One of the many highlights for my son, Jamie, and me at the Annie Oakley Festival was attending the concert of Spittin’ Image on opening night.

Last year, the Swabb brothers, who comprise Spittin’ Image for those who don’t know, allowed my son to play the tambourine for them at the festival.

That was repeated again this year, and Jamie, being the ham that he is, obliged and shook that thing for two of their songs.n

Not because those identical twins, don’t ask me which one, kept asking Jamie in front of the audience why his mother never put anything about them in her column, I chose to make their wish come true. Besides, it gave me another lead-in for my column for another week.

Brian and Blain Swabb are great performers, and I’m not just saying that. Not only can they sing, they can play various instruments and entertain the crowd with their antics. Most of the time, the audience is involved in one way or another. In addition to Jamie performing with them, they also welcomed their friend, Joy Mader of Troy, to the stage. She, too, could perform….singing and yodeling.

Spittin’ Image made my son’s day. Unlike me, he doesn’t mind getting up in front of crowds. Quite a few years ago, they made a monster out of Jamie when they handed him a microphone at a karaoke event at the Ansonia American Legion. He loves entertaining.

Thanks Blain and Brian!

Like I said before, this was just one of the highlights at the Annie Oakley Festival. I always enjoy working with the Sowards at the shoot-off prior to the opening of the festival, and I like covering the different events. I think I made more trips to York Woods this year than I ever have. The flea market people, the concessionaires, the committee members and the visitors are always wonderful to talk to and see. Congratulations to all the winners of the events. Hope to see you next year.

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Just so everyone knows, the email addresses at The Daily Advocate have returned back to the original ones. So, mine is [email protected] now once again. Just wanted you to know so I can keep getting your news and news ideas.

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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:

• Today to Tim Hoening and his son, Frankie.

• Aug. 5 to Todd Brumbaugh, Doug Minnich, Adam Klipstine, Tara George and and Carla Hill-Clark.

• Aug. 6 to Troy Gasper (50), Laura Hile Turner, Dann “Slug” Widener, Cindy Lovejoy, Tia Rhoades, Bobby Dynes, Renata Simmons and sisters Pauline Arnold and Liz Rehfeld..

• Aug. 7 to Shelba Kelly, Dennis Sebring, Erica Barga, Dave Fitzgerald and Allen Newbauer.

• Aug. 8 to Ty Gasper, Dick Billenstein (60), Matt Hiestand, Kathy Hiestand and Linda Archey.

• Aug. 9 to Kathy Moody Wagner, Jason Billenstein, Juanita Gerling (100), Lisa Parsons Miller, Adia Brooks, Kim Ward, Steve Garland, Robin Grice, Lisa Miller, Barbara Westgerdes and Brent Coursey.

• Aug. 10 to Tammy Subler Morrison, Janet Webb, Ryan Cox, Tom Lawson, Herman Lutz, Doug Leis, Krista Widener, Keith “Slick” Schlechty, Brenda Brinley (65) and Tonya Blocher.

• Aug. 11 to Chris Fourman Miller, Diane Barga, Pam Brumbaugh, Linda Hartzell Moore, Emily Peters Smith

• Aug. 12 to Debbie Baker, Mike Clack, Stanley Duncan, Darren Coby (55), Gary Middleton, John Farmer, Darlene Fullroth and Duck Curtis (75).

Happy belated birthday to Kenny Miller (49) and Beth Roth, both on July 28. She told me not to mention it, but I unintentionally indicated that Eileen McKnight’s 95th birthday was on July 5. She’s 85. Sorry for both the mistake and for mentioning it, but I didn’t want people to think you are older than you are.

Happy anniversary to: Hugh and Melinda Linebaugh on Aug. 10; Mindy (Moody) and Randy Ward II and Stuart and Debbie Powell, all on Aug. 11; and Tom and Shila Magoto and Doug and Carol Riffle, all on Aug. 12.

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Don’t forget to pray for: Stacy Dorko, Scarlett and Gracyn Blackburn,Jim Moody, Joe Bailey, Mel Grile, Robert Codling, Kohen Thwaits, Kenny Dunevant, Joe Whittington, 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, 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: Dayton Daily Newsman Dale Huffman, Ralph “Junior” Mayo, Dorothy Turner and Frank Huber.

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Think about it: “When looking back doesn’t interest you any more, you’re doing something right.” – Unknown