THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER
www.bluebagmedia.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2014
Thousands watch 11th annual parade These “We are the Majority” students are among 15 core group peer leaders. The books they’re holding are the Life Skills guides they use to teach younger students. Olivia, front right, proudly shows off their record of growing attendance. The rest of the students are (in no special order) Mason, Ripley, Kayli, Kate, Emily, Chloe, Alex and back right, adult advisor Kelly Harrison. Not pictured, Rose is the most recent member of the group.
“Majority” kids teach Life Skills to younger students GREENVILLE – “We are the majority of kids who are not BOB using drugs,” ROBINSON said Masen, Associate Editor bluebagmedia.com one of the Majority peer leaders. “A lot of times people think about the things kids do that go wrong… we want people to know kids make positive choices.” Majority Advisor, Kelly Harrison, said every year kids rally in Columbus to make a statement… “Not all kids make poor choices.” This group was started to echo that sentiment. It became formal in March. “It’s a peer led program,” she added. “We started with the intention of drug prevention,” Masen said. “Before long it evolved into community boosting… good kids willing to help out with community projects.” Their first activity was speaking to the junior high… “I don’t drink because…” Among the ‘because’ responses was “because you could be doing something better with your time.” Kayli talked about having a booth for a First Friday downtown. “We had games for the kids; we provided information about the negative effects of drugs. She laughed. “Not sure how much the kids understood,
but they sure loved the games.” She noted they also helped with Lunch on the Lawn. Masen added they helped Gateway set up for the Greenville Library’s recent Fright Night. Nine of about 15 core group peer leaders were at the recent planning session, which an hour later was followed by a Study Session with young students. They included Olivia, Masen, Ripley, Kayli, Kate, Rose, Emily, Chloe and Alex. The students come from Greenville, Arcanum, Ansonia and Mississinawa Valley. Size of the group beyond the core? That was a hard question to answer. Masen said they include members of other groups, plus some of the young people at the library. “We work with each other… there’s SADD, IMTV, Gateway, ACES and the library. We have as many as 50 people involved in various projects.” Harrison said what they are doing today is working with younger students. “This is a peer led experience,” she said. “This group has volunteered to help them.” “We’re helping kids get work done. They have study sessions… eventually we hope they will become peer leaders, helpers,” Masen added. Kayli said “we’re teaching them
life skills… making smart decisions.” Harrison said everyone (in the core group) has a role. Emily is involved with life skills, Kayli planned this party, Olivia takes attendance, Tiana does the “all about me” page, Chloe is instrumental in planning the overall process. “It was really neat getting out into the community,” Chloe said about their First Friday experience. “I kind of learned how clubs are formed… how they help you get out of your shell.” “I’m not only teaching life lessons (to the younger students), I’m also learning stuff about myself,” Ripley said. “It’s awesome all these kids here helping others strive to do better in school.” Are the efforts with the younger kids successful? Olivia thinks so. “During the summer session I helped little kids… helping them to read. I noticed improvements in just a week’s time.” Minutes later the youngsters came in. They were ‘all grins’ when they found out they were going to be rewarded with a fun activity… Duck Duck Goose! Kids, peer leaders and adult advisor all participated. Snacks and a brief study session wrapped up the meeting.
GREENVILLE – Downtown Greenville was filled RYAN BERRY with smiling Managing Editor bluebagmedia.com faces as visitors lined South Broadway from Annie Oakley Park to the Traffic Circle. Thousands were waiting anxiously to see nearly 100 horses of all sizes from the miniature variety to the large draft horses. As soon as the Greenville High School Marching Band stepped onto the parade route and began playing the smiles suddenly became a little broader and heads began to turn with necks stretched as far as they could to catch a glimpse of what was coming. It wasn’t long until the first horse made its appearance and soon a carriage carrying the parade’s grand marshall, Jenny Clark, passed by. Although there were well over 70 entries in the parade, visitors were hoping for more as the parade ended.
Parade watchers were thrilled with all of the horses – big and little – as they passed by.
The Early Bird’s mascot, Scoop, entertained parade goers prior to the parade by handing out candy canes, shaking hands and posing for pictures.
Prior to the parade, downtown visitors enjoyed going into the shops and listening to
entertainment from one end of South Broadway to the other.
Christmas in the City set for Dec. 5 UNION CITY – This year, Christmas in the City in Union City, INOH is a combined event with First Friday. The first Friday in December has traditionally signaled the opening of the gift gallery at the Depot that showcases the works of many of their regional artists. In keeping with that tradition they will be expanding this celebration throughout the downtown. You will find delicious treats not only at the Depot, but also throughout the downtown. They want to continue the Arts in the City
that began with Union City’s first ever Arts Festival. As you stroll through the downtown stop in the businesses and enjoy a little music and artists creating new works. This is how the evening will unfold. Look for the Lanterns! * 5-8 p.m. – The Cookie Walk and pictures with Santa at the Community Room * 5:30-7 opening – Opening of the gift gallery at the Depot * 7-9 p.m. – Artists, Music and treats Downtown Union City businesses
* Carriage Rides $5 per carriage * Bus Tours of the Lights at Harter Park – approximately 4 million lights will be illuminated at the Park. * 9-11 p.m. – Entertainment at the Pipes This will be a fun way to open the season. It is a great night to bring family and friends to enjoy what Union City has to offer. Besides, you will find great gifts that can’t be found any other place except Union City, a home for the Arts. Look for the Lanterns.
Greenville loses one of its icons GREENVILLE – Greenville lost one of its most beloved RYAN BERRY citizens this Managing Editor past week. Bill bluebagmedia.com Booker was an icon and legendary figure that was accomplished in many areas. Booker is survived by two sons, William and Phillip. Both meant the world to him. He was a proud father that would often brag about what they have been able to accomplish in life. He spent the better part of his life working in the news media, including a few years as the managing editor of The Early Bird. One of his prized possessions was a picture
of him talking with Lowell Thomas. After retiring, Booker continued to write and years later returned to The Early Bird to pen a weekly column and historical pieces. As a historian, Booker knew the ins and outs of Greenville. He could look at a storefront and could tell anyone willing to listen what businesses have been in that location since the 1950s. His tours of Greenville-Union Cemetery were all encompassing. For over an hour he would take visitors on a tour to tell stories and share the history of Greenville, including stories of the only man ever hanged in the county seat, leaders that helped build the community and
Congressmen that are interred in the cemetery. If you didn’t see Booker walking the streets of Greenville or spending time in the cemetery, one could always find him at the Greenville High School. He was a tremendous supporter of the athletic department. He did everything from line the football field to announce basketball games. He was an encyclopedia of Greenville’s athletic statistics. Steve Birt, one of Booker’s closest friends, said, “I have lost a good friend with the passing of Bill Booker. He was Greenville High School’s most avid supporter and has announced both the girls’ and boys’ basketball
Police Beat .................pg. 2
Church/Social ............pg. 6
On Your Mind .............pg. 5
Obituaries ...................pg. 7
Grumpy Side of 60 .....pg. 5
Sports ........................pg. 10
games for many years. He also was very passionate about the Lady Wave Softball team, and published “The Bink” weekly to keep fans apprized about everything Lady Wave softball. I will never be able to attend a future Lady Wave softball game again without seeing Book leaning up against the left field fence scrupulously keeping the game stats.” Because of his support, Booker was named to the Greenville High School Sports Hall of Fame. Birt noted, “This was an honor he truly deserved for his years of devotion to Green Wave sports.” In addition to the hall of fame, Booker was also honored as this
Bill Booker
year’s Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall and the press box was named in his honor. Days before his death Birt was able to talk to Booker one last time,
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“He called me Saturday while I was driving down to Florida, and told me how much he valued our friendship. I told him the same thing.”