Ohio Glass Company Owner Sentenced to Prison For Not Paying Employment Taxes

Also Filed False Tax Returns and Failed to File Returns

(Information Released by The United States Department of Justice. Source.)

The owner of a Greenville, Ohio, glass company was sentenced to 14 months in prison today for failing to truthfully account for and pay over employment taxes, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division.

According to information and documents provided to the court, Gail Cooper, 64, of Greenville, was the owner of Greenville Architectural Glass (GAG), which primarily installed glass in commercial and residential buildings for clients in Ohio. GAG paid wages to its employees during the years 2013 through 2015, and as the person responsible for GAG’s finances, Cooper was required to withhold federal income taxes and Social Security and Medicare taxes from the employees’ wages and pay those amounts over to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Cooper was also required to file quarterly employment tax returns with the IRS. Although Cooper caused GAG to withhold taxes from employees’ wages, she neither filed the required quarterly returns for the first quarter of 2013 through the second quarter of 2015, nor paid the withheld amounts over to the IRS. Cooper also failed to pay over to the IRS unemployment taxes. In all, Cooper caused more than $280,000 in payroll taxes not to be paid.

Cooper also filed false individual income tax returns for 2008, 2009, and 2010, on which she understated GAG’s gross receipts and overstated its expenses. Cooper caused GAG’s bookkeeper to manipulate and delete entries in the company’s accounting records. Specifically, she directed the bookkeeper to delete invoices from the software after GAG received payment from a client to make it appear as if GAG had not received the payment. Cooper also paid personal expenses with business funds, including utility bills for her residence and rental properties, and caused these to be classified as business expenses. After filing fraudulent returns for 2008-2010, Cooper did not file any individual income tax returns for the next several years. In total, Cooper’s conduct caused a tax loss of $587,516 to the United States.

In addition to the term of imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose ordered Cooper to serve two years of supervised release and pay restitution to the IRS in the amount of $659,262.39.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman thanked special agents of IRS Criminal Investigation, who investigated the case, and Trial Attorneys Melissa S. Siskind and Thomas F. Koelbl of the Tax Division, who are prosecuting the case. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman also thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio for their assistance in this matter.

Additional information about the Tax Division and its enforcement efforts may be found on the division’s website.

DARKE COUNTY SHERIFF ISSUES PHONE SCAM ALERT

The Darke County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a telephone scam in the Darke County area today. This type of scam has been going on all around the country for some time and seems to be perpetrated in this area periodically. A similar scam occurred earlier this year.

This particular telephone scam involves the perpetrator identifying himself as Deputy Linkous of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office to obtain money for failing to appear in court pursuant to a subpoena issued to the witness. In cases such as these the suspect will utilize the name of someone from the local community. This is an attempt to legitimize the scam. The fictitious telephone number on the caller ID often shows up as a local number in an effort to lure unsuspecting victims. The caller will try to intimidate the victim into complying with the demands. They may try to solicit information to your account numbers or ask you to wire money. When the victim refuses to comply or questions the legitimacy of the call it is followed by threats of arrest.

The Darke County Sheriff’s Office does not operate this way. We do not call and attempt to obtain money for failure to show for jury duty or any other court processes such as outstanding citations or warrants.

Deputies do commonly make phone calls to follow up on investigations and reports. A deputy will never ask you for money. If a person questions the validity of a deputy’s call, the caller will be asked to call back on our publically known telephone number 937-548-2020 and ask for the deputy who will then take the call.

Sheriff Toby Spencer is warning citizens not to fall for this scam. In all situations, it is important that citizens do not verify or provide any personal information over the phone unless they positively know or trust the caller. Best course of action if you suspect you are receiving a scam call is to hang up immediately.

Any citizens who have suffered a monetary loss or feel they have compromised their personal identifying information can contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-2020 or their local law enforcement agency.

Washington School Alumni to Hold Reunion

Washington School will be having a Gathering Sun. Nov. 10th, from 2:00 to 4:00 at the school on Wagner Rd.

Bring old pictures and stories to reminisce.

PLEASE help pass the word and invite other Washington School classmates, family and friends!

The Big Sleep at Library Film Series

The Greenville Public Library's Third Floor Film Series will next screen the 1946 film noir The Big Sleep, directed by Howard Hawks and starring real-life couple Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in one of their most legendary on-screen pairings.

Based on the novel by Raymond Chandler and a screenplay co-written by novelist William Faulkner, The Big Sleep is full of film noir trappings, from a labyrinthine plot and snappy dialogue to moody cinematography and a subtextual evaluation of right and wrong. Films in this genre were often less about plot and more about atmosphere and the chemistry of their stars. Few were able to rival the magnetism of Bogie and Bacall. The Big Sleep is one of the most stylish films noir ever made.

Join us on Tuesday November 5th at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided and a short discussion will follow the film. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to see you there!

Bradford Public Library to Host 2019 Craft Fair: "A Handmade Holiday"

Bradford public Library will be hosting their 2019 Craft Fair, "A Handmade Holiday" on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Doors will open at 9:00 and will close at 3:00 the day of the sale.

As the name suggests, all items will be hand-crafted. We have a great group of vendors offering unique items, sure to put a smile on everyone’s face! Items for sale will include pottery, handmade books, baked goods, oil infused soaps and scrubs, vinyl press items, wreaths and floral arrangements, jewelry, quilted, crocheted, knitted and sewn items, chocolates, candy and knives. More vendors are being added every day to offer a little bit of something for everyone on your gift list!

A raffle will be held for items donated by each of the vendors. Drawing will be held at 2:30 the day of the sale. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets are on sale now at the library for $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

Proceeds from the raffle sales will go to our co-worker and friend, Carol reed, to help with upcoming medical expenses as she battles ALS. Make plans to attend and support your local crafters, check off some names from your Christmas list and maybe even find something for yourself!

Darke County Parks receives ODNR Boating Safety Education Grant

Earlier this year, the Darke County Park District was fortunate to receive boating safety education grant funds from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft. These funds, a portion of the total amount of nearly $250,000 awarded to 13 communities, was used to purchase updated kayaks, a new boat trailer and safety equipment. This equipment allows the park district to continue offering ACA-certified workshops on kayaking skills and safety to ensure local residents are safe while exploring Ohio’s waterways.

“I’m excited to get the Darke County community in some updated equipment and offering additional workshops to help develop important safety and paddling skills for many seasons to come,” Chief Naturalist Robb Clifford said. “Our older kayaks have been through the works after 12 years of use, and many were starting to show their age! These new boats have an updated design and provide an excellent paddling experience,” Clifford concluded.

As the paddling season draws to a close for 2019, rest assured 2020 will present more paddling opportunities! Several of the 2019 planned floats and workshops were not able to take place as planned due to high water through much of the spring and early summer. “We are excited about these new boats and looking forward to next season,” added Clifford. To keep up with the program offerings of Darke County Parks, be sure to follow them on Facebook and also visit their website at www.darkecountyparks.org and sign up for the quarterly newsletter, Nature Notes, which lists all upcoming programs.

Thank you, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and we’ll see you on the water!

To contact the Darke County Park District regarding upcoming paddling programs, please visit us online at darkecountyparks.org or contact the park offices at 937-548-0165.

High School Graduation Requirements

Written by Greenville High School Principal Stan Hughes

Students in the class of 2020 have five different pathways to meet the requirements for graduation. The first pathway requires students to earn a minimum of 18 points in the end-of-course state tests. They must earn at least four points in English, 4 points in math and 6 points in social studies and science combined. The tests include English I and II, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, U.S. History and Civics. This pathway is a demanding academic pathway requiring students to score high marks to earn the eighteen required points.

The second pathway requires students to earn industry-recognized credentials totaling 12 points or more and pass the WorkKeys test. Some examples of industry recognized credentials would be STNA, Student ASE certifications, and Child Development Associate credential (CDA). We are fortunate at Greenville High School to have career technical programs that help our students earn these credits.

Another pathway for students to earn a high school diploma is to score remediation-free on the ACT or SAT college entrance exams. We currently give the ACT to all juniors in Greenville City Schools. The remediation-free scores for the English and Math portion of the ACT is twenty-two or higher. The fourth alternative pathway for graduation for the class of 2020 allows students to complete two of the following requirements:

• Earn a 2.5 GPA in all of the courses taken in the 11th and 12th grade combined
• Complete a capstone project
• Complete 120 hours of work or community service during the 12th grade year
• Earn 3 college credits during high school
• Earn credit for Advanced placement or International Baccalaureate courses
• Score a 3 or higher on each of the sections of the WorkKeys test
• Earn an industry-recognized credential worth 3 or more points
• Meet the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal requirements

The last alternative for graduation allows students who complete a career technical program to meet at least one of the following options:

• Earn proficient scores or better on all career technical exams
• Earn industry-recognized credentials worth 12 or more points
• Complete a workplace experience totaling 250 hours or more with positive evaluations

Starting with the class of 2021, the pathways for earning a diploma change dramatically.

Students in this class and the class of 2022 will have the first three pathways listed above but instead of the two alternative pathways (listed above), students will be able to complete the new graduation requirements.

The class of 2023 and beyond will only have the new graduation requirements available to them.

There are three parts to the new requirements for graduation. First, you must earn the locally defined number of credits, at Greenville High School that is twenty two credits. Second you must demonstrate “competency.”

There are 4 ways that students can demonstrate competency. Students may earn a “competency” score (as defined by Ohio Department of Education) on the English II and algebra I end-of-exams. Students who do not earn a competency score on these tests have three options to take the place of the exams. One option is demonstrate two career focused activities such as proficient scores on WebXams, earn Industry Credentials, and pre-apprenticeship programs. A second option is to enlist in the military, and the third option is to complete college coursework in math and/or English.

In addition to earning credits and demonstrating competency, students must also show their college and/or career readiness. Our students show their readiness by earning at least two diploma seals. The state created twelve seals for students to demonstrate academic, career, college, and military readiness. The following seals have been created by the state of Ohio.

• OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal
• State Seal of Biliteracy
• Industry-Recognized Credential Seal
• College-Ready Seal
• Military Enlistment Seal
• Citizenship Seal
• Science Seal
• Honors Diploma Seal
• Technology Seal
• Community Service Seal*
• Fine and Performing Arts Seal*
• Certified Student Engagement Seal*

Greenville High School students are a diverse group of learners who will continue to grow and develop in to good citizens with the help of the faculty and staff of Greenville City Schools, the support of families and the community, and a set of diverse pathways designed to fit the needs of our students.

We are looking forward to helping our students and parents of students understand these new requirements and to continue to pursue the vision Greenville City Schools of maximizing the potential of each and every student.

The Vietnam War at Library

Join us Wednesday November 6th at 6:00 p.m. at the Greenville Public Library as Vietnam vet Gaylen Blosser shares his personal story “One of the Two Percent.“ Gaylen served in the US Army as a teenager from 1969 to 1970 in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade and the 23rd Infantry Division. His photo is on the Hometown Hero banner located on the west side of the 100 block of Broadway. These banners honor local veterans and are provided by Main Street Greenville.

Gaylen was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Citation. He is a Life Member of the VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, and Disabled American Veterans, as well as currently serving as a Commissioner with the Darke County Veterans Services.

Gaylen is a popular figure at all the county games, matches, races, and other sporting events as he volunteers his time and talent as sports writer and photographer for the Early Bird. The Library is honored to offer Gaylen’s program as a way to commemorate Veterans Day.

Electoral College – Q & A

Program covering the function of America’s Electoral College

Author, columnist and international lecturer Ricki Pepin
will be speaking about the function and purpose of the Electoral College.

GREENVILLE, OHIO – The Darke County Republican Women’s Club (DCRWC), in conjunction with the Darke County Republican Party (DCRP), and the Darke County Republican Men’s Club (DCRMC) will be hosting a public service program at which the function of America’s Electoral College system will be presented and discussed. Ricki Pepin, a published author, columnist and international lecturer will be the featured speaker.

The public is invited to attend this free program which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 18 at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Center, 4267 Ohio 502, Greenville.

“Our Constitution was written to protect the citizens. The measure of its effectiveness is whether it encourages just, stable and free government, one that protects the rights of its citizens. The Electoral College needs to be preserved because it is effective in protecting those rights. We are presenting this program to help our fellow Americans understand why the Electoral College matters.” said President Betty Hill, DCRWC.

Pepin is a former employee of the FBI and for the past 18 years has been leading courses on the U.S. Constitution in collaboration with the Institute on the Constitution. Her primary passion is teaching citizens how to work together to restore America’s foundations.

"I’m always amazed at the forward thinking our founding fathers had when they wrote the Constitution. The Electoral College is another great example. I believe it gives a voice to the less populated states in electing our President and is a reminder that as President, he represents all states, not just the most populated ones." said Chairman Cindy Pike, DCRP Central Committee.

DCRWC is a political group founded to provide political education and legislative information; provide a wider knowledge of the principles of the Republican Party; increase the number of registered Republicans; recruit, promote, and support qualified Republican women for political office; give exposure to and work actively for all Republican candidates; and lend support to the activities of other Republican organizations. The DCRWC is a multi-generational, multi-cultural organization providing the structure and support for political activists to learn, engage, and flourish. The Club is chartered by the National Federation of Republican Women and is a member of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women. For more information, visit: http://www.darkegop.org/womens-club.html or email President Betty Hill at: DCRWPresident@darkegop.org.

Upcoming events at the Arcanum Public Library

The popular StoryTime will be held on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. This drop-in program for preschoolers includes stories, songs, crafts, and lots of fun. Also on Tuesdays is the afterschool program for children in grades K-6. The Explorer’s Club meets from 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. and provides a chance for kids to have a snack, make a craft, play games, and hang out with friends. This is also a drop-in program.

The newest program at the APL is a great way for patrons to start off each week. The Roaming Readers Walking Club meets on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m. for a 30 minute walk. The sessions will continue through November 11. This drop-in program is a great opportunity to meet new people, get some exercise, and have some fun. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

The library has purchased five “Discovering STEM” kits that introduce concepts such as levers, gears, velocity, and more. The APL is inviting patrons to come for a fun afternoon of getting to know the kits on Friday, November 8 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The kits will then be available for patrons ages 8 and up to check out and take home for building fun.

An adult coloring session will be on Tuesday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m. Drop in to enjoy a relaxing session of coloring, beverages, and community. Supplies are provided.

The book club will be meeting on Tuesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m. Newcomers are always welcome to join the discussion and to pick up the next selection.

The library will be having a family Bingo night on Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. Patrons of all ages are welcome to attend and no registration is needed for this event. Prizes will be given out to add to the fun.

As a reminder, the library now has mobile hotspots and a telescope available for check-out to adult patrons.

The library can be reached at 937-692-8484, and found at www.arcanumpubliclibrary.org. The library is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Tom Stely to Share Stories at Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society Event

Tom Staley will be sharing stories November 14th at 7:00 at the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society from the 30 years he has owned Staley’s Antiques and Woodworking located on Sycamore Street in Arcanum.

Stepping into Staley’s Antique Store is like stepping back in time, like a treasure hunt in Grandma’s attic or rummaging through the family storage unit.

Tom has seen trends over the years in what people are collecting, the strange items that have come and gone through his store, and watched prices go up and down. He only recently learned that the rainbow colored robe he has had for a long time could be from the era of the Ku Klux Klan movement. He has some items from the general store, The John Smith Company, which had been in Arcanum for nearly 150 years.

If you have an item you can’t identify, bring it to the program, maybe Tom or someone else in attendance can tell you what it is and what it was used for.

Join us to hear Tom’s stories of the strangest items he has had at his shop and the people he has met.

Located at 123 W. George Street, the Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society is open the first Saturday of the month to view displays and to research local history. AWTHS website: www.arcanumhistoricalsociety.org. Contact us at:contact@arcanumhistoricalsociety.org

19TH ANNUAL “WARM WINTER WEAR FOR DARKE COUNTY CHILDREN”

The employees of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, with the support of Sheriff Toby L. Spencer, and in conjunction with local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical professionals, have announced plans to host the 19th annual “Warm Winter Wear for Darke County Children” program. This program provides new coats to local children, ages 0 to 13, who are in need. Unfortunately, we cannot accept used items.

From October 1st through the middle of November, new hats, gloves and coats are collected at the Investigations Building of the Darke County Sheriff’s Office and items are distributed to Darke County schools and local families as orders are filled.

Monetary donations are accepted throughout the year. If you wish to donate, checks should be made payable to Warm Winter Wear and mailed c/o Darke County Sheriff’s Office, 5185 County Home Rd, Greenville, OH 45331.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the numerous individuals and businesses throughout the County who have made donations over the past 18 years. Last year we received $9,010 in monetary donations and were able to provide 288 children with new coats for the winter. We also received donations of new coats, as well as hand-made hats, scarves and gloves. We greatly appreciate the generosity of our citizens; our program could not continue without your help.

Anyone with questions about this project may contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-1193, and direct your call to Stacey.

Darke County Republican Women’s Club hosted Greenville candidates

Republican Candidates on November 5 ballot spoke to group

Republican candidates speaking to the DCRWC (L to R): Matt Staugler (for Fourth Ward, Greenville City Council), Rebecca Strait (for Greenville Treasurer), Mike Rieman (for Greenville City Law Director), Roxanne Willman (for Greenville Auditor), Steve Willman (for Greenville Mayor), and Clarence Godwin (for First Ward, Greenville City Council).

GREENVILLE, OHIO – The Darke County Republican Women’s Club (DCRWC) invited all of the Darke County Republican Candidates running in the November 5 general election to speak. The program was held at the Chestnut Village Center of the Brethren Home Retirement Community.

The following Republican candidates speaking, with the position each seeks, were: Steve Willman (Greenville Mayor), Mike Rieman (Greenville City Law Director), Roxanne Willman (Greenville Auditor), Rebecca Strait (Greenville Treasurer), Clarence Godwin (First Ward, Greenville City Council) and Matt Staugler (Fourth Ward, Greenville City Council). Doris Howdieshell (Second Ward, Greenville City Council) was absent.

“The club was very pleased to provide this chance for the residents of Darke County to meet the Republican Candidates personally, have a chance to speak with them and hear their plans for Greenville,” said Betty Hill, DCRWC President. “These are the people who will help run Greenville’s government for the next four years.”

Each candidate gave a brief presentation to the group regarding their qualifications and what they would like to accomplish if elected.

DCRWC Awards Chairman Jaime LeVeck also provided an update and information regarding the club award program available through the Ohio Federation of Republican Women.

DCRWC is a political group founded to provide political education and legislative information; provide a wider knowledge of the principles of the Republican Party; increase the number of registered Republicans; recruit, promote, and support qualified Republican women for political office; give exposure to and work actively for all Republican candidates; and lend support to the activities of other Republican organizations. The DCRWC is a multi-generational, multi-cultural organization providing the structure and support for political activists to learn, engage, and flourish. The Club is chartered by the National Federation of Republican Women and is a member of the Ohio Federation of Republican Women. For more information, visit: http://www.darkegop.org/womens-club.html or email President Betty Hill at: DCRWPresident@darkegop.org.

Author Nancy Grieshop to speak at Coldwater library

Author Nancy Grieshop will be at the Coldwater Public Library Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss her book Destination…Sanity. Grieshop tells the story of the devastation of addiction on an unsuspecting family. The presentation Addiction. That won’t happen in my family. Right? will provide information on the disease and withdrawal process of addiction and associated risk factors. Grieshop gives glimpses of the tumultuous life she lived as her son became a drug addict.

A graduate of Marion Local High School, Grieshop grew up on a farm in northern Darke County and now lives near Dayton.

The book is pertinent and timely as it addresses the current opioid epidemic.

The presentation will follow with a book signing with copies available that night.

For more information contact the library at 419-678-2431, visit the website www.coldwaterpubliclibrary.org or follow on Facebook.

Greenville Art Guild to Sponsor Workshop

NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT MADE EASY!

The Ballot Box scanner.  Your private paper ballot vote will
be counted only after you have inserted it into the Ballot Box.

Whether you are voting early at the Darke Co. Board of Elections or waiting for Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, watch this link to see how easy it is to use the new voting equipment (the video is also embedded above): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sbufQFslEg. There is a touch screen Ballot Marking Device that you use to vote on with a paper ballot. The other new piece of equipment is a large Ballot Box scanner.

The video takes less than 15 minutes to watch on YouTube. It will also be available for viewing on Greenville Public Access TV Wave Channel 5 during these times: Saturday and Sunday, 4 PM & 10 PM; Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6 AM; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 6 PM.
The League of Women Voters of Darke County in cooperation with the Board of Elections and Greenville High School’s Wave Channel 5 and IMTV class filmed voters at a recent open house earlier in October at the Board of Election. Voters at the open house could try the machines while “voting” for their favorite dog breed, favorite beach and other items.

After showing proper I.D. and checking in, you will be issued a blank paper ballot marked with a bar code to identify your precinct. You should then insert the blank ballot into the touch screen Ballot Marking Device. Candidates and issues for your precinct will appear on the screen. After making your selections, you can review them on the summary screen. You may modify any of your choices by tapping the race or issue you would like to change. Once you have confirmed your choices, select next and print. Then pull out your printed ballot from the Ballot Marking Device. You can view your selections on the paper ballot, giving you another chance to confirm your vote. You will then take your ballot to the Ballot Box and insert the ballot above the green arrow before exiting the polling place. Your private vote will be counted only after you have inserted it into the Ballot Box.

The new equipment was purchased to replace the aging ones which had been used for 14 years. Using these in this November’s election will familiarize the voters before the Presidential Primary Election which is March 17, 2020.

Special thanks to Paul Schlechty, Director of the Darke County Board of Elections and the two videographers from Greenville H.S. IMTV program, Micheal Huston and Nate Feurer as well as their instructor Lori Hoover. This was a community service project of the League of Women Voters of Darke County At-Large Unit, a non-partisan political organization whose primary focus is voter service.

Early voting continues at the Board of Elections, 300 Garst Ave. in Greenville on Monday – Friday, October 21 – 25 from 8 AM – 5 PM; October 28 – Nov. 1, from 8 AM – 7 PM; Saturday, November 2, from 8 AM – 4 PM; Sunday, November 3 from 1 PM – 5 PM and Monday, November 4, from 8 AM – 2 PM. Voting at the regular polling precincts is on Tuesday, November 5 with polls open from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. For questions about your voting precinct, please call the Board of Elections, 937-548-1835.

Ansonia Lighted Tractor Parade Returns for Second Year

The Orchestras of Greenville City Schools Proudly Present “String Fling”

The Orchestras of Greenville City Schools will present their annual concert featuring all orchestra students in grades 5-12. The “String Fling” concert began roughly 25 years ago and still holds the basic format of today. The concert will be presented at Memorial Hall on Monday, October 28 at 7pm. “String Fling” is free and open to the public.

“String Fling” will display the growth of the orchestra education program with the beginning 5th grade strings performing selections from their beginning book. The program continues with the 6th grade strings performing Tumbleweed Blues and Salsa Fest. The 7/8 strings will then take the stage to perform March of the Bowmen and Electric Sinfonia. The program concludes with the Greenville Senior High School Orchestra performing Concerto in D Major by Bach, Tico Tico and Selections from Phantom of the Opera.

Please make plans to join us for this wonderful and entertaining free concert on Monday, October 28 at Memorial Hall at 7pm featuring the orchestra musicians of Greenville City Schools.

GUIDES FOR DCCA’S DOWNTOWN AND CEMETERY GHOST WALKS ANNOUNCED

Darke County Center for the Arts will continue a long-standing Halloween-season tradition with their annual Ghost Walk through downtown Greenville on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26; these walks will leave St. Clair Memorial Hall at 7:30 each night. DCCA’s highly anticipated second annual Cemetery Walk at Greenville Union Cemetery will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 27 and Halloween night, Thursday, October 31. Tour guides who will lead the Walks are Michael Bitner, Marilyn Delk, and Tim Nealeigh. Actors who will spin additional spooky tales are John and Karen Burkett, Tanna Cornett, Larry Delk, Kianna Dishman, Katheleen Nealeigh, Sam Ploch, Jan Roestamadji, Jamie Stocksdale, and Heather Voisard.

According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, many of the tales to be spun are based on stories of ghostly encounters collected by Arcanum-area resident Rita Arnold, while some of the bizarre tales have been gathered from contributors who have shared their eerie experiences and tales of the unknown and unexplained. “DCCA is proud to once again present this appropriate for all ages, fun-filled fundraiser which helps underwrite great programs such as DCCA’s Arts In Education series that takes professional artists to perform for students in every grade of all local public schools, as well as DCCA’s Family Theatre Series which gives families the opportunity to enjoy high quality theatrical performances for just $5 per ticket,” Ms. Jordan said.

Greenville Masonic Lodge #143 Craft Club will be serving refreshments at St. Clair Memorial Hall before and after the Downtown Ghost Walk. Tickets for the Downtown Ghost Walk and the Cemetery Ghost Walk cost $10; however, tickets for the two Walks are not interchangeable. Wile advance tickets for the Cemetery Walk are only available on-line at www.darkecountyarts.org and by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or dcca@darkecountyarts.org as well as at Greenville Public Library, tickets for the Downtown Walk can also be purchased at Ann’s Gifts, Readmore’s Hallmark, and Darke County Visitors Bureau Welcome Center in downtown Greenville. Tickets for the Downtown Walk will be sold at the door at St. Clair Memorial Hall; entry to the Cemetery Ghost Walk will be at the North Main Street entrance to Greenville Union Cemetery where tickets may be purchased immediately prior to the event. Parking will not be allowed within the Cemetery.

The Downtown Ghost Walk will be held regardless of weather conditions; if seriously inclement weather occurs, the stories will be told within St. Clair Memorial Hall. However, no appropriate alternative site is available at the Cemetery; therefore bad weather may force a cancellation of the Cemetery Ghost Walk. Additionally, since the Ghost Walks travel over uneven terrain and in dimly lighted areas, DCCA officials suggest participants might want to carry a flashlight to help light their paths.

Genealogy Meeting

The Darke County Genealogy Inc. is having a meeting on, Sun., Nov 3rd, 2019, at 2:00 PM. The meeting will be at Garst Museum, Lowell Thomas Room, Greenville, OH. This will be the annual induction to The Lineage Families of Darke County and the Christmas Party. Bring foods to share. This meeting is open to anyone interested.

DCS: Car Strikes Disabled Vehicle at 49 and 127

On October 21, 2019 at approximately 5:43 a.m., Darke County Deputies were dispatched to State Route 49 near US Route 127 reference a disabled vehicle in the roadway. While Deputies were in route to the scene, dispatch received a call the disable vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. Greenville Twp. Fire and Greenville Twp. Rescue were then dispatched to the scene.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2001 Dodge 3500, driven by Steven Uhlenhake (64) of St Henry, Oh, was southbound on US Route 127. The 2001 Dodge exited US Route 127 at the off ramp toward SR 49. The 2001 Dodge attempted to turn south on SR 49 and became disabled in the roadway. Before responding units could arrive on scene, the 2001 Dodge was struck by a northbound 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Linda Crowe (67) of Greenville.

Ms. Crowe was transported to Wayne Healthcare by Greenville Twp. Rescue with minor injuries. Mr. Uhlenhake was uninjured in the incident.

Pete Mercer Band and Noah McCabe

Pete Mercer Band

Noah McCabe

Cancer Association of Darke County to hold a concert November 10, 2019 at Memorial Hall from 3-5 pm.

Noah McCabe and Pete Mercer Band along with Noah Back will share their music to help local cancer patients. Eric Fee will serve as Emcee.

Pete Mercer Band is made up of all family and friends. The Mercers have played music together for over 20 years and have been a part of several worship teams in churches in several states during that time.

Noah McCabe is 22 years old and plays cello, guitar, bass guitar, piano and vocals. He has played in several different orchestras including Greenville High School Philharmonic, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Richmond Community Orchestra. He wants to become a professional musician.

Tickets are available for $5 at Bread of Life and the Cancer Association of Darke County.

Call for further details at 548-9960.

You won’t want to miss this afternoon of great music!

All proceeds will go to Cancer Association of Darke County to help Darke County cancer patients.

Greenville BPW Hosts Guest Night

What a Girls Wants Guest Night Committee pictured from left to right:  Vicki Cost, Deb Niekamp (Chair), Susan Fowble, Peggy Foutz, Desteni Mason, Kristina Heath, Kim Fisher, Susan Shields, Deb Shiverdecker (not pictured - Lucie Pohl).

Greenville, OH. - Greenville Business & Professional Women’s Club (BPW) guests and members recently enjoyed shopping, food and fashion at their successful annual guest night “What a Girl Wants” event on October 10th. The evening started with shopping at 4One Apparel in Arcanum and in Greenville at Beanz Buttercream Bakery, Expressions of Tyme, Happily Ever Co, Merle Norman, Natural Path, Refined Purveyors, Sadie Grace, Shelly’s Antiques, Sweet Annie’s Cabin, Wieland Jewelers , and Youniques, who offered discounts and treats to shoppers with tickets for the event. The event then moved to the VFW on Ohio Street with social time, vendors, silent auction, and appetizers catered by J’s Country Store. Several door prizes were given out and a 50/50 raffle drawing was held.

Committee chair Debbie Niekamp along with committee members Vicki Cost, Susan Fowble, Peggy Foutz, Desteni Mason, Kristina Heath, Kim Fisher, Susan Shields, Deb Shiverdecker, and Lucie Pohl treated those in attendance to a fashion show with styles from 4 One Apparel, Youniques, and Happily Ever Co emceed by Kristina Heath.

The ‘super raffle’ was launched with a chance to win one of five prizes: a 14 Karat white gold necklace and earrings with crystals (Wieland Jewelers), a 39” Element Smart TV (Performance Mortgage), KitchenAid 5 Speed Blender (KitchenAid), $100 package of Dining Gift Cards (Deb & Gene Niekamp) or a Relaxation Massage (Escape Spa). Super Raffle tickets are available at Merle Norman at 309 S. Broadway, Greenville or by contacting Susan Shields at 937/548-2592 or Debbie Niekamp at 419/305-2178 or any BPW member. The drawing will be held at the Club’s meeting on December 12th. The winner does not need to be present to win. Tickets are $2.00 each or 6 for $10.00.

Special thanks to all those who attended as well as the following vendors, silent auction donors, and members for making this event a success: Deb & Gene Niekamp, Performance Mortgage, Wieland Jewelers, KitchenAid, Escape Spa (Amanda Baker), Youniques, 4 One Apparel, Happily Ever Co, Merle Norman (Pam Sharp), Brown Bag Soap Company (Leona Douglas), Touchstone Crystal (Glenna Martin), Ashley’s Boutique (Ashley Fox), Color Street Stylist (Nicole Hackett), Lilla Rose, MzTickle Creations (Tiana Brown), Young Living Oils (Connie Sowry), A&B Coffee & Cake, Ault, Henderson & Lewis, Beanz Buttercream Bakery, Bread of Life, Chillz, The Cozy Nest, Double M Diner, The Flower Patch, Darke County Center for the Arts, Greenville National Bank, Second National Bank, Greenville Federal Bank, Leigh Fletcher, Creations Salon, Helen’s Flowers, Longaberger (Kathy O’Dell), Mary Kay (Brenda James), Damsel in Defense (Melissa Barhorst), Pampered Chef (Tammy Riffle),Sunset Awards, Susan Fowble, Susan Shields, Vicki Cost, Kristina Heath, Biller Stamps & Engraving (Maria Moore), Refined Purveyors, Sadie Grace, Shelly’s Antiques, Studio 1, Sweet Annie’s Cabin, The Coffee Pot, Darke Co. Parks & Recreation, Domino’s, Hansbarger’s, Hot Heads, JT’s Bar & Grill, Marco’s Pizza, McDonalds, The Merchant House, Montage, Taco Bell, The Winery At Versailles, Norwex (Tammy Dietrich), Natural Path, Posh (Kim Bohler), Rapid Fired Pizza, The Bistro, Escape Spa (Amanda Baker), Sloopy’s, and VFW Post 7262.

The Greenville BPW Club’s mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. The Club holds fund raisers throughout the year to raise money to grant scholarships to the young women of Darke County. Evening meetings are held the second Thursday of every month for a dinner meeting. Those interested in learning more about the Club can contact Membership Chair Sonya Crist at 937/423-3657 or sonyacrist@gmail.com.

Edison State Scholarship Recipients Recognized

Regina Duff addresses scholarship recipients during a dinner
held in their honor.

Edison State Community College, in partnership with The Edison Foundation, recognized over 140 students during the annual scholarship recognition dinner on Thursday, October 3, at the Piqua Campus. The event provides recipients with the opportunity to meet the patrons that made their scholarships available.

Following networking and dinner, Regina Duff, Edison State alumni, and Obstetrics Director at Wayne HealthCare explained why Edison State was the right choice for her.

“Looking back to when I started down my career path, I picked Edison State because it was close to home, they offered small class sizes, and it was affordable. I had two young children at home while I was working, and yet I was able to take classes. It was hard work, but I got through.”

Duff then went on to explain how the education she received at Edison State helped to propel her career. “Little did I know how much my life would change for the better the minute I walked through the same doors as you. Achieving my nursing degree was worth the hard work and dedication.”

“I love what I do, but nursing can also bring obstacles and opportunities that continually challenge you to be the best you can be,” said Duff. “Whether it be at the bedside giving care or providing leadership to my staff, I am the one who is truly blessed and fortunate for this amazing opportunity and career.”
After graduating from Edison State, Duff went on to receive a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing from Wright State University. She is also certified in fetal monitoring. Outside of work, Duff is involved on The Edison Foundation Board, serving as Chair of the Holiday Evening at Edison State scholarship fundraising event. She and her husband, Jon, reside in Miami County and have two children and three grandchildren.

Made possible by The Edison Foundation, Edison State Community College, and local organization sponsorships, recipients honored were awarded a total of over $220,000 in academic and need-based scholarships. Scholarships awarded will aid in students’ pursuit of higher education at Edison State Community College.

The Edison State scholarship application for the 2020-2021 academic year will be available beginning on November 1, 2019. To be considered for one of over 35 available scholarships, the scholarship application along with all appropriate documentation must be submitted by March 1, 2020.

Founded in 1993, The Edison Foundation has raised over two-million dollars, primarily giving through scholarships to Edison State students. For more information about The Edison Foundation and scholarship opportunities, visit www.edisonohio.edu/Foundation.

DARKE COUNTY FARMERS UNION FALL HARVEST MEETING—NOVEMBER 2ND

A Fall Harvest Meeting will be held on Saturday evening, November 2nd, at 7:00 PM, at the Darke County Extension Office, 603 Wagner Ave., Greenville. The Darke County Farmers Union will recognize and honor the 4H kids they supported at the recent County Fair. The speaker for the evening will be Insurance Representative, Dave Shindollar, from the Ohio Farmers Union State Office. Mr. Shindollar will be presenting information on health insurance options for the upcoming year. Refreshments will be served and a free Thanksgiving turkey/door prize will be given away.

“ART AT THE MILL” TO FEATURE INDIANA ARTISTS

“Art at the Mill” will feature the landscapes and floral paintings of Indiana native Marilyn Witt as well as the crystalline-glazed pottery of Nineveh, Indiana resident Adam Egenolf from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, November 24. This exhibit in the Clark Gallery at historic Bear’s Mill opens on the final Friday of October with a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. offering finger food and drinks as well as brief talks by the artists who will share information about their work, methods, and inspiration at 7 p.m. “Art at the Mill,” curated by Jan Roestamadji and Julie Clark is free and open to the public.

“Both Marilyn and Adam bring a rural sensibility to their charming yet sophisticated work, making for a perfect fit in our inviting rustic setting,” Ms. Clark stated. According to Ms. Roestamadji, Mr. Egenolf’s elegant yet joyful ceramic pieces elicit a sense of delight and peace, as do the colorful paintings of Ms. Witt. “These gifted artists produce outstanding work that will brighten and enhance the décor of any home,” said Ms. Roestamadji.

Marilyn Witt lives on a farm surrounded by nature and the rural scenery that inspires her paintings; her works in pastel and oil start with a plain white piece of paper or canvas on which she strives to create something beautiful and harmonic. “I define my work as impressionistic with a strong focus on emotional impact,” she says, explaining that her favorite artist is Monet, but that her favorite painting is the one she is about to begin. She is attracted to her subjects by patterns of light and shadow, delighting in the way light reveals a landscape, object, or figure. She strives to elicit a sense of peace or delight in her work, saying that she “wants the viewer to be able to see ‘forever’ in her paintings.

The attractive and graceful pottery created by Adam Egenolf is based on technology, but results in art. A full-time artist for over twelve years, Egenolf has been perfecting the crystalline glazes which show movement and depth in his work since his days as a college student earning a combined degree in ceramics and science. After each porcelain pot is fired to a temperature of 2300 degrees, allowing the zinc-saturated glaze to melt and spread over the pot, the kiln is cooled quickly, causing the glaze to stop running, and then held at a lower temperature for several hours while crystals are formed. This process contains so many variables that predicting the final result is almost impossible. “I find out if I got it right every time I open my kiln,” the potter stated.

The stone and sterling jewelry of Richmond, Indiana artist Terri Logan along with functional and decorative “BOWLS!” created by the Millrace Potters Collective remain on display in the Clark Gallery through October 20. Owned and operated by Friends of Bear’s Mill, the historic mill is located at 6450 Arcanum-Bear's Mill Road about 5 miles east of Greenville. “Art At the Mill” is funded in part by a grant from Darke County Endowment for the Arts, and can be viewed during regular Mill store hours. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, contact Bear's Mill at 937-548-5112 or www.bearsmill.org.

Pumpkin Beers at Library

Thursday, October 24 AND Thursday, November, 11

Love them or hate them, pumpkin beers are one of the most popular styles on the seasonal beer calendar. These spiced beers are highly divisive, with some craft beer fans looking forward to their arrival on shelves each year, and some dreading their progressively earlier announcement of fall.

Due to their trendiness, there have been a lot of rushed examples in recent years that have been too sweet and over-spiced, but the best pumpkin beers employ subtlety to evoke the flavors of the season. And pumpkin beers aren't anything new—some of the first beers brewed in North America by Europeans settlers used pumpkins as a source of fermentable sugar.

Join us as at the Greenville Public Library as Certified Cicerone David Nilsen talks about the surprisingly long history of brewing with pumpkin and walks attendees through a tasting of 5 distinctive examples. This class is for patrons 21 years old and up only. This event is free but registration is required. We hope to see you there!

Milkweed Pod Collection

Most of you may have seen or read that pollinator populations across the country are in decline, including the Monarch Butterfly. A reduction in the number of milkweed plants in Ohio and surrounding states and a loss of wintering habitat due to logging, weather and human encroachment have contributed to the population decline of the Monarch Butterfly.

There are ways that we can help, even in Darke County. The Typical start date is September 1st through October 31st, but with the recent rains the Milkweed Pods seem to be staying green longer this year, so mid to late October maybe a better collecting time. The Darke Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be collecting seed pods from the Common Milkweed plant. The Monarch relies on the milkweed plant as a host plant, to lay eggs and as a food source. Whether as an individual, or a group, you can make a difference in the Monarch Butterfly population by collecting these seed pods once they have matured and have turned a greenish-yellow or yellowish-brown and ready to burst open. Once collected, the seed pods will be sent away to be dried and cleaned. A portion of the seed will be sent back to Darke County to be incorporated with other seed mixes that will be planted for pollinator species.

If you would like to help, please call the Darke SWCD office at 937.548.1752, visit our website www.darkeswcd.com, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter to find out where the seed pods can be dropped off.

GHS Walking Program

Again, this year Greenville High School will open its doors to community members seeking a warm, safe place to walk on winter evenings.

The public is invited to walk at the high school from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays beginning Monday, Nov. 11, and continuing through March 25, 2020. There will be no walking during Christmas break. Also, if school is closed during a day or there are parent/teacher conferences, then it will be closed to walking that evening. A complete calendar of available walking dates will be available to walkers at the sign-in desk.

Greenville High School opened its doors to walkers many years ago. The Greenville Board of Education has continued to support this activity in the high school. Last year, dozens of people enjoyed the program. Greenville City Schools is happy to support this wellness activity to benefit residents of the community. Seven and a half laps around the interior hallway loop is equivalent to one mile. Walkers go in a clockwise direction on Mondays and Wednesdays and counterclockwise on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The district is pleased to provide a safe, free and warm place for people to walk. The program does not cost the school district extra money because volunteers monitor the walkers and custodians are usually working in the building during the evening. Thank you to those who help monitoring the activity including SADD Club, IMTV, Varsity G Club, NJROTC, Key Club, Foreign Language Clubs, Student Council, Med Tech, student body, members of the school board and school district personnel.

Those interested in walking at the high school are asked to enter by the main entrance by the flagpole, sign in upon arrival and check off their name when leaving. Walkers are asked to walk only on the first floor. No running or jogging is allowed. Also, not allowed are wheeled items such as strollers and skateboards. Students under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent or adult.

Enjoy the activity to assist you with your wellness.

Veterans Day Luncheon

ANSONIA COMMUNITY CENTER AND ANSONIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO HOST TREAT STREET

What’s more fun that Trick or Treat? Why, Trick or Treat with a carnival in the middle! This year, the Ansonia Community Center and the Ansonia United Methodist Church are excited to hold their first Treat Street on October 27 from 2 – 4 PM. Pearl Street in Ansonia will be closed for the event so that the groups can provide food, candy, games, slime, door prizes for kids and adults and more. Treat Street is free and open to everyone.

“This is something we have done in other communities before moving to Ansonia,” said Roger Emerson, Pastor of Ansonia UMC. “It’s a great way for our church members to serve the families in our community. The church has hosted Halloweenies – giving out free hot dogs and popcorn during Trick or Treat – for years. This will just take that up a notch. We are so pleased to be working with the Ansonia Community Center on this event.”

State of the Heart Care to Host Medicare Informational Event

GPD: Break In at Teaford's Dairy Store Early Monday Morning

On October 21, 2019, at 5:21am, officers from the Greenville Police Department and Darke County Sheriff's Office responded to Teaford's Dairy Store, 101 Pine Street, in reference to an alarm drop.

Upon arrival, officers found that a door to the business had been forced open by an unknown suspect. Surveillance video shows a white male wearing a red,blue, and white letterman style jacket with dark jeans enter the business and steal several items before leaving. The letterman jacket has the letter "J" imprinted on the left chest area and the number "56" on the sleeve.

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

COFFEE WITH THE COMMISSIONER - Saturday, October 26

On Saturday, October 26th, Commissioner Stegall will have his “Coffee with the Commissioner” at A&B Coffee located at the corner of 4th and Broadway in Greenville. This will be the 10th and
final one of the year for 2019 due to the upcoming Holidays. The Commissioner will be at A&B from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. to hear questions and concerns of the Darke County citizens. Stop at the
A&B Coffee company, pick up a cup of coffee, and come over and chat with the Commissioner.

Once again, Saturday October 26th, your last chance until next January 2020 to “Chat with the
Commissioner”, 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at A&B Coffee, 4th and Broadway for Commissioner Stegall’s “Coffee with the Commissioner”!

DARKE COUNTY DEPUTIES INVESTIGATE VEHICLE FIRE

On October 17, 2019 at approximately 6:55p.m. Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with New Madison Fire Department responded to the 300 block of State Route 121 on the report of a vehicle on fire.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, driven by David Cook (40), of New Paris, was traveling south on State Route 121. The driver reported the vehicle appeared to start having a mechanical malfunction and back-fired before he noticed the vehicle began smoking. Mr. Cook pulled the vehicle off the roadway and exited, noticing flames on the Passenger side. The fire was extinguished and no injuries were reported.

This incident remains under investigation.

New Madison American Legion to Host Veteran's Day Bean Supper

November 11, the New Madison Laroy Faurst American Legion Auxiliary is having their annual Veteran's Day Bean Supper 4:30 PM till ?. Monetary donations are appreciated for the meal. Our annual flag burning is at 3 PM. Old Flags may be dropped off at the Legion at any time, 242 Fayette St.; New Madison, Ohio. There is a box behind the Legion at the door.

Garst Museum Speakers Series Presents “A Greene Ville Map 1793”

Shown is the outline of where Fort Greene Ville stood from 1793-97.
The map depicts Anthony Wayne’s headquarters in the present-day
St. Mary’s Catholic School playground.

On Sunday, October 20 at 2 p.m., Garst Museum welcomes Dave Heckaman and Dr. David Cox. They will present a program about a map of the streets, blocks, and buildings built in 1793 by Anthony Wayne’s U.S. Army at Greenville, Ohio. The presenters found this map in 2014 in the Wayne Papers at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They will compare the newly discovered map with early descriptions and other maps made at the time. Locations of buildings and streets will be suggested by showing an overlay of the recent find from 1793 on a present-day map of Greenville.

The United States Army was headquartered in Greenville from 1793-1796. Arranged in city blocks and surrounded by eight enormous redoubts, the encampment housed over 3,000 people and was the home, supply base, and training center of Wayne’s Legion during the Fallen Timbers campaign. It covered over fifty acres and was the largest wooden stockade fortification in the United States, stretching 600 by 300 yards. Constructed over three weeks in November 1793, the fortified encampment housed troops until its abandonment in late spring 1797. What new information has come to light? Find out at Garst Museum on October 20 at 2 p.m.

All lectures are free and open to the public. However, regular admission will apply to tour Garst Museum, which includes the outstanding National Annie Oakley Center and Crossroads of Destiny along with the Lowell Thomas, Keepers of Freedom, and Longtown exhibits. Funding for this program was made possible by the Harry D. Stephens Memorial Foundation.

GHOST WALKS IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE AND AT CEMETERY

Darke County Center for the Arts’ annual Ghost Walk fundraiser has expanded to include a walk at Greenville Union Cemetery in addition to their traditional Downtown Greenville Walk. Initiated last Halloween season, the Cemetery Ghost Walk was quite successful in spite of rainy weather, so DCCA officials decided to once again host the ghostly trek at Greenville Union Cemetery on Sunday, October 27 and on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31. The Cemetery Ghost Walk will begin at 6 p.m. at the Mausoleum located on cemetery grounds. The Downtown Greenville walk will take place on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, leaving from Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, many of the tales to be spun are based on stories collected by Arcanum-area resident Rita Arnold which tell of local ghostly encounters; some of the bizarre tales are based upon famous figures from Darke County’s past, while other spooky stories have been gathered from contributors wanting to share their experiences with the unknown. “This fun-filled fundraiser is appropriate for all ages; the stories can give you the chills, but are still not too scary for children who are old enough to enjoy a long walk in the dark,” Ms. Jordan said. “Additionally, the proceeds help underwrite great programs like DCCA’s Arts In Education series which takes professional artists to perform for students in every grade of all local public schools, as well as DCCA’s Family Theatre Series providing local families to enjoy high quality theatrical performances at a ticket price of just $5,” she continued.

The Downtown Ghost Walk will be held regardless of weather conditions; if seriously inclement weather occurs, the stories will be told at St. Clair Memorial Hall. However, no appropriate alternative site is available at the Cemetery; therefore bad weather will force a cancellation of the Cemetery Ghost Walk. Additionally, since the Ghost Walks travel over uneven terrain and in dimly lighted areas, DCCA officials suggest participants might want to carry a flashlight to help light their paths.

Tickets for the Downtown Ghost Walk and the Cemetery Ghost Walk cost $10 each; however tickets for the two Walks are not interchangeable. While advance tickets for the Cemetery Walk are only available on-line at www.darkecountyarts.org and by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908 or dcca@darkecountyarts.org as well as at Greenville Public Library, tickets to the Downtown Walk can also be purchased at Ann’s Gifts, Readmore’s Hallmark, and Darke County Visitors Bureaus Welcome Center in downtown Greenville. Tickets for the Downtown Walk will be sold at the door at St. Clair Memorial Hall; entry to the Cemetery Ghost Walk will be at the North Main Street Greenville Union Cemetery entrance where tickets may be purchased immediately prior to the event.

Greenville Art Guild News

The Greenville Art Guild is excited to offer three all-day workshops this fall for beginners and experienced adult artists (this includes high school students). All three workshops are open to the public as well as our members.

The first workshop a”Beginner’s Watercolor Class” is on October 19, from 10:00 to 3:00 - painting flowers with Rusty Hardin. If you ever wanted to try watercolor without spending lots of money on supplies, here is your opportunity. All supplies are provided by the Greenville Art Guild at the workshop. Absolutely no experience is needed for this class. Rusty is an experienced instructor who is easy to follow and she offers individual assistance, as time permits. The cost is just $10.00 and your registration will be official when we receive your information and the $10.00 fee in the mail. You can find out more information about this award winning instructor at www.rustyhardin.com.

The second workshop “Learning about Collage”, is on November 9, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Jane Dippold will teach an exciting and fun collage workshop. We will paint papers in the morning and learn collage with them in the afternoon. All supplies will be provided by the Greenville Art Guild. The cost is $20 and your registration will be complete when we receive your information and a check made out to the Greenville Art Guild. No experience is necessary for this workshop as well, but register early as class size is limited. You can find out more about this award winning instructor at www.janedippold.com.

The third workshop will be a “Watercolor Class” with Rusty Hardin for experienced artists. It will be held on December 7 from 10:00 to 3:00. Artists are required to bring their own supplies; the cost for this workshop will be $30 for Guild members and $35 for nonmembers. Your registration will be complete when we receive your information and a check made out to the Greenville Art Guild.

All workshops will be held at the in the former junior high art room at the rear of Memorial Hall, bring a brown bag lunch as food will not be furnished. Class size is limited in all of these workshops, so register early by sending your check to the Greenville Art Guild, PO Box 172, Greenville, OH 45331 along with your name, address and telephone no.

We have been very fortunate to receive grants to help make these workshops affordable to the community. We are very grateful to the Ami McClurkin Fund of the Darke County Foundation for its support of the beginner’s watercolor class and the Darke County Endowment for the Arts for its support of the collage workshop. Also, we would like to thank the Greenville City Schools for the use of the space in the former junior high art room in Memorial Hall for these workshops.

Please call Marilyn Banks at 937-423-0630 or Carolyn Armstrong at 937-526-4192 for more information about any of these workshops.

United Way’s Glow Hole ‘n Bowl is Bowling For A Purpose

Join Darke County United Way on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at McBo’s Lanes in Versailles for a family-friendly fundraising event. The bowling event features teams of four (4) bowlers. A team is $100.00 and includes two (2) games of bowling, shoe rental, a pizza buffet, and two (2) drink tickets for each bowler. Extra pizza buffets may be purchased for $5 for those who come to the event but are not on a team. There will be three sessions throughout the afternoon to choose from. Teams may bowl at 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm or 5:00 pm. There is also a contest for the best dressed team.

“Glow Hole ‘n Bowl is a great event,” states Christy Bugher, Executive Director for Darke County United Way. “It is a fun way to spend an afternoon with co-workers, friends, or family AND you are helping the United Way raise funds to serve over 23,000 Darke County residents. That is a win-win!”

Lane banner sponsorships are also available for $100 for local businesses.

To register a team or sponsorship, contact the Darke County United Way at 547-1272 or Christy@darkecountyunitedway.org. Proceeds from this event will assist the United Way’s 28 nonprofit partner programs.

The Darke County United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every resident in Darke County. To learn more, visit us online at www.darkecountyunitedway.org.

DCP hosts Candlelight Dinner on the Prairie

The table is set, the servants are in position, and the Darke County Parks is poised to provide you with a remarkable historical evening in the log house. You’ll enjoy a hearth-cooked meal served family-style and fabulous period entertainment during this unique experience. The evening is a fund-raising event with all proceeds going towards maintenance, repairs, and cultural programming within the log house. Space is limited, so reserve your place today!

All details on this and other programs can be found by visiting http://www.darkecountyparks.org/programs

For more information, please contact the parks at info@darkecountyparks.org or 937-548-0165.

Sophomore Manufacturing Day

On Friday, October 4th, Darke County Sophomores toured one of seven local manufacturers in recognition of National Manufacturing Day, an annual event created to demonstrate modern manufacturing and foster interest in manufacturing careers. Participating manufacturers included Whirlpool Corporation, Ramco Electric Motors, Midmark Corporation, Klockner Pentaplast, JAFE Decorating, Greenville Technology Incorporated, and FRAM. “Our host manufacturers were excited to share career opportunities available with their companies and connect with members of their future workforce,” said Tamala Marley, Darke County Economic Development Workforce Specialist. This is the sixth year that Darke County sophomores have been invited to tour local manufacturers on the first Friday of October. This event, coordinated by Darke County Economic Development, is part of a comprehensive effort to encourage and grow a skilled workforce to meet the current and future workforce demands of the region.

“We were pleased to have Congressman Warren Davidson participate in tours at JAFE Decorating, Greenville Technology Incorporated and Ramco Electric Motors and speak to students from Arcanum, Bradford and Greenville,” shared Marley. “Representative Susan Manchester also participated in a tour at Ramco with students from Mississinawa Valley High School.” Other guests for the tours included representatives from Edison State Community College and from Fastlane – University of Dayton Research Institute.

In addition to seeing modern manufacturing environments with state-of-the-art equipment and robotics, students also learned:

• About the wide range of careers available through manufacturing which require different levels of technical and formal education.
• Many manufacturers in the area will pay for college or technical training for their workforce if it corresponds to a position within the company.
• There are additional options after high school other than college or straight to work. Opportunities exist to work and make money while furthering their education, and avoid the debt often associated with college education.

Darke County Economic Development would like to thank our host manufacturers – Fram, GTI, JAFE, Klockner Pentaplast, Midmark, Ramco, and Whirlpool. We would also like to thank Darke County High Schools – Ansonia, Arcanum-Butler, Bradford, Franklin Monroe, Greenville, Mississinawa Valley, Tri-Village, and Versailles – for their participation in this event.

DCCT Fall Murder Mystery has LIMITED seating available!

“MURDER AT THE SECOND BEST BEAUTY PAGEANT” is this years Fall Murder Mystery and DCCT is sure to put on a hilarious, fun night out for the community again. It’s finally the day of the big SECOND BEST BEAUTY PAGEANT! Our contestants have been competing all year for a shot at the coveted crown! This crown could finally take one lucky lady from the coal mines to The Hills, the trailer park to the corner lot, the landfill to the…you get the idea. With a gorgeous crown and a lifetime of free eats from Silver Corral, EVERYONE wants a piece of the winnings tonight! How far will one special lady go to get it?

Murder Mysteries take place at Montage Café in Greenville, Ohio. Ticket cost ($25) includes dinner, desert, non alcoholic drinks and the performance. The show begins at 6:30 p.m. but doors open at 6:00 p.m. Please arrive between 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to mingle with the characters. Dressing up to fit the theme of the performance is not mandatory but is encouraged. There is also a cash bar available. To reserve your tickets, email the following information to darkecountycivictheater@gmail.com

1)Party Name(s)

2)Party Size(s)

3)Contact Phone Number

4)Date: 1st Choice for Tickets

5)Date: 2nd Choice for Tickets

Show dates are October 25th (LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE) & 26th (LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE)

November 8th (LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE) & 9th (SOLD OUT)

Ticket reservations will be taken in the order that they are received via email. Our goal will always remain to accommodate your whole party being seated together and to try and book your tickets on the date that works best for you. You will receive a follow up email after your tickets have been booked that will state the date that your tickets have been booked and requesting payment information. If you would like to pay by credit/debit card, we will need to know the best time to contact you to take payment. Please note that paying by credit/debit card will result in a $1 fee per ticket. If payment is made by check, checks must be mailed to PO 255, Greenville OH 45331. Please note that payment must be received via mail by check or via phone by credit/debit card no later than one week after your reservation or your tickets will go back on sale to the public.

THE IVY LEAGUE AND FIT BY LOY TEAM UP TO HOST THE ART OF MOVEMENT WORKSHOP

Two downtown businesses are giving the community the chance to create their own piece of art while stretching and strengthening their bodies. The Ivy League and Fit by Loy have teamed up to host The Art of Movement on October 17 at 7:30pm, a mind/body experience that will simultaneously calm and invigorate the senses.

“Both art and physical activity have the ability to improve mental health and overall wellbeing,” said Nicole Loy, owner of Fit by Loy. “Katie from The Ivy League concocted this amazing idea to merge the two for one fantastic experience.”

The Art of Movement workshop is a guided class where participants paint on a canvas while both stretching and performing low intensity movements. The class is open to those of all ages and physical abilities. Snacks are provided, and participants are welcome to take home their works of art immediately following the class.

“As far as we are aware,” stated Loy, “there is no workshop like this anywhere else. You truly will get a one-of-a-kind experience.”

The Art of Movement will be held Thursday, October 17th from 7:30-8:30pm at Fit by Loy, located at 120 W. Third St. in downtown Greenville. Pre-registration is required and can be done so at Fit by Loy or online at https://www.fitbyloy.com/store/p44/The_Art_of_Movement.html?fbclid=IwAR2UQaqodtVURi-PdGGRtyrAWnNzxQ1lD4r4SSMZIND0O27cDscsvQ6Htng#/

Ansonia United Methodist Church to Host Annual Election Day Dinner

Ansonia United Methodist Church at the corner of Pearl and High St in Ansonia will be having their annual Election Day Dinner from 4:30-6:30 on November 5th. Homemade chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, vegetable, roll, various salads and desserts for $9 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, 5 & under are free. There will be extra noodles available for purchase.

The Third Grade Reading Guarantee

by Kitty Davis, Greenville Elementary Principal

The Third Grade Reading Guarantee (TGRG) is a method to identify students in grades kindergarten through third grade who are behind in reading. Third grade students at Greenville Elementary will initially take the two-part Ohio Grade 3 English Language Arts test on October 21 and October 22, 2019. This test is designed to measure whether or not students meet the requirements of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee for promotion to fourth grade. For the 2019-2020 school year, Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee mandates third grade students meet a minimum passing score of 46 on the assessment. This cut-score was pre-determined by the Ohio Department of Education, and is one point higher than the required score during the 2018-2019 school year. A second administration of the Ohio Grade 3 English Language Arts assessment will occur in April 2020. In order to prepare for the upcoming, state-wide, on-line assessment, the third grade students have been receiving forty minutes of technology/keyboarding instruction a week in addition to their language arts instruction. Additionally, within the classrooms, students are utilizing their iPads for reading of skill level appropriate books, vocabulary remediation, and spelling practice. This also helps students with practicing technology and keyboarding skills.

The third grade population has already had one opportunity to meet the Third Grade Reading Guarantee Promotion Score by taking the reading portion of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) in September. The questions on the MAP are designed to mimic the types of questions with which students will be presented on the Ohio Grade 3 ELA administration. A minimum score of 194, again as determined by the Ohio Department of Education, is needed on the reading portion of the MAP assessment in order to be promoted to fourth grade. This also is a one point increase from the previous school year.

The September MAP results have recently been communicated to parents. A reading improvement and monitoring plan (RIMP) is in the process of being developed for any third grade student who was “not on track” at the beginning of the year as indicated by the MAP measurement. This plan describes to parents what interventions are being utilized to ensure their child’s reading success. Parents are encouraged to contact their third grade child’s language arts instructor with any questions regarding the Third Grade Reading Guarantee requirements, RIMPs, or ways to assist their child with reading.

The Furniture Guild of Indiana Artisan Exhibition

Commissioner's Corner - September 2019

The month of September has come and gone, and that means fall is officially here. We will be seeing some cooler weather, (not colder we hope), as we will see that soon enough! Labor Day is always a good start to the month. Family get togethers and the start of some small festivals all over the country remind us that September is a month that announces a slowdown just before winter. September was still a little slow in the office although some projects did get started. A contract was given to Sunesis Corporation who started at the airport on the taxiway refurbishments. This is a much needed improvement for our tenants, and this upgrade has led to some more interest in our airport. The project should be completed by the end of October or soon thereafter.

On September 6th, we were informed by CEBCO, our health insurance provider, that our premiums were going up less than half of the national average, only 4.9%. This is due to a continuing effort on the part of our employees to participate in our wellness programs and early detection and prevention methods. We were also informed that Darke County would receive a substantial rebate from Worker’s Compensation. This is due to the state of Ohio running a surplus due to fewer claims and education programs on workplace safety being very effective. We will learn soon how much our part will be, as the state surplus was 1.5 billion dollars. The 20th of September saw the Economic Development office Inspire Career Concert at Edison State. More than 105 companies and 1000 students took part in the event. The Economic Development offices from Darke, Mercer, Auglaize and Shelby counties each took part at Edison State, and it was hugely successful. The feedback so far from the companies has been very positive, as has feedback from the students. This event gives students a chance to see the large amount of jobs in all areas available in their hometowns. The Inspire Career Concert and the Hometown Opportunity website are starting to make a difference, giving students another choice in their futures. This is what this event and the website are all about. Thanks to the Economic Development offices in all four counties for a job well done! The Courthouse security entrance is moving along nicely and should be completed on time. We anticipated the stone surface may be the only holdup, but a delivery is expected next week so things look good right now. Arcon Construction is working hard to complete the project on time. On Saturday, Sept. 19th, the Darke County Sheriff’s Patrol held their second Golf outing at Stillwater Valley Golf Course. This event has become a major fundraiser for the Sheriff’s patrol. The Tournament supports programs and other items needed. Seventeen teams were present, and Commissioner Stegall had the opportunity to participate with hisfoursome . Good food and a good time was enjoyed by everyone! We hope this will become an annual event. Thanks to all who made this happen, and to Stillwater Valley Golf Course.

October is here and the last quarter of the year is upon us. Cooler temperatures and upcoming holidays should mean a slowdown in our daily lives. Why don’t you take advantage of this and come to a Commissioner’s meeting? We meet publicly every Monday and Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. in the Commissioner’s office at 520 South Broadway in Greenville, just south of the Courthouse.

Come on in and find out what is going on in your County. Hope to see you there!

The Darke County Commissioners

BIGS AND LITTLES ENJOY FISHING DERBY SPONSORED BY SHELBY COUNTY BASSMASTERS

Youth mentor volunteers from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County and their “Littles” recently enjoyed a Youth Day Fishing Derby and cookout at the home of Mike Meyer, of Fort Loramie, thanks in part to the Shelby County Bassmasters. Throughout the year, local fishermen participate in bass tournaments where a modest portion of their entry fees go toward the purchase of individual rods and reels for children who participate in the Fishing Derby.

Funding was made possible by a Step Outside Grant from the Ohio Division of Natural Resources. Additional sponsors and donors included: Kiwanis Club of Sidney, Al’s Bar & Grill, Wagner’s IGA, Playtex Corp., Dannon, Minster Journeymen’s Club, Mully’s Out West Drive Thru, Sidney Foodtown, Sons of the American Legion Post 184, Green Thumb Nursery Farm Fresh Café, Spillway Bait & Tackle, Mike Meyer, Russ Michael, Gary & Vicky Tipps, and Jason Vanderhorst.

Jennifer Bruns, Executive Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County, stated, “The Fishing Derby is not only Bigs & Littles but also Big Brothers Big Sisters’ staff's favorite event. The Bassmasters always do such a great job in organizing this event. The kids in our program don't always get the opportunity to partake in fishing, so by having this event, it exposes them to the all-American hobby known as fishing. The fact that they get a fishing pole and gear to take home is icing on the cake."

Monthly group activities, such as the Fishing Derby, are offered at no cost to the agency’s Big & Little matches. It is suggested that Bigs meet with their Littles at least twice a month to offer support, serve as a positive role model, and provide a mentoring relationship. Match activities can be scheduled around a volunteer’s calendar and offer a fantastic way to have a positive impact on youth in our community.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a non-profit, United Way partner agency. If you would like to become youth mentor and help defend the potential of one of over 20 children on the waiting list, please call 937-492-7611 or 937-547-9622 or go to www.bigbrobigsis-shelbydarke.org for more information.

DCCA Presents Thompson Square at St. Clair Memorial Hall

DCCA announces Special Events Thompson Square,
November 9th and VoicePlay, December 14th for the
2019-2020 Kaleidoscope Season. 

Darke County Center for the Arts announces Special Events for 2019-2020 Kaleidoscope Season. Thompson Square, the Country Duo known for #1 hits “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and “If I Didn’t Have You,” will perform at St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville, Oh on Saturday, November 9 at 8 pm. Tickets are $40 for the performance by the multi-platinum artists awarded Vocal Duo of the Year from both the ACM and CMA.

A cappella sensation VoicePlay returns to the St. Clair Memorial Hall stage, Saturday, December 14 at 8 pm, for a Special Holiday Event. A VoicePlay concert has to be heard to be believed. Moving between eras and styles with inventive and often hilarious on-stage theatrics, their performance will ensure a colorful and magical season for all ages. Tickets are $30 and $15 for students.

Tickets for all DCCA events can be purchased online at www.darkecountyarts.org or by contacting DCCA at 937-547-0908. If any remain by showtime, tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to the performance. Patrons are reminded that parking is now available at the new parking lot, including four handicap-accessible spaces just outside the now readily accessible entrance on the west side of St. Clair Memorial Hall; the lot can be entered from Armstrong Street and Central Avenue.

Darke County Center for the Arts presents and promotes performing and fine arts encouraging cultural enrichment. DCCA is also committed to the preservation of Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall as an important cultural center in the community. Go to DarkeCountyArts.org for more information on DCCA, the upcoming Special Events, and other events in DCCA's 2019-2020 Kaleidoscope Season.