Boys and girls ages 8-13 will get a chance to compete in a soccer skills challenge June 30 in Greenville.
The Ford Soccer Skills Challenge, sponsored locally by Dave Knapp Ford Lincoln and Darke County Soccer, is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. June 30 at North Park in Greenville. The competition is free.
Individual participants with the highest score will be invited to the regional finals in the fall. The first 50 participants on-site will receive a free program T-shirt.
There also will be an opportunity for people to enter to win a Ford vehicle.
For more information on the competition, contact Dave Ernst at 548-3815 or 548-1114.
The Greenville Octane 12U All Star Team won all five of its games this past weekend at the Arcanum Tim Todd Memorial Baseball Tournament. The Greenville Octane 12U beat the 12U West Milton Bull Dogs in the championship game to win first place.
The Greenville Wave Explosion 10U All Star Team won a championship at Arcanum Tim Todd Memorial Baseball Tournament. The Wave Explosion 10U All Star Team knocked out the 10U West Milton Bull Dogs to win first place.
The Greenville Fire Department began flushing hydrants on Monday and will end on June 29, 2013. Anyone living within four blocks of any following streets should be aware that their water may also be effected. Check for water quality before using as possible rusty water could damage clothing.
June 3: Avenue A, Avenue B, Avenue C, Avenue D, Avenue E, Avenue F, Ft. Recovery Road, Garst Avenue, Harmon Drive, Knoll Avenue, Maple Avenue, Meadow Lane, Meeker Avenue, North Broadway, North Main Street, North Street, North West Street, Park Drive, Parkside Drive, Short Street, South Avenue A, Spring Street, Union Street, Wayne Street, West Street, West Maple Drive, West Meeker Avenue, West Park Drive, and Wilson Drive.
June 4: Birchwood Drive, Bur Oak Drive, Duke Avenue, East Lincoln Drive, Elmwood Drive, Fort Recovery Road, Gardenwood Drive, Holly Hill Court, Holly Hill Drive, Honeysuckle Drive, Magnolia Drive, Meadowgreen Drive, Medallion Drive, North Broadway, Primrose Drive, Russ Road, Treaty Way, West Harmon Drive, and West Lincoln Drive.
June 5: Ashford Circle, Aspen Drive, Greenhaven Drive, Magnolia Drive, Meadowgreen Drive, Meadowridge Drive, North Bur Oak Drive, and Westbury Drive.
June 6: Aspen Drive, Bedford Court, Brighton Drive, East Russ Road, Fairfax Court, Grove Street, Hastings Court, Howard Drive, Jonquil Lane, Kelsey Drive, Kings Court, Kings Drive, Manchester Drive, Mar-Del Drive, North Broadway, North Bur Oak Drive, North Hickory Drive, Northview Drive, Parkway Drive, Radcliffe Drive, Rhoades Avenue, Steve Lane, Stratford Drive, Sunset Drive, Warwick Court, West Russ Road, and Wild Rose Drive.
June 7: Ark Avenue, Berkshire Drive, Brighton Drive, Buckeye Drive, Donald Drive, Dorthy Lane, Highland Drive, Hillside Drive, Kelsey Drive, Manchester Drive, Marion Drive, North Canterbury Drive, North Westminster Drive, Oaktree Drive, Radcliffe Drive, Rhoades Avenue, Russ Road, South Canterbury Drive, South Westminster Drive, Sugar Maple Drive, Victoria Street, Wellsley Court, and Windermere Drive.
June 8: Ark Avenue, Buckeye Drive, Marion Drive, North Chippewa Drive, Rhoades Avenue, Russ Road, and Sharp Lane.
June 10: Adrien Avenue, Celina Road, Childrens Home-Bradford Road, Fox Run, Kitchenaid Way, and Wagner Avenue.
June 11: Benden Way, East Russ Road, and Wagner Avenue.
June 12: Lease Avenue and Wagner Avenue.
June 13: Belair Street, Delaware Avenue, East Main Street, East Russ Road, Greenwood Street, Hillview Street, Lease Avenue, Main Street Laundromat, Miami Street, Park Drive, Rhoades Avenue, Ridgeview Street, Shawnee Street, South Chippewa Street, and Wagner Avenue.
June 14: Cambridge Drive, Circle Drive, Dover Drive, Dwyer Street, East Main Street, Greenmoore Court, Greenmoore Drive, Hiawatha Drive, Hilltop Drive, Lea Lane, Ludy Street, Northmoore Drive, North Ohio Street, Nottingham Drive, Nottingham Place, Oxford Drive, Palm Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, Redwood Drive, State Route 121, Surrey Lane, Virginia Avenue, Wagner Avenue, and Willow Drive.
June 15: Circle Drive, Eastwood Drive, Hickory Drive, Juniper Drive, Royal Oaks Drive, and Willow Drive.
June 17: Autumnwood Court, Bluestone Court, Cherry Hill, Circle Drive, Dogwood Drive, Driftwood Drive, East Fourth Street, East Main Street, Eastwood Drive, Glenwood Drive, Hickory Drive, Linwood Drive, North Ohio Street, Orchard Drive, Sandalwood Drive, and Stonecress Court.
June 18: Ash Street, Beasecker Cleaners, Cherry Hill, Drury Lane, East Fourth Street, East Main Street, East Third Street, East Water Street, Elm Street, Grant Street, Imo Boulevard, Jerry’s Laundry, John Street, Locust Street, Ludlow Street, Main Street Laundromat, Memorial Drive, Quindora Boulevard, South Broadway, Spruce Street, St. Clair Street, Sycamore Street, Tecumseh Street, Terrace Creek Drive, Vine Street, Walnut Street, West Main Street, West Water Street, and Winchester Avenue.
June 19: Ash Street, Bickel Hill, Chestnut Street, East Third Street, Elm Street, Jerry’s Laundry, South Broadway, Sweitzer Street, Sycamore Street, Vine Street, Walnut Street, West Fourth Street, and West Third Street.
June 20: Armstrong Street, Ash Street, Central Avenue, Cypress Street, Devor Street, East Fifth Street, East Fourth Street, Euclid Avenue, Front Street, Grant Street, Green Street, Hamilton Street, Harrison Avenue, Locust Street, Ludlow Street, Martin Street, Montgomery Street, North Gray Avenue, Penn Street, School Street, South Broadway, St. Clair Street, Sycamore Street, Tecumseh Street, Thirteenth Street, Twelfth Street, Walnut Street, Washington Avenue, Wayne Avenue, West Fifth Street, and West Fourth Street.
June 21: Anderson Avenue, Eleventh Street, Evans Avenue, Front Street, Green Street, Hall Street, Hart Avenue, Hiddeson Avenue, Markwith Avenue, Martin Street, Martindale Road, Morrow Street, Riffle Avenue, South Ohio Street, Thirteenth Street, Tiffin Street, Tillman Avenue, Twelfth Street, and Warren Street.
June 22: Jaysville-St. John’s Road, Lansdowne Road, Livingston Road, and Sebring-Warner Road.
June 24: Bellvernon Avenue, Deschler Street, Hall Street, Jaysville-St. John’s Road, Lansdowne Road, Lawrence Avenue, Markwith Avenue, Martindale Road, Martin Street, North Ohio Street, Plum Street, Progress Street, River Street, State Route 571, and Tillman Avenue.
June 25: Birt Street, Bucoba Street, Chestnut Circle, Chestnut Street, Fair Street, Fairview Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Laurel Street, Martz Street, Montgomery Street, Morrow Street, Oak Street, Oakwood Street, Pinewood Court, Plum Street, River Street, Sherman Street, Sixth Street, South Broadway, Sweitzer Street, Tiffin Street, and Walnut Street.
June 26: Chestnut Circle, Sherman Street, State Route 49, and Sweitzer Street.
June 27: Birt Street, Bucoba Street, Central Avenue, Euclid Street, Fair Street, Harrison Avenue, Martz Street, Pearl Street, Pine Street, Sater Street, Sherman Street, Southbrook Drive, South Towne Court, South Towne Laundromat, Spain Street, Sweitzer Street, Walker Street, Washington Avenue, and Wayne Avenue.
June 28: Birt Street, Bucoba Street, Fair Street, Hiddeson Avenue, Jackson Street, Markwith Avenue, Martz Street, Pine Street, Riffle Avenue, Sater Street, Sherman Street, South Gray Avenue, State Route 49, Walker Street, and Washington Avenue.
June 29: Autumn Lane, Hiddeson Avenue, Lakewood Drive, Markwith Avenue, Pine Street, Riffle Avenue, Sater Street, and Summer Street.
Beginning June 4 through Aug. 8, First Presbyterian Church is offering a Free Summer Lunch Program on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Meals are kid-friendly and are served at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be followed with games, movies and/or other activities until 12:30 p.m. For more information, contact Angie at First Presbyterian Church at 937-548-3188.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 114 E. Fourth St. in Greenville. Use the parking lot entrance.
Dickman Supply is lighting up Annie’s Wild West Gala! Annie and her dog Dave want to say “thank you” to Dickman Supply for their Gold Star donations of a chandelier, ceiling light, wall sconces, outdoor directional lights, Klein tool box with hand tools, and a selection of flashlights with rechargers.
Annie’s Wild West Gala will be held on June 8, 2013. This is a fundraiser for The Garst Museum and The National Annie Oakley Center. All funds raised at this event will benefit the Garst Museum in Greenville.
Part of Annie’s Wild West Gala is Annie’s Wild Raffle. Prizes for the raffle include accommodations for a weekend Gatlinburg get-away, an Apple iPad 4, and Bose Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones-Quiet Comfort 15.
Tickets for the raffle at $5 per chance, or for the event $12 per person, can be purchased from the Garst Museum, located at 205 N. Broadway, Greenville. Call 937-548-5250 for more information, email information@garstmuseum.org or visit www.garstmuseum.org.
South Middle School will host a 100 + 1 Year’s Celebration open house on Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. in the school gym. Tours will be conducted. All past South School students and employees are invited to come, and to share their memories and stories. For more information, or questions, contact Jennifer Schatz at jschatz@greenville.k12.oh.us.
The community is invited Friday, at 9 p.m., to help Light Up The Night – a benefit for Corynna Strawser. With 400 beautiful lighted lanterns glowing on the City Park pond, Greenville won’t want to miss the opportunity to simply join in that evening as the community shows love and support to this young lady.
Corynna Strawser, a Greenville teen, has suffered from an incurable gastrointestinal illness the majority of her life as well as mitochondrial disease. Over the past two years, Corynna’s illness has become more severe and she cannot do the things she used to be capable of doing. Because of Corynna’s medical needs it has become necessary for the family to make their home more accessible for Corynna to live only on the first floor, as she can no longer walk. They need to build an addition to provide her with a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor.
This amazing young girl has gone through multiple surgeries, and pain that no one could ever imagine, with rarely a complaint. As a community, it is time to come together to help the Strawser family by Lighting Up The Night.
Greenville High School’s Supply Chain Management program is asking for the community to help by purchasing the paper lanterns for $3 through any donation they are able to make to this worthy cause. In kind donations of labor, as well as donations of supplies, are also being accepted. Stop by Furniture Express on Wagner Avenue or at American Title on Broadway to make a donation to help Corynna! Lanterns will be sold in the high school lobby from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the first week of May.
The event will be held in the Greenville City Park, this Friday at 9 p.m. at the two center ponds. Anyone is welcome to come set up and light the lanterns at 8 p.m. on that date. The scheduled rain date is Saturday. They plan to launch 400 lanterns for the Strawser family to show support. For any questions, contact Dara Buchy at dbuchy@greenville.k12.oh.us or by calling 937-548-4188 (career tech office).
Spring cleanup will begin immediately through May 10 for all Greenville Township cemeteries. Families and loved ones are asked to remove all decorations that they wish to save by May 10, in all cemeteries maintained by Greenville Township.
Cemetery personnel will begin removing old arrangements that are not in vases attached to the markers or monuments, statues and other items. All cemetery arrangements must be placed in the marker vase if such vase is located on the monument, otherwise a saddle arrangement can be used on upright monuments.
Also to be removed will be all hanging devices such as shepherd hooks, floral arrangements etc. When placing new arrangements on grave sites, all arrangements must be in the marker vase (Memorial Gardens Cemetery) or a monument saddle arrangement placed on top of the monument in all other Greenville Township cemeteries.
All artificial arrangements must be either in a vase or on a monument saddle. The only exception will be Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day and Christmas Day. After these listed holidays, all arrangements not in the vases attached to the base monument must be removed within seven days after the holiday or arrangements will be removed by cemetery personnel.
Greenville Township maintains the following cemeteries. Memorial Gardens and Newcomer on State Route 118, East Zion located on State Route 36, Emanuel on the New Madison Coletown Road, Martin located on Culbertson Road, Crickbaum at Motorcycle Drive, and Bethel located on Cox Road.
With mowing season soon approaching, cemetery rules prohibit glass containers, wire, toys, figurines and all other such items that interfere with mowing and/or trimming. All cemetery arrangements must be located in the vase on the monument.
A scholarship is available to Greenville High School graduates currently in college who have had an unpaid internship within the last year, or will have an unpaid internship this summer.
The scholarship is made possible through the Nils and Collette Eikenberry Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by the HOPE Foundation of Darke County. Applicants must be Greenville High School graduates who have worked/will work at an internship related to their career goals, but are not paid for the work. Other criteria will also be considered, such as grades, activities, community service and essay.
Call the HOPE Foundation at 937-548-4673 or email hopefoundation@woh.rr.com to receive more information or an application for the scholarship. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2013.
As the community foundation of Darke County, the HOPE Foundation receives, manages and distributes charitable gifts as scholarships to Darke County students and grants to local non-profit organizations. For more information, call the HOPE Foundation at 937-548-HOPE or visit www.hopedarkecounty.com.
There are not many hometowns that can claim they have a native son who is the under-secretary-general for Political Affairs of the United Nations, N.Y.
Jeffrey Feltman was born and raised in Greenville, Ohio. He graduated from Greenville High School, Ball State University, and The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University where he received a master of arts in law and diplomacy. He is the son of David and Roberta Feltman of Greenville and is married to Mary Draper who is director of career development for foreign service personnel.
While in college, Feltman developed an interest in diplomacy and foreign languages and went on to establish a distinguished diplomatic career. His fluency in Arabic, French, and Hungarian has served him well. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service as vice consul, U.S. Embassy, Port-au-Prince, Haiti (1986-1987). He then went to Budapest, Hungary (1988-1991) and served during a period of great change for that country. In 1991-1993, Feltman served under Deputy Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger. He focused on monitoring United States assistance programs in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
Feltman served at U.S. Missions in Israel, Tunisia, Iraq, and Lebanon. He most recently served as assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs with the rank of senior career minister. In this position, he advised Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on issues related to the Arab world. He also served under Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Upon his retirement from the State Department in 2012, Feltman was appointed to his current position at the United Nations in New York.
Jeffrey Feltman will speak at the Garst Museum’s special lecture series program on May 5, in Greenville, Ohio. The program will start at 2 p.m. He will give a short presentation and then will open the program to discussion. Here is a chance to ask questions about what it is like to be a diplomat and hear about some of the experiences and people Feltman has encountered.
Support for the Garst Lecture Series comes, in part, from Harry D. Stephens Memorial Trust, Inc.
Each year Darke County residents bow their heads, giving thanks and praise during the annual National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday, May 2.
In honor of the tradition, Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers signed a proclamation in his office on Thursday morning, commemorating the 62nd annual National Day of Prayer throughout the City of Greenville.
Locally, a special event “Pray For America” event is planned on May 2 outside the Greenville City Building at 12 p.m.
“Every year we get a great response from the community,” said Rev. Jim Morehouse of the East Main Church of Christ. “I always appreciate that its people from different christian backgrounds coming together united to pray for our nation.”
“And being done in a public place makes a nice testimony to the community,” he added.
The observance, sponsored by the Greater Greenville Ministerial Association in cooperation with Greenville Mayor Mike Bower’s office, will be based on Matthew 12:21 in the New Testament, which proclaims that “In His name the nations will put their hope.”
The 45-minute program will include prayers by local clergy and community leaders in addition to music led by local artist Joseph Helfrich.
“I’ve always enjoyed the idea of different pastors and leaders from the community, finding that common ground and praying together for our nation, because that’s so vital,” said Rev. Morehouse.
The National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.
The National Day of Prayer organization in Colorado Springs, Colo. stated “As our nation struggles with continued economic insecurity, vast healthcare reform, and countless changes to our constitutional rights, citizens of the United States are preparing to exercise their freedom to gather, worship and pray.”
“Millions will answer the call to prayer on May 2… Organized events will be held in thousands of public venues where intercession will be made for America and its leadership.”
“The American people continue to be plagued with challenges that defy simple answers, and our hope lies in humbly seeking the Almighty’s guidance, protection and blessing – not only on the National Day of Prayer, but throughout the year,” National Day of Prayer Task Force Chairman Shirley Dobson stated.
If weather does not allow for an outside event on May 2, the program will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 201 S. Broadway in Greenville.
For more information, readers can visit www.NatinoalDayofPrayer.org or contact Rev. Jime Morehouse at 937-547-1557.
The Darke County ASA Umpire Association will host a free Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition for area youth at 1 p.m. April 28 at Stebbins Field in Greenville.
Pitch, Hit & Run is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball. This grassroots program is designed to provide youngsters with an opportunity to compete, free of charge, in a competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball/softball skills.
Boys and girls are divvied into four age divisions: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12 and 13/14 and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including team championships at Major League ballparks and the national finals at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.
The individual pitching, hitting and running champions, along with the all-around champion in each age and gender group at the local competition will be awarded and advance to the sectional level of competition.
All participants must have their parent or guardian fill out a registration/waiver form prior to the start of competition.
For questions concerning the competition, contact the local coordinator, Brad Hoffman, at (937) 621-0147.
Greenville Federal has donated funds to Darke County Center for the Arts sponsoring the upcoming “Classical Thunder” performance by Toledo Symphony Orchestra, at Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall as the final show in DCCA’s 2012-2013 Artists Series. Greenville Federal also supports DCCA’s Family Theatre Series and Arts in Education programs which benefit Darke County youth and their families. According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, “DCCA is grateful for Greenville Federal’s sponsorship at the Impresario Level, DCCA’s highest level of sponsorship, which helps enable our efforts to provide culturally enriching experiences for the citizens of our community.”
Toledo Symphony Orchestra will fill the stage at St. Clair Memorial Hall with its 60-member orchestra to perform “Classical Thunder” featuring some of the most powerful music ever written, including fierce and rousing selections such as Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries”, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.
Tickets for the Saturday, April 27, 8:00 PM concert are $30 and may be purchased at the door or ordered in advance; good seats are still available. Contact DCCA at (937) 547-0908 or www.centerforarts.net for tickets or information.
DCCA’s Family Theatre Series presents three shows each season to inspire the imaginations of the young and young at heart, encouraging the expression of creativity. The series attracts a wide-ranging audience that includes many preschool children enjoying their first theater experience, as well as senior citizens who enjoy the shows’ strong depiction of traditional values. The season closed this past Sunday afternoon with American Family Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty.
“To support of Greenville Federal allows DCCA to not only provide quality performances to families, but also take our Arts in Education outreach programs to every student in the Darke county public schools,” stated Jordan.
DCCA’s Arts In Education program annually takes professional performing artists to all grades of all Greenville City and Darke County schools. This season included Kid Power’s musical journey teaching K-3 students the value of nutrition in Operation Lunch Line; The Eisenhower Dance Ensemble’s Kid’s ‘n Motion inspired students in grades 4-6 to learn, create, and enjoy dance; TheatreWorksUSA’s Through the Eyes of a Friend which gave students in grades 7 & 8 a new perspective on the life of Anne Frank; and Freestyle Music Writing with Jonathan Kingham, who made song writing easy for high school students. Arts In Education programs are free of charge and are open to the public.
Jim and Enid Goubeaux and Ami McClurkin are also sponsors of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra performance. Additionally, the Harry D. and Esther Stephens Memorial Fund as well as the Ohio Arts Council, which helps fund Darke County Center for the Arts with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans, provide operating support.
For more information on Darke County Center for the Arts contact Executive Director Andrea Jordan at (937) 547-0908 or www.centerforarts.net.
Fort GreeneVille Chapter recently attended the OSDAR conference (Ohio State Daughters of the American Revolution) in Columbus. The chapter hosted the hospitality room one evening of the conference. Also for the first time, Taylor Nehring was a page for the Saturday morning conference session. The chapter also donated a fundraiser basket to the conference. Since the Fort GreeneVille Chapter is located in Darke County Ohio, the theme of the basket was DAR(ke) County Touring Basket and included items from our area. Members attending the conference was Regent Chris Nehring, Vice Regent Debbie Nisonger, Chaplain Karen Burkett, Secretary Mary Jane Dietrich, Helen Wright, Taylor Nehring, Mary Kay Felton, and Susie Brewer.
Supply Chain Management students from Greenville High School recently completed a marketing project for Community Employment Services a program within the Darke County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
This fall TamalaMarley, Job Coordinator for CES, approached the Greenville Career Tech Center for assistance in designing a new tri-fold brochure to enhance their marketing program. The SCM students offered their services and the collaboration began.
Ms. Marley came into the SCM classroom and shared her ideas and goals for the project. The students in both the Junior SCM class and the Senior SCM class got to work in teams of two creating their personal brochure as they understood the goals. After completion the students reviewed all of the projects and voted on the top three options to submit to the CES program for review. The winning brochure was selected and a few small revisions made. Ms. Marley’s Team was excited for the creative outcome and look forward to using it to increase awareness for the program in the community.
Senior SCM student Adam Hickerson, explained, “It was nice to work for a business in our community. The experience taught us how to take others ideas and guidelines to create something that is appreciated and can have a positive impact on the community.”
The senior SCM students recently toured Wayne Industries to see the how the facility functions and how the brochure will benefit the workers. While on tour, the students had an opportunity to speak with a Wayne Industries employee. He explained to the students he enjoys working at both Wayne Industries and Arby’s. His job at Arby’s is part of the Community Employment Services program! Jobs like this allow the workers the opportunity to be more self sufficient and successful!
“I enjoyed experiencing the job site of Wayne Industries. It was neat to see the employees working, but made me realize even more how important this brochure is to allowing them to make more money and support themselves,” said Brian Bailey after the tour.
Tara Guillozet, the creator of the chosen brochure shares, “Having the opportunity to work with Tamala Marley with CES and create this brochure has given me real life experience. She knew what she wanted. We made it happen!”
Supply Chain Management is a two year program offered at Greenville High School Career Tech Center. The students study all aspects of logistics, procurement, customer service, and marketing. The program welcomes community involvement and invites area business owners to share their experiences in the classroom. If you are interested in speaking to this group of students please contact, Dara Buchy 93-548-4188 or dbuchy@greenville.k12.oh.us.
Jump Start is an after-school program at Gateway Youth Programs that focuses on youth ages 11 through 15 years of age. This program runs for approximately ten-weeks and incorporates supportive services and group activities under the guidance of Robb Fulker, Facilitator and Gateway Youth Advocate and Aimee Nelson, an Intern with Gateway Youth Programs. “Rather than the traditional concept of learning from a board and having them fill out worksheets, I decided to try a different approach with this group”, Fulker said.
The main focus of the group is to educate, fine tune and enhance the youth’s skills that they already possess. The topics covered in Jump Start are to help the youth improve socialization and peer relationships, develop and maintain team building and communication skills, and how to give and earn respect. Additionally they work to establish, set, and follow personal short and long term goals, learn to recognize and manage stressors, work on conflict resolution or focus on ways of producing positive ideas and how they can work within their local communities. Jump Start is held weekly on Wednesdays from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Gateway Youth Programs in Greenville.
“An additional goal of this program is to help youth gain the skills necessary to deal with the many challenges within their families and lives”, Nelson said.
As a learning venture, the group started a Ronald McDonald House project by initially just donating pop tabs and pop cans. The group, was able to establish a productive plan accounting for all of the pop tabs and cans, and worked together through patience and determination to have them all collected and ready to go by the eighth week, Fulker said.
According to Nelson, “The group communicated well with one another, and together, was able to collect over 244 cans and over 6,910 pop tabs”. The venture was considered a success for the youth and for Ronald McDonald House.
The Gateway Youth Programs continues to provide one-on-one case management services to include home and/or school visits, crisis interventions, non-therapeutic counseling, referrals, advocacy in the local school and community and collaboration with other social service agencies. The staff works very closely with the family as a unit and strives to keep the family intact. Services are individual and family focused. For more information about Gateway Youth Programs contact Kelly Harrison, Programs Support Specialist at (937)-548-8002
Gateway Youth Programs is a program of Council on Rural Services …programs for innovative learning that supports youth in Darke and Shelby Counties. For more information check the Web site at www.councilonruralservices.org or like our Facebook page.
The Friends of the Darke County Park District would like to thank the Second National Bank Foundation for its continued multiyear support of the Darke County Parks Cross County Tecumseh Trail project. “Second National Bank is dedicated to making Darke County a better place to live, work and raise a family, and this is a great example of a project that accomplishes the Foundations mission” stated John Swallow President and CEO of Second National Bank. This donation will be used for additional construction by the Park District to continue expansion of the Tecumseh Trail. The Tecumseh Trailhead is in Gettysburg and extends 7 miles. As you bike, walk, skate or ride along the paved 10 foot wide Tecumseh Trail, you will be surrounded with the Darke County countryside. “By connecting Darke County with the other Miami Valley Bike Pathways, the Tecumseh Trail will bring in a whole new community of outdoor enthusiasts to the county.”, stated Roger Van Frank, director of Darke County Parks. With the goal of connecting Bradford to Greenville to Union City, this trail will bring with it a wealth of outdoor opportunities to the citizens of Darke County. If you would like more information on the Tecumseh Trail, please visit the parks website at www.darkecountyparks.org or call the Nature Center at 937.548.0165.
Good news, everyone! The YMCA of Darke County has received an allocation from the United Way, and this funding is currently available for scholarships. The United Way in Darke County distributes funds to 27 local non profit programs, including the Y. All gifts and donations to the United Way stay in Darke County to help our community.
These funds are specifically for program assistance and are available to Y members as well as non-members. This is a great opportunity for our community, says Christy Baker, Director of Operations at the Greenville location. “This is perfect for people whose doctors have told them they need to exercise, or people who are getting back into a physical fitness after an injury or illness, or for those who just aren’t sure what they might enjoy doing at the Y.” The Y has a wide variety of programs for children and adults, from swim lessons to aqua boot camp, Zumba to indoor cycling, weight training to Tae Kwon Do. This funding can also be applied toward our Summer Club programming, too! The Spring session has already started but you can still join many classes, so don’t hesitate to contact us. If you have a need for financial assistance, contact Christy Baker or Maria Weaver at the Y at 548-3777.
HEALTHY KIDS DAY: Join us for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 27! The event is for children and families to spend time together learning about healthy choices, activities that can be a fun way to exercise, and connecting with non-profits and community organizations that are geared toward children and youth. This is a FREE community event and is open to members and non-members. The Y will be open to the public from 12:00-6:00 pm. The day will boast a kid-friendly health fair in the Youth Gym from 1:00-3:00 pm as well as class demonstrations. The Y is also having a coloring contest for Kids 0-12 years old for Healthy Kids Day. Children do not need to be members to participate. The pictures for the kids to color are available at the front desk at Greenville and Versailles. All entries must be returned by Healthy Kids Day, Saturday April 27. The winner will win a POOL PARTY!!
For more information about membership or programs, visit us online at www.ymcadarkecounty.org or call the Y at 548-3777.
Post Darke County (PDC) is an online e-bulletin board driven by the Darke County community. It is intended to inform readers of upcoming events, local news and much more. If you wish to make a submission to be posted, click the image below. Please include a headline, date you wish it to be posted and a photo (if available). If you have any questions or comments, click here to email site manager.
