of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio
of Chillicothe, Ross County & South-Central Ohio DRAFT new 8/2/05Much is made of the complexity of our moden lifstyle, especially of the need to plan - for a summer job, for an investment account, for a wedding, for having a baby, for college costs, for health care, for funeral and burial.
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An aerial photo of the offending racetrack in its current sparsely populated and easily accessed location in Concord Township north of Frankfort at the intersection of US 52 and Frankfort-Clarksburg Pike |
Now that our lives are much more protected, our lives seem to be much more complicated in order to balance things out. Or, perhaps they are no less complicated - the complications are less in severity but greater in detail. (It seems that humans simply cannot allow themselves to live simply!)
So now here at the turn of the 21st century in Ross County, instead of fires or floods or banditry, our fears are the farm next to us becoming a housing development or a racetrack or a shopping center, and the 'traditional' mindset of minimal government regulation fails us.
Such is the issue concerning residents of Concord Township and Roxabel with the proposed racetrack move, and several letters-to-the-editor and articles in the news media have aired the controversy.
Yes, the United States is founded on a tradition and law of free enterprise. But unlimited consumerism can allow your life - and lifestyle - to be consumed. There are acceptible and constitutional limits on free enterprise, and they are tools to be applied when and where needed.
However, in Ross County those tools have been refused, and in Chillicothe they have been undermined. I'm certain you're familiar with my opining on the latter.
Regarding the former, Tom Harp has an excellent letter-to-the-editor in the August 2d Chillicothe Gazette. Please read it and be sure your duly elected public servants - and your neighbors - know your stance on the issue.
DRAFT new 8/11/05I finally made it out to the Ross County Fair, which is right at my doorstep. A few things caught my eye:
In the Fine Arts building (what about 'coarse arts'? ;) I saw a display and picked up a brochure on the "Quilt Barn Trail" in Adams County. I had heard about this at a Scioto Valley Bird & Nature Club meeting - it started out as a combination bird trail and folk art trail. I didn't quite understand the connection, but I can see that it is a good tourst draw (though I'd like to see a barn project that focuses on the barns themselves, not what's painted on them). As the website explains, between the barns
are unique shops and Amish establishments to visit, historic sites, and other points of interest. A variety of options for an overnight stay (cabins, inns, lodges, motels, and bed and breakfasts) are available to visitors to our "Edge of Appalachia."
The "Appalachian Discovery Birding & Heritage Trail" brochure lists locations of barns that have the 20 traditional quilt squares painted on them, and explains the design and history of each square. The map handily includes the edges of adjacent counties - it's nice to see that culture does not end at arbitrary political boundaries. The Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau also has a website on the topic.
Now - does Ross County have such a cultural attracttion? Could It? What could it be?
And how soon can we set up a display on it in Adams County?
The Ross County Master Gardeners had their display at the fair again, though in the Fine Arts building, and not with plant displays (though I can understand that the Arts building is air conditioned). You have seen their plantings along Camp Sherman (sometimes called Canal) Road along the recreational trail on the former B&O Railroad, close to the north end of High Street.
I spoke with the woman attending the booth. As I understand it, the Master Gardeners are a group who have taken classes in gardening with the local OSU Extension Service and then donate a fixed amount of time to teach others. You can find out more in the OSU Extension Service's Master Gardeners website, and in the group's latest, June, newsletter.
I asked about getting starts or seeds of prarie plants for my own meadow/prarie bed along Infirmary Lane. (I've got a decent start, but it won't be picturesque for a couple more years.)
