05/05/12 by I-75 Newspaper Group

Saturday

May 5, 2012 It’s Where You Live! Volume 104, No. 107

OPINION

LOCAL

Just how much parenting can the government do? PAGE 4

Relay for Life starts today

RACING

Could drought end? PAGE 14

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COMING SUNDAY

Job growth slows again April unemployment rate drops slightly WASHINGTON (AP) — One month of slower job growth might have been a blip. Two suggest a worrisome trend: The economy may be faltering again. The United States generated just 115,000 jobs last month, well below expectations and the fewest since October. The unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent, but for the

The boys of summer

wrong reason — workers abandoned the labor force. From December through February, employers added 252,000 jobs a month on average. But the figure dipped in March and dropped further in April, raising doubts about an economic recovery that can’t seem to reach escape velocity.

The report Friday by the Labor Department indicated “an economy that is losing momentum, especially on the jobs front,” said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets. It also dealt a blow to President Obama’s re-election Barack His presumed prospects. Republican opponent, Mitt

Romney, called the report “very disappointing.” Romney said the country should be adding 500,000 jobs a month and said any unemployment rate above 4 percent is “not cause for celebration.” The rate has not been that low seen since the last days of the Clinton administration. “We seem to be slowing down,

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TROY

The ping of the aluminum bats, the benches littered with sunflower seeds and discarded bubble gum wrappers and the distinct sound of ballfield chatter from the tiniest of voices can only mean one thing — it’s little league baseball season again. Troy Junior Baseball celebrated its opening day ceremonies April 28 at the Mark Knoop Baseball Complex. Coming Sunday

Illnesses shut down schools BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@tdnpublishing.com

in Valley, in the Miami Valley Sunday News.

Troy Christian Schools closed Friday due to staff illnesses and the lack of substitute teachers. According to Troy Christian High School and Junior High Principal Mike Orange, over the last several weeks students and staff have battled “a variety of illnesses.” Orange said the illnesses ranged from the flu, upper respiratory issues, allergies and sinus. No confirmed cases of an active virus have been reported, Orange said. “We’ve had a variety of different STAFF PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER illnesses with our students last Eighth-grade students at Troy Junior High School learn a combination of dance styles Friday during a week, and simply it just started to visit from Nicole Greenwood with Salsa City Fitness. The Troy Junior High School conducted a health fair affect our staff,” Orange said. “We with students Friday. could not get enough substitute teachers in and we didn’t really have an option other than to close.” Orange said the administration believed a three-day weekend would be beneficial for those to recuperate. Troy Christian Schools will be back on schedule on Monday, Orange said. For more information visit, late impairment due to alcohol BY MELANIE YINGST TROY www.troychristianschools.org. use. Staff Writer “I always see the cop shows myingst@tdnpublishing.com such as blood pressure, as well as where they make the people walk Keeping fit sometimes requires safety and health tips, according the line,” she said. “It looks easy to health and physical education on TV, but you put those goggles a little sweat equity. on, and it shows how messed up Troy Junior High School stu- teacher Nancy Wilson. “The kids have a lot of fun and you really are.” dents got their groove on with Romello Yaquab said he liked help from Nicole Greenwood, a learn new ways of healthier living,” Wilson said. “We enjoy doing trying Zumba. local Zumba instructor. “I think it’s fun and it’s exhilaDuring the class, Demeek this every year for the kids and Staff reports Baker wiped the sweat from his it’s a nice reminder why it’s rating — she was really hard to important to stay active and keep up with,” Yaquab said. “I brow. DAYTON — Indictments were liked the electric demonstration filed against 39-year-old Kenneth “You got to get in the beat out healthy.” Upper Valley Career Center (by Pioneer Electric) and learned H. Brandt of Troy and 31-year-old there,” Baker said. Students spent Friday learn- students helped students see how that all electricity wants to do is Patrick Rieder of Dayton, for the ing how to be more safe, healthy UV rays affect their skin with the get to the ground.” rape of a child under the age of 13, Other demonstrations includ- Montgomery County Prosecutor and different ways to make fit- help of a blacklight and mirror called DermaScan. ed healthier eating options pro- Mat Heck Jr. announced Friday. ness fun. “I did the face thing,” said 14- vided by Advantage, and a Hoops “It’s kind of hard to keep up,” Brandt is the adopted father of Baker said of the Zumba exercise. year-old Makayla Dickerson. “It for the Heart competition. the victim, who is a minor. Brandt Local businesses such as showed all the places on my face Students Austin Funderburg and brought the victim from their Pioneer Electric Cooperative, and where the spots are. It was Megan Thompson won the Hoops home in Troy to Rieder’s home in Division of Wildlife, Molena pretty cool to see what is on your for the Heart event and all Dayton. The evidence shows that money raised from the event will during this encounter, both Rieder Healthcare and Upper Valley face.” Dickerson also said she used go to the American Heart and the adoptive father engaged in Career Center chipped in to help students learn their “numbers,” the “drunk goggles,” which simu- Association.

INSIDE

Xenia tops Troy, 9-5

Working up a sweat

Xenia’s Zack Newsock had one home run, 15 RBIs and a batting average of .292 entering Friday’s game against Troy at Market Street Field. But Newsock was the difference-maker on Friday night, hitting three home runs — including a grand slam in the fourth inning, which put Xenia up 7-5 — and tallying six RBIs to lift the Buccaneers past the Trojans 9-5 in a six inning rain-shortened win. See

Students learn healthy living tips

Brandt indicted on more felony charges

Sports, Page 15.

INSIDE TODAY Advice ............................7 Calendar.........................3 Classified......................10 Comics ...........................8 Deaths ............................5 Verda M. Karn Rev. Dr. Jack E. Wiltheiss Opinion ...........................4 Racing ..........................14 Religion ..........................6 Sports...........................15 TV...................................7

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OUTLOOK

Underground Railroad tour Sunday in downtown Troy

Today Light rain High: 80° Low: 62°

BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@tdnpublishing.com

Sunday Partly cloudy High: 78° Low: 56°

Complete weather information on Page 9. Home Delivery: 335-5634 Classified Advertising: (877) 844-8385

PAGE 2

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A self-guided Underground Railroad tour will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday in downtown Troy. Seven stops are included along the route that begins and ends at the Museum of Troy History, 124 E. Water St. Maps will be provided. All locations have a connection with the Underground Railroad, which was a network for

TROY slaves to reach freedom in Canada, though historians do not know exactly what occurred at each location. “It’s a complicated story, and each of these places is associated in one way or another,” said museum curator Terry Purke. The repercussions of aiding slaves were so severe, he added, that some people, though supportive of slaves’ rights, did not want to risk hiding and

transporting them. “When people were helping these slaves escape, that was an illegal activity,” Purke said. “There were a lot of people who were against slavery — and wanted abolition — but didn’t participate in the Underground Railroad because it was illegal.” Conductors from Lincoln Community Center will be available at the stops to discuss the historical significance of each. The tour is walkable, though participants are welcome

to bike or drive. The first stop on the tour is outside the home at 210 E. Main St., where the Underground Railroad leader Richard Brandriff lived. While some people believe he housed slaves at his home, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that he did or did not. Next on the tour is the intersection of Walnut and Canal streets, the former location of the canal basin, where captains of the canal boats would transport slaves North.

The third stop is 16 E. Franklin, now the Miami County Family Abuse Center and formerly the Trinity Episcopal Church. “There is a recorded incident of slave capturers trying to apprehend a woman living in the basement of the church, but she escaped by locking the front door and climbing out the back window,” Purke explained. “She just disappeared and was later found in Canada.”

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For Home Delivery, call 335-5634 • For Classified Advertising, call (877) 844-8385

LOCAL

Saturday, May 5, 2012

LOTTERY CLEVELAND (AP) — Friday’s winning numbers: Pick 3 Midday: 5-8-6 Pick 4 Midday: 9-8-5-4 Ten OH Midday: 04-06-12-13-25-26-31-3637-38-41-42-49-56-59-62-67-7172-76 Pick 3 Evening: 4-2-9 Pick 4 Evening: 0-6-0-6 Ten OH Evening: 04-09-10-11-12-13-15-2123-25-33-38-39-41-47-52-60-6569-75 Rolling Cash 5: 16-25-29-34-37

BUSINESS ROUNDUP • The Troy Elevator The grain prices listed below are the closing prices of Friday.

Month May N/C 12 J/F/M 13 Month May N/C 12 J/F/M 13 Month May N/C 12 N/C 13

Bid 6.4500 4.9400 5.1100 Bid 14.4800 13.1200 13.2300 Bid 6.0950 6.0950 6.4050

Change +0.0575 -0.0525 -0.0525 Change +0.0475 -0.0100 +0.0050 Change -0.0600 -0.0600 -0.0550

You can find more information online at www.troyelevator.com.

• Stocks of local interest Values reflect closing prices from Friday.

AA CAG CSCO EMR F FITB FLS GM GR ITW JCP KMB KO KR LLTC MCD MSFG PEP PMI SYX TUP USB VZ WEN WMT

9.37 25.75 19.12 48.73 10.67 13.99 112.32 22.36 125.10 56.43 33.66 78.29 77.00 23.12 31.28 95.87 11.41 65.90 0.31 14.00 59.48 31.67 40.26 4.81 58.70

-0.21 -0.02 -0.60 -0.63 -0.25 -0.46 -4.67 -0.01 -0.08 -0.90 -1.41 -0.45 -0.44 -0.13 -0.47 -1.17 -0.33 -1.01 0.00 -0.55 -0.78 -0.27 -0.38 -0.01 -0.29

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TDN-NET.COM

Economy • Continued from 1 not speeding up,” Romney said on Fox News Channel. “This is not progress.” Obama, at a Virginia high school to promote a freeze on interest rates for student loans, focused on the six-month total of more than 1 million jobs created. But he said: “We’ve got to do more.” The 8.1 percent unemployment rate is the lowest since January 2009, the month Obama was sworn in. Still, the weak job growth caused stocks to fall sharply on Wall Street. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 1.6 percent and closed its worst week of the year. The price of oil fell more than 4 percent because of fears of a slowing economy, which should mean lower gasoline prices soon. Some of the slower job growth may be because an unusually warm winter allowed construction firms and other companies to add workers ahead of schedule in January and February, effectively stealing jobs from the spring. The weaker job growth in March and April “looks like some weather payback,” said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics. The balmy weather probably exaggerated job

TROY growth in the winter and makes it look small now, Ashworth said. He expects job creation to settle into a lackluster range between 175,000 and 200,000. The economy may not be growing fast enough to produce anything stronger. Economists surveyed by The Associated Press expect the economy to grow 2.5 percent this year. That is consistent with monthly job growth of only about 135,000, according to calculations by Brad DeLong, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley. That is barely enough to keep up with population growth not nearly enough to recover the jobs lost in the Great Recession quickly. At this year’s pace, it will take until May 2014 to restore employment to its 2008 peak of 138 million. The United States has only recovered 3.8 million, or 43 percent, of the 8.8 million jobs lost between the peak, in February 2008, and January 2010. David Boyce, 30, is one of those still looking for work. He lost his sales job two years ago and ran out of unemployment benefits in September. He and his wife, who is working reduced hours as a nanny, are struggling to get by. “We lived off savings for a while,” he said. “And now we’re living off ramen noodles basically.”

April’s hiring slump was broad. Only two of 10 large categories tracked by the government, retailers and professional and business services, hired more workers in April than they did in March. The categories of manufacturing and education and health services added the fewest jobs in five months. Hotels, restaurants and entertainment companies added the fewest in eight months. Friday’s report noted that that the average hourly wage went up one penny in April. Over the past year, average pay has increased 1.8 percent, almost a full percentage point shy of the inflation rate, which means the average American isn’t keeping up with price increases. Even April’s bright spot, the lower unemployment rate, fades on closer inspection. The government only counts people as unemployed if they’re looking for work. And 340,000 Americans stopped looking and dropped out of the labor force in April, which is why the unemployment rate fell slightly. The dropouts mean just 63.6 percent of working-age Americans were working or looking for work, the lowest since 1981. It has been almost three years since the Great

Recession ended in June 2009. Economists say countries usually flounder for several years after a financial crisis like the one that hit the United States in 2008. Damaged banks are reluctant to lend. Borrowers who took on too much debt in the good times change their ways, cut their spending and try to repair their finances. The economy grows slowly. And after this financial crisis, the economy is trying to gather speed without two of the engines that usually help power economic recoveries: housing and government spending. A housing collapse caused the crisis, and home construction isn’t doing much to lead the way out. Housing hasn’t contributed to economic growth since 2005, though a recent burst of apartment construction might change that this year. Government hiring also normally boosts employment after a recession. Not this time. Cities, towns and counties, especially, have been cutting employment. Private employers have added jobs every month since February 2010, noted Gary Burtless, senior fellow in economic studies at the Brookings Institution. Over that same period, government payrolls have dropped by 500,000.

still in irons. The fifth spot is situated on the Plum Street sidewalk, looking at the back of the LeDoux’s building, where the old courthouse was located from 18411888. During that time, black people could be brought to the courthouse and required to prove with documentation that they were freed slaves. A public notice would go out alerting citizens of the possibility of an escaped slave, and that person could

face legal proceedings to be returned into slavery. Anyone charged with helping slaves or possessing knowledge of someone helping slaves faced fines and imprisonment as well. Next along the tour is the McCampbell house on West Water Street, just before Market Street. As a tanner, John McCampbell collected animal hides from farmers and had the opportunity to transport slaves in his wagons. The final location is 11 N.

Walnut Street, which was owned by Asa Mayo, a merchant who supported the Underground Railroad financially and may also have hidden slaves in his home. Following the tour at 4 p.m., Purke will speak at the museum about the harsh penalties for helping escaped slaves. He will appear in character as a state official enforcing federal law in the states. For more information on the tour, call 216-6925.

Tour • Continued from 1 Across the street from the Family Abuse Center is First Presbyterian Church, which Purke said “has the most definitive connection on the whole tour.” A wall was removed years ago, exposing an excavated area with iron cuffs and chains inside. “As to why a person would still be in irons, we don’t really know,” he said, though it is believed that some escaped slaves were

Brandt • Continued from 1

• Oil and Gas Benchmark crude fell $4.05 to end at $98.49 per barrel. Brent crude fell $2.90 to finish the day at $113.18 per barrel. — Staff and wire reports

sexual conduct with the child. The defendants had met in an online chat room, and eventually agreed to meet. Brandt was indicted on

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three counts of rape of a child under 13, and four counts of complicity to commit rape of a child under 13. Reider was indicted on four counts of rape of a child under 13. All of the counts are first-degree felony charges and carry a possible sentence of 10 years to life. Additionally, both defendants were indicted with sexually violent predator specifications, which would

make the sentences 25 years to life. Brandt in March was indicted on 31 felony charges in Miami County for similar activity. “Child abuse, especially child sexual abuse, is always upsetting. It’s especially disturbing in this case because not only did Brandt allow a stranger to sexually molest his child, he also abused his own child,” Heck said.

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We carry all four of John Fulker’s books, novelized stories of eight murders which actually occurred in Miami County in the 100 years between 1854 and 1964. The books are: And True Deliverance Make; A View From Above; Chicken Soup, Cheap Whiskey and Bad Women; Shards, Pellets and Knives. All these murders happened in Troy, Piqua and Covington, with ties to Tipp City. The last murder case was defended by Fulker and had a very strange outcome. 2281174

Breast cancer rare in men, but they fare worse CHICAGO (AP) — Men rarely get breast cancer, but those who do often don’t survive as long as women, largely because they don’t even realize they can get it and are slow to recognize the warning signs, researchers say. On average, women with breast cancer lived two years longer than men in the biggest study yet of the disease in males. The study found that men’s breast tumors were larger at diagnosis, more advanced and more likely to have spread to other parts of the body. Men also were diagnosed later in life; in the study, they were 63 on average, versus 59 for women. Many men have no idea that they can get breast cancer, and some doctors are in the dark, too, dismissing symptoms that would be an automatic red flag in women, said study leader Dr. Jon Greif, a breast cancer surgeon in Oakland, Calif. The American Cancer Society estimates 1 in 1,000 men will get breast cancer, versus 1 in 8 women.

Relay starts today The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Miami County is this weekend at the Miami County Fairgrounds, with the theme Relay is Rockin’ n’ Rollin’ for a Cure. The event begins at noon today. This year, there will be a brunch at 11 a.m. for all cancer survivors along with one caregiver each. Other events planned include a survivors first lap, the luminary ceremony, Little Miss and Mister Relay contests and the Ms. Relay event. This Side Up will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday Anyone going to the Relay should keep a few tips in mind. With the exception of service animals, no pets are allowed at the Relay or in the camping area during the event. Go to www.RelayForLife.org/ MiamiCounty for more information.

Schedule of Events Saturday, May 5 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Survivor brunch (main Relay building) Noon — Opening ceremony, survivor lap, light Torch of Hope, Logan Rathmann Noon to 4 p.m. — Bloodmobile 1-5 p.m. — Cancer Prevention Study 3 1 p.m. — Mini Olympiad sign ups 1:30 p.m. — Mini Olympiad Crab Walk, 3Legged Race, Balloon Shot Put, 20 Yard Crawl, Egg Toss, Frozen TShirt, Tug of War, Corn Hole 2:30-5:30 p.m. — Auction (main Relay building) 3-4 p.m. — Everybody’s Sister 4-5 p.m. — Little Miss/Mr. Relay 4:30-5 p.m. — Bellamy Dance Studio 5-5:30 p.m. — Noteability, men’s quartet 5:30-6 p.m. — Troy High School Pep Band 6-7 p.m. — Miss Relay 7 p.m. — Team lap 7:15 p.m. — Corn hole — Group 1 (under age 12) 9-9:30 p.m. — Luminaria ceremony 9:30 p.m. — Corn hole — Group 2 9:30 p.m. — Logan Rathmann 9:30-11 p.m. — This Side Up, live band 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. — Folklore story time Sunday, May 6 12:30-1:30 a.m. — Campfire sing a-long 1:30-3 a.m. — Movie, “The Art of Getting By.” 3:30-5 a.m. — Movie, “The Vow” 6-6:45 a.m. — Team captain breakfast, logistics tent 7-7:30 a.m. — Yoga 7:30-7:45 a.m. — Logan Rathmann 7:45-8:15 a.m. — Sunday morning message, Ed Ellis 8:15-8:30 a.m. — Logan Rathmann, all see program for lyrics 8:30-9 a.m. — Presentation of awards, special recognition, committee introductions, thank you 9 a.m. — First lap of 2013 Relay

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TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

Miami County Special Olympics announces award winners from its April 27 annual sports banquet. Honored at the banquet for excellence in their sport were: Danny Schumacher of Troy for his participation in basketball; Antwain Hill of Troy for football; Luke Hahn of Troy for swimming; Tom Luna of Piqua for softball; Jamie Campbell of Troy for volleyball; Maggie Bondurant of Troy for cheerleading; Thane Baker of New Carlisle for golf; Laura Healey of Tipp City for bowling.

Miami County Special Olympics program. Evening activities included a dinner provided The Miami County Special Olympics program by Riverside’s Transportation department, cofrelies on volunteer assisfee and a slide show of all tance and it comes from the sports and activities many places. during the past year. Receiving honors as The Miami County volunteer of the year was Special Olympics program Brenda Frantz of Troy, is part of the programs who was the program’s and activities of the Miami swimming coach. County Board of DevelopTroy Fish and Game was awarded organization mental Disabilities. Its of the year, recognizing its mission is to empower ongoing support including children and adults with the use of its softball field, developmental disabilities use of one of its rooms for to live, work and play as full members of the Miami activities and donations County community. toward the success of the

TROY

AREA BRIEFS

Shepard to speak about challenges PIQUA — Edison Community College student Preston Shepard will hold two motivational speaking engagements at noon and 6 p.m. May 7 in the cafeteria of the Piqua campus. Shepard will speak on his experiences as a military veteran, his recent experiences as a paraplegic and working with veterans to overcome their challenges. He was injured in a work-related accident in 2008 and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Despite his injuries, he has battled back to become the area’s only certified kayaking instructor who is physically challenged, won the United States Air Force Marathon and works with veterans as part of the Wounded Warrior Project. Admission to the speaking engagements is free, and donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society fundraiser to help purchase a specialized hand bicycle for Shepard are encouraged.

a.m. to 1 p.m. May 12. Healthy Kids Day inspires kids to get active and engage in learning so they maintain healthy habits and academic skills to reach their full potential. This year, more than 1,900 YMCAs across the country will participate in this community-based interactive event celebrating the tools that teach positive behaviors, provide healthy ways to play and increase learning through unique Y programs. Some of the activities at this year’s event will include a fun run, Zumba classes, basketball hotshot, baseball hit, a bounce house, canoeing and water safety activities. In addition, there will be a variety of other “kidfriendly” community organizations on hand withtable displays and hand-outs. The first 100 kids in attendance will receive a free YMCA swag bag. All kids in attendance will be entered into a drawing for door prizes, including a bike. For more information, contact Donn Craig or Kathi Roetter at (937) 440-9622.

Healthy Kids Day Free eBay set at Y workshop set TROY — The Miami PIQUA — The Small County YMCA is offering Business Development a Healthy Kids Day at the Center at Edison Robinson Branch from 10 Community College is

Troy Civic Theatre Presents:

"Ravenscroft" Curtain: Fri. & Sat. 8:00p, Sun. 4:00p Call: 339-7700 For Ticket Reservations Barn in the Park Across from Hobart Arena

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May 4, 5, 6, 11 & 12

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FYI

Special Olympics recognizes outstanding athletes, volunteers

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your flashlight. For more information, visit the park district’s Web site at www. miamicountyparks.com. • THEATER OPENING: • PATH FINDER: The The Troy Civic Theatre will Miami County Park District C o m m u n i t y present “Ravenscroft,” by will have a GPS Path Calendar Don Nigro at the Barn in the Finder program from 2-4 Park. A funny murder mysp.m. at Stillwater Prairie tery set in 1905, it pits CONTACT US Reserve, 9750 State Route Inspector Ruffing against 185, north of Covington. five women in the desire to Participants will join Spirit discover the cause of of Thunder (John De Boer) Call Melody Patrick Roark’s death. and learn to be a modern Shows are at 8 p.m. today native guide in the forest. Vallieu at and 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets Take a journey into nature 440-5265 to are $12 at the door, or call with the modern equipment. list your free 339-7700 for reservations. Know where you are, where you are going and calendar how to get there by using a TODAY items.You GPS system. Participants can send also will navigate the • RUMMAGE SALE: A your news by e-mail to woods by using a map, rummage sale will be vallieu@tdnpublishing.com. compass and the sun and offered from 9 a.m. to noon stars. Pre-register for the Saturday at St. John’s program by sending an United Church of Christ, email to register@miami130 S. Walnut St., Troy. countyparks.com or call (937) 335-9730, Enter on Canal Street. Good used clothing and large and small household items will be Ext. 115. • BABY TIME: Springtime Means Babyfor sale. will be offered at 2:30 p.m. at Time • RUMMAGE SALE: First Lutheran Church, corner of West State Route 41 and Aullwood, 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton. Discover the newest babies at Aullwood Washington Road, Troy, will offer a rumFarm. Take a behind the scenes tour as we mage sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. watch a lamb nurse, touch a tiny chick, and Clothing will be $3 a bag on Saturday, with meet a goat kid. Participants will learn how provided bags. the farm staff prepares for the young ones’ • SPAGHETTI DINNER: Troy Post No. arrival and cares for them once they are 43 Baseball will offer an all-you-can-eat born. Also, participants will make simple spaghetti dinner from 3-7:30 p.m. at 622 S. homemade butter. Market St., Troy. The meal also will include • FULL MOON WALK: A May Full Moon a salad bar, drink and dessert. Meals will Walk will be from 8:30-10 p.m. at Aullwood, be $6.75 for adults and $4 for children 12 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton. May is a and younger. All proceeds will benefit the great time for spectacular flower blossoms Troy American Legion baseball. and to enjoy an evening walk. An Aullwood • PRAYER BREAKFAST: The Troy naturalist will lead this relaxing night walk in Men’s Community Prayer Breakfast will be light of May’s Flower Moon. the offered at 7:30 a.m. at Zion Baptist Church, 711 W. Franklin St., Troy. A membership SUNDAY drive will be part of the event. • YARD SALE: The Troy Senior Citizens Center, 134 N. Market St., Troy, will have a • DODGEBALL TOURNEY: A dodgeball yard sale beginning at 8 a.m. tournament will begin at 1 p.m. at the A.B. • BLOOD DRIVE: A blood drive will be Graham Memorial Center, Conover. Call offered from noon to 4 p.m. at the Miami Emalie at (937) 620-3832 for more informaCounty Relay For Life, Miami County tion. Fairgrounds, 650 N. County Road 25-A, • WINGS AND STRINGS: WACO Troy. Anyone who registers to donate can Aviation Learning Center and Troy Noon take home an “I Did it for the Cookie” cookOptimists Club will host the annual “Wings book. Individuals with eligibility questions on Strings” family kite fly from noon to 3 are invited to email canidonate@cbccts.org p.m. at Historic WACO Field, 1865 S. or call (800) 388-GIVE or make an appoint- County Road 25-A, Troy. The community is ment at www.DonorTime.com. invited to make and fly a kite, and materials • PANCAKES AND SAUSAGE: The are provided. Admission is free. For more Pleasant Hill United Church of Christ, one information, call (937) 335-9226 or block west of the intersection of State lcdir@wacoairmuseum.org. Route 48 and State Route 718, will hold its • CHICKEN BARBECUE: Casstown monthly all-you-can-eat pancake and Fire Department will have a chicken barbesausage breakfast from 7:30-11 a.m. The cue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4210 E. State cost is $4 for the standard adult breakfast Route 55, Casstown. The meal will include of pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee, tea 1/2 chicken, coleslaw, applesauce, chips or milk. A deluxe breakfast is available for and a roll for a $7 donation, dine in or $5 and includes scrambled eggs. Children’s carry-out. All proceeds go to upkeep of portions also are served. Contact the equipment. church office at (937) 676-3193 for more • BREAKFAST OFFERED: Boy Scout information. This will be the last breakfast Troop No. 586 will serve an all-you-can eat until Sept. 10. breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon for $6 at the • SHARE-A-MEAL: The First United American Legion Post in Tipp City. Items Church of Christ, corner of South Market available will be bacon, sausage, home and Canal streets, will offer its Share-Afries, eggs, pancakes, waffles, sausage Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The gravy and bixcuits, toast, cinnamon rolls, meal will feature hamburgers, baked beans, juice and fruit. macaroni and cheese, fruit pie and bever• BLUEGRASS JAM: There will be a ages. Share-A-Meal is a program to reach bluegrass jam session at 2 p.m. at the out to the community by providing nourishAmerican Legion Post No. 586, 377 N. Third ing meals to anyone wishing to participate St., Tipp City. The feature band will be while giving an opportunity to socialize with Laurel Mountain, plus there will be an open others in the community. Use the Canal mike jam session. Bring your instruments, Street entrance where the church is handithere is free admission and refreshments capped accessible. will be available. • GENEALOGY CLASS: A genealogy • WAGON RIDES: Aullwood’s draft class will be offered at 10 a.m. on the first horse team, and Farmer John will take visiSaturday May through July at the A.B. tors for a relaxing tour of Aullwood Farm on Graham Center, Conover. There is a fee. a wagon drawn by horse power from 1-2:30 Reservations are necessary by calling p.m. This is a great way to explore (937) 368-3700. Aullwood Farm for the first time or to view it • CREATURE FEATURE: Meet the from a new perspective. Fees for the proEastern screech owl from 2-3 p.m. at gram are $1 per person and non-members Brukner Nature Center. Come learn how to must pay admission to the farm in addition identify these nocturnal creatures not only to the wagon ride fees. Each ride lasts by sight, but by the sounds they make that about 30 minutes. many people believe sounds like a horse • WILDFLOWER WALK: An Aullwood neighing. This event is free with paid admis- Spring Wildflower Walk will be offered at sion to the building. 2:30 p.m. Aullwood’s wildflower trail is full of • RUMMAGE SALE: Troy VFW No. 5436 colorful spring favorites such as columbine, will offer a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 jack-in-the-pulpit, wild geranium, Mayapple p.m. at 2220 LeFevre Road, Troy. and more. An Aullwood naturalist will lead • ENCHILADA DINNER: The Pleasant this relaxing wildflower walk at Aullwood. Hill VFW Post No. 6557, 7578 W. Fenner Road, Ludlow Falls, will offer enchilada dinMONDAY ner with Mexican rice from 5-7 p.m. for $6. For more information. call (937) 698-6727. • QUARTER AUCTION: A quarter auc• SPRING BABIES: Discover the newest tion to benefit Corinn’s Way will be offered babies at Aullwood Farm at 2:30 p.m. Take at 6:30 p.m. at Riverside, Troy. Doors will a behind the scenes tour as we watch a open at 6 p.m. One hundred items valued lamb nurse, touch a tiny chick, and meet a between $25-$100 will be auctioned. goat kid. Participants will learn how the Individual paddles will be $1, and all-in padfarm staff prepares for the young ones’ dles will be $25. Refreshments will be availarrival and cares for them once they are able and those proceeds will benefit born. Also, they will make simple homeSpecial Olympics. For more information, made butter and come enjoy the babies at contact Alicia Love at (937) 694-5318. Aullwood. • GOLF OUTING: The 2012 Troy Area • FULL MOON WALK: A May Full Moon Chamber of Commerce Go For the Green Walk will be from 8:30-10 p.m. at Aullwood, golf outing will be held at the Troy Country 1000 Aullwood Road, Dayton. An Aullwood naturalist will lead this relaxing night walk in Club. Registration is $130 per player. Civic agendas the light of May’s Flower Moon. • Monroe Township Board of Trustees • FULL MOON CAMPFIRE: The Miami will meet at 7 p.m. at the Township Building. County Park District will have a “Full Moon” • The Tipp City Council will meet at 7:30 Campfire from 8:30-10:30 p.m. at p.m. at the Government Center. Charleston Falls Preserve, 2535 Ross • The Piqua City Commission will meet Road, south of Tipp City. Spend an evening at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. at an old-fashioned campfire listening to • The Troy City Council will meet at 7 legends and telling stories. Sing along with p.m. in the meeting room in Council Spirit of Thunder (John DeBoer) as particiChambers. pants roast marshmallows and spend time • The Staunton Township Trustees will with family and friends. Participants who meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Staunton Township play an instrument are welcome to bring it building. along. Meet in the parking lot. Don’t forget

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sponsoring an ebay Workshop from 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 17. The free hands-on demonstration will help participants learn how to of establish an ebay store. Topics covered will include how to list products for sale, take photos and upload them to your store, the difference between “Buy it Now” versus “Auction,” ebay data analysis, auction status, shipping charges, sales thresholds and more. The workshop will be in room No. 511 at the Edison Community College Main Campus, 1973 Edison Drive, Piqua. For more information or to register, contact the Edison SBDC at (937) 381-1525.

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LOCAL

OPINION

Contact us David Fong is the executive editor of the Troy Daily News. You can reach him at 440-5228 or send him e-mail at fong@tdn publishing.com.

XXXday, 2010 Saturday, May 5,XX, 2012 •4

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In Our View Troy Daily News Editorial Board FRANK BEESON / Group Publisher DAVID FONG / Executive Editor

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PERSPECTIVE

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” — First Amendment, U.S. Constitution

EDITORIAL ROUNDUP The Post-Standard, Syracuse, N.Y., on welfare reform and recession: After new rules were adopted in 1996, including a five-year lifetime benefit limit and work requirements, President Bill Clinton’s claim to “end welfare as we know it” seemed vindicated. Nationally, caseloads and welfare budgets dropped as former clients moved to self-sufficiency. In 10 years, the caseload for TANF — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families — dropped 59 percent, from 4.4 million to 1.7 million. As early as 1997, Clinton proclaimed, “The debate is over.” Now some troubling numbers suggest the pronouncement may have been premature. While New York is bound by the state constitution to support the needy, other states are not. According to a recent report in The New York Times, 16 states have actually cut welfare rolls since the recession began. Some have taken advantage of federal leeway to reduce time limits to as few as two years, tighten eligibility and reduce grants. States that diverted federal welfare dollars to other programs when caseloads fell are not about to increase spending on public assistance in lean economic times. As I As a result, on the national level, welfare rolls See It have barely budged, even as the number of the needy has grown. Recent studies suggest as many as ■ The Troy 4 million single mothers with children today are Daily News welcomes without jobs or public assistance. Not surprisingly, columns from families are resorting to desperate measures — sellour readers. To ing food stamps, shoplifting, trash-picking, returning submit an “As I to abusive boyfriends. See It” send Ron Haskins of the Brookings Institution, who your type-writhelped draft the welfare reform law, is among those ten column to: now having second thoughts. “The issue here is, can ■ “As I See It” you create a strong work program, as we did, withc/o Troy Daily out creating a big problem at the bottom?” he asked. News, 224 S. If welfare reform is an unqualified success only Market St., in the best of times, it begins to look like that old Troy, OH 45373 roof encountered by the Arkansas traveler — it only ■ You can also leaks when it rains. e-mail us at Financial Times, London, editorial@tdnpu on France’s presidential election: blishing.com. Observers have been quick to point out the ■ Please unprecedented nature of Nicolas Sarkozy’s defeat in include your full the first round of the French presidential elections. name and teleNo incumbent has failed to lead the field at this phone number. stage since direct elections were inaugurated in 1965. But whether or not the symbolism of his defeat has humbled the president, simple voting arithmetic suggests that he is far from down and out. Indeed, given the way the votes fell, with Sarkozy trailing the winner, François Hollande, more narrowly than expected, and the Front National outpolling the far left by a wide margin, it is in some ways easier to construct a majority for the right in the second round than vice versa. Sarkozy has already indicated what his pitch will be in the run-off, hinting at the “chaos” that would ensue were Hollande to assume the presidency because of what the president sees as the challenger’s aversion to austerity…. The markets may have wobbled after the first round, but Hollande is hardly a rabid socialist. One can argue that he does not have the correct policies. For instance, his fiscal plans would leave public spending at a higher level than Sarkozy’s, funded by higher taxes. But the differences are fairly marginal. Even some of Hollande’s eye-catching pledges, such as to roll back Sarkozy’s pension reform, turn out on closer inspection to be tinkering, not real changes of direction. The truth is that neither candidate has conjured a compelling vision. The problem for Sarkozy is that the lack of a clear policy contrast turns the run-off into a personality contest that becomes harder for him to win. While Hollande does not inspire, he does not seem to enervate so many of his fellow countrymen as the president does. Whatever the outcome, the narrowing of horizons does not bode well for France.

LETTERS

Thank you for your support

Excellence in Dentistry-Drs. Bentley, Stevens, & Jones, Drs. Sims & Culp, Erwin Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Troy, Extra To the Editor: Innings, Fazoli’s, Fletcher We would like to thank the Lions Club, Frisch’s, Goodrich following businesses and indi- Corp., HealthPark Dentistry, viduals for their help and their Hittles Jewelers, Hobart Arena, donations in making after JM Mold, Joe Johnson prom a success: Chevrolet, Josten’s, Key II 36 Skate Club, Alvetro Security, KTH, LaFiesta, Orthodontics, Andy’s Garden, Lostcreek UCC, Mauro Carl & Peggy Brokaw, Orthodontics, Miami East Applebee’s, Cassano’s, Education Foundation, MEHS Christiansburg Store, Conover Athletic Department, MEHS Lumber, Cove Springs Church, Athletic Boosters, Miami Cove Springs Junior Grange Jacobs Serenity Spa & No. 706, Dr. Terrence Massage, Miami Valley Centre Allemang, Dr. Douglas Gordon, Mall, Miami Valley Feed & Dr. Douglas Hoefling, Grain, Monroe Federal, Oink-A-

Doodle-Moo, Pioneer Electric, Primecare Physicians, Quality Lawn, Landscape & Fence, Smith-O’Neal VFW Post 5436, Sons of Amvets Squadron 88, Studio 85, Suber-Shively Funeral Home, Sunset Cleaners, Applebee’s, Trojan Florist, Troy Aquatic Center, Troy Fish & Game, Tumble U, Unity National Bank, UVMC, Troy and Piqua Walmart, Wendy’s/S Group Companies, VPP Industries, Barb Coffing and MEHS staff & administration, Tori Nuss, Matt Schultz, Les Kinder and Richard Hague.

WRITETO US: The Troy Daily News welcomes signed letters to the editor. Letters must contain your home address and a telephone number where you can be reached during the day. Letters must be shorter than 500 words as a courtesy to other writers. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. MAIL: 224 S. Market, Troy, Ohio, 45373; E-MAIL: editorial@tdnpublishing.com; FAX (937) 440-5286; ONLINE: www.troydailynews.com (“Letters To The Editor” link on left side).

DOONESBURY

Just how much parenting can the government do? It probably doesn’t come as a shock to most of you that when I see farms or agriculture pop up in the news, I’m usually for whatever is about to go down (whether it’s suing a massive “farm” for their atrocious treatment of animals or enforcing them to actually let the animals hang out in the field for part of the day). It’s that annoying vegan in me. Except lately, I’ve seen something regarding farms splattered in the newspapers, on my nightly news and across the Internet and for once, I think I might be on your side, farmers. It’s OK, pigs are not flying and the world is not ending (well, as far as I know, it’s not). Just in case you’re not as privy to crazy political ramblings, there’s been a proposal making its way around Washington D.C., that would not only make it basically illegal for children under 18 to work in storing, marketing and transporting of farm product raw materials, it would make it really, really difficult for them to participate in 4-H and other agriculturebased programs. I read four days ago there are revisions being made to the bill,

Amanda Stewart Troy Daily News Columnist ones that loosen the rules and allow children’s involvement in agriculture clubs, but regardless of the changes I can’t help but wonder one thing. Since when did the government get to tell me how I choose to raise my child? I’m not defending child labor here, folks; nor am I making a case for people who lock their young ones in closets and don’t let them socialize because they think modern schools and humans are evil and broken. I fully understand that there are situations when the government needs to step in. In fact, there are probably far more cases requiring government attention than we even realize. But what about the farmers

— MEHS Junior Parents After Prom Committee

out there who do things the ‘right’ way? My husband’s niece is married to a farmer and they have four darling boys. Not only do they farm for their living, they live off their land; making their own yogurt, cheeses and milk and butchering their own chickens. Their sons are young, but they spend part of their weekends on playdates with other children and walking around the land, learning exactly what their parents do to put food on the table. They don’t work on the farm yet, but at the age of 14, 15, 16, will they help tend to the crops? Probably. Are they going to be pulled from school and forced to do manual labor day in and day out? Probably not. I’m not saying every farm-owning and working family is doing it “right.” I’m not saying that there aren’t kids out there who are being forced to work on farms far too young, perform far too dangerous tasks and miss out on their childhood because their parents decided to birth employees rather than children to raise and love. I am, however, saying that I’m not sure when it became the government’s business to tell me how

I was going to raise my child. If the government can go onto a farm, one that’s got the right balance kids allowing to be kids, but also learning the value of a dollar and their family’s business (one they might even go onto to run as well), what’s going to stop them from telling me that I can’t raise a vegan family? Why is it the only way to remedy the problems our society is facing is by putting a giant band aid on the issue as a whole, rather than addressing the scrapes and cuts as needed? I can’t say that I think forcing your child to work on a farm is right or wrong, I can tell you that there are parts about it that seem wonderful and there’s also a lot of room to go overboard with it. Just like you may not think my raising a vegan family is right; there are some wonderful aspects about it, but there’s a lot of room to do it improperly. But what I can tell you, is this. I don’t ever want the government to take away my decision to form that opinion.

Troy Troy Daily News

Miami Valley Sunday News

FRANK BEESON Group Publisher

DAVID FONG Executive Editor

LEIANN STEWART Retail Advertising Manager

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Amanda Stewart appears on Saturdays in the Troy Daily News.

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Saturday, May 5, 2012

OBITUARIES

VERDA MARIE KARN PIQUA — Verda Marie Karn, 98, of Concord Ave., Piqua, died at 3:25 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2012, at Piqua Manor Nursing Home. She was born Aug. 21, 1913, in St. Louis, Mo., to KARN the late Harry and Edith (Johnston) Popp. She married Dale E. Karn, who preceded her in death in August 1959. Survivors include two sons, Dale E. (Mary Jane) Karn Jr. of Piqua and Thomas L. (Joyce) Karn of Sidney; two daughters, Barbara (Lee) Landis of Middletown and Karen M. Hudson of Piqua; 16 AP PHOTO/MARK DUNCAN grandchildren; and 30 A trailer carrying five exotic animals arrives at the farm of Marian Thompson near Zanesville Friday. The great-grandchildren. Columbus Zoo returned a bear, two jaguars and two primates to Thompson, the survivors of 56 animals her late She was preceded in Terry Thompson, released from the eastern Ohio farm Oct. 18, 2011, before he committed suicide. Fearing for the death by a brother. public's safety, authorities killed 48 of the animals. Mrs. Karn attended Piqua City Schools and in addition to being a wonderful homemaker she

Surviving exotic animals returned to Zanesville farm

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio zoo on Friday returned five surviving exotic animals to a woman whose husband released dozens of wild creatures last fall before he committed suicide. Two leopards, two primates and a bear have been held at the Columbus zoo since October. State officials had ordered the animals be quarantined on suspicion of infectious diseases. Ohio’s agriculture director lifted the order on Monday, and Marian Thompson of Zanesville, who had appealed the order, retrieved the animals Friday from the zoo. Thompson took them back to the eastern Ohio farm where her husband released 56 animals including black bears, mountain lions and Bengal tigers before he committed suicide. Authorities killed 48 of the animals, fearing for the public’s safety. Distinctive in a bright pink shirt and dark pants, Thompson arrived at a loading area at the zoo close to 10:30 a.m., driving a pickup truck pulling a silver horse trailer. Growling noises could be heard as the two leopards were loaded by hand into the horse trailer in wooden-looking crates. A forklift loaded a steel cage, likely carrying the bear. Thompson put her hand on

the cage and appeared to be talking to the animal inside as it was put into the trailer. The monkeys, contained in smaller carriers about the size of those used to transport dogs, were loaded inside the backseat of the cab of the truck, with the windows rolled down. Thompson ignored shouted questions from nearby reporters. Several zoo staffers, including veterinarians and keepers, watched the transfer, with some taking video and still photos. Two United States Agriculture Department inspectors were also on hand with cameras. Medical results released last week showed all five animals were free of the dangerously contagious or infectious diseases for which they were tested. Thompson previously tried to get the animals back from the zoo, but the quarantine prevented her from taking them. Now that she has the animals, nothing in Ohio law allows state officials to check on their welfare or require improvements to conditions in which they are kept. The state’s agriculture department says it will be up to local authorities to be alert to their caretaking. “Ohio has done everything in its power to keep local officials informed

throughout this process to ensure they had as much information as possible in advance of this threat returning to their backyard,” said David Daniels, the state’s agriculture director. The suicide of Thompson’s husband, Terry Thompson, the animals’ release Oct. 18 and their killings led lawmakers to re-examine the state’s restrictions on exotic pets, which are considered some of the nation’s weakest. Daniels said in a written statement that the animals’ health had improved since they arrived at the zoo. Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said there was not a lot local authorities can do. But “At the first complaint we have, we’ll follow up,” he said. Thompson’s home in Zanesville sits about a quarter-mile from a rural road, surrounded by fields and pastures where horses graze. A “Welcome Back!” balloon was tied to the mailbox, as her truck carrying the animals made its way down the property’s long lane. News media could see the bear being unloaded into a cage, of what appeared thick iron bars, in the yard. Of the animals that Terry Thompson released,

three leopards, two Celebes macaques and a bear survived and were taken to the Columbus zoo. One spotted leopard had to be euthanized at the zoo in January. The macaques are small primates; the female weighs about 6 pounds, and the male weighs more than 10 pounds. The zoo said it raised more than $44,000 in online donations to help care for the animals, though the actual cost was not known. Thompson’s lawyer has told the state’s agriculture department that his client has adequate cages for the surviving animals. Multiple messages left for Robert McClelland have not been returned. Others have questioned conditions at the farm, including Tom Stalf, the Columbus zoo’s chief operating officer. Stalf, who was at Thompson’s the day of the Zanesville release, said the primates taken in the zoo had been held in separate, small bird cages, and the brown bear was kept in a cage that wasn’t fit for its size. “There was feces on the floor, in the cages,” Stalf said. “You could not get a fresh breath.” Cyndi Huntsman, a friend of Thompson’s, has told The Associated Press that Thompson had cleaned the cages.

worked as a clerk at the Piqua Revco Drug Store for 19 years. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and the VFW Post No. 4874 Auxiliary. In addition to her family she enjoyed playing bingo. A service to honor her life will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday May 8, 2012, at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home with the Rev. Kazy Blocher Hinds officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, Covington. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County Inc., P.O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences to the family also may be expressed through jamiesonand yannucci.com.

REV. DR. JACK E. WILTHEISS PERRYSVILLE — The Rev. Dr. Jack E. Wiltheiss, 83, of rural Perrysville, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 4, 2012, following a short illness. He was born Oct. 26, 1928, in Miami County, and was the son of the late Ernest and Edyth (Knoop) Wiltheiss. He was a 1947 graduate of Lena Conover High School and completed his education at Tennessee Temple College of Chattanooga, Tenn. During his lengthy career, he served congregations of the General Assembly of Regular Baptist Churches, first at Millerstown Community Church of St. Paris, and 24 years at the First Baptist Church of Valley City, retiring in March of 1991. Following his retirement, he moved to the Perrysville area. He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Ashland. Jack was well-known by his friends and fellow pastors as “Jack The Baptist.” He is survived by his wife, Glenna (Reed) Wiltheiss, whom he married Nov. 9, 1949; two sons, Gaylord (Patricia) Wiltheiss of Norton and Samuel (Cindy) Wiltheiss of Rockford, Mich.; two daughters, Ellen Fitzenrider of Berea and Susan (Brian) Wilson of Ashland; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one brother,

Robert Wiltheiss of Piqua; and five sisters, Lois Boehringer of Piqua, Nellie Thornton of Erie, Pa., Janet Maxon of Conover, Peggy Drennan of Cadis, Ky,, and Carla Van Hoogen of Boise, Idaho. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Ernest Wiltheiss; and four sisters, Betty Charity, Mildred Weatherhead, Doris Elifritz, and Carol Jane Woods. Friends may call from 46 p.m. Monday, in Calvary Baptist Church, Ashland, where services will follow at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Harry Strachan officiating. Another funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, in the Union Baptist Church, Peterson Road, Troy, with the Rev. Oren Thomas officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to those services in the church. Burial will be in Fletcher Cemetery, Fletcher. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund of Calvary Baptist Church, 220 Davis Avenue, Ashland, OH 44805 or Hospice of North Central Ohio, 1050 Dauch Drive, Ashland, OH 44805. The Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, is honored to be serving the Wiltheiss family. Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.ByerlyLindsey.com.

Senior citizen graduating decades after college start bachelor of science degree in business management. “All I’ve known my whole life has been work, work, work, but I also loved books and always tried to soak up as much learning as I possibly could,” said Elliott, who started his education in a one-room schoolhouse in eastern Kentucky. He was the only one of a dozen siblings to attend high school, but his sharecropper father insisted he drop out as a sophomore in 1938 to work the 201-acre farm in Carter County where the family grew tobacco, corn and other crops. “Those were the days of horse and mule power, and everyone in the family was expected to work the farm,” Elliott said. “I was the only boy left at home, and he needed my help.”

Kent State survivors want answers KENT (AP) — Seven people wounded by Ohio National Guard gunfire at Kent State University 42 years ago Friday have renewed an appeal for answers to lingering questions, such as whether an order to fire was given. “Our May 4 movement for truth and justice has continued for 42 years, and

we will not desist until truth about this government crime is acknowledged by our government,” the group said Thursday. The survivors are launching a campaign to persuade state and federal lawmakers and other officials to convene hearings to examine new evidence from the May 4, 1970, shootings.

Elliott said his father was an intelligent man, “but he only had a fourth-grade education and didn’t really see the need for school.” Marrying at a young age, serving in the Navy in World War II and raising three children with his late wife, Maggie, kept Elliott from even thinking about his college goal for years. “When you have a family, you have to work,” he said in a telephone interview from his home. “You’re responsible for them.” Elliott worked various jobs, including operating a grocery store and working as a brick maker and a welder. He was working at a plant in Piketon in 1958 when he enrolled in night classes at Rio Grande, where he earned nearly 40 credit hours before he had to drop out when he lost his

job due to downsizing. But Elliott, who describes himself as a “lifelong learner,” took advantage of educational opportunities whenever he could, eventually earning a GED diploma to finish high school and taking a history course at Ohio University Southern in Ironton. Elliott continued working as an International Brotherhood of Boilermakers union welder traveling to jobs in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania. He also studied theology for three years to become a Church of the Nazarene pastor in 1967, a vocation he continued after retiring from welding in 1984. But Elliott had to give up pastoring a couple of years ago. “I worked 12 to 15 hours a day seven days a week

pastoring, and I couldn’t keep that up,” said Elliott, who still studies the Bible, writes sermons for other ministers and does church volunteer work. The great-grandfather said it would have been wonderful to have his degree earlier, but he isn’t wasting time on regrets. “I’m just grateful that I will finally be able to walk across that stage in a cap and gown and get the diploma I always dreamed about,” said Elliott, who insists that won’t end his education. “I intend to keep learning as long as I live.” Elliott has been encouraged to write a book combining his sermons and autobiography. “I may just do that, if I can find the time,” said Elliott, who will be 90 in July.

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CINCINNATI (AP) — Clell Elliott knows what he’s talking about when he tells anyone wanting a college degree to never give up. The 89-year-old Ohio man will graduate today from a university in southern Ohio where he began as a freshman more than 50 years ago. The Sandy Hook, Ky., native, who now lives in the Ohio River town of Franklin Furnace, said he encountered many roadblocks on his journey to a degree but followed his own advice and “just refused to give up.” An adult studies program at the University of Rio Grande, about 120 miles east of Cincinnati, has allowed him to combine previous college credits with seven decades of work experience and realize his lifelong ambition with a

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Elliot’s three children ages 69, 62 and 59 will be there to see their father graduate. “We’re very proud of him,” said son Terry Elliott, also of Franklin Furnace. “It’s awesome to be 59 and preparing to attend your father’s college graduation.” The adult program at the private university of about 500 undergraduates is for those 24 and older who had to leave college before getting a degree and usually requires extra course work, said Zak Sharif, dean of Rio Grande’s College of Professional and Applied Studies. But Elliott’s long experience and previous courses were enough. Sharif said Elliott is a perfect example to other adults that “it’s never too late.”

RELIGION

Saturday, May 5, 2012

TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TDN-NET.COM

Race, religion collide in presidential campaign BY RACHEL ZOLL Associated Press How unthinkable it was, not so long ago, that a presidential election would pit a candidate fathered by an African against another condemned as unChristian. And yet, here it is: Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney, an African-American and a white Mormon, representatives of two groups and that have endured oppression to carve out a place in the United States. How much progress has America made against bigotry? By November, we should have some idea. Perhaps mindful of the lingering power of prejudice, both men soft-pedal their status as racial or religious pioneers. But these things “will be factors whether they’re explicitly stated or not, because both Obama and Romney are minorities,” said Nancy Wadsworth, co-editor of the anthology “Faith and Race in American Political Life.” Mormons are 1.7 percent of the U.S. population, according to the Pew Center; AfricanResearch Americans are 12.6 percent “Americans like to obsess about ways that people are different,” said Wadsworth, a political science professor at the University of Denver. Voters of all types say that a candidate’s race or religious beliefs should not be cause for bias, “but Americans are really conflicted about this, and they talk out of both sides of their mouth.” In an October 2011 Associated

AP PHOTO/ROB CARR

AP PHOTO/GARY C. KNAPP

From left, Brown Chapel AME Church pastor James Jackson, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, and Rev. Clete Kiley, hold hands and sing at the end of a church service in Selma on the commemoration of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., on March 4, 2007.

Pat Robertson, right, the founder of Christian Broadcasting Network and the chancellor of Regent University, sits with Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, before Romney delivers the commencement address to the 2007 graduating class of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., May 5, 2007.

Press-GfK poll, 21 percent of respondents said they would be less likely to cast a presidential vote for a Mormon. Four percent said they would be less likely to vote for a black person. An AP poll during the 2008 campaign found that nearly 40 percent of white Americans had at least a partly negative view of black people. The gap between America’s high-minded ideals and narrowminded practice is not new, of course. In 1620, the Puritans landed on Plymouth Rock searching for religious freedom; the Constitution forbade a religious test for president. And yet the religion of presidential candidates has historically been a major issue, though nearly all have been

Protestant. Thomas Jefferson, who coined the phrase “separation between church and state,” was decried as godless; nearly 160 years later, John F. Kennedy was tarred as a Roman Catholic who would answer to the pope instead of the American people. In 2012, it’s unlikely that more than a smattering of die-hard bigots will be repelled by both presidential choices. But even wellintentioned people can be influenced by the powerful emotional pull of these issues. Obama has been assailed with racially charged accusations since he became the first black president: Obama isn’t a citizen; he refused to punish New Black Panthers who intimidated white voters; he’s seeking payback for

ness’ — he’s a socialist, he’s dangerous, maybe a Muslim,” she said. “I think down underneath there’s a lot of race bias, it’s just that they’ve figured out ways to channel that into seemingly race-neutral codes.” Romney, too, has tried to push past anti-Mormonism, with mixed success. His membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has been an issue his entire political career. In 2007, during his primary battle against John McCain, he gave a speech to quiet concerns about his faith. “I do not define my candidacy by my religion. A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith,” Romney said in the speech, which used the word “Mormon” only once.

past white racism by redistributing tax money to poor minorities; he’s using the Trayvon Martin killing for political gain. Wes Anderson, a Republican consultant and pollster, said many white swing voters who chose Obama in 2008 think he has governed further to the left than they expected, which has fed ideas that Obama is a typical “black liberal politician” who is “pandering to minorities.” “From their perspective, I think race will be a convenient excuse for why he has not met their expectations,” Anderson said. Wadsworth said that even after three-plus years of a black president, racial bias remains “super loaded and super coded.” “It’s coded into political ‘other-

AREA RELIGION BRIEFS Room 3, 444 E. Water St. Hours will be 6:30-8 p.m. every other Thursday. Single & Parenting is a video seminar, combined with support group discussion of the materials presented during the video. It is not necessary to attend every session as they are self-contained, however participants will want to review topics to make sure they don’t miss one the wish to attend. Child care will be provided upon request. There is no charge for

Support group soon to begin TROY — A single parent support group will be offered bi-weekly May 10 through Oct. 25 at St. Patrick Parish Center,

Church Service Directory The Living Word Fellowship Center

WEDNESDAY

947 North Market St., Troy

6:30 pm Adult Bible Study

SATURDAY 9 am Men's Bible Study

Troy Church of the Nazarene 1200 Barnhart Road, Troy

Corner of W. Rt. 55 & Barnhart Rd.

937-339-3117 - www.troynaz.net

Pastors Gilbert and Phyllis Welbaum

SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:45 a.m. Worship

Be a part of our

"New Church Service Directory" Contact Shanda for details at 937-440-5284 sjoyce@tdnpublishing.com

www.daveramsey.com for more information. Contact Dan Cain at (937) 335-2914 for more information or to register.

Buffet meal at First UCC

Wellness presentation set

TROY — An all-youcan-eat sandwich, salad and dessert buffet will be FLETCHER — A well- offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at First ness presentation will be offered at 7 p.m. May 7 at United Church of Christ, corner of South Market the Fletcher United and Canal streets. Methodist Church, 205 S. The buffet will feature Walnut St. a variety of homemade The repeat program sandwiches and an assortwill be at 1 p.m. May 16. Included in the presen- ment of salads. The Women’s tations will be free exams Fellowship will be able to from chiropractor Jason Toman and free massages use the $6 per person — ages 6 and under, $3 — to from reflexologist Marge assist with their support of DeHays. Also, Connie community agencies such Webb-Parker will give as Partners in Hope, demonstrations on nutriHospice and recreation tion and whole foods. A programs at Troy Care chiropractor tries to Rehabilitation. There will restore function and stabe a variety of desserts to bility, not only to your spine, but to your underly- top off your feast . Use the Canal Street ing nervous system. entrance where the church Reflexology is an alternative medicine involving the is handicapped accessible. physical act of applying pressure to the feet, hands ‘Garage give’ or ears to improve the circulation of blood flow to set for May 19 the nervous system that TROY — Living Word connects to every organ Fellowship, 947 N. Market and body part. St., will offer a “garage The event will last give” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. approximately one hour, May 19 at the church. and the general public is Clothing, toys and invited free of charge. household items will be For more information, distributed free of charge call 339-4185. to those in attendance. If you would like to FPU to donate items or if you need more information, be offered call Pastors Brian and Jill Patel at 440-1690. TROY — Troy View Church of God, 1770 N. County Road 25-A, will Shabbat services offer Financial Peace upcoming University, a 13-week course taught by Dave PIQUA — The congreRamsey on DVD. gation of Temple Anshe FPU teaches families Emeth will hold Shabbat and individuals commonservices at 7:30 p.m. May sense principles like how 11. to make a plan with their Rabbinic intern money so they are able to Courtney Berman will be free themselves of debt conducting the service. and build lasting wealth. The synagogue is locatThe classes will begin ed at 320 Caldwell St. at 9 a.m. May 13. For more information, Visit visit www.ansheemeth.org or call (937) 547-0092.

St. Patrick plans festival

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SUNDAY 9:30 am Worship 11 am InHouse Classes 6 pm Small Groups in homes

the workbooks, thanks to a grant from the Troy Foundation. Contact Pat Smith at 335-2833, Ext. 105, or rsmith3055@aol.com for information or registration.

3230 S. Co. Rd. 25A • Troy

339-2687

2278385

TROY — The annual St. Patrick Festival will be

Scholarship event planned CASSTOWN — The Lostcreek United Church Dorothy Kirk Scholarship Music Night will begin at 7 p.m. May 20 at the church, 7007 E. TroyUrbana Road, Casstown. Berachah Valley, a bluegrass music group, will perform. The church is handicapped accessible.

Art show seeks participants WEST MILTON — Hoffman United Methodist Church is seeking applicants to take part in the sixth annual art show to be July 13-15 in the activities center at 201 S. Main St., West Milton. The purpose of the show is to share area talent with the public. The show is non-juried. Some pieces may be available for purchase, with transactions handled directly between the artist and the buyer. Application forms may be picked up at the church office, the Hen’s Nest and Really Cool Stuff in West Milton, and Benkin’s Antiques/Art Studio and The Hotel Gallery in Tipp City. Forms also are available on the church website at HoffmanUMC.org. The deadline for entering is June 24. For more information, call Cheryl at (937) 6987030.

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K’S

WHOLESALE CARPET OUTLET WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!

HAMBURGER SHOP Take someone with you to church this week.

from 5-10 p.m. May 18, 211 p.m. May 19 and 1-6 p.m. May 20 at 409 E. Main St. The event will include amusement rides, bingo, children, teen and adult games, free entertainment, cash and quilt raffles. A silent auction, treasure chest, plant booth, cake wheel, beer garden and festival fare also will be available throughout the weekend. Dinner specials will be offered each evening from 5-8:30 p.m., including an authentic Mexican dinner on Friday and grilled chicken on Saturday. For more information, visit www.stpattroy.org or call the parish office at 335-2833, Ext. 131.

35 S. County Rd. 25A, Troy I-75 at Exit 69

335-0068

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TROY — The First United Church of Christ, corner of South Market and Canal streets, will offer its Share-A-Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today. The meal will feature hamburgers, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, fruit pie and beverages. Share-A-Meal is a program to reach out to the community by providing

nourishing meals to anyone wishing to participate while giving an opportunity to socialize with others in the community. Use the Canal Street entrance where the church is handicapped accessible.

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Share-A-Meal set served today

Largest In-Stock Showroom in Darke Co. FREE ESTIMATES

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TROY DAILY NEWS • WWW.TROYDAILYNEWS.COM

ANNIE’S MAILBOX

Tell the truth if it will give you some peace of mind Dear Annie: This past year, an old high school friend looked me up after nearly 30 years. She was in town to visit her dying father. Our youthful parting had been quite unpleasant. She called to apologize for anything she had done to offend me in the past, which is commendable, especially because she has little memory of those years. She was an abused child. I didn't tell her that one of her brothers raped me when we were teens. I figured she'd had enough trauma in her life, plus she was dealing with her dad dying. At one point, I came face to face with my rapist and realized I was no longer afraid of him, and that the past had no power over me. I felt I had no need to confront him or tell his sister. Instead, I reached out and shook his hand. Watching him squirm was enough for me. However, in hindsight, I wonder whether I did the right thing by keeping this a secret from my friend. When she called, she seemed to be fishing for information, but I decided that this particular piece would be too much for her to handle. Should I have told her? — Silent Friend Dear Friend: We are impressed with how well you've gotten over a horrific, traumatizing event. If you believe the brother is capable of harming another person, we hope you will report him, not only to your friend, but to the authorities, even at this late date. Your friend's fishing expedition may have been for other reasons, but if she was an abused child, it's quite possible the brother also attacked her and she was searching for corroborating evidence from you. There is no "right" or "wrong" in terms of telling her. Do what gives you peace of mind. Dear Annie: My in-laws think it's OK to share everything we tell them with other people. We've asked them several times to please stop, but they don't. It hurts that they sacrifice family for the quick thrill of gossip. Would you please run the poem about gossip again? Maybe it will have an impact. — Hurt by Gossip Dear Hurt: Sharing family secrets is less about gossip than about having big mouths, but the poem bears repeating nonetheless. Here it is: Remember Me? (author unknown) My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning, malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip. Office gossip. Shop gossip. Party gossip. Telephone gossip. I make headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not — DON'T REPEAT IT. Dear Annie: I greatly appreciate your column, but I am disheartened to see the many letters where children are used as instruments against other family members. It saddens me to read that grandchildren are not permitted to see their grandparents, or aunts and uncles can't see nieces and nephews over things that seem so trivial. But your constant message to "take the high road" is refreshing in a world where that sentiment seems to be lost. Your column reminds me daily of how blessed I am to live within a loving family, immediate and extended, and I count those blessings daily. — Grateful in Mercer, Penn. Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

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