along at home and one of these days will make it on the stage. Baby 8 is on the way as well so we have another member up and coming.

Jonathan has traveled with Gospel Quartets for years and is thrilled to be serving the Lord with his family. He is also the youth pastor of his church. Heidi leads a youth praise, drama and singing group called Ablaze. When not raising the seven children she is also involved with leading the youth group and counseling those in need.

Also joining the family at concerts is Jonathan's dad Bill. Bill has been playing the piano for over 50 years and is known by many in the area for his beautiful music. He plays along with the family while they sing in addition to piano solos.

The public is invited to come and listen to this family’s gospel music and message in song. The church is located at the west edge of Pitsburg, OH, at 8376 Pitsburg-Laura Road. Refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the concert.

Darke SWCD Hosting Rain Barrel Workshop on April 6th

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The Darke Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop on Wednesday, April 6th at 6:30pm at Shawnee Prairie Preserve (4267 State Route 502 West). A rain barrel is a rain water collection system that stores rooftop runoff to be used later for activities such as lawn and garden watering, car washing or even window cleaning. Rain barrels are connected to your downspout and are a great way to positively impact the environment.

“Darke SWCD is excited to be hosting this workshop. Promoting the use of rain barrels can help Darke County residents lower their water bill while positively impacting the environment,” stated Jared Coppess, District Administrator for Darke SWCD. “If you’ve ever been curious about rain barrels, either what they do or why to use one, come join us at this workshop. We will answer your questions and make sure you walk out with a fully assembled rain barrel ready to use at your home.”

Please bring a cordless drill. If you don’t have one, let us know and we may have one for you to borrow. The fee for this program is $40, which covers the cost of the rain barrel and connecting kit. Pre-registration is required and you can pre-register by calling the Darke SWCD office at 937-548-1752 or visiting our website, www.darkeswcd.com. Space is limited, so register today!

DP&L COMPANY FOUNDATION SPONSORS DCCA ARTS IN EDUCATION AND FAMILY THEATRE SERIES

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Thanks to support from the DP&L Company Foundation, DCCA’s Family Theatre Series presents Lightwire Theatre’s Moon Mouse a Space Odyssey at St. Clair Memorial Hall, tickets are $5.

The Dayton Power and Light Company Foundation has once again given a very generous donation to Darke County Center for the Arts in support of Family Theatre Series and Arts In Education programs. Family Theater Series programs are presented at St. Clair Memorial Hall and are open to the public. Programs are generally based on children’s literature; ticket prices are just $5. Through Arts In Education, and in conjunction with local schools, performing artists are annually taken to each grade of every public school in Darke County, ensuring that children in the community have the opportunity to learn and grow through the arts. According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, “DP&L Company Foundation’s support of children’s programming makes it possible for us to present wonderful, creativity enhancing Family Theatre Series programs at an affordable ticket price, and enables all Darke County public school students to experience a culturally enriching artistic program each year.” Jordan continued, “DCCA thanks the Dayton Power and Light Company Foundation for their strong support of the arts; we are absolutely thrilled to see the children in our community receive the benefit of their generosity.”

DCCA’s 2015/2016 Family Theatre Series includes three performances - Theatreworks USA presented The Lightning Thief on October 4th; ArtsPower will presented a colorful musical production of the storybook favorite Madeline & the Bad Hat on November 15th; and Lightwire Theater returns to Darke County with a cosmic adventure of their latest electroluminescent puppetry production Moon Mouse A Space Odyssey on April 3. Family Theatre Series shows take place at St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville, tickets are $5 and are available at Readmore’s Hallmark in Greenville, the Greenville Public Library, Worch Memorial Public Library in Versailles, and by contacting DCCA at (937) 547-0908 or online at CenterforArts.net. Remaining tickets will be available, at the door, the day of the performance.

Arts In Education programs for 2015/2016 included Kim & Reggie Harris presenting Music of the Underground Railroad and songs of freedom for students in grades K-3; the Mad River Theater Works production of John Henry bringing history to life for grades 4-6; Living Voices returned to St. Clair Memorial Hall to present the story of Anne Frank Through the Eyes of a Friend to grades 7 & 8; and as seen on NBC’s “The Sing Off” a cappella sensation VoicePlay, recreated the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production with nothing but the human voice, for Darke County High School students. Arts In Education artists are generally in residence for a week as they tour all of the eight public school districts in Darke County.

For more information on DCCA’s Family Theatre Series, Arts In Education outreach or other programming contact the DCCA office at (937) 547-0908 or visit our website CenterForArts.net.

$17,500 Student Emergency Fund at Edison State Available March 21st

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Beginning on March 21, 2016, Edison State Community College will offer grants of up to $500 each to help low-income students weather financial emergencies. Students can apply for small grants to help cover expenses just beyond their means, which allows them to quickly return focus to their academic pursuits.

“Even the best planning can’t address unforeseen emergencies that can take students’ time, energy, and focus away from their studies. These grants add another tool to the already plentiful resources that Edison State provides to give students the best chance to succeed. The quick delivery of the funds, combined with not having to worry about how and when to pay back the dollars, combine to make this the best possible method and delivery of just-in-time financial support,” said Scott Burnam, Edison State Vice President of Student Affairs.

The student emergency grant program at Edison State is made possible by a $17,500 Dash emergency grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. Edison State is one of 31 community and technical colleges in Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin that received a combined $1.5 million in Great Lakes grants to build emergency grant programs that help low-income students overcome financial obstacles that might otherwise cause them to drop out.

“Great Lakes is pleased to provide more resources to colleges like Edison State that are dedicated to supporting students in times of greatest need,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “Emergency grants are a bridge to college completion and the financial security a degree can provide.”

Qualified expenses will be paid within 48 hours of an approved application. Students also will be referred to additional campus, community, and financial literacy resources to supplement the grants, address root causes or contributing factors to the financial emergencies, and further support students’ persistence.

To serve greater numbers of students throughout the Great Lakes grant period and beyond, Edison State will contribute matching funds during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years. “Our shared commitment is key to making emergency grant programs sustainable long-term,” said Amy Kerwin, Vice President – Community Investments at Great Lakes.

Edison State students may access additional information online at https://edisonohio.dreamkeepers.org.

Greenville VFW Deep Fried Marinated Turkey Dinner

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Saturday April 02, Serving 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. You get deep fried marinated turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles, homemade dressing, roll, and dessert for $9.00.

One of the best meals you'll ever have.

Get tickets at the VFW or at Bach To Rock Music . OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Dine In or Carry-Out. 937-547-1970 Only 100 tickets to be sold

Mississinawa Valley-MVCTC FFA Holds Annual Parent/Member Banquet

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Star Greenhands - First year members earning the award of Star Greenhand were (L to R)  Cody Dirksen, Blake Scholl, Mason Hummel, and Emily Schmitz.
The Mississinawa Valley-MVCTC FFA Chapter held its Annual Parent and Member Banquet on March 10, 2016 in the cafeteria; over 300 parents, members, and guests were served. The welcome was given by freshman, Jake Connor, and the invocation was led by Levi Livingston. The banquet was called to order by FFA president, Leslie Dirksen, along with the 2015-2016 officer team.

Donor awards were presented to the following sponsors for their continued support and loyalty this past year: Jim Atchley, Gwen Bergman, Joe Hartzell, Jeffrey Winchester, Kim Livingston, Frank Miller Lumber, Thienman’s Sports Bar and Grille, The Mississinawa Valley Custodial Staff, Nick Hamilton, Sherry Dirksen, Lois Livingston, Harry Birt and Birt’s Store, Jeff Stachler, Kevin Bergman, Kurt Bergman, Jason Moore, Natalie Mallott, Homestead Quality Bedding, Kim Berger and the Cafeteria Staff, Preston Deeter, John Guttadore, Mississinawa Valley-MVCTC FFA Alumni, Jana Brueggeman, Jeff Keller, K&L Tractor Sales, Didier Hardware, Doris Schweppe, Jeff Slyder, Aislinn Miller, Bill Stocksdale, Sarah Stocksdale, Barb Bateman, Erma Stump, David Harter, Betsy Harter, Andrea Townsend, Betty Teegarden, Roxanne Stocksdale, Brim Construction, Shelby Pitsenbarger, Sandy Denniston, Morgan Doppler and Rod Saintignon at Versailles Painting Service, Mike Kahlig & Son, Kaelyn Marker, Sam Custer at Darke County Extension Office, Jason Manning of County View Family Farms, Heather Manning, Vore’s Welding and Steel, Welbourn Farms, Treaty Soils, S.M. Stachler Farms, Cy Hiestand, Sara Hiestand, Janice Eby, Richard Livingston, Fort Recovery Insurance Agency, Jeff and Lori Cox, Dale Breymier, Amy Hanes, Matt Hiestand, Rick Scholl, Sandy Skidmore, Shawn Peters, Union City Pak-a- Sak and Subway, Justin Herth, Darke County Soil and Water, Rodeheffer Trucking, Brad Lentz and the Ansonia FFA, Wiley Well Drilling, Morning Fresh, Nunez Tires, Kerns Bros., Hummel Farms, and Cal-Maine.

Mrs. Carmen Hartzell and Mrs. Gwen Bergman, Mississinawa Valley’s FFA Advisors, presented chapter awards to students with outstanding Supervised Agriculture Experience Programs and other outstanding achievements.

This year Mrs. Hartzell and Mrs. Bergman agreed to present the Star Greenhand award to four first-year students that have promoted our chapter and attain immense potential. The recipients of this year’s Star Greenhand awards were Blake Scholl, Cody Dirksen, Mason Hummel, and Emily Schmitz.

Beverly Lewis Book-Signing

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Beverly Lewis fans are in for a wonderful treat! You can meet Beverly herself on Saturday April 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Bread of Life Bookstore in Greenville (107 W. Main). Bread of Life and the Greenville Public Library are pleased to co-sponsor this very special book-signing. Bring your own books or purchase them that day. Bread of Life has a great selection of Beverly’s titles which are on sale through April 2nd at 20% off.

Beverly Lewis is an award-winning author who has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults. She was born in the heart of Amish country, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and began writing as a small child. Later in life when her own children were in school she began publishing stories and books for children.

Her first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp who is loosely based on the author's maternal grandmother Ada Ranck Buchwalter who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly's work to be "a primer on Lancaster County folklore" and offers "an insider's view of Amish life."

Fans describe how her books "touch a nerve, creating a curiosity about the Old Ways of the Amish... a yearning for a simpler life and return to traditional values in the mainstream society, where an impersonal, high-tech lifestyle reigns paramount." Beverly is a member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, and with her husband David makes her home in Colorado

Bread of Life owner Julie Strait said “Bread of Life has been in business for over 28 years and came under new ownership in 2013. We are pleased to continue the legacy that has been laid out for us and desire above all to be an integral part of our community as we truly share the best things in life.” Please join us for this special event. Refreshments will be served.

Naturally Fit Series with DCP

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Research from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
found that outdoor exercise was associated with increased energy,
as well as decreased confusion, anger, depression, and tension,
when compared with exercising indoors.
Darke County Parks is beginning a new series of fitness programs called Naturally Fit occurring the fourth Monday of every month. Everyone wants to lead healthier lives and spend more time outdoors. However, workout machines aren’t always environmentally friendly, and gyms aren’t very exciting. Besides, sometimes life just gets in the way! Use these programs as an “excuse” to schedule time outside and get moving.

Each of these programs focuses more on fitness than nature, with everyone moving at their own pace, whether that’s one loop or ten. The March program will take place March 28th at 6:30pm at Coppess Nature Sanctuary on Young Rd. a half mile south of State Route 47 west of Ansonia. This park has a ¾ mile loop of well leveled trail in an oak-hickory forest. Meet at the park, and bring a water bottle.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

"One Thing Remains…" Submitted by Andrea Townsend, Director of Administrative and Pupil Personnel Services at Greenville City Schools

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It seems we can hardly pick up a newspaper, watch a news program or a political ad without hearing about upcoming or proposed changes in our education system. As a school district, we have spent a great deal of time combing through the almost daily updates regarding changes in policy and practice for Ohio’s public educational system. Some of the latest buzz words we are hearing a lot about are Third Grade Reading Guarantee, New Learning Standards, State Assessments and Teacher Evaluation System. The list seems to go on and on. It is easy to be overwhelmed by all that is going on in education these days, but if we look closely a pattern can be seen. This pattern can be summed up nicely in a quote from the Appendix of Ohio’s New Learning Standards, “At the same time, all students must have the opportunity to learn and meet the same high standards if they are to access the knowledge and skills necessary in their post–high school lives.” All of Ohio’s children deserve to be taught what they need to be able to succeed in our society, the very best preparation for life that we can give them.

There is a big shift in our public education system to accommodate the pattern in policy coming from state mandates. If we summarize where Ohio is in terms of public education, it is worrisome. In Ohio we have dramatically changed our state wide assessments twice in two years. Assessment demands are the highest we have seen and the funding has flat lined. These changes do not seem to be making a positive impact. According to the Washington Post, Ohio has dropped from 5th to 23rd in the last five years and we have jumped to 9th in highest achievement gap. It is easy to point fingers of blame on standards, testing, politicians or legislatures, but one thing remains… All of Ohio’s children deserve to be taught what they need to be able to succeed in our society.

There has been a lot of discussion about standards lately. In Ohio, the learning standards are designed to help ensure that all students are college and career ready no later than the end of high school. It is important for all of our high school graduates to have what skills and knowledge they need to be able to enter the workforce in such a way that they could earn a living or pursue an education without the need for remediation. These are basic expectations of a public school system. Unfortunately, not all of Ohio’s graduates possess the skills that they need for the work force or college. Despite the fact that Ohio is seeing a drop in the number of High School graduates that require remedial coursework in college, The Ohio Department of Education reports that statewide 32% of graduates continue to require remediation. Almost one third of our high school graduates are not prepared for college. This could be the result of a poor set of standards or too much testing, but one thing remains… All of Ohio’s children deserve to be taught what they need to be able to succeed in our society.

Our legislatures have been speaking often about the need for better legislation in public education. We heard about safe harbor, dismissal of the PARCC assessment, and a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) with less testing and more local controls. The newest version of ESEA continues to call for shrinking the gap between the achievement of all students and the achievement of subgroups representing learners diverse in ethnicity, socio-economic status, and or learning abilities. This country is founded on the belief that everyone has certain basic rights such as the pursuit of happiness. Ensuring that all students have access to the curriculum that prepares them for the opportunities of their choice demonstrates our belief in the basic tenants of our government. Despite this, however, we see some of the largest subgroup gaps nationwide, right here in Ohio. This could be the result of poor legislation or high stakes testing, but one thing remains… All of Ohio’s children deserve to be taught what they need to be able to succeed in our society.

As you hear, read, or talk about the state of public education in Ohio these days, I hope you choose to focus on that one thing that remains… Ohio’s children. All of our children deserve the best education, the best opportunities to learn, the best teachers and the best resources. If we choose to focus our time and tax-payer monies on mandates without funding, legislation without impact, and leadership that does not impact change, we are choosing not to focus on the one, most important thing that remains… All of Ohio’s children deserve to be taught what they need to be able to succeed in our society.

I propose we begin to teach all of our children to succeed in our society. I am sure you are aware that life can be challenging. Why not start now designing opportunities for all children to learn to solve problems, resolve conflicts, and engage in challenging work? Our current system of segregating the subgroups and providing interventions instead of high quality instruction, is not closing the gap, thus perpetuating the cycle of disenfranchisement. According to The Ohio Department of Education, “Every student should succeed in learning. When a group or groups of students are not succeeding, educators need to review why and make changes.” The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) statute and implementing regulations emphasize the requirement to educate children with disabilities in regular classes with their nondisabled peers: "While the Act and regulations recognize that IEP teams must make individualized decisions about the special education ... IDEA’s strong preference that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities be educated in regular classes with their nondisabled peers with appropriate supplementary aids and services."

If the one thing remaining is the only thing that really matters, then it is time to redesign instruction for the benefit of all learners. It is time to focus our attention on the real work of public education… preparing learners to succeed in our society.

Limited Tickets Available for “Beauty and the Beast”

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There are limited tickets available for this year’s Versailles High School spring musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the Versailles Performing Arts Center, located at 280 Marker Road on the west side of the school. The cast features 57 talented Versailles students. Performances are Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday April 16, 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10.50 each (includes service fee) for the evening performances, and $8.50 (includes service fee) for the Saturday matinee. To purchase your tickets for this unforgettable event, please visit http://vtigers.seatyourself.biz/ where you are able to choose your reserved seats. All major credit cards are accepted when making your purchase. If you have questions, please feel free to contact 937-526-5276 or directors Robin Brown at 937-423-4978 and Ken DeMange at 937-776-4775.

Greenville Art Guild hosting Doodled Rocks at DCP

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Rock doodles range from intricate patterns to
simple symbols and everything in between.
On March 26th at 10am at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center try your artistic skills on a new medium. The Greenville Art Guild is offering a free “Doodled Rocks” mini workshop in the Nature Center classroom for adults 18 years and older. No experience is needed, and all materials will be supplied by the Greenville Art Guild. Lunch is on your own. Doodling is the latest craze, so come and join us for some art fun as we doodle on rocks! Please call Marilyn Banks at (937) 678-6870 to preregister.

For questions or information about any other park program, please call the Nature Center at (937) 548-0165, or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Holy Week Services at Greenville Church of the Brethren

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The community is cordially invited to Greenville Church of the Brethren, 421 Central Ave., Greenville, OH, to experience these special Holy Week services:

Love Feast Celebration - Thursday, March 24th @ 6:30 pm

The highlight of the church year comes when Christians join together to experience and celebrate an intimate moment with Jesus through the Love Feast. A special service “Loving, Eating, Caring & Serving” has been prepared to guide us into communion with Christ and one another. This multi-sensory Love Feast service will emphasize the Christ-like gestures of love, eating, caring and service found in the Biblical narratives from the Passover to Footwashing to Communion.

Note: If for any reason feetwashing is keeping you from joining us, we will have a table set up for washing hands or you may simply choose not to participate in that part of the service. This can be done in a very discreet fashion without drawing undue attention to anyone.

Easter Celebration - Sunday, March 27th

8:00 am - Easter Sunrise Service – This special service will feature music including favorite Easter songs and our choir singing as well as the video presentation,“The True Easter Story” from Ray Van Der Laan’s Faith Lessons series.

Breakfast will be served immediately following Sunrise Service in Oliver Hall.

9:30 am - Sunday School

10:30 am - Easter Celebration Service - Please join in a time of celebration of Christ’s victory over sin and death through His resurrection. The Celebration Service will include vibrant
God-honoring music including the church choir and the message“Dismissing Easter”. 548-3583. Nursery available.

Experience Panamanian Agriculture Through the Eyes of WSU Agriculture Students.

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Coffee, cashews, chocolate, sugar cane, salt…….Panama.


Agriculture is an international industry that connects all of us. Students from the agriculture program at Wright State University Lake Campus just recently embarked on an agricultural adventure to the Central American country of Panama. During the study abroad trip students traveled through the Panama Canal and visited pineapple, poultry, coffee, horse, cashew, sugar cane, salt, dairy and various other farming operations in the country. It was truly an experience that will last a lifetime and should be shared with all.

The agriculture students would like to invite the community, businesses and prospective students to the Wright State University Lake Campus on March 24th, 2016 to hear about their Panamanian agricultural adventure. The presentation will start at 5:45 pm in room 154. Come early that night and attend the Wright State University-Lake Campus Spring Open House from 4:00-6:00pm. Feel free to show up or email Greg McGlinch at greg.mcglinch@wright.edu if you have questions pertaining to the Panamanian Agriculture presentation. Details on the Lake Campus Open House can be found at http://lake.wright.edu/admissions/open-house. We hope to see you there and listen in on this amazing agricultural experience.

Local Child Care Earns Highest Five Star Award For Excellence

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The children celebrated the Five Star Award by creating
large stars to hang in their center as a way to express their excitement.
Council on Rural Services is proud to announce that the Kids Learning Place located in Union City has earned their “FIVE Star Rating” in the Step Up to Quality program from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Kids Learning Place is the only Five Star Award program in Darke County.

Congratulations go to each of the center’s team members for their focused efforts, dedication, and improvements in the growth and develop of all the children.

Step Up to Quality is a voluntary five-step child care rating system that early care and education centers can earn in Ohio. It recognizes programs that exceed licensing standards. Once they meet the basic requirements, participating centers earn star ratings from 1 to 5 by meeting an extensive list of additional quality measures.

Angie Coby, early childhood services coordinator for Darke Co. at Council on Rural Services said, “Learning begins as soon as a child is born, long before formal education begins, and continues throughout life. We are very proud of the excellent---high achieving team that made this top award happen. The team members are resourceful, focused and determined in meeting a common goal in their work with the children.

FIVE STAR rated programs must meet higher requirements than most other child care centers.
Just some of the five star benchmarks that helps centers meet these higher standards include: administrators and teachers with bachelor degrees in early childhood as well as 25 hours of specialized training bi-annually, a formal self-assessment that is used to formulate the program’s annual continuous improvement plan, agreements with community partners serving families, child assessments used to plan activities for children according to needs, interests, and the abilities of the children. If you are a parent choosing an education center for your child; remember a program that meets this Step Up to Quality measurement is furnishing a more qualified teacher per child, is committed to teaching children, and has a working environment where staff is treated professionally.

Beginning this fall the Kids Learning Place in Union City will become a full day Head Start center, teaching children 6 hours a day. We are taking applications now for fall, if you would like more information about our center and enrollment for Head Start please call our local toll free number at 1-866-627-4557 for quick contact. For more information about Kids Learning Place and Council on Rural Services – programs for innovative learning, check the web site at www.councilonruralservices.org.

3rd 5K Run/walk for the Dog Park

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The Darke County Friends of the Shelter are having their 3rd 5K race to benefit the dog park. Entrants may run or walk the event. This race is part of the Darke County Wellness Challenge.

The third annual 5K will be held at the Darke County Fairgrounds on April 9, 2016 and 100% of the money will go to the dog park. You can participate with or without your dog. If you have a dog, you're encouraged to run/walk with your dog. Special awards will be given to those with dogs. All regular age group awards will be given also. A new addition to this year's run/walk is the awarding of first, second and third place medals for the best dressed dogs.

The Friends of the Shelter's goal for their first run/walk in 2014 was to make it like no other in Darke County - and they did. This year they will continue to build upon the success of 2014 and 2015.

Marco’s pizza and breadsticks will be available to everyone at the finish line as well as free Boston Stoker coffee and hot chocolate. Special treats will also be available for the dogs.

Sponsors for this event are: GOLD: Arcanum Veterinary Services, Matt and Angie Arnold and their dog Bailey, Barry Family Dentistry LLC, Edgetown Veterinary Clinic and Laser Center, Financial Achievement Services Inc., Zeke & Mini Litchfield, Majestic Pet Cremation Services, Pooch Parlor, Schultz Motors, Western Ohio Podiatric Medical Center, Darke County Veterinary Services. SILVER: Buddy and Turbo Dean. BRONZE: Greenville Federal, Hartzell Veterinary Service, Jeff Hole and Max, Kline Timber, Second National Bank, Vinny & Sherman & Lucy Aukerman, Snap Fitness, ZecharBailey Funeral Home, Double M Diner, Dr. Thomas Brown.

Donations are from Kellers, Heavy Metal Church, Brenda’s Beanery, Eileen Litchfield, Marco’s Pizza, Hibbett Sporting Goods, Boston Stoker, YMCA, Rocketship Sports Management, Great Sound Mobile DJ Service, Taco Bell, KFC, McDonald’s, Walmart.

Dr. Farst (Arcanum Veterinary Service) will again be offering discounted micro chipping at the event.

The park was built without tax dollars by members of the Darke County Friends of the Shelter through fundraisers, grants and donations. The upkeep expenses, mowing and weeding are ongoing. The organization also wants further to improve the park.

You may enter online at www.gtraces.com. People wanting t-shirts must enter by midnight Monday, March 21, 2016. There will be same day registration.

Please check for updates and information for this one of a kind event in Darke County at the organization's facebook page www.facebook.com/Shelterfriends5KRace.

Help Wanted at Family Health

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Radiology Tech w/Medical Assistant Duties

Full-time
Duties include back office work as well as After Hours shift rotation.
Must be friendly, out-going, and a team player.
Must be licensed in the State of Ohio
EOE

CMA/LPN

Full-time (M-F/40 hours +Saturday rotation)
Must be friendly, out-going, and a team player.
Must be certified and/or licensed in the State of Ohio.
EOE

RN/LPN

Disease Management (Diabetes) Program
Full-time (M-F w/Saturday rotation)
Requirements:

  •  friendly, out-going, and a team player.
  •  Comfortable speaking to groups of people

great communication/patient education.
Licensed in the State of Ohio
EOE

Qualified applicants: send resume to: HR@familyhealthservices.org

Heart & Sole 5k Registration Discount

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The Heart & Sole 5K will once again be held at Eldora Speedway! To celebrate, State of the Heart Care is offering 10% off of the registration fee for the first 25 people who register online and use the coupon code: ELDORA.

Click here to register. 

 You can also print the attached flyer and mail it to: Heart & Sole 5K, 1350 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331. See race info below! The deadline to be guaranteed a tech shirt is Friday, March 18th.

Where: Eldora Speedway: 13929 Ohio 118, New Weston, Ohio 45348

5K Divisions: Male/Female: 10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39,40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+

* Cash prizes for the top 3 overall male/female finishers

* Custom medals for the top 3 overall male/female in each division

Race Incentives: Tech Shirt, post-race refreshments, electronic chip timing, door prizes, and proceeds support the State of the Heart Care- Hospice Care Center

Information: Contact Erica Wentworth at (937) 548-2999 or ewentworth@stateoftheheartcare.org

Women’s Untold Stories: An Evening of Music, Dance, Art, and Theater

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Music, dance, art, and theater are coming to the Mayflower Arts Center in Troy on April 1, 2016, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Edison State Community College and the center as a benefit for the Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County, the program will feature 17 women from the college and the community displaying their talents as they salute girls and women.

During the reception, which is from 5 until 7, musicians Nancy Shuler, Kathryn Ellicott, Mindy Bach, and Shannon Cothran will entertain guests with classic and contemporary musical selections.

The gallery at the center will feature the work of Troy artist Nancy Shuler and Piqua artist Linda Hamilton. Both women are painters and enjoy the reputation of producing works that speak to the hearts and minds of those who view them. Hamilton will display a painting of her daughter, Erika Hamilton Loubek, at age three, and her latest work, a painting of her mother-in-law, Mary F. Hamilton, age 91.

Shuler’s work depicts a teenager on the levy at Troy and a self-portrait done in a studio at Wright State University. Shuler says that she employs “a direct approach using oils and modulating colors based on observation, perspective, light, and color relationships.”

The art of Shuler and Hamilton along with others depicting girls and women will be in the gallery at the Mayflower Arts Center throughout the month of April.

At 7 p.m., the show will begin with a lyrical dance by Troy native Savannah Harvey followed by a viola solo by Shannon Cothran, also a Troy native and a senior at Troy High School.

For the evening’s main event, 13 area college students/employees and community leaders will take the stage and deliver monologues in answer to poet Muriel Rukeyser’s question “What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life?” Dr. Vivian Blevins and students in her Women in Theatre class at Edison State, Mindy Bach, Savannah Harvey, and Rachel Darrow wrote the monologues. Stories in the monologues feature diverse themes from sex trafficking to emotional and physical poverty to communication lapses.

The final act of the evening will feature Dayton musician Brenda Cobbs-Allen in a mini concert presenting songs from the repertoires of Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.

Audience members who desire to do so can dialogue with the cast at the conclusion of the evening and share their own stories.

The basic price of admission is $10, and those who would like to make additional contributions to the Family Abuse Shelter of Miami County are encouraged to do so. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.mayflowerartscenter.com.

For further information, contact Dr. Vivian Blevins at vblevins@edisonohio.edu or (937) 778-3815.

EUM Mission Teams Serve Families Living in Guatemala City Dump

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Destination Known, the mission ministry of EUM Church, recently returned from two back-to-back mission trips to Guatemala. This is EUM’s eleventh year partnering with Potter’s House Association who has been investing in serving at risk children and youth for 30 years.

Over the years, EUM mission teams have been blessed with the opportunity to build fourteen sturdy, safe homes for families that live in one of the sixteen shanty communities surrounding the Guatemala City garbage dump. This dump is the size of twenty-two American football fields and is the largest dump in Central America. During the first week, January 30 – February 6, a team built two additional homes for families living in the dump.

The second team, serving February 6 – 13, consisted of medical professionals including a doctor, nurses, EMTs, a flight nurse and even a nursing student. This week was spent providing medical care to the people living in the Guatemala City dump and to a community called Chiquimula – which is over three hours outside the city. Chiquimula is a small community that has a smaller garbage dump where approximately one hundred people work and live. The families living in the dump have no resources, and most often their medical needs go unattended. A clinic was also made available at the local police department to care for the local police and the Guatemala swat team.
Many people, young and old alike, are seen walking around the garbage dumps with no shoes. Their feet are badly damaged from the litter of their surroundings. Another noticeable trait is many children’s hair turn a dark reddish color. This is caused by extreme malnutrition. These kids are starving as they compete with the dogs and vultures for food found in the dump.

Both teams were able to participate in prayer visits with some of the families. Team members spent time getting to know the family, offered prayer for their needs, and talked about their relationship with Jesus. Each family visited was also given a bag of food. The mission teams are able to provide much in the way of physical needs – homes, food, medical care – but none are more important than sharing the love of Jesus with the people in the dump communities.

Being part of such a great ministry not only affects the people that are served, but it also changes the lives of team members that go on the trips. If you have felt God nudging you to go on a mission trip, don’t wait… it will change your life forever! For more information contact Cliff Rapier, Missions Coordinator, EUM Church, 111 Devor Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331, crapier@eumchurch.org, or 937-548-3211 ext. 212.

Jeff Harper is Lead Pastor at EUM Church. The contemporary worship services are Saturday at 6:30 pm and Sunday at 9:00, 10:30, and 11:59 am at the Worship Center located at 1451 Sater Street and a traditional worship service is Sunday 9:45 am at the Downtown Campus at 111 Devor Street in Greenville. Kidmunity Children’s Ministry is available for kids age birth through grade six at the 6:30 pm, 9:00, 10:30 and 11:59 am services. The Downtown Campus, 111 Devor Street, houses the offices. For more information, go to www.eumchurch.org or call 548-3211.

Darke DD Series – What’s Your Story: Ashton and Chase

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Ashton Lehman and Teresa Garber, Greenville Technology Inc. (GTI)
(Greenville, Ohio) – The Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Darke DD) embraces Ohio’s Employment First Initiative of “envisioning a time when every working age adult with developmental disabilities has opportunity to seek jobs that fit their skills and interests.” The board believes in each person’s potential to work and become active members in their community, as stated in their mission statement “to empower people with developmental disabilities to explore possibilities for their lives by maximizing independence, community participation, employment, and economic self-sufficiency in their daily life experiences.”

As we continue our efforts in celebrating March as DD Awareness Month and this year’s theme “What’s Your Story?” we take a look at one of the unique opportunities that the board has engaged in – an enclave-to-work partnership with Greenville Technology Inc. (GTI). This week’s “What’s Your Story?” features two individuals with successful stories but first, a little background on the enclave.

Over many years, a solid relationship was built between Darke DD, Wayne Industries, and GTI through contracted assembly work done at the Wayne Industries building. With creative minds and a commitment toward assisting people to work in the community, GTI contracted with Wayne Industries, who supplied a group of 6-7 workers and a supervisor to complete the production work (enclave) at GTI. The goal of the enclave was to match workers interested in production work to the staffing needs at GTI. This partnership paid off and in 2015, two workers were hired by Greenville Technology Inc. (GTI) as a result of these collaborations.

Ashton Lehman was the first one from the group to be offered employment by GTI. He began working in the extrusion area where he quickly displayed his strengths and his attention to detail. The first time his skills and abilities really shined were when he noticed a part that was only slightly different to the eye, yet did not meet standards. He pointed out the discrepancy to his trainer who was able to address the issue and prevent any production errors down the line. Ashton, who prefers routine in his work day, currently works on a machine producing parts. Team Leader Dawn Mock shared that his perspective has helped draw attention to situations that may be out of process.

Chase L. was hired in September of 2015, after working as part of the Wayne Industries enclave group for 8 months. Assisted in his employment search through The Partnership for Employment First (a collaboration of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, OOD and Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities) through Darke DD, Chase quickly learned many jobs in his area at GTI. In December 2015, he was promoted to a provisionary worker, the next step in his career at GTI. In response to their work attributes, Ms. Mock stated that “Ashton and Chase’s attendance is excellent and their production speeds are as good as other GTI workers, making them valuable contributors to their production team.”

When asked about hiring individuals with disabilities Barry Paulus, GTI Assistant Plant Manager, said “we have found that the individuals who have worked at GTI have been very dependable and a good labor source. I would encourage other employers to consider hiring a worker with a developmental disability.” Paulus also stated that he “believes the Wayne Industries Associates have changed some GTI associates’ perspective on what a person with a disability can do. I know they have changed mine.” The enclave-to-work partnership has been so successful that GTI has recently added a third worker to Mock’s team, with the hopes to eventually hire him on to their permanent roster.

Anyone interested in learning more about partnering with the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities for employment opportunities, Bridges to Transition, inclusion and/or volunteerism can contact Rodney Willis, Community First Director at 937-459-4626 or rodneyw@darkedd.org. Be sure to visit our webpage at darkedd.org and like us on Facebook!

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

“The Way of the Cross”

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GOOD FRIDAY COMMUNITY SERVICES

“The Way of the Cross”

March 25, 2016
12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM

The Greater Greenville Ministerial Association is sponsoring Good Friday services on March 25, 2016, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. We will follow Christ as he made his way to the Cross down the Via Dolorosa beginning with the first station where he was condemned to die. Join us as we walk and pray the steps that Jesus took to Calvary. We begin our journey at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and will end at St. Paul Lutheran Church. You are welcome to join us at any stop along the journey. Please note the various locations and times of each station are approximate.

God has done so much for us as God poured His love and grace upon us through Jesus Christ, His Son, at the Cross. Begin your Easter holiday weekend with an experience you won’t forget.

Noon St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
233 West Third Street

12:20 p.m. St. Paul United Church of Christ
129 West Third Street

12:50 p.m. First United Methodist Church
202 West Fourth Street

1:20 p.m. First Presbyterian Church
114 East Fourth Street

1:45 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church
131 East Fourth Street

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Holy Week Services

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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Greenville, Ohio
Holy Week Services

*MAUNDY THURSDAY, March 24, 7:00 p.m.
Tenebrae Service - Holy Communion

* PALM SUNDAY SERVICE, March 20
Sunday School Hour - 9:30 a.m.
Worship - 10:30 a.m.

*EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE, March 27, 2016
Sunrise Service – 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast Sponsored by Youth Group – 8:30 a.m.
Sunday School Hour – 9:30 a.m.
Easter Celebration Worship – 10:30 a.m.

Special Music
*Nursery Provided for all services

An EPC Congregation

*Please come and rejoice with us. All are welcome!

Pastor John Person, 114 E. 4th Street – Greenville, OH – (937) 548-3188
Cable Channel 5 – Wednesdays 8-9:00 p.m. & Saturdays 11:00 a.m.

St John Lutheran Church Holy Week

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Edison State and Honda Team Up to Provide a Work-Study Program

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High School Juniors, Seniors, and Parents Invited to Attend Information Session

Edison State Community College invites high school juniors, seniors, and their parents to learn more about the direct pathway developed to lead into a manufacturing career at Honda. This work-study program allows students to earn a two–year degree and possibly be debt–free upon completion. An information session will be held Thursday, April 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in rooms 504/505 on the Piqua campus.

Equipment Service Technicians are currently in demand at Honda and require technical and analytical skills to identify and solve problems quickly. The Edison State to Honda Manufacturing Pathway program will help prepare students with the skills needed to take on these in demand roles.

The new program is available to students who opt to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology with a concentration in Electro-Mechanical or Automation and Robotics at Edison State.

Participating students will be able to earn a two-year degree in engineering, while working part time at Honda. Students will attend classes two days a week and work three days a week. If grade point average and work performance is maintained they will be eligible to receive a pay increase every semester. Participants in the program will make more than $16 per hour, and those who go on to full-time employment will start at more than $53,000 per year.

The program requires that students begin taking classes at Edison State in the fall of 2016 and apply to Honda’s work-study program in February of 2017. Pre-register to attend by April 4, 2016 by visiting www.edisonohio.edu/pathway. For additional information, contact Veronica French by calling 937-778-7865 or emailing vfrench@edisonohio.edu.

SOME THINGS TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY, OTHERS GIVE IT BACK

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Versailles Health Care Center will be celebrating National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week March 13th through the 19th. Through this year’s theme “Some Things Take Your Breath Away, Others Give it Back”, Versailles Health Care Center will promote awareness about the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with lung diseases. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary and comprehensive intervention for patients with pulmonary function symptoms. These patients often have decreased daily life activities. Integrating monitored exercise, lifestyle modification, diet and behavioral health services, pulmonary rehabilitation is designed to reduce symptoms, provide an enhanced quality of life for patients and reduce health care costs by stabilizing and managing the disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation professionals are the link between the physician and ongoing patient assessment and care. Pulmonary rehabilitation fills the gap between hospital discharges and physician visits. Patients who complete Pulmonary Rehabilitation typically make long-term lifestyle changes decisions in nutrition, medications and exercise.

The Rehab Clinic at Versailles Health Care Center Inpatient and Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program incorporates a professional Pulmonary Strengthening Program, develops individualized therapeutic breathing exercises designed to strengthen your lungs while maximizing your oxygen intake with physical movements, and works directly with your physicians to improve your respiratory health care needs. VHCC’s Pulmonary Rehab team members are experts in providing quality care in Pulmonary Strengthening, decreasing oxygen dependence, supervising CPAP and BiPAP requirements, and providing professional Trach Care.

Versailles Health Care Center also collaborates with the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialists at Wayne HealthCare to provide pulmonary services at VHCC. The Wayne HealthCare Pulmonary Specialists and Versailles Health Care Center Team provide high level pulmonary services to the patients in the community. As part of the partnership, the Wayne HealthCare Respiratory Therapists are on-site weekly at Versailles Health Care Center, work in conjunction with Versailles Health Care Center staff to evaluate and assess VHCC patients for respiratory care, and are available to act as a resource for questions concerning respiratory care.

No matter your starting point for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Versailles Health Care Center is prepared to guide you on your path to using your lungs more efficiently. The Rehab Department at VHCC is happy to assist you in getting your physician’s orders to receive Pulmonary Services and to verify covered benefits through your insurance provider. If you are interested in learning more about the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Versailles Heath Care Center, please contact Stephen Winner at 937-526-0130 or visit on the web at www.versailleshealthcare.com.

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