By Jack Zoller

sports @ goBEACONnews . com

Trojans Running Strong Towards Seasons End

Both East Central men ' s and women ' s teams took to one of the largest stages of the year , showing why they are consistently a top program in the state . The teams traveled north to Carmel to run in The Flash Rock Invitational . Over 45 schools converge to form one of the largest events in the state with a huge number of participants . Due to the large size of the events , the varsity teams are broken into two race categories- the “ Elite ” race and the " Invitational ” varsity . The Elite race boasted 15 of the top 25 teams in the state . The Trojan girls had the honor of running in this race for the second consecutive year , ultimately placing 13th out of 15 teams in the Elite race .

Assistant Coach Fr . Jonathon Meyer commented on their performance ; " Taking 13th place may not sound all that impressive ; however when you realize they were competing against the best teams in the state , their placement is respectable ." The team was led by Emilee Wedding who ran a great race . She was followed by Lauren Greiwe , Emma Fey , Abby Bittner , Lily Greiwe , Gracie Baker and Riley Davis .

The highlight of the day came from the boys ' team running a stellar race , leading them to place 1st out of 19

The Trojan boys team poses after their victory at The Flat Rock Invitational .

teams in the Invitational Varsity race . Even more impressive was the jump that was made from last season , where they placed 7th last year ; showing the payoff of all their hard work . The Trojans went into the race knowing that first place was a possibility , but also that they would be tested . Seymour and Warren Central are the two top teams the Trojans needed to hang with and would prove tough competition . The gun went off , and the Trojan boys headed to the front of the pack . At the First kilometer , Garrett Ardis took the lead with Andrew White on his heels .

However , they would not remain out front . Shortly after the first mile , both Ardis and White began to cramp , preventing them from keeping their lead . Fortunately , one of the great qualities of this team is its depth . Kameron Geisen , who normally is the third or fourth man for the team , passed both Ardis and White and became the leader for the team . Also pushing the pack from the back was Scott Jackson , who ran a personal record , and took 3rd for the team . This race was well coordinated and professional that they do live announcing during the racethey give continual updates in the individual leaders and team placements . As the boys were sprinting for the finish , the announcer mentioned that several of the East Central runners had crossed

The Trojan girls team display their ribbons following a first place finish at a recent invitational race .

the line and could win this race . Within a few seconds of the announcer ’ s prediction , Kaleb Geisen the Trojans 5th runner crossed the Line . The Trojans , scoring 90 , beat out Warren central with a score of 97 and Seymour with a score of 106 . Assistant Coach Fr . Jonathon Meyer noted ; " What is important about today ’ s race , is the realization of the tightness of this running pack and the interchangeability of the varsity runners . They are a tight team , even on a day when their two lead runners do not perform at their best ." He continued ; " Overall , the Trojans ran well today . As a team , their times were a bit slower than last week at Brown County , except for Kasey Carr and Scott Jackson , who had personal records . However , the course in Carmel is a bit more challenging , and the runners had a very hard week of training and were running tired ."

After their impressive showings at The Flat Rock Invitational , the Trojans hoped to build on that success against local teams as Rushville hosted the EIAC Cross Country Meet . Just like one year ago , Batesville won both the boys and girls races , yet this year the Greensburg Lady Pirates have emerged as the team to be watched with four dominant young freshmen , setting them up to be a dominate force for a long time .

EC Trojan Band and Guard Marching in Washington , DC Parade

East Central High School ’ s 150-member Trojan Band and Guard have been selected to march in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington , DC .

“ When I received the letter stating that we ’ d been chosen to march in the parade , I was beyond excited ,” said David Pallada , Director of Bands for East Central High School . “ This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these students . It ’ s not only a premier performing opportunity , but visiting our nation ’ s capital is an educational opportunity as well .”

The parade takes place Saturday , April 14 , 2018 from 10-12 noon EST . In both 2015-16 and 2016-17 , the band department received the Indiana State School Music Association ’ s All-Music Award . Being selected for the parade is another mark of distinction for the thriving program .

The ensemble ’ s goal is for every student to be able to participate . They are conducting various fundraisers to cover the cost of the trip . These efforts include car washes , dine-to-donate nights , selling window clings and soliciting donations .

Unable to overtake the Bulldogs , East Central placed second in the boys ' race and third in the girl ' s race . The Lady Trojans were led by Emilee Wedding with an impressive third-place finish ; a step up from her first-place finish a year ago in the JV race . Fr . Meyer commented ; " However as a whole , the team did not run up to their potential ; so there is still room for growth during the next few weeks ."

The boys ' race came down to the final mile . At the twomile , the Trojans were in the lead as a team . However , a miraculous push by the Bulldogs forced every Trojan runner behind a Bulldog runner

within the final mile . However , the Trojan boys are not finished for the year . " They still have a lot in their legs and hearts ," said Fr . Meyer . This next week will give them ample opportunity to race again and find themselves at the Batesville and Greensburg invite before the big showdown at Sectional .

The boys ’ reserve race was won by Nathan Eckstein of Batesville with Griffin Werner of ECHS in second . The girls ’ reserve race was won by Cheyenne Laker of Batesville High School .

Photos and race commentary provided by Fr . Jonathon Meyer .

April 1 - Dec 30 – Hillforest Victorian House Museum Open for 61st Touring Season - 213 Fifth Street , Aurora . Open Tuesday through Sunday , 1:00PM-5:00PM . Admission charged . Hillforest was the home of industrialist and financier Thomas Gaff and his family between 1855 and 1891 . The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992 . Info : 812-926-0087 or www . hillforest . org .

November 2 - Dec 30 – Christmas at Blue Willow House - 9960 Front Street , Dillsboro , Indiana . Christmas at Blue Willow begins the first Thursday , Friday & Saturday of November ( Nov . 2 , 3 & 4 ) and continues on these days through the Holiday Season . Unique shopping experience located in a home built in 1912 with three floors of antiques , home decor , clothing , jewelry , candles ,, soaps / lotions and more . Thursdays & Fridays : 10:00AM-6:00PM ; Saturdays : 9:00AM-2:00PM . Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day . Info : 812-432-3330 or bluewillowhouse9960 @ gmail . com or www . bluewillowsisters . com .

November 4 – Lawrenceburg ’ s Whiskey City Festival - Lawrenceburg Event Center , 91 Walnut Street , Lawrenceburg . The city of Lawrenceburg hosts the 4th annual Whiskey City Festival . The event showcases the city ’ s ties to the distilling industry and offers a full slate of whiskey related activities . Included are tastings by select distillers , master distillers and craft brewers , local wineries , educational displays and live music , food and more . 6PM-7PM -- VIP ticket only at $ 50 per person . Includes swag bag , tastings , commemorative glass , appetizers and special VIP tastings . 7PM-10PM -- General admission at $ 30 per person ($ 40 at the door ). Includes 10 tastings . Info : 812-537-0814 or www . whiskeycityfestival . net .

November 4 – Lawrenceburg ’ s Spirit 5K Run / Walk - 11AM in downtown Lawrenceburg , Indiana . Held in conjunction with the Whiskey City Festival in the evening at Lawrenceburg Event Center . www . whiskeycityfestival . net . Prizes awarded . All participants receive a commemorative Dri-Fit running shirt . Watch StuartRoadRacing . com for registration information . Seeking 5K sponsors : email aimyp2 @ gmail . com or tpalmer347 @ gmail . com .

November 4-5 – Indiana Wine Trail Fall Haul / Holtkamp Winery - 11AM-5PM each day . Holtkamp Winery , 10868 Woliung Road , New Alsace , Indiana . Each of the seven Indiana Wine Trail wineries located in southeast Indiana , will offer a variety of wine and food pairings and free recipes on this Fall Haul weekend . They will also showcase a variety of foods created using wines . Dearborn County ’ s Indiana Wine Trail member is Holtkamp Winery , a family owned boutique winery which currently features over 20 wines , ranging from dry & semi-dry red and white wines , to sweet fruit wines and dessert wines . Info : 513-602-5580 . www . holtkampwinery . com or www . indianawinetrail . com

November 4-5 – Perfect North Slopes Annual Sale & Swap - 19074 Perfect Lane , Lawrenceburg , Indiana . 10AM-4PM Saturday and Sunday . Kick-off event for the upcoming season . Get everything you need for another season on the slopes , with sale prices on skis , snowboards , boots , hats , goggles and apparel . Discounts available for season passes and lesson packages . Swap area available for trading and selling used equipment . Info : 812-537-3754 or www . perfectnorth . com .

November 4-5 – St . John Fall Craft Show & Chicken Dinner - a ministry of All Saints Parish . 25743 State Route 1 , Dover . Historic 12 room schoolhouse is filled with crafts--wood , fabric , floral , jewelry , candles and home baked goods . 26th annual Craft Show Saturday 9AM-4PM . Craft Show & Chicken Dinner Sunday 11AM-5PM . Info : 812-576-4302 or www . allsaintscatholic . net .

November 4 - Dec 16 – Dearborn Highlands Arts Council-Arts Alive ! Art Fair & Gift Bazaar - Dearborn Highlands Arts Council Gallery . 331 Walnut Street , Lawrenceburg , IN 47025 . Hours will be Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm . A six-week celebration of Fine Arts and Crafts Vendors - pottery , painting , artwear , candles , lotions , stained glass , woodworking , quilts , etc . A silent auction will also be held . Info : 812-539- 4251 or www . dearbornhighlandsarts . org .

November 5 – All-You-Can-Eat Turkey Dinner and Christmas Bazaar - 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm . Presented by New Alsace American Legion Auxiliary , 25329 Legion Road , New Alsace . Turkey dinner with all the trimmings , plus raffles , craft items and bake sale to benefit the Legion . $ 12.00 / age 13 and up ; $ 6.00 / ages 3-12 ; free / under age 3 . Info : 812-576-4186 .

November 17-18 – Over the Moon Vintage Holiday Market - Agner Hall at Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds , U . S . Route 50 , Lawrenceburg . Friday , 4PM-9PM ; Saturday , 9AM-4PM . A delightful inside market full of repurposed , vintage , worn , chippy , rusted items with patinas showing decades of wear . Styles include : cottage farmhouse , prairie , industrial etc ., along with romantic and upcycled clothing . Jewelry has been transformed from heirloom , costume and elegant pieces . Info : 513-604-7983 or overthemoonmarket @ gmail . com ; www . facebook . com / OverTheMoonVintageMarket .

November 17-19 – Holiday Shopping Expo - Lawrenceburg Event Center , 91 Walnut Street , Lawrenceburg . Friday , November 17th - 2PM-8PM . Saturday , November 18th - 9AM-7PM . Sunday , November 19th - 9AM-4PM . Shop an enormous selection of unique hand made items , home decor , gift cards , stocking stuffers and more . Live reindeer display , wine tasting and live musical entertainment from show choirs and local musicians . Admission : $ 5.00 ages 13 and older . Info : 513-260- 2886 or kim @ myfinishlinemarketing . com , www . lawrenceburgshows . com , or www . facebook . com / holidayexpolawrenceburg .

November 18 – A Teddy Bear Tea - 11AM at Hillforest Victorian House Museum , 213 Fifth Street , Aurora . Children and parents will enjoy a tea featuring teddy bear treats , a tour of Hillforest as it is decorated for Christmas and creating a teddy bear Christmas ornament to hang on their tree . Teddy bears are invited to attend ! $ 15.00 per person . Reservations required : 812-926-0087 or www . hillforest . org .

November 21-Dec 30 – A Victorian Christmas Exhibit - Hillforest Victorian House Museum , 213 Fifth Street , Aurora . Open Tuesday through Sunday , 1:00PM- 5:00PM . Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day .

Experience the warmth and charm of the 162 year old Hillforest as it is decorated for the Christmas Holidays . Admission : $ 7.50 / 14 and older ; $ 3.50 / 7-13 years ; Free / 6 and under . Info : 812-926-0087 or www . hillforest . org .

November 26-Dec 17 – Miracle on Main Street - downtown Aurora , Indiana . Welcome Santa and delight in the lighting of the town Christmas Tree and Lighted Parade on Sunday evening at 6PM . Enjoy one of the largest Dickens Villages in the tri-state area , visits and breakfasts with Santa , carolers , concerts , and more . Every weekend through December 17th . Info : 812-926-1100 or www . aurora . in . us .

November 30 - Dec 2 – International Fair Trade Sale - Agner Hall at Lawrenceburg Fairgrounds , U . S . Route 50 , Lawrenceburg . 4PM-9PM , Thursday and Friday , 10AM-4PM , Saturday . Shop for handcrafted gifts made by people from around the world who are trying to break the cycle of poverty , and earn a fair and living wage for their craft . Gifts included are jewelry , scarves , quilts , kitchen items , handbags , backpacks and many more items from Kenya , Zambia , Nepal , Nicaragua , India and other countries . All proceeds from the sale are returned to the artisans . Info : 812-537- 4451 or www . facebook . com / InternationalFairTrade .

November 30 , Dec 1 , 2 & 3 – The Greenbriar Shop Christmas Open House - 19374 Collier Ridge Road , Guilford , Indiana . Shop open 10AM-6PM , Thursday , Friday , Saturday . Open 11AM-5PM , Sunday . Unique shop features home decor , furniture and antiques . 812- 487-8008 or email thegreenbriarshop @ comcast . net .

Dearborn County Convention , Visitor and Tourism Bureau 320 Walnut Street Lawrenceburg , Indiana 47025 1-800-322-8198