catching the stage at the ok corral
TRANSCRIPT
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7/31/2019 Catching the Stage at the OK Corral
1/1
The beginning of school
has always felt more like a
New Years Day than any-
thing surrounding January 1.
I wont bother with per-
sonal resolutions, becausethey dont last more than a
week anyway.
On Monday, Im commit-
ted to running three miles a
day and watching what I eat.
Then by Thursday night Im
sitting in Campionis order-
ing a pizza. Loser.
But I do like to make pre-
dictions. And Im pretty
good at them, if I do say so
myself.
R em em ber Presi dent
Reagans landslide re-elec-
tion in 1984? Yeah, I saw it
coming.
And Maverick Morgans
growth to his current heightof 610? I predicted that,
too, right around the time he
hit 69.
Im a genius at predic-
tions, I tell know. Hold your
applause.
Heres what I predict for
t he comi ng Spr ingboro
school year.
For starters, I think this
years group of seniors will
demonstrate that theyre one
of the nicest, personable and
most successful classes in
the schools history. Im
biase d, b ecaus e my d aught er
Chloe and nephew Chase
will be among the graduates
next spring, but Ive been
impressed with them and
their classmates since they
started kindergarten a week-
and-a-half ago.
Or has it really been 12
years?
In any event, theyre all a
good bunch of kids.
Wait, theres more.
Som et im e duri ng t he
c om in g s oc ce r s ea so n,
Haley Gribler will show that
shes in a class all by herself.
During football season, Jake
Johnson will make a move
so quick and so outstanding
that an opponent will need
to run to the bathroom after-
ward.
In golf, Matt Kern will hit
a shot so good that even his
coach will shake his head,
wondering how he pulled it
off.
U h- huh, yeah. T hi s i s
whats going to happen.
In addition to all that, at
some point, amid any one of
the numerous organizationsin town, a leader will get full
respect and loyalty because
of excellent communication
skills.
They will fully write out
and explain the proper way
of doing things, with ample
opportunity given to consid-
er any alternatives, and as a
result that organization will
thrive. Its members will feel
empowered.
In that light, some hard-
working volunteers who do
so much will feel respected
and valued this school year.
And coaches who devote so
much time and energy will
be free to conc entra te on
future development of their
play ers . Spri ngb oro can
becom e a place of dignif ied
efficiency.
I can see it now. Call me
Karnac. And yet theres still
more.
A party will be thrown
and some parents will make
sure theres no alcohol any-
where in sight, because its
not worth going to jail. If the
par ent s are out for the
evening, a young person in
the crowd will leave the
scene and go home early,
sober, realizing the scene
isnt worth getting kicked
off the team.
A major project will be
due on a Monday and a stu-dent will spend the whole
weekend away from the par-
ties anyway, conscientious
that a responsibility will be
met.
All of this can happen. It
has happened in the past. In
the words of Donny Osmond
so many years ago, a few
bad apples dont spoil the
whole bunch, girl.
Football Friday nights
will be some of the most
memorable of the entire
year. The boys basketball
team, with its three return-
ing starting seniors and its
prove n hea d coa ch, willpack the house in a big con-
f er ence show down, and
come out with a win. The
bas eba ll tea m will onc e
a ga in l oc k h or ns w it h
Lebanon, this time prevail-
ing.
Dr. Ron Malone will retire
as principal, secure in the
knowledge hes made a posi-
tive difference on so many
students. A teacher will have
a conversation with a long-
forgotten student, surprisedthat she had had so much
influence on what at the
time seemed like a wayward
student. Real satisfaction
will set in. Deservingly.
Im looking forward to
this school year. Im hoping
all of this optimism is war-
ranted, and Im hoping this
can be a positive transition
for Springboro.
Its a bold prediction, its
true. But Ive been known to
make some real zingers.
Like how itll snow some-
time in January. Like how
Sean Welsh will man-handle
his defensive opponent. Andhow tears will be shed when
graduation exercises are
held next spring.
You heard it all here first.
Surely you are stunned.
Now, b ecaus e Im on such a
roll, Im off to go buy a lot-
tery ticket.
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Editorial
Regulations can help reduce
head injuries in sportsTomorrow kicks off another high school football seasonin the football-crazy state of Ohio. As we have watched over
the years, we have learned more and more about lasting
medical dangers from the sport.
The number of concussions, and the effects of those head
injuries, are a popular news item. But people seem to forget
that football is not the lone cause of such injuries.
In 2008, for example, 93 children under the age of 15
were killed in bicycle accident while 13,000 were injured.
Sixty-two percent of those injuries and deaths were due to
head injuries.
According to the Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital at
Stanford University, skateboarding, in-line and roller skating
combine for 99,000 injuries for children ages 5-14. The hos-
pitals website reports that almost 50 percent of head
injuries sustained in sports or recreational activities occur
during bicycling, skateboarding or skating incidents.
These sports, however, are never looked at as negatives ascities build skate parks and bike paths.
The problem with football is repeated hits to the head and
improper treatment of concussions in the past.
We feel that, now that the problem has been uncovered,
better treatment will come. Required rest for those suffering
head injuries will be more strictly obeyed.
We also hear that the industry that makes safety equip-
ment for the athletes needs to upgrade, making helmets bet-
ter. Maybe one problem is that the equipment is too good. In
many cases, the player has no qualms to lead with his head
while making a block or tackle.
We also know that, in many cases, coaching can be better
in teaching techniques to players from an early age. Yes,
occasionally there will be times when a player will hit with
his head, but if they are using proper technique, leading with
the shoulder, there would undoubtedly be a lowering of head
injuries.
There used to be rules that penalized spearing, or lead-ing with the helmet, but flags for those hits are now few and
far between.
The start of the fall sports season is thrilling from the
gridiron, to the soccer pitch, to the volleyball and tennis
courts, to the golf and cross country courses. Young athletes
performing to the best of their ability brings pride in the
child, the family and the community.
We feel that these sports are a crucial part of the growth
process for youth. The lessons learned do carry over to
everyday life.
But we also know that, sometimes, rules for safety is
needed and evolution is inevitable.
I dont know if Im just more aware of it right now, if the
campaign has stepped up or if Im more sensitive to govern-
ment intrusion in my life but whatever it is, Im angry about the
Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement program.
Before I start getting emails and Facebook postings saying
Im endangering lives; Im not. I wear my seat belt. I insist that
others in my vehicle wear theirs. What I dont like is that the
government is forcing me
to make that decision and
taking away my free
choice.
Heres my anecdotal
story that hangs in my
mind every time I buckle
up. In 1978 I was driving
home on a country road.Without going into detail I
was involved in an accident
that totaled my car. I wasnt seriously hurt and neither was the
other driver; who, by the way, was at fault and cited. When the
sheriff arrived on the scene he saw that I had been thrown into
the passenger seat of the compact car I was driving. The steer-
ing wheel had been pushed through the drivers seat upon
impact with a telephone pole. I was not wearing a seat belt.
There was no seat belt law at the time. The deputy told me that
in his opinion, and he didnt say this often, the only thing that
saved me was NOT wearing my seat belt.
I know the stats. I understand the odds. But if youve never
been in that situation, please dont judge my prerogative to sec-
ond guess the wearing of that seat belt from time to time.
As with so many other actions of government, theyve decid-
ed my right to make that decision for myself is outweighed by
their ability to order me to do it. And that is not what America
is about, or how my liberties should be defined: by another law.A good friend who is an actual practicing attorney (I only
play one on radio and in this column) suggested as long as I
give assurance that Ill pay 100 percent of my medical expenses
when, and if, I wreck while not wearing the seat belt, it would
be just fine with him. He doesnt want his health costs to go up
because I chose not to protect myself. My retort asked if he
also supported setting weight standards for folks. After all obe-
sity is a huge problem in America.
What about smoking? Should tobacco products be banned
since we all know smoke kills? My lawyer buddy finds pleas-
ure in bungee jumping. I understand its relatively safe but
when a jumper does hit the ground, well, its not a pretty pic-
ture. Should we ban that too?
As with the red light cameras, speed cameras and many
speed traps the ultimate goal of those writing the laws isnt as
much saving lives as raking in the bucks in fines. Oh, some-
where in the debate the discussion of preventing injury and
death comes up Im sure, but in our money-strapped communi-ties why not find a way to do both; suggest safety and make
money.
As smart as wearing a seat belt may be, our freedoms as
adults in America, in my opinion, carry as much weight or
more. Because as we hand over our choices to those who may
or may not be able to make wiser choices than we would, our
ability to ever be able to make choices gets farther and farther
out of reach.
N N N N N
Mike Scinto is a 35 year veteran talk show host serving
locally, statewide and nationally behind the microphone. For
the past dozen years he has authored this award-winning col-
umn. You may have also seen him offering his unique insights of
Fox News Channel. Friend Mike at
http://www.facebook.com/mikescintoshow or visit
http://mikescintocolumns.blogspot.com
Click it or Ticket
is quite a racket
COMMENTARY
By Mike
Scinto
Times
Columnist
Back about seven or eight years ago Jim
Helton, who owns CFS Auto in Springboro,
was serving as thepresident ofthe Chamber
of Commerce and yours truly,Merge, as a
member of the chamber board of directors.
Chamber Executive Director Anne
Stremanos realized one day that we were all
born in the summer of 1944. Jim in July,
Anne in August and me in September,
which meant we all graduated from high
school in 1962.
The nextsummerwe decided to celebrate
the coming together of New York City,
Miami, Florida and Cincinnati, all working
together in Springboro for the betterment of
the community and its businesses. We
wouldmeeteachAugustforlunchand share
ideas and our individual failures and suc-
cesses throughout the years. This year, our
50th class reunion year, we met at Max &
Ermas.
We graduatedin different cities in Juneof
1962 not knowing what the future would
bring or who wed meet along the way. A
special cake was ordered for the big 50 and
the roundup was timed for 1:30 p.m.. last
Saturday.
Jim and I work full time andAnne retired
in the fall of 2010. We settled in at Maxs,
ordered a round of sarsaparillas and began
our annual birthday celebration. Cards were
passed around, the cake was presented for
viewing. Wed indulge later. But before we
could order the mayor showed up with old
west hats for all of us. Said hed heard that a
bunch of geezers were meeting at Maxs
before catching the stage up at the OK
Corral andwantedto wish us welland a safe
journey. We asked if he could take a couple
of pictures of us oldcowhands with ournew
hats andhe said hed behonored.Friends are
important as a matter of fact very important
and when you make friends that withstand
the test of time through the ups and downs
in life youve got keepers thatll be with you
till the very end. We said our goodbyes till
next summer, probably see each other dur-
ing the year to say hello or thered be a note
or two on Face Book or emails to share
important events maybe evena textmessage
about something we need to watch on TV.
We boarded the stage down at the OK and
headed home. It was a beautiful Saturday.
Pleasejoinme andmany others this com-
ing Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Coffman Family
Y for a Community Back-to-School
Blessing. Bring the whole family as we
come together as the Springboro faith com-
munity to pray for our students, teachers,
support staff and parents.This event is being
supportedand led by the Springboro Pastors
Association and Coffman Family Y. Please
join us. The event will last about 45 minutes
and is extremely important for all of us that
live in Springboro and Clearcreek
Township.
The dedication of Wade Field last
Saturday was truly amazing. The Wade
Family, the City of Springboro, Clearcreek
Townhship, Springboro Community
Schools, Pee Wee Football, Springboro
Soccer and Springboro LaCrosse all madeit
happen and were all represented on the
field. Thousands were there for the dedica-
tion ofa new astro turffield that is absolute-
ly amazing. I was able to interview on cam-
era Steve Harding, director of the Pee Wee
Football league, EdWadefrom thetownship
and Chris Pozzuto from the city of
Springboro after the presentation for our
next 45066 show that will begin airing in
September. Air dates will be in next weeks
column.
The Balloon Hausformerly in the historic
district has moved to the IGA shopping
plazaand is nowopen with allkinds of won-
derful gifts, balloons and so much more.
Next time youre in the area stop in an look
at all the awesome things theyve added. A
ribbon cutting was held Saturday at 11:00
A.M. Their puppets are tremendous..check
em out.
1. No one is in charge of your happiness
but you.
2. Be eccentric now. Dont wait for old
age to wear purple.
3. Dont compare your life to others. You
have no idea what their journey is all about.
My grandfatherWrights sisters daughter
has been doing some family tree research
and has discovered that we are descended
from Lord Wright of England in the 17th
century. So Lucy says no more Merge and
Lucy from now on we are Lord and Lady
Wright. Here here! More details when they
become available.
www.promusichosts.com
Catching the stage at the OK Corral
MERGE WRIGHT
By Don Wr
i
ght
Times
Columnist
Three old cowhands get together.
Predictions for the upcoming school yearCOMMENTARY
By JeffKirby
Times
Columnist