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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Guest Contributor

Where Makers Get Supplies and Get Inspired In Dayton

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MENDELSON’S LIQUIDATION OUTLET | SUPPORTING MAKERS IN DAYTON SINCE 1960.

Mendelson’s Liquidation Outlet, located in the heart of the Gem City, is “The first place to look for every last thing.” You might wonder how you pack full a half million square foot building. The answer is simple, Mendelson’s buys product overruns, excess inventor, product returns, seconds, and liquidated business assets from all over the world. It is not whether or not they have what you need but rather can you find it. Mendelson’s was founded in 1960 by Harry Mendelson as an electronics surplus store and has grown into a liquidation outlet offering a more diverse range of products.

HOW TO SHOP AT MENDELSON’S

Your first trip to Mendelson’s can be a little intimidating especially if you are the nerdy maker type. Don’t worry, you will be a better maker for it. For millennials like us you rarely get the opportunity to procure goods the way our parents and grandparents did. Haggling and handshakes have been replaced by Amazon and Walmart. Do yourself a favor and jump right into the Mendelson’s shopping experience!

To start, you dig through shelves of electrical components to find that perfect vintage gauge to finish off a project and you take it to the counter and you haggle. There is a mutual understanding, they know you would have a hard time finding such an amazing gem somewhere else and you know it may be 5 years before someone else wants to buy that part. Only fools don’t haggle at Mendelson’s. The rarer the item the more opportunity there is for a deal. Sandy Mendelson is a man of his word and values an old-fashioned handshake deal. The shopping experience mirrors this old-school philosophy many of us miss.

340 EAST 1ST STREET | A HISTORIC BUILDING

The seven-story building was built in 1916 with additions in 1929 & 1940. It is bordered by Race Street, First Street, and Second Street. General Motors built this 539,904 SQFT manufacturing facility, known as Delco Plant #2, to produce electric motors and generators. The building was built for heavy industrial use with 7 elevators including a freight elevator with a 30,000 lb capacity and one of the last manned elevators in the country. The top floor also has remnants of a foundry. Our favorite feature of the building is the 100ft tunnel that connects the basement of Plant #2 with the Delco Lofts building, GM Plant #1. While it’s use has long been discontinued, the thought of workers using this tunnel for many years is humbling. Someday if the current Mendelson’s building is ever turned into condos, gym, bars, community center it would be amazing to see this tunnel repurposed.

WHAT YOU CAN FIND AT MENDELSON’S

When someone asked where to get a certain part of a project we find ourselves constantly recommending they visit Mendelson’s. Many report back that Mendelson’s is the single greatest resource for inventors and makers while others are completely overwhelmed by adventure. We recommend you schedule your own visit.

Electrical: Motors, resistors, potentiometers, switches, buttons, legs, capacitors, wire, heat shrink, power supplies, plugs, bus bars, fuses, tubes, actuators, relays, industrial light fixtures, fans, limit switches, inverters, transformers, power strips, buzzers, alarms, microphones, timers, thermo switches, coils, amplifiers, micro switches, etc

Mechanical: Gears, bearings, linear guides, bolds, screws, nuts, carts, equipment, cable ties, clutches, pneumatic/hydraulic cylinders, springs, valves, magnets, pumps, gauges, chains, sprockets, etc.

Furniture: Banquet chairs, office chairs, kitchen equipment, tables, display cases, shelving, fixtures, hair salon chairs, office supplies, etc.

Just a short list of miscellaneous items: Mannequins, marble countertops, bowling pins, business signage, pizza boxes, NCR cash register parts, dishware, clocks, sporting goods, small engine parts, books, security cameras, furnaces, medical equipment, boots, gloves, etc.

TRUST US. THIS LIST DOES NOT EVEN SCRATCH THE SURFACE!

 

THANKS, SANDY!

A week prior to our visit we reached out to Sandy Mendelson, the owner, and he agreed to give us a full tour of a couple of his buildings in Dayton. We met first thing Saturday morning and were pleasantly surprised that Sandy could spend much of the day with us. While only 2 floors of Mendelson’s are open to the public Sandy declared that nothing is off limits so we hit every floor including the roof and the basement tunnel. Yes, I said tunnel. If you are visiting Mendelson’s and happen across Sandy, ask him to tell you a story. You will not be disappointed. The Mendelson Family is one of many reasons Dayton is the Gem City.

VISIT OR CONTACT MENDELSON’S

Address:
340 E 1st St, Dayton, OH 45402
Across from the Dayton Dragon’s Stadium
Facebook: FOLLOW
Instagram: FOLLOW
Website: VISIT
Phone: (937) 461-3525
This post originally appeared on the Everything Badass blog and is reprinted with permission.
We are Makers | Inventors | Engineers
HQ: Gem City AKA Dayton, Ohio
Redefining what’s Badass!
We share projects and product we love

UpDayton Summit 101

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You’ve been hearing about the UpDayton Summit for weeks now, but what exactly is it? Whether you haven’t been to a one in years or this is your first time, we’re here to explain all that you need to know about our big annual event!

The annual UpDayton Summit is a launchpad for volunteer-powered community projects. At the event, over 200 participants vote to decide which creative young community leaders will receive seed money and the support of UpDayton to bring their ideas to action. Examples of past winning projects include The Longest Table, the #DaytonInspirescampaign and selfie wall, purchasing and installing 70 bike racks in business districts and neighborhoods in the Dayton community, and many others

The UpDayton Summit is hosted at the Dayton Art Institute in its big Shaw Gothic Cloister event space on Thursday, April 26 at 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM. Once you park at the museum and head in the main entrance, Summit volunteers will help guide you to the sign-in and registration tables in the Great Hall. Then there is a fair amount of mingling as everyone arrives, so you can shake hands with the best young professionals in the Dayton area.

As the Summit program begins, we will ask you to turn your attention to the stage area. There our project leaders will each make a short presentation about their ideas for the Gem City. Once the presentations have concluded, you will use the ballot you received when you checked in to vote on your favorite projects. We’ll take a break for some food while the votes are counted, and then we will announce the top three winning projects at the end of the night!

Throughout the evening you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer for UpDayton permanent teams, like Marketing or Advocacy. After the summit is over, check our Facebook page for more information about the first meeting for the winning projects if you want to pitch in to make them a reality.

Are you excited to help make real change in our community? Register for the summit today and save your seat.

Working to Become a Tree City

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The City of Beavercreek is working to become a Tree City USA. The Tree City USA Program is the framework for a healthy, sustainable urban forestry program with substantial benefits. To qualify as a Tree City USA community, the City must meet four standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. The standards that need met are: A Tree Board or Department; Tree Care Ordinance; A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita; and An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

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On November 27, 2017 Beavercreek City Council, by Ordinance, established a “Tree Commission to regulate the planting, care, and removal of trees.” This is a newly created board to advise Council regarding the planting, care and removal of trees. This board will recommend species and variety of trees to be planted within the City, implement an annual Arbor Day observance, and establish and maintain an inventory of City street trees. Board members are Jeff Buerschen, Jeanne Kunay Steve McLane, Stuart Moats, and Matt Hempstead.

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The Tree Advisory Board together with City staff will be responsible for the care of all trees on city owned property and determine who will perform necessary tree work. Involving residents and business owners creates a wide awareness of what trees do for the community and provides broad support for better tree care. “Becoming a tree City USA is a great way to improve community pride. The program helps residents feel good about the place they live and work,” stated Pete E. Landrum, City Manager. Annual recognition shows visitors and prospective residents that trees, conservation, and the environment are important to the community.

To meet another standard, the City will hold an Arbor Day ceremony Friday, April 27, 2018, 6pm at Dominick Lofino Park, 640 Grange Hall Road. The festivities will include planting of a ceremonial tree, activities provided by Greene County Library, and each family will receive a tree to plant in their yard.

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Trees make our city a special place to live. They shade homes, businesses and streets. They clean our air and water, reduce storm water run-off, increase our property values, reduce energy costs and make our neighborhoods greener, safer, and healthier. Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation would highlight the City of Beavercreek’s commitment to urban forestry, community improvement and civic pride.

 

This Guest Post by City Skipper Gal is reposted with permission and originally appeared on CitySkipperGal.com, a blog that features life stories about the people that make our community a wonderful place to live. From Dayton to Cincinnati, get the low down on what people are talking about.

The C word … cancer

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The C word … cancer

a guest post by Rick Cartwright

On September 21, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Hearing the words, ‘cancer’ felt so terminal. Teresa and I were shocked, terrified and overwhelmed. So let me step back a few weeks before continuing.

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Annual physicals are no fun. My annual physical has been in July for several years. It would start with a blood test, and then a visit with the doctor a couple weeks later. July 2017 was no different. At the appropriate time during the physical, the doctor became by best buddy, but this time was different. He had a very serious and preplexed look on his face. He said, “Your prostate has a different texture and does not feel the same”.

That alone may not have been reason for concern, but he noticed that my PSA results had jumped from the normal 1.6 – 1.8 to 3.6. We talked about waiting for a few months, or taking additional steps immediately. In the end, he suggested I see a urologist right away.

It took nearly a month. I meet with a urologist in August. He took my history and then did an exam. He said it was nothing to worry about yet, but that it was not normal. He said it could be a calcium deposit, but he would do an ultrasound and then if necessary a biopsy at our next visit.

The following month, the ultrasound was schedule. The process was not painful, but it was no walk in the park either. Things when well, until I heard him talking … it was not normal, and I new it wasn’t normal when he gave me an injection in the prostate. The biopsy was painful, at least that shot was pure pain. He proceeded to take twelve slices, and I was so glad to be finished with that. He told me many times that my prostate was not enlarged at all, and did not look like the prostate of a 59 year old dude. I kept thinking, just take the whole thing, now please … this hurts.

A week later, September 21, we met with him for the results of the biopsy. Cancer .. that was a punch in the gut. He said, “it’s a very aggressive form of prostate cancer, and you could have weeks or years to live”. My Gleason Score was 7/8. I am sure I was sheet white, and feeling like death had just trumped my hand. A year earlier, my father had been diagnosed with brain cancer, and he passed away on January 23, 2017 .. it was so close, and the word, ‘cancer’ resonated over and over. Not long ago I also lost an uncle to PC, and another had been treated successfully. I was very aware that PC could be a killer, and I didn’t want to be the next victim.

The urologist scheduled an additional test for October 30, and also scheduled a full body bone scan for October 9 at Kettering hospital, and then we parted ways. We were left to deal with the angst alone.

By the way, don’t ask me to explain the Gleason Score in any detail. The scores range from 2 to 10. You add two numbers together, and get a score for each side of the prostate. 8, 9 and 10 are considered an aggressive form of the cancer. That 8 looked very scary, and I was totally freaked out.

Five weeks .. wait 5 weeks for more testing. Who is going to help me with this cancer, and why this test? As it turns out, the doctor, the urologist, was leaving for vacation, and his office was even shutting down for a couple weeks. My mind was on overdrive at this point. I can’t wait .. what do I do?

Once at home, I called my family doctor. After all, he stared this sequence of events with that exam in his office. The most important call of my treatment was that phone call. The scheduler that answer the phone was so patient and kind. I told her I had just been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. She said, “My husband had prostate cancer”. She shared their story. I am not going to share those details, but her kindness and the reassurance helped so much. It was not that she listened .. it was that she engaged with me. She is not paid to do that. She is paid to schedule doctor visits. We talked a long time, and I am so grateful for her patients and attitude.

I met with the family doctor the next day. As it turns out, the nurse that I met with prior to the doctor seeing me was the wife of a prostate cancer survivor. She was also very kind and openly shared their story. My doctor and his staff were amazing all through this. I had a great visit with the doctor, and started to decide on a plan.

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I posted the following words on Facebook soon after I received the news: “Well, this is not the news you want to share with friends. Today I heard those dreaded words … “It’s cancer” .. yes, those words. Yes, the timing is really bad.“

I have been very transparent on social media through this process. The outpouring of love and support has made a big difference. It was in all of that support that I found the strength to move forward and to own my health care.

While my urologist was out, I decided I wanted to see someone at OSU, The James. I considered many alternatives, but I wanted help from someone that worked with prostate cancer every day, and that understood the latest research. I started reading as much as I could find. To me, very early in the process, it seemed that a radical prostatectomy was the right option for me.

I talked to so many people that had survived PC, but a dear friend that had it in his early 50’s reached out to me by email. Those email conversations were the most important. I owe my friend Chris for his understanding, patience and kindness. Thank you, my friend. You made a difference.

I still had this problem .. my urologist was out of town, and my records were in his office. It didn’t matter that I wanted to see someone at OSU, I was stuck. I left a message at their office, then called OSU. They were kind, but they needed my records in order to proceed. I was stuck until someone returned to the urologist office. Once they did, I immediately arranged to pickup my records, and dismissed them from my medica care. My family doctor transfered the records to OSU, and a few days later I had an appointment.

Everything about treatment seemed to come slowly. From the time I first knew there was an issue, to the time I was diagnosed, to the time I saw a surgeon .. it all took so much time. I had read that prostate cancer is a ‘slow’ cancer, but it was inside me, and I was frustrated more often than not.

Then there is the depression. There are some really negative people in this world. I remember a conversation I had with someone at work … so much negative energy. He was just trying to help me see the facts, and understand this was not going to be easy. At that point in time, I needed positive energy. I decided to avoid anyone that could not contribute to positive thoughts.

I had a full body bone scan and a PET Scan on October 9th at Kettering hospital. Other than a long day, this was painless. When it was finished, I had to get the high resolution images on CD to take to OSU, but other than that, it was done. I walked out with two CD’s, and a thankful heart. Something actually was moving forward.

I didn’t expect to hear anything from this test until I met with the surgeon at OSU. As it turns out, they sent the results to me, at home. When I came home from work on Wednesday, October 18, I had a letter waiting for me. I guess that since I had fired the urologist, and since he was the one that ordered those test, they just sent them to me. NO CANCER IN THE BONES .. that’s my version of the results. They did spend most of the letter talking about my bones, and various issues relating to aging. This was the 1st time in my life that I was happy about being told I was getting old. That was a turning point, and the best news of 2017 yet.

On October 26, I visited with the surgeon at Ohio State. He was so very detailed. He gave me all the stats, talked through all of the options, and was so very good at helping me with questions. They took blood samples, and we scheduled the surgery for November 7.

Radiation was an option that was discussed. Clearly, that would avoid surgery, but 8 weeks, 5 days a week of radiation was not attractive. There are many options with radiation, but in the end, I went with surgery. I felt that for us, for me .. the best solution was to remove the prostate.

Given my Gleason Score was so high, the doctor told me he would do some extra cleanup in the pelvic floor. That would include the removal of the nearby lymph nodes. He said that would add about 20 to 30 minutes to the procedure, but it improves my odds for the long-term.

So the date was set for November 7. Report time: 5:00A. The good news … we have a date, and a plan.

That went well for a few days, then I received a call from the hospital. They said the robot was not available and my surgery would be delayed. They were talking late December, unless I wanted to have it done one November 22. That’s the day before thanksgiving, and my 60th birthday. I didn’t even give it a second thought … ‘let’s do it’. I love thanksgiving, but I need this cancer removed from my body.

Did I mention that my surgery was going to be robotic? The surgeon told me that robotic surgery lowers blood loss, reduces the risk of infection, and recovery is much faster .. that all sounds good. They call it da Vinci Surgery.  Compared to the surgery that was common years ago to remove the prostate, this is amazing.  Read more here:

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About three days before the surgery, the surgeon called me and told me that after a review by the team at OSU, they had downgraded my cancer. Recall my Gleason Score was 7/8. He said they had determined the correct score was 6/7. That may sound insignificant, but that meant I had a much better outlook for the future, and that my overall risk was reduced. I did a little happy dance right there in my office. This did not change the strategy for the surgery, but sure felt better.

One of the reasons I chose to go to OSU, was my opinion that I wanted to be treated by someone that did this surgery frequently, and was very involved in prostrate cancer every day. This revised diagnostic confirmed by believe. I’m not suggesting you have to have your surgery done at OSU, but I do suggest finding someone that does this frequently and at a hospital that specializes in cancer.

Through all of this I was trying to stay focused and get some work done. In retrospect, I was not nearly as effective as I was hoping. I was working, but my mind was often on the surgery. It was becoming increasingly difficult to focus. Now the time was extended, and the effort to focus more difficult.

My family was very supportive during this time. One son and his wife agreed to accompany us to OSU. I was concerned about Teresa having to do this alone, and they agreed to come along. We planned to drive over the night before the surgery and spend the night at a local Marriott. I had a report time of 5:15A, so this really helped. My oldest son agreed to watch the dogs. That was significant .. the dogs fare like babies sometimes.

The day of the surgery came quickly. I arrived at they hospital at 5:00 .. and things happened quickly. Everyone was so kind, did their jobs so professionally. I was in the PreOp room by 7:00, and the next thing I new I was awake in recovery.

My surgery was schedule for 4 hours. It took 6. The extra time was required because they took lymph nodes as part of the strategy to treat my aggressive cancer. The doctor met with Teresa and said it looked like there was no cancer outside the prostate, but pathology would test the removed material and we would be given an update in a couple weeks.

Nov 22, just before surgery

 

I didn’t have much pain. The front of my stomach / chest felt like it was just hanging on my body. I was up walking that evening, maybe 5 or so hours post surgery. To be honest, the cathidor was more of an issue that the IV or the incisions. When I was able to finally look, I could see 7 incisions. One was still connected for drainage. They superglued them closed so I had no stitches.

Early Thanksgiving morning, they started to become concerned that I was not generating enough urine. As it turns out I was very dehydrated. Once they increased my fluid intake (via IV mostly), the output increased. By noon, I was ready to be discharged, and head home.

So what did they do during my surgery. First, and most important, they removed my prostate. He had told me he was taking the prostate and was not going to be able to preserve the nerves. When he actually was doing the surgery, he saved the nerves. This is good for the future. More on that later. For now, picture this: the nerves are attached to the prostate on the outside surface. To save them, the robot had to peal them off the prostate and then reattached them inside (somewhere).  They will take some time to start working again. I am grateful for the attempt to save them.  He also took 37 lymph nodes.

Just after surgery

It was so good to come home. I was not in pain, but getting up and down was not easy. Teresa had to help me when I got in the wrong position. I could not sleep on my side, my preferred sleeping position. I sleep on the couch or recliner for the first 7 days.

I started walking right away. At 1st, it was .5 to 1 mile a day. I’m on the 3rd week now, and I’m at 3.5 to 4.5 miles a day. I can’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. I return to work soon, and then plan to retire at the end of 2017. That was already in the plan, and I’m continuing with that plan.

A couple of comments about the side effects of radical prostatectomy. The side effects of the surgery and of radiation are about the same. The 1st is urinary incontinence. This is tough, and takes time. I am not doing to bad, but I’m still not ‘normal’ yet. Some guys never get back to normal. I am hopeful.

The second common issue is erectile dysfunction. Again, some men recover in a few months to a year to 18 months. Some don’t. Time will tell.

That can all be depressing, but I am alive. The doctors primary goal is to preserve life. I have talked to men that struggle with these outcomes. I get it .. but I also am extremely thankful to be alive.

That’s my story. I am happy to talk with anyone that wishes to discuss PC and the surgery option. I am grateful to everyone involved in my journey. Those that supported me emotionally with kind notes and calls, the doctors and staff, and especially my family.  When it’s all said and done, it’s about those you love. For me, that’s my wife and my family, and great friends. ❤️❤️

And now to continue the healing process.

~ Rick

©2017 Rick Cartwright

RICK CARTWRIGHT  
 This story was originally posted on Rick’s Reflections and is re-posted with Rick’spermission.

Guest Post: Where To Eat in Dayton

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Where to eat in Dayton Ohio for attorneys and legal professionals

At the Mike Mobley Reporting office in Dayton, if we have not started talking about “What’s for lunch?” by 9:30 am, the flu is probably about to hit our office. We love court reporting but we love food as much. We love it when we have clients visit the office for depositions from out of town and want a suggestion on where to eat in Dayton. There are so many little treasures we have all over our fine city. Here are a few suggestions we give people on a regular basis. If you are visiting Dayton, give one of them a try.

Quick Lunches in Dayton:

Flying Pizza – New York Style pizza by the slice. You can go traditional thin crust, Sicilian thick crust or my favorite, one of each. We’ve had a number of New Yorkers come back to the office after lunch and say they felt like they were home at Flying Pizza.

Skyline Chili – Stole this one from the “Where to Eat in Cincinnati” article but even though Skyline is Cincinnati chili, Daytonian’s still love it. Here is what our legal videographer Steve had to say about Skyline – Love it or hate it, “Cincinnati style” chili is the most well-known regional dish we have to offer. This polarizing style of chili features a meat sauce with hints of cinnamon and cocoa laid over either a bed of spaghetti or hotdog and covered with mounds of shredded cheese. More than anything else on this list, this is a risky recommendation as many who try out our special brand of chili leave either loving or despising it.

El Meson Food Truck – If you are in Dayton and lucky enough to have the El Meson Food Truck any place close to where you are taking depositions, you have to give it a shot. Their grouper soft tacos or chorizo burritos are amazing. They have some wonderful South American desserts to follow. If you are spending the night or week in Dayton for depositions, El Meson’s original restaurant is an amazing to place to have a longer lunch or dinner.

Longer Lunches or Dinner in Dayton:

The Dublin Pub – Always a favorite at Mike Mobley Reporting, The Dublin Pub is an Irish Pub that has great drink options but even better food options. They have great appetizers like the Emerald Ale Dip to the Barney Stones or just a pint of Guinness. One of my favorite sandwiches is the Ruck (smoked beef brisket, Guinness BBQ sauce, sautéed onions and cheddar cheese on a pretzel roll) and they have the best Fish and Chips and/or Shrimp and Chips in town. You can’t go wrong with the Hell’s Belle’s Pasta or Bully Prime Shot either.  Enjoy!!

Franco’s – Another gem of the Gem City is Franco’s Ristorante Italiano. Everyone at Mike Mobley Reporting loves Italian food and Franco’s never disappoints. From the Alla Panna Gorgonzola to the Lasagna to the Scalloppini Entrée, the food is magnificent.

Mama DiSalvo’s – Like I said, we love our Italian food at Mike Mobley Reporting. Mama DiSalvo’s is about 10 minutes south of downtown Dayton but the food is out of this world. The homemade pastas, meatballs and sausages make my mouth water just thinking about it. The sauce is homemade by Mama and even sold in most of our grocery stores. I love the homemade gnocchi and the lasagna. The smells from the angel hair con scallops will make you feel like you are in Italy.

Dinner Only in Dayton:

Pine Club – A few minutes from downtown and basically on the campus of the University of Dayton, the Pine Club has the best steaks in town. They’ve won all kinds of national awards but it is as hometown as it gets. The Pine Club is another Dayton diamond that will make you feel like you just ate at one of the nicest restaurants in the country. If you’re going all out have the broiled lobster tail appetizer and one the classic steaks so you get the best of both worlds.

El Meson – See the Quick Lunches section above

Thai Nine – Thai Nine is located just outside of downtown in the historical Oregon District. The Oregon District is home of two earlier mentioned favorites The Dublin Pub and Franco’s. Thai Nine specializes in upscale Thai dishes and has wonderful sushi. If you like Thai food and like to pick your heat, don’t miss this one!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Todd Mobley is the president, accountant, and videographer for Mike Mobley Reporting. He has served on numerous committees of national and Ohio court reporting industry associations. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

A Weekend of Outdoor Activity Awaits!

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Get ready for two full days of active experiences, exhibitors, food, music and more at the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience presented by KIND at Eastwood MetroPark!

  • Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 AM to 10 PM
  • Sunday, Oct. 8, 11 AM to 4 PM

All ages are welcome to try more than 25 experience areas, watch pro demos or join a competition. With delicious food and beer in the Great Lakes Food & Beer Garden, live music on the Dayton.com Music Stage and free camping, you’ll never want to leave! Be sure to check out:

Mad River Mountain Action Sports Zone

The Mad River Mountain Action Sports Zone will be the destination for excitement. Watch as BMX riders, kayakers, mountain bike trials riders, slackliners and DockDogs electrify the crowd with spins, flips, jumps and other jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring maneuvers. You’ll have a chance to get in on the action with the Mad River Mountain snow tubing hill.

Youth Adventure Zone

Children will love the Youth Adventure Zone, where they can enjoy nature play, try climbing and a variety of other fun outdoor activities, games and demonstrations led by community organizations. These activities will introduce your young explorer to the excitement of outdoor adventure!

Osprey Backcountry Zone

The Osprey Backcountry Zone, brought to you by Great Miami Outfitters, has everything you need to get you out on the trail, including a mock campsite, hammock lounge, campfire and more. As a part of the Backpacker Festival Experience, the Backpacker Magazine Outdoor School will host a variety of classes where professional instructors will offer hands-on clinics to hone your outdoor skills.

Miami Valley Fly Fishers Fishing Village

Check out the Miami Valley Fly Fishers Fishing Village complete with casting, fly tying and the ORSANCO Aquarium presented by Fisherman’s Headquarters and Miami Group Sierra Club. If you prefer to fish from a boat, you can compete with other kayak anglers in the Buckeye Kayak Fishing Challenge.

The Bark Zone

Our furry friends will have plenty to do for the weekend! See if your pooch is a big-air jumper in the Subaru Buckeye DockDogs competition or an air frisbee jumper join the UpDog competition with Zoom Disc Dogs, presented by Best Breed, and then let your furry friend have some play time at Subaru Pooch Island Off-Leash Dog Park.

#HomeGrownStories – Sweet by Kristy

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Kristy Reis has lived in Tipp City for most of her life. She grew up being inspired by her mom, Melissa Cairns, for her entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. In 2011, Kristy followed in her mother’s footsteps by opening her own business next to her mom’s shop Cairns Toys. SWEET By Kristy is a boutique bakery, confectionery, and ice cream scoop shop, located in historic downtown Tipp City. The bakery features a variety of handmade ‘tastastic’ and beautiful treats including gourmet cupcakes, cookies, gluten-free brownies, fudge, chocolate dipped sweets and more! Kristy was recently interviewed for our #HomeGrownStories campaign.

 

On moving back to Miami County:
I did not plan on staying in the area. I think almost every kid wants to get out of town when they grow up, you know? I went to college at Miami University, that’s where I met my husband, and after college, we lived in Cincinnati for a while. We eventually made our way back to Tipp once I decided that I was going to start my own business. It just made sense to start next to my mom so we came back.

On starting her business, SWEET by Kristy:
I’ve always seen my mom making things. She ran her business out of our house, so when I grew up I got to help with little tasks where I wouldn’t screw anything up [laughs] to help her. She made stuff to sell all the time. My aunts and uncles would come over in the evening and help her after they got off work. I think her creativity and seeing her make that into a business really inspired me. I always had that in the back of my mind, that I wanted to do something like that someday, but I never really knew how to turn that into an actual business for myself. I didn’t know what to do. When I went to college, I had to decide on something so I ended up being a nursing major – which is totally not creative at all. I worked as a nurse for seven years and became really burnt out. Then it finally came to me and I realized that I could bake and that turned into my business, SWEET by Kristy.

On the community response to SWEET by Kristy:
Everyone feels good and likes to come in and get a treat. It’s fun and celebratory. I feel like I’m on the other end of the spectrum from my previous work as a nurse. Before I met people when they were in a crisis or facing a difficult time in their life and now I meet people when they’re celebrating life. It’s much more positive.

What she loves most about Miami County:
I like that Miami County is small enough that you can get a really good sense of the community and get to know the people around you. It has a nice, small town feel that I really like. I also like getting to know everybody’s different talents and unique businesses. I enjoy connecting with other business owners and entrepreneurial people. You get to know what people are doing and connect with them and you try to support each other. With all of our different businesses, you really don’t need to go outside of the county. You can keep everything as local as possible. It’s fun to support each other within our small community.

Her recommendations of things to do and places to visit in Miami County:
There are so many different creative events in Miami County! We have car shows, the Tipp City Mum Festival, the Troy Strawberry Festival, and Canal Music Fest in Tipp. There’s just so many different things to do (which is really great), I don’t think I can have one favorite. For dining in Miami County, I like Sam and Ethel’s in Tipp for breakfast, Mojos Bar & Grille in Troy for drinks and sandwiches, and Coldwater Cafe in Tipp for dinner. Getting outside, I love Charleston Falls and I really like walking on the bike trail. I really like to play frisbee golf [laughs] along the bike trail here in town.

The best-selling item at SWEET by Kristy:
I started with cupcakes, they are definitely number one! Number two would be our Fud.g.O Chocolates, which are an original item. Fud.g.Os are fudge stuffed Oreos dipped in chocolate.

If Miami County could be represented by a dessert from SWEET by Kristy:
I would say Red Velvet [laughs]. Our Red Velvet Cupcakes are made from scratch the old-fashioned way and frosted with cream cheese icing.

SWEET by Kristy
29 E Main St Tipp City, OH 45371
Facebook: @sweetbykristy
Instagram: @sweetbykristy
Twitter: @sweetbykristy

This story first appeared on the Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  Follow author,  storyteller and interviewer, Courtney Denning, at ThisOhioLife.com.

 

 

Five Ways to Enjoy Art on the Commons

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Rosewood Arts Centre’s premier annual event, Art on the Commons, is almost here! This fine arts and crafts festival has been going strong for 29 years – next year, we celebrate the big 3-0. The festival features over 100 artists in a variety of media. All the artwork is juried to make sure the quality is top notch. Perusing the booths is a great way to spend a Sunday. Here are some of the many fun things to check out at the event, affectionately known around here as AOTC!

1.  All the art

So, 100 artists. As always, it’s a great mix of new folks and returning favorites. This year’s categories are ceramics, digital art, fiber/leather, glass, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, works on paper and wood.

We mentioned jurying – wondering what that means? Our three jurors, Lisa Goldberg, owner of Lisa Goldberg Ceramics, Mary Gray, Director of the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, and Pat Higgins, Vice President of the Kettering Arts Council, reviewed all the AOTC submissions and ranked each artist based on design, originality, presentation, audience appeal and eligibility. Come see (and buy) the artwork that stood out from the crowd.

2. The setting

You might have noticed that we’re all about Kettering’s parks. And why wouldn’t we be? Lincoln Park is home toLincoln Park beautiful flowers, Kettering’s iconic fountains, lots of public art, and it features plenty of green spaces, shade trees and benches for resting your feet. Come enjoy the park while it’s bustling with people and full of even more great artwork.

3. Live music

Art on the Commons has featured live music for several years now. This year, we’re changing things up a little to bring you the sweet sounds of the WYSO Excursions Stage with Niki Dakota. Bringing listeners eclectic sounds from around the world and from closer to home, WYSO especially loves to champion local artists and music that embodies the diversity of the Miami Valley. Rosewood Arts Centre and WYSO are delighted to showcase the uniqueness of Art on the Commons and of our local music heroes. The stage will feature Daniel Dye & the Miller Road Band, Shrug, Lioness and The Pullouts. Give it a listen – it’s free!

4. Food trucks

Greek foodThe region is home to some pretty fabulous food trucks. A tasty selection will be at AOTC, so come hungry. Harvest Mobile offers chef-prepared, locally sourced favorites; Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops will keep you cool in the August heat (we’ve never met a Sweet P’s flavor we didn’t like, by the way); Bella Sorella Pizza is serving up wood-fired deliciousness; and BJ Events has the Greek food we dream about the other 364, non-AOTC days of the year. Seriously, the gyros.

The Fraze Pavilion’s Ernie’s Concessions will also be open for business with festival favorites like hot dogs, nachos and pretzels.

Kids crafts5. Family fun

Families with littles are more than welcome at AOTC. There’s even a selection of free activities just for you! Kids are welcome to make finger puppets, beaded jewelry and an amazing origami Viking ship. The new Kaleidoscope van will make its first trip to AOTC to lead a fun art and nature activity all about the butterfly! The talented Rosewood faculty will also be on hand to show off their skills at fiber arts, jewelry making, painting and drawing.

 

This piece was written by Sara Thomas and originally appeared on www.playkettering.org and is reprinted with permission.

#HomeGrownStories – Michael Scheib- K’s Hamburger Shop

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K’s Hamburger Shop is a cornerstone of Troy dining. The diner opened July 31, 1935 (which means it celebrated its 82nd birthday this year). Michael Scheib is a fourth generation K’s customer. He has worked at the establishment for the past 8 years and he recently became the third-generation in his family to own a business in Troy.

His connection to Miami County:
I’m from Miami County. My mom owns Expressions of the Home and my grandpa owned a business in Troy. I’m a third-generation business owner here in Troy.

About K’s Hamburger Shop:
We turned 82 yesterday. K’s was started in 1935 by Paul and David Klein. Doris was Paul’s wife and she helped out a great deal. We were across the street from 1935 to 1940. In 1940 they moved across the street to where it is now. The original building ended where that counter is. It was ten stools. I’m having the original blueprints framed so we can display them. I wish they were finished so I could show them to you. In 1948 they added the red booths. In the 1950s they added that room over there. We call that the “new room” even though it was done in ‘58 [laughs].

We still grind our own meat and cook on a wet grill. That was typical of diners in the 1930s. When the flat top grill came out diners switched to that but we never made the change. We do change the oil that the hamburgers are cooked in. There’s a rumor that we haven’t changed the oil since the ’30s but we do it every night [laughs]. I’ve done it myself. We also have salads and five homemade soups. We make malted milkshakes and pie.

I’ve been here for 8 years, so a tenth of the time that K’s has been here [laughs]. I want to take the shop to 100 years and we’ll see how far past that I can go. I dress the way the diner employees dressed in the 1930s. Mr. Klein wore a tie, white shirt, and pants and a white apron. I get too dirty so I don’t wear a white apron [laughs]. In the ‘30s the color white signified the cleanliness of the restaurant. That’s why the walls are white and they wore white.

I met my wife here at K’s. She’s a teacher at Troy Christian. Her parents have a dairy farm out here on the corner of 41 and 202. She’s a fourth-generation K’s customer. I’m also a fourth-generation K’s customer. My wife came in here and sat at the counter and that’s how we started talking. I owe a great deal to this hamburger shop. [laughs]

On the community response to K’s over the years:
The community response has been very good, of course. The average lifespan of a new restaurant is two years thereabouts. So the fact that we’ve been here for 82 years is pretty impressive. We’re the first sandwich shop in Troy and I think we’re the third oldest business in Troy.

They started the restaurant in the middle of the Great Depression. Mr. Klein said, “If you want a job you have to make a one.” They knew the business was going to make it when they could clear $20 a week. That’s amazing to think about when they were selling hamburgers for a nickel. They were very honored that their customers would spend their nickel with them.

What do you love most about Miami County?
K’s! [laughs] It’s very much home and there’s no greater place than home.

What are your Miami County favorites or recommendations for out-of-town visitors?
I should say my mom’s shop, so check out Expressions of the Home. Haren’s Market is what used to be my grandpa’s shop. Folks should check out the different downtowns and support the local shops. It’s the best way to get the feel of the place. I’m pretty boring. [laughs] I don’t get out much. I’m here six days a week and on the seventh day, I go to church. If I’m not here, I’m either at Kroger buying something for the shop, at church or at home!

K’s Hamburger Shop
117 East Main Street Troy, Ohio
(937) 339-3902

 

This story first appeared on the Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  Follow author,  storyteller and interviewer, Courtney Denning, at ThisOhioLife.com.

Miami County Home Grown Stories: Corie Schweser

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Corie Schweser has made Troy her home for the past thirty years with her husband and sons. For the past three years, she has worked as the business manager of the Troy Strawberry Festival. This year the Strawberry Festival celebrates its 41st year in Miami County. The festival celebrates strawberries, community and supports local nonprofit organizations.

On living in Miami County:
I have lived in Troy since 1987. My husband’s employer transferred him here. We moved from the East Coast with our three sons. I fell in love with Troy and the area. We decided we didn’t want to move!

On the Troy Strawberry Festival:
In 1977 local leaders organized the Troy Strawberry Festival to support nonprofit organizations. The festival created a way for nonprofit groups to earn revenue. This money went to support their services and programs. The festival is a collaborative effort. Instead of each nonprofit trying to earn revenue on their own, they work together. The leaders wanted to work with Fulton Farms for the festival. They first thought of a sweet corn festival. They went with strawberries instead because it’s the first available fruit. That way we are one of the first large festivals in our region. We kick off the summer season for the county. At the beginning of summer you have Memorial Day and then right away is the Strawberry Festival. If we had been the Sweet Corn Festival we’d be in August near the end of the summer, almost forgotten. And who doesn’t love a strawberry?

In the beginning, the festival had forty-five nonprofits and a variety of activities. Now we have about 60 to 70 nonprofits that have food booths at the festival. We also have arts and craft booths as well as two stages of entertainment all throughout the weekend. For the past 41 years, we still hold true to our vision and mission of supporting the nonprofits in Miami County.

There are so many things to do at the festival! We have a 10K race, a bike tour and a shortcake race for the kids. We have a Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry Pageant, a big wheel race, and a diaper derby. There’s a pie-eating contest and the alumni football game between Troy and Piqua. There’s a lot going on! Whatever day you decide to come — or if you come for both days — you’ll find something to enjoy. We will have picnic tables around each stage so you can relax and enjoy the strawberries and music! We have the schedule and more information on our website at gostrawberries.com.

How she became involved with the Troy Strawberry Festival:
I started out as a volunteer for the festival fifteen years ago. I have been the business manager for the past three years. It’s seemed like the natural transition for me. Through my involvement with volunteering, I developed an understanding of the festival. In 2012 I was the General Chairman. This is my third year as the business manager.

It’s so much fun working with the volunteers. They truly have passion, drive and the desire to keep the mission of the festival going. It’s a great group of about 45 to 50 event chairmen and their volunteers underneath them. We could not do the festival without the City of Troy. We work with the city and they are the best partners. We have help from organizations throughout Miami County too. It’s a lot of fun and people enjoy it. Their energy drives my energy. We never stop planning the festival. Once one festival ends we start working on the next one. It’s a lot of fun!

On the community response to the Troy Strawberry Festival:
Last year we had some rainy weather but we estimated we had about 135,000 people during the entire weekend. On a good year when it’s sunny and beautiful with temperatures in the mid-70s to 80s we can have 150,000 to 200,000 people. It’s awesome – especially for a city of 26,000 people!

Even though it’s the “Troy” Strawberry Festival, it’s actually about Miami County. There are nonprofits that provide services and support throughout the county. We’re embracing and supporting the entire regional area. We want people to know that yes, it is the Troy Strawberry Festival, but that’s because it takes place in Troy. We support the entire Miami County community.

New and exciting changes for the 2017 Strawberry Festival:
This year students at the Upper Valley Career Center built a cell phone charging station for us. The students got aluminum from the welding department. They went to the auto body department and painted it red. The graphics department created the graphics. Apple and Android users will be able to use the station. It has at least 18 different places to charge your phone — it’s amazing! I love it when we can get kids involved in creating a project.

This year you can bike to the festival! The Miami County Park District is putting up bike racks near the ball fields. They partnered with a nonprofit. For a small donation, you can park your bike and volunteers will keep watch while you enjoy the festival.

Something else that is new this year is the 3¢ stamp. This year the 3¢ stamp created by the United States Postal Service is a strawberry stamp. We were able to have a special cancellation stamp made through the Troy Post Office. If you come and get a strawberry stamp, you can put the strawberry cancellation stamp on it. We will also have special Strawberry Festival postcards. They will have the 3¢ strawberry stamp and the cancellation stamp. They will be at the souvenir booth — but we only have 200!

We have a great national recording artist, Morgan Alexander, for Friday night. Saturday night’s big concert will be with Exploit. They are a 70s and 80s group out of Celina. They are a lot of fun and have a lot of energy. There will be entertainment from Rum River Blend, blues and jazz groups, and dance groups.

We also have new food and new food trucks this year! There will be spinach salads and roasted Brussels sprouts with strawberry dressings. There will be sweets like strawberry donuts and strawberries with lemon cream. You name it – we probably have it! We will have favorites that we have every year, like chocolate covered strawberries! Our food trucks and food vendors all partner with a nonprofit. They share their net profits from the weekend. The food vendors have signage for the nonprofit group they have partnered with. It’s a great way for small nonprofits to earn revenue to support their programs.

We could not do this festival without the volunteers, the City of Troy and our wonderful sponsors. It’s great to have business partners from the community supporting this festival. They believe in it and they help bring visibility to our community.

What do you love most about Miami County?
I love that Miami County has so many opportunities for outdoor activities. Piqua and Troy have great outdoor concert series. There’s the Miami County Riverway — you can go to Treasure Island and rent a kayak for a river adventure. We’re very blessed to have a strong parks system — in the county and cities. I like to take my grandson bike riding, we usually stop and get ice cream and then get back on the bike path. There are so many interesting things within this county. It’s beautiful! I love Fulton Farms and the farmer’s markets. I embrace every bit of it! Once the festival is over, I’ll have time to get out there and enjoy it. That’s another great thing about the festival being in June, I have the rest of the summer to enjoy the county! I love it!

How Miami County is different from other places she has lived:
I’ve lived in the city and city suburbs which have a different feeling. There are a lot more people — you feel like you can’t move around without bumping into someone. I don’t want to say Miami County is more laid back because there are a lot of things to do here. But you have the space to find a park bench, kick back and relax a little bit and enjoy the view. There’s more of a relaxed, laid-back attitude here. It’s also very family friendly. It’s the perfect place to be.

Her Miami County recommendations for out-of-town visitors (besides the Troy Strawberry Festival):
I’m a very outdoorsy person so I recommend all the different parks. Visitors should definitely take advantage of our museums like the WACO Air Museum. I recommend visiting each community within Miami County. Every Main Street has its own unique flavor! Enjoy each area, visit the individual shops and restaurants downtown. Definitely check out the unique coffee shops, like Winans Chocolates + Coffees. Keep investigating and check out the activities like concert series or outdoor activities. Support the local restaurants and check out the different unique features. There’s so much to do. I love every single thing about it!

Troy Strawberry Festival
First weekend in June
gostrawberries.com

 

This story first appeared on the Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  Follow author,  storyteller and interviewer, Courtney Denning, at ThisOhioLife.com.

Miami County HomeGrownStories – Margaret Begg

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Margaret Begg loves the science and beauty of artisan bread baking, especially sourdough bread. For the past twenty years, her bakery, Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company, has provided delicious bread, baguettes, challahs, ciabattas, focaccias, cookies and pastries of every flavor in their downtown Troy bakery. Margaret focuses on high quality and nutritious ingredients as well as taste. In addition to baking a variety of bread and pastries, the Bakehouse also has an extensive menu of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Margaret is one-third of the local cooperative, The Farmer, The Miller, The Baker that grows, mills and bakes spelt in the southwestern region of Ohio. Margaret was recently interviewed for our #HomeGrownStories campaign.

On living in Miami County:
I have lived in Miami County for 34 years. I’m originally from California. My mother met my father when she was on a trip to San Diego; he was in the Navy then. We moved back to Ohio because my mother was from Lima and still had family in the area.

 

On working with sourdough and starting the Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company:
My sister lived in Sacramento, California and she introduced me to sourdough bread. I fell in love with it! I knew I had to try and make it at home. I tried baking sourdough at home, but with babies and everyday life, it was difficult. I had little success for a long time. My husband and I opened Taggart’s On The Square in Troy in 1984 and I continued my pursuit of sourdough in the restaurant kitchen. In 1988 I took a two-week intensive artisan bread course at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. I also apprenticed under a French Master Baker at the National Baking Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I was able to come home and bake better bread. I started selling it to the restaurant and eventually, I was loading up my car and driving around to farm stands and selling it. About 20 years ago we opened a bakery next to Taggart’s. I think it’s the location for Raise Your Brush today. In three years we were bursting out of the seams so we moved to our current location here on the Square.

On her part in the local collaboration: The Farmer, The Miller, The Baker:
About ten years or so ago, Troy started up a food cooperative. We hosted a night of potential farm vendors, which is how I met Dan Kremer from E.A.T. Food For Life Farm. He grows spelt grain, which he was selling to a company that sold them in grocery stores nationally, but he wanted to sell it locally. That’s when I got some of his spelt flour and starting testing it in bread and cookies. I was personally surprised they turned out so well, just because of the nature of spelt flour. It’s naturally a little sweet so you need very little honey to offset the bitterness. Then we contacted Bear’s Mill to grind the flour for us. They buy the grain from Dan and grind it into flour. Then we buy the flour and make the bread and cookies. We sell the bread and cookies back to Dan and Bear’s Mill and we sell them here.

 


 

What she loves about Miami County:
I love the sense of community. It’s very important to most residents of the county, which you can see by the folks that come downtown to support small businesses. We have wonderful events at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center and we always come downtown for the concerts and symphonies in Troy. In downtown, you can move about so freely, anywhere you need to go you can get there. The bike path has always been one of my personal favorites. Watching the bike path grow has been amazing, especially for a town of this size. We go to Hobart Urban Nature Preserve at least three times a week for a walk. Garbry Big Woods Reserve is one of our other favorites, but we tend to pick a different park to walk at on the weekends.

The best selling item at Bakehouse and her personal favorite:
The Bakehouse Seven Grain Bread is our most popular bread. It’s very healthy with all the grains [whole wheat flour, millet, cracked wheat, cracked rye, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, oats, buckwheat and cracked corn] and very nutritious. We don’t use emulsifiers, preservatives or other “shortcut” additives in our bread. My favorite, of course, is our sourdough bread.

Bakehouse Bread & Cookie Company
317 Public Square Troy, OH
Facebook: @bakehousebread
Twitter: @bakehousebread

This story first appeared on the Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  Follow author,  storyteller and interviewer, Courtney Denning, at ThisOhioLife.com.

 

DCDC’s Sheri “Sparkle” Williams Recognized For Life in Dance

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Sheri “Sparkle” Williams performs Sky Garden in 2001. Photo Credit: Andy Snow

Longtime Dayton Contemporary Dance Company dancer Sheri “Sparkle” Williams is the 2017 recipient of the OhioDance Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Advancement of the Dance Art Form.

The award recognizes choreographers and dance artists dedicated to both the creation of new work and the preservation of dance history. Williams will receive the award on stage Saturday, April 29 at the BalletMet Performance Space in Columbus during the 2017 OhioDance Festival.

Williams has been dancing with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company for 43 years. The award is well-earned, DCDC Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs said.

“Anybody who has been able to sustain a career like Sheri — it’s amazing and long overdue,” Blunden-Diggs said.


A Dayton native, Williams began dancing at age nine when she followed her best friend, Thelma, to a ballet class taught by DCDC founder Jeraldyne Blunden. Within two weeks, Williams was taking all the classes Jeraldyne offered.

“I liked moving, the flow, learning to use the body differently,” Williams recalled. “In little old Dayton, Jeraldyne made it happen, and we ate it up.”

The dance performances that most impacted her were Ulysses Dove’s Vespers, now a modern classic, and Dwight Rhoden’s Growth, a solo work that was originally choreographed for a man but has since been performed internationally by Williams.

In 2012, Williams was the subject of the documentary film “Sparkle,” which followed her recovery from an onstage hip injury that nearly ended her dance career. The documentary won the Audience Award at the AFI SilverDocs Film Festival.

Throughout her career, Williams has picked up numerous other accolades, including a coveted New York Dance & Performance Award (the Bessie) in 2002 and the Ohio Arts Council’s Individual Artist Award in 2014.

“I’ve been lucky to nurture audiences through the years, right here at home,” Williams said. “Anytime someone even thinks I should be the recipient of an award — I’m honored.”

This article originally appeared on the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company website.

AIDS Walk Greater Dayton: Continuing to Make Progress Together

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We’ve made a lot of progress since those darks days at the beginning the AIDS epidemic. We’ve helped people come out of the shadows and seek treatment. We’ve developed a better understanding of the disease and treatment options. We’ve raised awareness about the importance of getting tested. And most recently, we’ve empowered people by creating a once daily pill, known as PrEP, that prevents the transmission of HIV. But our fight is far from over. In Ohio, approximately 24,000 people are currently living with HIV. 1 in 8 HIV-positive people don’t know their status, don’t receive HIV medical care, and can pass the virus on to others. If current trends continue, 1 in 6 gay or bi-sexual men will contract HIV in their lifetime. If that’s unacceptable to you, help continue the progress by signing up to participate in AIDS Walk Greater Dayton on April 22.

AIDS Walk Greater Dayton draws people from all walks of life with different connections to the cause. Teddy Thomas, a Daytonian who’s been a part of Equitas Health’s mpowerment program, Mu Crew since 2014, is looking forward to this year’s walk. “I walk because Mu Crew has helped me teach others about HIV awareness and safety. I want to be a part of creating a world where people aren’t afraid to talk about being HIV-positive. Participating in AIDS Walk Ohio helps me do that,” said Teddy. He also receives care at their Dayton Medical Center and Pharmacy and is thankful for the social services they provide. “Their housing assistance program allowed me to stay in Ohio and avoid homelessness. I would have a very different life if it weren’t for Equitas Health,” said Teddy. Teddy has achieved “Grand Walker” status by raising at least $1,000 to support HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. This is his second year achieving that milestone and he hopes to defend his title as the top fundraiser in Dayton again this year.

Whether you walk in memory of someone who’s passed, in celebration of someone who’s survived, or in solidarity with those affected or at-risk of HIV, your participation is necessary to continue making progress until one day when we have a cure.

AIDS Walk Greater Dayton takes place Saturday, April 22 at its new location at Fifth Third Field Plaza. Registration starts at 10am. Sign up at aidswalkohio.com to participate in the 1-mile stroll, 5K walk or run, or 20-mile bike ride. Come out and cheer people on as they return and enjoy music by DJ Dayna, food by the Drunken Waffle and the Wicked ‘Wich of Dayton, and craft beer from Warped Wing Brewery.

 

This post contributed by Alyssa Chenault, Communications Manager for Equitas Health.

Miami County Home Grown Stories:Terri Bessler & Shelby Anderson

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Terri Bessler and Shelby Anderson work together in two unique antique shops in historic downtown Tipp City. Terri, an Ohio native who has lived in Miami County for the past twenty years, owns Midwest Memories Antiques. Shelby, a Tipp City native, is the manager of Midwest Memories’ sister store, The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques. Terri has owned Midwest Memories for the past 8 years, though the business has been in downtown Tipp City for the past 18 years. Iron Dog is a new shop, named after an iron replica of a dog who grieved his young owner’s passing early in Tippecanoe’s history. Terri and Shelby were recently interviewed for our #HomeGrownStories campaign.

On living in Miami County:
Terri – I am not from Miami County, but I have lived here for about 20 years. I grew up not far from here, over in New Carlisle. After college, I moved to Columbus for a while. We have family in this area and when our kids were younger we looked at Miami County and Montgomery County to move. Tipp City was just everything you ever wanted in a place to raise your children so that’s exactly what we did.
Shelby – I’ve pretty much been in Tipp City my entire life. Graduated from Tipp, did all of my extracurriculars here in Tipp, just very involved in the city. Caused a lot of trouble here growing up [laughs].

On Midwest Memories Antiques + The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques
Terri – Iron Dog kind of grew out of Midwest Memories. I own Midwest Memories and have for the past eight years; it’s been in Tipp City for eighteen years. We were shifting to wood products and lots of salvage and we had no space for it. We knew we wanted to do something hip and cool and emulate Shelby’s personality a little bit. We also needed to have room for the bigger, larger, kind of chunkier stuff. We looked for a warehouse for a long time and couldn’t find anything that fit. We decided to do a storefront. The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques opened two years ago on April 1st. We will have a Friday evening birthday celebration on March 31st to celebrate.

How they ended up working together:
Terri – Shelby is my daughter’s best friend from high school. So we have a long history and a wonderful connection. She’s mine.
Shelby – Right. Just another daughter, basically [laughs].

On the community response to Midwest Memories Antiques + The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques:
Shelby – It’s been overwhelmingly positive. People just have a real passion for the repurposed and the industrial salvage kind of style that’s really come to fruition in the last couple of years and become really popular. I think it’s kind of cool that people are trying to take something old and make it new. People are really getting a grasp on the whole DIY thing, you know. We just provide the tools and the means to do it. We like to give them ideas on what to do and how to do it and show them cool pieces.
Terri – Having access to this much raw material just makes it so much easier. People can take that step. They don’t just see it and figure, “Well if I could find some cool stuff I could do something myself,” they can come in here and find the pieces they need and we can sit down and can help them with their projects and any kind of creative ideas that they want to do.
Shelby – We do custom pieces for customers. That’s one of our biggest draws. It’s keeping us crazy busy.
Terri – We have a lot of artists and fabricators that work with us, a lot of it’s produced off site. Shelby does design work with the customers.

What they love about Miami County:
Terri – I love the events, the community spirit and the cohesiveness of these wonderful small towns that have such unique things to offer.
Shelby – Yeah, there’s definitely a sense of community that you really don’t see anywhere else. Terri’s been all over Ohio, she’s seen it. There’s just a sense of home here. I think that’s what draws people here, especially when they come to Tipp City. This feels like an area where you can really grow your roots, just kind of settle in and live a good life.

Their favorite Miami County spots and events:
Shelby – I grew up in Tipp Park, collecting buckeyes behind the roundhouse and going on the bike trail. The Tipp City Park has a little place in my heart [laughs]. I also really like Duke Park in Troy, I think that’s a really nice open space with the soccer fields.
Terri – Restaurants, I’d have to say everything in downtown Tipp City.
Both – Coldwater! Coldwater is number one!
Terri – Basil’s in Troy is definitely a huge favorite. When people ask, “where’s a good place to eat,” I always tell them to stay in downtown. Everything in downtown is phenomenal.
Shelby – From coffee shops to Coldwater Cafe… you can’t send anybody anywhere without good recommendations. We have a lot of good small events down here too.
Terri – We love being open during events and having people mill in and out of the store. Seeing old friends as well as having the opportunity to make new acquaintances and make those new connections. In Miami County, you can go to an event and see people you’ve known forever and you can go to an event and meet tons of people that you’ve never met before. So many people are coming from outside of Miami County for events at parks and festivals, there’s the opportunity to meet some wonderful people.
Shelby – We’re seeing a huge draw in from all over, in surrounding counties and even from out of state. People are coming here that really see opportunity in Miami County.

Their most popular items at Midwest Memories Antiques + The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques:
Shelby – Barn wood, slabs, barn siding and beams for mantles. A lot of people have really taken the reign and are being creative and doing something with the wood. Being able to come in here and see all of that and see the things that we’ve done really draw people towards the wood.
Terri – Upstairs we have over 25 vendors to shop from, a lot of people don’t realize at first, so they get to experience those as well. We have vendors that are local and I’ve had out-of-state vendors before. We have 25 vendors here and we have 100 vendors down at Midwest Memories. We have a large family of vendors. They’re the people you sit and talk to. You sit down, have a glass on a Friday night, you get to know them and become involved in their lives. It really becomes a family.

Midwest Memories Antiques
24 W Main Street Tipp City OH 45371
Facebook: @midwest.memories
Instagram: @midwestredesigned

The Iron Dog Salvage & Antiques
14 E Main Street Tipp City OH 45371
Facebook: @irondogsalvage
Instagram: @irondogsalvage

This story first appeared on the Miami County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.  Follow author,  storyteller and interviewer, Courtney Denning, at ThisOhioLife.com.

 

“Toruk” Flies into Nutter and Amazes

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After attending last evening’s premier of Toruk The First Flight, as told by world-renowned Cirque Du Soleil and inspired by James Cameron’s magical Avatar, I realize I learned two important lessons while being entertained more than I have been in ages: there is life outside our own planet, and the inhabitants of at least one of those worlds are in MUCH better shape than me! The nonstop performance and acrobatic displays made me truly appreciate the passion of the players and their ability to display that passion nonstop for the duration of the show. And flawlessly, I might add. Films are great but shot over long periods of time, and edited for the big screen. “Toruk” plays out “live” before our eyes.

I’ve been reviewing for nearly four decades and the one thing most reviewers face is to tell what we witnessed without revealing too much for those who will be attending. As with all Cirque performances the real entertainment is the majesty and breath-taking acrobatics, and “Toruk” lives up to that promise from the opening scene to the curtain call.

A Storyteller walks us through a story that took place on Pandora long ago, as the people of Pandora were facing a great time of struggle. Toruk is a giant, magnificent winged “monster” feared by most. The story takes us on a journey of two childhood friends, as close as brothers, in their coming-of-age training to become great hunters. The ultimate of their hunting adventures is to face Toruk and save their people. That salvation takes an ironic, yet visually spectacular, turn as the story winds down.

I have heard some suggest that “Avatar” (the inspiration) may be too old for some to remember and that the story and its magnificent set are too “busy” for some to follow the story. I suggest neither is the case. “Avatar” introduced us to a magical new world and the “busyness“ of what should be an award-winning set kept us on the edge of our seats all-performance long! If I have one suggestion, although I have no solution for it, some form of subtitling would benefit at times since most in the audience don’t speak or understand Pandorese.

The journey of the two friends takes us through earthquakes, floods and fires that you truly buy into as actually happening before your eyes. Peppered in amongst those elements are the signature death-defying performances that have made Cirque a household name by a team of global actors and technicians. From the moment we took our seats until our exit, we escaped totally to another blue world and lived the sadness, struggles, battles and joys. And after all, isn’t that what an evening away from reality is supposed to do?

TORUK – The First Flight is performing at the Wright State Nutter Center in Dayton, OH from March 22-26th 2017.  For more information and full schedule visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk.

I’m told great seats are still available. Box Office 937-775-4789

 

This guest post is written by Mike Scinto, a veteran radio/TV talk show host, award-winning columnist and a USAF disabled veteran

Vote For Dayton’s Cutest Pet

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Do you think you have Dayton’s cutest pet? Well 64 of Dayton’s finest are currently competing in Pet Wants Dayton’s “Bark Madness” bracket challenge, with the winner receiving a month of Pet Want’s all-natural pet food delivered for free right to their door.

Bark Madness sought out contestants in the days leading up to the NCAA Tournament, and began the voting for the bracket on Thursday the 16th. Currently, “Bark Madness” is in the Round of 32 with voting running through 10pm on March 22nd. Each remaining round will last for three days, with the winner being crowned on Monday, April 3rd.

Facebook users are eligible to vote once per round for their favorite furry neighbor. To leave your paw-print on the outcome, visit the voting page at the link below:

http://woobox.com/pbx9sa

Be sure to submit a name at completion to make sure that the form is fully submitted!

You can also stay up to date with the competition and learn more about Pet Wants Dayton’s all-natural pet food by clicking “Like” on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/petwants.dayton/).

Pet Wants Dayton is a local, all-natural pet food company that has been delivering their products throughout the Miami Valley for the last 18 months. They offer a range of all-natural dog and cat foods produced locally in right here in Ohio, as well as a variety of pet treats and pet wellness products.