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THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER
S U N D A Y, A U G U S T 2 1 , 2 0 1 6
Murphy shares thoughts on race, Olympics and future RYAN BERRY
MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
NEW MADISON – The headlines have read “From a Pig Farm to an Olympic Podium,” and “How an Ohio Pig Farm Raised an Olympian.” The world might have seen a pig farmer or just another man representing the United States, but one community saw a lot more. They didn’t see Clayton Murphy, Olympian. They saw Clayton, their family member, friend, student and schoolmate. As the former Tri-Village Patriot took center stage in the 800m Run on the track in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, Aug. 15, family, friends, acquaintances and members of the community gathered in the cafeteria at Tri-Village Schools to cheer on one of their own. Nearly 400
fans where dressed in red, white and blue, which also happens to be Tri-Village’s school colors. They were not disappointed. In typical fashion, Murphy stayed toward the rear of the field until the last lap and slowly started making his move to the front. Murphy shared his thoughts about that last lap with The Early Bird, “The track was relatively dry and the only factor the weather played was a delay in the race, which did not affect me. I had prepared in case of weather issues and was ready for the delay. As far as the last 150, I felt like I was in a good position to make a move.” In the last 100m, Murphy said he knew he needed to make a final push to get a spot on the podium. The push he made not only earned him the bronze medal, but also lowered his personal record in the
Clayton Murphy displays the Olympic bronze medal he earned in the 800m Run in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo courtesy USTAF)
800m run by nearly twoseconds, finishing with a time of 1:42.93, just eighttenths of a second behind Olympic champion David Rudisha of Kenya. After realizing what he just accomplished, Murphy said, “I felt a feeling
of accomplishment, joy, honor and overwhelming feelings of is this real. The moment was special, as everything I had worked for paid off and to be able to do it wearing the USA was an amazing feeling.” Scott Warren, Mur-
phy’s high school coach, followed every step his young athlete took during the race. He admitted he was nervous prior to the race and after the race sat back in his chair to catch his breath and take it all in. “It’s pretty amazing. I was really hoping. Everyone was wishing for gold, but that’s a huge task. I was just hoping he would get bronze,” said Warren. Relieved that it was finally over, he said, “I’m tired. I’m probably more tired than Clayton.” Even with a bronze medal hanging from his neck, Murphy’s Olympic experience goes well beyond the track, “I have had a blast in Rio enjoying not just racing but the Olympics. I have made friendships that will last forever.” With the 2016 Olympics behind him, Murphy is already making plans for the future. As a professional
he will begin a journey of racing across the globe. “I am super excited about the future,” he said. “And for sure have my eyes on 2020 Tokyo.” The race certainly brought a community together. However, it wasn’t just New Madison celebrating. The entire county, as well as the region, were cheering their Olympic athlete to the medal. The city of Greenville has already announced it will be changing the water in the fountain at the Traffic Circle from blue to red to honor Murphy and his hometown of New Madison. Murphy said he has heard and felt the support. “ “The support has been great from Darke County. Phone is ringing off the hook with texts and pictures. It’s been amazing to be able to share my experiences with everyone at home,” said Murphy.
Local couple help realize former student’s dream GREENVILLE - A local couple recently traveled to Mitrovica, Kosovo to see a friend’s dream come true. Dr. Steve Gruber and his wife Christa of Greenville believe that this
dream “is a true mission outreach and will continue to be so.” After several years of work, planning, hoping and prayer, the Kosovo Leadership Academy – the
dream of Nadine Hennesey - was dedicated in July. Nadine, of Xenia, became known to the Grubers while she was a student at Cedarville College, where Steve Gruber has served as
160th Great Darke Co. Fair is underway RYAN BERRY
MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – The 160th running of the Great Darke County Fair is now underway. The annual ribbon cutting ceremony held on Aug. 19 signified the opening of the event. The fair expects to host between 180,000 and 190,000 visitors during the nine days and nine nights of fun and excitement. If the trend continues, the fairgrounds could see as many as 200,000 people come through the gate. From the annual Sunday concert, featuring Chicago, to the Jr. Fair livestock shows, there is something for everyone. For persons who don’t want to spend a lot of money at the fair, the
board has put together a great line-up of free entertainment. If music is what you are seeking, the Gazebo is a great place to find talented local and regional artists. Also, there is now free admission to all horse races. Perhaps you want entertainment for your kids. Don’t miss the Grand Stage Illusionist John Steven Bloom or catch Sunshine Monkeyshine and Mary Lynn and her family of Capuchin Monkeys. Not only are they fun shows, but they can be very educational. The Kiddie Tractor Pull, which is always a lot of fun, will allow kids to test their pedal power on Aug. 26, 6 p.m., in the Swine Barn. Registration begins at 5 p.m. You can also support the youth by attending the Band Spectacular in
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front of the Grandstand on Monday evening. The Band Spectacular gives high school music lovers their first look at the bands for this school year. The Wavaires will also make their debut in front of the Grandstand on Aug. 26, 2:30-3:15 p.m. for a free concert. As they have for over 30 years, Kissel Bros. rides will have people screaming with delight. From the Grandstand to Implement Row and from the South Show Arena to the Cow Palace, there is always something new to see or do. A single admission to the fair is $7 and children under 12 are free with an adult admission. Membership tickets are available for $20.
the assistant dean for the graduate school of education, director of the masters of education program and professor of education. Nadine was a physical education graduate with Cedarville’s Class of 1987. She and her new husband, Ed, moved to Michigan, where he was to pastor a church. They were married just 11 months when Nadine found her husband had suffered a heart attack in his office at the age of 26. Four months pregnant, Nadine at first was uncertain how to move forward with her life. She and her husband had been planning on working as missionaries in South America, so after much consideration and prayer she began to move forward with these plans. After working with the disadvantaged in Peru, Nadine decided she wanted to realize her dream of working with children and mothers like herself – those who had lost their husbands. The war in Kosovo, which lasted from February 1998 through June 1999, left many families fatherless. Nadine, sympathetic to wives and children who lost husbands and fathers, set her sights on the war-torn Muslim country. “She accurately predicted that this country was going to be in desperate need of strong, ethical leadership,” Steve Gruber said recently of Nadine’s wish to start a school with a focus on teaching moral and ethical leadership skills, along with regular curriculum.
Dr. Steve Gruber speaks during a recent dedicatory service for the Kosovo Leadership Academy.
Working with local city officials in the city of Mitrovica, Nadine helped establish a school for orphaned children. She called it the House of Laughter after reading Psalms 126:1-2, which says “We were like those who dream, then our mouth was filled with laughter.” The House of Laughter, which was moved from location to location while the new country was being established, gave opportunities for fun, learning and laughter to children who had lost family members during the recent war. “Her work caught the attention of the government,” Gruber said. “She earned the right to be heard because of her love, care and concern for the orphans and women of Kosovo.” So when Nadine’s “next vision” to build a permanent school came to the attention of city leaders, the mayor of Mitrovica “gave 60 acres” for the project, Gruber noted. Hoping it would take just one year from start to finish, Nadine set about preparing a written plan for the school’s mission
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Nadine Hennesey, founder of the Kosovo Leadership Academy during the July dedication ceremony at the school in Mitrovica, Kosovo.
and curriculum. But what she thought would take a few months, turned into several years, Gruber explains. “She’s dedicated the last seven years to see that dream come to a reality,” Gruber said of the dedication of the Kosovo Leadership Academy, which opens its doors to students with the beginning of this school year. In 2009, Gruber was asked to help write the business plan for the academy. Once the plan was approved, the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), which helped realize Nadine’s dream, began raising money toward the school project. Things went very slowly – until the summer of 2015, when a prayer service was held, along with the announcement that $1 million was needed to construct the school. Right after the prayer service, Gruber explained, “Nadine got word of a $100,000 donation. God was moving. Three hundred thousand dollars was
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