2011 Year in Review...

At Fish Report we love history.  We post stories about history, we archive pictures and video to look back on history, and we hope that the interesting interviews we do on this blog will be preserved for future generations to read about.  Looking back on the year 2011, we picked our five favorite events that were reported on by us and we feel were a part of local history...

#5 - Ft. Loramie opens a new softball field

Ft. Loramie opened a new softball field in March with a game against Coldwater.  The Redskin's Denise Marchal became a part of history throwing the first pitch and teammate Macy Turner went in the record books for hitting the first home run.  Ft. Loramie won their inaugural game at the new diamond that will be used for generations to come.

#4 - The DeMange Band ends a 52 year run

For over a half century, parents and children in Shelby, Auglaize, Darke and Mercer counties danced to the music of the DeMange Band.  Fourteen siblings played in the band at one time or another starting in 1959.  Now ages 48 to 70, the group decided to play their final show at a Minster Civic Association dance in April.

#3 - Two MAC pitchers meet in an MLB series

In June, two high school alums from the Midwest Athletic Conference played in a Major League Baseball series against one another.  Marion Local alum and San Diego Padres pitcher Cory Luebke hosted the Washington Nationals and their pitcher Versailles alum Craig Stammen.  Both pitched in relief appearances on different nights and combined for 2.1 innings allowing 0 runs.  It was the only time they would meet all season.

#2 - Russia wins their first state titles in 40 years

Russia celebrated the 40th anniversary of their 1971 state baseball championship at a ceremony during the basketball season early in the year.  It was the only state championship of any kind that Russia had ever won.  Then in June, Russia senior Luke Pohlman captured the individual D-III state track championship in the 1600 meter run.  Classmate Katie Borchers followed up shortly afterward with another individual state title of her own in the 800 meter run.

#1 - Fish Report goes live

Perhaps the first live show to ever be broadcast in Russia debuted in November with the airing of Fish Report LIVE!  Hosts Craig Fiessinger and Ken Francis talked about local high school sports to a live internet audience of 13 people.  Reruns of the pilot episode were eventually watched by over 600 viewers.  Maybe we're a little biased, but it was arguably a moment for the record books.

So long 2011.  It's been a great year for history.