Local News, Events, Entrtainment & Opinion Darke County Ohio

Local News, Commentary & Events
The views expressed on this page are solely those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County News Online

Along Life’s Way… Who’s on First? By Lois E. Wilson
The man stood up and offered his hand. “Hello, I’m Bill. I understand that you are the person who has been hired to take over P.R. for the LIBS and replace me. You have a degree in journalism?” “Yes,” answered the young man. “I’m from out-of-state and don’t know the history of the team. Anything you can share would be helpful in my approach to the position.” “Well, the team does have... read more .

To the Young Adult Church in Darke County, By Brittany Ulman
Last month, I discussed the true pandemic facing our young adults today, as well as the solution to it. This month, I want to address the people who are the target of this pandemic. Young adults who love Jesus with their whole hearts, minds and souls. To the young adult Church in Darke County: I see you, but even better yet, God sees you. He sees you, wants to be with you and wants to hear from you. Now... read more .

Edison State Phi Theta Kappa Named REACH Chapter
The Edison State Community College Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has been named a 2021 REACH Rewards Chapter. PTK designed the rewards program for chapters focused on Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors. The REACH Rewards program encourages membership by rewarding chapters who achieve or exceed 15 percent for their membership acceptance rate. “The... read more .

Attorney General Dave Yost Reminds Parents How to Protect Children from Identity Theft
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — In an effort to curb identity theft of children, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is advising parents to proactively place a freeze on their child’s credit report. Child identity theft occurs when someone fraudulently uses a child’s identity to fraudulently open accounts or receive benefits. The imposter may be a family member, friend or a stranger and may use the child’s name and Social Security... read more .

Pete’s Hope for This Time of Year, Lois E. Wilson
Use the numbered clues to find the 3-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what Pete wants. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… No Joke! 2021 Bowl for Kids’ Sake Deadline Extended to April 1st.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County’s Bowl for Kids Sake’s deadline is now extended until April 1st, 2021.This fundraiser is open to the public, individuals and businesses are encouraged to participate. This annual event is a fun and exciting way to support children within our local communities. By donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters in the amount of $50 ($25 if under 18 years old) you... read more .

Rotary Club of Greenville accepting grant applications
The Rotary Club of Greenville is excited to announce that our Charitable Giving Grant program is currently accepting applications. The Rotary Club of Greenville will consider allocating grant funding to non-profit, charitable organizations for mission –driven programming and operating needs. If you wish to apply for grant funding please email greenvilleohiorotary@gmail.com for an... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP excited for Brood X cicadas
You may have heard some exciting news “buzzing” around lately…the cicadas are coming! This year is a special year, Brood X, 17-year periodical cicadas will emerge as well as our annual dog day cicadas. These cicadas are ½”-1” smaller in size than our annual cicadas. They are also black and orange in color compared to the greenish colored cicadas we’re used to seeing. Brood X cicadas... read more .

County News Online to have new look
“Serving our Community… Supporting our Youth” - Beginning the weekend of March 13, County News Online will be moving to a new format. The look will be totally different; the information you look for and enjoy will stay the same. CNO has been informing the Darke County public – and supporting its young people – since 2011. During its 10 years of service, County News Online supporters and... read more .

Powell Urges Passage of Health Order Oversight Bill
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) today is renewing calls to pass legislation that brings legislative oversight and transparency to health orders and mandates. House Bill 90 authorizes the General Assembly to rescind any order or rule issued by a statewide elected officer, state agency, or an administrative department or department head. “Passing common-sense oversight... read more .

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine… Health Orders Regarding Mass Gatherings, Sports, Entertainment Venues Signed - (COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced that Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed the following public health orders: First Amended Revised Order to Limit and/or Prohibit Mass Gatherings in the State of Ohio, with Exceptions. Changes include: Wedding receptions, funeral repasts, proms, and other events, whether or not food is served, at... read more .

Along Life’s Way… A Wake-Up Call, By Lois E. Wilson
“Woke” is a term that originated in the United States referring to a perceived awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice. ..“Stay woke” refers to a continuing awareness of these issues. “Cancel culture” (or call-out culture) is a modern form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles—either on-line or social media. (Quotes from... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts… DCCA presents virtual “Magic Night In”
Darke County Center for the Arts has teamed up with award-winning magician Daniel Martin to present “Magic Night In” on Saturday, March 27 at 7 p.m.; the virtual event will be available for streaming at no charge to patrons. “Daniel is an amazing entertainer who has developed an interactive evening of magic for virtual audiences,” said DCCA Artistic Director David Warner. “The... read more .

State Representatives Manchester and West Introduce Patient Protection Legislation
COLUMBUS – State Representatives Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) and Thomas West (D-Canton) recently introduced House Bill 135, which would cut out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for patients. The legislation is supported by a large coalition of patient advocate and healthcare provider organizations. Some patients with chronic, complex conditions such as multiple sclerosis and hemophilia rely on... read more .

Darke County Parks Job Opportunities
The Darke County Park District is seeking hard working, knowledgeable individuals to join their team. Available positions include Apprentice to the Miller / Maintenance Laborer, Account Clerk, and Naturalist Intern. The Apprentice to the Bear’s Mill Miller is a flexible, multifaceted, guest-facing, integral part of the Bears Mill Experience Team. The Apprentice to the Miller participates in... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Call to “ARM”s A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. The letters, A, R, and M are shown where they appear in that order in each answer. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete says, “Solve it and you’ll have joined “the puzzle army.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City…Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies & Delinquents, By Anneke Brandon
In a misty corner of the Forgotten Realm, on an old road leading into the city of Neverwinter, three strangers meet at a crossroad. Each is coming into the city for the same reason, having been summoned by a dwarf named Gundren Rockseeker. “Greetings. I am Anneke, an Eladrin Ranger.” “Hi! My name is Princess! Princess the Princess Daring!” “I’m Orko and I’m a wizard. But you... read more .

St. Mary’s School… The Magic of Folded Paper Snowflakes, By Kathy Ayette
I have to tell you the magic in my classroom is strong magic indeed. In January, the kindergarten class made snowflakes and their teacher hung them from the ceiling. They also did a torn paper picture of snowflakes to hang in the hall. As you may remember, there wasn’t a lot of snow in January. Now I had planned to do paper snowflakes with my class. I enjoy listening to the oohs and ahs as the children... read more .

Dr. Stephen Gruber to speak to GOP women
Vice Chairman of Historical Society to give update on Garst - GREENVILLE, OHIO – Dr. Stephen Gruber will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Darke County Republican Women’s Club (DCRWC). He will be discussing the Darke County Historical Society and giving an update on what is happening at the Garst Museum. The program will be held at 6 p.m. on March 8 at the Shawnee... read more .

DCCA Family Theatre Series presents Jack and the Beanstalk
Darke County Center for the Arts is announcing the second of its virtual Family Theatre Series presentations, Jack and the Beanstalk, which will become available for streaming on March 1. “This lively musical will bring delight and inspiration to children and adults alike,” said DCCA Artistic Director David Warner. “The classic fairy tale springs to life with inventive and imaginative flair that will enthrall... read more .

Hometown Opportunity works for employers and employees
Are you listing your open positions on Hometown Opportunity? We want to help you find the workforce you need! HowetownOpportunity.com is a great resource for employers and job seekers alike – and it’s FREE to use! “Hometown Opportunity is a collaboration between Darke, Mercer, Auglaize, and Shelby Counties, whose goal is to ensure that everyone in our communities is aware of the jobs... read more .

Edison State Nursing Students Assist Miami County Public Health in Administering COVID-19 Vaccines - February 25, 2021, marked a monumental day at Edison State Community College as approximately 400 community members ages 65 and over received their first round of COVID-19 vaccines. Edison State nursing students had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience administering vaccines. Participating students included, Faith Apple of Russia, Nathan... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Taxes—What About Them? By Lois E. Wilson
Every year we get out all our papers relating to taxes, sort them into categories, and pray that we won’t have much or any taxes to pay. You may need a big table for this. As I worked on the task, I wondered, when did taxation begin? You know the saying—nothing is certain except death and taxes. While that may be true, taxes tend to be complicated and very inconsistent. They didn't always... read more .

Sam Custer moves on, Taylor Dill returns to Darke County
Hello Darke County! I am Taylor Dill your new Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator for Darke County. I am replacing Sam Custer as he got a promotion and is now working out of Columbus! I would like to say a congratulations to Sam, I know he will be dearly missed here. I wanted to give you all a background of who I am! I grew up on a farm in the Hollansburg area on the southern side of the... read more .

Greenville Elementary & Middle Schools Welcome Bookworm Vending Machines!, Sue Dankworth, K-2 Principal, Greenville Elementary School - January 22, 2021 - With the onset of the pandemic during the last year, school administrators have had to make a number of changes to our current processes that reflect health department mandates and safety protocols within our buildings. These changes have been made with one goal in mind – to keep students and staff members safe. One unfortunate... read more .

Manchester Gives Testimony on Beginner Farmer Tax Credit Bill
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) today gave sponsor testimony on House Bill 95, bipartisan legislation that establishes a tax credit to assist beginner farmers in the transfer or land, equipment, and other agricultural assets from one generation of farmers to the next. “The average age of the U.S. farmer is currently 58,” said Manchester. “This legislation recognizes the need to help the... read more .

Puzzle Pete Is Feeling “LO” A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters and letters “LO”
are given where they appear in each word. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete hopes you can solve this puzzle. He was feeling “LO.”It would cheer him up if you did. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no... read more .

Edison State Diversity Committee Black History Month Celebration Goes Virtual
The Diversity Committee at Edison State Community College is hosting a virtual celebration of Black History Month. The event will begin on Monday, February 22, and run through Friday, February 26, with new and different activities and events to access throughout the week. All of the following virtual events are offered free of charge and accessible online by visiting www... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP Maple Sugarin’ underway
The maple sap is beginning to run, and Darke County Parks’ volunteers and staff will soon fire up the sugar shack for the maple sugaring season! Freezing nights and thawing days cause the sap to move, bringing the syrup one step closer to your table. Although the persistence of Covid-19 will prevent gathering for the waffle breakfast this year, DCP will still be celebrating the sweetness... read more .

Edison State Community College… Accounting Students Gain Hands-On Experience Preparing Taxes - This semester, students in Edison State Community College’s accounting program will prepare taxes as part of a service-learning project at the Partners In Hope site location for the community-at-large, in partnership with the Dayton Coalition Program (VITA/EITC). VITA’s origins date back to 1969 with a precursor program at California State University... read more .

Darke County Parks… Promoting Pollinators with DCP
If you’re curious about how you can help pollinator populations this spring, let Darke County Parks give you hand! Native pollinators thrive with access to native plants. In fact, they’re four times more likely to be attracted to a native plant vs other blooms. Help boost pollinator species by stocking your garden area or backyard with native plants available through the Darke County Park’s Native Plant Sale... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Not in Accordance: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson
Twenty-seven year old Cordelia lived in the rural village of Concord. She felt as if life was passing her by; she felt trapped. She had no suitors—only a couple of girlfriends. The one man who had shown interest in her was a lumberjack who sawed down trees, cut them into logs, and then stacked them into cords to sell at city markets. She saw no future with him away from Concord. One... read more .

Darke County United Way Announces New Board Members
Greenville, OH (February 16, 2021): The Darke County United Way recently announced the addition of Kristian Garwood and Gail Overholser to its Board of Directors. Kristian Garwood is the Administrative Coordinator at Whirlpool Corporation in Greenville. When asked why she joined the Board, Garwood said, “I have worked with United Way in other capacities in the past and have enjoyed seeing... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Add-On Anagrams #12, Lois E. Wilson
Pete has created four puzzles with a 3-letter word starting each of them. Use the three given letters plus an additional letter to answer the first clue. Use all of those letters plus an additional one for the next clue, etc. Put each letter you add on the dash in the add-on letter column. Arrange the three letters in the add-on letter column to answer the final clue. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete’s hint: if you... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… The Winery at Versailles supports BBBS
The Fearless wine available at The Versailles Winery is down to its last two cases. This new Mango-Moscato wine debuted this past fall and $2 from every bottle is donated to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County to reach more youth through their programs. “They ARE brave, kind, worthy, beautiful, strong, they ARE enough and they CAN do anything. They are FEARLESS!” If you... read more .

Your Darke County Parks Are Open
During the winter months, it is important to still take the time to get outside. Spending time outdoors is proven to be beneficial to your mental and physical health. One tool that the people of Darke County have at their disposal is the Tecumseh Multi-Use trail. This mostly paved trail stretches from downtown Greenville to the village of Bradford, a total of approximately 14 miles. While many... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… How to play with your kids in the snow, By Aprill Brandon
There are some people in this world who will tell you that there is no “right” way to play with your children in the snow. These people are wrong. And probably serve their children fruit as “dessert.” There is a right way. Oh sure, a few details might vary and there is some accounting for individual family quirks, but on the whole, no matter how good of a parent you are, snow days follow an almost scientific... read more .

Junior Job Shadow Goes Online in Darke County
Darke County Economic Development (DCED) took its Junior Job Shadow Week online this school year during the last week of January. Over 180 students from Darke County schools and Upper Valley Career Center (UVCC) registered to learn more about specific careers through online conversations with area workers employed in their chosen field. The online “job shadows” were... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts… DCCA announces Virtual Family Theatre Series
Darke County Center for the Arts happily announces the presentation of its 2020-2021 Family Theatre Series season; however, the shows will be presented virtually rather than on the stage at Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville as in the past. The series opens February 1 with Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, continues with Jack and the Beanstalk, available... read more .

Arcanum MVCTC FFA Welcomes New Members
On November 17th the Arcanum MVCTC FFA welcomed its new members during the Greenhand Degree Ceremonies. The ceremony was held during the regular November Meeting. The Ceremony was highlighted by Chapter President Landon Haney and Chapter Advisor Mr. Pohlman presenting recipients with the Bronze Greenhand FFA Degrees. To be eligible to receive the... read more .

DCEA Grant Application Deadline Approaches
Darke County Endowment for the Arts annually grants funds to local organizations, individuals and governmental units which apply for funds to further the arts in our community; the deadline for applications to be considered for funding is Friday, April 30. To be eligible to receive funding, an applicant must be located in or provide services in Darke County, Ohio. In the past, applicants... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Conformity and Uniqueness, By Lois E. Wilson
In the 1960’s many campuses were targeted by groups protesting the Vietnam War. The university where I was teaching closed briefly because of the threats and malicious acts at other schools across the country. It seemed some students followed lockstep off-campus leaders who professed to be independent; however their actions proved otherwise. They were conforming to the group... read more .

Where to Go From Here, By Brittany Ulman
Is all hope lost? In times like these, most people would probably respond with an emphatic “yes,” and to an extent, they would be right. But it’s not why we might think. This hopelessness we feel, it’s not because of the virus. Nor is it because of the political climate. In fact, it has nothing to do with what we see. It’s because as a country—and certainly as a world—we’ve walked away from the only true... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust contributes to BBBS
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County is pleased to accept a grant from the Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust to assist with funding for supplies for this year’s Social Emotional Learning curriculum in their after-school Big Buddies programs at Ansonia, Greenville, and Versailles Schools. The Big Buddies mentoring program allows high school volunteers to meet two times... read more .

Greenville Public Library announces temporary computer lab closure
GREENVILLE – The Greenville Public Library computer lab will be closed to patrons on February 17 and 18 in preparation of the installation of new Covid-friendly computer desks. The desks are being purchased thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management’s Coronavirus Relief Fund Public Library Assistance Program. Installation is scheduled for the week of... read more .

Powell Supports ‘The Promise to America’s Children’
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) today signed her support to The Promise to America’s Children, a collaborative effort between the Family Policy Alliance, The Heritage Foundation, and Alliance Defending Freedom that outlines 10 guiding principles to protect children in America. The goal of the initiative is to rally support for legislation that promotes pro-family and pro-religious... read more .

Puzzle Pete Says This about His Wife, Lois E. Wilson
Use the numbered clues to find the four-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s views about his wife. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Dino Nuggets With Sprinkles, By Aprill Brandon
It was still dark when I opened my eyes. Which was unsurprising. It’s always dark whenever I open my eyes these days. Now is the winter of our discontent and raging insomnia, as the old saying goes. Or something like that. But this dark was a different kind of dark. This wasn’t my usual infernal and endless 2 a.m. dark. I didn’t recognize this dark. This dark had a bit of, was that, no... a hint of... read more .

Edison State Instructors Go Back to School to Expand Online-Teaching Skills - Ultimate Goal is Improving Student Success - Piqua, Ohio – Seven faculty members from Edison State Community College have jumped at the chance to improve their online teaching skills by participating in a 25-week Effective Online Teaching Practices course offered in collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). The instructors will be joining more than 150... read more .

28 Edison State Student-Athletes Named to OCCAC All-Academic Team
Twenty-eight student-athletes from Edison State Community College have received Academic All-Conference honors from the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) for the Fall 2020 semester. To qualify, a student-athlete must have completed at least 12 credit hours with a 3.30 GPA. “Even during these difficult times, Edison State student-athletes... read more .

Arcanum MVCTC FFA Wins State Grain Merchandising Contest
Arcanum MVCTC FFA members recently competed in the Ohio FFA Grain Merchandising Contest. The purpose of the Grain Merchandising Contest is to stimulate interest in the area of grain merchandising and to make students aware of the complex decision-making process associated with merchandising agricultural products. Arcanum MVCTC FFA members, Isaac Smith, Luke... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP Volunteer in the Spotlight
Each quarter, the Darke County Parks recognizes one of their exceptional volunteers. This volunteer gets a spot in the quarterly newsletter, as well as a plaque on the Volunteer Hall of Fame board which can be viewed at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center. This season’s volunteer in the spotlight goes to James Normile, a senior at Greenville High School with a passion for animals... read more .

State Representative Susan Manchester… Plummer, Manchester Introduce Bill to Improve Child Welfare Services - COLUMBUS – State Reps. Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield) today introduced House Bill 4, legislation that addresses child services to prevent abuse cases from falling through the cracks. Plummer noted the case of 10-year-old Takoda Collins, who tragically died in 2019 after years of child abuse. According to records from the Montgomery County Dispatch Center... read more .

Along Life’s Way… How Are Things Going? By Lois E. Wilson
“Hi, Bill! I haven’t seen you for awhile. You look a little tired. Are you OK?” “I could be better, Tom. I feel so let down.” “Why? What happened?” “Well, I kept hearing this guy on TV. He had many big, futuristic, and progressive ideas. They sounded good—I guess I wanted to see what he could do for my family and the company I work for—you know growth ideas. I went to one of his focus... read more .

Greenville Career Technical Education Center Welcomes Sophomores, By Andrea Townsend, Director of Career Technology & Special Education - In the spring of every year, students select the programs and courses they will take in the following school year. In the month of February, Greenville Career Technical Education Center (G-CTEC) will be celebrating Technical Education programs and encouraging our student body to enroll in hands-on learning programs, apprenticeships, and... read more .

Commissioner’s Corner… Introducing New Commissioner: Larry Holmes
The New Year has started off just about the same as the last one ended. For wintertime in the Miami Valley, we have had decent weather so far, the Corona Virus is still with us, but seems to be waning as vaccines become more available, and businesses here seem to be moving along fairly well. We are all holding out for a much better year this time around! January has started out as usual with... read more .

Garst Museum Now Open
The Garst Museum reopened on Tuesday, February 2. Annually, the museum closes for maintenance and cleaning during the month of January. The month of February celebrates Black History Month and The Museum Store is offering a 25 percent discount on titles such as Longtown Settlement, Darke County Ohio; Great Short Stories by African American Writers; Historic Black Settlements of... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts Announces Virtual Family Theatre Series
Darke County Center for the Arts happily announces the presentation of its 2020-2021 Family Theatre Series season; however, the shows will be presented virtually rather than on the stage at Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall in Greenville as in the past. The series opens February 1 with Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, continues with Jack and the Beanstalk, available... read more .

Puzzle Pete and the “P’s” A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Of course, Pete likes the letter “P.” He has found a word which ends in “P” for each letter of the alphabet. Each dash stands for a letter. Remember, these are not peas in a pod. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are offered as a fundraiser for... read more .

Purdue University Fort Wayne and Edison State Enter Transfer Agreement
FORT WAYNE, Ind—Purdue University Fort Wayne and Edison State Community College in Piqua, Ohio, signed a transfer articulation agreement allowing students from Edison State to transfer credits earned from an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree into a PFW Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree. The BAS degree can be completed entirely online. Once Edison... read more .

Greenville City Schools… School Climate in the Pandemic, By: Stan Hughes, High School Principal
The climate of our school building affects all aspects of educating our students. A positive and healthy climate increases morale for students and staff, creates a better learning atmosphere, and increases community interactions with the school buildings. Traditionally we can see the characteristics of a good climate from our students in things like participation in pep rallies, clubs, grades... read more .

Darke County Republican Women’s Club ... DCRW to host Congressman Warren Davidson’s District Director Ben Thaeler - GREENVILLE, OHIO – The Darke County Republican Women’s Club (DCRWC) is hosting featured speaker Ben Thaeler at 6 p.m. on February 8 at the Shawnee Nature Center, 4267 State Route 502, Greenville. Thaeler serves as District Director for Congressman Warren Davidson (R-OH8). The eighth congressional district includes all of Darke County. “DCRWC is very... read more .

Darke County Economic Development… Darke & Preble County Businesses Hosting OH•ZONE: A Virtual Career Fair - DARKE COUNTY: As we work to grow our local and state economies, the Dayton Development Coalition and Darke County Economic Development are hosting OH•Zone, a virtual career fair, on February 2nd. The goal is to help Ohioans, especially those who have been impacted by COVID-19, find employment while helping regional employers build a qualified, motivated workforce... read more .

Along Life’s Way… A Weighty Subject: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson
Over the holidays, Fred had indulged heavily in food and drink. He was forced to discard his favorite jeans; they no longer fit him. He avoided looking into the full-length bedroom mirror for fear of what he would see. After his four-year-old son asked him if he was going to have a baby, he decided to do something about his increasing waistline. He made a New Year’s resolution to work... read more .

New Funding to Support Students in Need at Edison State
The Edison Foundation has joined together with Edison State Community College to provide funding for student emergency needs. After a yearlong study, The Edison Foundation Board of Directors approved the Student Emergency Assistance Fund formation in June 2020, along with budgeting $5,000 for FY21 as startup funding. The newly formed fund is a critical lifeline of support... read more .

OSU Extension… “Strong @ Heart” Email Wellness Challenge
Darke, Mercer, and Preble County - Heart disease is the number one cause of death for people in the United States. This fact does not come without hope. There are many things we can do each day to improve heart health. Educators with Ohio State University Extension are ready to help. Join us for this challenge to learn how to limit stress, increase activity, and eat for a healthy heart. This... read more .

Greenville National Bank… GNB Announces Retirements, Promotions & New Lender
In December, GNB Banking Centers celebrated the retirements of three employees. Carol Brining retired on the 14th after 4 ½ years of service. Carol worked in the Scanning Department. On the 29th, Donna Gaier retired after working at GNB for 41 years. Donna worked in the Bookkeeping, Proof, and Purchasing departments. Nathan “Nate” Garber retired at yearend with 48 years of service. As Vice... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Add-On Anagrams #11, Lois E. Wilson
Pete has created four puzzles with a 3-letter word starting each of them. Use the three given letters plus an additional letter to answer the first clue. Use all of those letters plus an additional one for the next clue, etc. Put each letter you add on the dash in the add-on letter column. Arrange the three letters in the add-on letter column to answer the final clue. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete’s hint: if you... read more .

Greenville Sports… Justin Hadden Rolls First 300 Game in Program History!!!
January 22, 2021 - Justin Hadden on the Greenville High School Varsity bowling team performed a rare feat in high school bowling. He shot a perfect bowling game with a score of 300. This is the first 300 in the history of the Greenville High School Bowling program. At present, it is the only 300 shot in the MVL during match play this season. Justin, a junior, has been bowling since he was 5 years old, so he's... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Hey Randy! By Aprill Brandon
In this age of Larger-Than-Life characters, there lurks in the shadows another archetype. One that often gets overlooked in all the noise and chaos. Yet, there they stoically stay, content to remain on the sidelines, only emerging in times of great need. The Quiet Hero. They can be any gender, any race, any age, any ethnicity. The only thing they have in common is that they quietly do hero stuff and... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… Harry D. Stephens Memorial makes a BIG contribution to BBBS programs - Harry D. Stephens Memorial Trust Fund has recently awarded a grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County. Big Brothers Big Sisters is designed to create and support one to one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. This grant in specific will assist with making new mentoring matches in our community base programs. This grant award will assist us... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP offers workshop kits
Your Darke County Parks are consistently offering opportunities to engage, inspire and connect residents to the natural world. Don’t miss your chance to participate in these upcoming programs! Bluebird Boxes - To Go! Register by February 3rd and pick up the 12th. Reserve your Bluebird Box kit to take home and assemble with detailed instruction from our naturalist staff through a secure video link that... read more .

St. Mary’s School… Proud of my Little Ones on their Cooperation, By Kathy Ayette
I was dating my weekly newsletter to parents last Friday and noticed that January was about half over. Today as I write we are well on our way to February. This Friday, January 22, is not only the last day of the second quarter, but also the last day of the first semester. The school year is half finished! You would think that after all the years I have taught I would have ceased being amazed at the rapidity of the... read more .

Edison State Establishes New Police Department
The Edison State Community College Department of Public Safety has changed dramatically over the past 18-months. After a very successful history creating a safe campus environment, and based on changing campus safety and security standards, the Department of Administration and Finance determined the need for an armed presence on campus. Safety had been maintained... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Are You Using Your Earbuds? By Lois E. Wilson
Conscience is the self-protective quality that evolves from life experiences, customs, and interactions with others. It’s as if an inner voice speaks to us. The question is: Are we wearing our earbuds? Do we listen and hear the encouragement or warnings? If you hear your inner voice, do you heed its message? Ogden Nash wrote: “There is only one way to achieve happiness on this... read more .

Technology and Learning at Greenville City Schools, By Jim Hooper, Curriculum Director
School certainly looks different this year than in years past. Not only with students wearing masks and socially distancing, but also how teachers and students are using technology to continue learning. Students and teachers are using the learning management system Canvas to create lessons and submit assignments, and take tests digitally all on their iPads. Canvas is being utilized whether... read more .

The Beauty of American Government – Solutions through Policy, not Violence, By Jena Powell, State Representative - Growing up on our family farm, I didn’t go to the city much. We lived a joyful and contented childhood, playing in the woods and farming the land my ancestors farmed. I started reading books and learning about the heroic men and women of the past. I was enamored by historical figures who sacrificed for what they knew to be right. Not all of them were gracious and kind, but they were seeking... read more .

Darke County Parks…DCP Upcoming Programs
Darke County Parks would like to announce some upcoming programs: Owl Prowl 1/28 at 5:45pm Routzong Preserve - “Under the light of the full moon, we'll walk the night-time trails of in search of Owls! This quiet walk will take us into the parks as we watch and listen for owls.” Stuffed Animal Sleepover 1/29 Drop off between 2pm-5pm - “Ever wonder what goes on in the Nature Center in the... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Double Alphabet: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Pete says you will find each letter at least two times in each answer word: A to Z. Complete the 6-letter answers using the clues. The first and fourth letters are given in alphabetical order. Dashes stand for the missing letters. Three of the answers have a third alphabet letter in them which is not shown. He was surprised to find words that fit each and admits a couple answers may require some research. Wilson's... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… Welcome to my dog’s Irish wake, By Aprill Brandon
Attention! Attention, everyone! *tings whiskey glass* First, let me just say thank you all for coming. As I’m sure you know, we’re here to celebrate the life of my beloved and dearly departed Buffy. To toast to his memory and give him a proper sendoff. Now, there are many myths and legends surrounding that ridiculous old mutt. All of them true, I can assure you. His was a very Dickensian beginning. A... read more .

OSU Extension… Free Lunch and Learn classes offered to community
DARKE COUNTY, OH -- Join Ohio State University Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences educator, Dr. Roseanne Scammahorn in February for a fun, educational, and free new learning series! Each class will start at noon and last about 30-45 minutes. Join as you can for what interests you! Who: Anyone is invited to participate! Invite your family and friends to join you virtually for this fun... read more .

Edison State Announces Fall 2020 Dean’s List
Edison State Community College recognizes 468 students for excellence in academics on the Fall 2020 Semester Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have at least a 3.5-grade point average and carry a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Anna: Grant Albers, Brynn Billing, Meghan Cooper, Corynn Heitkamp, Riley Huelskamp, Mary Hughes... read more .

Along Life’s Way… The Turkey Was Me, By Lois E. Wilson
On Thanksgiving morning, I clicked on my computer to bring up the incoming emails. There was one from CNO editor, Bob Robinson. In it he explained that my latest submission for “Along Life’s Way” was in a digital file. He could not edit it that way and asked me to resubmit it in the format I usually use. I didn’t know what I had done to change the document. Before sending it to him, I had copied... read more .

Midmark opens café during construction of new hotel and restaurant
Gus’s Café in Versailles opening to public in January - Versailles, Ohio, Jan. 11, 2021 — Midmark Corp. today announced that it will open Gus’s Café in Versailles, Ohio to the public starting Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. The café will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Midmark entered a lease agreement with the café in August to service its customers and teammates while its... read more .

Darke County Economic Development… COVID-19 Update: Phase 1B Timeline
COLUMBUS—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted today provided the following updates on Ohio's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PHASE 1B TIMELINE Governor DeWine today reemphasized the vaccine distribution timeline for Phase 1B of Ohio's vaccination program which is set to begin next week with those ages 80 and older. This week: Today, the Ohio Department of Health... read more .

Cancer Association of Darke County Annual Gourmet Dinner Raffle
You could be the winner of this contest! A Gourmet Dinner for 8 will be prepared by a gourmet cooking team. The food will be donated by Eikenberry’s IGA. Tickets are currently available now through February 05, 2021. The tickets are donated by Commercial Printing and are $5 each or 6 for $25. The drawing will be held on February 08, 2021. The dinner will be held in 2021 in Darke County... read more .

Pete Says It’s “UP” to You: A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters and letters “UP”
are given where they appear in each word. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete hopes you go UP! UP! and away! to solve the puzzle. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more .

Greenville City Schools… For the Love of Science, Kitty Davis, Greenville Elementary Principal
Mrs. Sherry Flora has taught for Greenville Elementary for almost three decades. During this time, she has educated many elementary students in the area of science. Mrs. Flora is a scientist at heart- from the time of seventh grade when she burned a peanut in a can to determine the amount of calories it possessed. As she entered college, Mrs. Flora focused on sharing her love for science... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… So, how are you holding up? (A year of responses), By Aprill Brandon
I’m OK. I’m fine. A bit tired. You know. I mean, it could be worse. I have it better than a lot of people right now. Well, I just got done Googling “can you die from insomnia?” so, you know. *primal scream* We’re ordering pizza for the fourth night in a row. I just don’t understand. Any of this. Wishing I could afford therapy. Can a person’s soul be exhausted? I had whiskey for dinner. I feel so helpless. What... read more .

OSU Extension… Instant Pot Meals in Minutes
Have you heard the hype about the instant pot, the new trend in cooking? Are you interested in learning more about how to use your instant pot? Are you curious about how they work and if they are worth purchasing? This online class is for you. Dr. Roseanne Scammahorn, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for Ohio State University Extension, Darke County will be hosting an online... read more .

Darke County Sheriff… Sex Offender Verification Sweep conducted
On January 5, 2021, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department, Adult Parole Authority, Darke County Adult Probation, the Villages of Ansonia, Arcanum, Union City and Versailles Police Departments verified addresses of the sex offenders in Darke County. While verification is an ongoing process throughout the year by deputies on patrol, a mass verification at one time is an efficient way to... read more .

Fish Food Pantry needs Volunteers
The Greenville Fish Food Pantry has been supplying food to local citizens for over fifty years, and continues to do so through the Choice Pantry at 400 Markwith Avenue which is open on Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., and Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m., as well as delivering to shut-ins who call the 937-548-2000 for help Mondays through Fridays. However, the pool of... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Seeing With Fresh Eyes, By Lois E. Wilson
Our attitude toward the situations we face can alter the course of our lives. This 2016 verse of mine emphasizes the vision of two individuals: ATTITUDE Mr. Doom dubbed rocks, stumbling blocks. Miss Plume used each as a stepping stone. He threw away his holey socks. With hers, she tied up hollyhocks So the plants would not be weather-blown. All his choices were based on... read more .

Darke County Sheriff… Concealed Handgun Licensing moves to new office
Darke County Sheriff Toby L. Spencer announces the move of Concealed Handgun Licensing operations to a separate mobile office located on the Sheriff’s Office grounds. This move takes effect Thursday January 7, 2021. The new Concealed Handgun Licensing office is located in the parking lot of the Darke County Criminal Justice Center, between the main jail building and the investigations building. The... read more .

Midmark offering $20,000 technical scholarship
DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 6, 2021 — Midmark Corp., a leading clinical environmental design company providing medical, dental and veterinary solutions that enable a better experience at the point of care, is offering a $20,000 technical scholarship to a graduating high school senior who is a resident of Darke, Miami, Mercer, Auglaize or Shelby County high schools. Eligible seniors must pursue... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Wish for the New Year, Lois E. Wilson
Use the numbered clues to find the 4-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next word. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solved correctly, and then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s wish for us and our country. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume... read more .

Darke County Engineer 43rd Annual Report for 2020, Jim Surber P.E., P.S., Darke Cty Engineer
This report shows money received for the year, where it was spent, and what it maintained, constructed, purchased, or improved. We always try to maximize the funds spent on road and bridge improvements. For 2020, not including a paving grant, this was $3,111,934.56, or an amount equal to 42.1 percent of our total annual receipts. The recent Ohio fuel tax increase has greatly helped our cause, as the receipts increased... read more .

Versailles Poultry Days announces 2021 Theme
The 2021 Poultry Days festival theme is "A Village of Champions, Honoring Those Who Make Us Great!" This theme is inspired by the many everyday “champions” who make up our community… first responders, healthcare workers, laborers and business owners, to name a few. Our area has farmers to feed us, teachers to educate the young, and military to protect our families. What would our village be... read more .

STAR 88.3 Gives Love
12/18/20 - STAR 88.3, the local Christian radio station, loves to Give Love all year long. Several times a year, the station accepts nominations for people to bless in a special way. Christmas is one of those opportunities. This month, STAR 88.3 surprised people in Covington, Maria Stein, and Union City. Amy is a single mom in Covington. She has three kids and she works on the front lines in the... read more .

Fish Mitten Tree warms hands and hearts
The generous spirit of the community continues to thrive - Despite concerns surrounding restrictions necessitated by the current health crisis, the Fish Mitten Tree has once again provided mittens and gloves to warm the hands and hearts of children enrolled in Darke County Head Start programs. The generous spirit of the people of our community continues to thrive; this hearty demonstration of giving is very... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP offers Christmas Tree Recycling
Christmas is here! It’s time to gather around the tree and unwrap gifts with our friends and loved ones. What do you plan to do with your tree after Christmas has passed? After the holidays, most real trees make their way to the curb to be hauled off to the landfill. You may be thinking, they’re biodegradable so what’s the problem? When organic waste, like a live tree, breaks down in a landfill, it does so... read more .

Puzzle Pete Has A “Ho! Ho! Ho! A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Use the clues in the left column to solve the answer words. They are in alphabetical order with “HO” placed where occurring in each word. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete and Santa hope you like their Christmas gift. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are offered as... read more .

Darke County Parks… Rehmerts Donates to DCP
Darke County Parks held their first snowman decorating contest in 2017 during the annual Winter Wonderland Luminary walk. The contest was extremely popular with several organizations and business participating. The success of that first event in December of 2017 was undoubtedly due to the time and effort of parks maintenance supervisor, Wayne Nichols. Wayne spent the day after... read more .

Garst Museum Announces Dr. Harry Thomas Scholarship Recipients
The Garst Museum and the Darke County Historical Society are pleased to announce the recipients of the H.G Thomas Medical Scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. Awarded were four past Versailles High School graduates: Maggie Hedrick, Jadyn Mangen, Rachel (Shellhaas) Jamison, and Jenna Frantz. The H. G. Thomas Medical Scholarship program, administered by the Darke County... read more .

Edison State Community College… Nursing Students Honored with Pinning Ceremony
The year 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges, making the nursing pinning ceremony held on Friday, December 11, so special for the thirty-four Edison State Community College students who completed the nursing program. The pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition in which the graduate nurse is presented to family and friends as a professional who is about to practice nursing. The... read more .

Greenville City Schools… A Time of Good Cheer, By Chris Mortensen, Greenville Middle School, Principal
We have so many blessings to be thankful for each year. This year is one that we have more to be thankful for than we could ever imagine. Sometimes the good things are hidden in the fog of all the other things that are occurring around us and we have to be able to look past this to see how much we really have that is truly a blessing. We often tend to focus on the negative things around us that seem... read more .

Greenville City Schools… G.H.S. Vocal Music Students Prepare for a Virtual Christmas Concert - GREENVILLE, OH – The GHS Vocal Music Holiday Concert, “What Christmas Means to Me” is scheduled for Monday, December 21st at 7:00pm. This annual event will take place virtually. You can find the performance Monday evening by visiting the Greenville City Schools Facebook Page, the GHS Vocal Music Boosters Facebook Page, or going to YouTube and searching “GHS IMTV” or... read more .

St. Mary’s School… A Blessed and Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, By Kathy Ayette
Ever wonder what it feels like to be a rat in a maze? Come to my classroom and find out. In order to further protect the students from Covid, each desk now has a three-sided plexiglass shield. Unfortunately, the sides of the shields protrude about four inches on both sides of the desks, making my already interesting classroom arrangement even more interesting. With the new shields and the dividers on the tables, which... read more .

Darke County United Way Needs Your Help
The Darke County United Way relies on the generosity of the Darke County community every year for its annual support campaign. The majority of United Way funding comes from employee giving at various companies throughout the community. With shutdowns and layoffs due to COVID-19, employee giving is down for 2020. “The needs are greater than ever, yet funding is... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Her Christmas List: A Fable, By Lois E. Wilson
The little 6-year-old girl hung up the phone. She had tears in her eyes. Her father was on another one of his extended out-of-town business trips. The family had discussed the father’s promotion and how it required him to do a lot of travel. He would be an on-site trouble shooter for the company. Her parents were counting on his increased income to provide a better life for them. She had made a... read more .

Edison State, Hocking, Stark State partner with Central State Extension
WILBERFORCE, OH—Presidents from Central State University, Hocking College, Edison State Community College, and Stark State College signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will further advance the mission of Central State University Extension to implement extension outreach and research-based programs in each college’s community. A key... read more .

Midmark announces ‘historic revival’ rebrand of former Inn at Versailles
Introducing Hotel Versailles, Silas — a new restaurant and the 1819 Room for events - Versailles, Ohio, Dec. 14, 2020 — Midmark Corp., a leading clinical environmental design company providing medical, dental and veterinary solutions that enable a better experience at the point of care, today announced its rebrand of the former Inn at Versailles with plans for a new sophisticated boutique... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Christmas Message, Lois E. Wilson
Use the numbered clues to find the three-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out Pete’s message. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… A Cozy Covid Christmas, By Aprill Brandon
Coming soon to a streaming service near you, a magical new holiday movie! “A Cozy Covid Christmas.” Starring Sage Periwinkle as Holly Merriweather and Chadwick Strongjaw as Logan Bennett. Featuring Judy Greer as The Quirky Best Friend, Tom Skerritt as Someone’s Dad, and Candace Cameron Bure as the Evil High-Powered Boss. Meet Holly. A busy and adorably neurotic interior... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP Winter Wonderland a huge success
The weekend of December 4-6, Darke County Parks held their 13th annual Winter Wonderland luminary event. This year a special covid-safe drive-thru took place at Shawnee Prairie Preserve. The event was a huge success with over 500 vehicles making their way around the loop. Over 500 luminaries lit the drive-thru path that featured several displays, including candy land, forest gnomes... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Forgetfulness, By Lois E. Wilson
Memory at times can be fleeting. Several have written we are more likely to remember the bad things in our lives and forget the good. Therefore, bad events become baggage. I remember an old joke wherein a pastor visiting a church member’s home asks, “Do you ever consider the hereafter?” The woman replies, “Yes of course I do—almost every day. I’ll go into the bedroom, the kitchen... read more .

Financial Achievement Services to Host Christmas Card Drive
Greenville, Ohio - The team at Financial Achievement Services invites the community to participate in their Christmas Card Drive for residents at the Brethren Retirement Community. The card drive aims to bring holiday cheer to the residents who have faced a uniquely challenging and isolating year. FAS recognizes that many older adults have been hit especially hard by the Covid-19 pandemic... read more .

You cannot change facts, By Mona Lease
I've never seen so much paranoia, hate, unrest, and stock-piling of guns and ammo in my life. You cannot buy a hand gun or ammo for a 9mm or .380 anywhere. People: You can burn or destroy every flag that is "offensive" to you. You can tear down every statue that you feel is "inappropriate" or "outdated." You can "rewrite" history but, you will never erase facts. Fact: White people on the north side of the Ohio River - up... read more .

Greenville High School … The Hidden Curriculum, By Clayton Westerbeck, Assistant Principal
A School is somewhere a child can attend and learn Math, History, Science, English, Athletics, specialized programming such as Music, Art and other academic based entities. We can even add career-based education to the list such as vocational learning. We have to ask, is there something missing? Based on scores and graduation rates… numbers that drive the funding of schools. Students... read more .

Pete Tries Go-Go A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Use the clues in the left column to solve the answer words. They are in alphabetical order with “GO” placed where occurring in each word. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete hopes you’ll solve it and go-go too. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available and are offered... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… How To Have A Proper Family Movie Night, By Aprill Brandon
Excitedly announce you are having A Family Movie Night! Wait for the cheers and applause that never come. Watch as everyone immediately starts to argue about what to watch. Browse Netflix. Calmly make suggestion. Get greeted by groans and dramatic tears. Gently remind everyone this is supposed to be fun. Browse Disney+. Argue some more. Break up fist fight. Argue some more. Take... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… Rain and Snow Greet Hunters on Opening Day of Ohio’s Deer-Gun Season
Darke County hunters checked 61 deer this opening day compared to 65 last year - COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio hunters checked 10,904 white-tailed deer during a snowy and rainy opening day of the gun hunting week, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Over the last three years, hunters took an average of 17,145 deer on opening day. Last year... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… Greater Versailles Area Foundation Fund contributes to BBBS
The Greater Versailles Area Foundation Fund, in conjunction with The Troy Foundation, recently awarded a grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County. This grant will be used for the Versailles after-school Big Buddies program. Big Buddies is a nine-month commitment where high school students volunteer two times per month to mentor elementary students. During... read more .

Powell Gives Testimony on the Save Women’s Sports Act
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) provided sponsor testimony on House Bill 527, known as the Save Women’s Sports Act. The bill requires schools, state institutions of higher education, and private colleges to designate separate, single-sex sports teams. “Every little girl in Ohio deserves the chance to achieve her athletic dream,” said Powell. “The Save Women’s Sports Act will preserve the... read more .

Darke County Parks… It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at DCP
The nature center at Shawnee Prairie Preserve has been buzzing with holiday excitement over the past few weeks. Several groups visited the last part of November to decorate the trees that are scattered throughout the center. This is a yearly tradition that many groups look forward to. Several organizations decorated trees including the Jingle Belles, Fort Greenville Chapter DAR, DC... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… Wild Turkey Season ends with 1,063 Birds Checked
Ohio hunters checked 1,063 wild turkeys during the 2020 fall hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The 2020 fall wild turkey season was open in 70 counties from Oct. 10-Nov. 29. The 2020 total represents a 1% decrease from the average harvest during the past three years, which is 1,078 wild turkeys. The top 10 counties for wild turkeys taken... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Ready! Set! Go? By Lois E. Wilson
In school did you have races with your classmates? The participants would line up side-by-side at the start. The starter/coach checked to see if all were in their places and paying attention, then called out, ”Ready?” At the call, “Set!” all competitors were to assume their positions and focus on the goal. The starter then rang a gong or most likely yelled, “Go!” All participants took off running... read more .

Edison State to Cancel Indoor Sports for Spring Semester
After consulting with college and local health experts, Edison State Community College is suspending its participation in NJCAA-sanctioned indoor sports for the 2020-2021 season. Intercollegiate competition for women’s and men’s basketball and women’s volleyball will be deferred to next year. Inter-squad competition and team practices will continue in the spring of 2021 for these... read more .

Darke County Commissioners… County in good shape despite Covid
November was fairly decent to us weather wise, and allowed our farmers to get quite a bit of harvesting done. The crop reports overall were pretty good and hopefully this good luck will carry on right into spring next year. This year has been challenging with a lot of uncertainty. Businesses forced to close, then allowed to reopen, then with restrictions, plus having employees off for the Covid-19... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… Ohio’s Deer Hunters Find Success in the Archery Season
Darke County hunters checked 332 deer this year, compared to 293 last year - COLUMBUS, Ohio ¬¬¬¬¬– Ohio’s 2020 white-tailed deer archery hunting season has proven to be bountiful for many Buckeye State hunters, with 74,892 deer taken through Tuesday, Nov. 25, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This represents an 11% increase from the... read more .

Puzzle Pete Is Fascinated with “OS.” Lois E. Wilson
Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters and the letters “OS” are given where they appear in a word. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete says, “Solve it and you’ll be the “Wizard of OS.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available, however Volumes 2-6 are available... read more .

Garst Museum… A huge Thank You… The importance of Garst volunteers
Finding a singular word that aptly describes what this year has been is a challenge. Part of that difficulty is owed to how the events of 2020 impact us each so differently. There cannot be a universal word that can serve as the sum of our individual experiences. Words like loss, anxiety, tension, anger, fear, disrespect, and division are honest descriptions that the majority of people use in... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… BBBS Receives Centerpoint Energy Foundation Grant
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby & Darke County recently received a grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to address the mentoring needs of youth through their after-school Big Buddies program. “This grant will enable Big Brothers Big Sisters to continue offering our much-needed Big Buddies mentoring program to children facing adversity in our community. With the current pandemic... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D…. Young Hunters Gain Invaluable Experience During Youth Weekend
Darke County young hunters checked 27 white-tailed deer this year, compared to 31 last year… COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s young hunters checked 5,795 white-tailed deer during the 2020 two-day youth gun season on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. All of Ohio’s youth hunting opportunities are available to... read more .

Edison State Community College… Holiday Evening at Edison State is “Reimagined”
J. Kathryn Lukey Named Event Chairperson - Established as both a celebration and commitment to higher education, Holiday Evening at Edison State has become The Edison Foundation’s most successful student scholarship fundraiser. The Edison Foundation has Reimagined the 23rd annual Holiday Evening at Edison State to feature local artists performing holiday favorites. The delivery, however... read more .

Garst Museum Creates Holiday Pop-Up Shop
The Garst Museum refuses to let the pandemic turn everyone into a grinch this year. Fanciful trees are being fussed over and decorated by Butterflies Junior Garden Club, DAR, VFW, and Wildflowers Garden Club, while embellishments are being sprinkled about. Though our traditional Holiday Open House has been postponed for a year, we continue to encourage folks to visit the Garst Museum for a... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP presents Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland
Darke County Parks kick off the holiday season with their annual Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland event on December 4th, 5th and 6th. This event is a favorite of the staff and public alike, and is a wonderfully peaceful start to the holiday season. While we can't all gather in celebration the way we had hoped, Darke County Parks is excited to offer a brand-new take on this classic event! This year... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Her Uncomfortable Situation, By Lois E. Wilson
Like many her age, Grandma had gotten thinner and more frail over the years. She had experienced some broken bones and was recovering from a partial hip replacement. Her hobbies required her to sit for several hours at a time. At a family gathering, she complained her bottom would get so painful from these sessions she would take a Tylenol. “When I was younger and thinner... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… ODNR to Offer Natural Resources Officer Training Academy
Applications being accepted through January 15 - COLUMBUS, OH— Applications are being accepted through January 15 for the next Natural Resources Officer training academy, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The department is seeking to fill at least 15 positions. “Natural Resource Officers have an essential role in helping our department fulfill its mission,” said... read more .

November 26, 2020… A Day of Thanks, By Jena Powell, State Representative, Ohio’s 80th House District
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln announced the nation would “observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father.” This announcement officially declared the last Thursday of every November to be a national holiday of Thanksgiving. This year, it’s no question we are facing hardships as a community, state, and nation. However, we... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts… DCCA presents Holiday Concert
Darke County Center for the Arts will present a virtual concert starring Shaun Johnson and his Big Band Experience and featuring a cappella group Tonic Sol-Fa on Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 p.m. “In order to fulfill DCCA’s mission to present high quality shows in our community, we have been working with artists who are looking for outlets to share their talents; we are thrilled that we... read more .

Greenville City Schools… Positive Behavior Intervention Systems, Jake Fitzgerald, Asst. Principal GES - In 2018, the Ohio Department of Education began a new system for our state called the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS). Although this is now almost 3 years old, many people are still unaware of what it is. This article is written with the intent of educating our district families about the background of PBIS, the implementation of the system at Greenville and how it is continuing... read more .

Puzzle Pete’s Add-On Anagrams #10, Lois E. Wilson
Pete has created four puzzles with three letters starting each of them. Use the three given letters plus an additional letter to answer the first clue. Use all of those letters plus an additional one for the next clue, etc. Put each letter you add on the dash in the add-on letter column. Arrange the three letters in the add-on letter column to answer the final clue. Each dash stands for a letter. Pete’s hint: if you... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… 20 Things I’m Thankful For In 2020, By Aprill Brandon
I’ve been reading a lot of pretty mom blogs lately. You know, those blogs written by moms with shiny hair and actual fruit bowls on their tables? (Filled with fruit they actually eat.) The moms who have probably never told their preschooler “oh, bite me” as a rebuttal during an argument. (She won, by the way). The moms who actually earn money from their writing? (Dirty accusing glare to all the... read more .

WCPO Cincinnati… Educators finding ways to spot signs of abuse, neglect as schooling moves online, By: Josh Bazan - Nov 18, 2020 - CINCINNATI — With some schools switching back to remote learning and the coronavirus pandemic continuing to create challenges for families, educators and advocates worry that could increase the risk of child abuse and neglect. Educators and school staff are the top reporters of child abuse and neglect, but with many districts in remote learning... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… Ohio’s Deer-Gun Hunting Seasons Begin in November
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s hunters are eagerly anticipating the chance to take to the woods and fields in November when gun seasons begin for white-tailed deer. Youth hunters younger than 18 years old have their own weekend to hunt Ohio’s favorite big-game animal on Nov. 21-22, 2020. All hunters have the chance to hunt the traditional gun season from Monday, Nov. 30 to Sunday, Dec. 6... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts… DCCA to Receive Funding from Arts Midwest Touring Fund
Darke County Center for the Arts (DCCA) has been selected to receive funding from Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts with additional contributions from the Ohio Arts Council and the Crane Group. Arts Midwest Touring Fund engages people in meaningful experiences with the fine arts of dance... read more .

St. Mary’s School… Remote Learning “Back in the Day”, By Kathy Ayette
You know how sometimes you think, “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” I am experiencing one of those times. Due to reduced seating at church, the kindergarten through fourth grades attend Mass on Wednesday morning, and with the “Covid seating” we seat half of the children upstairs in the balcony. We decided that it made sense for the two younger grades to sit upstairs since they do not receive... read more .

Darke County Fish… Decorate the Mitten Tree
The Fish Mitten Tree once again needs donated gloves and mittens to decorate its empty branches; these donations will be distributed to the children enrolled in Darke County Head Start programs. In addition to the Mitten Tree located at Montage, 525 South Broadway in Greenville, a Mitten Tree also will stand at Greenville Public Library, 520 Sycamore Street, and in the Brethren Retirement... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Honest? By Lois E. Wilson
On the TV reality show “Judge Judy” during some of the trials, a witness showing unease may start testimony by saying, “If you want me to be honest.” Judge Judy quickly injects, “No! I want you to lie to me. Of course, you are to be honest!” Later, if she finds testimony differs from the sworn written statement of the witness, she will inquire, “Which is the truth?” Before testifying, a witness is given... read more .

WDTN 2 News… West Carrollton Schools looking for person who posted signs of kindness and encouragement, by: Kelley King - Nov 17, 2020 - WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A mystery is unraveling at West Carrollton City Schools. “I really, really don’t know if it’s a community member or a staff member or if it’s parents from our school, but I know it’s happening across the district,” says Dorian Glover, the principal at CF Holliday Elementary School. Someone left signs... read more .

Darke S.W.C.D… Many of Ohio's Archery Hunters Enjoying Early Season Success
Darke County 2020 harvest was 225, compared to an average 223 over the last three years. COLUMBUS, Ohio ¬¬¬¬¬– Ohio’s white-tailed deer archery hunters have taken 53,922 white-tailed deer through Sunday, Nov. 8, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s archery season opened in September, and bow hunters are taking advantage of excellent... read more .

Greenville City Schools… Remote Learning, Laura Bemus, Assistant Superintendent
According to the Ohio Department of Education, remote learning occurs when the learner and educator, or source of information, are separated by time and/or distance, and therefore, cannot meet in a traditional classroom setting. School Districts faced a situation last spring that had never been experienced as schools were ordered to close across the state, suddenly in March, due to... read more .

Pete’s Thanksgiving Fowl-Up, Lois E. Wilson
Use the numbered clues to find the 3-letter answers to this word chain puzzle. The last letter of each is the first letter of the next answer. Work up and down. The puzzle is started for you. Solve it correctly, then reading down, the first letters of the answers spell out what happened to the Thanksgiving turkey. Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry... read more .

Broke Wife, Big City… I got your scratch and sniff right here, By Aprill Brandon
Hey, here’s something you might not know. Apparently historians believe the ancient Egyptian were the ones who invented stickers. Archeologists have actually found remains of sticky paper plastered on Egyptian market walls that were used to display the price and description of goods. Here’s another fun tidbit. Modern stickers got their start from a man going by the very fancy moniker of Sir... read more .

Big Brothers Big Sisters… Cookies for a BIG Cause
Ready, Set, Decorate! Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Winery at Versailles are partnering to offer you everything you need to get into the holiday spirit and also help out a great cause. With all the uncertainty in the world right now, one thing does remain certain and this is that kids need a mentor in their life to offer them friendship, a listening ear and guidance during this strange and isolated... read more .

Historic Garst Museum… Garst Receives Ohio Humanities Council Grant
The Garst Museum is pleased to announce it is a recipient of an Ohio Humanities OH CARES grant. Funds were made available through the Ohio Humanities Council in an effort to make emergency financial support available to worthy organizations impacted by COVID-19. OH CARES funds will be applied towards the costs associated with continuing and improving the museum’s remote Research Center... read more .

Greenville Public Library… Library Offers Free Home Delivery
Greenville Pubic Library is especially mindful to provide services to the public in a way that is safe for our patrons and staff, such as curbside pickup and “Grab and Go” by appointment. Another service that comes in handy during this time is our free home delivery. Home delivery is part of the Library’s Extension Services program and brings reading materials to those patrons in the... read more .

Open Ohio and Protect the Most Vulnerable, By Jena Powell, State Representative, 80th District
Over the last seven months, our community, state, nation, and world have been dealing with the novel coronavirus. At the beginning, our state made bold decisions because we didn’t know all the risk associated with COVID-19. So we stayed in our homes to protect our community until we gained knowledge about the pandemic risks. As months have gone by, thankfully the virus is not as deadly as was once... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Plausible Deniability: 101, By Lois E. Wilson
“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to P.D:101! This is the first time Plausible Deniability has been offered to those interested in journalism. Before, classes have consisted of aspiring politicians and those interested in the entertainment industry. “Let’s explore the definition of PD. ‘Plausible’—persuasive that could be true but more likely to deceive. ‘Deniability’—one denies the situation offering... read more .

WKYC.com… Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was asked if he would consider statewide action on schools amid COVID-19 spike: Here's what he said, Ryan Haidet - October 21, 2020 - COLUMBUS, Ohio — Earlier this week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine warned that more schools could have to go "totally remote" as COVID-19 cases continue surging throughout the state. Then on Tuesday during his afternoon press conference, Gov. DeWine was asked if he was considering any statewide action on schools amid... read more .

Darke County Center for the Arts… LOCAL TREASURE: Bob Brubaker Collection, By Marilyn Delk
Want to go to a lovely timeless place that is warm and welcoming and makes you feel that all is well with the world regardless of the reality surrounding your daily life? I know such a place; it is within walking distance of my home and easily within driving distance for you. Several paintings by renowned Darke County artist Robert Brubaker are currently on display at Garst Museum, and will remain... read more .

Puzzle Pete Says “UM” A to Z, Lois E. Wilson
Pete says to use the clues to determine the answer words. Their starting letters and “UM” are given where they appear in each word. Each dash stands for a missing letter. Pete hopes you can solve this puzzle. He couldn’t remember what to say—so he said “um.” Wilson's completed set of books has a new edition – now six volumes – of published poetry. Volume 1 is out of print and no longer available... read more .

Edison State... Learn and Earn Model Benefits High School Student
Edison State Recognizes National Apprenticeship Week - Edison State Community College is taking part in the nationwide movement to recognize the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), November 8-14. The week highlights the important role apprentices play in the workforce as well as the impact apprenticeship makes in the lives of those who follow the learn... read more .

Greenville City Schools… Leaders are Grown at GMS, Rhonda Schaar, 5/6 Principal GMS
What makes a leader? Leadership is a developed skill. At Greenville Middle School, opportunities for students to develop leadership are fostered. Research supports the need for youth not only to learn leadership skills, but to have authentic opportunities to apply those skills. Youth who are leaders are healthier in their relationships, learn responsibility, learn teamwork, and are more... read more .

Darke County Parks… DCP Goes Solar
The Darke County Parks is excited to announce that they will be going solar! Last year, staff members met with representatives from Electro Green Energy Solutions (GES) http://www.electrogreenenergy.com , a green energy company located out of Sidney, OH, to talk about the possibility of getting solar power implemented at the Bish Discovery Center. EGES was thrilled to potentially be part... read more .

Along Life’s Way… Time and Again, By Lois E. Wilson
Time is with us every second. We check the clock many times a day to see if we are late for an appointment or work, how long before the children will be home from school, when to start supper, etc.? My verse describes another problem we have with time: IT’S ABOUT TIME Time for some people holds no stock; Tardiness shows that they don’t care. Others have an internal clock... read more .

Garst Museum… The Ruptured Duck Veterans Day Exhibit
The Garst Museum invites the public to view the 2020 Veterans Day exhibit within the Lowell Thomas Meeting Room. Each year, Garst Museum unveils an exhibit that honors and recognizes the legacy of our country’s veterans and the sacrifices they made, and continue to make, in the name of our freedom. Traditionally, the opening of the Veterans Day exhibit is accompanied by a free... read more .

Darke SWCD… OSU Studying Sparrows
The Ohio State University (OSU) is conducting research on House Sparrows and is looking for a few research locations within the 45380 zip code (Versailles area). Site requirements include accessible areas where house sparrows commonly congregate, such as feeders or farmyards. The sparrows will be captured and tested using mist nets or baited potter traps, so boxes are not necessary. The... read more .

Greenville Senior High School… Manufacturing Day 2020
Monday November 1, 2020- Greenville Ohio- Did you know, innovations enabled by Manufacturing in the USA results in products that assist workers, make buildings safer, consume less energy, and save lives? According to the National Association of Manufacturers, “Manufacturers in Ohio account for 16.60% of the total output in the state, employing 12.56% of the workforce.” At Greenville High... read more .

To see Archives for Older News... click here

County News Online

is a Fundraiser for the Senior Scribes Scholarship Committee. All netprofits go into a fund for Darke County Senior Scholarships
contact