Russia's Raider Classic this weekend

Respect, hard work and fun are fundamentals you'll see at the Raider Classic (Picture via Twitter)

Russia's annual Raider Classic gets underway this Thursday, July 6th and runs through Sunday. It's the highlight of summer for lots of little league baseball players from the area. It's also a showcase for one of the nicest community parks you'll find anywhere. Tournaments for four divisions include 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U. To see all the brackets, click here.  

The event is hosted by the Russia Community Junior Athletic Association and is made possible by a long list of volunteers and sponsors dedicated to its success. They have everything covered for families spending their entire weekend at the diamonds and even casual spectators just stopping by for a few games. Two concession stands will offer hot foods, cold sports drinks and plenty more items. Past tournaments have even made golf cart transportation available to senior citizens and those unable to walk the entire park.

If you enjoy everything that's right about baseball, small schools and great kids, do yourself a favor and come to Russia this weekend.

More than a few future state champions have played in the Raider Classic (circa 2012)

Village of Russia Splash Pad & Pavilion Update

June 28, 2023

Village of Russia Pavilion & Splash Pad Update

The Village wanted to provide a quick update since the last correspondence on the Pavilion and Splash Pad projects. We are currently finalizing the Pavilion and Splash Pad drawings, determining the final locations of both, and will be bidding the entire project out soon. Our objective is to start construction in 2023 with a goal of being operational sometime in 2024. From a funding standpoint, we are very happy to share that the Village was awarded the Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant in the amount of $500,000. We’ve also had a handful of very generous private donations, bringing our total funding to over $1M. As there is a small shortfall in funding remaining, we are in the process of contacting local businesses to see if they have an interest in contributing to the project.

We’ve had a few inquiries from residents asking if they can contribute to this project’s funding. While we did not wish to solicit funds from the community, we also don’t want to stop our residents from contributing if they so desire.

If you would like to help fund this project, please direct your donation to The Community Foundation of Shelby County at commfoun.com/donate and designate the Russia Pavilion and Splash Pad Fund as the fund for your donation.

If you would prefer to donate by check, please make your check payable to:
The Community Foundation of Shelby County

100 S. Main Avenue, Suite 202

Sidney, OH 45365.
Please note on your check “Russia Pavilion and Splash Pad Fund”.

We will continue to keep the community updated as this project moves along. Thanks again to all community members for their support. Feel free to reach out to any of the committee members if you have any questions.

Pavilion & Splash Pad Committee Members:
Adam Barga – Village Administrator
Brandon Simon – Village Council
Mary Jo High – Village Council
Jake Borchers – Village Council, Russia Wellness Foundation
Stephanie Fullenkamp – Russia Wellness Foundation
Jared Goubeaux – Russia Wellness Foundation
Treg Francis – Park Board
Zach Sherman – Park Board
Aaron Condon – Park Board

T&CP, Hotel Versailles Offer "Newsies Night Out"

By Chad Peyton
Towne & Country Players

   

     Who doesn't enjoy a "night out on the town"?  And if that town is New York, maybe you take in dinner and a show.  Granted, Versailles is not exactly the "Big Apple", but for three evenings in July, you can get a sampling of that NYC feeling, as Versailles Towne & Country Players and Hotel Versailles team up to offer a "Newsies Night Out".

  

     Looking for a new way to help create excitement for their upcoming July production of Disney's "Newsies", Towne & Country Players thought pairing a dinner event along with the show would be a fun idea and immediately thought Hotel Versailles and Silas would be a great potential partner.  T&CP Board members Lindsey Ausborn and Allison Cox reached out to Hotel Versailles' Managing Director Jack Olshan to gauge their interest in working on something that would be mutually beneficial.  Said Lindsey Ausborn of the initial idea, "Dinner and a show are a natural pairing.  Hotel Versailles and T&CP have been  looking for an opportunity to work together on an arts centered event since the hotel's reopening."

     Maria Bennett, Silas Food and Beverage, General Manager agreed with the logical nature of the event, saying, "At Hotel Versailles and Silas Creative Kitchen, we pride ourselves on the art of creating memorable experiences for our guests.  Every night the artists of Towne & Country Players take the stage, (they) are also creating memorable experiences!  We are excited to share in this!"

     This truly was a collaborative effort.  Along with T&CP board members Ausborn and Cox, ideas were shared and discussed over several meetings with Silas' Maria Bennett, Executive Chef Aaron Allen and Hotel Versailles Managing Director Jack Olshan.  Since "Newsies" takes place in New York City, the outcome was a vision of a true New York night on the town.  The hotel's 1819 Room would be used as a space to accommodate guests who would be offered a delicious New York themed dinner, along with cocktails.  

     Originally conceived as a one night event, it was decided to offer it all three evenings of the production.  The dinner and show package will include a ticket to the show and a seat in the 1819 Room where there will be a cash bar "cocktail hour" from 4:00-5:00 pm.  From 5:00-7:00 will be the New York themed dinner buffet, consisting of Mini Pastrami Sliders, an Italian Salad, Lasagna, Garlic Bread and New York Style Cheesecake.  There will also be a free shuttle to and from the theatre included for those interested.

  

     Towne & Country Players board members were thrilled with the plan and are very anxious to see the event succeed and lead to future endeavors.  Said Ausborn, " They have been absolutely wonderful to work with.  Chef Aaron created the New York themed cuisine and Jack had great ideas on how they could best serve our guests while continuing to give back to our organization. We hope this is just the beginning of a long partnership with Hotel Versailles that allows us to create a unique and memorable experience for our patrons."  Silas' Maria Bennett echoed the sentiment by stating, "We, too, hope this is the start to a long time partnership with the fine arts community."

     Tickets for Towne & Country Players production of Disney's "Newsies" are on sale now.   Production dates are July 13th and 14th at 7:30 pm and two shows on Saturday, July 15th at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm.  Dinner and show tickets are available for each performance and are $45.  Show only tickets are also available for $15.  Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.towneandcountryplayers.com and clicking on the ticket link or by calling (937)417-1094.  Make your plans today and allow Towne & Country Players and Hotel Versailles give you a night out you won't soon forget!