“Darke County Dave” will make Ohio Debut

( Columbus )-- Punxsutawney PA has Phil, but all he does is predict the weather.

Darke County , Ohio , however, has Dave, who will make his economic forecasting debut tomorrow at the Chamber of Commerce's Groundhog Day Breakfast Event.

Dave, a local hog, will choose between a trough of sawdust or one of sugar to gauge the appeal of the economy.

Darke County Chamber of Commerce member Jim Buchy and Chamber Ambassador Ray Donadio will kick off the inaugural forecasting event. Chamber Chairman and Commissioner Terry Hayworth and Jim Leftwich, COO of the Dayton Development Coalition, will discuss the local economy.

Treasurer Cordray is the keynote speaker.

Cordray, who studied economics at Oxford and who attended the University of Chicago , home of the most Nobel-winning economists anywhere, is often invited to speak about financial issues. He admitted to feeling a bit apprehensive about his keynote engagement tomorrow, however.

“I am familiar with bear and bull markets, but hogs are a new one on me. I hope my take on things will be sufficiently palatable.”

The event's primary sponsor is the Darke County Association of Realtors. Sponsor of the Breakfast meal is the Darke County Pork Producers.

The event begins at 8 a.m. at Romer's Catering, 118 East Main Street in Greenville .