Greenfield Rotary to honor Greenfield's "Gang of Nine" during Wheels of Progress Festival. Sponsored by Two Roasting Joe's Coffee.

SSCC Theatre will hold auditions for the upcoming summer musical, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." The auditions will be held from 6-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, in the Edward K. Daniels Auditorium at SSCC's Central Campus, 100 Hobard Dr., Hillsboro. Those auditioning are asked to prepare a pre-selected monologue and a song. The monologue, song options and more information about “Alexander” can be found at www.sscctheatre.com/auditions.html. “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” runs Aug. 21-23, 2009, and is directed by Rainee Angles with music direction by David White. Sponsored by Greenfield Area Medical Center.

Having a class reunion, family reunion, birthday party, company picnic this summer? How about hiring a caricaturist? Mike Chapman's artistic talents could put a new twist on the party. Mike cut his chops drawing caricatures for folks at King's Island and brings a professional touch to his renderings. Mike is available by the hour or for a flat rate. For complete details email mike@highland-ohio.com or call 937-981-9992. Sponsored by Home Building & Loan.

I received a note from Cindi Pearce about the creations of a new online streaming radio station focusing on the South Central Ohio League and area high school sports. It is a work in progress being done by her son Pearce Dietrich and Blake Matesic, the URL is www.scolradio.com/index.html. Sponsored by Knisley's Body Shop.

If you needing inexpensive activities for your family this summer please give the theater program at Magic Waters Theater consideration. They've been nestled in one of Ohio's natural gems for twenty-seven years and every summer provide good family orientated entertainment at affordable pricing. Check out their Getaway Giveaway Program. Sponsored by Magic Waters Theater. NOTE: The Ohio Dept. of Transportation has closed parts of Cave Rd. for bridge replacement. The road will remain open, however, from the US Route 50 entrance. The project will not affect the Magic Waters Theater season.

McClain HS graduate Jason Hughes is the author of a new novel, Crematory. He will be present for a book signing at the Greenfield Library on Monday, July 20, 2009, 6-7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Pitzer Painting.

First time blogger Jenny Good submits a compelling piece about a major danger we permit our children without always knowing or considering the consequences. Well worth the time to read and reflect on. Check it out at Chapman's General Store; Purveyor of Fact, Fiction, Rumor and Opinion. Sponsored by Sitterle Insurance.

Speaking of inexpensive entertainment have you ever been to Kettering's Fraze Pavilion? I attended a blues concert there on Sunday which made my second visit. It is a fantastic facility; limited seating with no bad seats, great sound system, easy and free parking, and during the summer they have three free festivals and this year, thirteen free concerts. Then there are two-dollar Tuesday events and five-dollar Friday concerts. As well as national and international artist they also draw a good sampling of more local talent. This Sunday we experienced two free bands and for $27 got to take in Dr. John and The Robert Randolph Family Band.  Check out their website at www.fraze.com. Sponsored by Stewart's Pharmacy.

I received an email from a person with roots to Greenfield asking if I knew anything about the town's links to 1930s gangsters. He had been told that John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde had at, at one time, been in Greenfield visiting friends. All I can add is that I've often heard people claim that Greenfield was once referred to as "Little Chicago" but I don't know why that association was made. So, I'm turning to you, the readers, what can you add? I'd rather hear about provable fact but for the sake of a good tale, I'll also welcome rumor! Email to greenfieldohio@gmail.com. Sponsored by The Letter Shop Printing.
  

According to the word on Facebook and elsewhere Ohio's government is about to make a decision on whether to cut funding of public libraries by 50%. I suggest that before that takes place the governor and legislature cut their staffs  and their own paychecks by 50%. If they can continue providing meaningful services with half their current budget and employees it would then be okay to expect libraries do to the same. Governor Strickland's phone number is 614-466-3555 and the email address for the our State Senator, John Carey, is SD17@senate.state.oh.us and Representative David Daniels email address is district86@ohr.state.oh.us. Sponsored by Jennifer Wenker Fine Artist and Supporter of Public Libraries.

NEW: Reader input about Sears & Roebuck on Chapman's General Store. Sponsored by Greenfield Area Medical Center.