Three Camp Springs area businesses are part of this year's Campbell County Christmas Farm Shop Hop. The event is underway now and lasts through December 22. Please note each location has their own schedule of dates and times. Click here for the printable brochure with info for all 7 locations.
To view the archived editions of the Camp Springs News, please click here.
View Archived Posts Below.
Click here for photos of this year's Trick-or-Treaters.
MORE TRAFFIC NEWS
Please note that the top of Greskamp Rd. (heading to St. Joseph Church) is now a 3-way stop. Drivers heading to/from the church or to Four Mile, must now stop at the top of Greskamp.
ROAD OPEN!
AUGUST 9, 2024
KY 547 (Four Mile Road) – 1.84 – 2.92 mile points – This culvert repair project is now complete. The work zone was located just south of the KY 547/KY 1997 intersection. The project, originally scheduled to take until August 16, was completed today.
campsprings.com Photo Archives Available
A large library of archived photos from over 20 years of Camp Springs events are available on our Facebook page. Click here.
Memorial Day Parade Details
The 2024 Camp Springs Memorial Day Parade is scheduled to start Monday (May 27) at 10:30am at St. John's Lutheran Church on Lower Tug Fork Road.
The parade will culminate at the fire department on Four Mile Road with services sponsored by Simon Gosney Post 219 of the American Legion.
A community reception will be held immediately following. Food and drinks provided. Please bring a covered dish.
ALTAR BOY-Part 3
Before I begin the third and final installation of the Altar Boy series, I
must give special mention to Sister Mary Evangeline. She was my
overall favorite teacher during my eight years of elementary school
and she was solely responsible for everything concerning altar boy
serving/training. However, I must add that I had many excellent CDP
(Congregation of Divine Providence) teachers.
Serving began in Grade 3 and most of us continued through high
school. After initial physical walk-thru training in church we were then
teamed with an older more experienced server to actually serve Mass
together and be our on-going mentor.
During the school year we were scheduled for Monday thru Friday for a
week. This carried over into the summer when there was a daily Mass
also. Getting to and from weekday Masses during the summer was a
challenge at times. Bike riding was my first choice but on rainy days,
friends and neighbors provided rides. My Mother was one who never
got a driver’s license, fairly common for those times. We probably
could not have afforded a second car anyway.
Lighting the altar candles was a duty of the servers, sometimes OK,
sometimes dreaded. Being early elementary age students most of us
were quite short in stature. The candles with tall holders were
situated on two levels of shelves built into the reredos (altar
backdrop). The smaller candles on the lower shelf were not too
difficult to light with the candle lighter. Of course the taller candles
were on the upper shelves and were lit by a long handled
extinguisher/lighter. The wick of the candle with a brass wax
container cap was at least eight feet from the floor. It was never
possible to see the wick hidden inside the brass cap to determine if it
was lit, so this turned into a game of hold the lighter over the hidden
wick, pull the lighter away in a few seconds to see if it had ignited.
This sequence was repeated a few times until a spark of flame could
be seen and sometimes a candle or two went unlit. Please remember,
all of this was time sensitive and needed to be accomplished before
the scheduled start of Mass and there were never less than six
candles. During the procedure it never failed that droplets of wax
found their way onto the surplices and cassocks. The wax did not
show nearly as much on the white surplices as it did on the black or
red cassocks. If the surplices or cassocks appeared too blotched to
continue to be worn, they were sent home to parents for cleaning.
Ringing the bells for the start of Mass was another server duty. There
were three bells of different sizes that were positioned outside behind
church. For weekday Masses only the smallest bell was rung
but for weekend Masses, all three were rung at the same time. The
bells were mounted on metal stands with the smaller one standing
about four feet tall, the medium-sized about five feet tall and the
largest over six feet tall. The largest had a toller attached that was
operated by foot and used before and after funeral Masses. For most
of the elementary students this was too heavy for us to use. The bells
were rung by simply pushing them to start the swinging motion. The
bell ringing was fun and a mini adventure during warm weather,
however in cold winter weather the bells might be covered with snow
or ice or both. Regardless, it was always turned into an event. After
the vestibule with the bell tower above was added in the 1960’s, the
bells were moved inside where they should have been from the start.
If I remember correctly, it was Reitman’s Garage that hoisted the bells
into the second floor bell tower above the vestibule with one of their
wreckers (known today as tow trucks).
We are back to server training and in particular learning the Latin
prayers for Mass that was lead by Sister Evangeline. According to her
and correctly so, we did not know the prayers. Most of the prayers
were short three or four word responses but there were a few
paragraph length prayers and these were the troublesome ones to say
the least. Sister’s solution was to conduct summer Latin training
sessions. Yea, right! It was expected that all age appropriate boys
would serve and thus also participate in the summer training. For me,
I was entering this with less than a mild enthusiasm. There must be, I
thought, a loophole to attending especially since I did not like being
embarrassed in front of others for not knowing the prayers. By riding
my bike the half mile to Church I planned to park it in the cemetery
and hide there to watch for the kids coming down the Church road
after the training ended and follow them down the road as if I had
attended and enjoyed the Latin session. The plan worked perfectly
but for only two days. I did not count on Sister doing such a thorough
attendance check. All it took was a phone call from her to my Mother
as to my whereabouts. My Mother was dumbfounded but not for long.
After admitting to the flawed scheme I completed the summer Latin
program but with only a slightly improved mastery of the dead
language. Ironically, I was required to take two years of high
school Latin a few years later.
Let the truth be known, that serving at Mass was one of the most
maturing things that I have done. Certainly it had something to do
with me being active to this day in many parish and Church activities.
Click here to see photos of Trick-or-Treaters at Little Rock Farm.
TONKA TOYS (Part 1)
My Tonka construction truck set of toys was one of the best Christmas gifts ever. It was given to me and my brother Vern (three years older than me) by my brother Frankie and his wife Margie. Frankie was fourteen years older than me and already married when he gave them to us. They were truly a great gift and much appreciated by a young kid.
The set included a dump truck, road grader, steam shovel and a lowboy trailer to haul the steam shovel. I claimed the dump truck and road grader while Vern got the lowboy and steam shovel. Who knows how the decision was made as to who got which pieces but I always thought that I got the better part of the deal. Some of this may go back to the fact that I was younger and really thought that I should always get my way.
The dump truck (my favorite) had a red cab and frame with a green bed. It was made of steel with real rubber tires and not at all like the plastic versions that followed later. There was a lever that raised and lowered the bed and another lever that released the tailgate. The road grader was a yellow-orange color with a swiveling grader blade and a steering mechanism located inside the cab which posed a real problem in trying to reach inside the cab and steer it with only two fingers and two kid’s fingers at that. There was a 2” rubber engine exhaust piece that fitted into a hole in the rear of the grader under which the real life engine would be. It was always falling from the hole which drove me nuts. These were two design mistakes, the steering mechanism and the rubber exhaust that would never stay in place and they both bothered me even as a young kid.
The steam shovel was red and the shovel actually operated and the scoop had a release. The wheels were a real rubber track system that actually turned. The lowboy cab was red just like my dump truck and the trailer was blue. I always thought that there was much less creative play to be done with the steam shovel and lowboy while the dump truck could haul all sorts of things and the road grader could scrape and level sand or soil and the blade could be raised and lowered.
The Tonka toys provided endless hours of play. Since Vern was a few years older than me he outgrew them ahead of me and I inherited his pieces. When I also outgrew them, my Mother being as fair and proper as possible, decided to give them back to my brother Frankie for his son Donnie (my nephew). We maintained them in great condition and they were a welcome return gift to my nephew.
My next article on Tonka Toys will explain how I modified these toys to satisfy my creative side.
Growing Up
in Camp Springs
By Mike Enzweiler
ALTAR BOY (Part 1)
Being an altar boy sure was a big deal. Notice that I said altar BOY. During my tenure as a server (short for Altar Boy), it was a boys only club. If my memory serves me, we began in the third grade. Remember also that the entire Mass was in Latin with the exception of the readings and the homily. As a third grader I was struggling to conquer the English language not to mention a foreign language and Latin at that.
Sr. Evangeline, my absolute favorite elementary school teacher, was charged with training the servers. Her task was two-fold, assist us with the logistics or movements during Mass and to help us memorize the Latin prayers.
The short quick prayers and responses were simple, an “et cum spi ri tu tu o” here, another one there and another one later. However, the Confiteor was the challenge. This prayer admits to our weaknesses and asks for assistance in being better. It is a long prayer. There were typically two servers unless it was a High Mass (accompanied by music and singing) or a special occasion, then three or more servers assisted.
During my time as a server our backs, including that of the priest were to the congregation. There were distinct advantages to facing away from the congregation. The reciting of the Confiteor was a good example. The servers, one to each side of the priest (Father Greskamp) and situated at the base of the three steps leading up to the altar would bow so low during the reciting of the Confiteor that our heads nearly touched the step in front of us. As I said earlier, this prayer was extremely long. The servers, maybe just me, began in earnest to recite with the appropriate volume but as the prayer continued and my memorization of this same prayer failed, so did my volume. I don’t think that I was the only kid who had difficulty mastering the Latin language. As the prayer unmercifully drug on, neither server really knew when it was to end because by this time we were both simply mumbling the words. Again thank goodness that our backs were to the congregation, this allowed us to non-verbally communicate with each other through a series of head movements (which to this day we think went unnoticed by Father). These gestures amounted to a signal that it was time for both of us in unison to raise up from our bow and that the mumbled prayer should end.
Those of us who possessed an almost zero mastery of the Latin Mass prayers thought that we were so clever in our cover up. As the saying goes, all good things shall come to pass (I think this is the correct wording or at least close). Sr. Evangeline was onto us and she had a remedy.
In my next installment of Altar Boy, I will describe sister’s solution, what we wore as servers and additional anecdotes.
CAMP SPRINGS V.F.D. HALLOWEEN The Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department was so much more than a group of volunteer firemen fighting fires. They were responsible for numerous events and some of these developed into longstanding annual traditions. In future articles I will discuss the origin of the department followed by many things that the volunteers performed for the community far beyond simply firefighting.
After years upon years of trick or treaters traipsing on the roads of Camp Springs, the fire department organized a trick or treat night at the Camp Springs Ballpark (the original name was the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department Recreation Field, much too long for a name). This was an event that truly filled a need. The Camp Springs roads were not lit with street lights nor were there any sidewalks. For the safety sake of everyone involved this was a giant step in the right direction.
Just a reminder, the ballpark was owned by the fire department and both the ballpark and fire department were staffed by volunteers, quite an undertaking for a small community. As close as I can estimate the Halloween gathering at the ballpark began in the mid to late 1950’s and I am not certain how long its run lasted (maybe five years or more).
It was truly a BIG EVENT. Kids talked about attending for weeks in advance. Hundreds and hundreds of kids and parents participated. A large bonfire was lit in the center of the infield. As the kids paraded around the fire, the costumes were judged in a number of different categories and exquisite appropriate prizes were awarded. Free candy was handed out by fire department members. I must also mention that members of the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary performed much of the work for this event and for many others that helped financially support the fire department. The volunteers dispensed candy from behind tables into the kids’ paper bags that were also supplied by the fire department. My oldest brother Ervin remembered going door-to-door prior to the event to solicit cash donations from residents to purchase candy for the Halloween evening and he reminded me that never was enough money collected to cover the cost of the candy and so, of course, the fire department absorbed the remainder of the cost.
Like many good things this event also came to an end. The popularity of it proved to be its eventual demise. Word got out to neighboring communities and the fun evening simply became too big and too expensive for our small fire department. Children and adults from beyond the physical boundaries of Camp Springs began to number as many as those from within our immediate community.
The Halloween event went far beyond all of its expectations in providing a safe and fun night for all who attended. I praise those firemen and Ladies Auxiliary members for staging such an event.
In later articles I will talk about Fire Department-related happenings and additional remembrances.
Growing Up
in Camp Springs
By Mike Enzweiler
TENDING BAR AT THE CORNER (Part 4 – The Pizza Incident)
As I remember, back in the day when I was tending bar (1984-87), food in any fashion was not a real bar necessity. ONLY BEER WAS!
We provided the standard venue of Husman chips, pretzels (curled and sticks) and that was all. Bar patrons would walk over to the display rack, grab a bag or bags, bring them back to the bar and I would collect the money.
The bar itself seated eight people and typically the men sat at the bar while the females (spouses, girlfriends) sat at the tables (four tables). Some children visited the bar with their parents. The children were usually so young that they were either in strollers or a carrier. Parents would bring food and drinks for their children.
When the limited food menu (snacks) began to be challenged by our patrons, Frankie and Wanda Enzweiler-the Management, decided to add pizza. As simple as the pizza preparation was, to me it was a bit of a challenge. Remember, I lived by myself for seventeen years and did little to no cooking.
The pizza was frozen Tombstone brand delicacies, cheese or pepperoni only. My first pizza preparation was not successful. A simple mini heater oven was used. I glided the pizza into the oven, set the timer to the recommended minutes and proceeded back to my bar duties. The toaster oven was situated on a table just beyond the bathroom door at the entrance to the pool room. When one of the bar patrons returned from the bathroom he announced to me that something was awry in the mini oven.
I checked it out and to my shock the pizza had curled up and resembled an over-sized taco shell. With much difficulty, I pried it from the oven. Little did I realize that I had omitted one easy, but critical step in the instructions. REMOVE THE PIZZA FROM THE CARDBOARD BASE BEFORE PLACING IN THE OVEN. After weighing myoptions, I realized I did not need one.
Sometimes, the most modest/simple food presentation can be the most elegant (I may have watched too many cooking shows). I proudly paraded to the bar with the warped and taco-looking cheese pizza (still with the corrugated cardboard under it) and slid it directly in front of the patron who had ordered it. After walking away without saying a word, the profanities commenced from all the patrons. First thing I heard was, “Didn’t your Mother teach you how to cook?”, along with other comments that I dare not put in print.
When the initial shouting stopped and things settled down, I realized that the pizza making incident would live on in infamy as a constant reminder of my complete lack of cooking prowess and also a failure on my part to read simple instructions. The taste of the pizza was not at all affected by its unusual shape as the patron ate the entire 10” taco-pizza by himself. He was so pleased when I did not charge him for the curly pizza not to mention the complimentary beer. Do I know how to please my customers or what!
Growing Up
in Camp Springs
By Mike Enzweiler
CLUBHOUSES (Part 2 The Back Cellar Clubhouse-Conclusion)
The back cellar clubhouse indeed had many good points. It was cool all summer, protected from the weather, relatively private and had a spy hole drilled through the door for us to always know who wanted in. However, there were certain factors beginning to rear their ugly heads that foreshadowed the eventual demise of the back cellar location. The fact that we could not lock or secure our clubhouse door from the inside (parents’ rule) was a concern, why it was I am not sure. There was a general consensus that being located in the basement of my parent’s house was just not private or independent enough. Another issue, as a pre-teen my attention span was rather short. I, along with my neighborhood clubhouse members became bored with the location in less than one full summer.
Ultimately, there were two deciding factors. The first was my Dad wanting to reclaim his entire back cellar space, and yes, it was his from the start. However, the final straw that broke the camel’s back was THE INCIDENT.
To refresh your memory, during our stay in the back cellar, some of the space was still used by my Dad for storage. One of my Dad’s items kept in OUR space was a five gallon can of “picnic table” green paint. The color was as ugly and common as it sounded. Back in the day, this was the go-to universally used color for whatever. Obviously it was the accepted color for wooden picnic tables but in addition, outdoor chairs, porch swings, wooden garden fences, porch ceilings and millions more uses.
In order to optimize our use of space, the five gallon bucket of “picnic table” green paint served a dual purpose as a seat for our clubhouse members. Somehow, unknown to everyone on that day of infamy the lid came loose and my cousin Kenny found his arm shoulder deep in the green paint. Panic immediately set in. Pulling his arm from the bucket initiated a chain reaction of other problems. The “picnic table” green paint was dripping from all of his five fingertips and of course, we did not think of or consider keeping his ever-dripping arm over the bucket nor away from his clothes nor off the concrete floor. The level of panic rose. Someone was finally sent in search of rags. Our minds were racing with how to explain to my parents how all of this came about. As a group, we finally realized that my Mom & Dad needed to be notified. At the time, my Dad worked a third shift (11 pm – 7 am) at a produce house on the river bottoms in downtown Cincinnati, so he spent the majority of his daytime hours sleeping. My Mother was a stay-at-home Mother. The most non-essential clubmember was unfortunately sent upstairs to tell my Mother and then of course my Mother woke my Dad from a sound sleep to report to the back cellar emergency. The first priority was to wipe his arm as best possible with rags to get the bulk of the paint wiped beginning with his armpit, then from the hair on his arm, then from between his fingers and finally from under his fingernails. Please remember, this was oil-based paint. Had it been latex, the cleanup would have been a simple spraying off with a garden hose. No chemical brush cleaner could be used on bare skin so my Mother ran for the lard. My cousin Ken’s arm was rubbed down with the lard, then wiped down again. The lard did an amazingly good job of removing most of the paint. However, the pungent odor of the lard suggested a hunk of meat waiting to be deep-fried.
My parents ordered me to walk home (next door) with him to explain in detail to my Aunt (his Mother) exactly what happened. She was quite understanding, maybe because she could see me physically shaking with fright.
Upon my arrival back home (left my cousin’s house as quickly as possible, even knowing that what I faced at home would not be good), I was greeted with an EVICTION NOTICE from my Dad to vacate the property (back cellar).
This may have seemed harsh but things kind of fell into place. We were becoming bored with our back cellar location and THE INCIDENT hastened us on to look for our next clubhouse location.
The next Clubhouse article will feature “The Pigpen”.
Growing Up
in Camp Springs
By Mike Enzweiler
Christmas Decorating
(Part 1 - Outside )
As far back as I can remember, we always decorated outside and it was never just a few strands of lights. There were gobs and gobs of strands. The bulbs were 7½ watt indoor sets with the exception of the outdoor sets placed on the two boxwood bushes, one on each side of our front porch steps.
Of course, using indoor bulbs for exterior lighting was not a good idea. The paint on the bulbs was applied on the outside of the bulb rather than like their close cousin, the exterior bulb, that had a glass coating over the paint thereby protecting the paint. There are two guesses why we used interior bulb sets outside, one being that they were cheaper than the larger exterior bulb sets and secondly, that they used slightly less electricity than the larger exterior bulbs.
Needless to say that in only a few short years of being exposed to the weather, the paint on the bulbs began to peel with vengeance and I mean seriously peel. Only two options appeared possible, switch out all the sets for exterior sets only or to experiment by attempting to repaint them. The first option was cost prohibitive since we displayed dozens and dozens of sets of lights outside, the second option was a trip into unexplored territory. In thinking a bit more now about the dilemma, there was a third option, simply purchase additional interior replacement bulbs. This option, if explored then, was probably abandoned since these new bulbs would eventually peel also. In accord with some of my current thinking also, why discard bulbs that lighted perfectly well but only lacked paint?
Back to the trip into unexplored territory, let the bulb painting commence. I mixed some of the ugliest combinations of leftover paints that my Dad had in his basement shop, please remember not to judge me too harshly for my color mixing/blending abilities, I was in about the 6th grade. Prior to recoating the bulbs, all the peeling paint and not-so-peeling original paint needed to be scraped off. Some of the paint came off easily and others not so easily. If only I would have ended the process with the perfectly scraped bulbs, I would have been light (sorry for the pun) years ahead of the times. Clear bulbs were not popular then, only colored ones.
So, the repainting process continued. After thoroughly mixing the combined ugly colors, I poured the new ugly colors into used canned goods containers. There were about six different uglier than ugly colors ready for the bulb dipping. Each bulb was held by the base, dipped, then carefully and partially screwed into an empty strand of lights. This process required days upon days for the dripping to stop but more so for the paint to dry. WOW, but actually, so much less than WOW. The results were terrible, the paint ran, covered unevenly and the worst was when they were lit. Oil based paint (no acrylic paint in the 50’s) on glass. However, we did use them for a few more years.
Hate to end this article on such a bummer note but there is more to tell about the exterior lighting and decorating, then to be followed by reminiscing on our interior Christmas decorating.
God willing and the bulb paint drying, I plan to follow this article with two or more on Christmas experiences but not until Christmas 2020.
A VERY MERRY 2019 CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
CLUBHOUSES (Part 2 The Back Cellar Clubhouse)
What is a back cellar? To me, growing up, it was the room off the main basement (cellar) under our front porch. It had a concrete floor, concrete block walls and poured concrete ceiling (front porch floor). There was one standard-looking basement window. It was located at eye level (for a kid, that is) with the outside yard and I could see the entire lawn from the viewpoint of a lawn insect. Guess I did not have much else to think about since this was prior to be enraptured with thinking about girls.
Returning to the Back Cellar Clubhouse, it was such an exciting and practical location. No weather concerns since it was inside, no rain, no blistering summer weather to be sheltered from. Being surrounded by poured concrete and concrete blocks, it was cool throughout the summer when we spent many of our days in the clubhouses.
The first order of business was to convert the unorganized back cellar into a workable clubhouse. I was the intruder since the entire space was my Dad’s storage area. Things like lumber, tools, lawnmowers, etc. were all kept in my potential clubhouse room. Believe me, I am not an organized person but when I saw this space as my future clubhouse, I went about my business quickly. The plan was to arrange my Dad’s stuff so I could have an adequate space for my new clubhouse. Dad had placed an old wooden door horizontally on posts (about four feet above the floor and against one wall) to allow storage on top and under the door. After removing his stuff from under the door, it allowed for a great seating area under the door. I don’t know how my Dad ever found his stuff after I re-arranged it all to make floor space for the clubhouse. Believe me, I know how I feel today when someone messes with my stuff. Dad was 99.9% of the time an extremely mild-mannered person. Only a few times do I remember him being quite angry. That will be discussed in following articles. The needs for a workable clubhouse were simple: open space for seating, a table and minimal storage. From my standpoint this was accomplished but again I cannot imagine how my Dad felt that I was invading his domain.
To me, the distinctive feature of the entire Back Cellar Clubhouse was the entry door. It was all wood vertical six inch wide boards, standard height but about three feet wide. Pretty certain that my Dad made the door since he built the entire house in about 1930. The outside of the door facing the basement was painted a simple boring pale green with a distinctive handmade leather handle strap. The inside of the back cellar door was the homerun side, at least to me. It was the side used to wipe our brushes clean from excess paint when we (the entire family) finished any painting project before cleaning the brush. I considered this side of the door with the many colors and thick textures to be my own original Jackson Pollock (minus the cigarette butts) before I even knew who he was. Whenever I cleaned out my brushes, I wiped over the ugly looking areas and made sure to leave alone the areas that I thought looked finished. Remember, back in the day prior to 1970, all the paints were oil-based and my masterpiece door would require days to dry, primarily because of the oil base but also that the basement was always cool.
Article to Follow: Back Cellar Clubhouse (Conclusion-One Major Incident).
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATED
The Annual Camp Springs Memorial Parade and ceremony are now in the books. Congratulations to Marvin Bryan on being named this year's Citizen of the Year.
Parishioners celebrated May Crowning today at St. Joseph in Camp Springs.
Olivia Lloyd placed the crown on the statue of Mary, the Blessed Mother of Jesus.
CLUBHOUSES (Part 1 The Gas Tank Clubhouse)
Probably every kid (or at least every boy) had a clubhouse of some sort. I was fortunate enough to have had four, each at a different time of course. All of my clubhouses were concocted and put together by me. After starting simple, I moved on to more complex structures.
The major component of the Gas Tank Clubhouse was a 1,000 gallon Midwest Gas-owned propane tank. It was situated in our back yard near the fence that separated our property from my Uncle and Aunt’s property. The tank was about 15 feet long and 4 feet in diameter and resembled a miniature submarine. The tanks still have the same look today. Attached to each end of the tank was a steel handle that served as strapping points to hoist the tank onto and off the delivery truck. These same handles allowed us to pull ourselves onto the top of the tank and straddle it like we were riding a giant bronco. We were constantly warned by my parents if we hit the tank hard enough it would explode. Enough said!
The tank was situated parallel to the square-blocked cattle fence that marked our property line with the neighbor’s (Uncle Aloys and Aunt Loretta). A four foot space between the tank and fence allowed for a perfect clubhouse size (four feet wide by 15 feet long). The tank and the fence (both approximately the same height) provided perfectly for the two side walls. The roofing material was scrap boards from my Dad’s private stash in our basement. The boards reached from the top of the tank over to rest on the top of the fence. The downside to the roof design was its constant moving or shifting by the fence. The boards could not be affixed to the metal tank and could neither be attached to the wire fence (dictated by my construction skills at the time). The tank, of course, was sturdy and fixed in place but the fence was more flexible. It was a common occurrence for the boards to shift and fall but they could easily be slid back into place. The ground to ceiling height was about five feet which allowed for all club members to stand.
The tank provided for total privacy from our nearby house, the fence side was open to a clover field and privacy was no concern there.
There were three entrances to our deluxe clubhouse, but, the best part, two of them were secret and hidden from the outside view. The obvious entrance was the permanent opening at one end. At the other end was secret entrance #1, hidden by tall bushes. To access secret entrance #2, a club member needed to crawl on his belly under the tank. These two entrances were never recognizable from the outside. Why would a relatively small clubhouse require two secret entrances? The fact of the matter is that serving as secret exits was more important than as secret entrances.
For example, if a non-clubhouse member approached we could secretly escape any unwanted confrontation. However, if an unsolicited parent was approaching, a quick and unnoticed get-away could be achieved. Parents were typically searching for us to perform one of our meaningless chores. We were always found later and the obligatory chores were usually completed.
As thought out and well-planned (except for minor flaws) that our gas tank clubhouse was, there was one huge consideration that we forgot. The tank was rented from Midwest Gas who owned it and performed annual maintenance on it. Spray painting the tank with gray aluminum paint was always the bulk of the yearly upkeep. So, after my parents were notified of the pending annual maintenance, the need to disassemble the entire clubhouse became apparent. Following an emergency membership meeting, it was decided to abandon the idea of re-constructing the clubhouse and begin to move on to the next location and next design.
NEXT: The Back Cellar Clubhouse
ST. JOSEPH'S FISH FRIES
The famous St. Joseph Camp Springs Lenten Fish Fries wrapped up for the season on April 12, 2019. Record-breaking crowds enjoyed 6 Fridays of great food and community.
Did you miss out on the event? Not to worry. Oktoberfish returns this fall for 2 Fish Fry Fridays on October 18 & 25.
TENDING BAR AT THE CORNER (Part 3 – The Jukebox Repeat)
Back in the day, any local bar/tavern was only as good as its jukebox and the songs it contained. Live music was a rare thing. The Corner relied heavily on its jukebox to fill the voids when the bar-talk eased into near silence. God-forbid a few moments for quiet reflection! Never mind, what am I thinking. When patrons were not interested in feeding the jukebox (3 plays for a quarter) for whatever reason, I, being the creative and ever-accommodating bartender, thought to avoid any awkward silence.
At this time, in 1984, the Corner jukebox was using actual 45 rpm records. It contained a typical playlist selection of country, rock and even a few contemporary records. One of my favorite songs of all time, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler was on the playlist. Some of my most liked songs were by female singers with raspy voices.
Being the astute bartender, I was aware of a repeat play button on the back of the jukebox. After locating the letter and number of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, I pressed those buttons, then the repeat button and as they say, the rest was history. Two hours and nine seconds (27 repeat plays @ 4 minutes and 27 seconds per play) later, some of the patrons began to sense that something was awry. As the concern and resentment grew, I willingly released the repeat button and all things returned to the normal Corner atmosphere. Thank goodness that the typical Corner bar patrons were all good people.
Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour
Join us for the 2018 Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour!
The Campbell County Conservation District’s Farmland Work Group is excited to invite you to the 10th Annual Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 9a.m.-3p.m. - rain or shine. The goals of this event are to promote local agriculture with the overall goal of improving the economic viability of agriculture, developing local programs and policies to protect the counties productive farmland, and to provide education to the public about the values of farmland.
This is an event for the whole family! See the county as you never have before on this self-guided driving tour of agricultural operations located around Campbell County. Guests can explore vineyards, equestrian centers, beef cattle operations, horticultural operations, and see antique farm equipment. They will also get a glimpse of the importance of preserving the county’s prime farmland. Farmers will be available to share their story and experience as well as answer any questions. Many of the stops will have items such as produce, wine, crafts, and other farm products for sale, so don’t forget to bring a cooler and cash.
You can download a brochure from our website at campbellkyconservation.org or pick up one at the Campbell County Public Libraries, the Campbell County Conservation District office in the Alexandria Courthouse, Campbell County Extension Service in Highland Heights, and at various local stores throughout the county beginning mid-June.
ST. JOSEPH CAMP SPRINGS SUMMER FESTIVAL St. Joseph Parish in Historic Camp Springs will hold their 88th Annual Summer Festival on Saturday, JUNE 9 from 4:00 p.m. to Midnight. Home-style Fried Chicken and Roast Beef Dinners and Carry-Outs are served from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. inside…and outside under the protection of the rustic parish community shelter. Activities include $1,500 Major Raffle, Wheelbarrow Liquor raffles, Poker, Duck Races, Kids Bingo, Live Entertainment, Beer and Refreshments, Outdoor Grill, and special consideration and acknowledgement to Military Veterans. For more information contact 859.866.2494 Lic.# ORG0603
MAIN STAGE LINE-UP ANNOUNCED
Randy Steffen & Chris Lloyd 6:00-7:00pm
Mike Wagner & John Gay 7:00-8:00pm
Veterans Appreciation 8:00-8:15pm
Ron Heiert & Jerry Kovacik 8:30-9:30pm
Group Jam Session 9:30pm
Major Raffle Drawing 10:00pm
Closing Jam Session
CAMP SPRINGS GROCERY (Owners-Joe & Helen Sandfoss)
As already mentioned in my previous Introduction article to Camp Springs Grocery, Joe and Helen Sandfoss were both terrific people and I was fortunate to have known them. My brother Vern worked at the “store” for seven plus years and provided additional information to me.
First, Joe. He enjoyed talking with people, adults and children alike. With a constant smile, he always employed the art of “selling up” before it was as well-known as today when order takers at fast food restaurants constantly tease us with more than we really want to order. Example: when I stopped at the “store” to pick up an order for my Mother, Joe questioned if she needed an additional side item to accompany something already on her list. My customary answer was, I’ll check with her when I get home. He was never a pushy promoter but never forgot to sell sell sell. We must remember the “store” provided the living for his family. Slacks but no jeans was his standard attire. His shirts were always button-type (most often the top one or two buttons were left unbuttoned) with a collar and front pocket, but the most distinct feature was the cutaway up to the shoulder sleeves. Really not certain on the reason for this, he did not have large biceps to show off. Vern related to me that it was a dream of Joe’s to be a full time butcher. He came close as the entire meat section of the “store” was his domain. Joe and Helen never took time for a vacation in the seven years that my brother worked there. Joe was a constant bottled Coke drinker in addition to tea for breakfast and lunch.
Helen. She was one of the kindest persons I have ever met, who was always so soft-spoken. Not once did I witness even slightly harsh words between herself and Joe and there had to be stressful situations while operating a family business and dealing with the general public. One of my most vivid memories situated Helen sitting on the two step up doorway passage between the “store” and their residence, phone in hand, taking grocery call-in orders.
Always wearing a dress or skirt and blouse, her appearance was extremely pleasant even though Joe and Helen both worked long hours. Helen was the person you wanted by your side whether as a spouse, relative, friend or neighbor. Loved Joe and Helen a lot!
THAT A WRAP! The St. Joseph Annual Lenten Fish Frys have ended
for the season and the team at the church are grateful
for your support. It was a record breaking year thanks to you!
Each spring, nearly like a rite of passage, seed selling began at St. Joseph School. Both boys and girls participated. It was a stand alone project, not attached to 4-H or any other club.
Both vegetable and flower seeds were available. I participated during the late 50’s. The seed packets were quite similar to what is on the market today, packets were approximately 3” wide x 4” tall. Here we were, selling mini packs of seeds in a predominantly rural agricultural setting while at the same time area farmers were purchasing their seeds by the pound or bushel basket.
So who bought these micro packets of seeds? Just like any other school project, even today, the majority of buyers were parents, relatives, neighbors, friends and also some farmers who purchased their token share. Many families bought the seeds for their backyard gardens.
Now for the business side of the project. For any sales to occur, initial incentives are needed. Our bait was the prizes awarded for the varying levels of dollars sales. All sales were recorded on a single order form that I can still vividly remember, black print on a canary yellow paper. It was a bookkeeping nightmare, recording, as I already mentioned. All sales were tallied on a single order form which required another form of our own that separated the individual customer orders. It was a much anticipated event on the day that the orders arrived accompanied by our prizes, not any different from the excitement when Ralphie’s Dad, in the movie Christmas Story, received his “Leg Lamp” as the grand prize in a contest he had entered. Boxes and boxes of seeds and prizes needed to be sorted through. Believe it or not, few errors appeared in the shipment. This may not be exactly how the teachers felt.
Back to the prize incentives. They were all glorious offerings and some more glorious than others. There was a prize brochure from which to select. Many of the awards were religious items, that is, crosses, crucifixes, statues, rosaries, etc. Accompanying this article is a photo of one of the prizes that I received for selling. This is a current photo of the Infant Jesus of Prague that I still have, some 55 years later. It is 5” tall, plastic, in excellent condition and has retained its color, something to be said for plastic. My Hartland Molded (Hartland Wisc., still in business today) statue is worth about $5 on E-bay but priceless as a memory to me.
In addition to the memories, the project required setting goals, communicating with people, keeping accurate records and other intangible benefits that follow us the rest of our lives. Thanks St. Joseph School.
TURKEY SHOOT TODAY [PUBLISHED 11/5/17]
The Annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot will be held today, November 5, beginning at noon. All are welcome. Even non-shooters can stop by for the fun and enjoy a delicious turkey sandwich/dinner/dessert served by the Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, the auxiliary's famous $5,000.00 raffle will take place during the event.
For more information, please call the firehouse at 859-635-9255. The department is located at 6844 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
TRICK-OR-TREAT TOMORROW - OCTOBER 29 [PUBLISHED OCTOBER 28, 2017]
The Camp Springs Trick-or-Treating forecast for tomorrow is partly sunny and 45 degrees. Don't be alarmed, but the hay wagons of ghoulish characters hit the backroads at 3pm in search of their Halloween treats.
Have a safe and fun Halloween!
OKTOBERFISH FISH FRIES RETURN THIS WEEK
St. Joseph’s Parish, in Camp Springs, will once again be holding their “OKTOBERFISH” Fish Fries on Friday October 20 and 27. Dinners will be served each evening from 4:00 until 7:30pm. The menu features hand-breaded, deep-fried cod and catfish filets (cod is also available baked). Additional items include shrimp, crab-cakes and salmon, delicious side dishes and a wide selection of homemade desserts. Eat in or carry out. 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs. For more information or to place a carry-out order, please call 635-5652.
TEAM DYLAN FUNDRAISER - THANKS The 7th Annual Team Dylan Fundraiser was held this past Saturday, August 12 in Melbourne, KY. It was a huge success. Team members Tony, Shannon, Dylan and Alayna Thornberry and John & Debbie Gubser would like to thank everyone that supported this great fundraiser for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.
GROWING UP IN CAMP SPRINGS By Mike Enzweiler
CAMP SPRINGS GROCERY (Introduction)
Wow, what a staple within the community for decades. The owners during my growing up years were Joe and Helen Sandfoss (pictured above 3rd & 4th from left), tremendous people in all ways possible. There is much more history to the Camp Springs Grocery than I will relate. Things about the stone house and times prior to Joe and Helen’s tenure I will not go into. So I concern myself only with things that I experienced firsthand.
In addition to being the owners and major staff of the store, they were both well-respected members of the community. Both were active members of St. Joseph Parish and the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department. By active I mean participating in the duties and activities of both organizations. Dan and Dave, their two sons, were part of the store in different capacities.
The stonehouse, located only a few feet removed from the Four Mile Road pavement, served as both the grocery store and residence for the Sandfoss family of four. The residence was part of the first floor and all of the second and yet the entire building is not that large. There is a barn only a few feet away from the stonehouse that held the bulk size items. Later approximately ten feet was removed from the length of the barn on the highway side to allow for additional parking. I refer to the house and barn in the presence tense because both structures are still standing. Speaking of parking, available space was always at a premium. Five or so vehicles could safely park, however, more often than not, quite a few extras squeezed in. Directly in front of the store were two Tresler Comet gas pumps (regular and ethyl). These two pumps would have been drooled over by Frankie and Mike of the current American Pickers TV show. I can remember these ancient-looking relics being replaced by modern (for the day) pumps. I really thought that they looked downtown then. Also, of course, there was no such thing as self-serve pumps, therefore it took an employee away from waiting on grocery customers to operate the pump. From the highway to the front of the stonehouse measures only about twenty feet and that space was filled with the width of a car to be gassed up, the gas pumps and a narrow sidewalk leading into the store.
The store, together with Reitman Garage and the local taverns were our congested areas, if you might call them that. At the time, in Alexandria, there were maybe as few as two or so grocery stores, so for convenience and to support our local business the store was the place to shop.
You may have noticed that more often than not, I refer to Camp Springs Grocery as “the store”, growing up we always labelled it that and no formal name was needed.
There is so so much more to relate about my memories of “the store”, such as the many different people who worked there, home delivery, items that were sold and the many unique/unusual things about the store. My next Camp Springs Grocery article will begin to cover these areas others and I am certain that it will require more than two or three additional articles.
The Annual St. Joseph (Camp Springs) Summer Festival kicks off today at 4pm on the church grounds at 6833 4 Mile Rd, Melbourne, KY 41059.
Homemade chicken and roast beef dinners will be available from 4-8pm. (Carryouts are also an option.) The outdoor shelter will be available for dining.
LIVE music from Randy Steffen and Mike Wagner.
Ducky Downs racing throughout the evening.
TENDING BAR AT THE CORNER (Part 2 – Only at a Local Bar)
The following anecdotes will guarantee that you are in a local bar. Quite often when I arrived to open the bar at noon on a Saturday or Sunday, some patrons would be waiting either in their vehicles or leaning against the outside of the building, not that I was running late but they were early. These were the diehard locals.
Not only the early arrivers but all the locals expected me to know the brand they drank without needing to tell me and to have the drink placed on the bar before they even sat down on their designated barstool. Some were actually quite indignant when I did not remember what they drank or even worse, disturbed when they knew I was not too concerned about remembering. At the time, in our inventory, there were only a handful of different brands to select from, not the dozens of nationwide and craft beers that are now available. I knew these were the locals and it would require more than not knowing what they drank to prevent them from returning the next day.
Some young couples brought their babies and young children along to spend quality time together. More than once I warmed baby bottles or occupied the children when the parents were distracted.
Some of the locals liked to buy their beer by the case as a carryout. When I could not locate a case price I simply asked what did you pay the last time and charge the same amount, totally relying on the person’s honesty (only in a local bar). Other frequent patrons had a running tab whether they drank in the bar or purchased a carryout. It was a local bar and we could accommodate the patrons in ways that other non-local bars could not.
In my next article, I will relate a few specific and memorable happenings that I will remember forever.
MY 1946 FORD PICKUP Part 2
The purchase of my new old pickup was the easiest part. At that point in time, the State of Kentucky required vehicle safety inspections for all vehicles. For the average vehicle, no big deal, but for my 1946 pickup there were concerns. First and most obvious, there were no rear fenders. Even without being a mechanic, I knew this was a problem. Not to worry, take it to Camp Springs resident Erv Born, a lifelong mechanic/body person. Simple solution, cut a metal 55 gallon drum in half lengthwise, then slice into a width wide enough to cover the tires, weld them to the truck bed, done.
The engine (a flathead six cylinder with three speed on the floor) ran fine once it started but starting it was the issue. The starter did not work and at the time I was not willing to spend half the cost of the purchase price of the truck on a starter. So be it! My immediate and simple solution, always park it on a downhill grade when shutting off the engine. Our slanted driveway and hilly backyard were ideal parking spots for me to coast the truck and kickstart it by popping the clutch.
Next up, the vehicle inspection. Fortunate for me, Reitman Garage in Camp Springs was a certified inspection location. I knew them and they knew me. It was a $2 fee, so you can guess how thorough the inspection was (the fee split between the garage and the State. The truck passed the inspection, however, Johnny Reitman (owner) was curious why I kept the engine running during the entire inspection. I shrugged my shoulders, paid the fee and left.
Now MY real work began, to mark the truck as mine. The entire bed was a solid black. With little thought, I decided to paint it, not simply a different color, but to portion it out into dozens of irregular amoeba-like shapes each painted a different color. In order to create a stronger bond with my girlfriend, I asked to park it in her parents’ attached garage (like me, she still lived at home) so I could work on it through the winter. I knew the garage was not heated, don’t know if anyone saw through my clever plan or not, but it provided me with excuses to stop by her house more often to work on the truck. Her younger brother (he was in grade school) pleaded with me to help paint on it but I hesitated thinking that he may mess up my work of art. Not until my girlfriend (his sister) intervened did I cave in and allow him to paint shapes in spots where they would be least noticed in case he would mess up. The painting project ended in a colorful success.
The truck came with 3-pointed spinner hubcaps which I removed since I envisioned them as a pending art project. I attached them individually to circular pieces of wood, covered each with painter’s canvas and painted them in colorful geometric patterns. Later, I was able to hang them on display in the lobby of the Bank of Alexandria. Years later, I dismantled them and gave the hubcaps to Reitman Auto Parts after bargaining with them and allowing them to have them for nothing, another facet of my bargaining skills. HA!
As a final note, in the eyes of my girlfriend, the truck purchase scheme turned me into a “fun” guy for an extremely short time. She broke up with me when I was away in the Army, married another guy, divorced him, went back to dating, YADA, YADA, YADA!
Many more details about the many and varied segments of my dating life will be exposed in my forthcoming book titled “DATING: 1964-1996”.
ST. JOSEPH'S IS LOCAL12'S BEST FISH FRY OF THE WEEK Local12's Brandon Orr broadcast LIVE during this week's fish fry after St. Joseph's was voted Number 1 in the station's Weekly Best Fish Fry Contest.
All Set-ups include 2 sides and 2 Hushpuppies BRING YOUR FAMILY TELL YOUR FRIENDS
6833 Four Mile Pike Camp Springs Melbourne, KY 41059 Call in orders 635-5652
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY FINALIST IN WKRC POLL [PUBLISHED MARCH 10, 2017]
WKRC-TV 12 has listed this fish fry as a finalist for Week 3 of their "Best Fish Fry" poll. Click here to vote: http://bit.ly/2m3Ykoa. Note it's listed as St. Joseph - Melbourne, Ky. All votes must be cast by 6:30pm on Wednesday March 15th.
Click here for photos from tonight's fish fry at St. Joseph in Camp Springs, Ky.
THEY'RE BACK . . . . . . [PUBLISHED MARCH 4, 2017]
The fry team for St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs was back in action last night to kick-off the annual Lenten fish fry season. Click here to see photos. The fun (and food) continues each Friday through April 7 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY DETAILS:
EAT IN OR CARRYOUT Fried or Baked Fish, Fried Catfish, Shrimp, Salmon, Sampler Platter, Crab Cakes, Pizza, Baked Potato, Macaroni & Cheese, French Fries, Hushpuppies, Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Applesauce, and Delicious Homemade Desserts
All Set-ups include 2 sides and 2 Hushpuppies BRING YOUR FAMILY TELL YOUR FRIENDS
6833 Four Mile Pike Camp Springs Melbourne, KY 41059 Call in orders 635-5652
MY 1946 FORD PICKUP
It was the Spring of 1969. It was “the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I was still dating the same girl that went with me to our Senior Prom at Bishop Brossart High School nearly two years earlier. We were high school classmates and I really, really liked her. That was the “best of times” part. For the “worst of times” part, I was finishing my second year at Thomas More College with a declared major that I hated and was not permitted to return to the Thomas More baseball team after my Freshman season since I was only carrying 9 credit hours which was short of the required 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student. Now for the worst of the “worst of times”, my beloved girlfriend labeled me as not much fun. Wow, did not see that coming. As a result of that statement, I set about improving my “fun” status in her eyes.
Driving home from college a few days later (still contemplating how to transform into a “fun” guy), I spotted an old truck in the used car lot of Deco Farris’s Silver Grove Motors. The first glance at it attracted me. The attraction was two-fold: what I saw as the terrific look of it and secondly, an immediate solution to my “not much fun” guy label. This daring adventure of purchasing a funky looking vehicle could immediately transform me into a “fun” guy.
I pulled over, performed a walk-around of the truck, raised the hood, checked to be certain that there was a motor, got back into my car and headed home. Home was, of course, still living with my parents. Remember, I was only 20 years old and it was so much simpler to stay at home than to venture out on my own. Actually, this continued to be my credo until I finally moved out at age 30. I typically did not make snap decisions whether it be about moving out or a major purchase. However, I revisited Silver Grove Motors the next day and purchased the truck.
NEXT: My 1946 Ford Pickup (continued)
Mike "Fun Guy" Enzweiler's 1946 Ford Pickup
TENDING BAR AT THE CORNER (Intro)
Most people do not realize that I bartended at the Corner (Camp Springs Tavern) for about two years. It was not the most highly visible or sought-after job. My “IN” to get the job was through my brother Frankie who owned the tavern for 9 years, 1978-87. He and his wife Wanda purchased the bar from Herb Steffen and lived on the second floor and rented out the third floor apartment.
It was a local bar where obviously many of the locals hung out. Reminiscent of the “Cheers” bar in Boston that was featured in the TV series of the same name, everyone knew each other’s name with a few exceptions (more about this later).
Similar to other owners who live above their businesses, it was difficult for Frankie and Wanda to enjoy separating home and business life. For a while it was difficult for me to understand their need to get away for a daytrip or an overniter but in time I came to realize that you need to get away periodically from your business. Many times during the daytrips or overniters I was the go-to bartender, not to mention weekends when others wanted time off from tending bar. My work days were usually weekends: Fridays-6 p.m. to closing; Saturdays-noon to closing; and Sundays-noon to closing. Friday closing hours were about midnite or 1 a.m., Saturdays about midnite and Sundays about 9 p.m. Mind you, these approximate 30 hours per week were in addition to my 40 hours per week day job at Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky, granted, I did not work every weekend at the bar. Since I was not married the many hours did not conflict with any responsibilities as a husband but on the other hand it did little to enhance my social life. The Corner was not a prime hangout for young single girls although there were a few who would stop by and they automatically received my most courteous attention. To my disadvantage, there was never a “Girls Nite” instituted. My $4.00 per hour wage rate did not move me into the next higher tax bracket either but in some mysterious way, I enjoyed being there.
In subsequent articles about the Corner, I will relate some amusing and unusual incidents that I either instigated or had no control over.
CHEERS!
MY FIRST BB GUN
As the youngest of five sons, I expected to have some things funneled down to me in a used but honestly and hopefully in only a slightly used condition. My utmost concern was toys and sports equipment to be in top shape more of a concern than less important things like clothing. On the flip side, after some things were used and abused by my four older brothers they were in such terrible condition that I got new things. Worn out baseball gloves and bats and toys were good examples.
One hand me down item that I so much wished to be in at least operating condition was the BB gun. If only I still had the pass me down gun today, it would fit perfectly into what I enjoy shopping for and collecting today at antique stores, in addition, things like cowbells, whirlygigs, oil cans, tin funnels and children’s pull toys. They need not function but simply are required to look good.
The BB gun had a wooden stock but it was cracked and splintered. Good look today, but not back then. The rest of the gun was covered with an overall layer of rust, again a good look today, but not back then. The appearance of the gun was bearable, even then, but the fact that it just did not work was embarrassing. Some of my friends had the best BB guns ever but most did not have four older brothers to add too much wear and tear to theirs.
Back then, our back yard was part of a pear tree orchard that extended into the neighbors’ yards in both directions. The pears proved to be perfect targets whether on the ground or still hanging in the trees. The ever so discouraging aspect of owning my hand me down gun was to pull the trigger, watch the arched trajectory of the BB from the end of the barrel to the intended target and then bounce off the pear simply because it did not have the power to penetrate the surface of the pear.
After reaching the required limit of whining to my parents, they took the obvious hint and succumbed. I selected a brand new Daisy Pump Action gun. It was purchased at the Checkers store on Monmouth Street in Newport. Despite it being extremely powerful, it lacked the character of the old gun.
The BB’s were purchased at Joe and Helen’s Camp Springs Grocery usually with money earned by collecting and cashing in returnable (back then) pop bottles discarded along Four Mile Road. The BB’s were sold in cardboard tubes with a cardboard cap. The container was the size of a rolled sleeve of pennies and resembled it. The amount of BB’s per tube never lasted long enough.
Typically, I did most of my shooting in the fall and winter. My summers were always too busy with other activities. To this day, my innermost regret was shooting harmless yard birds. I was a young kid but I am still haunted a bit by having done such a non-thinking thing.
54th ANNUAL TURKEY SHOOT COMES TO AN END
[PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 6, 2016]
Another terrific day for the 54th Annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot. The festivities were held on Sunday, November 6, 2016.
Congratulations to the following Big Money Raffle Winners:
TURKEY SHOOT NOON TODAY [PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 6, 2016] The 54th Annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot unloads today, November 6, beginning at noon. All are welcome. Delicious turkey sandwiches, dinners and homemade desserts will be served. In addition, the lady auxiliary's famous "Big Money $5,000.00 Raffle" will take place during the event. For more information, please call the firehouse at 859-635-9255. The department is located at 6844 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
PRE-K HALLOWEEN [PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 5. 2016] St. Joseph Camp Springs Pre-K had a Halloween party complete with Trick-or-Treating, a Decorate-a-Pumpkin contest, a Haunted House, and tons of crafts. Click here to see more photos.
Halloween will be celebrated today, October 30, 2016 as our costumed Camp Springs citizens hit the streets (and hay wagons) in search of candy and other assorted treats. The fun begins at 3pm (and lasts until 6pm) for the Four Mile area Trick-or-Treaters.
Please be extra careful while traveling throughout the community.
Tonight is the first of 2 fish fries this month at St. Joseph's Church in Camp Springs. The menu includes: Fried Cod, Fried Catfish, Baked Cod, Baked Salmon, Fried Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Hush Puppies and Desserts. The event runs tonight (October 21) & next Friday (October 28) from 4pm - 7:30pm. Who knows? Maybe you get to meet St. Jo-Fish himself??
St. Joseph is located at 6833 Four Mile Rd, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
2016 HERBST TOUR COMES TO AN END We'd love to hear feedback on your time spent at the 10th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour. What did you like? What would make your next visit better? Did you have a favorite stop? (Please respond here with your comments.)
As always, thank you to all the participants, visitors and organizers of the tour!
The 6th Annual Team Dylan Fundraiser that supports the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati was held on Saturday August 13, 2016.
Even though the weather forecast for the day was for heavy rain, the event was held with only a few brief showers during the day and the event was a success! Over $130,000 has been raised from this event since it began in 2011.
Please mark your calendars for next year's event scheduled for Saturday, August, 12, 2017
Team Dylan thanks everyone for their generosity and support!
Camp Springs Resident Responds to the Force Main Issue
Our beloved Camp Springs is in grave danger of serious harm. From Owl Creek all the way to the Riley Road pump station at the AA Highway, our fields and farms will be cut apart with a 40 foot wide destruction of our frontage, trees, cropland and creek. Why is this happening?
The Sanitary Sewer District has decided that they have the right to take our lands so they can pump raw sewage from Silver Grove to the Riley Road pump station and then up to the Eastern Regional Treatment Plant. Their stated reason is to solve overflows in the Silver Grove sewer system caused when too much rain water infiltrates into that system. However, it is also planned that sewage from Highland Heights, Cold Spring and Fort Thomas will also be pumped to Silver Grove and through our community. The sad fact is that there are numerous other solutions for collecting and removing rainwater; solutions that are much more fiscally responsible, effective, and are environmentally strategic. There are even other routes through already developed areas that were ignored. All of this was planned and designed in 2007 with absolutely no input from this community.
Imagine our creek with 27 places where raw sewage will be pumped underneath or through the creek or its tributaries with 100 pounds of pressure per square inch. Imagine our creek when that pipe leaks.
Imagine the farmlands with a 40 foot wide dead zone where the pipe has been constructed and nothing but weeds will grow where the topsoil has been destroyed.
Imagine hundreds of trees in the fields from Owl Creek to Cardinal Trail – Gone!
Imagine the beautiful trees lining the road from Cardinal Trail to 8 Mile Road – Gone! So that a raw sewage pipe can be placed in the ground.
Drive by the pump station on a “ripe” day and take a long whiff. Imagine that smell hanging around in your backyard from the 7 vent pipes that are necessary along the pipeline.
Please take the time to learn more about why this will be happening and what you can do to help stop it. Go to facebook.com/preserveprotectcampsprings/ to read the facts about this project.
Preserve and Protect is the nonprofit organization of Camp Springs citizens working to stop this project. Please consider supporting this effort through your membership in Preserve and Protect, even if you do not live in this beautiful valley. If you believe in what we are doing, if you believe we can preserve and protect this environment, please support us with a contribution or a letter to SD1, to the judge executives or to the newspaper.
Many citizens of Camp Springs have contributed heavily and are actively engaged in pursuing and promoting a modernized strategy to the sewer overflow problem. The force main raw sewage pipeline is close to a decade old in design. There are better solutions.
The parade and the ceremonies that followed were sponsored by Simon Gosney Post 219 of the American Legion. Camp Springs' very own Ron Heiert MC'd the event which included a tribute to lifelong resident and community leader Myron Born.
In addition, Melrose Guthier was recognized as this year's
Citizen of the Year. (Watch videos below.)
THE HORSEBACK RIDING GIRLS OF SUMMER
Ah yes, there they were one after another, after another, after another, after another, whoops, I digress. I had the perfect viewing location from our house on Four Mile Road. The time period was from 8th grade through high school that I noticed them the most. Traffic on Four Mile Road was considerably less than in subsequent years. This provided a relatively safe riding route. I can remember tossing baseball on the highway in front of our house and simply moving to the side when a car approached.
The horseback riding girls all appeared so attractive and they knew it. Most wore cutoff shorts with a t-shirt. The more daring changed out the t-shirt for a bikini top and the most daring resorted to bathing suits for the enjoyment of the viewing audience. From their perspective, this had only to do with remaining cool during the hot summer days on a hot sweaty horse and nothing to do with watching the young boys on the neighborhood parade route drooling as they rode by, HA!
The majority of the girls rode bareback with only a few using saddles. Very few of the girls lived on farms. They either shared pastures or had a small barn and grazing area on their parents’ property. The horses varied in size from small ponies to quite large horses. Many times it appeared that the smallest were the most unruly. Never being a horse person myself, they all were too large for me to imagine attempting to manage or control. A handful of girls actually rode their horses to school on “Hobby Day”, and there I was displaying by 1/24th scale early 60’s model cars with the girls bigger than life horses tied up outside the school building.
There were more than a dozen girls who rode on a regular basis during the summer. Sometimes a new rider was seen with them. The names of a few of the regular riders were: Donna; Diane; Kathleen; Linda; Juanita; Sharon; Shelley; Shirley; Karen; Connie; Brenda and Joanie. I had a crush on about half of them and a few years later followed up by asking only three of them on dates.
A popular stop for the riders was the Camp Springs Ballpark. This was perfect for the boys who spent much of the summer playing scrub games there during the day.
I am so thankful to all of these girls who helped me occupy those long hot days of summer with such a delightful country view.
CAMP SPRING(S) CELEBRATION The Camp Springs Tavern will be the place to be tomorrow, April 16, 2016 as their Spring Celebration gets underway beginning at noon.
Your taste buds will be introduced to sandwiches from The Four Mile Pig Small Batch BBQ.
In addition, Little Rock Farm's famous pies and zucchini bread will be available for dessert. (Pie flavors include: blackberry/apple/strawberry rhubarb and bourbon derby)
To round out the event a full slate of LIVE music begins with the talented Chris Lloyd (5:30PM), T. Lipscomb(7:30PM), and Casey Campbell (9PM).
Rick Neltner and his Winking Man photographic team will be on duty in the newly restored tavern cellar.
As always, a great selection of domestic, craft, bourbon and more will be on hand. AGES 21+
The major home delivery companies that served our community and come to mind first are: Vogelmann Bakery; Clover Leaf Dairy; Trauth Dairy and Steidle’s Meat Market.
Vogelmann Bakery operated out of Newport, KY and was by far my favorite. Their rolls and pastries were the best. Many the summer day I spent sitting and waiting in the front yard for the bright orange truck to stop by. The schedule was two weekdays per week and Saturday.
As the truck came to a halt, the driver would stand, fold down the back of his seat, then pull out the long drawer that held the precious goodies. My usual order was either a half dozen rolls (29 cents) or a dozen rolls (59 cents). Rolls smothered with caramel icing sprinkled with chopped nuts were my favorite. The bakery goods were so fresh that they fell apart as the driver scooped them out a half dozen at a time. Remember, this was after a trip from Newport with many stops along the way. A special covered cake pan held them in a place of honor in the center of our kitchen table. All of this happened during my early years of grade school and I am sure it is when I acquired my craving for sweets that exists even to this day.
Clover Leaf Dairy also from Newport, KY was a regular visitor to our house. My favorite and most colorful driver was Gene Scales who always dressed so neatly in his dark green company uniform including an old style police-looking cap. We grew up drinking a lot of milk. At some point I remember milk bottles being replaced by paper cartons. A handy dandy plastic holder with a handle could be purchased to assist in handling the carton. When we knew that we would not be at home on the delivery day, a paper note was taped to our door with the order on it.
There was always some kind of sales promotion going on. Of all the things, I remember most getting a pup tent for purchasing the required amount of dairy products in a limited number of weeks. I am sure this is how I got my liking for milk and especially chocolate milk. The chocolate milk was almost like a dessert for us.
Steidle’s Market was a local meat store in Ross, KY. In the early afternoons of Saturdays, employee Babe Schultz would call our house to take the weekly order. Seldom did we miss placing an order. If nothing was needed on a particular Saturday, my Mother would place a note near the phone saying so. This way whoever answered the phone would know instantly that nothing was needed and avoid screaming all through the house for my Mother who would know. I always wanted her to place the order rather than me to avoid me somehow messing up the order and to eliminate additional questions from Babe.
These home delivery systems prospered for many years until their services were replaced by the proliferation of retail stores closer to home. Another death blow, in my opinion, was the advent of more licensed family drivers, in particular, stay at home Mothers who were then able to get out to the local stores.
These were all truly unforgettable experiences that helped to shape my life and allowed me to meet some terrific people.
PRESERVE & PROTECT CAMP SPRINGS
Preserve and Protect Camp Springs, Inc. has launched a GoFundMe page to raise money to cover attorney fees and general awareness of the proposed sewer pipe project.
This group meets again at 7pm, April 4 at the Camp Springs Winery.
HAVE A COLDIE! CORNER RE-OPENS TODAY (3-4-16)
The Camp Springs Tavern re-opens today (March 4, 2016) under the helm of new owners, Keith and Amy Neltner. The extended Neltner clan have been working hard all week to give the corner bar a fresh look. Keith and Amy want to celebrate the rich history of the Tavern and hope that it can be a gathering place for the community.
New operating hours are as follows:
Wednesday and Thursday: 4pm - 11pm
Friday & Saturday: 4pm - Close
Sunday: 2pm - 8pm
FISH FRY SEASON UNDERWAY
Click here to see photos from this season's fish frys at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Dinners are served each Friday, 4:00pm until 7:30pm, now through March 18. The menu features hand-breaded cod and catfish filets as well as shrimp, crab-cakes and salmon, not to mention a wide variety of homemade desserts. Eat in or carry out. The address is 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs. For more information or to place a carry-out order, please call 635-5652.
ATTENTION CAMP SPRINGS HISTORIANS: Camp Springs' Keith Neltner is working on putting a complete book together of the Neltner family lineage AND Camp Springs, KY. Any Neltners or Camp Springs residents out there that can share insight or more photos would be excellent! NOTE: Keith is also looking for photos of his stone home, The Bauman House, and the Camp Springs Tavern. E-mail him if you'd like to share info or photos keith@neltnersmallbatch.com.
BIG TIME WRESTLING ON TV
Year round, except for summer, every Saturday afternoon meant watching Big Time Wrestling. The live show aired in the late 50’s and into the early 60’s and, of course, in black and white with the show originating in Cincinnati.
Let me jog some of your memories as I did for myself in compiling the following list of regular wrestlers on the show. Most names came back easily, scary to realize the kind of STUFF that is stored in my brain that comes to the forefront too easily.
These characters are in no particular order. Handsome Johnny Barend (thought his last name was Baron until only a few months ago when I googled him); Haystack Calhoun (wore bib overalls, sported an actual horseshoe attached to a chain that was suspended around his neck, precursor to Flav-o-Flav who could only dare to wear an over-sized clock around his neck), Haystack weighed in at a mere 600 pounds; Happy Humphrey (a weightier version of Haystack weighed in at approximately 800 pounds); Killer Kowalski; Andre the Giant; The Sheik (accompanied by his prayer rug for the mandatory prayer ritual in center ring prior to all of his matches); Chief White Owl, Nature Boy Buddy Rogers (the All-American looking wrestler); Cowboy Bob Ellis, BoBo Brazil (with his sure-fired match-ending CoCo butt); Dick the Bruiser; Magnificent Maurice and finally Gorgeous George (maybe an ancestor of Curious George) with his quotable quote , “Win if you can, lose if you must but always cheat”.
There were other contributors to the success of the show, one, namely, Bouncing Buehla. She was a weekly front row audience member in the live broadcasts. In appearance, she was somewhere between Granny and Miss Hathaway of the Beverly Hillbillies sitcom. Her bouncing nickname was well suited due to her ringside antics, jumping, jeering and cheering for her favorite and not so favorite wrestlers.
The live commercials were groundbreaking for the time period, remember, no remotes to click away from the commercials. Willy Thaal (local comedic celebrity) and the Rinks Bargain City Kid, in real life, Hy Ulner, owner of locally-based Rinks Bargain City Department stores who together delivered one of a kind commercial vignettes. After holding up for display the for sale merchandise, they tossed it in the direction of the camera. Even though this was slapstick in its simplest form, they raised it to a higher level. It was too ordinary to throw items like shirts, socks, slacks, these were practice items; the bigger challenge was to hoist the larger/heavier items in the direction of the camera. Things such as lawn chairs, garden hoes and even bulkier pieces were the best, even lawnmowers.
It never failed that during at least one of the commercial breaks, one or more wrestlers would meander onto the commercial set and create even more havoc. Of course, it was always the craziest, wackiest wrestlers who joined the fun but they were always mean-spirited and the Rinks Bargain City Kid and Willie Thal at least acted scared.
So proud to be able to say that I witnessed the origins of the WWF through the local broadcasting of Big Time Wrestling, not to mention a piece of history!
ST. JOSEPH PHOTO FLASHBACK
Several photos were recently found of St. Joseph Elementary School in Camp Springs, KY. (They were actually converted from slides.) We know some of them are from the 1970's and some are from the 1980's. Click here to see them all.
DECEMBER CAMP SPRINGS NEWS RELEASED
[PUBLISHED DEC. 7, 2015]
The latest edition of the Camp Springs News is now available and includes details of upcoming holiday events in the Four Mile area. Click here to download your very own copy.
PET PICTURES WITH SANTA
[PUBLISHED NOV. 28, 2015]
Camp Springs based ROSAS Rescue is holding its annual fundraiser today and tomorrow at K&M Feed/Pet/Tack in Alexandria. All are invited to bring their pets and/or children and families for a photo with Santa. Proceeds benefit ROSAS Rescue (Rescue Our Shelter Animals & Strays).
The event lasts until 4pm today and from 10am - 3pm tomorrow (November 29).
K&M is located at 9758 Alexandria Pike 41001 (859-448-0101).
Thanks to all involved in the 2015 Camp Springs Herbst Tour. Thank you to the organizers, the sponsors, the participants, (Mother Nature: what a terrific day!) and of course the hundreds of visitors.
We would love to hear your thoughts. Did you enjoy your day? Did you like the new stops? Did you survive the "Greenhouse of Gloom"? Did you enjoy a good burger? Did you learn something?
The 53rd Annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot will be held this Sunday, November 1, beginning at noon. All are welcome. Delicious turkey sandwiches, dinners and homemade desserts will be served. In addition, the lady auxiliary's famous "Big Money $5,000.00 Raffle" will take place during the event.
For more information, please call the firehouse at 859-635-9255. The department is located at 6844 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
NEW STOPS: -Located on Fender Road, Stop #17 is Heirloom Farm. This small hobby farm is home to Heirloom Fiber Studio which focuses on processing animal fibers (from Heirloom Farm), spinning them into yarn and then turning them into garments, acessories and home decor.
-Stop #18 is the Blenke House. This 1867 stonehouse is currently being restored by John Blenke, a great-great grandson of the original owner/builder.
-Stop# 21 OAKLAND 12 MILE SCHOOL (RESTORATION IN PROGRESS) This two room schoolhouse was constructed in 1913 on land donated by the Shaw Family to the Campbell County Board of Education. The school was built after the State of Kentucky mandated the closing of all one room schoolhouses. The building will be rehabilitated, retaining its original character, and be converted into wine tasting rooms. (Some may remember this building used as a haunted house back in the late 70's/early 80's.
NEW TOUR ATTRACTIONS:
-Stop #2 (Neltner’s Farm) has added a train display and a new covered wagon.
-Stop #16 (Little Rock Farm) Arc the Pig is new in addition to the Greenhouse of Gloom (pictured above): a family fun Halloween trail thru an old farm greenhouse.
Herbst Tour Spotlight
(Stop #8)
[PUBLISHED OCT. 7, 2015]
Local historian Mark Ramler posted this today regarding Stop #8 on the upcoming Herbst Tour:
"The Camp Springs House owner recently discovered this carved into the basement concrete in the root cellar! 'Futscher Oct. 7, 1911' My great great grandparents (Futschers) owned the tavern at that time! Tonight I'm giving a presentation on Camp Springs and the stone houses.... Got the chills when I saw the date in this picture ;)"
----
The Camp Springs House is Stop #8 on the 9th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour which takes place on October 18.
Built in the mid-1860’s, this five bay bank house took about four years to construct. The house is built of rubble stone found in the fields of the community. It has served as a stage coach stop, post office and community gathering place. A ballfield once occupied the south side of the property. The street level has functioned as a bar, restaurant and pool hall. The 2nd level had space for a card room and dance hall. carolyn.allender@yahoo.com 859.630.2013
The Camp Springs House is located at 6361 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
----
The 9th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour is scheduled for
Details for the 9th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour are available now. Organizers are excited to announce two brand new stops this year. Located on Fender Road, Stop #17 is Heirloom Farm. This small hobby farm is home to Heirloom Fiber Studio which focuses on processing animal fibers (from Heirloom Farm), spinning them into yarn and then turning them into garments, acessories and home decor. Stop #18 is the Blenke House. This 1867 stonehouse is currently being restored by John Blenke, a great-great grandson of the original owner/builder.
The 9th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour is scheduled for
Sunday, October 18 from noon - 6pm.
More info to follow.
OKTOBERFISH STARTS TODAY
[PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2, 2015]
Parishioners of St. Joseph in Camp Springs will be holding 2 fish fries this month. The first one is today, October 2 from 4-7:30pm. (The next fry is scheduled for October 9.)
The event will feature fried fish, baked fish, fried catfish, salmon, deep fried shrimp, crab cakes, a sampler platter and several home-made desserts.
St. Joseph is located at 6833 Four Mile Road , Camp Springs, KY For more information please call 859-635-5652.
In Spite of Vote, Sewage Fight Not Over [PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 17, 2015]
While the Sanitation District #1 voted to move forward on a proposed raw sewage line through Camp Springs, residents are not giving up the fight. Reportedly the easements of 23 property owners have yet to be secured.
Tony Vogel was one of close to a dozen Camp Springs residents that attended Tuesday's SD1 meeting where members voted 4-2 (1 member abstained) to proceed with the Ash Street Force Main project. Vogel delivered a PowerPoint presentation that explained the residents' side of the issue.
The 5th Annual Team Dylan Fundraiser was held on Saturday, August 15, 2015. Many Camp Springs faithful were among the over 300 people who attended this event that supports the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati.
Once again this fundraiser proved to be very successful. Over $100,000 has been raised since the event began in 2011. Please mark your calendars for next year's event scheduled for Saturday, August 13, 2016.
9th ANNUAL CAMP SPRINGS HERBST TOUR PLANS UNDERWAY
The mere mention of Camp Springs and its “Herbst Tour” attracts returning tourists and first-time guests and families to the rural and historical valley of picturesque Camp Springs, Kentucky. This year's Camp Springs Herbst (Autumn) Tour is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 from Noon to 6 p.m. The 9th annual event is a FREE self-guided auto tour and includes many historical and cultural features.
Starting the tour is as easy as picking up the complimentary Herbst Tour brochure and map at the Camp Springs Fire House at 6844 Four Mile Road (State Route 547 off the AA Highway). The brochure includes a short description of each of the stops and lists the many local advertisers whose support makes this free tour possible.
Your visit includes active agricultural farms and gardens, horse farms and a wide array of local business establishments that are part of this tranquil community. For extra convenience, food, refreshments and restrooms are available at many tour stops.
But the Herbst Tour would not be complete without experiencing the preservation of Camp Springs’ most noted group of historical and renowned stone houses (one of the largest collection within the Midwest Region). These Camp Springs dwellings were constructed during the mid 1800’s by past German immigrants and vintners, who viewed this pristine valley as its newly-discovered American home.
Older area historians also note Camp Springs’ prominence during the early days of its establishment for its achievements in wine making and its ultimate distribution throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the entire country. Present owners of the area’s wineries, vineyards and stone houses continue to capture the significance of Camp Springs’ historical contribution to the region.
Also, experience the unique southern hospitality and artistic treasures present in the historic churches that have served the faith-based community of Camp Springs for over 170 years.
To contact one of the tour organizers prior to or during your visit, please contact Sharon Ramler at (859) 760-3500 or Rose Chalk at (859) 240-4010. For more information visit www.campsprings.com and like us on Facebook at Camp Springs Herbst Tour.
The Camp Springs Historical Association is a pending 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.
Umpiring – Part III – Positioning Players
[PUBLISHED JULY 23, 2015]
Thank goodness for only nine players per team, that is, placing nine kids in the vicinity of where each should play defensively.
Let’s start with the most essential pair, the pitcher and catcher duo. The one cannot exist without the other. If there is no pitcher, the game cannot begin, if there is no catcher, the game cannot continue. The pitcher basically had the entire infield within the base paths to claim as his territory. The possibility for the pitcher to roam anywhere within the area required the umpire to scratch a small channel in the dirt with his cleated shoes (better known then as “spikes”) to remind the pitcher of the spot from which he should deliver his assortment (slow, fast, with wild being the most delivered pitch) of pitches. Still, it never failed that several times during each game the umpire needed to re-scratch the pitcher’s location for him. It was always a dead giveaway that the pitcher had lost his pitching hole (again) when the umpire glared out at him from behind home plate to see him staring at the ground looking to the right, to the left, then in front and then behind, searching for that elusive mark in the ground.
The catcher, on the other hand, had a distinct advantage over the pitcher in locating his defensive position, simply known as home plate. That being said, there was still nothing to prevent him from wandering left or right. The position of the umpire usually kept him from scooting farther and farther away from home plate. One of the most amusing sights was to see the catcher lined up directly behind the batter looking like his shadow which converted the umpire into the only real TARGET for the pitcher to aim at.
The remaining infielders, not including the shortstop, had a physical object to use as a locator just like the catcher with home plate. Many kids, only understanding the most literal interpretation of playing first base, played standing on first base itself. The second baseman played second base, standing on second base and likewise for the third baseman. Usually by mid-season, managers had successfully convinced the first, second and third basemen to venture at least one giant step away from their respective bases. A follow-up problem resulted in the first and third basemen now playing in foul territory. Obviously, the manager/coaches failed to remind them to move in the direction of fair territory. Speaking of the first baseman, many managers subscribed to the practice of allowing him to stand on first base (exception to the rule). This avoided shouts from managers and fans alike to cover first base for a possible play as the batter turned runner was approaching first base. Many times there was ample time to cover first base even without standing on it as some batters became disoriented and headed down the third base line rather than the first base line.
To finish the infield positions, the shortstop was a real anomaly. He had no base named after his position. His position was situated half-way between second and third base. Obviously, the shortstops that I saw had not yet studied fractions in school. One half was one of those undefined places on the whole number line of integers. With no real designated base he was free to roam the left side of the infield and sometimes ended up within arm’s reach of the pitcher and thereby assumed another duty as pitcher’s assistant.
Now to the outfielders. Through no fault of their own, many novice outfielders found it difficult to even feel like a part of the team not to mention participating in the game. Physically, they were placed what seemed to be miles away from any baseball action. Of the three outfield positions, the centerfield position could be the hub of activity if only to chase down errant tosses from the catcher back to the pitcher. I need to mention also, that usually the centerfielder needed to be alerted that there was a ball coming in his direction. First getting and then keeping the attention of the three outfielders was a constant chore. A major accomplishment was simply getting them to at least stand/kneel/sit /lie facing home plate which probably seemed miles away to them. One unspoken but shared strategy among managers was to be certain that the pile of dirt that they were playing with was positioned between the player and home plate. Yes, he is at least facing toward home plate, thereby keeping the manager in the running for “manager of the year”.
The batter and on-deck batter. Similar to the infielders, it was a challenge to have the batters understand that they need not physically stand ON home plate. After the batter relented and agreed to move off the plate, this resulted in another troubling situation, on which side of the plate?
Where is the on-deck batter? All teams had a minimum of two assistant coaches. Their duties were varied and one was to have the on-deck hitter ready for his appearance at the plate. The first issue was to FIND him. Was he at the concession stand? Was he watching the game with spectator friends who were not even players? Next for the coach, find an appropriate length bat, 28”, 29”, 30”. Locate a batting helmet, not what we know today as a helmet, more about this piece of gear at a later date. This sequence, plus many other additional duties preceeded each player’s turn at bat.
Thank God for the dedicated managers, coaches, parents and certainly the umpires!
There will be subsequent knothole baseball related articles to follow, covering: managers, team sponsors, fields of play and more.
Backroads Farm Tour Features Several Camp Springs Stops
POSTED JULY 18, 2015
The 2015 Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour kicks off at 9am today (July 18, 2015) and will feature 7 Camp Springs locations. A total of 15 stops are on the entire tour.
The Camp Springs stops are:
Misty Ridge Farm, Neltner's Farm, Camp Springs Vineyard & Winery, Stonebrook Winery, Little Rock Farm, Heirloom Farm and Saddle Lake Equestrian Center. Click here for more details.
CAMP SPRINGS DAY ANNOUNCED
[PUBLISHED JUNE 22, 2015]
On Sunday, July 12 at 6pm the air conditioned Camp Springs Vineyard will once again be the venue for the annual Camp Springs Day.
Organizers are requesting everyone bring a dessert for the famous bake-off. In addition, canned goods will be collected for the Bread of Life Food Pantry at St. John Lutheran.
The Camp Springs Vineyard, located at 6685 Four Mile Road, will be providing a meal for attendees.
FUTSCHER & WEBSTER HEADLINE FESTIVAL STAGE
[PUBLISHED JUNE 13, 2015]
The Annual St. Joseph Summer Festival will take place today (June 13, 2015) on the church grounds on Four Mile Road. The famous (and delicious) Chicken and Roast Beef Dinners will be served. In addition, the evening's activities include racing at Ducky Downs and terrific LIVE music featuring hometown favorites Doug Futscher and Dave Webster. We hope to see you there!
42ND ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE RETURNS
[PUBLISHED MAY 24, 2015]
The 2015 Camp Springs Memorial Day Parade is scheduled to start tomorrow (May 25) at 10:30am at St. John's Lutheran Church on Lower Tug Fork Road. Participants in the parade are requested to arrive there by 10:00am.
The parade will culminate at the fire department on Four Mile Road with services sponsored by Simon Gosney Post 219 of the American Legion. A community reception with food and refreshments will be held immediately following.
St. Joseph School PTC hosted its annual Ladies Night Out this past Saturday night. The ladies enjoyed an evening of games, good food and lots of fun. Thanks to all who supported this event. All proceeds go to benefit St. Joseph School in Camp Springs. Click here to see more photos from the event.
Umpiring Knothole Baseball Games – Part II – The Games
The year was 34 A.D., St. Stephen was pelted by stones and died a martyr for the strong beliefs in his faith. Fast forward-the year was 1965 A.D., Mike Enzweiler was pelted by pitched knothole baseballs attempting to fulfill his duties as a knothole league umpire while unlike St. Stephen, he lived to tell about it.
The knothole catcher was always selected for the position by size rather than ability. Managers believed that the biggest kid garbed in oversized shin guards (that never stayed snapped), a chest protector that drooped below the knees (not to forget the groin protector that extended long enough to touch the ground), and a facemask that hung more like a gigantic wire necklace below the chin would miraculously morph him into the Johnny Bench of his day. In appearance he appeared more like a hockey goalie than a catcher. The sight was the entertaining part. The reality was that he could barely move much less catch a pitch. This therefore converted me the umpire into a human backstop.
The pitch Each individual pitch was an event in itself. As oversized as the catcher was in comparison to the other players, the pitcher never seemed capable of spotting him as the target for his next pitch. Wide left, wide right, high, in the dirt, this was the standard four pitch repertoire of every pitcher. Some would mix it up a little by switching the order of pitches that I just described.
Where’s the ball? The actual pitch (more accurately, the throw) was simply the start of a chain of incidents that occurred pitch after pitch after pitch. Find the ball was bellowed out by managers, coaches and fans. Is it under the catcher? Is it lodged behind his oversized chest protector? Did it squibble to the backstop? I found it! It was lying harmless between the overdressed catcher and my bended knee. As time consuming as finding the missing ball after every pitch was, the return of the ball to the pitcher was even more of an event in itself.
Keep away from the pitcher. Seldom as the umpire (and reluctantly, the person in charge) did I wait for the catcher to realize that finding the ball, picking it up and returning it to the pitcher was at the forefront of his duties. After locating the ball (sometimes needing to lift the catcher out of the way) I threw it back to the pitcher in the air (mind you, a big mistake, in the air). The pitcher had three choices as the ball was coming at him: 1) catch it, 2) pretend not to see it, 3) dodge it as if we were playing dodgeball. Believe me, the first choice seldom happened and if it did, a round of cheers from the fans followed. As the ball went past the pitcher, rolled over second base and trickled into centerfield the second baseman and shortstop were oblivious to all of this. They were far too occupied re-arranging/manicuring the infield dirt in front of them to avoid misplaying a hard hit grounder that might take a bad bounce due to the ruffled dirt in front of them. Now the ball entered into the field of play of the centerfielder. When umpiring games at the Silver Grove Community Field (now Sayer Park) the outfielders were always more attune to the passing C&O trains than anything to do with a ballgame. The sight and sound of the immense moving trains was not to be missed. After gaining the attention of any one of the players on the field (at this stage it did not matter who) the ball was tossed/thrown/kicked back in the general vicinity of the pitcher who was still recoiling from having the ball thrown at him by me (the umpire). It was then up to me to chase the ball down and this time ROLL it back to the pitcher with just enough force to have it stop at his feet and avoid a repeat of the entire dodgeball episode just described. WOW! One pitch down and one hour and fifty minutes remaining in the two hour time limit per game.
Speaking of limits, I think I have reached my space limit for this article.
NEXT: Discussion of players and their positions
ST. JOSEPH VISITING ARTIST SERIES TAKES FLIGHT
By Mike Enzweiler
The April visiting artist to St. Joseph School in Camp Springs was Ted Daniels. Ted is a licensed pilot whose interest in flying began while assembling model airplanes as an eight year old. His avocation has developed into building as large as 1/5th scale flying planes. Students were talked through the process of building and painting the models from nearly nothing to the finished product. Ted is an army veteran from the Vietnam era who still pilots his own plane. Thanks so much Ted for sharing your talents with our children and hopefully inspiring them on to big accomplishments in the future. Click here to see more photos.
The St. Joseph School Visiting Artist series will complete its third year at the end of this current school term. During this time span nearly twenty-five artists have presented to our students. One additional artist will visit during this school year and the series will return in September 2015.
Remembering Randy Reitman
John Randolph “Randy” Reitman passed away at his home in Alexandria, KY, after a long journey with cancer at the age of 59 on March 28, 2015. He was surrounded by family, including his wife of 39 years, Frances (Reis) Reitman. He was born and raised in Camp Springs, KY, the second son of Helen (Neiser) Reitman and the late Norbert Reitman. His brother, Timothy (Jane) Reitman, lives in Michigan. He was the cherished father of Courtney (Scott) Reitman-Deinlein, Nicholas (Sarah) Reitman and Adam Reitman, and dear grandfather of Taylar and Mitchell Reitman and Ethan Deinlein. He is survived by a large extended family and many friends.
A graduate of Bishop Brossart High School, Randy was the third-generation owner of Reitman Auto Parts & Sales Inc. in Camp Springs, stepping into the leadership of the family business at the age of 20 after his father's death. He served on the board of the Kentucky Auto and Truck Recycling Association for 20 years. A member of the Automotive Recyclers Association since 1985, Randy served the national organization as director of Region 2, chair of the Scholarship Foundation, member of the Executive Committee, Secretary and President (2011-2012). He was honored as Camp Springs' Citizen of the Year in 2013. An avid NASCAR fan, he loved the beach, camping, motorcycles, yard work and traveling. He and Fran traveled the country and the world, exchanging information about automotive recycling.
Friends gathered with his family on Tuesday, March 31, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Alexandria Funeral Home, 325 Washington St., Alexandria, KY. Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph Church, Camp Springs, KY, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1. Reception followed at Camp Springs Fire Department.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Joseph School Student Fund, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059, or the ARA Scholarship Foundation, 9113 Church St., Manassas, VA 20110.
FISH FRY PHOTOS AVAILABLE
[PUBLISHED 2/28/15]
It was "Dress Like an Eskimo Night" at Friday's fish fry at St. Joseph.
The fries will take place Fridays in Lent (except Good Friday) thru March 27.
March 6 is "Dr. Seuss Night".
For more information call 635-5652.
FISH FRY SEASON HEATS UP
[PUBLISHED 2/20/15]
What better way to fight off the winter blues than visit the fish fry at St. Joseph this afternoon? The annual Lenten tradition gets underway at 4pm in the school at 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs.
The menu features fried fish, baked fish, fried catfish, salmon, deep fried shrimp, crab cakes and the county-famous Sampler Platter. Set-ups start at $8.50 and sandwiches are $6.50 each. Eat in or carry out. For more information call 635-5652.
The fries begin today and will take place on all Fridays of Lent (but not Good Friday) – February 20 thru March 27.
For more information call 635-5652.
RON HEIERT NIGHT CELEBRATED
[PUBLISHED JANUARY 24, 2015]
During his 22 years at Bishop Brossart High School, Camps Springs' own Ron Heiert was instrumental in the execution and completion of several major projects. Ron, who retired from his role as Development Director last year, returned to BBHS on Friday night to be recognized for his hard work and dedication to the Alexandria school.
Festivities occurred during half-time of the Brossart Lady Mustangs basketball game against Pendleton County. Current BBHS staffer Chris Holtz precided as MC of the event and credited Ron as a "driving force in expanding BBHS".
Amidst a few standing ovations, Holtz listed some of the major accomplishments during Ron's tenure at Brossart:
- addition of the Crouch Center
- purchase of the firehouse property & Gilbert Ridge property
- new addition/renovations including gym updates and the Munninghoff Theater
- numerous events to bring community to campus
- scholarship endowments that to date total nearly $1 million.
Cake and refreshments were part of a reception in Hegenauer Hall following the basketball game.
Several Camp Springs faithful (pictured above) were in force at the event.
St. Joseph School in Camp Springs will be holding its annual open house this Sunday, January 25 from 9am - noon. All are welcome to attend. The school, established in 1851, is now offering Pre-Kindergarten (3&4 yr. olds).
The event includes opportunities to meet the teaching staff and take tours. Coffee, juice, milk & donuts will be served.
Longtime Brossart Development Director (and Camp Springs' very own) Ron Heiert will be honored this Friday, January 23 during half-time ceremonies of the girls' varsity basketball game at BBHS.
A reception will be held after the game in Hegenauer Hall. For more information, please call the school at 859-635-2108.
SEWER MEETING TONIGHT
[PUBLISHED JANUARY 12, 2015]
This is a reminder that the next meeting of all property owners effected by Force Main Sewer is tonight, January 12 at 7pm at Camp Springs Winery. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Area state legislators have been invited to this meeting, as support is being sought on a bill that Joe Fischer has recommended. This bill will help protect property owners facing eminent domain.
Also updates on Ash Street project will be discussed.
New Year's greetings to all! We at campsprings.com wish you and your families a safe, healthy and prosperous 2015.
THE UNITED NATIONS CAME TO CAMP SPRINGS IN THE SIXTIES…
BY Lissy Plattner [PUBLISHED DECEMBER 28, 2014]
(During the task of cleaning out the Futscher Homestead, many letters written by the Futscher’s Mexican friends were found and this article written by a dear friend of the family.)
The United Nations was created to bring all nations of the world together to discuss issues and problems that each nation had, and to solve those issues with peaceful and permanent solutions. It was an ultimate goal to create a greater understanding among people of all nations.
Ideally, the United Nations would address the world’s difficulties and seek new answers to old problems. But ideally is often a work in progress.
It still is.
So Irma and Jerry Futscher decided to put the plan in action in their own community. Through friendship with a neighboring convent, the Sisters of the Divine Providence, they learned of a family of a doctor in Camargo, Mexico who wanted their children to learn English and to also learn how people in another part of the world lived.
And, then, on Four Mile Road in Camp Springs, Kentucky, the Futscher’s opened wide their door with the invitation "Welcome to our home and all in it, our community, our country." And the Ibarra family walked through, one by one over the years. James, Jorge, Jose and Pepe and other family members.
They were taught English, customs and cultures, and obtained a well-rounded education from the fine teachers, friends, relatives and family. All the while, the community also welcomed the new visitors and treated them as their own children.
Great lessons in sharing values and a sense of belonging were a common theme. From the letters that Irma kept over the years, again and again the families in Mexico expressed their gratitude for the little United Nations on Four Mile Pike. One wrote "I am your son, you are my brother, my friend."
Sometimes large and important ideas are picked up and carried forward by individuals who see a bold future in living and learning together. If this is so, Irma Futscher, Jerry and their children personified the humanitarian ideal of the United Nations. Perhaps, then, one day, we will each give meaning to our own lives by claiming the world as our neighbor and friend.
CSI Offering Holiday Stocking Stuffers Limited Edition Post Cards and Greeting Cards – by Don Wiedeman
ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE CAMP SPRINGS INITIATIVE – (CSI ), FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.
For a short time, while supplies last, CSI has some post cards and greeting cards that were produced by the late Don Wiedeman. The cards feature many photographs by Don of the historic and stone houses in the Camp Springs Area. They would be great stuffing stuffers or keepsakes of the wonderful houses and a memory of Don Wiedeman.
POST CARDS @ $2.00 Each (with envelopes) Approx. 200 available.
GREETING CARDS @ $2.00 Each (with envelopes) Approx. 30 available.
Camp Springs' based ROSAS (Rescue Our Shelter Animals and Strays -- www.rosas.rescuegroups.org) is holding it's annual "Pet Pictures with Santa" fundraiser on Saturday, November 29 - 10am-4pm and Sunday, November 30 - 10am - 3pm at K&M Feed/Pet/Tack (www.kmfeed.com) in Alexandria (9758 Alexandria Pike). Proceeds benefit ROSAS Rescue.
On January 19, 1953, I arrived in Camp Springs To begin my many memories of so many things.
Christmas on the hill at church and in school I was on top of the world, and it was cool.
Everyone was family whether related or not This bond has lasted a lifetime for a heck of a lot.
[Pictured: Sue (Futscher)Bradley, Sharon (Futscher) Ramler, Carol Futscher, Janet (Futscher) Steller, and on the bike, Mike ( Bounce) Futscher.]
Joe Sandfoss’s grocery, known as “The Store” 2 pieces of candy for a penny and no more.
Halloween at the Ballfield with bond fires a lit Contests for costumes and most didn’t fit.
Every night ball games again at the field A safe place to play and a snowball to congeal.
Bike rides on Four Mile, and dips in the “crick” Getting home dry and unnoticed was really a trick.
Milk was delivered every day by my dad I loved seeing his truck to find the ice cream he had.
JMJ’s on my papers at school every time The nuns made sure of that, I swear on a dime.
Bootsie the dog in Sister Evangeline’s room My First and Second grade I won’t forget too soon.
Fireworks for sale in our basement each year July 4th in the community was a big bang to hear.
Jake’s camp was for gatherings and parties for all Walking over that bridge was anything but small.
I am glad I could share a very small part, Of growing up in Camp Springs, the birthplace of my heart.
Force Main Update/Meeting Planned DECEMBER 8, 7PM AT CAMP SPRINGS WINERY
An important meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 8 at 7pm at the Camp Springs Winery regarding the latest with the SD1 Force Main project. Anna Zinkhon is inviting all interested property owners and residents to attend. With the recent activity in Camp Springs from the utility companies and contractors for SD1, there are sure to be many questions. In addition, an appraiser with an expertise in eminent domain will be on hand to meet with attendees. Other topics scheduled to be addressed include: - Does SD1 have a legal right to come on your land? - Are you protected from any environmental damages that may occur due to leakage or breakages with the pipeline? Any questions? Call Anna Zinkhon at 859-801-1781
Door to Door Sales Visitors – Shulton
“Shulton is here.” This was the standard all alert call when Shulton (our door to door Watkins salesman) pulled into our driveway.
The J.R. Watkins Co. was founded in 1868 in the home of J.R. Watkins in Plainview, Minnesota. The company sold household products in the form of utensils, spices, soaps, vitamins, ointments, fly swatters and dozens of other items.
Despite being a national company, their door to door salespeople found their way into rural America, even into the outreaches of Camp Springs, through the likes of Shulton, our local salesman. I can use the term salesMAN in its most literal interpretation because never do I recall a female salesperson of any sort visiting our house.
Shulton was an absolute unique person both to see and listen to. By the way, the name Shulton was all that I ever knew him by. I am guessing that Shulton was his last name? His summer visits were what I remember most vividly, probably because I was at home on summer vacation from school and got to meet and listen to him using his sales pitch on my Mother.
It is easy for me to still envision him just as if he had visited our house yesterday. He was short in stature, extremely slim, long pointy nose and pale looking. Actually, he looked as though he needed to be consuming every health supplement that he was selling. Bespeckled and always dressed in a sportcoat or sweater, dress slacks, collared shirt with a long skinny necktie and topped with a hat, he was always in the same or similar attire. After his polite greeting, he would remove his hat revealing his thinning hair combed from front to back, just as my Dad combed his hair and just as I do now. Growing up, I always swore that I would never brush my hair in that old-fashioned manner yet today I look in the mirror and guess what, I am my Dad. Oh yes, Shulton also sold combs and hair brushes.
The sales arena was our back porch, with Shulton and my Mother seated at the picnic table that my Dad had made and that I still have today. Shulton was the very politest of polite. It never failed that he needed to go back to his car to retrieve an additional product that might interest my Mother. This may have been his sales ploy to allow my Mother additional minutes to stew over potential purchases.
I have yet to mention Shulton’s most distinguishing attribute. He spoke in a herky-jerky speech pattern. It was almost as though he was suffering from asthma or shortness of breath and needed to grab a breath between short phrases. Being the insensitive pre-teen that I was at the time and also to display my ability with mimicry, I reveled in speaking to family members sounding as much like Shulton as I could.
My Mother would always purchase something and to this day, I sincerely believe that most of her purchases were made simply to help in his sales and believe me, our family did not have excess cash lying around to spend on unnecessary items but that was the kindness of my Mother showing. Still love you Rie (my Mother)!
SUNSHINE, TURKEYS & WINNERS
[PUBLISHED 11/2/14]
Visitors to the 52nd annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot enjoyed a day of sun, fun and winning. Here are the names of the lucky winners in the annual turkey shoot raffle:
$3000 Lou Sendelbach $1000 Cyndi Alford $500 Frank Firth $500 Marge Born
The 52nd Annual Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot will be held this Sunday, November 2, beginning at noon. The famous "Target Crew" (pictured above), will be in force and ready for you. Forecasters are calling for sunny skies and temperatures near 50. All are welcome. Even non-shooters can stop by for the fun and enjoy a delicious turkey sandwich/dinner/dessert served by the Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, the auxiliary's famous $5,000.00 raffle will take place during the event.
For more information, please call the firehouse at 859-635-9255. The department is located at 6844 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
Staff photographer Summer Zink spent part of the day yesterday capturing photos of the day's Trick-or-Treaters. Click here to see them.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
[PUBLISHED 10/26/14]
As tradition would have it, Camp Springs ghosts and goblins will be on the streets (and hay wagons) today in search of candy and other assorted treats. The fun begins at 2pm for the Four Mile area Trick-or-Treaters.
Please be aware (and careful) while traveling throughout our community today.
Click below to see photos of some of last year's Trick-or-Treaters.
Thank you to all who organized, visited and participated in any way, in today's Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour. Visitors were treated to a crisp autumn day throughout the Four Mile Valley while traveling to enjoy the 20 local stops. Click here to see photos from today's event.
TOUR FEEDBACK The 8th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour has come to an end and we'd love to hear your thoughts. What did you think? What was your favorite stop. Will you come back next year? Other comments?
CAMP SPRINGS TOUR UNDERWAY The sun is shining right now in Camp Springs as the 8th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour is underway. There are 20 stops this year including 2 wineries and several stonehouses and working farms. Click here for more information: http://campsprings.com/herbsttour.html
CAMP SPRINGS TOUR STARTS TODAY AT NOON As the dawn is breaking on the 8th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour, we invite you to join us today for an afternoon of fall festivities and fun.
There are 20 stops along the way. We hope you can be part of it. The forecast calls for a mostly sunny day with high temperatures near 60.
2014 CAMP SPRINGS HERBST TOUR SPOTLIGHT (Stop #17) LITTLE ROCK FARM - STEPHANIE ZINK 2802 Ten Mile Road,
Camp Springs, KY 41059
NEW THIS YEAR: Demonstrations of small farm engines. Little Rock Farm is a working family farm offering flowers, seasonal produce, baked goods, jams, jellies, pumpkins, honey, and freezer beef. Once again Larry & Bev's Team will be serving grilled farm raised burgers. Don't miss a display of antique kitchen utensils and a straw tunnel for the little ones to enjoy.
And yes, Uncle Herman returns with his hands-on demonstration of antique farm tools.
The 8th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour kicks off at noon this Sunday, October 19. Please click below to learn more: http://campsprings.com/herbsttour.html
Organizers of the Camp Springs Herbst Tour are busy preparing for this Sunday's 8th annual event. The forecast is calling for a cool, but sunny day with temperatures reaching a high near 60. Please click here for more information regarding the tour.
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH
[PUBLISHED OCTOBER 13, 2014]
In honor of Fire Prevention Month, the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary were part of a special mass this morning at St. Joseph Church. Prayers were offered in thanksgiving for their service and for the safety of the firefighters who put themselves in harms way to help the community. After mass, Monsignor Neuhaus blessed the fire truck, the firefighters, and the members of the Ladies Auxiliary.
Thanks to Fire Chief Buckler for sending us the lastest tips for keeping us all safe this Halloween. Please click here.
2014 CAMPBELL COUNTY JUDGE-EXECUTIVE RACE
This November voters have a choice in the race for Campbell County Judge Executive. In Kentucky, a county's executive branch of government is led by its judge-executive. The salary for this position is $106,000 annually.
This year, incumbent Steve Pendery is facing Ken Rechtin.
The following videos of each candidate are intended to assist voters in making an informed decision on election day and were created by the non-partisan, education-oriented effort called Northern Kentucky Forum. Please visit www.NKYForum.orgfor more details.
Neltner Fall Festival Returns to Camp Springs [PUBLISHED OCTOBER 3, 2014]
The annual festival kicks off at 10am (tomorrow), October 4 offering horse-drawn wagon rides,an expanded corn maze and pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, home cooked food and ice cream, a farm shop, crafters, pottery, face painting, seasonal apples, folk art, live music, a variety of demonstrations, and a newly added Barrel Train!
In addition, the festival will feature LIVE music every weekend in October.
On Saturday, special guests from Akron, Ohio "Shivering Timbers" will perform and on Sunday, talented friends from the N KY region, Todd Lipscomb and Chris Lloyd will appear on the main stage.
Golf Outing Participants Enjoy Gorgeous Day [PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 29, 2014]
Flagg Springs Golf Course was the location for this year's 20th Annual St. Joseph (Camp Springs) Boosters Golf Outing. Supporters of the event teed off Saturday (9/27/14) amid blue skies and overall awesome weather.Click here to see photos.
OCTOBERFEST PHOTOS [PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 16, 2014]
The Annual St. Joseph Octoberfest was held this year on September 13 at the church grounds at 6833 Four Mile Rd. in Camp Springs.
HERBST TOUR FEATURED STOP (#10) SAUSER STONEHOUSE: TIM & BETH MCGRATH (859-653-6538) [PUBLISHED 9/1/14]
The John Sauser farm is located at the northern edge of Camp Springs across from St. John's Lutheran Church. The church and cemetery is on land originally part of this farm. John Sauser married Katharina Uhl in 1864 and built this stone house and farm complex soon after in 1865. Katharina Uhl had inherited the property from her father. This is a 2 story 5 bay building with a 2 bay porch that was a much later addition. The one story rear frame addition was also much later. The farm complex includes several outbuildings and a large bank barn characteristic of Camp Springs. The house has wooden window lintels characteristic of its early construction date, and is similar to the Bauman House and Nicholas Reitman House."
Overall though, this farm complex retains most of its historically significant characteristics and farm buildings.
(EXCERPT COURTESY "PRESERVATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR THE CAMP SPRINGS AREA OF CAMPBELL COUNTY, KENTUCKY": MARK A. RAMLER, AUTHOR)
LATEST FORCE MAIN COVERAGE [PUBLISHED 8/29/14]
Northern Kentucky's Don Weber (from Time Warner's cn2) recently posted this video regarding the proposed force main project. Kevin Neltner and Anna Zinkhon are featured.
2014 TEAM DYLAN EVENT A SUCCESS
[PUBLISHED AUGUST 25, 2014]
The annual Team Dylan Fundraiser Festivities took place on Saturday 8/16/14. All had a great time and all proceeds from this event go directly to the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati Buddy Walk. John, Debbie, Tony, Shannon, Dylan and Alayna from Team Dylan would like to say thanks for everyone's help and support!
In the midst of SD1's recent announcement of their Boardof Directors to proceed with the Ash Street project, Camp Springs residents have begun a petition drive to halt it. Here's a recent communication from Ash Street project opponent Anna Zinkhon: -------------
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
I am writing you as a neighbor, a friend, fellow American and a property owner. All too often we hear people complaining about injustices. While we are all busy and sympathetic, there just doesn't seem like there is anything we can do directly to cause change. I would like to offer you a simple task to help regular people protect their homes and business from unregulated utility.
The residences of Camp Springs have been learning and challenging plans for a Forced Main Sewer pipeline for over four years. This pipeline does not bring any new services to anyone in Camp Springs. But it does bring sewer smells, potential for sewer spillage and an easement which will hinder our access and usage of our farm land for ever! We will also lose many trees and change the look and feel of our community. Many of you live in towns that have ordinances protecting the look and feel of your town. You choose to live in these places the same as we choose to live in our community. The big difference is we are not a city. We do not have infrastructure and all of our needs are taken care of by each individual property owner.
Camp Springs is one of the only living museums in the state of Kentucky! It is evident of our pride of our community by the care and attention given to stone houses and farms for over a hundred years! And we have done this on our own! No one else pays for this care and attention. So why should our land be taken to support others way of life?
1-This is an election year and this is your opportunity to help us. I have attached a petition. If each of you got your family members and co-workers to sign this petition, you will help educate others about our situation. Please Mail signed petitions to me. It will also help us in Imminent Domain Court. There are several people running for office who support our situation. Ask the candidates or call me and I would be happy to discuss details.
2- If you don't want to get signatures, you can simply pass this email on to your friends and family and give them the opportunity to help us. Public outcry is powerful. The laws were intended to protect our rights.
I hope you can give us just a little help, it will be very powerful!
Click here for a copy of the petition. Completed petition forms can be sent to Anna Zinkhon at Misty Ridge Farm,5210 Owl Creek Road, Camp Springs, KY. 41059
2014 BACKROADS PHOTOS AVAILABLE [PUBLISHED 7/20/14]
Do you have photos to share from the event? If so, please send them to joe@campsprings.com and we'll post them on our facebook page.
2014 BACKROADS TOUR COMES TO END [PUBLISHED 7/19/14] Thanks to all who visited the 15 stops along the way today during the Campbell County Backroads Tour. Mother Nature cooperated with a delightful (and mostly dry) day.
Do you have photos to share from the event? If so, please send them to joe@campsprings.com and we'll post them on our facebook page.
2014 BACKROADS TOUR STARTS AT 9AM [PUBLISHED 7/19/14] The 2014 Campbell County Backroads Tour kicks off at 9am today. While there's a chance of spotty rain (mostly this morning), the forecast is calling for a mostly dry day with temperatures in the upper 70's. We should see some sun throughout the event.
There are 5 Camp Springs stops on this year's tour including: Misty Ridge Farm (#1), Neltner's Farm & Greenhouses (#3), Camp Springs Vineyard & Winery (#4), Stonebrook Winery (#5) & Little Rock Farm (#6).
SPECIAL MEETING TONIGHT! [PUBLISHED 7/18/14] Anna Zinkhon has sent the following regarding tonight's 7pm meeting at Camp Springs Winery: "This is a meeting for all property owners effected by the Ash Street Pipeline and any residents that want to help with stopping the pipeline."
Camp Springs Winery is located at 6685 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, Ky 41059.
2014 BACKROADS TOUR FEATURES SEVERAL CAMP SPRINGS STOPS [PUBLISHED 7/15/14]
Once again Camp Springs will be well represented in the annual Campbell County Backroads Farm Tour set to kick-off this Saturday, July 19 at 9am. The locals include Misty Ridge Farm, Neltner's Farm and Greenhouses, Camp Springs Vineyard, Stonebrook Winery and Little Rock Farm. The event is a rain or shine self-guided auto tour that lasts until 5pm. Click here to learn more about the entire tour.
CAMP SPRINGS DAY ALERT! [PUBLISHED 7/11/14] The 9th Annual Camp Springs Day is tomorrow, July 12, at the Camp Springs Winery (6685 Four Mile Road). A tasty meal will be provided. (Wine will be available for sale.) The traditional Bake-Off returns as well. The fun begins at 6pm!
FINAL FINDING RELEASED FOR ASH STREET PROJECT
[PUBLISHED JULY 3, 2014]
Sanitation District #1 Senior Project Manager, Robert G. Schroeder has sent a letter to residents affected by the proposed Ash Street Project. The letter is regarding a public notice of the (FONSI) Final Findings of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment for the project.
One of the most active opponents to this project, Anna Zinkhon sent us this response: "We can let the public know that the KDOW has approved and now we must move forward with legal proceedings. Our fight is not over but moves to another location. We will be planning a very important property owner meeting very soon."
FIREWORKS SAFETY [PUBLISHED JUNE 21, 2014] Thanks to Chief Buckler for providing some tips and suggestions on enjoying a safe 4th of July. Please click here to learn more.
CAMP SPRINGS NEWS AVAILABLE [PUBLISHED JUNE 16, 2014]
The June-July-August edition of the Camp Springs News is now available. Please click below to download your very own copy.
FESTIVAL FUN AT ST. JOSEPH'S
Attendees of the 2014 St. Joseph Summer Festival enjoyed clear skies and mild temperatures for this annual event "up on the hill" in Camp Springs, KY. Click here to see some photos.
Camp Springs V.F.D. Tanker #330 [PUBLISHED JUNE 6, 2014]
It was the Fall of 1964, my sophomore year at Bishop Brossart High School. The Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department members agreed it was time to replace the original 1,000 gallon tanker truck, a 1946 GMC. The department acquired its first brand new 1951 International fire truck in that same year two years after organizing in 1949.
Thanks to the dedication and ingenuity of the department members, mind you, all volunteers, a used Sohio tanker minus the cab and chassis was purchased. A 1962 Ford cab and chassis was bought to go with the tank. Fire department members performed body and mechanical work to prepare the tanker for service.
Not to be overlooked, the inside of the tank needed to be coated to prevent rust. In its former life as a Sohio delivery tanker it carried five different fuels, each in a separate compartment. The five individual tanks ranged from 750 down to 100 gallons in capacity for a total of 1,500 gallons. The three larger compartments posed no problem for the average sized fireman to crawl into and brush coat the tank walls with Rustoleum . As the youngest of four older brothers, all of whom were fireman, including my Dad, I was the obvious choice to be lowered into the two smaller tanks to do my brushwork.
Each compartment was capped with a lid not much different from a submarine hatch. The next to last compartment was extremely small but after brushing that one, I was lowered into the final one. It was so small that after finishing one side, I was hoisted out, turned around to face the unfinished side and lowered down again. This was the only option even with my small 5’6” height and 140 pounds.
Somehow, someway, I made it home that evening. Little did I know about the toxicity power of oil-based Rustoleum in a confined space. All of this occurred on a school night. The next morning in first period Latin II class situated in my assigned front row seat no more than five feet from my instructor Fr. Verne Hogan’s desk, I glanced down at my Latin textbook to observe page after page smudged with that ugliest of all colors, Rustoleum red. Fr. Hogan was all too concerned to learn what actually happened in Camp Springs that night before. I could not begin to give an answer to what really happened after I left the firehouse that prior evening. All I could surmise is being the conscientious student that I was, I attempted to complete my Latin assignment after my painting duty.
In closing, please remember to read and understand all warning labels on all products whether under adult supervision or not!
Camp Springs will celebrate Memorial Day the same way it has the past 40 years, with a parade along Four Mile Road. The 41st annual parade will begin at 10:30am on Monday, May 26 at St. John's Lutheran Church on Lower Tug Fork Road. The procession will conclude at the fire department where a ceremony will take place and feature sponsor Simon Gosney Post 219. Afterwards, participants and residents are invited to attend a reception/cookout at the firehouse. A covered dish/dessert is requested.
For more information, please contact Ron Heiert at 859-866-2494.
CAMP SPRINGS REPRESENTED ON BALLOTS
[PUBLISHED MAY 20, 2014]
As you make your way to and through today's primary election ballots, you'll notice a couple of Camp Springs connections. In the Campbell County Clerk's Democratic race, Camp Springs resident Marc Muench faces off against Rob Rummel. The top vote-getter will face the winner of the Republican match-up between Stu Stormer and Jim Luersen this fall.
In the Campbell County Commissioner District 3 race, former Camp Springs resident Mark Ramler (Dem.) opposes David Amanns (Dem.). That winner will take on Tom Lampe (Rep.) in November.
Polls are open until 6pm tonight.
CSI MEETING TONIGHT! [PUBLISHED MAY 19, 2014]
All are invited to the Camp Springs Winery tonight at 7pm for a discussion of the sewer status.
Umpiring Knothole Baseball Games – Part 1 [PUBLISHED MAY 3, 2014]
It was during my Sophomore year in high school that my umpiring career began in the Campbell County Rural Knothole Baseball League. At the time I was in my second and final year as a player in Class A baseball of the same Knothole League and thereby allowed me to umpire only two games in the mornings as our Class A games were always scheduled for 3pm.
In my Junior year in high school, too old to continue playing knothole baseball, I turned my attention to umpiring full time, that is four games every Saturday (9, 11, 1 and 3 p.m.) This appeared to be my best career choice at the time. Most often I was scheduled at the Silver Grove Community Field, not certain why. Frequently I was dropped off at the field by my older brothers Ervin and Vern while on their way to work at West Side Savings Bank in Newport. Other times my Dad would chauffeur me to the field and a few times I rode my bike from home. Riding a bike was far from practical as I needed to bring all of my umpiring equipment with me on the bike (wire catcher’s mask, chest protector, shin guards and my lunch if I decided to pack it that day). If a ride home was needed at the end of the day, my Dad or another member of the family picked me up. My first car came while a Freshman in college but I had access to my Dad’s car (1964 Chevelle) when needed and a second car (1957 Chev) that was used or mostly claimed by my brother Vern. Granted, the 1957 Chev and the 1964 Chev Malibu were “muscle cars” in name but not in reality as far as what we actually owned. Our turquoise ’64 Chevelle was a 6-cylinder 4-door sedan and the ’57 Chev was a 4-door model, not the sporty 2-door vintage collector car of today. More about our family cars in a future story.
My normal schedule assigned me to Class C or Class D games but occasionally a Class B game. The reason for the younger groups was that many of the players in Class A and some in Class B were nearly my size and that could intimidate a young kid umpiring and fortunately the umpire organizers understood that.
There was only one umpire per game unless it was a championship game. The pay was $2 per game. So for a full slate of four games on a Saturday, I earned a grand whopping take home total of $8.00. Mind you, that was for approximately eight hours of work and usually partly in the hot afternoon sun. After doing the math, you can see that I earned less than $1 per hour but the minimum wage at the time was $1.25 per hour. From that take home pay, I needed to subtract my lunch (hot dog), a few pops (no bottled water at the time) and of course a candy bar or two (PAY DAY, my all-time favorite candy bar) during the long day which lowered my bottom line dollar amount drastically to about $5 but the concession stand workers were always glad that I helped increase THEIR bottom line.
In my estimation, umpiring is not unlike being a teacher. You must always be in charge, be on your toes and alert every moment, know as best you can the ground rules, anticipate what will happen next and expect feedback from parents. This experience did assist me to prepare for one of my future careers as a teacher.
Part II – The game itself
ST. JOSEPH OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT, MAY 1 6:30PM TO 8PM PRE-K THRU 8TH GRADE CALL OUR 24/7 "HOTLINE" 859-630-2874
ST. JOSEPH TO OFFER PRE-K St. Joseph Elementary in Camp Springs will now be offering Pre-kindergarten to 3 and 4 year olds. Open Enrollment is underway. The program will include 5 full days each week and is limited to 14 students. For more information, call the school at 859-635-5652 or CALL OUR 24/7 "HOTLINE" 859-630-2874
St. Joseph in Camp Springs is the oldest, continuously operating school in the Diocese of Covington. Everyone is Welcome!
Remembering Irma Futscher [PUBLISHED APRIL 28, 2014]
One of Camp Springs' best, Irma Schmidt Futscher, 86, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport.
Irma was a homemaker, charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Campbell County VFW Post No. 3205.
Irma's grandson, Mark Ramler wrote and delivered her eulogy at her service at St. Joseph Church on April 16. We are publishing it here in it's entirety:
Celebrating Grandma Futscher, 4.16.14 Good evening and thank you all so much for coming. On behalf of the entire Futscher family, we would like to say thank you for all of your love and support over the past few days, and the past few months. We would also like to thank each and every one of you for the role that you had in my grandmother's life. Everyone gathered here tonight is truly a testament to the wonderful person she was, and I'm sure she is smiling down on us right now. Over 60 years of my grandmother's life was spent right here in Camp Springs, but she was a city girl by birth and grew up in Newport. She would love telling stories from her childhood. Stories of the '37 flood when she was home sick with the mumps, and how she could see the Ohio and Licking Rivers from her window. She had stories of how during the Depression, they would get extra cottage cheese from Trauth Dairy, or how they would collect coal that fell off trains in Newport to heat their homes. Stories of riding the Mt. Adams incline up to the art academy with her brother and sister. Or how she worked at the very first Kroger Store on Monmouth Street, and then later as a teller at the American National Bank. She had stories of getting a new shoes and a bike when her great aunt passed, and stories of bike rides out to the country. And it was one of those long bike rides out to the country with Iva and Delores (actually it was a car ride with Delores' parents who were in a band that played at Pete's Place) that they ended up at Pete's Place in Melbourne, where she met a young and handsome Jerry Futscher, and her heart would be drawn out to Camp Springs. Now granted this was not the easiest of communities to break into, but coming from a solid German family, and with a good sense of humor, she was quick to make some lifelong friends, begin a family, and destined to become a pillar of this community. My grandmother always had a smile on her face, and was always quick with a joke or a witty remark. I think this was her 'Schmidt wit', and fortunately, or unfortunately, this 'Schmidt wit' has been passed down to most of the family here today. Out of her 60 plus years in Camp Springs, some of the most significant events of her life took place right in this very church. This place is more than just a brick building; it's a sacred place for the Futschers, and so many more families in Camp Springs. In this very room, on this altar, under the same sunlight shining through these stained glass windows, Irma Schmidt married Jerry Futscher in 1950 and started a beautiful life and family together. On that day, they were surrounded by family and friends, and some of them, or at least their descendants, are here with us right now. And it was in this church, on this altar that they baptized their first daughter, Janet, in 1951. Then Susie came along in 53, Sharon in 54, Danny in 56, then Dougie trailed along in 59. All of them were baptized right here, and welcomed into a loving family, and a very close nit community. My grandmother was not born Catholic, but it was in this very church she entered into the Catholic faith. She received her first communion at the same time as her first daughter Janet, so that she could celebrate the sacraments with her children and grow alongside them in their faith. She was also confirmed in this church alongside Janet and Susie. Just a few steps away, she ran the kitchen for Summer Church Festivals, cooking thousands of chicken and roast beef dinners, and feeding the masses. And it was in this church where she attended countless PTA meetings, school events, and was even a scout leader for Dougie. And if I'm not mistaken, Dougie can probably still fit in that scout uniform. And it was in this church, back in '68 that my grandparents volunteered to host a Mexican exchange student, Jaime. Which then led to Jorge, Jose Luis, and Pepe, and a lifelong friendship with the Ibarras in Camargo. I'm proud to say my grandparents established the very first United Nations of Camp Springs at Box 42 Four Mile Road. It was in this church where she celebrated dozens of Easters, Christmas' and hundreds of Sunday masses in between. All three of her daughters were married here in this church, surrounded by family and friends. And she watched as all of her children would begin their own lives and families based on the solid upbringing by her and my grandpa. Just down the hill, she was a charter member of Ladies Auxiliary at the Camp Springs fire department and she was also a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Alexandria VFW. She logged countless volunteer hours with the Auxiliaries, giving back to her community and her church whenever and however she could, and was very proud of everything they did. Along with their own 5 children, and the Mexicans, my grandparents took in other children over the years and Irma mothered them as well. She was well known to the community as 'Mom Futscher'. They were always welcoming with open arms, and grandma was ready to throw another 'potato in the pot' for whoever was staying with them at the time. What's one more mouth to feed? There was a lot of love in that small cape cod on Four Mile. In the years after the children all moved out, her and grandpa settled into retirement, and enjoyed a few leisure years. Between her crocheting, bowling leagues, weekly bingos, and cheering on her beloved Cincinnati Reds, they managed to welcome 9 grandchildren into their lives, and spoil them like grandparents should. I know we all have so many fond memories of grandma and grandpa Futscher's on Christmas Eve, or Easter egg hunts on the back hill, or counting cars from their porch swing. Those were great years and great memories. And it was in this church, surrounded by family and friends, where we stood by her side in '98 as we said goodbye to Grandpa Jerry, her loving husband of 47 years. In the years since, life gradually slowed down, but those years came filled with additional blessings. The joys of watching her grandchildren grow into adults, attending graduations, weddings, Christmases, Easters, and welcoming great-grandchildren, whom she adored. And it is in this church today, surrounded by loving family and friends, that we are celebrating the life of Irma Futscher, and the wonderful person that she was. She was truly a pillar of this community, and her impact on all of our lives is immeasurable. She lived a long and full life with many blessings, and we are forever grateful for the love and blessings that she gave to each of us. Thank you, Grandma.
Irma was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Futscher; her parents, Louis and Irene (Guenther) Schmidt; and a brother, Glenn Schmidt.
She is survived by three daughters, Janet (Tom) Steller of Elizabethtown, Sue (Jim) Bradley of Cold Spring and Sharon (Tom) Ramler of Camp Springs; two sons, Dan (Barb) Futscher and Doug (Donna) Futscher, all of Camp Springs; one sister, Jean Roach of Maderia, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Mass for Irma was held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Interment followed in St. Joseph Cemetery in Camp Springs.
Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Perpetual Cemetery Fund, in care of Saint Joseph Church, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
Irma Schmidt Futscher, 86, of Camp Springs passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport.
Irma was a homemaker, charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Campbell County VFW Post No. 3205.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Futscher; her parents, Louis and Irene (Guenther) Schmidt; and a brother, Glenn Schmidt.
Irma is survived by three daughters, Janet (Tom) Steller of Elizabethtown, Sue (Jim) Bradley of Cold Spring and Sharon (Tom) Ramler of Camp Springs; two sons, Dan (Barb) Futscher and Doug (Donna) Futscher, all of Camp Springs; one sister, Jean Roach of Maderia, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday with Mass at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Interment follows in St. Joseph Cemetery in Camp Springs.
Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Perpetual Cemetery Fund, in care of Saint Joseph Church, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsenterprise/obituary.aspx?n=irma-schmidt-futscher&pid=170646911#sthash.opKHuWGz.dpuf
Irma Schmidt Futscher, 86, of Camp Springs passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport.
Irma was a homemaker, charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Campbell County VFW Post No. 3205.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Futscher; her parents, Louis and Irene (Guenther) Schmidt; and a brother, Glenn Schmidt.
Irma is survived by three daughters, Janet (Tom) Steller of Elizabethtown, Sue (Jim) Bradley of Cold Spring and Sharon (Tom) Ramler of Camp Springs; two sons, Dan (Barb) Futscher and Doug (Donna) Futscher, all of Camp Springs; one sister, Jean Roach of Maderia, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday with Mass at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Interment follows in St. Joseph Cemetery in Camp Springs.
Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Perpetual Cemetery Fund, in care of Saint Joseph Church, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsenterprise/obituary.aspx?n=irma-schmidt-futscher&pid=170646911#sthash.opKHuWGz.dpuf
Irma Schmidt Futscher, 86, of Camp Springs passed away Sunday, April 13, 2014, at Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport.
Irma was a homemaker, charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Camp Springs Volunteer Fire Department and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Campbell County VFW Post No. 3205.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Futscher; her parents, Louis and Irene (Guenther) Schmidt; and a brother, Glenn Schmidt.
Irma is survived by three daughters, Janet (Tom) Steller of Elizabethtown, Sue (Jim) Bradley of Cold Spring and Sharon (Tom) Ramler of Camp Springs; two sons, Dan (Barb) Futscher and Doug (Donna) Futscher, all of Camp Springs; one sister, Jean Roach of Maderia, Ohio; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation is from 3:30 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesday with Mass at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Interment follows in St. Joseph Cemetery in Camp Springs.
Memorials may be made to Saint Joseph Perpetual Cemetery Fund, in care of Saint Joseph Church, 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsenterprise/obituary.aspx?n=irma-schmidt-futscher&pid=170646911#sthash.opKHuWGz.dpuf
Queen City Bronze Visits Camp Springs
[PUBLISHED APRIL 28, 2014] The handbell ensemble Queen City Bronze delighted the crowd at St. Joseph Church yesterday with an eclectic mix of 13 songs that included "Moonlight Serenade" and "Pure Imagination" (from Willy Wonka). Click here to see some photos from yesterday's performance. For more information on Queen City Bronze and their upcoming events, visit their web-site at http://www.queencitybronze.org/
[PUBLISHED 4/27/14] Organizers of the 2014 St. Joseph (Camp Springs) Ladies' Night Out wish to thank the over 200 women you came out to Bishop Brossart's Hegenauer Hall last night to support the annual fundraiser. Click here to see photos from the event.
CHAINSAWS & WOODBURNING: VISITING ARTIST SERIES RETURNS TO ST. JOSEPH CAMP SPRINGS SCHOOL FOR APRIL! [PUBLISHED APRIL 19, 2014]
On Wednesday April 23 at 1 p.m., alumni Chris Rust will discuss and DEMONSTRATE!!! his chainsaw abilities to the students. In addition, he will show his talent at woodburning. Visitors (parents and friends) are welcome to watch the chips fall where they may to reveal his completed work. Questions, call the 24/7 HOTLINE 859.630.2874.
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY SEASON CLOSES [PUBLISHED APRIL 12, 2014] Organizers of the 2014 Lenten Fish Frys at St. Joseph in Camp Springs would like to thank all involved (both patrons and volunteers alike) who helped make the 6 week event such a success. Click here to see photos from last night.
ST. JOSEPH TO OFFER PRE-K [PUBLISHED 4/11/14] St. Joseph Elementary in Camp Springs will now be offering Pre-kindergarten to 3 and 4 year olds. Open Enrollment is underway. The program will include 5 full days each week and is limited to 14 students. For more information, call the school at 859-635-5652.
STUDENTS TO VISIT SOLWAY GALLERY [PUBLISHED 4/10/14] St. Joseph Camp Springs 7th and 8th grade elementary students will visit the CARL SOLWAY GALLERY-CINCINNATI today (April 10) to view paintings by Robert Kushner. His work is included in many major collections throughout this country and the world.
THIS VISIT TO SOLWAY GALLERY IS PART OF THE VISITING ARTIST SERIES THAT WAS STARTED AT ST. JOSEPH CAMP SPRINGS ELEMENTARY IN 2012.
MORE ABOUT SOLWAY.....
Founded in 1962, Carl Solway Gallery currently celebrates its 52nd year in operation. The gallery was elected to the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) in 1968 and more recently joined the International Fine Print Dealers Association (IFPDA). Carl Solway Galley is the only member of the ADAA in the Tri-State region of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The gallery occupies 12,500 square feet of space in an historic warehouse in Cincinnati's West End neighborhood.
Carl Solway Gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art including painting, sculpture, graphics and new media incorporating video and electronics. Gallery activities include fabrication of large scale sculpture; publication of print editions and multiples; organization and circulation of museum exhibitions worldwide; and corporate collections consultation and installation.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED VISITING ARTIST SERIES EVENT AT THE SCHOOL WILL BE ON APRIL 23 FEATURING A CHAIN SAW CARVER ARTIST.
[PUBLISHED APRIL 1, 2014] Anna Zinkhon, Owner - Misty Ridge Farm, has issued a request to Camp Springs residents to attend tomorrow (April 2) night's Fiscal Court Meeting at the Alexandria Courthouse. The meeting is scheduled for 7pm. Zinkhon (and other attendees) will be asking fiscal court members to take a hard look at the proposed route for the SD1 sewer pipeline through Camp Springs and request they make a resolution against it.
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY (WEEK 4) [MARCH 30, 2014] Only two fish frys remain this year at St. Joseph in Camp Springs. Were you there on Friday, March 28? Click here to see some photos from the event.
The frys feature MR. HERB’S fried fish, baked fish, fried catfish, salmon, deep fried shrimp, crab cakes and the Four Mile Sampler Platter. Set-ups and Sandwiches also available.
St. Joseph Church is located at 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, Kentucky 41059.
Fish Fry (Fridays now through Friday, April 11) The hours are 4:00pm – 7:30pm. Dine in or Carry-out (Call 859-635-5652). We hope to see you Friday!
Remembering Richard (Dick) Heck (1924-2014) By Mike Enzweiler [PUBLISHED 3/24/2014]
Just returned home from the funeral Mass, and yes, I was distracted during the Mass in thinking about Dick and his generation.
My first thought was Dick, his brother Art and many other Camp Springs community members who built the addition onto the old firehouse across from Reitman Auto Parts. Some 55 years ago, I was there at the site as a go-fer or maybe just as a nosey kid. Never did it enter their minds to have a paid contractor do the work when it could be accomplished with volunteer labor. Dick was an accomplished carpenter who directed the project. This was simply another job completed with community spirit. He also tackled numerous projects for both St. Joseph Church and school.
Often today, we think that we are doing more than our share, but what we do does not come close to what Dick and his generation contributed and during much tougher times economically.
Please Dick, rest now, but continue to inspire us, this time from above.
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY (WEEK 3) [MARCH 24, 2014] On Friday, March 28 it will be Crazy Hat Night during this year's 4th fish fry at St. Joseph in Camp Springs. Did you attend last week's fish fry? Click here to see some of the photos from the festivities.
The frys feature MR. HERB’S fried fish, baked fish, fried catfish, salmon, deep fried shrimp, crab cakes and the Four Mile Sampler Platter. Set-ups and Sandwiches also available.
St. Joseph Church is located at 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, Kentucky 41059.
Fish Fry (Fridays now through Friday, April 11) The hours are 4:00pm – 7:30pm. Dine in or Carry-out (Call 859-635-5652). We hope to see you Friday!
ASH STREET/FORCE MAIN; WINDOW CLOSING FOR PUBLIC CONTENT [PUBLISHED MARCH 3, 2014] Sanitation District #1 has recently sent a letter to Camp Springs residents regarding 2 documents concerning the proposed Ash StreetPump Station/Force Main Project. The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW)has issued a draft version of the Finding of No SignificantImpact (FNSI) document. This was previously referred to as the State Planning and Environment Assessment Report (SPEAR). Click on the above links to view these PDF's. Please note that the document files sizes are fairly large and may take some time to view.
KDOW will be accepting public comments regarding the information presented in the FNSI until March 28, 2014. Written comments can be directed to:
Shafiq Amawi, Manager Water Infrastructure Branch Division of Water 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 4th Floor Frankfort, KY 40601
Comments may also be e-mailed to shafiq.amawi@ky.gov
The letter to residents was sent by Senior Project Manager Robert G. Schroeder. He invited residents to contact him with questions by phone (859-547-1656) or by e-mail at rschroeder@sd1.org
ST. JOSEPH FISH FRY (WEEK 2) [MARCH 15, 2014] Did you attend the fish fry at St. Joseph in Camp Springs? Click here to see some of the photos from the festivities. Thanks to all who chose to spend part of their evening with us. More photos will be shared at next week's fish fry slideshow. We hope to see you there!
Daylight Savings Time Means More Playing Time.....
[PUBLISHED MARCH 9, 2014]
The more spring like weather the past few days are a nice change of pace from the blustery winter we've been dealing with. The warmer temperatures combined with the extended daylight, thanks to the time change, creates a perfect remedy for the cabin fever which many of us are feeling. The Neltner kids spent the late afternoon enjoying the new playground equipment at St. Joseph's. It was a perfect day to be sliding, swinging and shooting baskets up on the hill.
FISH FRY SEASON UNDERWAY [MARCH 8, 2014]
The 2014 Fish Fry Season successfully kicked off yesterday at St. Joseph in Camp Springs.A beautiful day led to a great night to support the community's local fish fry. The fries continue through April 11 at the school on Four Mile Road.
GO FISH! THE FAMOUS ST.JOSEPH FISH FRY STARTS TONIGHT [PUBLISHED MARCH 7, 2014] Starting today (Friday, March 7) and lasting through Friday, April 11. The hours are 4:00pm – 7:30pm. Dine in or Carry-out (Call 859-635-5652). Featuring MR. HERB’S fried fish, baked fish, fried catfish, salmon, deep fried shrimp, crab cakes and the Four Mile Sampler Platter. Set-ups and Sandwiches also available. St. Joseph Church is located at 6833 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, Kentucky 41059.
We hope to see you there!
RE-SCHEDULED: VISITING ARTIST SERIES RETURNS TO ST. JOSEPH
[PUBLISHED MARCH 3, 2014] An appearance at St. Joseph Elementary, Camp Springs, KY, by children's book author Nancy Orlando and her illustrator Debbi Kern has been re-scheduled for later this month. One of Nancy's books (A Garden! A Garden!) is based on an event that occurred while she was living in Camp Springs many years ago. The presentation is set for 2 p.m. on Wednesday March 26 at the school and will last about an hour. Visitors are welcome to attend. Please join us for a one of a kind event. Questions (or in case of snow cancellation) contact: 859.635.5652 or 859.630.2874
CSI PUBLISHES FORCED MAIN FAQ [PUBLISHED FEB. 28, 2014]
Do you have a question regarding the proposed Ash Street Forced Main Project? If so, click here to learn more.Camp Springs' CSI has released a document today that addresses many of the common questions.
BIG THAW UNDERWAY . . .
FOR NOW [PUBLISHED FEB. 20, 2014]
While temperatures are expected to rise again today (Thursday, Feb. 20), don't break out the shorts and flip-flops just yet. Forecasters are predicting cooler temperatures to return, beginning Friday.
VISITING ARTIST SERIES CONTINUES [PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 13, 2014] On Wednesday, February 19 - 8:30am, St. Joseph alumni Bill Bezold will show and demonstrate the carving of his walking sticks to students. Parents, family, friends and all are invited to sit in on the presentation in the school cafeteria.
CSI REQUESTING HOMEOWNERS COMPLETE FORM [PUBLISHED JANUARY 28, 2014]
What the ???? [PUBLISHED JANUARY 26, 2014] It looks like the snow and cold weather has finally taken its toll on some folks near the old Camp Springs Grocery.
FIREFIGHTERS RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE [PUBLISHED JANUARY 21, 2014] Congratulations to Camp Springs very own Myron Born. On Saturday night, January 18, while attending the annual Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association awards dinner, he received the Larry B. Atwell Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes one outstanding member of the association for their "outstanding service, dedication, innovation or other acts or activities which have contributed significantly to their department or the fire service".
Myron (pictured left with Tim Klierer, awards banquet committee member) was nominated for bringing EMS services to the Camp Springs area when he was chief of the old Camp Springs VFD.
In addition, Lt. Brian Franklin received the Maltese Cross Award due to injuries sustained while working a fire. The Maltese Cross Award is awarded for any fire service or EMS member who, in the line of duty, and acting within the bounds of the law and his/her department’s standard operating procedures and accepted practices suffered serious injury or death. (pictured l-r: Tim Klierer, awards banquet committee member, Monica Rath, Secretary Kentucky Firefighters Association and Lt. Franklin)
VISITING ARTIST SERIES RETURNS TO ST. JOSEPH [PUBLISHED JANUARY 20, 2014] Children's book author Nancy Orlando accompanied by her book illustrator Debbi Kern will visit St. Joseph Elementary, Camp Springs, KY. One of Nancy's books (A Garden! A Garden!) is based on an event that occurred while she was living in Camp Springs many years ago. The presentation is set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday January 21 at the school and will last about an hour. Visitors are welcome to attend. Please join us for a one of a kind event. Questions (or in case of snow cancellation) contact: 859.635.5652 or 859.630.2874
Mike’s Golf Course [PUBLISHED JANUARY 14, 2014]
Every backyard needs a golf course or at least I thought mine did. That was my thinking as a sixth grader. Did not need to be a full size golf course, mind you, I grew up on a quarter acre in the country. Our lot was about 90 feet wide by about 200 feet deep, pretty much equivalent to a subdivision lot today.
Mike’s Golf Course originated as a 9 hole course, well almost. Three of the holes were repeated to arrive at the 9 hole layout total. All of this was prior to expansion, but you need to start somewhere. I had expansion of my course in mind from the start. All successful business people realize that things must continually evolve to remain fresh and to attract new customers.
Never was it a dream of mine to grow into a chain of golf courses plastered with my name but only to have the best course in Camp Springs. Back to expansion. After the initial year of operation, three holes were added which required expanding into my brother Ervin’s yard next door. What an accomplishment, I now legitimately had 9 distinct holes.
Scorecards were handmade (not copied mechanically) on 3 x 5 index cards which fitted nicely into a handcrafted wooden box to hold them. Today, approximately 50 years later, I still have the box and many of the scorecards. Scorecards were saved and filed to become part of the course’s records.
Not one of us neighborhood kids had a full set of clubs. I had only one five iron that belonged to my brother that I claimed as my own. Most regular golfers were from the immediate neighborhood together with the occasional cousins who visited and some friends of kids in the neighborhood.
Tee #1 was about five feet from our back porch just next to our concrete cistern platform. The longest hole was 120 feet or should I say 40 yards and the shortest approach to this hole in midsummer was over the fully grown corn stalks that were part of my Dad’s garden that was adjacent to the professionally laid out golf course. Instead of flags at the end of poles marking the holes, I used leftover trim boards found in the basement woodpile. Dad was a handyman/carpenter who never threw anything away. Oh my, guess where I got my hoarding genes. I painted the boards white with black hole numbers with a red stripe above and below each number. Each hole (cup) was a salvaged coffee can (hole cut in the bottom to accommodate the wooden hole marker) fitted flush into the ground.
As glorious as all this was, still the main attraction was the floral clock. An old windup clock face was placed into a coffee can that was fitted into a sloped raised dirt bed with transplanted moss around it. Wooden cutout numbers were placed around the clock face with add-ons attached to the clock hands to give it just a bit more size. Heaven forbid that it would look like an old clock pushed into the ground without any adaptations made. Although visitors did not come from near and far to view this wonder, I was proud as could be of it. Little did I count on the clock mechanism rusting solid in a matter of days for being exposed to the weather.
The course also had roughs (overgrown areas of grass with twigs and rocks incorporated). My brother really did not like this look in his manicured backyard.
Even though the course existed for only three years, it was a perfect release for my creative energies and added to some of my best memories of “Growing Up in Camp Springs.”
ASH STREET PUMP STATION UPDATE Residents throughout Four Mile are now receiving letters from SD1 with answers to questions posed at the October public meeting. You can click on the link below to get more details.
In the letter, Senior Project Manager Robert G. Schroeder offered his contact information in case there are questions regarding the responses. He can be reached at the following: rschroeder@sd1.org and 859-547-1656.
SAFETY TIPS FROM CHIEF BUCKLER [PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 25, 2013] Campbell County Fire District EMS/Fire Chief Greg Buckler has provided us with some great tips to keep us safe over the winter months. Click here for more details.
RESTORATION CONTINUES [PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 22, 2013] Dennis Schoeny is a conservator for Old World Restorations, Inc. He describes the restoration work being completed on four murals at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Camp Springs, KY.
MURAL RESTORATION By Mike Enzweiler [PUBLISHED 11/22/13]
Students at St. Joseph Elementary experienced a once in a lifetime event. Art restorers from Olde World Restorations in Cincinnati explained and demonstrated what goes into the highly skilled task of working on the nearly 100 year old Leon Lippert murals in the parish church of St. Joseph in Camp Springs.
Students were amazed at the amount of painstaking care needed to restore the irreplaceable pieces of artwork. The next session of the Visiting Artist Series is planned for January 2014.
RESTORATION WORK BEGINS [PUBLISHED 11/17/13] We'll have more on this story next week, but the restoration work has begun at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs on the Leon Lippert paintings in the sanctuary. A team from Old World Restorations, Inc. in Cincinnati are completing the work.
Funding for the project was provided by the late Don Wiedeman.
First Dusting of Snow [PUBLISHED 11/12/13] The Weather Channel is reporting .7" of snow for the first "snowfall" of the year in Camp Springs. Temperatures are expected to reach 39 degrees today, but dip down to 20 degrees tonight. No additional snow is predicted overnight.
VETERANS DAY SERVICE
[PUBLISHED 11/10/13] In honor of Veterans Day, representatives from Alexandria VFW Post 3205 will conduct ceremonies tomorrow at 10am outside St. Joseph Catholic Church on Four Mile Road. All are welcome to attend. (This photo was taken at the memorial located at the Camp Springs Fire Department.)
STONEBROOK FEATURED ON FOX19
[PUBLISHED 11/6/13]
One of Camp Springs wineries was recently the focus of a LIVE television appearance in Cincinnati. Stonebrook Winery's Terry Schumrich was interviewed on FOX19's morning program and previewed some new selections offered at the winery located at 6570 Vineyard Lane in Camp Springs.Click here to watch the interview. (FYI. You may have to watch a commercial first.)
TURKEY SHOOT UPDATE
[PUBLISHED 11/3/13]
The 2013 version the Camp Springs Fire Department Turkey Shoot is now in the books. Mother Nature cooperated by providing a terrific, dry fall day which led to another successful event. Congratulations are in order for the following winners of this year's $5,000 Raffle:
[PUBLISHED 11/3/13] If you're heading to Camp Springs for the 51st Annual Fire Department Turkey Shoot, expect sunny skies and temperatures in the low 50's. The turkeys start dropping at noon as will the dinners served by the Ladies Auxiliary. In addition, the auxiliary's famous $5,000.00 raffle will take place during the event.
For more information, please call the firehouse at 859-635-9255. The department is located at 6844 Four Mile Road, Camp Springs, KY 41059.
DON BAUMANN FILES RETURN [PUBLISHED 10/30/13] Originally distributed in 2003, campsprings.com is proud to re-publish the works of local historian Don Baumann. Don had spent countless hours creating 22 articles that focus on the Four Mile area and the families that were part of the early days of Camp Springs. Click here for all 22 articles. Enjoy!
DEADLINE TODAY FOR FORCE MAIN COMMENTS [PUBLISHED 10/30/13] If you were unable to attend the October 15 public meeting regarding Sanitation District 1's Force Main Project that is proposed to be installed through the heart of the Camp Springs community, today is the last day to submit your comments, questions and concerns.
All submissions should be sent to the following e-mail addresses: info@sd1.org shafiq.amawi@ky.gov Rschroeder@sd1.org
We're told that SD1 will need a couple of weeks before these comments and responses will be available on the Ky. Division of Water web-site: http://water.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx
Trick-or-Treaters Invade Four Mile [PUBLISHED 10/27/13] As promised, the trailer-loads of candy loving minions, monsters and devils made their way throughout the valley today. Please click here to see more pictures.
Look for Trick-or-Treaters this Weekend [PUBLISHED 10/25/13] Don't be alarmed by the trailer-loads of ghosts and goblins that will be lurking the backroads of Camp Springs this weekend. The annual tradition of Trick-or-Treating in the Four Mile area will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 2-6pm. Be very scared!
Harvesting Creative Inspiration: On the Farm with Graphic Designer Keith Neltner [PUBLISHED 10/25/13] An article featuring Camp Springs resident/business owner Keith Neltner was recently posted on the TCG (The Creative Group) Blog. Click here to read the article.
MYRON BORN RECEIVES AWARD [PUBLISHED 10/23/13]
Congratulations to Camp Springs very own Myron Born (pictured left with Chief Greg Buckler) on receiving the Alexandria Lions Club “Volunteer Person of the Year Award”. Each year the Alexandria Lions Club recognizes volunteers from different departments in Campbell County. Myron has been a member of the fire department since 1975. He was promoted to the rank of Chief in 1997 which he held until the creation of Campbell County Fire District #1. During his years as chief (1997-2002) he implemented the E.M.S. program to the Camp Springs area with the E.M.S. First Response Unit. This eventually resulted in a life squad at the Camp Springs station. Myron has held the rank of Deputy Chief with the department since 2002.
FIRE DISTRICT RECEIVES GRANT
[PUBLISHED 10/22/13]
Campbell County Fire District #1 Fire/EMS Chief Greg Buckler has announced that a grant through the Kentucky Homeland Security has been approved for $14,000.00. This grant will be used to purchase five sets of turnout gear and five high visible jackets for personnel to wear while working highway accidents. This grant is 100% funded through Kentucky Homeland Security.
Sunshine Welcomes Herbst Tour Visitors
[PUBLISHED 10/20/13] The weather stole the show at the 7th Annual Camp Springs Herbst Tour held today throughout the Four Mile valley. Sunshine warmed visitors as they traveled the backroads of Camp Springs searching out their favorite tour stops. Were you there? Did you have fun? Please click here and visit our facebook page and let us know.
Thank you to the tour organizers, the 19 participants and of course the hundreds of visitors that made the trek to Camp Springs! --- Do you have photos to share from the Herbst Tour? If so, let us know/send us a link?
Many Residents Comment at Forced Main Public Meeting
[PUBLISHED 10/15/13]
Over 50 individuals were on hand at tonight's public meeting for the Ash Street Pump Station and Force Main Project. Many questions were raised that the Kentucky Division of Water representative pledged to get answers to. Residents were told that the project can't move forward without approval from the Division of Water.
Tonight's meeting was held to "allow the public to review and comment on proposed activities, potential impacts and the project alternatives". The process of receiving public comments will continue until October 30.
If you were unable to attend and would like to join the process, formal comments can be submitted to Sanitation District 1 at 1045 Eaton Dr., Ft. Wright, KY 41017 - Attention: Emily Leisl or to info@sd1.org.
Forced Main Public Meeting 7pm Tonight (10/15) [RE-PUBLISHED 10/15/13] Residents of the Four Mile area have received letters and notices for an upcoming public meeting regarding the Ash Street Pump Station, Force Main and Gravity Sewer Project.
The Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) will be the host of the meeting on Tuesday, October 15 beginning at 7pm at the Alexandria Courthouse at 8352 East Main Street in Alexandria.
According to the letter, the public will have the chance to provide formal comments about the project that was "recently approved for construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers".
SD1 Senior Project Manager Robert G. Schroeder signed the letter and invited questions to be directed to him at 859-547-1656 or rschroeder@sd1.org.
Those unable to attend may submit comments to SD1 at 1045 Eaton Drive, Ft. Wright, KY 41017, Attention: Emily Leisl, or to info@sd1.org until October 30, 2013. Comments will be forwarded to KDOW for review.
Here's the offical episode description: In this season's first Dave Does It, Dave gets his sea legs in Paducah at the Seamen's Church Institute's Center for Maritime Education; Frances BBQ in Monroe County is Today's Special; the stone masonry of Camp Springs in Campbell County provides a unique beauty to the area; and Ruby Moon Vineyard and Winery in Henderson produces award-winning wines.
In case you miss tonight's airing, here are other scheduled airdates: KETKY: Sunday, October 13 at 6:00 am EDT KET: Sunday, October 13 at 4:00 pm EDT KETKY: Sunday, October 13 at 5:30 pm EDT KET2: Tuesday, October 15 at 7:30 am EDT KETKY: Wednesday, October 16 at 8:00 am EDT KETKY: Thursday, October 17 at 9:30 pm EDT KETKY: Friday, October 18 at 12:30 pm EDT KETKY: Saturday, October 19 at 6:00 am EDT
Neltner's Fall Fest Returns [PUBLISHED 10/4/13]
One of Camp Springs newest traditions, Neltner's Farm Fall Festival, returns to the Four Mile area this weekend. The event offers horse-drawn wagon rides, an expanded corn maze and pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, home cooked food and ice cream, farm shop, crafters, pottery, face painting, seasonal apples, folk art, live music, wine tastings and a variety of demonstrations.
Historic Neltner’s Farm was established in 1857 and maintains much of its rich history today.
Here's the full line-up of this year's monthlong event:
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES: Oct 6 - Music by: Chris Lloyd and Todd Lipscomb
Oct 12 - Music by: Steve Bonafel Oct 13 - Folksiders Craft Show (over 20 local vendors)
Oct 19 - Music by: Hickory Robot Oct 20 - Music by: Mike Oberst of the Tillers - Camp Springs Herbst Tour. An old tradition, our fields will be plowed by horses
Oct 26 - Music by: Maw Crow Oct 27 - Music by: Shiny and the Spoon
WEEKEND ADMISSION Ages 3 and up $5. Includes horse drawn wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, corn maze, petting zoo and acres to roam.
Flu Vaccine Available at Tour Stop #18 [PUBLISHED 9/25/13] On the day of this year's Herbst Tour, Oakland United Methodist Church's Faith Community Nurse Wilma Woodford, MSN.Ed, RN, will be offering flu vaccines through the St. Elizabeth Health Ministry program, of which they are a part. The injections will be $20.00 or free if it is a hardship case. Medicare can be billed if the person has their red, white and blue card. Oakland UMC has a health ministry program that accepts donations of durable medical equipment and then re-cycles it to those in need at no cost. They also offer incontinent products at no cost.
St. Joseph 4th grader/drummer Hans Bauer (pictured right) stole the show last night at the annual Oktoberfest at St. Joseph Church in Camp Springs. Hans and his father Scott were the headliners on the main stage for the event. Camp Springs favorite Chris Lloyd also joined in the musical fun and entertained the crowd with a set of country favorites.
FORCED MAIN UPDATE [Posted 9/15/13] The SD1 staff is scheduled to make a presentation on the Ash Street pump station project and sewer line to the SD1 Board of Directors on Tuesday, September 17. The presentation will be one of the first items on the agenda, so it will likely be discussed near the 2:00 PM start of the Board’s meeting. All are welcome to attend.
More Forced Main Correspondence
Anna Zinkhon has shared another letter regarding the forced main issue in Camp Springs.
Volunteers Wanted Are you interested in joining Campbell County Fire District #1? The department is currently seeking volunteers looking to make a difference in the community.
Installation Begins Factory installer Jim Hurst (pictured, right) from Play and Park Structures travelled to Camp Springs Wednesday with his crew from Versailles, KY to begin the process of installing new playground equipment at St. Joseph Church and School on Four Mile Road. Weather permitting, Jim's crew hopes to be completed on Friday.
Forced Main Update After three years, efforts continue in addressing the possible SD1 installation of a forced mainin the Camp Springs community. Anna Zinkhon has sent us two letters (see links below) to sharewith residents regarding some recent correspondence on the issue. One is addressed toSD1. The other is from the Campbell County Conservation District. Click here for the letter to SD1. Click here for the letter from the conservation district.
2013 Team Dylan Event Hundreds attended the annual Team Dylan event in Camp Springs on Saturday (August 17) in support of the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. Click here to see some photos.
New School Year, New Theme
The name of every student/teacher/staff member of St. Joseph School in Camp Springs is attached to a pole located in front of the rectory near the front of the parish's shelter. A cross with the theme "Seek the Lord" is located at the top of the pole and serves as the goal for the brand new school year. According to artist/creator Mike Enzweiler (pictured left), "The directional signs with the painted names on them signifies that each of us is an individual headed in different directions, but our various paths will ultimately lead us to the Lord."
KET in Town Emmy-award winning Kentucky Education Television (KET) Producer/Director Frank Simkonis was in Camp Springs today (August 7) working on a segment for KET's Kentucky Life program. He interviewed and recorded life-long resident Mike Enzweiler in his historic stonehouse on Upper Tug Fork. (That's Mike's historic green truck in the background of the photo.)
7th Annual Herbst Tour Set for October 20 The 7th Annual Herbst Tour will occur Sunday October 20, Noon – 6 p.m. Three of this year’s 19 stops are new from last year. They are the Uebel stonehouse, the Vogel house and the St. Anne Woodlands Preserve.
In addition to the stonehouse at the Uebel stop, there is a completely renovated barn on the property. The Vogel family grows watermelons, pumpkins and flowers. Chickens, ducks, flowers and pick your own pumpkins (weather conditions permitting) will be available on tour day. An original 1800’s covered wagon will be on site along with bee-keeping demonstrations and beeswax candle dipping. Homemade jams and jellies made from honey will be for sale.
The 50 acres of the St. Anne Woodlands is the last old growth forest in Campbell County. It contains beech, poplar and pin oaks among other species. A view of the St. Anne Convent alone is well worth the stop. The features of the other 16 stops continue to evolve from year to year. Regardless, if you have visited a stop before, you will always see something new and exciting. Please mark your calendars for Sunday October 20.
For additional information, contact Mike Enzweiler at 859.630.2874
