The LightReaders, clockwise from left: Susan Furlong (Roshan), Claudia Rogers (Esta), Marilee Lake (Nazeen), and Tom Rogers (Arshamanhi).
 

By ALISHA MCDARRIS

Record Herald Writer

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

POTSDAM - Potsdam United Methodist Church is getting into the Christmas spirit this Sunday. While many local churches are putting on special holiday programs to warm the hearts and lift the spirits of their communities, Potsdam UMC will actually be hosting two local musical talents.

Pastor Pam Hitchock is proud to present both the LightReaders and Tim Sterzbach. The LightReaders are a performance group made up of Tipp Citians Susan Furlong, Claudia Rogers, Marilee Lake, and Tom Rogers. Sterzbach is local as well and has been recently featured on Dayton’s WFCJ radio station.

The LightReaders will be presenting a musical comedy with a new twist on the traditional Christmas story. This time the audience will hear from the wives of the famous wise men in an original script showing how finding a baby in a manger will forever alter the existence of each of the individuals involved. “A King Changes Everything” will be filled with laughs and plenty of Christmas music.

“We thought it would be a neat way to celebrate Christmas and a good opportunity to invite the community,” Hitchcock stated.

“It’s a Christmas message seen through new eyes,” LightReaders performer Susan Furlong explained.

The Christian ministry group started in 2004 after the four choir members from Troy First United Methodist got together to come up with a presentation for a church women’s meeting. According to their website, the group name comes from their mission, which is “to use our gifts and talents in music and story telling to let God’s light shine through us to others.”

They now travel around the Miami Valley bringing music, sketches and storyintelling to churches, banquets, and the like year-round.

“They’re very good,” Hitchcock said. “They’re inspirational and uplifting and have a lot of energy and they do it all for the glory of God.”

“We thoroughly enjoy what we do,” Furlong admitted.

After the LightReaders and Sterzbach share their talents, guests and church members are invited to stay for a warm family reception brimming with cookies, donuts and coffee.

But that’s not all the holiday cheer Hitchcock and her congregation will be spreading this weekend. In October, the church decided that in honor of Christmas they would be gifting a holiday ham to every home in Potsdam – all 84 of them. Hitchcock admitted it was a big step of faith, but she was thrilled when the money to pull it off started pouring in. The congregation gave liberally and even outside donors offered assistance.

“It’s been fun to see how God moves,” Hitchcock said. “I’m really amazed.”

Hitchcock and other volunteers from the church will deliver the hams Sunday afternoon in a very festive horse-drawn wagon to let the community know how much they care.

“It should be a fun day and I hope people will come as they are and hear the message of hope that only the birth of Jesus brings,” Hitchcock said.

The program will begin at 10:30 am at Potsdam United Methodist Church, located at 12 S. Main St. in Potsdam.

For more information about the LightReaders, visit www.lightreaders.com or call 667-6607.
 

 

The Milton-Union High varsity golf team, from left to right, Josh Martin, Mitch Gooslin, Joey Smedley, Coach Andy Grafflin (SWBL “Coach of the Year”), Kevin Brackman, Sam Ginsberg and Nick Simpson.

By CHRIS WITEOF
Record Herald Writer
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WEST MILTON - The Milton-Union varsity golf team had quite the season this year.  Not only did they win the league tournament, but they also walked away with the Southwestern Buckeye League (SWBL) championship for the first time in the school’s history.  This success is owed in part to the team’s coach, Andy Grafflin, who won the 2011 SWBL Coach of the Year award.

Grafflin currently lives in Milton with Dianna, his wife of 12 years, and his two children, Madison and Maxwell. He is in his 15th year at Milton-Union, where he teaches social studies and government.  He has also spent 14 of those years as head coach of the golf team.

On this season, Grafflin said,  “We set our goals in May” with the number one achievement being league champions.  He credits the leadership of the team’s seniors for reaching this goal.  There are many factors that go into a winning season, but, to Grafflin, the secret is practice, practice, practice.

Before their matches, the team would “get together and play the various courses,” Grafflin said.  This would help them get a feel for the course and adapt their strategy accordingly.  Consistency was another key factor for the team.