Fall has officially arrived with a cold, frosty beginning. It’s time to get those pre-winter chores completed.

The weather was cool and wet for Saturday’s Tour of Homes and Progressive Evening but dry for them on Sunday. The cool weather didn’t seem to slow the crowd.

This weekend will be a busy place for family events. It’s Prairie Days at Darke County Parks.The festival is held at Shawnee Prairie Preserve, 4267 State Route 502 West on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p .m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. Parking and admission is free with something for each member of the family to enjoy.

There will be apple butter making, children’s pioneer games, blacksmiths at work, weaving, horse and wagon rides, quilting, etc. There will also be fresh produce from Downing’s fruit farm and many food vendors and so much more. The log house will be open with more demonstrations and lots of displays. You can call the Nature Center at 548-0165 for more information.

The 37th annual Art Show will also take place at the Nature Center Sept. 29 through Oct. 3. There will be a hoedown at the Darke County Home (5105 County Home Road) on Sunday from 1-3 p .m. Hotdogs, chips, hot cider, pumpkins, mums and other fall items will be available for sale and a special concert will take place. All proceeds will go to the Darke County Home residents activity fund. The public is invited.

Gourd Show

The 50th annual Ohio Gourd Show will be held at the Darke County Fairgrounds on Sept. 29, 30. Hours are 9-5 on Saturdays and 10-4 on Sunday. There will be thousands of dried and fresh gourds for sale plus mini pumpkins and Indian corn. Admission is $4 for adults and children under 12 free.

Vote

Deadline for registering to vote is Oct. 9, and the Darke County Board of Elections will remain open until 9 p.m. on that date. Registration forms are available at the Board Office, 300 Garst Avenue in Greenville. They are also at the Darke County Courthouse Treasurer’s office, any public library and the License Bureau on Wagner Avenue. Questions should be directed to the Board of Elections during normal office hours, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday - 548-1835. You need to check on your status before the October 9 deadline. If you have moved since you last voted and not changed your address at the Board, you need to do so now. Make sure that all of your voter information is current and correct. Absentee voting begins Oct. 2.

This and That

The frost this past Sunday night didn’t do much damage as far as I can see, and with the warmer weather and rain this week we still have a while for those “last of the garden” things to produce or get ready for harvest.

The humming birds are still coming to the feeders but our gold finches suddenly disappeared.

Have you gotten your tickets for the “Love of Dance” yet? Or your veterans pictures sent in? It will take place Oct. 13 at the Mississinawa Valley Cafetorium. This is a don’t miss production. It will give you a chance to honor our WWII veterans and at the same time see a spectacular dance program.

Check with Jan Aukerman at 765-964-5403, or 937-969-4640 or the Chamber office at 765-964-5409 or see Jan at Aukerman’s service station, corner of Main and State Line.

We’re accepting memory stories, pictures, advertising items, or anything you have on the history of Union City, Ohio. Check out our Wall of History at the city building, 419 E. Elm Street.

Birthdays

Jason Young, Betty Teegarden, Paul Harsh, and Courtney Hofacker celebrate birthdays on Sept. 30; John Butch, Delores Bowman, Bob Robinson and Gloria Santignon, Oct. 1; Josh Crawford, Oct 2; Ashley Carroll, Sue Marker, Kaitlyn Cline and Sharon Fourman, Oct. 6; Rhonda Fields, Delores Keener, Tracy Tryon, Daniel Barnhard, Megan Caudell and John Smith, Oct. 7.

Anniversaries

Todd and JoAnn Keen and Bill and Patrice Nelson celebrate anniversaries Sept. 30; Kenny and Delores Bowman, Oct. 5; Ryan and Cari Prinkey , Oct. 6.

Thoughts

Our thoughts and prayers go out to: Carla Welch, Alberta Aukerman, Phyllis Pouder, Alan Kearns, Linda Lore, Kenny Scholl, Bryon Weiss, Greg Hill, Thelma Price, Elmer Price, Lee Moody, Bea Moody, Randy Fourman, Kevin Smith, Tom Brumbaugh, Steven Swank, Stacy Caixba, Susan Wilson, Mac Goodpasture and Richard Stemmer, Bill Cook, Jack Amspaugh.

Prayers for the families of Marion Wayne Morgan, Patsy Woodbury, Mary Catherine Rose, Maxine Bruss, and all others that have lost loved ones.

Remember too, our military and their families wherever they are.