Greenfieldrocks

If you want a head's up on what's going on in Highland County, click HERE to go to the Convention and Visitors' Bureau website. You can read about spots of interest and upcoming activities. Road trip!

The third annual oldtimers' softball game was held July 2. Baal's Bashers defeated Tate's Thrashers, 17-12. In 2003, John Baal's team won in overtime innings. In 2004, Jim Tate Taylor's team THRASHED the Bashers. The Bashers came out swinging and won the 2005 rubber match. Mike Shumate announced the game and the scorekeeper was Bucky Soales. The umpires were Denny Willman and Mitch Fairley. There were only a few minor injuries and a lot of limping going on. The oldest player was Steve Wile, clocking in at age 62.

And WHO was willing to risk life and limb on this holiday weekend? Front row, sitting, from left: Glennie (Shine) Coleman, a ringer (not 40); Steve Hamilton; Danny (Spooner) Long; Bill Carson; Glen (Chachi) Penwell (another ringer); Johnny Bill Losey; Donnie Willman; Jan Anderson and Don Dietrich, who has organized the event since its inception; Second row kneeling: Mike Seely; Tim Wilson; Dean Mick; Bill Anderson; Carl Squeeze It Cottrell; Lonnie Clouser; Rob McCray; Troy Hull and Nick Blaser; Back row standing: John Chamblin; Ralph Nooks; Buck Young; Tom Meyers; Jim Faulkner; Jim Tate Taylor; Tom Hatch; Steve Wile; Alan Storer; Dallas Carmen; Mike Anderson; Todd Ralph; Earl Fox Steward; Mark Smith; Greg Garman; Jerry Savage and John Rocket Baal.

Aerial view of the bike path (and the old trestle)

Baal's Bashers kick some butt!

Photo/Cindi Pearce

To find out more about the historical society and its projects, click here to go to the group's official site

The Ralph May Band played to a large crowd on the city hall lawn in spite of the need for umbrellas and longjohns. Ralph, center, is pictured here with his bandmates including his 15-year-old daughter Mattie May, who gives her dad a run for the money when it comes to singing.

DUCKS GONE WILD!

The 3rd annual Father of All Duck Races was a resounding success. For more pictures and information on the winners go to page three

John Baal's Bashers once again kicked butt (sort of) in the Fourth Annual Oldtimers' Softball Game. The Bashers overcame Jim Tate Taylor's Thrashers 10-8. The Bashers have won three out of the last four old-timers' games. Those heroic over the hill men, who once again bravely risked life and limb, are, front row from left: Jerry Allen, Chachi Penwell, Dean Mick, Bill Carson, Danny Long, Steve Hamilton, John Baal, Nick Blaser, Herbie Clouser, Tom Hatch and Dallas Carmen. Back row from left: Rick Schluep, Shane Paul, Jim Faulconer, Tom Meyers, Bill Rooks, Buck Young, Tom Smith, Lonnie Clouser, Jerry Savage, Donnie Willman, Steve Wile, Rob McCray and Mark Smith.

Baal's Bashers are ALMOST undefeatable

Mike Shumate announced the oldtimers' ballgame and added that very entertaining humorous element to his play by plays. Howard Freshour was the scorekeeper.

Greenfield Historical Society

If you need voter registration information, go to the election board's new site at www.highlandcountyelections.com

Contact information:

Governor Ted Strickland visited Highland County on October 14. He addressed the crowd that convened at the Ponderosa Banquet Room, saying, "I loved you first and I loved you best, Highland County," paraphrasing Sen. Edward Kennedy's famous words to Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne.

Gov. Strickland visits his old stomping grounds

Shawn Anderson and Linda Crothers, McDonald's employees, got in the spirit of Halloween by donning

bizarre costumes.

The Greenfield Historical Society sponsors the Annual Tour of Homes

Newlyweds Chris and Dianna Speakman dubbed their country home “Our Sky Farm” after one of Dianna’s friends boasted about how beautiful the sky was at her house.

Dianna countered, “But you ought to see our sky!” She laughed. “It’s kind of funny, as if we own the sky.”

The Speakmans’ 12-room home, built in 2000, is on the Dec. 2 Tour of Homes sponsored by the Greenfield Historical Society. This event is the society’s annual fundraiser.

The house, which is located at 367 Blain Lane in Ross County, off of State Route 28, just east of Greenfield, sits by itself, on a great expanse of lawn, over-looking a pond and with an unobstructed view of the sky.

Dianna is a self-professed decorating junkie. Her previous home was featured in Country Christmas Ideas magazine in 2003 and her new abode is equally worthy of being exhibited in a magazine.

When you walk into the house, you’re apt to exclaim “Wow!”

Dianna prefers country and primitive furniture, most of which she has acquired at flea markets and in Waynesville over the years. She uses Century Colors on her walls and furniture. She collects quilts in addition to antiques.

Her husband, Chris, is handy and shares a passion for country living with his wife. Chris designed and created a quilt square that hangs on the exterior of the home and he applied barn siding to one wall in their family room.

Visitors to the Speakman residence will certainly be charmed by the sometimes whimsical and always beautiful items that fill the two-story home. The house is enchanting and showcases Dianna’s creative flair.

The Speakmans’ attention to detail extends to the outside where colorful landscaping, even in dreary November, welcomes you as you approach the residence.

The tour of homes is set for 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets can be purchased from any member of the historical society. The society’s number is 937-981-7890. Tickets will also be on sale at Robbins Village Florist in Greenfield.

The society will be serving lunch, beginning at 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at the former Grain and Hay building located on McArthur Way.

Other homes featured on the tour include residences belonging to Ollie and Rhonda Sponcil, Jerry and Earlene Scott, and Nina Pence.

Dianna Speakman and her dog, Beiga, relax in the sitting area of the upstairs master bedroom. The Speakman home is one of four homes featured on the Greenfield Historical Society's Tour of Homes set for Sunday, Dec. 2 (Photo/Cindi Pearce)

Greenfield Mayor John Baal, who ended his term on December 31st, treated his staff to a Christmas party, helping serve up the grub after donning his "Gone fishin'..." apron.

Greenfield's newest firefighter

Brian V. McNeil was sworn in as the city's newest firefighter on Christmas Eve. Mayor John Baal conducted the swearing-in ceremony. Brian is the son of Stuart and Kelley McNeil.

Greenfield ROCKS!!!

The Spelling Bees

featuring, clockwise, Pearce Dietrich, Grant Hudson, Liza Dietrich and Keith Aukeman, all graduates of MHS, recently performed at Andyman's Treehouse in Columbus. Songs from their records are being used to score the documentary 107.9 WENZ: The End of the World as We Knew It