Share your news with us
…Readers of this column probably know that from time to time I can get a bit grumpy about things that are bugging me. Usually it’s the weather, or the fact that my wife puts me to work around the house. Most of the time when I am complaining, I at least try to inject a little humor in those situations, because it’s difficult to take them so seriously.
But I have to admit, there is one topic that really bugs me from time to time, one that I find very little humor in, and that’s when people forget to inform the Messenger about events that are happening in our neck o’ the woods, or “good news” that deserves to be spotlighted. On many occasions I look in other news publications and see articles and photos of upcoming events or “good news” that are happening in our communities, that have been submitted by residents, schools or organizations. And I have to be honest, I get frustrated when those same articles and photos are not submitted to the Messenger. This happens on an all-too-often basis.
Quite frankly, I feel that one of the Messenger’s strengths as a community paper is the strong emphasis on community news. Throughout the paper’s 23-year existence, we have devoted literally countless pages to focusing on the good news that happens here. This publication has always, ALWAYS prided itself on shining well-deserved spotlights on the “ordinary folks who are doing extraordinary things.”
And we will continue to do so, but we can’t shine the spotlight if we don’t have the info. We are a dedicated editorial staff, but we are not mind readers. We cannot possibly know about every event that is happening at different locations and different times throughout the county, especially when we are not given any information. So, once again here comes my familiar battle cry: Attention all residents! If you know someone who is doing good things and you feel they deserve some recognition, LET THE MESSENGER KNOW. Whether it’s academic or athletic achievements, receiving honors or awards, getting hitched, celebrating an anniversary – anything that shines a spotlight on them, please let us know so we can share the good news with others. It is frustrating to see the “good news” in other newspapers when we don’t receive them.
If you are scheduling an event or are involved in the planning of any events in the near future, and you would like community residents to find out about them, let us know. We will be happy to help you promote and publicize your special event; our award-winning news publication provides many different options to help you get the word out, from providing coverage throughout the paper and publicizing your info in our popular County Calendar or this column, to offering a variety of sizes for advertisements that are available at very reasonable rates. Our contact info can be found in the helpful info box at the bottom of this page. Having said that, I want to thank the many folks who do send us their share of “good news” week in and week out. In fact, just as I type this column I have received quite a few emails from folks who have some info to share with us. Please keep ’em coming, because we love to share Greene County news with our readers…
…Speaking of people letting us know about upcoming events: I was recently informed of several upcoming events that are happening around the county this fall season, so I thought I’d share the info.
First, I want to remind folks that Aviation Day will be held at the Greene County Airport on Oct. 5. Presented by SOAR of Greene County and EAA Chapters 978 and 842, this event features airplane rides, aircraft static displays, food, and lots of other fun activities. Free Young Eagle rides are available for children ages 8-17. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign a consent form in person. Due to EAA rules, parents or guardians are not permitted to accompany Young Eagles on their flight. A portion of this year’s donations will help to send the C-47, Whiskey 7 back to Normandy for the June 6, 2014 70th anniversary of D-Day. Free admission and parking. For more info, contact John Strope at Strope Aviation at 724-852-4328, Jeff Halliday at 724-998-6973, or e-mail greenecountypaairportday@zoho.com. Second, I want to inform readers that the 33rd annual Keystone Autumn Klassic will be held Oct. 19 at Woodside Farm in Waynesburg. This annual shorthorn cattle show and sale features exhibitors from all over the mid-Atlantic region. The day begins at 12:30 p.m. For more info, call Bradley at 724-627-7240, e-mail bradleyshirley@windstream.net or visit www.woodsideshorthorns.com.
Lastly, I was told that the Mason-Dixon Line 246th Anniversary Hike will be held Oct. 20 at the Mason-Dixon Historical Park in Core, W.Va. A special hike will be held at Mason-Dixon Historical Park, off Buckeye Road, near Route 7 and Core, W.Va. Participants are asked to gather by 10:45 a.m. in the parking lot at the red barn at the park.
The hike to the third and last crossing of Dunkard Creek by Mason and Dixon (on the present-day Greene County border) will be led by Pete Zapadka, founder of the Web site exploretheline.com. Zapadka is a journalist, historian and astronomer who will guide participants along the banks of Dunkard Creek to the seldom-visited area at which Mason and Dixon in 1767 were confronted by their Indian companions who said they could not take “one step farther” westward after crossing a war path near the creek and so the survey was halted here in October 1767.
For more info, call Pete Zapadka at 412-657-5638, or e-mail jeremiah@exploretheline.com.
It’s quite obvious that there will be plenty of events to attend in the very near future and all throughout the fall season, so let’s all take some time to enjoy the fall weather and get out of the house and attend some autumn and outdoor activities, before Mother Nature unleashes her winter rage on us.
Be sure to keep checking the Messenger for info about the events that are coming up…