Jamie and I made our way up to the 72nd annual North Star Community Picnic this year, and traveled there early Saturday night, hoping the dark clouds above would hold off rain-wise.
It did while we were there, and we were joined by lots of people who made the same move as we did. We always try to make an annual trip to the three-day festival at least one time, and very seldom miss it.
We especially like bingo on Saturday night. It’s a place where we can meet people and sit and play games. Yes, I did a lot of sitting because of my aching legs and feet, but I did get some photos while there.
Another event we enjoy is hearing the Hammer Jockeys but missed getting any photos of them last year because the tent in which they were performing was packed to the gills.
So, this year, I made an early trip to the tent pre-performance, and guess who I saw? Dr. Steven Ruhenkamp, a Versailles optometrist, created the band, which features mostly hisfamily members. He was there talking with a young man but took some time to call out my name like he always does underneath the tent. He did take a little time to talk to me too. It made my day!
Before it got too dark, I tried to get lots of shots around the grounds to prove that I was there. The biggest enjoyment was when I met and talked to quite a few of our friends. It was fun.
And, it makes me hope I can do the same for the Darke County Fair when it comes around next month. I assure you, though, that I’m not going to be there every day even though it sounds amazing, but I plan to cover a couple of events and maybe even come up with a feature article or more while there.
Did I mention I’m getting older? Mentally, I don’t feel it, but physically I do.
However, I’m working on several strategies to get myself better and praying I can get back to the old me.
I want to thank all of those communities in Darke County who work hard to hold these festivals that entertain people like Jamie and me.
I will not be able to attend the Annie Oakley Days Festival Shooting Competition on the Darke County Fairgrounds in a little over a week as I have done for years.
Instead, I am scheduled to have a medical procedure done, which I am hoping and praying will have a positive outcome for me.
Jamie usually attends the shoot-outs with me, and he, too, has a lot of fun there. I thank Dennis and Shelley Soward for understanding. We will be thinking of them.
No matter what happens, let the shows go on!
Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of Marcus A. Mayo, Teresa Lyle, Michael John Hess, Joan Grillot, Jesse Faller, Tim Seiber, and Bill Bush.
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Please pray for these people: Grace Boyd, Jason Stover Jr., Jeff Brocious, Jamie Knick, Dan Lockhart, Vanna Hannam, Jenny Pitman, Nikole Baldridge, Chester Bryant, Melinda (Batten) Stacy, Michelle Young, Tommy Farmer, Margaret Hoening, Manual Macias, Kathy McNutt Dapore, Lester Beisner, Delores Beisner, Kermit Foureman, Chuck “C.W.” Cruze, Mark Lovejoy, Connie Buemi Hodson, Michelle Grottle Wright, Cheryl Slonaker Gilmore, Judy York, Donald Booker, Dennis Leeper, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton, Marie Schlechty, Jeremy “Jerm” Burke, Bev Brumbaugh, Gary Eichler, David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Linda Lore, Ralph Byrd, Doug Winger, Rusty Maloy, Debbie Mayse, Sonja and Dan Coppess, Jeanie Francis, Harvey Hinshaw, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Gary Francis, Anthony and Theresa Grillot, Lee Everhart, Paul Gigandet, Doug Whittington, Tracy Pratt, Kinley Bernard, D’Arleen Waymire, Tish Hodson Shepherd, Zach Urbancic.
Also, Sharon Gamster, John Rimmer, Joan Keen, Carol Hemmerich, Sharon Hummel, Dave Hinshaw, Larry P. Fitzwater, Jim Thomas, Neal Gray, Michael Mowery, Kenny Edwards, Judie Hathaway, Della Burch, Ned and Brenda Wallace, Rick Marker, Randy Garrison, Steve Waymire, Warren Menchhofer, Jannie Barrow, Kathy Gragorace, Danny Foster, Noella Combs, Becky Everhart, Becky Oliver, Jayden Martin, Stefani Priest, Steve Neff, James Enicks, Joann Freeman, Cathy Collins Peters, Donna Bixler, Linda Subler, Roger McEowen, Sally Burnett Ganger, Gloria Hodge, Jeff Baltes, Judy Hoffman and daughter Shelly, Cathy Melling, Scott Clark, and all of those who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.
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Happy birthday:
July 20 to Sue Neiswander Huston and Brittany Macnutt.
July 21 to Mark Hartrum, Janice Farmer, Justin Hines, Sara Cromwell, Brittanhy Powell, Dee Wampler Schmidt, and Ryan Widener.
July 22 to Bob Peters, Scott Zumbrink, Cheryl Peters, Geoff Surber, Nick Anderson, Sherry Waymire, Cody Leeper, Casey Lentz, and Robyn Eby Kelly.
July 23 to Lisa Stucky, Buck Bowhunter Jones, Rob Longenecker, and Sandy Thiebeau Smith,
July 24 to Sheila Christian, Jessica Brown Deem, Everett Garland Jr., Danny Foster, Marla Blume Werner, Barbara Duncan Clarke, Denise Good, Josh Green, Wes Cothran, and Brad Denniston.
July 25 to Amy Peters Van Skyock, Jason Aslinger, Bruce Shank, and Andy Prasuhn.
July 26 to Ron Barga, Judy Pepple, Terry Neal, Jacob Wuebker, Gene Jenkins, Kim Beam, Andrew Leeper, and Bill Fraley.
Happy anniversary to Gary and Susie Francis and Bryan and Alaina Clymer, all on July 21; Sherry and Paul Klingshirn and Nicole and Kirk Rice, all on July 22; and Tom and Cindy Moody, Connie and Tim Rhoades and Rob and Judy Longenecker, all on July 23.
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