Mark’s Musings – March 18, 2015

Mark Fortune

The final community conversation was held last Thursday evening at the Frontier Power Community Room. If you have often wished for the opportunity to voice your opinion about everything good – and bad – about our community – this was your chance. If you knew about it, and didn’t go, that would be like complaining about the politicians when you don’t go vote. But in this case, your voice would have mattered even more because the stage was small, the opportunity large. These community conversations bubbled up from the United Way of Coshocton County and were facilitated by the local OSU Extension Office. The results will be shared. Suffice it to say that everyone walked away knowing that there is much more positive about our community than negative. Sure, we all know things that can be improved. Those are being identified and perhaps an opportunity will exist to serve in a capacity to help make some improvements. It won’t get done unless someone does it.

Or as someone well known in our community often says, “The world is run by the people that show up.” And you could pretty much say that our community is the same way. Show up. Make things happen.

Area wrestlers deserve some recognition. Three of the five wrestlers that headed to the state wrestling tournament over the weekend earned All-Ohio honors – that is, placing in the top eight in their respective class. Coshocton’s Dom Johns placed third in the 182 weight class, Ridgewood’s Kelly Barthalow placed fifth in his class and River View’s Brendan Scherer placed eighth in his weight class. Dom Johns for the Redskins earned a special place among the school’s sports elite – being the only wrestler to place three times in the top eight at state. This is quite an achievement for all these young men, their families and the coaching staff.

So, the Buckeyes play VCU on Thursday afternoon in the big dance. How many of you have Blue Nation going all the way? We know a guy down there on Otsego Avenue that does. At least three times. It’s difficult to go against UK this year. The Badgers could give them some trouble – provided it works out that way. Okay, gotta get to work on my bracket(s). Right after this column.

The Indians are in last place – wait – is it October already? Nope. This is in the Cactus League – and the Tribe has the dubious distinction of being the only team with a losing record in either the Cactus or the Grapefruit league. Not the way you want spring training to go. However, some early season injuries, flu and flukes have led to this and you know that Terry Francona will not let spring training standings get in the way of the 2015 season. AND, a quick glance at the spring leaders in pitching are filled with Tribe hurlers. Plus, the Tribe has some very good prospects to help the club if injuries continue. Check it out – you’ll be happier for it. Unless you are one of those “other team” fans.

Category: Mark's Musings, Opinion