A little bit of a lull in West Central Ohio sporting activities as the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of the world’s greatest experiment in democracy approaches. Hopefully you’ll enjoy taking part in the many festivities and fireworks that are scheduled throughout the area!
Most history buffs know that the end of World War I took place with the signing of an armistice on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” in 1918, the annual international holiday known as Armistice Day. What is significant about today’s date, June 28th, as regards the conclusion of “the war to end all wars”? Answer to follow.
Let’s take a look at the latest from the World’s Greatest Sporting Event, futbol’s World Cup which is being contested over a period from June 11th through July 19th at sites throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. Again, I’ll admit to being basically lacking in both knowledge and interest when it comes to soccer but I’ve been trying to become more understanding of the game and the world-wide appeal and passion it creates.
I guess that I have trouble with the lack of scoring in the sport at the highest level. Of the first 72 matches played that qualified 32 teams for the “knockout” rounds 18 had final scores of either 0-0 or 1-0 with 37 (or over half) with outcomes of 2-1 or less. I think that the crowd’s anticipation of a goal being scored is so great that when the ball finally goes in the net it causes a tremendous emotional release felt around the globe!
Anyhow, the athleticism and skills of the players is undeniable and the passion of the fans from various parts of the world is “awesome”. The first of the elimination matches was played this afternoon with Canada advancing to the Round of 16 by besting South Africa. The final score? 1-0!!
Locally there are many charitable golf outings being held at courses around our region over the next few months. These are always fun to participate in and are a major source of revenue for worthy organizations. For information on how to enter a team, dates, and sites you can contact any of the various courses. Whether you play once or twice a year or are a low handicap golfer, you’re sure to have a good time!
For you fans of the WNBA, what are your thoughts on what seems to be the constant “mugging” of Indiana Fever star Caitlyn Clark? For a player who seems to be the driving force behind the rising popularity of the sport as well as the main reason for increased salaries and other benefits for her fellow players she seems like she plays every game with a target on her back and takes a pounding nightly.
How about 44-year-old tennis legend Serena Williams attempting a comeback at Wimbledon as The Championships begin Monday, the 29th? It will be interesting to see how she fares against opponents half her age—will be like Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, or Mike Tyson coming out of retirement to take on top-level opposition!
The NBA draft was held earlier this week. What I find amazing was that the first eight selections were all players who played just their freshman year in college and fourteen of the thirty chosen in the first round! Of interest to fans around the area were Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton being the first choice of the second round, going to the Rockets as part of a trade; UC’s Baba Miller heading to the Clippers; and Miami’s Peter Suder, the MAC Player of the Year, signing a contract with the Lakers that allows him to play in the developmental G League as well as the “Show” itself. I’ll wager that he’s a better player than LeBron’s son Bronnie James!
If you get a chance take a look on-line at pictures of the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium. Highmark Stadium features a natural grass field, seats 60,000 plus with tremendous sight lines, has all of the latest features in spectator comfort, and an overhanging roof that protects fans from the elements (think tremendous snowfalls off of Lake Erie!) yet provides an open-air environment. Check it out!
On June 28th, 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was officially signed in France, officially ending WWI. Unfortunately we know how that eventually led to WWII and the world’s worst period of conflict of a global basis.
Finally, did you know that Wilmington, Ohio is the home of an Amazon air hub, one of four in the country and one of two in the Buckeye state? Every afternoon eleven Boeing 767 planes fly into the hub, each packed with 39 containers, each holding thousands of packages. 1,300 employees then unload, sort, and ship out over 350,000 packages in a process from plane to truck at the 1.2 million square foot facility that takes about two hours, with no package sitting in the building for more than eight hours. Talk about efficiency!!
Enjoy the holiday, celebrate the anniversary of the good old US of A!!
