A 21 Homecoming Salute

by Gary Schenkel | Oct 20, 2010 | Events

Does your neighborhood have a theme song?

Here on Washington Avenue in Urbana, Ohio,  it would have to be “Fight on, Urbana,” or maybe “Hang on Sloopy.” One Thursday evening of the past 21 Octobers my family has stopped whatever else we were doing as these songs pealed past our house through the crisp autumn air.

In all that time we’ve lived two blocks from Urbana High School, in the home stretch of the school’s homecoming parade.  We’ve watched a lot of kids pass by on hay wagon floats, in the homecoming court’s caravan of convertibles, and, of course, in the band.

Backed by a driving drum cadence, it’s been a favorite fall tradition that’s helped us keep time. And it has offered an opportunity for family and friends to gather at our house.

While we’ve watched the parade together, time has marched on. As evidence, the photo above is of our son Alex and his friend LeAnn Harrigan (with Alex’s cousin Becca and Uncle Paul in the background) watching the big kids have their day in the homecoming parade. The photo at left, from a couple of weeks ago, is of Alex escorting LeAnn, this year’s homecoming queen.

What are your neighborhood favorites?

Get Ready to Ramble … in Champaign County!

by Gary Schenkel | Sep 9, 2010 | Events

Just a warning. In today’s post, I’m going to wander. Not aimlessly, mind you. But do try to keep up.

The Champaign County Barn Quilt Tour combines into one event a celebration of folk and fine art, agriculture and history.

Though we haven’t reached the autumnal equinox—September 22—I’d just like to put in a good word for fall. It’s my favorite season. The colors, the crisp air, the crunch of leaves underfoot as I run. (Come on, stay with me.) It’s an ideal time to celebrate God’s creation.

Last Saturday I ran 10 miles on the Simon Kenton Trail—from home to Woodburn Road and back. I finished surprisingly refreshed. A week earlier, I would have ended a mere puddle.

Fall. It’s the perfect time to ramble.

Champaign County, Ohio, offers plenty of opportunity to do just that—and

Diners enjoy a little bluegrass with their seafood at the 2009 Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival.

close to home so you can save gas money.

Take a look at the following list and plan your own fall ramblings through Champaign County:

• If you’ve been reading here before, you know about the Simon Kenton Pathfinders’ annual fund-raising bike ride on Sept. 12 and the Mid-Eastern Regional Fly-in at Grimes Field on Sept. 11 and 12.
• Sept. 11 – Pony Wagon Days in downtown St. Paris.  Parade begins at 10 a.m.
• Sept. 11 – Hoopla Parade and Chili Cook-off in downtown Urbana, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Parade begins at 1 p.m.
• Sept. 11-12 – Covered Bridge Festival, North Lewisburg
• Sept. 18 & 19 – Champaign County Barn Quilt Tour, Urbana & St. Paris.
• Sept. 17-19 – Hylo Brown Bluegrass Festival, Goshen Park in Mechanicsburg.
• Sept. 17-19 – Ohio Fish & Shrimp Festival, Freshwater Farms in Urbana
• Sept. 18 – National Tractor Pullers Association Enderle Pull-Off, Champaign County Fairgrounds.
• Sept. 25 & 26 – Johnny Appleseed Museum Birthday Festival, Urbana University