It's that time of year again...The Borden Youth Soccer League is gearing up for its fifth year of soccer. We will be signing kids from ages 4 to 14. The season will run during the months of September and October.
    Based on the league’s continued growth and success, the league is again expecting more great things for this upcoming season.
    The Borden Youth Soccer League is made possible by the support from the Borden Parks Board, community members, parents, and local business sponsorships. The league is located in the Borden Community Park off of East Main Street in Borden.
    The second round of sign-ups for the 2007 season of fun-filled soccer will be held on Tuesday July 31, at the Borden Library from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Forms will be provided at time of sign-ups.
    The league will supply the athletes with team shirts and socks. Soccer cleats and black shorts are required
    Each year we also ask parents to assist in several areas that allow us to have a successful season. Those include, but aren’t limited to, coaching or assistant coaching, team moms or field maintenance crews to name a few. If you are interested in an area to assist please make this known when you sign-up your child.
    Please help, the more people that volunteer the easier it is for our league to succeed.
    If you have any questions or need to speak to someone directly you may call Nick Ray, the league’s President, at 967-1375.

    Officials with the Greater Clark County Schools have announced the book rental and school hours for the upcoming school year and other important information.
    Meals
    Breakfast- $1 (30 cents for students qualifying for reduced price meals).
    Lunch- $1.75 (40 cents for students qualifying for reduced price meals).
    Elementary Book Rental
    Half-Day Kindergarten- $35
    Full-Day Kindergarten- $45
    First Grade- $104.50
    Second Grade- $98.50
    Third Grade- $86.50
    Fourth Grade- $82.50
    Fifth Grade- $86
    Middle and high school book rental and other fees depend upon courses taken.
    School Hours
    Elementary Schools:
    Jonathan Jennings Elementary- 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
    New Washington Elementary- 8:20 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.
    Pleasant Ridge Elementary- 8:20 a.m. to 2:40 p.m.
    Middle Schools:
    Charlestown- 8:10 a.m .to 3 p.m.
    New Washington- 8:15 a.m. to 3:03 p.m.
    High Schools:
    Charlestown- 8:13 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    New Washington- 8:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
    Report Cards
    Distribution varies depending on the school’s semester schedule. Each school will alert students and parents about report-card distribution.
    Transportation
    Students will receive bus-route information at registration.
    Registration
    Kindergarten students must be five years old by August 1.
    First grade students must be six years old by August 1.
    Birth certificates, immunization records and proof of address are required for students who were not enrolled in Greater Clark County Schools last year.
    Please bring kindergarten students to registration.
    All Elementary Schools
    All elementary schools in the Greater Clark County Schools System including Jonathan Jennings, Pleasant Ridge and New Washington Elementary Schools will hold registration on Thursday, July 26 for grades kindergarten through fifth grade from 4 to 7 p.m.
    Charlestown Middle School
    Wednesday, August 1 from 4 to 7 p.m.- Sixth grade students.
    Thursday, August 2 from 1 to 7 p.m.- Seventh and Eighth grade students.
    A parent or legal guardian must accompany his/her students in order for the student to register. Students will get their ID pictures taken at registration. Coming at the assigned time will lessen the time you have to wait and will help the process flow smoothly. If you have more than one student to register, you can register them at the same time. The school will only be open at the times listed for registration.
    Charlestown High School
    Schedule Changes Only- Wednesday, August 1: Freshmen- 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. and Seniors from 1 to 2:30 p.m. New Special Ed- By appointment.
    Thursday, August 2- Sophomores- 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and Juniors from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
    New Student Enrollment (students new to CHS/non CMS students) must have made an appointment by July 27.
    Tuesday- July 31- 1 to 2:30 p.m.
    Thursday- August 2- 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.
    Friday- August 3- 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
    Office closed from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
    Registration and Payment
    Friday, August 3- 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.- Seniors and Juniors Only
    Monday, August 6- 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.- Sophomores and Freshmen Only.
    Tuesday, August 7- 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.- Late Registration.
    Office closed from 12 noon to 1 p.m. each day.
    New Washington
    Middle/High School
    Wednesday, August 1- Grades 6-12- 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 to 8 p.m.
    Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3- New Students grades 6-12 not previously enrolled at New Washington Middle/High School can enroll by appointment only. Please call 293-3368.

    Sometimes in life when you are given a rare opportunity you take it and relish in the memories that are made during the time.
   That is just what happened last Thursday evening as a group of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) volunteers and officials converged on Bravo Italian Kitchen in Indianapolis for a special dinner. The featured guest of the evening was MADD National President Glynn Birch.
   A very humble Birch began the evening with a short speech in which he thanked everyone for being there. He then thanked all the volunteers and offered kind words to law enforcement and judges, both of which had representatives in the small group of 25. Jeffersonville City Judge Scott Lewis and Sellersburg Deputy Chief of Police Donald Ross Jr. were invited to the dinner by the local chapter of MADD. Ross is also the Clark County DUI Taskforce Coordinator. When Ross explained what the Clark County DUI Taskforce is doing and the awards they have received he drew a round of applause by those gathered. Lewis also received a round of applause when he discussed what Jeff City Court does with the Ignition Interlock system.
   After the dinner Lewis explained his recent introduction to the local MADD representatives.
   "I enjoy consulting and working with MADD regarding what Jeff City Court is pursuing such as the Ignition Interlock Device on vehicles," Lewis stated. "I believe the mission of MADD is extremely important. MADD is making a significant different in reducing drunk driving. I am impressed with all the enthusiasm and energy of the national, state and local officials of MADD."
   During the dinner Birch continued, "We have lots of important work to do. We have seen an increase in deaths and also an increase in the efforts of MADD."
   Birch then turned to those gathered and asked everyone to introduce themselves. Stories where shared of how they became involved in the organization, stories of losing loved ones including sons and daughters and brothers. The Wabash County MADD organization, which covers six counties, included a victim in their group who enjoyed dinner with Birch.
   Representatives of the local chapter of MADD were also on hand to enjoy dinner and the chance to meet with President Birch.
   Pat McCollum was able to visit with Birch prior to the dinner.
   "I got to the headquarters in downtown Indianapolis, on the north side, about 2:30," she said. "He came in about 3:30 or 4 o’clock."
   McCollum was visibly excited about the opportunity to sit down with Birch and tell him of the wonderful things she and sister, Penny Clark, are doing in Southern Indiana.
   "I just told him about some of the stuff we have going on and the stuff we are getting ready to do. He was very impressed with our planned meeting on the 13^th. He said he wanted to see more people get involved with the officers and he was impressed that we have a working relationship with our officers."
   McCollum and Clark are planning an educational luncheon on August 13 for local School Resource Officers from Southern Indiana and Kentucky.
   McCollum continued about her meeting with Birch, "He knew of us, he’d heard about us. I was able to talk to him about our work with police officers and prosecutors. I told him about our meeting with prosecutors once a month and our work on the Kentucky side. What Penny and I are doing, working in two states, has never been done before."
   She also talked to Birch about the local fairs and festivals that the two sisters have been working to show the presence of MADD in the local area.
   "I also talked to him about the fairs and festivals. We had a wonderful time at the Washington County 4-H Fair’s Kids Day. Everyone kept coming to our booth and talking with us. We couldn’t keep the stuff on the table because of the number of people coming by."
   The dinner for the MADD volunteers in Indiana was actually planned prior to Birch’s arrival in Indiana. He spent a week in Indianapolis attending the Black Expo. Birch wanted to take the opportunity to come to the dinner and personally thank the volunteers.
   "The dinner was already planned. I wanted to get in front of the volunteers and thank them. Volunteers is what makes us successful. This is not because I was here. This is for them, to get them together and introduce them to Kitty."
   Kitty Greene is the new State Executive Director of MADD in Indiana. She has only been in the position for a few months and is still enjoying meeting the volunteers throughout the state.
   Birch continued, "I was excited about the dinner with the volunteers. We had a fantastic dinner at Bravo. This is the best thing to do as National President. Pat (McCollum) and I had a chance to talk a little bit. It is nice to spread the word to the youth and have all the key people together.
   When asked what one thing Birch would say to someone, say a teenager, getting ready to go out and have a few drinks, and then get behind the wheel and drive, he paused for several moments before answering the question.
   "I am asked that a lot. But I don’t think there is just one thing you can say. It’s always hard. I think of what can be put on a flyer that would grab everyone’s attention, it’s just not one thing," Birch explained. "MADD wants you to be responsible. If you have a drink, plan ahead. Have fun but plan ahead to get home safely with your family. What are they going to say if you don’t make it home? It’s just not worth it. Family is the most important thing."
   He concluded, "MADD has been successful the last 27 years because you don’t have to be a victim to understand the pain of losing a loved one. It’s just a matter we’re successful because of people being responsible to think about their family and the end result is do not drink and drive."
   Birch was elected to the National President of MADD in July 2005 for a four year term. He joined MADD after the tragic death of his 21-month old son.
   His son, Courtney, was killed by a drunk driver on May 3, 1988 when he was playing with his cousins at his grandmother’s home and heard the music of an ice cream truck. Of course, being a young child, he followed his cousins outside. He was then hit by a car traveling 70 miles per hour. Courtney’s small body was drug over 150 feet before the car stopped. He was killed instantly.
   After living through the tragedy Birch wanted to share his story and advocate the mission of MADD. Birch is the first male and minority president in the 25-year history of MADD.
   Birch resides in Orlando, Florida and has two grown sons, Adrian and Rahmlee. When he is not out advocating the mission of MADD, Birch enjoys spending time with his four grandchildren.