It’s easy to know when you are talking with a good conversationalist because they are engaging, relaxed and perceptive. Their conversation creates a dynamic energy and you find yourself talking with them on many topics. It’s unfortunate that many of us are not great at carrying on conversations. Perhaps we were raised to be seen and not heard or that what we had to say was considered unimportant. Whatever our past reasons were we should really try to work beyond our former selves and interact with our human counterparts.

Simply talking at someone is not good communication and it’s not what I consider conversing. Conversing should be a conversation engaging two or more parties. Life is short and there are so many interesting people to meet and perhaps assist in their journeys. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments and challenges, hopes and dreams, and so on, it would be a shame not to get to know our co-workers, neighbors, business acquaintances and even our family and friends better.

The best way to become a better conversationalist is to be genuinely interested in people, asking respectful questions. And the best way to know what questions to ask is to actively listen. No one likes to be asked a question that was already answered within their conversation. For example, I might say I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow at 10:00 am, only to be asked do you have a doctor’s appointment coming up.

Since most of us perceive inattentiveness as rude, we should be cognizant of people; their words and their feelings. No one wants to be in a conversation with someone who does not care enough to listen. It’s lonesome and belittling. Most often inattentiveness happens when we are lost in our internal monologue or we are thinking of what we want to say next instead of listening to what is being said.

Other pitfalls to good conversation are one upmanship and dominating the conversation. Conversation flows easiest when we find common ground, so it’s possible to overshare and therefore appear as though our experiences or opinions matter most.

Undoubtedly I know these things because I’m guilty of poor communication skills. Often I don’t’ realize my own shortcomings until I am on the receiving end. Let this weekend be an opportunity for all of us to hone our conversational skills. See you at Poultry Days!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Poultry Days festivities this weekend with chicken dinners from 3 – 11 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a,m. – 7 p.m. Sunday.

The Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday. Local military servicemen/women and veterans are invited for a sausage gravy, biscuit and egg breakfast at Johns IGA from 9:30 a.m., (in the event of inclement weather the meal will be moved into Little Johns). The antique car parade begins at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Congratulations to Versailles’ Newest Businesses:

-Brilliant Notes Piano Studio, owned by Betsy Moorman at 7 Main St., Versailles 937-621-0782.

-Styles on Main, owned by Sara Kelch is open for business at 202 E Main St., Versailles. 526-4247

-Gus’s Coffee, Creamery & Café will have a tent at Poultry Days this weekend and are expected to open at 16 Marker Rd., Versailles this July.

Congratulations to State Division II Track Athletes: Jenna Frantz, first in pole vault and Josh Steinbrunner first in 110 meter hurdles. Also congratulations to Jenna Frantz for placing third in the long jump, Lucy Prakel for placing sixth in pole vault, Joe Spitzer for taking third in the 3200 meter run and Jenna Frantz, Lucy Prakel, Cassie Peters and Ava Moran for placing sixth in the 4×100 relay.

Birthday wishes to Mary Grisez, Elizabeth (Wilson) Smith, Kelsey Crandall, Paul Shimp, Mike Rhoades, Betty McKenna, Ernie DeMange, Betty Davis, Tammy Poling, Dani Cochran, Ron Brunner, Connie Schrader, Rue Bowman, Bonnie Subler, Pam Spitzer, Naomi Gallagher, Nancy Broering, Rosie Baltes, Sharon Wampler, Bonita Swallow, Rachel Glass, Summer Condon, Jane Meier, Ron Mescher, Fred Banks, Carley Timmerman, Shellie Lewis, Robin Seubert, Matthew Fisher, Darla Facemyer, Tony Streib, Vicki Cost, Angie Zimmerman, Pete Fullenkamp, Beth Simons, Marjorie Bruey, Angie Barlage, and Sheila Voisard as their birthdays approach.

Anniversary wishes to Kelsey and Storm Davis (3), Kate and Byron Vulgamore (3), Janelle and Keith Koverman (5), Mallory and Daniel Tinch (6), Hillary and Scott Holzapfel (7), Angela and Ryan Bergman (13), Sandy and Aaron Bergman (14), Erin and Matt Rismiller (17), Dr. Sue Ann and Dr. Charlie Hartzell (23), Beth and Andrew Smith(25), Christy and Mike Prakel (27), Michelle and Larry Reed (27), Sandy and Gary Pierron (30), Brenda and Mark Reitz (30), Hazel and Michael Franklin (36), Loretta and Viro Rosenbeck (42), Pat and Bud Wright (44), Sharon and Keith Fourman (48), Margaret and Bob Hartzell (52), Barb and Marvin Goubeaux (67) and Poultry Days (66). Best wishes to Fr. Ron Haft who transfers to a Cincinnati parish in July.

Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Theresa Buteau, Chris Apple, Miriam Harman, Jack Monnin, Mary Batty, Norma Magoto, Susan Browder, Anne Schmitz, Roger Bey, Cy Gehret, Donna and Terry Black, Ron Bruner, Connie Ecabert, Wanda and Joe Bailey, Dave Buxton, Betty Kremer, Dan Roseberry, Denny Grilliot, Beverly Brown, Linda Kendinger, Harold Langston, Sr., Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Mary Barga, Anabelle Subler, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, Cyril Frantz, Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Samantha Smith, Brian Voisard, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, homebound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.

Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Steven Dakin (26), Robert Thieman (68), Norma Puthoff (99) and also remembering the lives of Felix “Junior” Simmons, and Betty Hess, James Boeckman, Matthew Swallow, Lucille “Tillie” Virden, Leon Schultz, Dennis Berger, Michael Barhorst, Albert Grieshop, Richard Weiss, and Marlene Zumberger, Ed Yohey, Fr. Leonard Kistler, Urban Buschur, Bede Monnin, Richard Subler, Rita Bertke, Edna Martin, Larry Alexander, Bill Heft, Agnes Barton, Margaret Martino, Eleanor Couchot and all those in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.

“Every good conversation starts with good listening” ~Unknown

“Conversation is good for the soul.” ~Proverb

“Nothing compares to a beautiful conversation with a beautiful mind.” ~Unknown