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The Right Time, The Right Place to Live Happily Ever After
At Our Award-Winning Retirement Community S
ince 1902, Brethren Retirement Community has added chapters to our rich history, superior care, and growth in the healthcare industry. We focus on providing person-centered care in a home-like environment and are always looking to enhance our retirement story by offering new and innovative services. CHAPTER 1 ;;;;
Short and Long Term Skilled Nursing Care
• Increased emphasis on our Restorative Nursing Program to help residents maintain or gain functional strength • New Nurse Navigator helping residents successfully transition from hospital to BRC and from BRC back to the home they love CHAPTER 2 ;;;;
Award-Winning Rehabilitation Program
• Offering Physical, Occupational, Speech, Respiratory, and Outpatient Therapy • New Vestibular Rehab to improve participants balance and reduce dizziness-related problems • Rehab to Home program helps more than 150 people return home each year
CHAPTER 3 ;;;;
Darke County’s Largest Assisted Living
• Residents enjoy private apartments, 16 entrée options, a variety of activities, computer lab, craft room, woodshop, SeniorFit Gym with personal trainers, on-site full-service bank, gift shop, chapel, trips, housekeeping/laundry and assistance with activities of daily living. • Ask us about our current move-in special that will save you $7800 the first year CHAPTER 4 ;;;;
What is Enhanced Living?
• A unique, specialized memory care neighborhood • Offering the award winning, Behavior Based Ergonomics Therapy (BBET). Dr. Bharwani, the developer of this program states,“BBET is a program of practical solutions aimed at managing behaviors and improving the quality of life for residents living with Alzheimer’s.”
CHAPTER 5 ;;;;
2 Campuses Offering Independence, Security, Peace of mind now and in the future
• Chestnut Village located right here on our Greenville campus offers 75 homes and 5 spacious floor plans • Mill Ridge Village located in Union offers the opportunity to build a new home and currently has 2 model homes being built. CHAPTER 6 ;;;;
Our Newest ServiceNon-Medical Home Care
• In 2009, we added non-medical home care to our story based on the desire for seniors to age in place at home. • We’re growing, we recently opened a second office in Troy at 220 W. Main St. • Serving Darke, Miami, and Northern Montgomery County.
Come for a visit, stay for the lifestyle e invite you to call today to schedule a tour and discover the facts behind our success. We are confident that you W will like what you see enough to join the many residents who have already discovered the benefits of living here!
937-547-7610 or visit bhrc.org • 750 Chestnut Street, Greenville, Ohio Brethren Retirement Community complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. English: ATTENTION: If you speak limited English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-937-547-8000 for assistance. Spanish: ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-937-547-8000. Chinese: 1-937-547-8000.
JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 3
Gathering at Garst continues to grow GREENVILLE – The Lewis and Clark Trailside Tavern will have a local taste to its beer and wine selections with breweries Tailspin Brewing Co. from Coldwater, Moeller Brew Barn from Maria Stein, Warped Wing Brewing Co. from Dayton and Rhinegeist from Cincinnati. The local wineries represented are the Winery at Versailles and Kennedy Vineyard from New Madison. All will have their most popular selections to choose from. The always popular, living history encampment has doubled in size. There are many special activities being planned so check the encampment schedule of events. With leadership from chairman, Galen Delk, the encampment will move into the deep shade canopy of the mighty oak trees that grace the encampment grounds. This will provide a more comfortable experience for both participants and visitors to the encampment. Along with many new skilled historic craftsmen and reenactors, three new food vendors will be in the encampment this year. The Irish Pub, Weedman’s Mess Tent and Bud’s Root beer will all be worth a visit. The booming cannons are returning to demonstrate their glorious past. Be sure to see what life was like from the Revolutionary to Civil War time periods.
The Gathering at Garst committee is not content with just being voted Best Summer Festival for consecutive years and continually looking for ways to attract more visitors.
Your visit would not be complete without taking a carriage ride along the shady road that runs through the festival grounds. Rides are offered on a donation based option with all proceeds benefiting the Garst Museum. On Sunday at 10 a.m. the public is invited to attend an old fashioned “divine church service” led by Parson John. Don’t leave hungry…..that would be foolish with all the great food choices they have this year. Their new food vendors,
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The Merchant House, Hunger Stuck, and Adams Rib BBQ along with returning food vendors, Lip Smacking Good BBQ, Knights of Columbus BBQ, ELKS BBQ, Short North Bagel Deli and Nacho Pig will make deciding what to eat very difficult. Don’t forget to sample the pie and ice cream being served by the Garst Gang. It’s delicious and proceeds go to the museum. Be sure to sit a spell and enjoy their talented entertainers on stage. Entertainment sponsors,
Wayne Health Care and Reid Specialty Physicians of Greenville, continue to support the Gathering and help bring these musicians to their stage. Saturday night’s concert promises to rock the night away! Starting at 8 p.m., Stadium 11 a classic rock band will take the stage. Their sure to get you up on your feet....playing all the favorites. They look forward to seeing you on July 29 and 30 at The Gathering at Garst.
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JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 5
Lewis & Clark Trailside Tavern adds new beers
Invent Ohio artwork from kids on display
GREENVILLE – Now in its third year, the Lewis and Clark Trailside Tavern continues to add not only years under its belt, but also additional craft beers and spirits to their menu of libations. Local breweries and wineries are coming to the event this year and bringing their best stuff. Be sure to trot on in and wet your whistle and enjoy the music. They are excited to have two of Mercer counties well known breweries at the Gathering at Garst. The Moeller Brew Barn from Maria Stein has a reputation for serving some of the best craft beers in the area. Tailspin Brewing Co. from Coldwater is a Navy veteran-owned craft brewery that pours stouts, ales and porters in their reinvented milk parlor. Both of these Mercer County breweries have a huge following and they are sure you will love their selections. Another new face at the tavern this year is Rhinegeist from Cincinnati serving Peach Do-
GREENVILLE – Kids are an endless well of creativity, imagination and energy. Aiming to encourage those characteristics in Darke County’s youth, the Gathering at Garst hosted a student art contest. It was open to any child in grades 4-8 within Darke County, the contest challenged kids to put on their thinking caps and artist smocks to create an original piece of art that embraced the theme, “Ohio Invents.” “Ohio may be known as the mother of presidents, but Ohio has also been home to many great inventors and inventions--from the Wright Brothers and Thomas Edison, to the phonograph and cash register!” says committee member, Gretchen Snyder. “It was a natural choice to have this serve as the spark of inspiration for the art contest and we are eager to see the creativity and ingenuity of our county’s young folks!” We are excited to see what the kids came up with. Entries will be
Do-German Gose. Sounds like a must-try! Joining them for a third year is the lively crew from Warped Wing Brewery in Dayton. Rumor has it that along with their sure-fire craft beer favorites on tap, they’ll be serving out of a bright turquoise vintage camper! You’ll have to see it to believe it! If beer really isn’t your thing, there’s still a reason to pull up a chair in the tavern. Two local wineries will be housed under the tent to serve a range of selections. Coming from opposite ends of the county, the Winery at Versailles and Kennedy Vineyard from New Madison will be popping corks and each bringing five of their most popular wines to please even the most discerning of palettes. The Lewis and Clark Trailside Tavern will be open for business on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m. Serving adults 21 and over with proper I.D.
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GREENVILLE – Gun collectors, reenactors and marksmen can try their luck at the draw to be the proud new owner of an antique firearm. A working 50 caliber percussion pistol is on display to be raffled during the Gathering at Garst. Tickets will be offered at $2 each or 3 for $5 at the camp store of the Fort Greene Ville Traders in the Living History Encampment. The lucky ticket will be drawn in the last hour of the event on Sunday, July 30. You need not be present to win.
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on display in the Kids Art Tent in front of the museum. Matt boards were donated by downtown Greenville frame shop, Granny’s Corner. Cash prizes will be awarded through fifth place on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the awards presentation on the main stage.
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Looking for Something? NT TO ? A W U DO YO EW PEOPLE MEET N
Warped Wing Brewing is bringing its 1957 model Trotwood Trailer to the Gathering at Garst.
SOMETLEARN HING N
EW?
USE YOUR SKILLS?
The Garst Museum has many volunteer opportunities. Stop in the Museum and see what an interesting experience volunteering can be.
To explore how you can be involved with friendly, like-minded people working for a common goal, contact Linda Newbauer at Garst Museum. email: linda.newbauer@garstmuseum.org Phone: 937-548-5250
205 N. Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331 www.garstmuseum.org
Warped Wing Brewing to return to Greenville GREENVILLE – Warped Wing Brewing Co. CFO Michael Stover was born in Greenville in 1961 and his family owned Stover Feed and Grain, Inc. and Marlou Foods, Inc. for many years in Greenville. He is a 1979 graduate of Greenville High School. His grandfather was a local artist for many years and a couple of his original works are currently located in the Garst Museum. Michael’s great-grandfather Wogaman manufactured gasoline engines around the turn of the century, one of which is also on display at the Garst Museum. “Now, we’re coming full circle by bringing WWBC beer and our Trotwood Trailer to Greenville and the Garst Museum,” said Stover. Trotwood Trailers began offering assembly line travel trailers to the public in earnest in 1930 until a fire destroyed Trotwood’s legacy business in 1981. Thousands of campers and travel trailers were built on North Broadway in Trotwood, Ohio for
delivery all across the country. Trotwood Trailers were respected for their innovative features and high quality construction. Many still survive today. Warped Wing teamed up with The RV Clinic in Franklin to search out the Midwest for a Trotwood Trailer to renovate. Eventually, they found a 1957 model, which we they reconditioning into a mobile event trailer. “To celebrate our find, we designed a beer that would live up to the retro era trailer. Trotwood Lager,” Stover said. The trailer will travel as an iconic piece of history on wheels and be showcased at events, serving cold, refreshing craft beer throughout the summer. “Join us as we take you back to a time when things were simpler” says Nick Bowman, head of Sales & Marketing at WWBC. “These trailers were people’s vacations; they would load up their families and friends and get lost for a couple weeks. We’ve created a beer to celebrate those traditions”
JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 7
Stadium 11
Great line-up of entertainment slated
GREENVILLE – If you’re a songbird at heart, make sure you sit a spell inside the entertainment tent and take a listen to the diverse line-up of top-notch musicians taking the stage. Saturday, July 29 Noon-1 p.m. – Levi Driskell—A man, his guitar, his soul….his songs. Singer and songwriter from Winchester, Ind.; a truly soulful experience. 1:30-3:30 p.m. – John Kogge— Backed by an accordion, fiddle, guitars, and thick harmonies, Kogge brings folksongs and Americana music to vivid life. 4-6 p.m. – Mark Cantwil— This singer/songwriter weaves harmonica and guitar with vocals to capture the struggles and joys of everyday life.
8-10 p.m. – Stadium 11— sponsored by Wayne HealthCare and Reid Specialty Physicians of Greenville. Playing the greatest rock songs by the greatest rock bands of the 70’s and 80’s. Sunday, July 30 Noon-2 p.m. – Knox Morris— “Knox is a One-Man-Band that builds his tunes live on the spot with just an acoustic guitar and a microphone. Strumming his guitar and belting out both covers and heartfelt original songs; young Morris is one to watch. 3-5 p.m. – The Green De’ Villes—Playing music you know and love from Tom Petty to Patsy Cline to Adelle—this band of friends is happiest when their movin’ and groovin’.
Early Bird/Bluebag Media proud to support Gathering at Garst GREENVILLE – The Early Bird and Bluebag Media continues to be a strong supporter of The Gathering at Garst. The locally owned and operated newspaper and website have once again produced the official tabloid of the festival that was distributed to 28,000 Darke and surrounding county homes and businesses. Extra copies of the edition are also available at the festival. In addition to helping The Gathering at Garst committee share information about Ohio’s Best Summer Festival, The Early Bird/Bluebag Media staff will have a booth at the festival. Be sure to stop by and sign-up for the daily newsletter to stay informed
with everything happening in the county. You will also have a chance to win one of three JT’s Brew & Grill gift cards or one of two 9-day passes to the Great Darke County Fair. You may also catch a glimpse of a big blue bird visiting the festival. Scoop, The Early Bird/Bluebag Media mascot, is making plans to discover the entertainment, living history, vendors and concessionaires that abound at the festival. Be sure to stop him and say hi or get your picture taken with Scoop. The Early Bird/ Bluebag Media would love for you to share your pictures of Scoop by visiting our Facebook Page.
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The Gathering’s Last Chance Mercantile
GREENVILLE – Antique textiles, vintage ceramics, depression glass, rusty garden ornaments, shabby architectural details – do these descriptions sound like a shopping spree in Heaven? If aged, worn, chippy, and intriguing are characteristics that really float your boat then make it a point to visit the Last Chance Mercantile at the Gathering at Garst. New to the event this year and driven by the donations of items and treasures from across Darke County, all sales benefit the Garst Museum. A diverse array of pieces will be offered on both Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Good deals and lovely finds are sure to be had; pop in to browse the goods at the Last Chance Mercantile because, as the name claims, it may just be your “last chance” to get your hands on a rare treasure! Do you know where the Last Chance Mercantile got its name? It was borrowed from the Birt’s Last Chance Store which sat at the
current location of the Speedway filling station on Wagner Avenue in Greenville. From the mid-1920s to 1951 it was your last chance to fuel up before heading out of town! Be sure to read contributing writer, Matthew Birt’s story about the early Birt stores in Darke County. Prepare to be amazed at the power of the cannons that were used in the formation of our country. Oh, and don’t forget to cover your ears.
Ready, Aim…BOOM!! GREENVILLE – With gunpowder and cannons abounding, the Living History Encampment will likely be a hive of activity, anticipation, and thunderous booms during the Gathering at Garst. At the heart of the cannon field will be the First Mad River Light Artillery and the Fourth Indiana Light Artillery to masterfully man, load, fire, and re-set the cannons. Visitors are able to gather at
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JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 9
Take your kids over to encampment area to see what life was like before video games and cell phones. Be sure to cover your ears when they ďŹ re the cannons.
Gathering at Garst is family friendly GREENVILLE – Adults have continuously expressed their love of the Gathering at Garst, but since its beginning organizers have always tried to make the event family friendly. There are a host of activities that kids will enjoy. Here are 10 sure-ďŹ re ways to tucker out your kids at this year’s Gathering. 1. Check out all of the cool entries in the Student Art Contest. 2. Make a toy and play games just like the kids from the 1800’s did! This activity station is located next to the Student Art Contest at the front of the Garst Museum. 3. Learn some handy survival
and camping skills from the Boy Scout booth. 4. Make a fun little craft at the Girl Scout booth. 5. Pet a pony and take a carriage ride! 6. Participate in the kid’s activities that are stationed at most of the non-proďŹ t booths at the Gathering. 7. Listen to a Native American Indian Story in the Living History Encampment. 8. Eat pie, ice cream and kettle korn‌.yum! 9. Pet a rat — that’s right — the resident rat catcher, Silas, will be roaming the grounds. 10. Plug your ears as the cannons are ďŹ red‌.boom!
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Visitors to the Living History Encampment will hear stories and experience what life was like in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s.
Encampment brings history to life GREENVILLE – Garst Museum in partnership with the Darke County Park District will host the largest living history encampment the Gathering has had to date. Traders, settlers, Native Americans, and a host of others will converge on the encampment grounds to reenact what life was like from the Revolutionary War thru the Civil War time period. The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe is the major sponsor of the
encampment and we are grateful for their continued support. Step back in time as you visit all of the tradesman and demonstrators in the encampment. They love what they are doing and are happy to answer questions about the history they are portraying. See the schedule of events for encampment activities and check the chalkboards that will be posted on the grounds for up-todate additions or changes.
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PAGE 10 - THE GATHERING AT GARST - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-JULY 2017
Gathering at Garst expands Living History Encampment GREENVILLE – The Gathering at Garst will be held July 29 and 30 and this year’s Living History Encampment will be bigger than ever before. Gathering organizers have a full slate of events for visitors to enjoy on both days. Be sure to check the chalkboard stationed around the encampment for upto-the-minute schedule changes and additions.
3:30 p.m. – Native American Storytelling and Song (Council House) 4 p.m. – Dulcimer Music (Encampment Community Tent); Mountain Dulcimer Society of Dayton & Darke County Dulcimer and Folk Music Society 5 p.m. – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery)
11 a.m. – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery) 11:30 a.m. – Native American Storytelling and Song (Council House) 1 p.m. – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery) 1:30 p.m. – Chief Black Hoof (at Bower) 2 p.m. – Tomahawk & Knife Throwing (Longhunter Camp area) 3 p.m. – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery)
10 a.m. – Divine Services with Parson John (near Lady Linington’s tent) Noon – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery) 12:30 p.m. – Native American Storytelling and Song (Council House) 1 p.m. – Tomahawk & Knife Throwing (Longhunter Camp area) 2 p.m. – Artillery Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery) 2:30 p.m. – Chief Black Hoof (at Bower) 4 p.m. – Artillery
Saturday, July 29 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday, July 30 11 a.m-5 p.m.
Demonstrations (Cannons – 4th Indiana Light Artillery and First Mad River Light Artillery)
Unscheduled Activities and Performances-Saturday and Sunday:
* They will have some food and drink vendors in the encampment this year so check out their offerings. * Jessica Diemer-Eaton – Woodland Indian programs and displays – Full camp with demonstrations of various types of cooking and foods. * Timothy the Irish Linen Worker - Portrays an indentured servant to the Widow Tobin and demonstrates the process of making Irish linen from beginning to end with authentic tools. Watch Timothy change fiber into glorious fabric. * Common Stock Entertainments – Find them traveling the encampment with their peepshows, puppets and curios, enjoy storytelling, music and general silliness, as well. * 1st Tennessee Company B – Sharing their historical knowledge of the Civil War era as they demonstrate period correct skills, clothing, weaponry, tools
and activities. * J. Burkett, Naturalist and Lady Karen Burkett – Enjoy Mr. Burkett’s wide range of natural history and Lady Karen’s storytelling. * Visit the Anthony Wayne Peace Council House, a reproduction of a building where Native Americans would have held treaty discussions and important rituals and ceremonies. * Join their many demonstrators and vendors as they display their wares, historical stories/knowledge and skills: blacksmiths, scrimshaw artists, basket weavers, soap makers, fabric workers-weaving, spinning and dying, tanners, gun and knife makers, box makers, horn workers, leather workers, broom makers, wood carvers, traders, quill and calligraphy artists, etc. Visit our campers as they tell their stories at their camps and demonstrate daily living skills from the time period. Learn about and share with your children and grandchildren these many virtually lost historical trades, skills and stories spanning the period from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.
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JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 11
We like to think of the Gathering as a postcard. Why a postcard? A postcard always serves as the perfect “snapshot” of an area, a city, or a landmark that defines a place. We picture the Gathering at Garst on the postcard for Darke County for a few reasons. It reflects our nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic --because it takes time and sweat from so many to bring the event to life each summer. It kindles our pride of place--because we celebrate our roots, our history, our neighbors and that makes us uniquely “us”. It garners the support of those that recognize how the event enriches the area--because sponsoring and volunteering at the Gathering at Garst shows that quality of life and longevity of community matter. We think the Gathering at Garst captures all that we should be proud of, all we should share with the rest of the world, and the characteristics we should be defined by. Thank you to our generous sponsors and volunteers. The Darke County Historical Society would like to thank the members of The Gathering at Garst Committee for all of their hard work to bring this quality event to the grounds of Garst Museum. Through their efforts, the community, county and visitors will know and appreciate our rich history.
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Thank You To our sponsors who made The Gathering possible. Darke County Park District – Encampment Host The Early Bird Newspaper – Event Newspaper Friend of the Museum – Gathering of Artists Exhibit Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe - Living History Encampment Sponsor Wayne Health Care – Entertainment Sponsor Reid Specialty Physicians of Greenville – Entertainment Sponsor Bill Hawkey & Associates Bud’s Electric City of Greenville Comfort Inn Darke County Foundation Darryl & MaryAnn Mehaffie Dave Knapp Ford-Lincoln Diane Evans Insurance Drs. Dickman, Kettler & Brunner
Eric Brand Attorney Chance Cox Attorney Financial Achievement Services Fitzwater Tree and Lawn Care Francis Furniture Greenville Federal Greenville National Bank Greenville Rotary Hansbarger Home Solutions
Hittle Buick GMC RJ Warner Insurance Second National Bank Spencer Landscaping Verd & Gini Stuckey Whirlpool Corporation WTGR Radio
Living History Encampment Sponsors
C & F Shoes C & T Rental Cratiques Antiques Danny’s Place Derksen Automotive Fort Greene Ville Muzzleloaders Francis Condon Insurance
Friend of the Gathering Hamilton Auto Sales Lori Rader Merle Norman Cosmetics Montage Café Rex Auto & Truck Repair Ron’s Southtown Garage
Scott and Kim Rudnick Studio 1 Hair Design Tim’s Muffler Mart VFW Post 7262 Westfall Plumbing and Heating Wieland Jewelers Winner’s Meat Farm
Special Thanks to the Gathering at Garst committee members who helped organize this event. Their dedication is sincerely appreciated.
JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 13
Birt family has long history of service to county residents GREENVILLE – The Gathering at Garst was created to remember the defining events and people who shaped our county’s history. This year they are introducing a new store to the event patterned after the many general stores that dotted Darke County. The Last Chance Mercantile is named after Birt’s Last Chance Store that was located at the point where Speedway Gas currently sits. This location was at one time, your last chance to get gasoline and groceries before heading north out of town. The Birt family had several stores in Darke County and one still exists today in New Weston. Harry Birt’s Store is still thriving. Brad Birt is the third generation to handle the day to day operations at the store. They asked local writer, Matthew Birt, to research and write an article about the Birt Stores. This article explores the Birt Family’s early business endeavors in Darke County. As they learned more about this family, it gave them an idea to expand upon. Next year at the Gathering, they hope to share more stories like this. Many Darke County folks were entrepreneurs, inventors, and just plain interesting people. If your family history has an interesting story to tell, they want to hear it. You can send your stories to: Garst Museum, Attn. Family History, 205. N. Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331. By Matthew Birt A little girl in a summer dress perches behind the screen door of a dusty old farmhouse. She stares expectantly down the narrow drive that leads to Requarth Road that leads to town. A rickety bus that her mom calls a “huckster wagon”—driven by the friendly man who likes to laugh—bounces down the lane, carrying a week’s worth of supplies for her family’s meals. She anticipates the
moment that the bus breaches the bumpy planks of the lane’s miniature bridge. “You could always tell when Hosea was coming,” recalled the little girl of yore, now a full-grown woman. “He would hit that little bridge on our lane, and the whole huckster wagon would rattle.” Once out of his general-store-onwheels, Hosea Birt and the little girl’s mother would barter and trade cream, chickens, and eggs for vanilla, flour, and sugar. The little country kitchen would have its necessary supplies for another week of feeding a hungry family. A little country store would have its ration of goods to keep the lights on for another day of business. Before the age of the supermarket, the general store was the place to supply the small-town household with groceries and sundry dry goods. In Darke County for most of the 20th century, the surname often associated with such general stores was “Birt.” In the village of New Weston, at the extreme northern border of Darke County, it still is. The village of 135 souls is home to the last surviving Birt’s Store, but at one time, such stores dotted the county. In one form or another, Birt’s Stores were established at various times in two locations in Greenville, Rossburg, New Weston, Burkettsville, and Painter Creek. Perhaps the most iconic of the Birt-owned general stores was Last Chance which sat at the current location of the Speedway filling station on Wagner Avenue in Greenville. From the mid-1920s to 1951, Hosea Birt was the man behind the counter. No doubt, the spoils of Hosea’s door-to-door bartering would have rounded out the inventory of his little country store and filling station on the outskirts of town. At one time, it had been the saloon that would give its patrons their last chance at a dram of whiskey
Birt stores once dotted the Darke County map, but now Brad Birt operates the lone remaining Birt store in New Weston.
or a glass of beer. But when Hosea bought it in the mid-1920s from a man named Bradley, it became the last place to get a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread on the way out of town. To Hosea, his wife, Marie, and his two sons, Carl and Leonard, it also doubled as home. They resided in the large fourroom apartment above. While Hosea was mainly known as a “fuel and motor oil
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jobber” during his 33 years in Greenville, Last Chance was also a place to purchase crackers, bags of sugar, bananas, cigars, cigarettes, ice cream, and soft drinks. There were three gas pumps out front—six gallons for a buck—and you could even get your oil changed—the whole
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BIRT FAMILY
continued from page 13
job done for a buck and a half. Back in those days, Last Chance was the last sign of civilization to the north of Greenville, other than the Frisch’s up the road. Rumor has it that for drag racers, Last Chance served as the green flag, and Frisch’s served as the checkered flag. Across the street, Hosea cultivated the land and raised chickens. The girl of yore who recalled the huckster wagon and the bridge says that down the way toward the entrance to the City Park was a pen full of pigs. Rich Hathaway says that it was sheep. People would drive to the fringe of town and its countrified accoutrements to buy Last Chance’s famous homemade ice cream. Men would also gather in the winter to play rook. By 1951, however, Last Chance was out of Hosea’s hands. He initially leased the store, finally selling it to Bill Hughes. Sometime in or around 1967, Last Chance was razed. But that wasn’t the end of the Birts in the grocery business. If you were a drag racer back then and you decided to blow by Frisch’s you could turn left at Medford Road and eventually end up at Birt’s Store in Rossburg. If it was summer, maybe you’d find men pitching horseshoes between Carl King’s barber shop and the store. Around front, perhaps you’d stumble upon a Rossburgian drawing water from the town pump while men and women looked on from the benches in front of the store, exchanging town gossip. If it was winter, it’s possible you’d sit around one of the pot-bellied stoves with the men chewing tobacco and aiming for spittoons, or smoking a pipe and filling the air with sweet smoke. The line of Birts involved with the Rossburg store was far longer
The Last Chance Store operated by the Hosea Birt stood at the corner of Wagner Ave and East Main Street where Speedway now stands.
than with Last Chance. Frank Birt—whose father had started the first of the Birt’s Stores in Burkettsville—and his wife, Ida, opened their general store in Rossburg in 1916. Cary “Pete” and his wife, Goldie, were next in line, followed finally by Wayne “BoBo” and his wife, LaVone. Like Last Chance, the store carried the typical groceries like sausage, cheese, milk, and bread. But beyond these staples, a shopper could wander the aisles and find shoes, fishing tackle, hardware, hunting and fishing licenses, and even dynamite (for farmers who wanted to do their own blasting jobs). Of all their dry goods, what brought people to the store from far and wide more than anything else was their wallpaper. They carried a wide array of styles and colors, and the variety kept people coming back from year to year. The floors were finished with a coat of linseed oil, and each side of the store had benches reserved for men-only and women-only. In 1983, Wayne and LaVone retired from the business and
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sold it to Michael and Marcia Bowman, and Sheila and Greg Cox. Under that ownership, and the ownerships that followed, the store stayed in operation into the next millennium. On October 27, 2005, the general store in Rossburg was razed to make way for a playground. But the end of your tour of Birt’s Stores does not end here. If you leave Rossburg via 118 North and then turn left into New Weston in 2017, you will find the last surviving Birt’s Store. In 1920, when Harry Birt, Sr. bought out a Coldwater grocer and eventually quit his job selling train tickets at a depot to start his own general store, he carried three kinds of candy: chocolate drops, orange slices, and white peppermints. Today, you can find somewhere in the range of 500 different candies at Birt’s Store and Harry’s grandson Brad behind the counter. In the middle of these three generations was Harry Birt, Jr., who died in 2012. The junior Harry purchased the store from his father in 1968, but he started working for his father
as a child. As a young man, candy was popular during the holidays, but as time has advanced, candy now attracts shoppers to the store year-round. At one point, Birt’s Store in New Weston was dealing with 18 candy manufacturing companies, and though that number is far smaller today, Brad is on the road six days a week picking up replenishments in person in order to pass along savings on shipping to his loyal customers. In addition to candy and standard grocery items, the store specializes in plants and flowers, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, and various deli meats and cheeses shipped in from Amish country in Holmes County. In the 1920s and 1930s, local merchants paid for films to be shipped in by a husband and wife from Union City. The films were projected onto a screen hung from two high poles outside the store, and during the intermission that occurred for the changing of the reels, those watching streamed into Birt’s Store for snacks and soft drinks. Later still, two gas pumps were installed in front of the store so weary drivers could refuel on their lengthy trips up and down Route 118. While the films and gas pumps have been lost to time, people all over the county and beyond flock to the store to connect to the past and buy excellent products served up with a neighborliness you can only find in small towns off the beaten path. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you find yourself puttering down Ohio State Route 705 and your car stops in front of the old timey general store marked by B-I-R-T-S in giant red letters. When you’re there, you’ll know you’ve stumbled into a time machine that connects you with over 100 years of Darke County history.
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Join artists in the 40W by 84N Gathering of Art to view and possibly purchase artwork from talented artists. Shown is some of the work from the Millrace Potters.
40W by 84N Gathering of Art returns in 2017 GREENVILLE – 40W by 84N is the approximate longitude and latitude of the Garst Museum and The National Annie Oakley Center. This exhibit displays the diverse works of 12 artists who will be on hand to discuss and sell their pieces. Make certain you stop by the tent to visit with these artists and chat with them about their inspiration. The Artist Roster includes: Barbara Easley – Watercolor Paintings; Cary Jasenski – Pastel
Paintings; Donna Pierce Clark – Oil and Watercolor Painting; Jane Dippold – Hand Painted Paper Collages; Jay and Deb Johnson – Fine Art Photography; Jessica Murray – Designer/ Products/Fine Art Photography; Michael Glass – Mixed Medium Paintings; Steve Burelison – Wood Sculpture; Julie Clark – Millrace Potters’ Collective; Rita Wiley – Millrace Potters’ Collective; and Lorretta Wray – Millrace Potter’s Collective.
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Parking available GREENVILLE – Weather permitting, parking at the Gathering at Garst will be available in the Garst Museum parking lot on Broadway where the former Buchy Meat Packing Co. once stood. Additional parking is available on Garst Museum grounds towards the back of the property and can be accessed from Garst Avenue or from the main park entrance on East Main St. There is a $5 per car fee to park in any of these locations.
Proceeds go to the Arcanum Lions Club and the Garst Museum. Very limited handicap parking will be available on Wilson Drive next to the museum. Handicapped access to the Gathering at Garst is at the front barricade on Wilson Drive near the museum entrance. Admission to the Gathering at Garst is free; however, regular admission rates apply to view the exhibits inside the Garst Museum. For more information, visit wwwgatheringatgarst.com.
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Woodland Indian Education Program GREENVILLE – The partnership between the Gathering at Garst and Darke County Parks brings more opportunities to explore our past in the Living History Encampment. Lending another facet of historical Native American education to the Living History Encampment will be the in-depth and interactive camp exhibit from Woodland Indian Education Programs. Visitors to the site are
encouraged to explore the inviting camp to learn and ask questions about the 100 plus cultural items, such as catching baskets, lacrosse sticks, muskrat tobacco pouches! Their shelter and workspace reflect a temporary hunting camp and will feature a fully stocked native “kitchen” complete with storage foods and an active preparation area. Aiming to spread awareness of authentic Native American
cultural methods and lifestyles, native foods on display will include edibles like squash rings, Jerusalem artichokes, sassafras root bark, mussels, and more.
Children and adults alike are welcome to participate in corn grinding, games, conversation and discovery.
Shown is an example of food that would have been dried for storage by some Native Americans.
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Making a connection to Ohio’s history GREENVILLE – The Ohio History Connection will be visiting the Gathering at Garst. Be sure to visit their tent located next to the Darke County Visitor’s Bureau Welcome Tent. The Ohio History Connection staff is visiting all 88 counties to learn about you and others who live in the county. They want to hear your story and get to know you! Stop by and see them at the Gathering at Garst on Saturday, July 29 from 1-4 p.m. Established in 1885, the Ohio History Connection manages more than 50 historic sites and museums across the state. They preserve and share the state’s collections and archives for you and all Ohioans. They house the state historic preservation ofďŹ ce which helps
identify and preserve historic places in communities across Ohio. They provide education and local history services that support students, teachers and communities. For more information about programs and events, call 1-800686-6124 or go online at www.ohiohistory. org.
Committee makes Gathering possible GREENVILLE – An event like the Gathering at Garst takes dedicated volunteers to make it happen. Since its inception in 2011, committee members have spent countless hours in meetings planning and implementing all of the activities that take place during the annual two-day event. Every committee member works to make sure it is a success and something the community can be proud of. The Gathering attracts visitors from Ohio and neighboring
states to Darke County and the Garst Museum to learn about our history and the people that make it great. The Darke County Historical Society thanks the members of The Gathering at Garst Committee for their hard work to bring this quality event to the grounds of the museum. Through their efforts, the community, county and visitors will know and appreciate our rich history.
JULY 2017 - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD - THE GATHERING AT GARST- PAGE 19
Pictured are (front) Betty Birt, Gretchen Snyder, Peggy Jasenski, Dave Warner, Elaine Bailey, Jenny Clark, Babette Delk, Debbie Shividecker, Katie Gabbard, (back) Galen Delk, Sue Besecker, and Scott Fitzgerald. Not pictured are Matt Staugler, Kent Holmes, Jeremy Davidson, Jack Clark, Connie Norris, Cindy McAlister, Charlene Thornhill, Debbie Nisonger, Jean Derr, Gini Stuckey, Pam Clark, Angie Arnold, Maggie Hamm, Julie Clark, and Roger VanFrank.
Garst welcomes visitors to museum and Gathering GREENVILLE – As we reach the halfway point of 2017, it really brings to the forefront the successes the Garst Museum has enjoyed so far this year. We can add yet another badge of honor by claiming the title of “Ohio’s Best Historical Museum.” This marks the tally to three consecutive years to earn the bragging rights
to being one of “Ohio’s Best!” Speaking of bragging, there could be no better time that the present to gush about how hard-working, insightful and community-minded our museum volunteers are – we couldn’t earn the honor of “BEST MUSEUM” without them. As you read this article, the Gathering at Garst is in full
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swing. An army of passionate, lively volunteers work tirelessly to not only bring this event to life each summer, but strive to ensure that each year tops the last. It’s no surprise that this enthusiasm helped propel the Gathering at Garst into the highest ranks of Ohio Magazine’s “Best Summer Festival” title for two consecutive
years. During your visit to the Gathering at Garst, be sure to allow time to tour Garst Museum. Regular admission rates apply. Special museum hours during the festival will be July 29, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and July 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PAGE 20 - THE GATHERING AT GARST - SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-JULY 2017