By Linda Moody

If we don’t see rain for awhile that would be all right by me. I don’t want a drought either, but I think Darke County and surrounding counties have had their share and need a little break from the wet stuff for now.

It’s so fortunate that there have been no serious injuries incurred because of the rising water. Yet, there are many homes and other properties that have been permanently damaged because of the influx of water. I sympathize with those who do not have flood insurance. I’m sure it is going to be costly for everybody concerned.

Some people have learned to make do with what they have and that’s admirable. People have had to get boats to rescue family members, and I think some animals were even rescued during the flood.

I know nature happens, but it is my hope that we don’t have just as bad a winter.

In the meantime, I would like to see some nice weather so that some of my vacation can be spent enjoying the outdoors. Besides, there are too many events coming up that are held outdoors, such as the North Star Picnic this weekend, Annie Oakley Festival, Gathering at Garst, Stateline Heritage Days, and, of course, the Great Darke County Fair, to mention a few, that need clement weather to attract crowds.

Nonetheless, it is what it is, and people will go if it’s that important to them.

Ansonia was pretty hard hit by the recent flooding as I’m sure a lot of other areas were. Roads that really haven’t been affected during other storms, were this time around, even State Route 47, west and east of Ansonia, North Main and part of Miller Street. Those are the ones that I saw. They were closed at times throughout the heavy rains. The properties of Bob and Pat Lee at the west edge of Ansonia and Rick and Marlene Reier east of town got their share of the heavy rains, and I hope everything goes well in their endeavors of getting life back to normal. I don’t ever remember seeing this much rain; if I did, it didn’t have an impact on my life like this one did.

Everybody, be safe…we never know what’s coming our way.

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Don’t forget:

• There will be a Quarter Auction from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at Rossburg Acres, 4300 Rossburg-Lightsville Road, Rossburg, created for Rossburg Fire Department. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the auction will start at 6 p.m. Cost is $2 for one paddle or $5 for three paddles. Bring your quarters and if you’re hungry, there will be a food stand. This will be held in the enclosed shelter.

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Happy birthday:

• July 22 to Nick Anderson, Sherry Waymire, Sherry Rodeheffer, Casey Lentz, Robyn Eby Flanery, Katie Gibboney, Sarah Dynes and David Dean.

• July 23 to Buck Bowhunter Jones (14), Pastor Don Brode, Sandy Thiebeau Smith, Barbara Duncan Clarke, Lisa Edwards Stucky, Rob Longenecker.

• July 24 to Marla Blume Werner, Sheila Christian, Josh Green, Kenny Anderson, Sheila Christian, Bradley Gates, Jessica Brown and Everett Garland Jr.

• July 25 to Jason Aslinger and Amy Peters Van Skyock.

• July 26 to Bill Fraley, Andrew Leeper, Kim Beam Allie, Gene Jenkins, Ron Barga, John Marchal, Judy Pepple, Terry Neal and Jacob Wuebker.

• July 27 to Jason Grieshop, Gary Peace, Brenda Striegel (60), Gale Kenworthy, Corey Kramer Weiss, Mick Rinderle and Clinton Randall.

• July 28 to Danielle Gibbons, Katie Hummel, Kim Peters, Shaun Soward and Carolyn Fosnaugh.

Happy belated birthday to Floyd Sandifar (70) on July 11; and Jarrod Teegarden on July 14.

Happy anniversary to: Nicole (Arnett) and Kirk Rice and Glen and Pat Hufford on July 22; Connie and Tim Rhoades and Rob and Judy Longenecker on July 23; Gary and Deb Kunk on Feb. 25; Jake and Alyssa DeMange on July 27; and Norma and Clarence Kammer and Sandy and Dan Garber on July 28.

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Don’t forget to pray for: Stacy Dorko, Mel Grile, Robert Codling, Kohen Thwaits, Kenny Dunevant, J. C. and D’Arleen Waymire, Deanna Jones, William DeBord, Dave Starline, Bob Hiestand Jr., Kathy and Tom Hamilton, John Klipstine, Joanne Sharp, Larry Bemis, Jennifer Yoder, Ivan Miller, Cindy Elson, Cary Van De Grift, Jim Moody, Dina Dancer Morris, Teresa Mayo Hammons, Jim Crotcher, Tina Kiser Deaton, Alvera Schmitz, Jerrod Pratt, Vicky Henderson, Julia Frey, Tonia Thompson, Fred Monnin, Thelma Shade, Bob Coppock, Joan Toomey, Lee Moody, Greg Moody, Stephen “Brownie” Brown, Faye Schlecty, Michelle Sparks Reed, Bill Beasley, Candy Riegle, Steve Cunningham, Kody Ketring, Allan Addington, Bob and Sandy Finkbine, Kevin Dickey, Joe Martin, Tracy Bailey, Brenda Grimes, Margaret “Peg” Bundy, Kevin Hemmerich, Ray Dickey Jr., Penny Starns, Tim Heck, Vanna (Hannam) Abbott, Suzy Heck Schilling, Addie Henderson, Barb Morrow Zimmerman, Samantha Smith, Shannon Peters Hall, Todd Walls, Ron Kramer, Melissa “Missy” Helmer, Susie Gress of Nebraska, Dana Holzapfel, Kara Didier, Carla Welch, Bill Schuette and to all those others who suffer from the many debilitating diseases as well as all of our military people serving and protecting this nation.

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Son Jamie and I express our sincere condolences to the families of: Jackie Riffell Marshall, Esther Heltzel, Charles A. Wysong, Jim Willey and Rosie Shepherd Hill.

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Think about it: “I am strong because I have been weak. I am fearless because I have been afraid. I am wise, because I have been foolish.” — Unknown author