Happy 4th of July! This week remember to wave the flag in honor of the men and women who have fallen, the men and women who currently serve our country, and thank you to those who are still fighting. THANK YOU AMERICAN HEROES! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
The Arcanum Wayne Trail Historical Society is asking cheerleaders from squads of different years and different schools in Southern Darke County to lead sports fans down memory lane just as they lead the team onto basketball courts and football fields on July 8 at 10 a.m. when AWTHS continues their 2017 Coffee and Conversation Series Show your school spirit, wear your school colors, and join in to share stories, laughter and memories of your experience of being a cheerleader or an advisor. If you have pictures, uniforms or other artifacts please bring them with you to share. Organizers would like to scan your photos for our files on that day.
If you have memories you would like to share but will not be able to attend you may email them to [email protected]. Or mail to AWTHS, P.O. Box 4, Arcanum, OH 45304. Contact Barb Deis, 662-0119, for more information.
This is a free event and everyone is welcome to join in the conversation. Located at 123 W. George St. the historical society is open the first Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. On the second Saturday you can view the displays and visit the reference library prior to the Coffee and Conversation event which begins at 10. To learn the contents of the reference library visit our website: arcanumhistoricalsociety.org.
Arcanum History – Walking down West George Street — 08-110 West George. (#102,104,108,110) — this section was known as the Kepner Block until 1906 when it became the Dull Block. Per Anita Short’s book “Arcanum, OH Business Book” there is a lot about our town history. On West George Street from 1851-52 this block was home to Smith Dry Goods, Groceries and Grain Dealers – at 110 W. George was Kepner Hardware a.k.a. the Dreamland Theatre in 1907-09. and again in 1910-1927. After, that it was the Ritz Theatre. The AWTHS has the old projector from one of the Movie houses for viewing in their building, stop in and see it. This same block from 1953 to 1969 Rogers Hardware; upstairs in 1898 was Dr. Hall’s physician offices. On the Third floor was the Masonic Lodge beginning in 1914. There were a lot of drug stores in the 110 W. George St. section between 1885-1931 and then later in the 40s, this block housed Troxel Restaurant from 1941-1945, later known as Sharp’s Restaurant in 1948. Beginning in 1954 to 1969 this was the Arcanum Bakery with John Toops, Proprietor. Today it is The Olde Nostalgia Shoppe owned by Tom Wetzel with rooms full of unique treasures and antiques. This building is three stories and also has doors on High Street which was later known as #6, 10, 12, and 14.
Arcanum Family Movie Night is coming on Saturday, July 15, beginning at 5 p.m. with food from local vendors such as: Nacho Pig, Tennessie’s Phillipine Cuisine and Creme de la Creme Cakery and possibly more. Plans are still in the making with other activities to be announced as soon as they are finalized. The movie will be shown around 9 p.m. in the Ben Franklin parking lot, so don’t forget your blankets and/or chairs! Voting is open to choose the movie – Moana, Disney’s The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Finding Dory, tHe Secret Life of Pets, and the Jungle Book. You can vote for your favorite movie on the Arcanum Area Community Events Facebook Page or http://poppopb.polldaddy.com/s/choose-what-you-d-like-to-see-for-family-movie-night-2017 .
Randy Baker was honored by Arcanum Junior Baseball (AJB) during the opening day ceremony in conjunction with the May’s Old Fashioned Days. The First Pitch this year was from Coach Randy Baker to Carter Rhodehamel to honor Randy and his many years of service to AJB. He was chosen by the AJB board to throw the first pitch because of his lifelong commitment to baseball and the Arcanum community. Randy became the high school baseball JV coach in the early 1990’s and then moved to varsity coach, a position which he still holds today. He started his coaching career with AJB as he wanted to teach younger children the sport of baseball and team ethics at an early age before they reached the high school program. He has served AJB with summer league rules, scheduling, umpiring, tournament director, upkeep and maintenance of the diamonds and concessions as well as summer coach for his own children. Thank you Randy Baker for your commitment and contribution to our community and our children.
“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.” ~ Erma Bombeck
