I’ve always known I would never be a real chef, simply because I move too cotton pickin’ slow in the kitchen. I’m messy as all get out too. But with me the mess is a symptom of the confusion I often feel when I’m trying to follow a recipe.

At his family’s farm last week across from Dollar General, 16-year-old Austin Pence was using the cool of the dusk to wash and blow dry two of his favorite animals. Mabel, a year-old heifer, and Bart, a 17-month-old steer, hung by the white barn calm and collected as their black coats began to take on a fluffiness.

At its meeting Monday, July 19, Village Council approved the first reading of an ordinance committing to a “Smart Power Plant” program of American Municipal Power. The program allows the Village’s residential and commercial power consumers to take advantage of consulting services on how to reduce energy consumption.

Antioch College became the recipient of a $1.5 million bequest last week from alumnus Bernard West, who attended the college from 1932–33. The gift is part of a total $17 million in funds the college has raised since it gained its independence from Antioch University last September, college communications director Gariot Louima said last week.

Continuing a discussion they had last month about the Village property tax levy, Village Council members at their meeting Monday, July 19, voiced a general preference to renew the five-year levy at its current rate.

At a YS Kids Playhouse rehearsal last week in the Presbyterian Church, the cast members of the newest show, Oceans of Notions (Lakes of Mistakes), were laughing hysterically as they ran through the passageways of Westminster Hall.

Bulldog Basketball held a fundamentals of basketball camp for youth last week at the Community Bryan Center outdoor courts.

YSKP rehearsed for the summer’s second production, Oceans of Notions (Lakes of Mistakes), with visiting director Lenard Petit this week at the Presbyterian Church.

The 20th annual Miami Valley open Track and Field meet will be held Thursday evening, July 22, at the Yellow Springs High School track. First-time racers are welcome.

Copies of this and other photographs may be purchased from the Yellow Springs News; please contact us via e-mail at ysnews@ysnews.com or by phone, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Mon.–Fri.