Annual Cane Rack event raises $1,354.64
By Bob Robinson 

GREENVILLE – Over a dozen people – adults and kids – lined up at Karl Dearwester’s Cane Rack Aug. 24 at the Great Darke County Fair for the annual ring toss for the Cancer Association of Darke County. Each got 25 rings to give it their best shot. 

The winner gets to have the money raised donated in his or her name. Few walked away with more than a cane or two this year; the name of the winner was lost in the commotion as donations approached, then surpassed the previous year. 

$1,130! Just a little more to break last year’s record… 

“Hold on! Grumpy has dusted the cobwebs off his money and is on his way over!” Mike Wagner, owner of Grumpy’s, arrived to cheers from the crowd but said his money (along with the cobwebs) had already been deposited. He took his shots anyway and wrote a check for $200. 

$1,330! A new record. 

Greg Peck, official announcer for the fair, said the event was ‘accidentally’ started five years earlier when he and Dearwester got together and donated $100. 

“It’s grown ever since.”

This year cancer survivor Mark Cotter, with his wife Patty, started the event. Grumpy wrapped it up. 

All proceeds go to the Cancer Association of Darke County, said Board Member Dori Howdieshell. The money is used to provide medications, food supplements, wigs, travel and “a lot of love,” she added. Services go only to Darke County patients. 

She added many people make this event successful each year. “A lot of them aren’t even from Darke County!” Among others she mentioned the Darke County Fair Board, concessioner Kevin Mabry and Kissel Brothers. 

CNO reporter Al Bliss later reported the final total had been bumped to $1,354.64 as an additional $24.64 was donated from Lost and Found at the Fair Office.