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Archives for February 2018

Luminaries of Dayton: Frederick P. Beaver

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Frederick P. Beaver was founder and president of the Beaver Soap Company. He was born in Dayton on November 29, 1845. He was the son of J. N. F. and Caroline (Snyder) Beaver, both natives of Pennsylvania. For some years J. N. F. Beaver was one of Dayton’s active business men, first engaged in the manufacture of candy, and later in selling coal and wood. Still later he became engaged in the wholesale notion business with Jacob Coffman, under the firm name of Coffman & Beaver.

Frederick was educated in the public schools of Dayton, and at the age of sixteen was a paper carrier. Afterward he took a business course, and in 1863 accepted a position as bookkeeper with Chamberlain & Parker. On May 12, 1864, he enlisted in the 100 days’ service during the Civil War, and, after serving his time in the army, returned to Dayton, re-entered the employ of Chamberlain & Parker, and remained with them until 1869.

In the early 1870s, he purchased the interest of Edward Sweet, in the firm of Chadwick & Sweet, furniture dealers, and changed the name to Chadwick & Beaver, remaining in this business for five years. Mr. Beaver then established the Silver Star baking powder business, which lasted but a few months, and in which he lost most of his earnings; but, not daunted by failure, he then in 1879, started the Beaver Soap Company. The company proved successful and manufactured the brands: Grandpa’s Wonder, Beaver’s Pine Tar and Grandma’s Laundry Soap. In 1885 he accepted as a partner W. D. Chamberlin and the firm name then became Beaver & Co. In September 1893, the business was incorporated under the name of the Beaver Soap Company. Mr. Beaver was married, November 29, 1893, to Miss Emma J. Thompson, daughter of Ralph and Mary J. Thompson, of Terre Haute, Indiana.

Frederick P. Beaver died on January 4, 1936 at the age of 90. He is located in Section 113 Lot 107.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.

Hamburger Wagon Rolls into 105th Year + WIN FREE BURGERS !!

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The Hamburger Wagon is approaching its 105th anniversary.  Some love them, some don’t. If you have not tried them yet, what are you waiting for ??  **

** NOW IS YOUR CHANCE, COMMENT BELOW and YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN 10 Burgers or 5 Doubles!**

Sherman “Cocky” Porter in the soaked streets from the 1913 Great Flood

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on the BEGINNING OF THE HAMBURGER WAGON:

The year was 1913. Daytonians know this as the year of the Great Flood of 1913.   The city was decimated by flood waters and finding fresh food that had not been contaminated was tough.  Miamisburg was no exception as floodwaters from the Great Miami River wreaked havoc in the village.  Miamisburg was virtually under water.  In emergency response, the Red Cross set up tents for displaced residents and workers at the top of the Mound Hill.

One of volunteers, made a decision that day, that would change history in Miamisburg.  His name was Sherman “Cocky” Porter. He knew with the cold weather, people needed a warm food which was easy to produce in mass quantities.   He decided on an old favorite family recipe of hamburgers.  The tasty burgers were a huge hit and grew in popularity across the city.

The Book that put The Hamburger Wagon in the top 100 in the USA”

As the floodwaters receded, the tent city closed and life in Miamisburg returned to normal.  But by then an addiction had been started.  Miamisburg residents loved the little “Porter Burgers” so much that he kept up with the demand and served customers everyday.  After the flood, Sherman Porter kept his hamburger wagon open, selling burgers on Saturdays. They were so popular it soon became a full-time operation and the rest is history.  Fast forward to 2018 – One Hundred and Five Years Later, and not much has changed.

HERE’S THE SKINNY on TODAY‘S HAMBURGER WAGON:

—The wagon you see today is not the original on, it is a refurbished , close replica.

 

— in 2018 The Hamburger Wagon menu has 5 items:
Hamburger $1.25
Chips $1.25
Can of Pop $1.25
Double Burger $2.50 

—The burgers are smashed cooked/flash fried in a deep, iron pan in an inch of oil.  They are topped with a round white  onion slice, a pickle sliced long ways.   The burgers are given a shake of salt and pepper.  The result is a one of a kind taste and a signature crunch.

The Legendary Burger from Hamburger Wagon

— On very busy days, the wagon sells around 1,500 burgers

—Super Secret Hamburer Wagon Meat Recipe:  For over 100 years the recipe has been a guarded and secured in a vault of secrecy.  Rumors abound of a little bit of sausage being in the meat, but Food Adventures cannot confirm or deny this.

—The Hamburger Wagon’s mantra is “We don’t need no stinking condiments, no cheeses or sloppy sauces.”

 

Six people have owned the Hamburger Wagon over the century, the latest being Dayton native, Jack Sperry.

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE OWNER, JACK SPERRY:

— In 2008 Jack bought the Hamburger Wagon, and has since launched 2 more mobile wagons for private events, parties

Wagon Owner, Jack Sperry

and festivals.

— Jack is a former All State Football player at Centerville High School for the class of 1980.  He is also an Ohio state graduate.

— Mr. Sperry has 2 daughters and is very involved with Miamisburg happenings.  For example, he is instrumental in organizing the Rock N Green tomato festival each year in Miamisburg.

 

 

NATIONAL RECOGNITION:
The Book “Hamburger America” gave The Hamburger Wagon a national shout out in their book.  The book highlights their opinion of the best 150 hamburgers in the USA.

 

Smashing and splashing – frying up burgers

MUST EATS at the HAMBURGR WAGON:

—THE HAMBURGERS:
You have to try the legend. Take a bite out of the icon with the crisp onion and pickle. Devour the crunchy patty, and take a step back in time. The burger bun also adds to the goodness.

—THE DOUBLE:
The Big Ragu says this is the best thing on the menu. Why? Because the onion can be a little powerful, and the double deadens some of that. Breathe less fire, get the double burger.

 

The bottom line is that if you are bit of a Food Adventurer, you will have already tried these  or will be trying them soon.  Go for the single and double – tell us which one you like better.

*****WANT TO WIN 10 BURGERS or 5 DOUBLES?  You can have lunch with the Big Ragu and Food Adventure Crew on a bench or get them to go .  TO ENTER THE CONTEST COMMENT BELOW AT THE END OF THE PHOTOS *****

Feel free to browse the gallery of photos below.

For more of Dayton’s iconic foods, follow FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking here.  Don’t forget to check back each and every week for our feature article right here on Dayton Most Metro !

 

The Double Burger !

Eat this !

Damn strong onion

Line em up !

Fry daddy

Big Ragu thanks you

A Triple Double – Ragu stacked 3 double burgers up

squish, spin, fry and repeat

tucked away like puppies

A Hamburger from the wagon awaits you

Drink choices are water and pops

its a wagon

Ragu says bring in MIKESELLS !

View from downtown

Big Ragu chomps a burger

oooh that onion

No stinkin condiments

Lay em out serve it up

Hurry up – weeze hungry

America at its best

Big or little orders

Pickles and buns

since 1913

We loves dem burgers

Slide a burger on

Big Ragu says try the doubles

Miamisburgs gift to the world

Big Ragu and You – eating burgers on a bench

Sing For Your Supper

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“Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun”

How many of you sang the above jingle?

On Tuesday, Feb. 6th between  3-7 pm customers who sing the old Big Mac commercial jingle  at one of the 14 participating Scott Family McDonald’s locations in Miami County, Sidney and Huber Heights can choose one of the three Big Mac sandwiches offered at the restaurant for free.

Locations for the contest are in Piqua, Tipp City, Troy and Sidney, as well as the Huber Heights store on Merrily Way.

‘Sex with Strangers’ Review – Human Race Theatre Company – Time’s Up?

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Jennifer Johansen (Olivia) and Ben Palacios (Ethan) star in the Human Race Theatre Company’s local premiere of Sex with Strangers. (Photos by Scott J. Kimmins)

Harvey Weinstein. Kevin Spacey. Charlie Rose. Matt Lauer. Russell Simmons. Casey Affleck. James Franco. Al Franken. Roy Moore. Donald Trump. Ethan Strange. Ethan Strange? You haven’t heard of Ethan Strange? Well, let me fill you in. Ethan is the fictional best-seller who slept with random women for a year, posted his titillating sexcapades on his blog, secured half a million followers, and ultimately wooed Hollywood. However, when faced with the potential love of his life, can Ethan overcome his bad boy reputation and scandalous past which sought pleasure in demeaning young women? This is one of many pertinent and engrossing questions former House of Cards writer Laura Eason poses in her provocative and topical 2014 off-Broadway dramedy Sex with Strangers, currently receiving a first-rate local premiere courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company at the Loft Theatre.

Ben Palacios, just as handsome and chiseled in face and abs as he was three years ago as spunky Spike in the Race’s production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, was absolutely born to play man-child Ethan. Playful yet aggressive, self-absorbed yet attentive, and immature yet shrewd, Palacios creates a fascinating enigma, which makes it very difficult to figure out how Ethan should be perceived. Is he a lost cause? The eternal frat boy who won’t grow up? Can he be held accountable? Can he be redeemed? Can all the women from his past be believed?  Regardless, and perhaps most importantly, Palacios is attractive, seductive, sly, and convincing throughout to allow you to believe any woman could fall under Ethan’s magnetic spell. After all, his sex appeal is a crucial catalyst driving this steamy play considering Ethan meets failed novelist Olivia while snowbound at a bed and breakfast in rural Michigan, cozily conceived by scenic designer Eric Moore. After a few moments of cutesy small talk overflowing with unmistakable chemistry, sparks and clothing fly, smoothly overseen with passionate intimacy by director Greg Hellems and accented with pulsating music by sound designer Jay Brunner.

Jennifer Johansen (Olivia) and Ben Palacios (Ethan) in Sex with Strangers. (Photos by Scott J. Kimmins)

Portrayed by the luminous Jennifer Johansen, a memorable Masha opposite Palacios in the aforementioned Vanya, Olivia arises as a strong, complex woman who doesn’t need the validation and encouragement Ethan readily offers. “I hate to reminisce about sex,” she boldly states, which is the polar opposite of Ethan’s perspective on the subject. Olivia’s genuine passion for literature, from the smell of old books to reflection on great authors, fuels her contentment despite a fading career and recently resorting to teaching to pay the bills. When Ethan invites her to self-publish under a pseudonym on a brand new literary app he’s created, the temptation is real. But why would she fall so easily for Ethan’s emotional and professional advances, essentially being made into his online image? Is she tempted by the allure of a breakthrough or simply the allure of a younger man? Johansen’s performance encompasses both temptations beautifully. In fact, when Olivia discovers the depth of Ethan’s abuse, particularly the fact that he left intoxicated girls unconscious in their own vomit, there’s still something within her that leads you to believe the last straw will never truly be the last straw. Ethan has grown too palpable, exciting and electric. All of these emotions are on display in Johansen’s superb body language as the play reaches its suspenseful conclusion.

Jennifer Johansen (Olivia) and Ben Palacios (Ethan) in Sex with Strangers. (Photos by Scott J. Kimmins)

Some plays mature with time and Eason’s work certainly has. What are we to make of her compelling look at ambition, betrayal, friendship, romance, and unbridled sexuality as powerful men across the country have been accused of demoralizing and sexually harassing women in many industries from the soundstage to the boardroom? If you’re looking for an entertaining, thought-provoking outing, consider the intellectual and physical heat of Sex with Strangers.

 

Sex with Strangers continues through Feb. 18 in the Loft Theatre of the Metropolitan Arts Center, 126 N. Main St., Dayton. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings; 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesdays evenings; and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. There will be a post-show talkback after the Feb. 11 performance. Act One: 60 minutes; Act Two: 45 minutes. Tickets are $35-$50 for adults; $32-$46 for seniors; and $17.50-$25 for students. There are a limited number of $12 and $25 side area seats available for each performance. Call (937) 228-3630 or visit www.humanracetheatre.org or ticketcenterstage.com. Patrons are advised the play contains partial nudity, strong language and adult themes.

 

 

Superba Hoppy Pils To Debut Thursday

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On Thursday, February 8th Warped Wing Brewing Co. will be releasing both draft and 6-pack 12oz cans of Superba Hoppy Pils in their taproom. Superba has an ABV of 5.4% and 35 IBU’s.

Superba Hoppy Pils is just Superba Hoppy PilsSuperba Hoppy Pilsone in an ongoing seasonal Lager-style series being launched by the brewery this year. Look for more to follow.
“There is some remarkable beer history in Dayton”, said Nick Bowman VP/Sales & Marketing and Managing Partner at Warped Wing. “We wanted to embrace that heritage, by resurrecting a Dayton beer name from the past while putting a contemporary spin on the beer recipe” said Bowman.

About the Olt’s Brother’s Brewing Company:

During prohibition the company temporarily manufactured soft drinks, made Polar Distilled Water, and distributed dairy products.  The company built a swimming pool on McGee Street. After prohibition ended, the Olt’s Brother’s Brewing Company opened again, selling Olt’s Beer, Olt’s Ale, and Olt’s Superba Beer. Year later the company was sold to the Bruckmann Company, a company of brewer agents.  No product was brewed after 1942.

Copy on the Superba can reads:

  1. The end of dark times begin. Prohibition is tamed, and soft drinks become hard drinks once again. Beer brands are reborn. Superba hoppy pils. designed to quench the tastes that live between IPA’s and pilsner’s. Get Noble hop aroma and flavor with a medium hop bitterness. Find your hoppy place.

To celebrate the release, Warped Wing will be hosting a party on Thursday, February 8th at 5PM in the brewery taproom. Some of the Olt family members with be on hand to celebrate the occasion and share stores about their family’s brewery . Superba Hoppy Pils draught will be available in draft and 6-pack 12oz will be available for carryout. The beer will be released to retail partners Tuesday, February 13th.

 

Award Winning Documentary Filmmaker To Speak at Wittenberg

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In celebration of Black History Month, Wittenberg University welcomes Elisabeth Haviland James, documentary filmmaker, to present the visual arts residency at 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 5-6, at the Springfield City School District’s John Legend Theater at The Dome, 700 S. Limestone Street, as the 2017-18 Wittenberg Series continues.

A screening of her films Althea and The Loving Story will be shown each day, respectively, followed by a discussion with James, a film producer, director and editor based in Durham, N.C., where her company, Thornapple Films, is headquartered. The screening of Althea on Feb. 5 also honors National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which takes place Feb. 7.

In 2014, she launched The Falconbridge Collection LLC with her spouse and partner, Revere La Noue, to house their new documentary project, Overland, about falconers around the world and the stories that connect across borders.

In 2015, James was named one of two film fellows in the state by the North Carolina Arts Council. She is the producer and editor of Althea, a feature documentary about pioneering tennis icon Althea Gibson, which was the season opener for PBS’ prestigious American Masters series in September 2015.

Her documentary feature-directing debut, In So Many Words, premiered at the 2013 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and has screened at festivals, museums and conferences around the country. James was also the producer and editor of The Loving Story for which she was short-listed for an Academy Award and won a George Foster Peabody Award and an Emmy Award (Best Historic Program).

A consulting editor to the Farmer Veteran Project and a creative advisor to Sundance darling, Private Violence, James is a graduate of the M.A. program in documentary film and video at Stanford University, where she produced and directed four award-winning short documentaries. Her thesis film, Net Loss, was awarded the Nicholas Roosevelt Award for Environmental Journalism. Her other short films include Flaunt, Worms at Work and Precipice, a national finalist for the 2002 Academy Award in the student documentary category. Other recent credits include producer of The Good Fight and co-producer of The Lord God Bird.

James has worked as a director, producer, cinematographer and photographer with a number of media clients including La Noue, Rex Pix Films, Augusta Films, Roland Films, HBO, PBS, MTV, White Mountain Films, Paul Alexander, National Geographic, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Burt’s Bees and others. Additionally, she has taught documentary filmmaking at Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies and as an artist in residence at the Oklahoma Arts Institute.

Book Fair Awards $30,000 to Local Charities

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On Friday, February 2nd  the Book Fair Foundation presented checks for ten thousand dollars each to the Artemis Center, Caesar’s Ford Theatre Co. and Dayton Public Radio; all beneficiaries of the proceeds from the 2017 Dayton Book Fair in  a reception held at the 804 Meeting Space on Monument.

Larkin Vonalt, Book Foundation Executive Director

The mission of the Book Fair Foundation, Inc. is to receive and collect donated books which we resell through an annual book fair and other channels in order to raise money for a variety of charitable interests. In addition, we also redistribute donated books to schools, clinics, nursing homes, soup kitchens, the county jail, and other entities where books are needed.

Their annual Book Fair is held the second weekend in November at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio.

Each year the Foundation chooses three beneficiaries from applications of local non-­‐profit organizations to receive the proceeds from Ohio’s largest book fair, which takes place the second weekend in November at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

2018 Dayton Book Fair Beneficiaries are:

We Care Arts – a non-profit organization that helps developmentally disabled adults and youth achieve greater personal independence. Through a variety of art classes and experiences, we promote the artist’s individuality, self esteem, community skills, ability to focus, life skills, responsibility, confidence and job skills.

Through the creation and sale of their individually crafted items, artists are able to affirm their self worth, take steps back into the mainstream of society and receive a supplemental income. We Care Arts provides all training and materials to artists and a portion of the proceeds of all sales is returned to the artist. The remainder goes back to program funding.

 

Rebuilding Together Dayton – Rebuilding Together Dayton is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization that assists low-income Dayton homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, to live in warmth, safety and independence by building community partnerships and providing home rehabilitation.  Rebuilding Together Dayton is the only organization in the Miami Valley dedicated to rehabbing owner-occupied homes for low-income homeowners at no cost. Through in-kind labor and donated materials, Rebuilding Together Dayton is able to expand every dollar raised into $4.

 

Victory Project – The Victory Project breaks down the walls of captivity. By undoing the youths isolated experiences, we expose them to the potential of a positive socioeconomic standing through education, entrepreneurship and enlightenment. Our youth no longer depend on a criminal or social system which can enable their destructive lifestyles. Finding freedom and independence by obtaining marketable skills which will allow them to compete in the world. Empowering our young men to discover the life God intended. This vision is directly reflected in our motto: “It’s Less About What We Do And More About What We Undo.”

5 Fabulous Fundraisers in February

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The fact that Dayton was recognized on the Travelocity list of  25 Most Giving Cities in the U.S. is no surprise to us at MostMetro.com.  Having put together the most comprehensive list of charity events in the region for the last 10 years, we’ve seen how many people are willing to give back and help others in this community.   We’ve got a list of area fish fry’s that make a difference to so many and each week, Fifth Street Brewpub allows different non-profits to guest bartend each Monday to raise funds and Old Scratch Pizza has  Cones for a Cause Program that has raised over $20,000 dollars for area charity’s in the past year and Warped Wing Brewery  and Milano’s are just a couple  of the  local businesses that have established fundraising programs.

It’s hard to choose which events to support each month, but here are suggestions for February Fundraisers:

 

 

A Special Wish Foundation Annual Valentines Dance

Friday, February 9 @ 7 pm – 11:30 pm  $150/person

A Special Wish Foundation – Dayton has been making special wishes come true for local children for over 30 years. These wishes wouldn’t be possible without the continued generosity of the community. I ask you to join ASW and continue to give local wish kids and their families’ memories that will last a lifetime.

The 13th Annual Valentines Dance benefiting The Dayton Chapter of A Special Wish Foundation is the area’s only wish-granting organization!  This fun and unique event will be held at the Wright State University Nutter Center on Friday, February 9th, 2018.

featured dancer header

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The Legend of GEEK GALA 2018

February 17 @ 9:30 pm   $5  for anyone in costume. $10 for everyone else

Geek Gala is Dayton’s hottest costume dance party for a cause. Last year, you helped raise over $2200 for Extra Life Dayton in support of Dayton Children’s Hospital. This year, we will once again have video game consoles set up for you to play, as well as the regular arcade cabinets and pinball Blind Bob’s always has in the back. Also, VR!

New this year: The Legend of Geek Gala Costume Contest, judged by staff from Through the Ages Fabric, We will have some killer prizes to be announced later.   All costumes welcome! This is a judgement-free party!

Sorry, kiddos; this event is for adults 21+ only.

Do you want to help our cause, but dance parties not really your thing? Consider making a donation here:
https://www.extra-life.org/participant/The-Legend-of-Geek-Gala-2018

If you have a business and would like to donate a prize or gift certificate for our raffle or costume contest, please send an email to [email protected] need all the prize support we can get!     For more information on Extra Life, visit www.extra-life.org

Bud Light Bar Stool Open North

February 24 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm   $180 entry fee per team of four 

 

Put together a team of four and join us for a crazy-fun 9-hole indoor miniature golf outing in 9 bars throughout North Dayton on Saturday, February 24, 2018! Click here for more info!

Proceeds benefit local children and adults with disabilities at United Rehabilitation Services!

All teams are required to bring their owner putter and ball and have a designated driver. The participating bars, in rotation order, are Rip Rap Roadhouse, Little York Tavern, Submarine House, Wings, Shiloh Athletic Club, Bolts Sports Cafe, Oscar’s, Hinders and Tony’s Bada-Bing.  Volunteers are also needed for this event!

 

Bowling For Pride

February 24 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm    $20

Join the fun at the 11th Annual Bowling for Pride! Last year was the biggest crowd ever , and this year is shaping up to beat that. Gather your team and be sure to get to the registration early! Don’t have a team, no worries, we’ll find one for you!

Check in time is 1pm, Bowling begins at 2pm and the event is generally over by 4pm.

With  got over 140 raffle prizes- buy a ticket for a good chance to win, and you can buy a chance to win the ‘Rainbow Strike Jackpot’. The snack bar will be open so you can buy lunch and adult beverages, too.

Tickets $20 (includes shoe rental)

10 Health(ish) Snacks for Your Super Bowl Party!

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I know nothing about football, or the Super Bowl but snacks? Well, I know a great deal about those. I recently asked my Happy Platers group what snacks they love to munch on at parties to help find healthier options. It seems as though anything you can dip a chip into and those tasty little meatballs are a hit. So I scoured the internet and my favorite health blogs for some options to keep the menu light but tasty. These ideas and recipes will you help you avoid munching away mindlessly and having regrets on Monday! (aside from being it Monday)

10 Super Snacks Made Healthier

Photo Credit Cooking Light

Glazed Cocktail Meatballs – RECIPE

By skipping high sodium ingredients like ketchup and chili sauce and swapping bread crumbs with whole grain bulgur this recipe stills packs taste without bloat.

Cauliflower Pizza Bites – RECIPE

Because who the heck doesn’t love a pizza muffin? The two words together are just magical. This is one recipe I can’t wait to make. Just like your regular pizza, you can alter the ingredients the match toppings you typically love!

No Bake Brownies – RECIPE

FACT. If it’s made with ganache, I will NOSH. The Minimalist Baker is one of my favorite blogs changing the way I view dessert and how many options I really have, despite making so many dietary changes! After anything salty, I need something sweet. And what’s a party without brownies anyway? This recipe has FIVE ingredients and is super easy to make!  Walnuts, Almonds, Dates, Cacao (or cocoa) Powder + Nibs, Sea Salt

Photo Credit The Minimalist Baker

Really, that’s it!

Here’s 5 UH-MAZING DIPS that well won’t stop that scale from dipping.

Goat Cheese Queso Dip With Vegetable Chips 

Blue Cheese Bacon Dip

Healthier 7 Layer Dip 

Guilt Free Artichoke & Kale Dip

Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip

Moving along to a fan favorite, CHICKEN WINGS!

Try this sweet but SAVORY recipe from Domestic Fit for Baked

Photo Credit Jessica in The Kitchen

Brown Sugar Chicken Wings.  

And last, but certainly not least – potato skins. Only this recipe uses sweet potatoes and lighter ingredients!

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS

Let’s face it, sometimes we just want to use the recipe we always have and that’s fine too. Be mindful of high sodium and when an option, choose low salt ingredients. When it comes to sour cream – you can swap with Greek Yogurt to make it light. If you’re going to have chips – choose baked but an even better option for your dips is veggies! And last but not least – always remember one golden rule – everything in moderation. If your Super Bowl Party is your one cheat day, have the snack you want but watch your portions and drink lots of water 😉

Have a happy healthy weekend and I hope whatever team you’re cheering for wins!

That’s all for now.

Shana

WSU Theater Takes On Grapes of Wrath

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Wright State University presents a riveting, emotional, timely, and ensemble-driven production of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, a powerful story of humanity, tragedy and hope during the Great Depression. Watching the American Family attempt to survive in the face of adversity, especially when dire situations threaten to keep them from moving forward, cuts deep, particularly throughout Act 2.

Marya Spring Cordes provides wonderfully atmospheric, physical and intimate direction including a superb transition when Ma Joad (a strong and earthy Alexia Vlahos) consoles Rose of Sharon (MacKenzie Stephens) as a rousing square dance unfolds. In addition to Vlahos and Stephens, terrific portrayals extend to Dylan Tacker (a very endearing Tom Joad), Louis Kurtzman (ladies’ man Al Joad), Isaac Ingle (continuing his winning patriarch track record as Pa Joad), Eli Davis (kooky Grandpa), Aaron Roitman (strikingly conveying the cheerful and cowardly duality of Connie Rivers, Rose of Sharon’s spineless husband), Nick Martin (mentally challenged Noah Joad and also outstanding as Joe Pitt in a student-produced Angels in America last weekend), Jeremy Farley (a fiery Floyd Knowles), Brynnan McNeill (ultra-religious Elizabeth Sandry), and many more.

Set designer Pam Knauert Lavarnway, lighting designer Emily Hope, projection designer Matthew Benjamin, costumer Elizabeth Bourgeois, sound designer James Dunlap, choreographer Taylor Patrick, fight choreographer Bruce Cromer, and dialect coach Deborah Thomas provide expert work.

Dunlap and Rick Good supply authentically tuneful original folk songs as well. The Grapes of Wrath, featuring a truly unforgettable final scene defining compassion to the utmost, continues through Feb. 11 in WSU’s Festival Playhouse. Tickets run about $20 and can be purchased online here.

 

Reba, Roger Daltry, Jim Gaffigan Coming to Fraze

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The one-and-only REBA McEntire is returning to Fraze Pavilion on Saturday, August 4, 2018. Her previous performance in 2015 on the Fraze Pavilion stage was a quick sell-out. Don’t miss getting tickets to see this multi-talented singer with 35 No. 1 singles and over 56 million albums sold worldwide. Reba’s 13th consecutive #1 album Sing It Now: Songs Of Faith & Hope topped both the Billboard Country and Christian/Gospel charts, bolstering her successful record of 35 No. 1 singles and over 56 million albums sold worldwide. The double-disc collection, released jointly on Nash Icon Records / Capitol Christian Music Group, earned Reba her first GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year and won the 2018 GRAMMY Award for Best Roots Gospel Album.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member has won 15 American Music Awards, 14 ACM Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 6 CMA Awards and 2 Grammy Awards, in addition to other philanthropic and leadership honors. During her 2011 All The Women I Am Tour, Pollstar and Billboard’s Boxscore named Reba the No. 1 female Country touring artist with a combined total of over 9 million tickets sold in her career.

Recently, Kentucky Fried Chicken announced that REBA is the first ever globally-known music superstar to play the role of Colonel Harland Sanders.

The Oklahoma native is an acclaimed actress with 11 movie credits to her name, a lead role on Broadway in Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun and starred in the six-season television sitcom Reba.

Tickets for Reba range from $59 to $139 in advance and GO ON SALE Saturday, February 10th at 10am

Fraze Pavilion is pleased to be one of only 10 venues this summer to welcome Roger Daltrey performing The Who’s “TOMMY” with members of The Who Band and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra on July 2nd.

The performance at Fraze Pavilion will feature full orchestral backing by members of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Daltrey and his band will be showcasing the beloved classics from the 1969 rock opera, including “Pinball Wizard,” “See Me, Feel Me” and more.

Considered one of the seminal albums of the rock canon, last year The Who played all of TOMMY for the first time in 28 years at the Royal Albert Hall in London as part of a benefit concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust. Roger performed it in its entirety with his band during his 2011 solo tour. The opportunity to bring an orchestral dynamic to the raw emotion and cathartic impact of the songs that cemented Daltrey’s legacy as a vocal powerhouse adds a compelling dimension to the music’s timelessness.

Daltrey comments, “I’m really looking forward to singing TOMMY, not only with my great backing group, but also some of the finest orchestras in the country. Pete Townshend’s rock music is particularly suited to being embellished by the sounds that an orchestra can add to the band. With the arrangements written by David Campbell, it should make a memorable night of entertainment for all those who love the arts.”

Tickets range from $60 to $120 in advance and GO ON SALE tomorrow, February 3rd at 10am

He’s back and funnier than ever! Jim Gaffigan returns to Fraze Pavilion from his sell-out performance in 2016. Don’t miss out on “The Fixer Upper Tour” on July 27th.  Gaffigan is a three-time Grammy nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, two-time New York Times best-selling author, Pollstar nominated, top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling father of five. He is known around the world for his unique brand of humor which largely revolves around fatherhood and his observations on life.

Gaffigan, who is one of the world’s highest grossing stand-up comedians according to Forbes, is currently on his Noble Apeinternational arena and theater comedy tour, with dates in China, Japan, England, Canada, Paris, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, etc. This past January, he premiered his fifth one hour stand up special, Cinco, on Netflix, who also purchased the exclusive rights to Gaffigan’s four other stand-up specials in an unprecedented deal. The album version of Cinco, Gaffigan’s fifth album, became available on June 13th and during that week, Gaffigan had 6 albums in the top 10 comedy albums list on iTunes. Cinco garnered impressive reviews, with A.V. Club calling Jim, “One of our most intelligent observational humorists.”  Tickets range from $45 to $65 in advance and GO ON SALE tomorrow, February 3rd at 10am

Grab your cowboy hat and boots when country music legend Neal McCoy takes the Fraze Pavilion stage on June 24th.  Country singer Neal McCoy has released fifteen studio albums, and has released 34 singles to country radio. In 1993, Neal McCoy broke through with the back-to-back number 1 singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” from his platinum-certified album No Doubt About It.

His success continued with two more platinum albums and a gold album, as well as six more Top Ten hits into the late 1990s. A seventh Top Ten hit, the #10 “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On,” came in 2005 from McCoy’s self-released That’s Life.

Music of Your Life, a blend of big band jazz and country with Les Brown, Jr. was recorded for a public television special that appeared in 2011, and a new studio album, XII, arrived in 2012. In 2013 he released Pride: A Tribute to Charley Pride, Neal’s long time friend and mentor. 2015 brought the Big Band Standards CD You Don’t Know Me. Neal has been on 15 USO Tours around the world and continues to say it’s one of the achievements he’s most proud of.

 

To Get tickets to these Fraze shows:

Fraze FanFare Store
Located inside Town & Country Shopping Center
(East hallway, next to Figlios restaurant)
Stroop Road and Far Hills Avenue
424 E. Stroop Road
Kettering, Ohio 45429
HOURS:
Monday-Friday: 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday: Noon – 5 pm

Fraze Pavilion Ticket Office
Located in Lincoln Park
695 Lincoln Park Boulevard
Kettering, Ohio 45429
HOURS:
Open on show days from 3:00 pm through intermission.

No service fee is charged to tickets purchased at the Fraze Pavilion Ticket Office or the Fraze FanFare store. We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards at both locations. Personal checks are NOT accepted.

Etix Orders

Etix is a source for tickets to all events at the Fraze Pavilion.

Etix Charge by Phone Orders
1-800-514-3849

Online Orders
www.fraze.com
www.etix.com

Buy Tickets Online

Phone and online orders accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover only. A service fee will be added to the price of the tickets when purchased online or charged by phone.

Food Adventures Share SUPER BOWL Chili Recipes

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Tex Mex Chili Recipe

In our monthly Recipe Feature, The Food Adventure Crew tries to warm you up this chilled time of year.  Not to mention, just in time for the big football game, The Super Bowl.

Speaking of bowl, how about a nice bowl of chili?  Today, the Big Ragu shares his 2 favorite recipes for a hearty bowl of goodness.

One recipe uses Fritos and the other uses Esther Price Candy.

One recipe is a TEX MEX CHILI and the second is his SUPER SECRET CINCINNATI STYLE CHILI RECIPE.

Grab a spoon and maybe even a local beer and welcome to your next home-made Food Adventure.

Chili today, Hot Tamale!

Stovetop or Crockpot method works for this Tex Mex recipe.

RECIPE #1 –
TEX MEX CHILI topped with FRITOS:
(Serves 6 hungry foodies)
You can cook this in crock pot or the stove method. Either way it comes out a winner.
Ingredients
1 Pound Ground Beef
1 Medium Onion Chopped
1 (8 ounce) Can Tomato Sauce
1 (14 ounce) Can Diced Tomatoes
1 (Green Pepper, Diced
1 (15 ounce) Can Red Kidney Beans
1 Package Taco Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Bag Fritos Corn Chip
6 TBS Sour Cream
Your favorite Hot Sauce
Jar of cooked jalapeno rings

Large Batches of these chilis are easy to make

Instructions option 1 – Crockpot method
Put all ingredients except cheese, sour cream, fritos and hot sauce into a crock pot, stir and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Ladle into a bowl, top with a dollop of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, fritos and hot sauce. Add a jalapeno ring.(optional)
Instructions option 2 – Stovetop method
Brown meat with a little oil in a large soup pot.
add tomato sauce, green pepper and onion. Then add diced tomatoes, chili beans, chili seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Cook 3-4 hours on medium heat stirring occasionally, lower heat if necessary to avoid splashing or heavy boiling.  Scoop into a bowl, top with a dollop of cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, fritos and hot sauce. Add a jalapeno ring.(optional)

 

Now that was a pretty straightforward recipe … this one however is a bit more intense…

 

Big Ragu’s Cinicnnati Chili Recipe includes Esther Price Candies

You can make Cincinnati Style chili like this at home !

RECIPE #2 –
BIG RAGU’s SECRET CINCINNATI STYLE CHILI RECIPE: (uses Esther Price Candy option)
(Serves 8 hungry foodies)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons sweet paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 pounds ground beef chuck
1 ½ cup chicken broth
Kosher salt
1  six-ounce can tomato sauce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
4 pieces of ESTHER PRICE CANDY or 2 tablespoons chopped unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon cider or red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 pinches Freshly ground pepper
12 ounces cooked spaghetti
1 nineteen-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 pound grated cheddar cheese

Instructions:
Heat the oil in a medium Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add half the chopped onions and the garlic and cook until soft, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, paprika, cumin, allspice, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, red pepper and cloves. Cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the beef and cook the mixture, about 5 minutes stirring, and chopping the beef pieces down to crumbles, until the beef is no longer pink,. Add 1 tablespoon salt.

Brown that ground chuck , baby and stir chop it into crumbles !

Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bay leaf and 1 1/2 chicken broth ; simmer the mixture for 20 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thicker. Add the chocolate, beans, vinegar and Worcestershire and cook until the mixture is thickened but still soupy, about 15 more minutes.
Discard the bay leaf and season the chili with the freshly ground pepper.
Divide the spaghetti among bowls and top with the chili, remaining diced onion and cheddar. – you now have a 5 way !
Serve with oyster crackers and your favorite hot sauce.

Alright Food Adventure fans – that’s your chili lesson of the day.
We hope you enjoy these recipes for years to come. They are perfect for parties or cold nights indoors, so WARM IT UP !!

Want more Dayton food scoop?

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See us right here each week on Dayton Most Metro with a feature article. Feel free to browse the gallery below and comment with your thoughts. #norules

The Cincinnati Chili recipe when finished and loaded has beans, chii, spaghetti, onions, cheese, and hot sauce on top. Serve with oyster crackers

The Tex Mex recipe is an easy one – slow and low is the key !

‘Stella and Lou’ Review – Dayton Theatre Guild – Un-break My Heart

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What becomes of the brokenhearted? In his tender and engaging dramedy Stella and Lou, playwright Bruce Graham firmly believes the emotionally wounded are able to heal with the passage of time but not without significant prodding.

(l to r) Adam Clevenger (Donnie), Amy Taint (Stella) and Geoff Burkman (Lou) appear in the Dayton Theatre Guild’s local premiere of Stella and Lou. (Photo by Craig Roberts)

Directed with gentle realism by J. Gary Thompson in an excellent local premiere by the Dayton Theatre Guild, this charming story of doubts and uncertainties in one’s twilight years, occurring in real time, concerns the friendship between a Philadelphia bar owner and a divorced nurse. Stella (Amy Taint) has had enough of her humdrum life and feels an opportunity to start anew in Florida is her ticket out. “A registered nurse in Florida?,” she quips. “I get off the plane they’re asking for my resume!” However, Stella isn’t sure about venturing into the great unknown alone. So, she asks Lou (Geoff Burkman), still grieving the loss of his wife, Lucille, to join her. With lighthearted assistance from Donnie (Adam Clevenger), one of Lou’s loyal, younger patrons, the play transpires as a quietly engrossing character study detailing the importance of connection, forgiveness, purpose, and choosing to optimistically embrace the future.

 

The expressive Taint, playful, determined and affecting, endearingly captures Stella’s personable spunk and substantial worries. In her capable hands, there’s no denying Stella’s desire to leave the familiar for a fresh start. Yet along the way, her portrayal, which leans toward comedy, dramatically softens and deepens, particularly bringing beautiful credence to Stella’s fear of aging and living a solitary existence. Burkman, seen last season at the Guild as hospital administrator Carr-Gomm in The Elephant Man, is equally sharp and meaningful. Effectively conveying Lou’s beleaguered and weary essence in physicality and conversation, Burkman powerfully uncovers the depths of Lou’s pain as a widower late in Act Two, specifically Lou’s reflections on coming home to an empty house every night and basically resigning himself to a life of endless stagnation. Although Lou is an introvert of his own making, deliberately closing the door to any possibility of romance or companionship, Burkman cracks the character’s tough, unyielding exterior just enough to prove how vital Stella is as the glimmer of hope he’s been waiting for. Clevenger is an admirable presence in a humorous if superfluous role essentially written to digest and counter thoughtful discussions of marriage and relationships. In addition, D. Tristan Cupp’s wonderfully authentic sports bar set is fittingly accented with nifty memorabilia, numerous bottles of alcohol and a dartboard.
Poignant and relatable, Stella and Lou is a refreshing testament to the joy of second chances.

 

Stella and Lou continues through Feb. 4 at the Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. Performances are Friday at 8 pm, Saturday at 5 pm, and Sunday at 3 pm. Act One: 55 minutes; Act Two: 40 minutes. Tickets are $13-$20. For tickets or more information, call (937) 278-5993 or visit daytontheatreguild.org.