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Saturday will be special for quite a few

Contributed photo Dick and Barb Harshbarger of Medway, will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 22.

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By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer 12:25 AM Thursday, August 20, 2009

Way back on the first day of 2009, I shared in this column a list of positive reasons why we should enjoy living in the Miami Valley as a new year approached.

For No. 15 I predicted, “Aug. 22, 2009, will be special for someone. Let’s see what happens.”

Well here we are on the eve of that date. Thanks to loyal readers, I can better predict how special Saturday will be for some.

Nationally, Chris Barber, 44, of Greensboro, N.C., is promoting  Aug. 22 as “National Trail Running Day.”

Right here in our area, the day will be celebrated as one of great importance by Barbara and Richard Harshbarger of Medway. Barb, 71, helps with a food pantry several times a week. Dick, 76 this month, helps serve Mass at Sacred Heart in New Carlisle every morning.

Their daughter, Deb Downing, said, “My parents were thrilled to read your story about Aug. 22 since that happens to be their 50th wedding anniversary. My parents are awesome people, and my brother and I will be hosting a party at church to help them celebrate. Something great is really happening on that date.”

Betty Wood of Springboro reports that the day will be special.

“I am thrilled to let you know that my daughter, Kathy Tomasiak, will be celebrating her 50th birthday on the 22nd,” Betty said. “She is a very compassionate person and goes out of her way to be helpful to all around her. It would be very nice if you could help me make her day even more special by mentioning her name in your column.”

Consider the job done. Happy birthday, Kathy.

Nora Skelton, of Beavercreek, is also celebrating, just as she is preparing to relocate to Richmond, Va.

“I am writing to let you know that Aug. 22, 2009, is my 21st birthday. I hope that besides it being my birthday that it is an all-around special day for others alike,” she said.

It should be a wonderful day for Brooke Fortener, 27, and Shaun Davenport, 25, of Waynesville. They met about two years ago and will be married Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Crossview Christian Church in Waynesville. We join in wishing them a long and happy life together.

For Marilyn Dues, of Beavercreek, Aug. 22 is special. “That’s the anniversary of the date my mother, Evelyn Grinde, who is 86, moved in with us,” Marilyn said. “My father passed away and it is a joy having mom live with us.”

Finally, Barbara P. Webb of Dayton wants to wish granddaughter Anitra Kincy and her husband, Quitman, a happy anniversary on Aug. 22.

“The two were married at Phillips Temple CME church in Dayton on Aug. 22, 1987,” Barbara said. “And this is their 22nd anniversary.”

I am praying that Saturday will be very special for you and yours.

Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272. Blog:

DaytonDailyNews.com/go/fromtheheart.

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