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Diana Stebbins, Horse Parade Chair, and Crysta Hutchinson
Bloomingdale, Executive Director of
Main Street Greenville, present
Betty Birt with the honor of serving as the 2019 Hometown
Holiday Horse
Parade Grand Marshal.
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Betty Birt named Grand Marshal of Hometown Holiday Horse Parade
GREENVILLE, Ohio - Main Street Greenville’s Board of Directors and the
Horse Parade Committee have named Betty Birt, previous Main Street
Greenville Board Secretary, as the Grand Marshal of the 2019 Hometown
Holiday Horse Parade.
Betty Birt graduated in 1967 from Immaculate Conception High School in
Elmhurst, Illinois (a NW suburb of Chicago), before attending and
graduating from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan in
1971.
Betty married Rick Birt, who was born and raised in Greenville, in November of 1971.
“I ended up in Greenville just like a lot of ‘transplants’ have,” said
Betty. “My husband, Rick, told me that he would take me to ‘God's
country’ and here I am! And very happy that I am!”
Betty worked at Brethren Retirement Community and she and husband Rick
have 3 children, Betsy, Sarah, and Rick. Betsy lives in London, Ohio
with her partner, Dave, and works for Cardinal Health in Dublin.
Sarah lives in Greenville with her partner, Jeff, and recently
graduated cum laude from Kettering College of Medicine with a Bachelor
of Science. Sarah and Jeff have 3 children, Kali, 15, Piper, 5, and
Cai, 20 months. Rick lives in Wilmington, Ohio and was just
recently promoted to Lieutenant at the Wilmington Fire Department. Rick
and his wife Devin have 2 children, Foster who is 6 and Reece who is 5
years old.
Betty first began volunteering for Main Street Greenville under the
leadership of Amber Schmerge and worked closely with both Amber and
Deanna York, the previous Executive Director of the Darke County
Visitors Bureau. Betty collaborated with Deanna to bring GOBA (Great
Ohio Bicycle Adventure) to Greenville, which saw over 2,000 cyclists
from around the world descend on Greenville. Riders got the chance to
experience hallmarks of Greenville such as The Maid-Rite, The Garst
Museum, and downtown shopping. When the Main Street Greenville
Executive Director role was filled by Amber Garrett, Betty’s
involvement grew as the two had previously worked together for several
years at BRC. Betty became a member of the board in 2013 and served as
board secretary beginning in 2015.
During her term on the board First Fridays were instituted and quickly
grew to be an integral part of the services that Main Street Greenville
offers. Betty’s involvement and consistent volunteerism helped to
create a vibrancy in the district that attracted new businesses and
spurred more interest in the downtown from the citizens of Greenville.
“Betty Birt was an easy choice to serve as a Main Street Greenville
Board Member,” said previous director Amber Garrett. “Her positive
attitude, willingness to volunteer, and her continuous support of
downtown Greenville were all beneficial to the organization over the
years. Betty has been involved with numerous projects, programs, and
events including the free pony rides during the Hometown Holiday Horse
Parade.”
When asked about her favorite part of downtown Greenville, Betty
touched on may of the events that bring the community together
throughout the year: “When I think about my favorite part of downtown,
I think of the people! I like walking downtown and seeing folks I
know and stopping and chatting along the way. I like
walking into the shops and to be greeted by the owners. I love
the Halloween Parade! I love hearing the GHS Band playing the
same scary music that was played when our children were littles and
marched down Broadway! I love the Horse Parade and all of the
lights and the horses prancing down the street and all of the good
smells from the street vendors! I love Christmastime and seeing
the beautiful windows and the Circle and the street lights decorated
and hearing the Christmas music. I love the car show and the
nostalgic tunes and all of the memories that are brought to mind.
I love seeing and participating in the fun stuff at the YOLO
park. The Homecoming Parade and all of the spirit and
enthusiasm wrapped around it is just so much fun! The Greenville
Fire Department, when they bring out the aerial trucks and hang the
flag....I could go on and on. Too hard to pick a favorite--there
is just too much good stuff going on.”
In addition to her ongoing support of downtown, Betty has coordinated
the Last Chance Mercantile for the Gathering at Garst for the last 5
years. She also volunteers monthly with the Soup Kitchen at Grace
through St. Mary’s Church. Betty and Rick are both involved with
Citizens for Safer Streets, a grassroots group determined to create a
clean and safe community, and Rick is a member of the “Friends of the
Greenville City Parks” committee.
When not volunteering, Betty and Rick enjoy travel, spending time at
Indian Lake, and living within walking distance to all of the downtown
activities, restaurants, and shopping! “And of course,” Betty says,
“the best of any activity always involves family and friends.”
The 16th Annual Hometown Holiday Horse Parade is just such an activity,
as all are invited to bring family and friends to enjoy the spectacle
of 90+ lighted horse drawn carriages, buggies, and riders as they
jingle through downtown and welcome in the holiday season. The 2019
event will take place on Saturday, November 23rd, with pre-parade
entertainment beginning at 5:30 pm and the parade starting at 7:00 pm.
You can find additional information on Main Street Greenville’s
website, www.mainstreetgreenville.org or follow them on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/mainstreetgreenville.
Main Street Greenville is a non-profit organization that supports
downtown Greenville, Ohio through stimulating and supporting
revitalization efforts, historic preservation and economic growth. You
can contact them at 937-548-4998 or info@mainstreetgreenville.org .
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