Watch dog or prospective buyer?
From a Reader
How would you like to come home to find this on your front porch?? I
was driving down Broadway this morning and happened to see this. Made a
u turn, came back and got several pix while headed north. Then did
another u-turn and pulled to the curb right in front of the house to
shoot these. Didn’t seem to disturb him at all, he seemed right at
home! There was a for sale sign in the yard, maybe he was just... read
more
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How Are Farm Commodity Prices Set,
By Sam Custer
OSU Extension, Darke County - The price of agricultural commodities,
such as corn and soybeans, are set in open market trading, where buyers
and sellers come together at exchanges such as the Chicago Board of
Trade. This firm brokers large quantities of certain products through
futures contracts. Corn, for example, is sold through 5,000 bushel
contracts. The contract stipulates that the corn will be delivered to
the... read
more
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Scheduled Improvements to Darke
County Roads & Bridges for 2013,
By James P. Surber, P.E.,P.S.
In addition to normal required maintenance, an estimated $2,608,456
worth of improvements to County roads and bridges is scheduled for 2013
that will be 93 percent locally funded. Local funds are gas tax and
license fees returned monthly to the County by the State of Ohio for
County Highway operations. No real estate or sales taxes fund Darke
County roads and bridges. The County Engineer and Highway Department
are responsible for 519 miles of County road and 530 bridges on County
and... read
more
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Big
Brothers Big Sisters...
BBBS
Versailles Big Buddy program
partners with Worch Library
The High School mentoring program, which is in its eighth year, would
like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the High school
mentors that give so willingly of their time as well as Betty Byrd at
Worch Memorial Library for allowing us to come to the library and
partake in your lego activity. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Buddies
program, which began back in September of 2000 started with a total of
nine high school volunteers and ... read
more
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A
Centennial Mangas Reunion… 1,100
descendents and counting,
By Elaine Bailey
A Centennial Mangas Reunion will be held on Saturday, July 6 at the
Lisbon Church located north of Union City, Indiana. The reunion will
honor shared heritage and celebrate families and children…
the
twenty-first century descendants of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoke) Mangas.
In 1831, Jacob Mangas and his wife, Elizabeth Hoke Mangas, Pennsylvania
Germans, emigrated from York County, Pennsylvania, to Richland County,
Ohio and then... read
more
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Kiwanis
honors Greenville Students, By
Susi Halley
On Feb. 20, GHS Students of the Month were honored. They are
left
to right Lucas Keller, Caitlynn Jones, Nicholas Venenga, and Elizabeth
Hart. Lucas plans to attend either The Ohio State U or the U
of
Toledo and his Mom was in attendance. Caitlynn will major in education
at Xavier U and her Mom was present. Nicholas has been accepted to
Miami U to study computers and his father was present.
Elizabeth
plans... read
more
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OSU
Extension Darke County… Controlling
Pests on the Farm,
By Sam Custer
Modern seed genetics help stave off insect problems in crops. Farmers
also use Integrated Pest Management techniques which involve inspecting
crops and monitoring crops for damage, and using mechanical trapping
devices, natural predators (e.g., insects that eat other insects),
insect growth regulators, mating disruption substances (pheromones),
and if necessary, chemical pesticides. The use of biological pesticides
is an important... read
more
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Tri-Village Blended Learning
Academy
Provides Customized Learning
Students have been taking advantage of a unique learning opportunity
and customizing their own learning at Tri-Village this school year by
enrolling in courses through their Blended Learning Academy. The
flexibility this program affords allows students to best meet their
educational needs, while providing them all the opportunities available
at TV including access to the STEM Lab, athletics, and extra curricular
activities. Tri-Village Blended Learning Academy (BLA) allows students
to approach... read
more
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Montgomery County Commissioners
Witness
Value of Career Tech Education
Clayton, Ohio – Montgomery County Commissioners Debbie Lieberman and
Judy Dodge, visited the Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC)
campus on Monday, January 28, 2013, to tour the campus and meet with
students and staff. Commissioners Lieberman and Dodge toured MVCTC high
school programs and spoke with many students and staff about their
classes and experiences at MVCTC. This included visiting the
MVCTC Computer Technology... read
more
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2013 Auto Tech project presented
to Kiwanis,
By Susi Halley
February 13 - Program Chair Jim Ward introduced members of the
Greenville High School Auto Tech Program, instructors Travis Nicholas
and Jim Anderson and students Rachael Mann, Alison Richardson, and Joey
Wappelhorst. The program is project-based learning which
integrates automotive science with English and math. There is a big
demand in the industry for electrical skills due to there being
20-30... read
more
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MV Preschoolers learn the letter P,
By Elaine Bailey
Mississinawa Valley preschoolers pretend to be pageant participants
during "P" week as the preschool paparazzi catch priceless pictures of
their playful peers using their Fisher-Price camera. One student, Jake,
was caught doing a pretty good imitation of a rock star. All he needed
was a mike and the backup band. Other students, maybe with culinary
aspirations, were caught working on the... read
more
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Darke
County Parks… Building
Materials
Needed at Park District
The Darke County Park District is taking on a new endeavor in creating
an 18th Century Blacksmith Shop and we need your help in making our
newest pioneer project come to life! Several local blacksmith
professionals have expressed interest in volunteering their time and
skill to create a working blacksmith shop of yesteryear. Your
support is needed to complete the shop! The Park District is
requesting logs, rough-sawn lumber, brick for hearth and chimney, and
once plans are approved, volunteer labor... read
more
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Farmers May Want to Avoid
Applying Nitrogen
to Wheat in February, By
Sam Custer
0SU
Extension, Darke County -
Producers are tempted to apply nitrogen (N) in February because it is
easy to drive across the field and there is no competition with other
farm activities. However, research has shown that this may be a costly
operation in lost nutrients and a potential environmental concern
(nutrients may leave the field and move into streams and other
waterways).
Ed Lentz and Laura Lindsey, OSU Extension, report a three year OSU... read
more
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Garst
Museum… TV
Show Highlights The National Annie Oakley Center
WBGU-TV Scenic Stops PBS show that aired on February 14, 2013, featured
Garst Museum and The National Annie Oakley Center as part of a tour of
museums in northwest Ohio. This particular show highlighted four
museums. The segment on Garst Museum is in the last part of the video.
Museum docents Eileen Litchfield and Marilyn Robbins were interviewed
along with Bonnie Perry (Annie Oakley’s great niece) and museum
director, Clay Johnson Ph.D... read
more
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Fighting
Human Trafficking… Caitlin
Miller wins 2013 Ohio Liberator Award, By
Kathy Magoto
Last month Caitlin Michele Miller was recognized at the first ever Ohio
Liberator Awards held in Dublin, Ohio. The Ohio Liberator
Awards
were created by Doma International and S.O.A.P. to highlight the
efforts of Ohioians in the fight against Human
Trafficking.
Caitlin received her award as a radical abolitionist in the category of
volunteer for all her efforts to raise public awareness of the slavery
problem... read
more
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Darke
County Animal Shelter… Pets
of the week
We have King at the Darke County Animal Shelter. He is a 5-year-old
Husky. He is tan and white with thick medium length hair. He is
friendly guy and weighs around 80 pounds. He loves to be outside but
might need a fenced back yard. He loves to check out his surroundings
and will be a great friend. He is ready for adoption. We have Sydney at
the Darke County Animal Shelter. She is a 2-year-old Beagle. She is tri
color, black, white and brown... read
more
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St.
Marys School… February
a busy
month
For such a short month, February certainly is a busy month, especially
this week. On three consecutive days we celebrated Mardi Gras
and
buried the Alleluia, began Lent on Ash Wednesday and celebrated
Valentine’s Day on Thursday. Good thing Presidents’ Day is Monday and
we have a three day weekend! As is our tradition, on Tuesday, which was
Mardi Gras, the staff and students wore gold, green, and purple beads.
Each class enjoyed King Cake. As near as I can figure the basic recipe
for the... read
more
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Garst
Museum… Dr.
Harry Thomas Scholarship is Awarded
The Garst Museum and the Darke County Historical Society is pleased to
announce that Katie Raffel received the H. G. Thomas Medical
Scholarship for the 2012-13 academic year. The H. G. Thomas Medical
Scholarship program, administered by the Darke County Historical
Society, was established and funded in 1971 by Lowell Thomas and his
sister Pherbia Thomas Thornburg, in memory of their father Dr. Harry G.
Thomas. The scholarship... read
more
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Letter of
Appreciation
TO: Duane Shields, WHEREAS, the Darke County Community has
been
very fortunate to have had such a dedicated and loyal citizen as Duane
Shields; and WHEREAS, he has served on many boards, committees, etc.
through the years; and WHEREAS, some of those include: The Darke,
Miami, Preble, Shelby Counties Workforce Policy Board for 8 years; And
has represented the Darke County Farmers Union as... read
more
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Greenville
Career Technology… Career
Tech Students Advance to State
Competition
Greenville Career Tech Center Students recently competed in the
Regional BPA Competition. Students from Computer Information Systems,
Financial Specialists, Interactive Media, and Supply Chain Management
Tech Prep Programs worked hard to prepare for and present at the
Regional competition. We are very proud of our students and staff for
their success! Students advancing to the state competition will
compete... read
more
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Annie
Oakley Committee… New
contest announced for the Annie Oakley
Festival
Deadline April 1 - A new t-shirt design contest will be held for the
upcoming 50th anniversary of the Annie Oakley Festival this coming
July. Entries are now being accepted until April 1. Anyone can enter a
design around the theme of the 50th anniversary of the Annie Oakley
Festival, 1963 to 2013. The design will be judged on: 1) Originality of
Design 2) Appropriate to Annie Oakley Theme 3) Layout appropriate for
all sizes of T-shirts. Your design may be both front and back
(just be sure to... read
more
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Darke
County Cancer Association… Tractor
Pullers donate to Cancer
Association
The Darke County Tractor Pullers Association recently held their 2012
Season Appreciation Banquet. As part of their community
services,
they gave out over $1500 in checks back to the communities where they
have had pulls. They state that they know that cancer touches a great
number of people in Darke County and also quite a few members of their
pulling family. They state that the Cancer Association
does... read
more
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Sen. Beagle sees Value of Career
Tech
Education at MVCTC
Clayton, Ohio – Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City), visited the Miami
Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) campus on Friday, January 25,
2013, to tour the campus and meet with students and staff.
Senator Beagle is the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on
Workforce & Economic Development, the work being done at MVCTC
to
prepare students for the workforce of tomorrow, is right in-line... read
more
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BBBS...
Having
a Big
Sister has inspired this Little to become be a mentor herself!
February 8, 2013 - Sarah Beck may be only 17 years old but she has a
pretty strong vision for her future. Sarah, the daughter of
Clarissa Beck is currently enrolled in the after school mentoring
program, “Big Buddies” sponsored by Brothers Big Sisters. She
volunteers two hours of her time, two times per month to mentor her
little at Northwood. Sarah is currently matched with nine
year
old Sue... read
more
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Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum
needs you
The Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum needs your help. The museum’s outside
sign was damaged and will need to be replaced. The sign was located at
the front of the museum parking lot between the museum and Oakwood
facing Miami Avenue. The sign directed visitors to the museum’s exhibit
hall at 200 N. Miami Avenue and to the BF Tower at 501 East Main. The
sign was placed in 2007 to direct patrons to the museum and advertise
the museum’s presence in Bradford. The sign cost the
museum ... read
more
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Big
Brothers Big Sisters… Valentine’s
Day… some Littles recognize their mentors
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Shelby and Darke County recently held the
After School Mentoring session at Longfellow School. This
site is
part of the agencies program that encompasses three elementary schools
in Shelby County and two Elementary Schools in Darke County during the
academic year. During these sessions, area high school
volunteers, sophomores through seniors, volunteer their time... read
more
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Darke
County Animal Shelter… Pets
of
the week
We have Shella at the Darke County Animal Shelter. She is a 2-year-old
Lab/Border collie mix. She is black and white with short hair. She is a
friendly girl and loves attention. She will make a wonderful companion
and lifelong friend. She is looking for a new home and is ready for
adoption. We have Midnight at the Darke County Animal Shelter. He is an
8-month-old black Lab mix puppy. He is all black with short hair. He is
a little sweet... read
more
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District
POP Tournament… Competition
tough in 2013 Power of the Pen, By Bob Robinson
Two Darke County Students take home honors: Jacob Troutwine, DeColores
Montessori and Emily Hammer, Mississinawa Valley. A young man wakes up
in a hospital bed and discovers bandages on his leg and arm. The news
on the television talks about a massacre at a local school… It isn’t
surprising that an eighth grade student would choose that topic for a
writing scenario in this year’s District Power of the Pen. It’s still
on... read
more
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Kids
Learning Place… Enrolling
now
for fall preschool in the Head Start Program
Do you know your child only has 1,892 days from birth to be ready for
kindergarten? They might be little; but what your child
learns
during this early time is crucial to giving them opportunities in the
future. Valuable lessons begin at birth and continue through preschool;
they do not wait for kindergarten or primary school. This
early
period is one of the most important learning times in your child’s
life. Enrollment... read
more
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Ohio Farmers Encouraged to Apply
for
Treasurer's 2013 Ag-LINK Program
Ohio Treasury Continues to Leverage Technology and Streamline
Operations - COLUMBUS - Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced today that
Ohio farmers can submit online applications for the Ohio Treasury's
28th year of the Agricultural Linked Deposit Program (Ag-LINK). Farmers
must submit their application by Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 5:00 PM.
"Ag-LINK is an important program and I encourage Ohio farmers to
participate," said Treasurer Mandel. "Agriculture is a vital... read
more
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MV
Staff Spotlight… MVHS
teacher
enjoying his “second” career, By Kara Jessup
“I love it here,” says Dean Waggenspack, teacher at Mississinawa
Valley. Dean has been a teacher for three years, one year at MVCTC
where he taught personal finance and how to use Microsoft Applications.
He is now going on his second year teaching at MV high school.
Mississinawa Valley offers a wide variety of classes taught by
Waggenspack, from personal finance, to college readiness. Personal
finance teaches kids to manage... read
more
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Greenville
National Bank… Two
GNB employees
recently promoted
Rob K. Loesch, Credit Analyst was recently promoted. He began
his
career with the bank in June of 2012. Mr. Loesch has an Associate’s
degree from Vincennes University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Business Administration from Indiana State University with extensive
experience in finance, commercial and ag-related
lending.
He has also attended Midwest Agricultural Banking School at Purdue
University and... read
more
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Darke
County Parks… Star
Lab A Success
Darke County Park District would like to thank the Boonshoft Museum of
Discovery for bringing their Star Lab to the Nature Center.
Everyone that attended the program had a great time and learned a lot
about the night sky, including common constellations and how they got
their name. If you missed out on this program, be sure to
check
out our Nature Notes or visit our website at www.darkecountyparks.org
for upcoming programs that you or your family may be interested in
attending!
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Kiwanis
Notes… Stegall
gives overview
“State of the County”, By Susi Halley
Program Chair Christina Chalmers recently hosted Darke County
Commissioner Mike Stegall who spoke on the “State of the
County.”
Darke County is ranked 5th in the country and 1st in the Midwest in
jobs. In the last two years the county has gotten a lot done and saved
money: roof repair on the Courthouse; a new boiler at the Garst
Building; work on the Sheriff's building and three new cars; work on
the Commissioners Building on the roof and... read
more
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Transporting
Farm Commodities, By
Sam Custer
Farmers please be aware that we are now in the month of February and we
remind you that the Frost Law applies during the months of February and
March. Frost laws are seasonal restrictions on traffic weight limits
and speeds on roadways subject to thaw weakening. In Ohio, a farm truck
or farm machinery transporting farm commodities, from the place of
production to the first point of delivery where the commodities are
weighed and title to the commodities is transferred may exceed by no
more than... read
more
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Darke
County United Way… Have
a
Heart - Save a Heart!
As this month turns to hearts with Valentine’s Day, learn how to save a
heart! Learn CitizensCPR, the hands-on only CPR, in just 30 minutes.
What a great way to beat the blahs of winter for a regular group of
friends, your organization, your staff, a Sunday school class, a family
reunion or your clients. Most people who survive a cardiac emergency
were helped by a bystander. That could be you! There is no
written testing for... read
more
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Darke
County Economic
Development… On
the Job Training
Reimbursement Program Well Funded in 2013
You Hire, You Train, We PAY - The On-the-Job Training Program (OJT) is
a federally funded program that helps employers hire and train laid-off
workers for full-time, long term employment.This funding compensates
you for training workers in skills they need to help your business
thrive. * Wage reimbursement from 50 to 90% (depending on size of
company) of total training expenditures *Maximum reimbursement is
$8,000 per hire *Length of training period cannot exceed 6 months... read
more
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Super
Bowl Commercial… Thank
you God!
Thank you Farmers!!
Super Bowl ad recognizes the strength of Darke County. Paul
Harvey's speech from the 1978 National FFA Convention titled "So God
Made A Farmer" highlights what our neighbors, parents and grandparents
do and did because it was the right thing to do. --- And on the eighth
day, God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a
caretaker.” So God made a farmer. God said, “I need somebody willing to
get up before... read
more
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First
United Methodist Church… Good
named First UMC’s Director of Contemporary Worship
New Contemporary Service to Begin Easter Sunday, March 31 - Nick Good,
former lead singer of the popular local group “Gone Tomorrow,” has been
named Greenville First United Methodist’s new Contemporary Worship
Director. As Worship Director, Nick’s responsibilities will
include recruiting and leading the worship band, running practices,
determining music choices for Sunday worship and other special
services, and leading the Contemporary... read
more
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Benefitting
Versailles area citizens… Three
local organizations receive grants for service
The Ruth and Emerson Booher Committee Advised Fund for
Versailles, Ohio of The Dayton Foundation recently granted funds to
three local organizations: The Towne and Country Players, Inc, the
Versailles Heritage Park and the Versailles Area Historical Society,
Inc. Applications were presented to a committee and these groups were
chosen to be recipients. Please watch for a new round of
applications to be available in the Spring... read
more
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Free tax
preparation at CAP
Community Action Partnership, in partnership with The Ohio Benefit
Bank, is pleased to announce free tax preparation service to the
public. Through the program, employees at the CAP office in Darke
County are now ready to assist seniors 60+ and low- and moderate-income
individuals and families file for tax credits and benefits for which
they are eligible at no cost. Households with Adjusted Gross incomes
(AGIs) less than $60,000 may file their 2012 taxes for free with The
Ohio Benefit Bank at... read
more
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Do
you have
scrap fabric?
Do you have scrap, COTTON fabric that is taking up space in your sewing
room, closet or basement? Would you like to get rid of it but
don’t want to throw it away? The Darke County Parks is
accepting
scrap cotton fabric donations for an upcoming craft. We need
A
LOT of scrap fabric. Any size of cotton material will
do.
We will be cutting the fabric into 1”x18” and 1”x 8” strips.
We
are also accepting donations of yarn. Please drop donations
of
scrap material off at the Nature Center (4267 State Route 502 West)
anytime Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. If you have any
questions, please call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165.
Thank
you!
|
EUM Church of Greenville Receives
Grant
Supporting Free Tax Services
Greenville – Free tax filing assistance through The Ohio Benefit Bank™
will once again be available at NextStep Ministries, an Outreach of EUM
Church. Thanks to a grant from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, home
of The Ohio Benefit Bank, NextStep Ministries, will be able to expand
tax filing services for the 2012-2013 tax season. “The 2013 Ohio
Benefit Bank Tax Capacity Building Grant will truly benefit our
organization by helping to provide additional computer equipment,
office supplies... read
more
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Darke
County Parks… New
Animal
Ambassadors begin educating at Park District
Darke County Park District has recently acquired two new Animal
Ambassadors; a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. The
Great
Horned Owl, Greta, recently made her first appearance to the
public. This special introduction program began by educating
the
audience about the owls found in Ohio and the adaptations that owls
have that make them so special! After the presentation,
Naturalist Robb Clifford, brought Greta out to show the group... read
more
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Darke
County Republican Women… Zeiter
re-elected president of Republican Women’s club
GREENVILLE – “I am very honored to be able to serve the Women’s Club
for another term.” said newly re-elected President Sally Zeiter. The
Darke County Republican Women’s Club recently held the installation
ceremony for its 2013 and 2014 term. Beverly Marker, a member of the
Darke County Board of Elections, performed the installations. Zeiter
will be joined by incoming officers: First Vice-president JoEllen
Melling, Second Vice-president Kay... read
more
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Tenant
Based
Rental Subsidy
Community Action Partnership (CAP) has received funding from the
Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) in partnership with Darke
County Commissioners for tenant based rental subsidy in Darke County.
Housing located within the city of Greenville is not eligible for this
funding. Preference will be given to those who are homeless, veterans,
elderly, disabled, and whose income is at or below 30% area median
income. Applications will be screened for preference and the... read
more
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Versailles
Eagles Auxiliary hosts bowling program fundraiser
On behalf of the entire Versailles Bowling Program, I would like to
thank the Versailles Eagles Ladies Auxiliary #2347 for hosting the
Breakfast at the Eagles on Sunday, January 27th. We appreciate the
support from our community and the surrounding areas to help support
our self funded Bowling Program. For those of you that came out Sunday
morning to make this a huge success, THANK YOU! Due to last year’s long
lines, the Ladies Auxiliary revised the food and drink lines. There was
rarely a wait and... read
more
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Greenville
VFW… VFW Post
7262 donates POW
flags
GREENVILLE - VFW Post 7262 recently donated two POW flags to the City
of Greenville. One will be flown on the flagpole in the
middle of
city circle. The other will be flown on the pole located in the North
Park. “All the groups at our Post are pleased to be able to provide
this service to the City of Greenville.” said Scott Reed, Commander of
Greenville’s VFW Post 7262. The flags are donated by Post 7262, Post
7262... read
more
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Midmark Receives C-TPAT
Certification
VERSAILLES, Ohio – (January 29, 2013) – Midmark Corporation, a leading
provider of medical, dental and veterinary healthcare equipment
solutions, recently announced it received its Customs-Trade Partnership
Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certification, a voluntary government
initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen the
internal supply chain and the U.S. border security. The C-TPAT offers
businesses an opportunity to play an active role in the war against
terrorism. With... read
more
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Council
on Rural Services… Sharing
with
Others
Greg Morrow, RSVP Director, delivered more than 50 lap robes and
afghans to the VA Hospital. In addition RSVP volunteers Betty Small and
Marilyn Robbins delivered many more to Gracie Ratliff, the Darke County
Home Administrator for residents there. These wonderful afghans and lap
robes were made by our tireless RSVP volunteers in Darke County. Thank
you volunteers for your time, talent and love that you put in.
... read
more
|
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