#tbt On this date, September 5 : "Miami-Middletown" ceremoniously opens, "The Dixie" closes and the Cincinnati Reds honor Middletown Journal Sports Editor

On today’s ThrowBack Thursday blog, we recall three local news items published in different years on this date, September 5. Their subjects ? Education, movie drive-ins, Reds baseball and a longtime Middletown Journal newsman!  

Do you remember: 

September 5, 1966 – Dedication day for the new Middletown Campus of Miami University in Middletown, Ohio. Its director, Dr. C. Eugene Bennett, led the ceremony’s call to order. Pictured above are Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes (center), Colin Gardner Jr. (left) and Logan T. Johnston (right).

You’ll find these photos and more on MidPointe Library’s Digital Archives : www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary > Digital Archives > September 5  

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The weekend of September 5, 1997 – The last movies at Middletown’s Dixie Drive-In on South Main Street are presented. They are “Batman and Robin – Action Adventure with George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger” and “Air Force One -- Action with Harrison Ford.”  

The above newspaper advertisement for the Dixie’s final movies can be found in the September 5, 1997, issue of the Middletown Journal, available for viewing on microfilm at MidPointe’s Middletown location or online at www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary > Research Databases > Magazines and Newspapers > Newspaper Archive > Middletown Journal. 

Photos showing the drive-in after its closing appear on MidPointe’s Digital Archives: www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary > Digital Archives > September 5  

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September 5, 1997 – The Middletown Journal publishes a front-page photo of its Executive Sports Editor, Jerry Nardiello, being honored by the Cincinnati Reds on the occasion of his 50-year anniversary at the newspaper. The photo shows Nardiello shaking hands with Reds owner Marge Schott. He was also presented a special Reds jersey.

The tribute took place at Cincinnati’s Cinergy Field, where Nardiello “threw out the ceremonial first pitch” prior to a game.  

The veteran newspaperman “...strode to the Cinergy Field mound at 7:23 p.m., wearing his sleeveless home white Cincinnati Reds jersey with ‘Nardiello’ emblazoned across the back, just above the number 50....The stadium’s public address announcer recognized Nardiello and commended him for his years of service to The Journal and the people of Middletown...And with that, he delivered the pitch…” 

Access the above article on microfilm at MidPointe’s Middletown location, 125 South Broad Street, or online at: 

www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary > Research Databases > Magazines and Newspapers > Newspaper Archive > Middletown Journal 

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Do you love baseball? The Cincinnati Reds? At MidPointe Library we’ve got those bases covered!  

With keywords “baseball” or “Cincinnati Reds” you’ll find lots to borrow at www.midpointelibary.org > Catalog Search 

and/or 

www.midpointelibrary.org > eLibrary 

All that’s required to check out an item is a free MidPointe Library card! Sign up for your card at any MidPointe location : 

Middletown, West Chester, Trenton, Monroe, Liberty Township (2nd floor, Liberty Center) and onboard our Library On Wheels, formerly known as The Bookmobile.