Gatherings

Bicentennial

Reunions

Miscellaneous

|  Planning  |  Program of Events  |  Promotion  |  Fundraisers  |  Supporters  |

BENEFITS

Tangible and intangible benefits of the Bicentennial include, but are not limited to:

The Bicentennial event itself; the celebration and all the good feelings that it generated

The Don Beckett Field (naming of the field and creation of the Beckett Field sign at E-Dot Park)

The Veterans' Memorial Park (upgrading, landscaping, and new parking area in southwest quadrant)

The Paver Project in the village square

The park benches in the village square

The culvert at the end of west Oxford Street (enabled parking in field at west end of Oxford Street)

The essay contest for students (provided recognition and cash awards)

The Alston signs (newly installed at north and south entrances of the village)

The electrical service at E-Dot Park (upgraded/improved with addition of electrical board, additional outlets).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

(LISTED ALPHABETICALLY, BY LAST NAME)

Ace Hardware of Oxford, Ohio - Sold decks of commemorative playing cards for the Bicentennial fund

Phil Allen - Assisted with maintenance of electricity in E-Dot Park and provided "on call" help with electrical issues during the event

Steve Baker - Sang National Anthem at opening ceremony

Don Beckett (of Don's Carry-out) - Sold tickets for various fundraisers and took orders for Bicentennial T-shirts

Jeff Beckett (of Eric's Pizza) - Funded the Bicentennial information flyers that volunteers delivered to Darrtown residents; funded Bicentennial flyers in pizza delivery boxes; and coordinated the food concession stand at the Bicentennial

Bethart Printing of Hamilton, Ohio - Sold decks of commemorative playing cards for the Bicentennial fund

Blue River Long Rifle group - Enacted Pioneer Village in E-Dot Park

Mike Botts - Allowed owners of parade horses to park trailers on the Baptist church grounds and permitted use of paved parking area at the church - which was designated as handicapped parking

Pete Brichant - Provided one Raper RV for commemorative post office

Lance Broshear - Loaned two golf carts for use during the Bicentennial

Dale Bufler - Steering Committe member; served as mentor to group; spearheaded the military veterans' memorial project; served as the Master of Ceremonies, during the program that honored the veterans; and organized the "Darrtown Night" at the Great American Ball Park.

Danny Burkholder (of Milford Twp. trustees) - Managed the preparation and maintenance of the E-Dot property and facilities

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative - Donated monetary grant

Lori Clendinning - Assisted at the Welcome Center; greeted guests, as they arrived.

Fred Dakin - Helped organize the Classic Car Show and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Betty Daniels - Steering Committe member; recruited donations; coordinated the postal stamp project with Oxford Post Office (including the appearance of U.S. postal workers to affix the official one-day Darrtown postmark); arranged the display and sale of postcard packets; coordinated volunteers for the Welcome Center and the sale of postcards, key fobs, and decks of playing cards; encouraged visitors to register at the Welcome Center and to record their place of residence on U.S. map; arranged for the appearance of the Lane Public Library Bookmobile; helped with fundraisers at the community center - by recruiting donations, helping with set-up and take-down, selling "split the pot" tickets; mailed "thank you" notes, as needed; helped place pavers in village square; and awarded honorary medals to veterans during recognition ceremony.

Jack Daniels - Steering Committe member; helped with fundraisers - including the recruitment of donations, set-up and clean-up of community center and sold tickets for "split the pot" - coordinated rental of Bicentennial stage; donated American flag for stage; along with Joe Pater - communicated with the sheriff's office to arrange appearance of sheriff's mounted patrol in parade; helped coordinate tent donations, rental, and placement in E-Dot Park; arranged for loan of John Deere Gator; coordinated rental of tables and folding chairs; co-organized the parade with Joe Pater; used personal truck to pull passenger wagon from Isaac Walton to Darrtown (returned same); worked with Joe Pater to set up parking spaces in field (posts and tape); managed the printing and placement of signs to advertise the bicentennial; ordered and placed directional/parking signs in and around Darrtown; ordered and arranged for the delivery and placement of port-o-lets; ordered flag pole and flags for the memorial park; helped place pavers in village square; and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Russell Darr - Donated four hand-made writing pens to be sold in the Souvenir Center

Paul Decker - Served as a volunteer photographer during the Bicentennial and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

John Devore - Designed and donated the landscaping plan for the village square; give hours of consultation regarding the landscaping plan; and helped install pavers on more than one occasion.

Jerry Dingledine - Donated gravel for drainage pipe

Rick Dowd - Helped install drainage pipe at west end of West Street

Allen Dunkleberger - Sang National Anthem at veterans' program

Dunkelberger's Feed and Grain - Sold tickets for various fundraisers

Greg Elam - Loaned use of a tent at E-Dot Park; paid for the printing of the Bicentennial programs; and paid for one-half of the costs to rent port-o-lets.

Rebecca Evans - Conducted cemetery tours

Donna Gallagher - Assisted in the Welcome Center and helped take down the Ancestry Arena display

Shawn Gallagher - Set up and operated the public address system at the community center during the first fundraiser

Marvin Gillespie - Helped manage the parade and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Nathan Gillespie - Helped arrange Antique Tractor Show

Paul Gillespie - Steering Committe member; served as liaison to the township trustees; paid for the water line that runs under St. Rt. 177, from the fire station to the NW and SW quadrants of the Darrtown village square; arranged for electric conduit to be run with water line for future use; and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Tim Gillespie - Served as a visitor's guide within the Ancestry Arena

Gylaine Gilmore - Helped set-up and take-down the Ancestry Arena display and served as a visitor's guide within the Ancestry Arena

Mark Gilmore - Served as a volunteer photographer during the Bicentennial

Gramco Feed Company of Hamilton, Ohio - Sold decks of commemorative playing cards for the Bicentennial fund

Bruce Guiler - Helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Greg Haskins - Served as visitors' guide within the Ancestry Arena

Joan Haskins - Prepared and served desserts at the first fundraiser

Laura Haskins - Served as visitors' guide within the Ancestry Arena

Catherine Hollins - Shared knowledge of the Oxford Foundation, which guided us in utilizing the Foundation's payment and accounting service

Sean Hurley - Donated use of the Hitching Post for gatherings (unfortunately, the Hitching Post was closed during the Bicentennial, as it was listed for sale at the time)

Pamela Jewell - Served as a visitor's guide within the Ancestry Arena

Kim Johnson - Assisted with Ancestry Arena; donated the Bicentennial key fobs, which he designed and produced at his Minnesota plant; and made a cash donation.

Sandy Jollivette - Served on the Steering Committee during the first year; served as visitors' guide within the Ancestry Arena; and served as a greeter at the entrance gate

Richard K. Jones, sheriff, Butler Co. - Participated in the parade; approved the appearance of the Sheriff's Mounted Patrol and the Bagpipe Brigade; and provided traffic control during the parade.

Scott King - Drove tractor that pulled the "people wagon"

Knolls of Oxford (Ohio) - Donated monetary grant

Lake brothers (John, Russ, & Dean) - Loaned bales of straw for seating on the transportation wagon

Lane Public Library - Provided a bookmobile and two workers at the Bicentennial

George "Yatz" Leugers - Helped with multiple tasks at E-Dot Park; permitted storage of items in his shed adjacent to the park; provided "on the spot" tools and materials

Pete Magolda - Served as a volunteer photographer during the Bicentennial

Dianna and Mark Leuthold - Approved installation of drainage pipe into their field at west end of Oxford Street and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Deborah Lindley - Helped set-up and take-down the Ancestry Arena display and drove golf cart to run errands and transport people

Fred Lindley - Steering Committee member; publicized the Bicentennial by writing press releases for the Oxford Press newspaper and area newsletters (Butler Rural Electric, the Southwest Water Association, and the Milford Township trustees); designed and electronically delivered multiple issues of Bicentennial newsletters to persons listed in the Darrtown address book; created and maintained a Darrtown Facebook page; secured agreeement from the United States Playing Card company to print commemorative decks of playing cards; designed the Bicentennial logo to be printed on the playing cards; designed and electronically delivered graphics to the printer for items that were used for publicity (flyers and/or posters); served as recorder of minutes at Steering Committee meetings and provided written communications for committee members; and created a historical record of the Bicentennial at the Darrtown.com website.

Ocie Kelly - Sewed commemorative quilt for the auction and helped set-up and take-down the Ancestry Arena display

Natalie Martin - Arranged for Darrtown Little League team to help clean E-Dot Park before and after the Bicentennial

Rick Martin - Helped organize the Classic Car Show and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Kirk Mee - Solicited autographed sports items for the auction

Ken Menke - Helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Stu Merkamp (of Koenig John Deere) - Loaned a J. D. Gator for committee use at the Bicentennial

Milford Township trustees (Paul Gillespie, Russell McMillian, and Brad Mills) - approved and/or supported various Bicentennial projects

Brad Mills - Publicized Bicentennial in Milford Twp. newsletter

MUSICIANS ... all who performed at no charge at the Bicentennial: The Coke-Otto Boys; Dashboard Mary; Pine Ridge Partners; RoundAbout; Thunderbay, with Brad Sparks; West Street Band; and Throw It Down

John Newman - Served as a volunteer photographer during the Bicentennial and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Harry Ogle -  Loaned Alston memorabilia for display

Janet Pater - Drove golf cart to run errands and transport people; prepared gift bags for members of the Darr family who attended the Bicentennial

Joe Pater - Steering Committee member; recruited vendors, organized and assigned vendors to spaces at the Bicentennial; co-organized the parade with Jack Daniels; drove to Erlanger, Ky. to pick up the donated playing cards; secured and maintained two-way radios for use at Bicentennial; used his truck to pull passenger wagon from Isaac Walton to Darrtown (returned same); along with Jack Daniels - communicated with the sheriff's office to arrange appearance of sheriff's mounted patrol in parade; worked with Jack Daniels to set up parking spaces in field (posts and tape); contacted volunteers to help with set-up and take-down of chairs/tables/tents, etc.; contacted Oxford postmaster regarding post office employees at Bicentennial; consulted with Rick Gann regarding upgrade of electricity at E-Dot Park; consulted with Rebecca Evans regarding cemetery tours; picked up printed items at printing company; and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park  

Pat Pawling (of Oxford McDonalds) Donated to Bicentennial Fund

Bill and Gail Phelps - Funded the rental of PA system; served as greeters and guides for first fundraiser at Milford Twp. community center

Bobby Pieratt - Donated his time and auctioneering skill to the auction

Kevin Quinn - Helped manage the parade; served as parking lot guide; and drove golf cart to transport guests

Patti Quinn - Sold paver orders at the first fundraiser at the Milford Twp. Community Center and served as a registrar at the Bicentennial Welcome Center

Bob Ratterman - Attended various Bicentennial-related events, in order to write multiple publicity items in local newspapers

Doug Ross - Donated his time and auctioneering skill to the auction

Tim Roemer (at Community First) - loaned two 20' x 20' tents

Carolyn Russell - Organized volunteers to provide dessert for first fundraiser at Milford Twp. Community Center; organized a group to distribute Bicentennial information flyers to Darrtown residents; and served as a liason with village churches.

Marvin Russell - Helped arrange Classic Car Show; served as a volunteer photographer during the Bicentennial; and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

Reid Shoker - Served as a visitor's guide within the Ancestry Arena

Somerville Bank of Somerville, Ohio - Donated monetary grant

Pam Sprague - Donated time and shared knowledge of Reily Township "Founders' Day" experience

Scott and Tari Spurlock - Enabled a meeting of the Steering Committee at the Presidio Pines at no cost

Tom Stander - Donated time and shared knowledge of other historical groups that successfully enlisted the US Post Office in creating a commemorative postal stamp

Rock Stang - Provided a tractor to pull the transportation wagon

Jacob Taylor - Permitted parking in his hay crop, on the Leuthold property, at west end of Oxford Street

United States Postal Service (Oxford branch) - Provided two workers at the "Darrtown Postmark" event at the Bicentennial

Fay Thome - Loaned use of lot across from E-Dot Park

Tammy Thome - Donated the use of a realtor's sign (with a storage compartment) that the committee placed in the SW quadrant of the village square so that interested persons could pick up paver order forms

United States Playing Card company of Erlanger, Ky. - Printed and donated decks of commemorative playing cards

Harold "Arky" Vaughn - Donated his time and auctioneering skill to the auction

Volunteers - See images at the Pictorial Summary  

Watson Gravel Company - Donated gravel for the base of the Veterans' monument

Linn Weiss - Helped place pavers in the village square; served as parking lot guide and drove golf cart to transport guests

Steve Wells - Provided Isaac Walton wagon for transportation

Whistle Stop of Oxford, Ohio - Sold decks of commemorative playing cards for the Bicentennial fund

Ron Wiley - Steering Committe member (served as chairman and treasurer); donated commemorative pencils for Welcome Center; funded 200 flags for the village park and streets; built a "liars' bench" to be sold at the auction; crafted several commemorative walking sticks to sell in the Welcome Center; coordinated the appearance of the Alston memoribilia at the Lutheran church; managed the paver project, which included multiple trips to the production company in Cincinnati, Ohio; and helped with multiple set-up and take-down tasks at E-Dot Park

John Witt - Delivered invocation at opening ceremony

John Wolpert - Loaned golf cart for use at Bicentennial

John Woodruff - Loaned display case for the Alston exhibit at the Lutheran church

Bob Yeakle - Arranged for the Hamilton Foundation to fund the village square flag pole

Bob Young - Coordinated the project to name "Don Beckett Field," in E-Dot Park, which included the solitication of funds for the Beckett Field sign, selecting the design, ordering, and installing the sign.

(1) A LIST OF BENEFITS derived from the Bicentennial (see "BENEFITS" section below).

(2) A LIST OF PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS whose contributions combined to make the Bicentennial the success that it was (see "ACKNOWLEDGMENTS" section below).

(3) A narrative PAGE; see Narrative Summary

(4) A pictorial PAGE; see Pictorial Summary

THIS BICENTENNIAL SUMMARY INCLUDES FOUR PARTS: