Editor:

On behalf of the Preble County Historical Society, I want to thank the Preble County Community for its response to our 2015 Summer Events Series. The Series included our huge Old-Fashioned Independence Day Celebration on July 5 which featured many local and regional participants including Cub Scout Pack 206 of Miamisburg, Buckeye Jake’s, Ullery’s Ice Cream, Johnston Family Foods, the Eaton Community Band, the Eaton Community Chorus, Sophia, Tess, and Grace Murphy, Justin Bryan, Chris Mowen, and the Worley Boys. In addition, we announced and honored the 2015 inductees into the Sara Swartsel Hall of Honor, sponsored by the Preble County Historical Society and The Register-Herald. Additional participants were Preble County Sheriff’s Deputies, West Alexandria Fire Department, and Rebel Saints Face Paints and Body Art.

On July 18, we welcomed the Preble County Idol Regional Finals in the afternoon and then rocked to the tunes of the Beatles as presented by the band Ticket to Ride.

Aug. 15 brought good old country music to the Amphitheater in the form of Pure Grain, a country rock band out of southeast Indiana, and the Dallas Moore Band from southwestern Ohio, an old-school country band in the vein of Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.

We closed the season on Aug. 23 with bluegrass and gospel from the Worley Boys and Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers.

At each event the Preble County Historical Society volunteers staffed the historic buildings and the exhibit hall to provide educational opportunities and also staffed the information and refreshments tents to keep our guests well-informed and hydrated! The series is a huge volunteer commitment and we are so happy that the community responded with such enthusiastic participation. Over 40 volunteers assisted over 4,000 participants throughout the season! We appreciate and thank our volunteers – each and every one of them!

In addition, we want to thank our season-long sponsors – those organizations that provided financial resources to make the season so successful. Reid Hospital and Health Care Services, our sole diamond sponsor, provided funding for the magnificent fireworks display on July 5 presented by the American Fireworks Company. Platinum sponsors included Henny Penny and Thumb Up Productions/The Worley Boys. Gold sponsors include LawnPlus, Otterbein Senior Life Style Choices/Skilled Nursing & Rehab Neighborhoods, Mike & Judy Raymond, and Rodney Cobb Chevrolet Buick GMC. Silver sponsors included Jones Complete Carpet Care, Michael Murphy Insurance, the Preble County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Preble County Development Partnership, the Preble County Medical Center, Remagen, Dr. and Mrs. David F. Sikora, Somerville National Bank, Summit Chiropractic, and TimkenSteel. Bronze sponsors included Eaton Hometown Furniture, Wm. Nelson & Janet L. Hardin, Craig Hewitt, DDS, Lowman Heating and Air, The Eaton Place Restaurant, Twin Valley Bank, Eaton Hometown Furniture, and the West Alexandria Lions Club. Dragonfly sponsors include Bullen Tech, Jim Hildebolt, LCNB, Tom & Karen McQuiston, and Seth D. Schlotterbeck.

And of course we want to thank the members of the PCHS Amphitheater Program Committee – Harold and Jean Fitzwater Bussell, Greg Arnett, Madeline Monnig, Wendy Stonecash, and Brian Jones, plus our executive director Misti Spillman and our farm manager John Hornbrook – for their enthusiasm and support throughout the season.

We look forward to beginning to plan the 2016 season very soon!

Tim Lane, Board President

Preble County Historical Society