Community happenings, events, etc.

HDH Board of
Governors meetings
    The Highland District Hospital Board of Governors will meet in 2024 on
the last Wednesday of each month, January-November, at 7 p.m. in the
Education Room, located on the first floor at Highland District Hospital.
Meeting schedules for specific committees can be obtained by contacting
Melinda Russell at (937) 393-6101.

HCNJFAD Board
to meet Dec. 28
    The Highland County North Joint Fire and Ambulance District Board of
Trustees meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at 200 South
St., Leesburg. For information, contact Roger Grimsley, fiscal officer, at
(937) 780-6909 ext. 103.

HC Democratic Party
donates Christman treats
    The Highland County Democratic Party will give away Christmas treats to
local children. This event will be held Friday, Dec. 22 and Saturday, Dec.
23 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Democratic Party Headquarters, 221 Chillicothe
Avenue, Hillsboro. The treats will consist of a variety of candies, mixed
nuts and fruits. 
    Everyone is welcome to stop by and receive a bag of goodies. The party
looks forward to making your holiday a little sweeter.

Walking tour marks
150th anniversaay of
temperance movement
    Christmas Eve 2023 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening march of
the Women¹s Temperance Crusade. To mark this momentous anniversary, a free
walking tour of the saloons and pharmacies that were targeted by the Crusade
will be held Dec. 24 at 1 p.m., starting at the Highland House Museum.
    The approximately one-mile walk through the main streets of Hillsboro is
completely wheelchair accessible, but since this is Hillsboro, the path will
be hilly. If the weather does not cooperate, the tour will be replaced with
a discussion of the Crusade in the Highland House.
    If you cannot attend the tour, a booklet that lays out the sites in an
easy-to-follow manner can be purchased at the museum gift shop. Items
commemorating the Crusade are available for purchase at the Highland House
gift shop, including ornaments, shot glasses and a book explaining the
entire history of the Hillsboro Crusade. In 1873, 70 of Hillsboro¹s most
prominent women marched on the liquor-sellers of the town and demanded they
stop selling alcohol. This event made national news and inspired thousands
of women in hundreds of towns to launch their own Crusades. Within weeks,
the movement swept across 31 states (out of a then-total of 37) and closed
thousands of saloons.
    The Crusade died down after about six months, but the spirit of the
movement continued with the formation of the Women¹s Christian Temperance
Union (WCTU). This organization became heavily involved in politics and
spearheaded the charge for national Prohibition, which went into effect on
Jan. 1, 1920.

St. Vincent de Paul Society
    The final outreach session of the year for the St. Vincent de Paul
Society of St. Mary Catholic Church in Hillsboro will be held Wednesday,
Dec. 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Parish Hall at 119 E. Walnut St. in
Hillsboro. Outreach sessions are times when SVDP volunteers are available to
meet with individuals and families who are experiencing financial problems
and have a need for assistance. Please bring copies of bills, verification
of income and identification.  
    Outreach sessions will resume in January on the usual schedule: the
second Saturday (Jan. 13) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and the fourth Wednesday
(Jan. 24) from 6-7:30 p.m.  For more information, please call (937) 205-0919
or email stmsvdp212@gmail.com.

Greenfield Planning
Commission to meet Jan. 8
    The Greenfield Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8 on
the City Hall third floor (council chambers). This public hearing will take
place and allow the public to view and discuss the proposed changes to the
zoning map.

Hillsboro First Baptist Church
provides Christmas meal
    Hillsboro First Baptist Church (127 S. West Street, Hillsboro) is again
honored and privileged to offer free "Feast for The King" Christmas Day
meals to the community.
    Offered are a dine-in experience at noon or 1 p.m. or curbside pickup of
meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please let the church know you are coming
by calling (937) 393-1473; texting (937) 240-3535; registering online
(www.hillsborofirst.com) or emailing at fbcfam@yahoo.com. Please join the
church for a hot meal and a festive atmosphere.
    The menu consists of ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy,
green beans and a roll. The meal is free ­ this is our gift to you. We have
enjoyed the company of people who have no home to business owners to bank
presidents and everyone in between ­ all are welcome.
    Pastor Clay Self explains, "Feast for The King is a great example of how
Jesus followers can give to their community with no strings attached. Please
enjoy a meal on us."
    There is a table prepared for you. While meals are being served,
Christmas carols will be sung, and you will hear a story. There will be two
"seatings" to choose from for the dine-in meals: noon or 1 p.m. Please let
us know which time you plan to attend.
    The process of the curbside pickup of meals is as follows: Travel south
on South West Street and pull up to the curb beside the First Baptist
Church. (There is a set of glass double doors on the building side as a
point of reference.)  There will be a decorated ordering station, and
people there where you place your order from your vehicle.
    You will then proceed to the stop sign at the intersection of S. West
Street and W. Walnut Street and turn right. There will be a decorated tent
out by the street where you will park, and your hot meal will be brought to
you. You get to stay in your car the whole time. Please note that
drive-through orders will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. (No orders will be
filled prior to 11:30 a.m.)
    Please contact the Church office at (937) 393-1473, text (937) 240-3535,
email fbcfam@yahoo.com or leave a message at www.hillsborofirst.com to
pre-order your meals or if you have any questions.  

St. Benignus Church
provides Christmas dinner
    St. Benignus Church in Greenfield will offer free Christmas dinners to
those in need on Christmas Day from noon-2 p.m. 
    Dinners can be picked up at the church at 218 S. 2nd St. or delivered
anywhere in the Greenfield school district. 
    Call Corner Health Mart Pharmacy with your order, or if you have
questions, at (937) 981-2454.

Peace Lutheran Church
45th anniversary
    Peace Lutheran Church celebrated their 45th anniversary with a German
traditional Oktoberfest.
    They were honored by an afternoon of country and rock and roll given to
the church by the Blue Steel band. The band played for three hours as a gift
to the congregation.
    For the 2023 advent season, St. Paul and Peace Lutheran Churches of
Lynchburg and Hillsboro are observing the following events. The community is
welcome.
    € Dec. 24, Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve: Shared worship at
10 a.m. at St. Paul and at 7 p.m. at Peace. Both services will include the
bell choir, with fellowship time following worship.
    € Dec. 25, Christmas Day: No services held at either congregation.
    € Dec. 31, First Sunday of Christmas and New Year¹s Eve: 9 a.m. at
Peace, 11 a.m. at Paul.
    € Shared mid-week gatherings will take place Dec. 6, 13 and 20 at Peace
and will include an Advent gathering with study, worship and prayer at 3
p.m.; a soup supper at 6 p.m.; and a Holden Evening Prayer at 7 p.m.
    St. Paul Lutheran Church is located at 502 Pearl St., Lynchburg. Peace
Lutheran Church is located at 231 Harry Sauner Road, Hillsboro.

SATH Sweetheart 
Charity Ball Feb. 10
    The SATH (Supplementary Assistance to the Handicapped) organization has
the perfect Christmas gift. We will be hosting our 20th annual Valentine¹s
Sweetheart Charity Ball on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Roberts Centre in
Wilmington.  
    The evening will begin with appetizers at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and
dancing from 8-11 p.m. The attire for the evening is semi-formal/formal. The
featured band will be the Blue Water Kings Band out of Cincinnati.  
    The cost is $125 per couple which includes appetizers, dinner, dancing,
photo of each couple and door prizes. Again this year, child care will be
available.
    If you're looking for a gift for that person who is hard to buy for or
you want to treat your sweetheart to a special evening and help support
SATH, give them a ticket to the Charity Ball.
    SATH is a nonprofit organization that assists children with disabilities
by sponsoring programs that enhance the quality of their life. If you are
unable to attend but would like to support the Charity Ball, SATH is still
in need of table sponsors for this event.  
    For tickets and information, contact Linda Allen, SATH Executive
Director, at (937) 366-6657 or (937) 364-6144, or visit www.kampdovetail.com
to purchase tickets.

Lynchburg Lions Club
candy sale underway
    The Lynchburg Lions Club is having their annual candy sale now through
Dec. 31. There will be 40 different varieties of candy for sale. Candy will
be available in Hillsboro at the Highland County Republican Headquarters at
200 West Main Street. It will also be available at the Southern Hills
Community Bank in Lynchburg.
    The location in Lynchburg will be open during regular bank business
hours. The location in Hillsboro will be open Monday through Friday from 10
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
    Additional orders can be placed at any time by calling (937) 288-2235,
(937) 364-6101 or (937) 509-3042. Churches and other charitable groups will
receive a discount.

Hillsboro meetings
    The 2024 City of Hillsboro meeting schedule is as follows.
    • City Council meets the Thursday after the second Monday of the month
at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom.
    • Planning Commission meets the third Monday of the month at the old
firehouse on Governor Trimble Place.
    • The Revolving Loan Fund Committee holds quarterly meetings at 10 a.m.
in the City Building. Scheduled dates are: Jan. 17, May 22, Aug. 21 and Nov.
20.
    • Records Commission meetings are TBA.
    • Civil Service Commission meetings are TBA.
    • The Community Improvement Corporation meets the second Wednesday of
the month at 9 a.m. at the City Building.
    Changes in schedule or special meetings must be published a minimum of
24 hours prior to meeting time.

Senior food donations
    The Highland County Church of Christ is giving out senior food boxes on
the third Friday of each month. These are boxes of canned and shelf-stable
items, plus cheese. To qualify, you must be age 60 or older; submit an
income form (to be filled out one time); and pick up your food box between
11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the third Friday of each month at 6670 U.S. Route 50 West,
Hillsboro. For more information, call (937) 763-8311.

Reformers Unanimous
    Reformers Unanimous offers Christian support for all types of addiction
every Friday from 7-9 p.m. Meetings are held at Greenfield Area Christian
Center, located at 912 North Fifth Street in Greenfield. Call (937) 515-6748
or (937) 876-9868 for more information.

Peace Lutheran Church
    Peace Lutheran Church continues to serve as the location for AA, NA and
AlAnon. There is also a model train group which sets up at the Highland
County Fair and has their meetings at the church. Call Peace Lutheran at
(937) 393-1837 with any questions.

Lynchburg Historical Society
    The Lynchburg Historical Society will be open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-2
p.m. The Society is located at 151 S. Main Street near the police office.

New Life Church & Ministries
resumes food giveaway
    New Life Church & Ministries, located at 6101 S.R. 247 in Hillsboro, has
resumed its weekly food giveaway. The food pantry will be offered every
Friday from 1-4 p.m. Individuals are asked to wait until after 10 a.m. at
the absolute earliest to get in line for the food giveaways.