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The
Great Darke County Fair 2019 is in the books
Also, a CNO and Empowering Darke County Youth update
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE - And another “Great Darke County Fair” goes into the books.
One hundred sixty third… hard to imagine… 163 years of agriculture,
specialty arts, kids, fun, food, animals, rides, games, races, vendors
and probably a lot more.
Yeah… probably not a lot of rides in the first fair – 1854 – but I
can’t imagine no kids, games, food or fun. After all, ag may be the
focus, but it’s the kids who get it done. If you’ve done your math, you
may have noted 2019 minus 163 is 1856, not 1854. If I remember my
history correctly, we skipped a year during the Civil War and again
during the polio epidemic in the late 1940’s. If I’m wrong, I’m sure
someone will correct me.
I’ve covered every fair since my arrival in Greenville in 2002: The
Daily Advocate, The Early Bird, and since 2011, County News Online.
This year was special to me because now that CNO is officially a
fundraising arm of Empowering Darke County Youth, CNO fair coverage was
an opportunity to get a bunch of stories and photos to share and
increase public awareness of our Empowering programs. It’s hard to
believe that since 2016 we have provided more than 15,000 hours of
academic support to nearly 650 students! Wow!!
This year you saw four stories (Cheerleading Competition) with photos
from yours truly, plus several stories with photos from George Starks.
I’ve added 19 of my favorite photos in this column. I also put these,
plus 40 more, in an album on Facebook County News Online. Be sure to
check it out.
Then there is a new kid on the block. Brandy Lewis, a George Starks
discovery, did a fantastic job covering 4-H and the horse events. I’ll
be posting all of her and George’s photos on Facebook in the next few
days. That will be a “wrap” for The Great Darke County Fair 2019… but
not for Brandy!
Readers loved her work. Some of her stories got more “hits” than the
vast majority of CNO articles all year. Consequently, when she
“pitched” the idea of a column about her son, who just joined the
United States Army, I couldn’t say no. You saw the first installment on
Monday. It’s about our kids. It’s about a young man serving his
country. And it’s about a Mother coping with, accepting and supporting
her son’s decision. That’s what CNO is all about. Be sure to check it
out and enjoy.
In other news, you may have noticed that Mona Lease has retired from
her columns: Mona on Saturdays and Mind, Body, Soul on Wednesdays. She
shared the following, which I am passing on to her readers: Greetings…
I am taking this opportunity to tell you that I will no longer be
penning my columns. I am due to work directly with humanity at a most
personal level. I do not want anything that I write to be looked upon
as coming from what has been shared with me. I wish you all the best in
your endeavors. I am always with you in spirit. And always feel free to
stop me when you see me in public to share your triumphs and tragedies
with me.
We at CNO wish her the best in her new endeavors.
My classes at Edison State Community College have started… we are in
our third week of four Fundamentals of Communications courses. They are
some of Darke County’s finest students: adults looking for a career
change, recent high school graduates, and high school students in
Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, all working together for a great
semester. For the first time in several years, one of my courses is
Online. I will be working with some great young people from surrounding
counties. Many of these students will be helping out, under
supervision, with our Empowering After School Programs in two local
school districts.
Readers might want to check out Tuesday’s story, “Where K12 students
can get homework help from college tutors.” Seems we aren’t alone with
the idea that college students can offer great support to younger
students.
I would personally like to welcome Ansonia Local Schools for choosing
to start its own Empowering After School Program. I would also like to
welcome Big Brothers Big Sisters for once again joining our Greenville
program twice a month, thank the United Way for its increased support
this year, and the Vectren Foundation for a major grant to help us meet
our goals.
It’s going to be a great year.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours? (Sound familiar?)
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