May 30, 2013 15:54May 30, 2013 15:53May 30, 2013 15:56May 30, 2013 15:47May 30, 2013 15:42May 30, 2013 15:37May 30, 2013 15:32

Hikes scheduled for June

XENIA — Greene County Parks & Trails will host several hikes in its local parks this month to welcome spring to the region. All hikes are free but donations are accepted. “There is something happening all the time in the world outside our doors,” says Greene County Parks & Trails Chief Naturalist Cris Barnett. “We encourage residents to come outside with us and witness the changing seasons in Greene County.” Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

Sportsman seminar to be held

XENIA — Join Greene County Parks & Trails for the on-going Sportsman’s Seminar Series featuring local outdoor professionals and other regional outdoor experts to bring the latest information on fishing, boating, hunting and other outdoor topics. Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

Dandelion problems

By JERRY MAHAN I was recently reminded how hard it is to kill dandelions this time of year. One of my sons was having trouble with a “sea” of dandelions in his yard. I volunteered to help control them with a weed spray. I used a spray containing 2-4-D which is a common broadleaf weed killer in mid- April. I use the term “broadleaf” to denote plants with broad leaves like dandelions as opposed to grasses with narrow leaves. With-in a couple of days you could see the expected twisting of the leaves and flower stalks. Turn the clock up three weeks and yes some of those twisted plans are dead but others are green and still growing. So, what gives? Plants like dandelions are drawing nutrients up from the ground this time of year so any weed killer taken in by the plant may not reach the roots and result in the plant’s death. Conversely in the fall plants are storing nutrients in their roots so material taken in through the leaves will likely reach the roots and kill the plant. Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

Nature camps to launch in June

XENIA — Local children and young adults can explore nature through an action-packed week of creekin, fishing, looking for critters, hiking, crafts and more in the Greene County Parks & Trails’ series of Nature on the Go camps. “Each day has a new theme and new exciting activities,” says Greene County Parks & Trails Chief Naturalist Cris Barnett. All camps will be taught by full-time and part-time naturalist staff. Adult volunteers trained by Greene County Parks & Trails assist with many of the camp programs. Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

Trails paved and ready

XENIA — With the arrival of warmer weather, members of the Greene County Parks & Trails Maintenance Team have started mowing the county’s 62 miles of paved, multi-use trails for cyclists, walkers, skaters and all trail users. Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

Taxidermy show at Roberts Center

By LARRY MOORE The Roberts Center was transformed from a ballroom into an art gallery of wildlife mounts. The room was full of activity with taxidermists admiring mounts or discussing the qualities and techniques of their trade. The judges were busy with score sheets and flashlights examining every minute detail of the taxidermy work. Something reasonably new to the Ohio Taxidermy Association (OTA) is opening the show for a few hours to the public. This has generated additional interest in both the show and the art of taxidermy. It’s a prime opportunity for sportsmen to both admire the beauty of the mounts and also gather ideas for their trophy of a lifetime. The visitors were lined up outside waiting for the doors to be opened. Casey Watterson, President of the OTA, explained the show, “The last three years we were in Mansfield which is a great central location. We needed to move to a larger facility with room for growth. That’s why we are at the Roberts Center this year. We have about 150 entries this year plus a number of vendor displays. We are one of the larger state shows. The economy has had an impact on entries the last few years. It takes a commitment of time and finances to attend a show with the travel, hotel and food costs.” Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More

History in Merrick Hotel

By JOAN BAXTER Merrick Hotel Long before the Xenia Hotel was a popular place for travelers and a place for local folks to enjoy Sunday dinner, there was another popular hotel, this one at the southeast corner of Main and Whiteman Streets. 1836 was the year John Ewing and James Gowdy constructed the building which became known as Merrick’s Hotel. The hotel was nicely appointed for its time, and was a popular stop for those riding the stagecoach. General Casper L. Merrick came to Xenia in 1824. He received his title of General while serving as a State Militia officer. His first employment was in the dry goods business, but in 1828 he took charge of the Hamill Inn, a tavern on Main Street, between Detroit and Whiteman opposite the Court House. From there, he managed the Hiving House, a hotel located on the southeast corner of Main and Detroit Streets. There were other places in town one could spend the night in relative comfort, but “Merrick’s Hotel” as it came to be known, was described in 1893 as “the best and most cosmopolitan between Cincinnati and Cleveland”. Not a bad recommendation. Friday, May 31, 2013 Read More