Guest Contributor

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County

September 23, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Let’s go antiquing through Miami County! Antiquing is an art form for many people and tells a story of times gone by. Around here, we are all about preserving the past while looking forward to the future.

Antiquing is a fun way to find new things, create new projects, and add a little character to your home. Many people spend hours crafting their antiquing strategies and mapping out the best plans, but we did the leg work for you! We rounded up a few of the most unique spots in Miami County for antiquing.

While all unique in their own right, some focus on preserving the historical meaning of the items while others are focused on giving the old things a new life and purpose.

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County, Ohio

The 3 Weird Sisters Studio

If you are looking for unique, chic art, and antiques, The 3 Weird Sisters Studio is for you! Centered in the heart of downtown Troy, you can’t miss this unique spot!

Inside, you will find plenty of weird finds for unique minds. The shop features a collection of unusual trinkets, vintage items, handmade and local art, and clothing for men, women, and children.

This unique shop also features various reimagined home and garden decor. It’s a different experience every time you visit!

Location: 15 South Market Street | Troy, Ohio

Midwest Memories Antiques

Midwest Memories Antiques is a vintage-inspired store, located in downtown Tipp City. With more than 100 dealers, this is the jackpot for design inspiration and unique finds!

The store offers a wide variety of furniture, collectibles, and locally crafted merchandise, such as apparel, home decor items, gifts, and more.

In addition to all the fantastic merchandise, visit the salvage area for reclaimed windows, doors, shutters, and hardware to add a little vintage flare to your home. Don’t forget to pick up your favorite shade of Annie Sloan Chalk paint to transform your project into your own.

If you are looking for guidance and inspiration, Midwest Memories Antiques also offers paint services, color mixing, and design assistance.

If you get thirsty during your shopping adventures, grab a refreshment from the in-store coffee bar.

Location: 24 W Main Street | Tipp City, Ohio

Patriot Antique Shoppe

Patriot Antique Shoppe is unlike any other antique shop in Miami County. This shop specializes in 18th and 19th-century American antiques, featuring portraits, quilts, trunks, and many other unique finds you won’t see anywhere else.

This shop is ideal for those who love preserving history and appreciating times gone-by. Aside from the usual antique items, you might also find farming and household tools, like a candle mold, burl bowl, or a tea cupboard.

Location: 15 N. 2nd Street | Tipp City, Ohio

The Mercantile

Filled with primitives and vintage finds, The Mercantile is a unique antique store located in Piqua, Ohio.

Here, you can find a mix of old and new items with a selection of home decor items, collector items, figurines, and so much more! The items in the shop have been sourced from local collectors, auctions, and area estate sales.

As the inventory is never the same, you might find treasures like Carnival and Fenton Glass, vintage mixing bowls, cast iron cooking pieces, repurposed lighting fixtures, and antique furniture.

Location: 415 N Main Street | Piqua, Ohio

Apple Tree Gallery

Specializing in vintage holiday decor, the Apple Tree Gallery is located in the heart of historic downtown Piqua. Year-round you will find antique items to fill your home with glad tidings of the Christmas season, or the spooky chills of Halloween!

If you want something special, this is the place for you!

Location: 405 N. Main St. | Piqua, Ohio

This post originally appeared on the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau blog.

Ashley’s Pastries -40 Years in Business: Recipe for Success

August 9, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Theresa and Greg Hammons

It really doesn’t seem possible that it’s been four decades since we opened the doors of our bakery shop on Park Avenue in Oakwood. Back then, when we got the keys and started to see things take shape, it was a dream finally come to life. Little did we know, the following 40 years would be the real dream: creating a thriving business in a community we love so dearly.

We are forever grateful for your continued support. Without you, none of this would be possible.

We took a little time away, as we always do every summer, to recharge and reconnect with our family. As some may know, a baker’s hours aren’t always the easiest, but we love what we do and we cherish being able to have a business that we love, and we are thankful to be able to take some time off each summer to spend uninterrupted time with those we love.

We’ve been asked before “What’s your secret?” “How do you do it?” There isn’t a magic ingredient, but we believe there are some common things that we believe are absolutely necessary in any recipe for success.

1. Loyalty. One of our favorite things about this business is our customers. Our customers come back year after year, celebration after celebration, holiday after holiday, choosing Ashley’s to help celebrate life deliciously. Customers here become family. We see them bring their kids in on a Saturday morning, often in pajamas, sometimes with messy bedheads, to pick out donuts. Those same families come back to Ashley’s again and again, and before we know it, we’re baking cakes for those same children as they reach life milestones like First Communion, graduation, and oftentimes, marriage. The loyalty of our customers has made this possible. The loyalty of our staff has made it possible, too. We are lucky to have employees that come to work here and stay here. They learn the routines and the recipes, and they stick with us through high times and low points. Our employees are dedicated, kind, loyal and they understand a key component of our bakery business – customer service. We want to make our customers happy – it’s what keeps them coming back – and this wouldn’t be possible without the loyalty of our employees, too.

2. Adaptability. A lot happens in 40 years. Trends come and go. The economy endures different cycles. Technology advances rapidly. And sometimes, pandemics hit. Being adaptable is crucial when you’re running a business, and you must be nimble as years pass. We’ve been able to adjust when necessary, especially during times like the COVID-19 pandemic. During unprecedented times, we knew we had to do things differently – we had to adjust. We started accepting Venmo and PayPal for seamless payments so folks could place orders over the phone, we offered curbside delivery so we could pass our pastries to customers with little contact, but still get them what they needed.

3. Relevant. Similar to being adaptable, we know how vital it is to stay relevant. In today’s fast, ultra-busy world, we know there is a lot of competition out there, not just competing for our time, but for our attention, our energy, our time. We know we have to stay relevant to stay open. We keep our customers’ needs at top of mind, so we are able to make adjustments to help meet their needs. Over the years, we’ve modified the offerings in our cases to meet the needs of customers. Today you’ll find a wide range of delicious sweet treats, breads, rolls, pastries – we have something for everyone – and we’ve added gluten free options to our menu to be more inclusive for customers with food sensitivities. We stay on top of bakery trends, especially in the wedding industry, so we can offer brides and grooms advice on what’s in, and to be able to offer what they need (A donut buffet instead of a classic cake? Absolutely! Towers of cupcakes instead of one towering cake? Sure!) By staying relevant to the needs of customers today, we’ve been able to serve customers for decades.

4. Community. It’s hard to build and maintain a business all by yourself. We are forever grateful for the Miami Valley community and their continued support of us. All of this wouldn’t be possible if we were going at it alone. We treasure the partnerships we have with local restaurants, businesses, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations. We truly believe we are better together, and it’s an honor and a privilege for us to provide the pastries at annual fundraising events in town, or to know our rolls are served in the bread baskets at some of the finest restaurants in the Dayton area. We love being able to work with others in this great community, and we know how vital these relationships and partnerships are to our business.

5. Passion. Our passion for this business is one reason the doors at the bakery have remained open for 40 years. We absolutely love what we do. We love the basic mechanics of baking – following the recipes, kneading the dough, icing the cakes. We love the basics of business – networking with others in the community, brainstorming ideas, marketing and promoting our products. But what we love the most is you, our customers and friends who have become family to us over the years. You keep us coming back again and again. You inspire us to be creative in our baking. You make this enjoyable job even better. Our passion for Ashley’s Pastry Shop is really a passion for you.

This post originally appeared on Ashley’s Pastry website and was written by owner Theresa Hammon and is reprinted with her permission.

Ashley’s Pastry Shop

21 Park Ave,
Dayton, OH, 45419

(937) 293-1719

Tuesday – Friday 7am – 5pm

Saturday 7am – 4pm

Yellow Spring Vegan Restaurant To Close

June 14, 2022 By Guest Contributor

“Four years ago, we bubbled with anticipation of what 134 Dayton Street would become. We had just signed our lease and we were crafting our name and fine-tuning our vision for The Greene Canteen. We have always been passionate about health & wellness and sustainability. We invested in our community and sought out local partnerships and collaborations which often put us in contact with other small business owners, artisans, farmers and interesting people in general.

Reflecting on these last four years, I’ve come to the realization that our lives have been much like those of farmers. A farmer clears land, plants seeds, nourishes the seeds, and if things go right, the farmer has a bountiful harvest. Additionally, farmers must also plan for unexpected situations and must troubleshoot challenges (drought, floods, infestations, etc.) every year. The moment the farmer plants a seed, there is no guarantee.

Our lives have felt much like that. We’ve built a beautiful space, made all the necessary upgrades to make the space function, crafted an evolving menu based off customers’ desires, and hired and trained a team. We planned for unexpected situations…what if it rains/snows so much that if affects foot traffic? What if the price of avocados triples? What if _________?

We never planned for a pandemic. Covid-19 has changed all of our lives and has changed the food industry forever. Since 2020, we have built and rebuilt this business a handful of times. We have hired & trained, hired & trained, hired & trained, etc. constantly. We have lost suppliers and faced shortages (where are we going to get our to go boxes? Where are we going to get our frozen berries? No more XL gloves? Avocados, again?). The costs have skyrocketed. Not just labor, but every single item. The costs of gloves quadrupled. On top of all that, add in the actual health threat of Covid-19. When numbers spike, that means more disruptions (more employees who cannot work due to illness and more customers are staying home). Now, multiply all of this by 2. We have two “farms” and our other “farm” in located 55 miles away.

After reflecting over a very long winter, we realized that this “new normal” is not sustainable for us. We were so busy focusing on the health & wellness of our businesses, employees and customers, that we neglected our own personal health (pretty ironic when you consider the intention of The Greene Canteen.). So, we’ve decided to change that.

We’ve decided to sell The Greene Canteen so we can focus on our personal health and happiness (and only tend to one “farm”). Local restauranteur, Miguel Espinosa has purchased The Greene Canteen. While his vision will be a little different, you will see some similar menu items and familiar faces; Miguel intends to keep all team members of The Greene Canteen.

The next couple of weeks are going to be busy; we’re trying to expand our hours and see as many friendly faces as possible before our final goodbye. Our last day of operation will be June 30th. If you have a chance, please stop in grab that last Dirty Banana or Spicy Chicky Sandwich. If you have gift cards, please make sure you use them before July 1st. Please check our social media for expanded hours as well as any retail sales.

If you don’t get to say your “goodbye”, don’t worry. You will see us bopping around town when we’re not at Brezel. In fact, you might see us out and about more often.

Thank you for all your support – without you, we wouldn’t be here today. Life takes you on some interesting paths. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

XO,

Brittany & Tim

Farmer Matthew Keener Starts A Nonprofit To Donate Beef To The Needy

June 10, 2022 By Guest Contributor

The rich, honeyed strains of Bach’s Mass in B minor greet visitors when they walk into his farmhouse in rural western Ohio. Along North Lutheran Church Road in Trotwood, beef cattle munch on the slowly emerging shoots of grass in early spring.

Welcome to the world of Matthew Keener, a former Wright State University music student who took a 10-year detour to ranch in northern Montana before returning to Ohio to raise cattle and now start a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the needy.

Funds from Keener’s nonprofit will be allocated to six different regions of Ohio and used to buy cows from local farmers, turn it into hamburger and donate it to food banks, church pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Ohio will be the test market, with a goal of eventually expanding to three or four other states.

The idea was born when Keener realized that several local golf courses had been decommissioned but the grass still needed to be cut. So he volunteered to mow the grass at the former Madden Golf Course in Dayton for free, turn it into hay to feed his cows and donate beef from some of the animals to food pantries, starting with The Foodbank of Dayton.

“Fresh meat is really an item that we don’t see a lot of,” said Lee Lauren Truesdale, chief development officer at The Foodbank. “Not only is this meat going to feed families in the area, but the program is going sustain farmers and their operations and what they do every day.”

Keener called the hunger problem “absolutely huge.”

“By changing the way we manage the grassland areas that aren’t being used, we can turn that into protein and feed people in the communities that definitely need it,” he said.

Keener’s farmhouse began as a log cabin built by his great grandfather in 1837 on 160 acres just northwest of Dayton. Keener grew up next to it and spent much of his waking hours there as a boy, mowing grass and maintaining the barns.

Matthew Keener, a farmer and former Wright State music student, has launched a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the hungry, starting with the Foodbank of Dayton. (Photos by Erin Pence)

His interest in music began at a young age. He sang in church choirs, an opera children’s chorus and later with the Dayton Bach Society.

His father, a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, taught music at New Lebanon schools and later at Wright State. Keener had his father as a music teacher all through high school and at Wright State.

The opera-singing, French horn-playing Keener currently sings in the choir at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oakwood.

Keener enrolled at Wright State to study music after graduating from Dixie High School in 1995. During that time, he would go to Montana in the summers to work on harvest crews.

“I absolutely fell in love with Montana and one year I didn’t come home,” he said. “I stayed in Montana for 10 years, working on cattle ranches and riding horses.”

Keener said the experience changed him drastically, teaching him to appreciate the solitude and the quiet. He later got rid of his television and rarely listens to the radio so he can concentrate on his own thoughts.

When he returned to Ohio, Keener decided to take over the family farm and start a beef cattle herd. It was tough sledding at first.

“For a long time, we didn’t know if we were going to make it,” he said.

Then Keener discovered Polyface Farm, which is run by Joel Salatin and his family in rural Swoope, Virginia, and is known for using unconventional methods to emotionally, economically and environmentally enhance agriculture. The methods include direct marketing of meats and produce to consumers, pastured poultry, grass-fed beef and a rotation method that creates an ecological system.

After Keener saw a video about Polyface, he had an “epiphanal moment” and jumped on board the farm-to-table movement.

“That is going to save this farm,” he recalled thinking. “I knew that was exactly what it was going to take. So we started rotating cattle. We took row crops out. We stopped using the chemical fertilizers. We started composting.”

Keener said people want to know where their food comes from and that it is raised in a good fashion.

“The consumer is now driving the ship in a different direction,” he said. “They are asking for a better-quality product from farming. It creates more opportunities for people to do what I’m doing.”

Keener supplies about 15 restaurants with meat, most of it wagyu beef, among the most sought-after meats in the world because of its buttery tenderness. And once a month, needy families can pick up discounted beef, pork and chicken from Kenner’s butcher shop in Dayton.

The 43-year-old Keener and his farm have been featured in a documentary film called “Farmers for America,” which highlights the nation’s younger farmers. It was produced by Graham Meriwether and narrated by Mike Rowe, known for his work on the Discovery Channel series “Dirty Jobs.”

Keener said his six years at Wright State combined with ranching in Montana have enabled him to bridge the gap between farmers and city dwellers.

“It allowed me to speak a different language,” he said. “You just have to learn how to navigate different fields.”

This article first appeared on Wright State University Newsroom
By Kris Sproles

[email protected], 937-775-3454

How Troni’s Found New Owners

May 22, 2022 By Guest Contributor

If you have visited Troni Brothers Pizza in Kettering, OH, then you know that with every visit you will enjoy a taste of Italy as well as customer service that has been handed down generations. They have built their businesses on Family, Community and Authentic food.

In early 2020 Labinot (Labi) Troni planned to open a pizza shop in Springboro OH. They decided to add a Point of Sale (POS) system to allow for easier order taking and creating an online ordering system for the pizza shop. Roma’s Pizza worked with Dave Keen the owner of Roxstar Payments. As we all are aware 2020 was a difficult year for many people and for small businesses everywhere. Roma’s had a difficult decision to make with Covid changing everything; do they give up or do they GO FOR IT! And as the strong team they are, they went for it!

During the set up and training period of the POS system, Labi Troni asked Dave to help on the first evening because they were very busy from the minute they opened the doors! Labi knew Dave could operate the POS system better than anyone since he is the one who set up the menu, he would know where every button was. Dave was answering phones, taking orders, checking people out and having fun! When the rush was over Labi asked Dave to return the next night to help. That relationship grew quickly along with mutual respect.

Dave worked side by side with the Roma’s Team and started to bring his son Riley with him to help out. Dave volunteered happily because he enjoyed the time at the restaurant, helping great people do what they love and meeting the customers who make it all possible. As he continued volunteering his time with the Troni’s, he developed deeply rooted relationships of family and friends. And as he helped the Troni’s other restaurants, their friends and family’s restaurants, he began to take the pizza business in as a whole. Dave, along with his wife Gina and son’s Dylan and Riley found a family extension with the Troni family.

Dave and Gina are Kettering natives. They met and graduated from Kettering Schools, so the sense of community is instilled in them. They later married and had two boys. Dylan is the oldest and on the Autism Spectrum. He has overcome many challenges in his life and is now married to Emily. Dylan has worked in the mobile phone industry for over 4 years and has built a reputation for customer service. Riley graduated in 2020 and had similar learning disabilities. He worked for Roma’s Pizza for a several months and then in late 2020 found a permanent home working at Labi’s brother Besnik’s restaurant, Troni’s Italian Restaurant on Dorothy Lane.

The more time Dave spent with Labi and the Troni’s, the more he understood the business and saw an opportunity for an outreach program. Dave spoke with Labi about his idea to create an environment for young adults with intellectual disabilities to be able to come to work and learn as Riley did. He presented the idea with safety first by using the right equipment all while still delivering the quality of food everyone expects.

As the last few years allowed Dave to grow stronger relationships with the Troni family, Labi’s uncle approached Dave to ask if he would consider buying Troni Brothers Pizza as Hisni (Junior) Troni was ready to start slowing down and maybe retire. Dave sat down with Junior and shared the idea he had a few years ago with Labi. Junior loved it! Junior always ran his restaurant as a place for family and community. They have volunteered for various events as well as provided the food for said events. The Troni Family gives back to the community twice a year by providing all First Responders, Military, Medical staff and Teachers with a FREE PIZZA DAY. For Junior to know that Dave would continue to impact the community as the Troni Family has, that made the decision easy for everyone. Dave has initiated and started working with Kettering Schools and their Special Education Department to put his vision in place knowing that the long term goal was to implement an outreach program.

Troni Brothers Pizza may change technology and faces over the years, but the quality in their history and flavors never will. In May 2022 Dave and Gina Keen are taking ownership of Troni Brothers Pizza. They are honored and proud to step into Juniors shoes, sauce drips and all. They plan on remodeling the dining area for a different dining environment and experience, but the recipes will never change. Gina, Dylan and Riley will run the day-to-day operations of the restaurant while Dave continues with the Merchant Services & Point of Sale business, helping out at the restaurant, and starting the Young Adult Outreach program with the community.

Riley

The Keen family hope you bring your family to meet their family, Dave, Gina, Dylan, Riley and Emily, where Family and Community always come first, and the authentic food will still be here for you.

Reprinted from Troni’s Brother’s Pizza website.

Troni Brothers Pizza

Family Owned and Operated

4654 Wilmington Pike
Kettering OH 45440

937-259-8877

Sleep in a tent on the Great Miami River!

May 22, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Guest blog by Deanna Bechtol, Miami County Visitor’s Bureau

Ready for an adventure that combines camping and floating on the Great Miami River? Look no further than Float Troy. It’s the only public floating tent experience in Ohio!

Float Troy is a series of floating tents anchored on the Great Miami River at Treasure Island Park. Guests sleep on the river inside of their own inflatable floating tent! This unique camping experience is perfect for those who want to take outdoor adventures to another level.

Troy, Ohio is an excellent destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities, but this is a unique experience altogether. Float Troy is the nation’s (and possibly the world’s) only public floating tent experience.

About the Experience

Before your imagination is carried away by thoughts of stray tents and daring rapids, Float Troy has employed several fail-safes to ensure your evening is a safe, memorable, and relaxing experience.

Your rental includes a raft to travel to and from the tent, oars, and life vests. While the space is tight, tents can accommodate two adults comfortably – or a maximum of four adults or two adults and two children.

Each tent has been securely tethered and anchored several times, so there’s no need to worry about floating away! Plus, the river levels are extremely shallow around the tents – only about 3 feet deep.

Be sure to pack lightly with plenty of sunscreen, water, bug spray, and flashlights. Guests should wear comfortable clothing and something they don’t mind getting wet or muddy.

Additionally, floating fire pits are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests can reserve an additional kayak or raft for exploring the area.

When you’re not hanging out in your tent or around the grill, explore the paved trails at Treasure Island and enjoy a brisk walk or a bike ride. Also located at Treasure Island, Smith’s Boathouse has a delightful menu of high-quality seafood, steak, and other seasonal options to satisfy those tastebuds.

With limited availability, tents rent from late June through early September. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information and rental availability.

The post The Float Troy Experience appeared first on Home Grown Great.

Veterans Career and Resource Fair at Wright State

May 14, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Military veterans will have the opportunity to connect with employers and service organizations at the Vets Moving Forward event at Wright State University’s Student Union on Wednesday, May 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.

This is the fifth year in a row that Wright State will host the event, which is organized by the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) and the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community.

For more information or to register, visit vetsmovingforward.org.

“Vets Moving Forward was designed by veterans, for veterans,” said Cassie Barlow, Ph.D., president of SOCHE and co-chair of the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community. “We want to share the extensive resources that this region has which are specifically for our veteran community and their families. Come join us for a great afternoon.”

Some of the services that will be available at Vets Moving Forward include:

Veterans resource fair
Veterans job fair
Disabled American Veterans assistance with disability claims
Dayton VA Medical Center enrollment
Montgomery County veteran ID cards

The event is not only for veterans but also for their family members and veterans service organizations in the region. About 100 veterans service organizations are expected to participate to connect and network with veterans.

The Dayton Regional Transit Authority and Greene CATS Public Transit will provide free bus rides for veterans to and from Wright State on May 18. Veterans should show identification, a DD 214, or pick up a token at the VA Medical Center.

The Miami Valley is one of 50 communities across the nation to be selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create a MyVeteran Community Engagement Board. The Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community was organized under the leadership of Barlow, a retired Air Force colonel and former wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and retired Lt. Col. John McCance in late 2015.

It enables veteran advocates, service providers, veterans and stakeholders to have a voice in identifying their community goals and work to resolve issues locally to improve service delivery for veterans, service members and their families.

By Erica Harrah

This article originally appeared on the Wright State University News Room.

Dayton Barrel Work Brings Home Gold

April 19, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Dayton Barrel Work is excited to announce that three of our spirits won GOLD at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Competition. After nearly two years of producing some of Daytons’ finest spirits we are getting our reward.

Altschul’s Corn Whiskey

Originally based in Springfield O, and later based out of Dayton O, Altschul’s Distillery was renowned for two things: mail order shipping of their whiskey to most of the U.S., and the genius marketing mind of Small Sam Altschul. Small Sam believed in quality, service, and first-class treatment of their customers. The second offering in our Legacy Series, where we honor the brands and flavors of our past with this smooth 8-year-old Corn Whiskey.

Gypsy Queen Absinthe Blanche

During the mid-1800’s, Matilda Stanley and her tribe called Dayton home. Her wealth was accumulated via horse trading, fortune telling, and as a mesmerist. Upon her death, 20,000 people came from all over the country to pay tribute to their fallen Queen. Our colorful and worldly blend of botanicals deliver the essence and soul of this amazing spirit. Like the Gypsy Queen herself, it evokes the wonder, good fortunes, and the eternal wandering of the unknown.

Miami Valley Rye

A spirit and brand dormant for over a century. Once a point of pride for our region and a brand widely known all over the world, Miami Valley Rye Whiskey is a name no longer forgotten and destined to become an old dusty bottle sitting on a shelf. Distilled with 95 percent Rye content, this delicious Rye Whiskey is meticulously selected.

We hope that everyone will come out and join us in celebration on April 30 at our Spring Spirit Showcase, held at the distillery at 318 E.2^nd Street in downtown Dayton. Tickets include samples from more than 50 spirits, commemorative rocks glass, live music, and more and are available on Eventbrite.

This guest post was written by Bill Hockett, Head Distiller for Dayton Barrel Work.

Samantha Shares Her Pasta Class Experience

March 12, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Oh boy. Where do I start? So I found out that Grist Provisions has started doing in house classes in their newly renovated extension and I hopped on that as quickly as possible to secure a spot in the Friday night session. Because if I want to learn how to make pasta, I couldn’t think of anyone better to teach!!

And teach they did. Patrick and crew made the experience very informative and enjoyable from start to finish and the meal that came out afterwards was absolutely amazing. We started with the hands on part of making pasta, he then guided us through the process of making the sauce – thoughtfully answering all questions and giving some great advice. We then spent time forming our pasta shapes and then sat to eat.

And I’m full. I woke up this morning with no appetite and a belly that needs patting from time to time, reminding it that it will recover and it had a great time. It’s like my tummy has a hangover!!

To start we had a chicory and winter citrus salad, then saffron malloreddus with a roasted apple and pork ragu. And the caramelized white chocolate panna cotta was pure heaven.

And what felt like a never ending supply of their focaccia which didn’t hurt anyones feelings at all. Attempts to remove the bowls of focaccia were thwarted by 12 snarling cats in human form.

We left with the pasta we made, a well thought out instructional on how to recreate the meal at home and extras of the focaccia. Yay!!

I believe they’ll be doing classes twice a month with the next ones in two weeks from now. And it was absolutely worth signing up for. I feel like I’ve got the confidence now to try my hand at making pasta and as soon as my food hangover has subsided, I’ll be able to cook up the pasta that I made last night.

Anyway, Grist never disappoints and they always have our love and support! Bravo to them for all they do.

This guest post was written by Samantha Hughes, owner and founder of Riley Street Merchants.

Located in Kettering, Ohio, Riley Street Photography services the Dayton and Kettering areas. Specializing in vintage themed photography, fine art, fashion and product photography, message today for a custom package of photography services to best suit your needs.

Riley Street Market is an extension of this business with art, handcrafted wares, fashion and thoughtfully curated vintage offerings available at pop up shops and Etsy.

The Empty Politics of Stoli’s Name Change

March 8, 2022 By Guest Contributor

The makers of Stolichnaya vodka announced that it would no longer be called Stolichnaya vodka. Instead, the brand will be known as Stoli, making official the nickname consumers have been using for years, and changing the name from an actual Russian word (“Stolichnaya” translates roughly to “metropolitan”) to one that doesn’t mean anything.

In response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a few bartenders have made a show of dumping Stoli vodka down the drain, in a supposed move of solidarity with Ukraine. There is also increased government opposition toward Russian-made products. Multiple states with state-run liquor stores have banned the sale of Russian spirits from the shelves, even though less than one percent of alcohol consumed in the U.S. is Russian-made. However, Stoli says of the name change, “The three driving factors behind the decision are the founder’s vehement position on the Putin regime; the Stoli employees determination to take action; and the desire to accurately represent Stoli’s roots in Latvia.”

Stoli says its original formula was created in 1938, though others say the vodka originated in 1901, connected to the Moscow State Wine warehouse. It was first imported into the U.S. in the 1970s, with production based in Latvia, a fact the company has tried to emphasize in the past few weeks. It’s also made a point of highlighting Spirits International group owner Yuri Shefler’s beef with Putin. “While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” he said in a statement. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”

Shefler’s persecution is a result of a dispute over who has control over the Stoli trademark, Shefler or the Russian government. “In 2000, in one the first examples of the regime identifying a valuable asset and attempting to wrest control of it, Putin waged a battle for Stoli ® vodka trademarks across the world,” Stoli explains on its site. “This is still ongoing in some countries. Yuri Shefler left Russia in 2002 and has not returned since.” Stoli also said it would be ensuring none of its ingredients are sourced from Russia, and is donating to World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts in Ukraine. The company did not specify when customers could expect to see newly-branded bottles on the shelves.

This isn’t the first time Stoli has had to clarify its relationship with Russia in response to a backlash. In 2013, columnist Dan Savage called on bars to boycott Stoli vodka in response to Russia’s anti-gay laws, and said that it didn’t matter if Stoli was made in Latvia — its distributor is still Russian-owned. Spirits International’s then-CEO, Val Mendeleev, said at the time, “We fully support and endorse your objectives to fight against prejudice in Russia. In the past decade, SPI has been actively advocating in favor of freedom, tolerance, and openness in society, standing very passionately on the side of the LGBT community and will continue to support any effective initiative in that direction.”

By officially adopting a nickname, Stoli is attempting to further reject its Russian past, perhaps positioning itself to be a popular choice among people who base their politics around what they buy. It may also be a move to avoid harassment. Restaurants like the Russian Tea Room in New York and Texas’s Russian House have proactively distanced themselves from Russia, with Russian House going so far as to change its name, as businesses even the tiniest bit associated with Russia are facing threats and vandalism.

But will the few people already dumping out their bottles of Stoli stop now that it’s ditched the “-chnaya”? It’s hard to say. The spirit having been made in Latvia for decades didn’t stop them from doing so in the first place. What’s more, Russia is not synonymous with Putin, and anyone assuming a brand originating in that country automatically endorses everything its current leader does probably has a flimsy understanding of geopolitics at best. And honestly, does “Stoli” even sound less Russian?

The rebrand is a largely empty gesture, made to placate customers’ squeamishness around being associated with Russia (and possibly helping Stoli out in their trademark battle?) without actually requiring them to do anything. Buying or not buying Stoli was never going to affect Russia in the first place. It still won’t.

This article originally appeared on EATER on March 7th and was written by Jaya Saxena.

Explore the Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail

February 4, 2022 By Guest Contributor

The Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail was created by the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau, and covers thirty one candy and confection stores throughout the state. The trail meanders across the state, starting in the South-West of Ohio with Haute Chocolate in Cincinnati, and ending in the North-East with the Buckeye Chocolate Company in Chardon.

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Haute Chocolate

Located in the heart of Montgomery. They have been creating freestyle chocolate treats since 1979.

9424 Shelly Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45242 513-793-9999

Haute buckeye candies

Tickled Sweet

Featuring artisan Chocolates, 30+ varieties of house-made fudge, delightful hand-crafted cookies and macaroons.

317 Main St, Milford, OH 45150 513-880-4169

Tickled Sweet candies

Loveland Sweets

Inspired by a love of fine chocolates and homemade confections, Gloria Wilson founded Loveland Sweets in 2006. Handcrafted chocolates and ice creams that feature premium ingredients are the hallmark of Loveland Sweets.

124 W. Loveland Ave, Loveland, OH 45140 513-583-8305

Loveland Sweets buckeye candies

Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory

At Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory, premium chocolates have been prepared by master candymakers since 1982. Their chocolate temptations will satisfy the most discriminating tastes.

120 S. Broadway Street, #1 Lebanon, OH 45036 513-932-1990

Golden Turtle buckeye candies

Holly B’s Sweets

Located in the picturesque antique village of Waynesville, Holly B’s Sweets is a family-owned business that takes pride in creating delicious, quality handmade chocolates and fudge.

33 S. Main Street, Waynesville, OH 45068 513-897-2112

Holly B's Sweets

Friesinger’s Chocolates

Friesinger’s is a family owned business which manufactures the finest quality nuts and candy in two facilities in Dayton and Springboro.

45 N. Pioneer Boulevard, Springboro, OH 45066 937-743-4377

Friesinger's Chocolates

Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe

Founded by Betty Blose in 1984, Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe has maintained its reputation for its delicious blend of milk and dark chocolate combined with our handmade creams, nuts and other fillings.

101 E. Alex-Bell Rd., Suite 144, Centerville, OH 45459 937-436-5066

Esther Price

As distinctive as Esther Price’s gold box, so is the taste of our chocolates. Esther Price Candies continues the tradition of old-fashioned quality using the same recipes that Esther Price herself perfected since 1926!

1709 Wayne Avenue, Dayton, OH 45410 800-782-0326

Esther Price

Winans Chocolates + Coffees

Established in the early 1900s and located in the quaint, historic setting of downtown Piqua, Winans creates premium chocolates, handmade the same way for generations.

310 Spring Street, Piqua, OH 45356 937-773-1981

Winans buckeye candies

Marie’s Candies

Marie’s Candies opened its doors in 1956, and its reputation for old-fashioned, high quality candies spread across the countryside.

311 Zanesfield Road, West Liberty, OH 43357 937-465-3061

Marie's buckeye candies

Jack-B’s

Jack-B’s is at your service with home-cooked goodness-to-go including their Peanut Butter or Cookie Dough Buckeyes dipped in white or milk chocolate.

124 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, OH 45840 567-294-4234

Jack-B's buckeye candies

Dietsch Bros Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream

In 1937, Dietsch Brothers began producing fine chocolates and ice cream using original family recipes and have been producing delicious, quality products ever since.

400 West Main Cross Street, Findlay, OH 45840 419-422-4474

Dietsch Bros

Stella Leona Artisan Chocolates

Stella Leona artisan chocolates are locally handmade with the finest, freshest ingredients. Passion, love and history goes into everything they make.

362 Main Street, Pettisville, OH 43553 419-445-0370

Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes

For over 30 years Marsha’s has specialized in manufacturing Peanut Butter and Chocolate Candy Buckeyes. The Buckeye is the only candy that they make so their goal has always been to produce the perfect one.

25631 Ft. Meigs Road, Suite H, Perrysburg, OH 43551 419-872-7666

Marsha's Homemade Buckeyes

CoCo Beans Candy & Cupcakes

Offering handmade chocolates, ice cream, milkshakes, cupcakes, gift baskets, favors and more, Coco Beans Candy & Cupcakes strives to make your life event sweeter.

116 South Front Street, Fremont, OH 43420 419-332-0420

Sweet Tooth Cottage

Sweet Tooth Cottage is a family-owned bakery in Powell, Ohio. Everything they sell is made by hand and from scratch in their kitchen.

10221 Sawmill Parkway, Powell, OH 43065 614-361-6166

Sweet Tooth Cottage buckeye candies

Eagle Family Candy

Operating in the same location, with the original equipment and recipes, Eagle Family Candy takes pride in making quality, local, delicious chocolates.

4590 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214 614-262-2255

Eagle Family buckeye candies

Tremont Goodie Shop

The Tremont Goodie Shop is a full-line, family-owned bakery nestled in Upper Arlington, Ohio. For over 60 years, they’ve hand-made their products from scratch and served their customers – who are more like friends – with a smile.

2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221 614-488-8777

Tremont Goodie Shop buckeye candies

Anthony Thomas

Anthony Thomas is one of the largest family-owned and operated candy companies in the mid-west. They produce an average of 50,000 pounds of chocolates daily.

1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228 877-226-3921 Anthony Thomas buckeye candies

Chocolate Cafe

Serving the area since 2007, at the Chocolate Cafe, you can order your hand-rolled buckeyes to go in an edible chocolate box.

1855 Northwest Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43212 614-485-2233

Chocolate Cafe

Pure Imagination Chocolatier

Pure Imagination Chocolatier was founded by Master Chocolatier Daniel Cooper in 2001. It has been awarded the finest chocolate in Columbus since 2002.

1205 Grandview Ave., Grandview Heights, OH 43212 614-488-3070

Pure Imagination buckeye candies

Schmidt’s Fudge Haus

At Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, they only offer the finest fudge and chocolates made with the finest ingredients. Their buckeyes will make you scream OH-IO!

220 E. Kossuth Street, Columbus, OH 43206 614-444-2222

Schmidt's Fudge Haus buckeye candies

Wittich’s Candy Shop

Celebrating 178 years in business, Wittich’s Candy Shop is the nation’s oldest family owned and operated candy shop. Try one of their buckeyes in the Buckeye Blast Sundae: Smith’s Buckeye Blast ice cream topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, real whipped cream, and a Wittich buckeye.

117 W. High Street, Circleville, OH 43113 740-474-3313

Wittich's buckeye candies

Buckeye Creations

Buckeye Creations offers the classic Ohio candy with a unique and creative twist of flavors. From Coconut to Smores, each one has their own personality and unique taste.

6962 Willow Bloom Drive, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-209-1617

Buckeye Creations buckeye candies

Candy Cottage

The Candy Cottage is a locally owned confectionery and their legacy dates back to the 1960’s. They specialize in unique holiday treats, custom favors for any occasion, baskets, corporate gifts, chocolate boxes and more.

2271 W. Fair Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130 740-653-6842

Candy Cottage buckeye candies

Goumas Candyland

It’s always buckeye season at Goumas Candyland and people can’t get enough. Aside from using only the best ingredients, the secret lies in traditional recipes, passed down through the generations.

19 Claren Drive, Heath, OH 43056 740-345-7440

Goumas Candyland buckeye candies

Nothing But Chocolate

Nothing But Chocolate is a chocolate business located in historic Cambridge, Ohio. Our most popular item is an Ohio tradition. Each box of Buckeyes is made to order to ensure delicious fresh Buckeyes dipped for you.

731 Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725 740-439-5754

Nothing But Chocolate buckeye candies

Coblentz Chocolates

Coblentz Chocolate Company began in 1987 and is nestled in Ohio’s Amish Country. They hold true to the local traditions of doing things the old-fashioned way. We use the freshest ingredients.

4917 State Route 515, Walnut Creek, OH 44687 800-338-9341

Coblentz Chocolates

Sweeties Chocolates at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

With over 40 years in the business, they continue to welcome visitors from all over the globe to savor the experience of their sweet dream come true.

668 U.S. Highway 250 East, Ashland, OH 44085 419-281-3202

Sweeties Chocolates at Grandpa's Cheesebarn

Waggoner Chocolates

At Waggoner Chocolates, they continue their timeless devotion to the worlds most distinguished chocolate connoisseurs by providing quality chocolates and confections that will be cherished for generations to come.

1281 S. Main Street, North Canton, OH 44720 330-433-1834

Waggoner Chocolates

Harry London Candies, Inc.

For nearly a century, Fannie May Chocolates has been bringing their customers the finest gourmet chocolates, fudge, and candies that have kept them as a favorite traditional chocolate store.

5353 Lauby Road, North Canton, OH 44720 800-999-3629

Harry London buckeye candies

Hartville Chocolate Factory

You’ll take a step back in time when you visit the Hartville Chocolate Factory retail store located in historic downtown Hartville. Established in 1986, our confectionary shop offers an old-fashioned atomosphere, tempting guests with a full display of our chocolate creations, homemade fudge, caramels, marshmallows and more!

114 South Prospect Avenue, Hartville, OH 44632 330-877-1999

Hartville Chocolate Company buckeye candies

Honadle’s Fine Chocolates

It is easy to take shortcuts, but at Honadle’s, they aren’t into that. they use only the freshest ingredients from local businesses, when possible. From coconut oil to freshly zested lemons, they always strive for exceeding your expectations.

1138 West Maple Street, Hartville, OH 44632 330-267-6033

Honadle's Fine Chocolates

Butter Maid Bakery

Family owned and operated since 1955. They make old fashioned, handmade products in small batches.

100 Victoria Road, Boardman, OH 44512 844-688-7655

Butter Maid buckeye cake

Malley’s Chocolates

Now in the third generation of family business, Malley’s Chocolates is committed to offering quality confections made with the same special-recipe milk and dark chocolate they’ve earned their stellar reputation providing.

1685 Victoria Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107 216-226-8300

Malley's buckeye candies

Campbell’s Sweets Factory

The heritage at Campbell’s Sweets begins over four decades ago in the roots of candy making excellence. Campbell’s feels good about getting behind all of their products with the quality of ingredients they use!

2084 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 216-965-0451

Campbell's Sweets Factory

Buckeye Chocolate Company

In its second generation, the Buckeye Chocolate Company is devoted to providing customers with fresh and quality confections.

510 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024 440-286-5282

Buckeye Chocolate Company assorted confections

Dayton Native David Poe Release New Single

January 19, 2022 By Guest Contributor

David Poe returns with his stirring new single “People Clap Hands” (ECR Music Group). The first track from his highly-anticipated new album Everyone’s Got A Camera (September 23rd, 2022), “People Clap Hands” is vintage Poe, with all the melodic immediacy and lyrical depth one would expect from the celebrated songwriter, producer, and recording artist.

“Every songwriter worth their salt is striving for the kind of balanced poetry and simplicity that Poe seems to just pour out,” said No Depression of Poe’s most recent full-length effort God & The Girl. NMEdescribes Poe’s songs as “Storytelling with beautiful, lush, guitar-underpinned music.” The Village Voicedeclared him “The major domo of songwriters.”

Poe has toured the world with Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Tori Amos, The Jayhawks, and Glenn Tilbrookof Squeeze. A composer fellow of the Sundance Institute, his work features in numerous film, TV, dance and theater projects, official selections of the Sundance Film Festival, and commercials for humanitarian projects like the Malala Fund and the You Mean The World Foundation.

Poe’s songs have been performed by a wide array of artists, including Curtis Stigers, Oh Land, Ana Moura, C.C. White, Thomas Dybdahl and the cast of ABC’s Nashville, and recorded by producers including T-Bone Burnett, Larry Klein, Buddy Miller, and Dave Sitek. He has also produced recordings for other artists, including Regina Spektor and Kraig Jarret Johnson.

Shadowland, a collaboration with contemporary dance company Pilobolus, toured for a decade and was performed on five continents, for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and was released as a feature film.

Transplanted from Dayton to New York City, David Poe served as the sound engineer at CBGB’s 313 Gallery before signing with Sony/Epic. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

“New Year New Art” at the ARTery

January 3, 2022 By Guest Contributor

Well 2021 is in the rearview mirror and 2022 is on our horizon! The ARTery will be presenting “New Year, New Art”, a New Gallery show containing NEW art created by our artists and artisans that has never been on display in our Gallery before. This New Year, New Art exhibit will be on display for the month of January so drop in during our monthly open gallery times, 1^st Fridays from 5 – 9pm, and 3^rd Sundays from 11am – 4pm.

The ARTery would also like to introduce our highlighted Artist of the Month for January, Fabienne Bee. Bee is a colorful, and imaginative painter whose dynamic work appears to be glowing with light and adorned with rich, luscious colors. Part of her secret is in her unique use of complementary colors and layering techniques. We do hope you will take time to come check out her amazing body of paintings currently on display at the ARTery in January, and meet this very personable artist.

“Spring Morning“ Acrylic Painting by Fabienne Bee

Fabienne Bee is an Ohio based artist who has been honing her artistic talents off and on for most of her life. As a military spouse, she and her family have traveled and seen and lived in many places around the world. Her French heritage coupled with being exposed to many different styles of art through her years of living abroad bring a unique approach to her paintings. Bee said her work is greatly inspired and influenced by the great Impressionist painters of old like Monet, for his use of color, Pissarro for his landscapes and Cezanne’s early work in particular in regard to his use of color and his landscape paintings.

Fabienne’s art begins with a classical approach in landscapes, but she doesn’t stop there. She finds inspiration in playing with the mood of a scene and exaggerating colors to achieve a heightened sense of her awe for nature and its many hidden beauties. Her hope is that her paintings will transport the viewer to another place and time, filling them with a sense of peace and calm, giving them an opportunity to escape the fast pace and hecticness of our world today. “Spring Morning” is a 15”x18” Acrylic Painting of Bee’s capturing the quite stillness and serene beauty of a forest at daybreak. This piece and many more are currently on display at the ARTery Gallery.

The ARTery Gallery currently has Artists and Artisans with work on display including Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil Painting, Digital art, Photography, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Ceramics, Jewelry, Fiber Art and Sculpture. Open Each Month 1st Friday 5-9 & 3rd Sunday, 11-4.

Current ARTery Artists include: Fabienne Bee, Alison Bour, Rosalie Campbell, Samantha Farkas, Bob Farley, Carol Farley, Jim Hayes, Kelly Ingerson, Bonnie Kuntz, Sarah Maxwell, Melanie Morrett, Ashley Simons, Ryan Taylor, Jo Anne Vincent, Leonard Williams, and David Zawisa.

Article submitted by Melanie Morrett, the ARTery Gallery Marketing Coordinator

Dayton Barrel Works First Anniversary Celebration

November 17, 2021 By Guest Contributor

To help celebrate our one-year anniversary at Dayton Barrel Works (we released our spirits on Election Day 2020), we are releasing something special and unique. The release will coincide with a bourbon event to take place on November 20^th to showcase not only our spirits but also our newly opened event center and roof top bar. This special release is a blend that we put together using 5yr old 21% rye bourbon and 4yr old 95% rye rye whiskey. We took two barrels of each and finished the spirits in former Colombian rum barrels. These barrels started their life as Jack Daniels barrels some 30 years ago before going to be used for rum until earlier this year, so they offered a tremendous amount of flavor.

Dayton Barrel Works First Anniversary Celebration

November 10, 2021 By Guest Contributor

We asked Bill Hockett, Distiller at Dayton Barrel Works Artisan Distillery to tell us a little about their upcoming new whiskey release and celebration. Here’s what he shared with us:

After four months in the rum casks, we blended the bourbon and rye together to create a spirit with wonderful rye spice and a balanced but very present sweetness. The corn in the bourbon and the molasses from the rum create a rich sweetness that coats the pallet and lingers for a very long luxurious finish. Almost reminiscent of a gingerbread cookie, but at 100 proof!

The event on November 20^th will be open to ticketed guests from 12pm-3pm and feature 40+ bourbons and various other spirits from a multitude of producers including: New Riff, Widow Jane, Bardstown Bourbon Company, Uncle Nearest, Calumet, George Remus, Rossville Union and many others.

Distillery reps, distillers, and blenders from several of the above brands will be on site to talk about their products. Tickets for the event are available at Dayton Beer Company and Dayton Barrel Works, with General Admission costing $50 and VIP tickets costing $75.

Our Distillers Blend will be limited to only approximately 800 bottles and will retail for $57.50, plus those who purchase at the event can have them signed by myself and assistant distiller Andrew Zaret.

Top Sights You MUST-SEE at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum!

October 31, 2021 By Guest Contributor

You owe it to yourself to experience Dayton’s majestic Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum. Contrary to what you might think — this IS NOT the dead end of town! Bask in the tranquility of 3,000 trees that are particularly brilliant in color during the fall, explore the gorgeous views, enjoy a peaceful hike, and observe the final resting place of numerous famous Daytonians such as the Wright brothers, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, and columnist/author Erma Bombeck among others.

Below are some of the Top Sights You MUST-SEE at Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum!

Photo Credit: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

1. There are many reasons to visit Dayton’s historic and serenely beautiful Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum. Fall is likely the top season to visit because, with over 3,000 trees throughout a hilly terrain, you are bound to see some of the most beautiful colors of the season. Take a drive or a walk throughout Woodland’s 200 acres that make up one of the nation’s oldest “garden” cemeteries. Marvel at over 100,000 monuments, ranging from rugged boulders to Greek statues and temples, that note the lives of people who helped to shape Dayton and the nation. Reconnect with nature and enjoy the brilliant visual show put on by the trees, many of which are more than a century old.

Fall Woodland

Photo credit: Woodland Cemetery & Arborteum

2.. The Best View of the City can be seen from Lookout Point at Woodland Cemetery. It is the highest natural point in the city of Dayton proper. In fact, it has been voted the Best View of Dayton since 2015 and Woodland is in the running again for 2021.

Photo Credit: Robert Yontz

3. In Woodland Cemetery you can visit the grave of Dayton’s own Paul Laurence Dunbar, the first internationally acclaimed African American poet and writer. His gravesite is in close proximity to the Wright Family burial site. On Dunbar’s monument, you will find a verse from his poem entitled “Death Song” written in his signature slave dialect.

Photo Credit: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

4. Woodland’s Romanesque gateway, Chapel and administrative office, completed in 1889, are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Chapel has one of the finest original Tiffany windows in the country. Ken Botts, a visitor to Woodland, recently snapped this photo of the historic Chapel wrapped in scaffolding during the restoration and preservation project. It is anticipated the beautiful Chapel will be open again for visitors by this time next year – October 2022. All of the stunning 17 Tiffany windows have been restored and promise to brighten the Chapel with their extravagant colors.

Photo Credits: Ken Botts; Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

5. The Stanley Family in Dayton were known as Gypsies. They did make their base camp in Dayton but traveled through the South during the winter months. The death of Matilda Stanley is maybe one of the best-known stories of a person interred at Woodland Cemetery. She died in January 1878 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her body was shipped back to Dayton by train in an ornate casket and placed in Woodland Cemetery’s Receiving Vault. She would lay in the vault for 8 months before she was buried. On September 18, 1878, Matilda Stanley’s funeral was the largest ever held at Woodland. Newspapers reported an attendance of over 25,000 people. They said that over 1,000 horse-and-carriages lined Brown Street, up Woodland Avenue into the Cemetery, and throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Reportedly, men and boys climbed the trees to see what Gypsy ritual would take place and you know what? There were no Gypsy rituals. Rev. Dr. Daniel Berger of the United Brethren Church gave the funeral ode, blessed the ground and the choir sang three hymns including the “In the Sweet By-and-By” which had been written in 1868.

Photo Credit: Robert Yontz

6. Beloved Johnny Morehouse’s gravesite is always a favorite of young and old alike. You will often find child-appropriate tokens left by his tombstone. This little boy drowned in the canal near Third Street and is forever memorialized with this beautiful “Dog and Boy” monument made by local sculptor Daniel LaDow. As you approach the monument you will discover a new walking path that was laid this past summer. This brick pathway was once the brick pathway around the Wright Brothers family lot. When the Wright Brothers lot received an upgrade this year, the bricks were repurposed at the gravesite of Johnny Morehouse.

Photo Credit: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

7. Perhaps the most famous people interred at Woodland Cemetery are former Dayton residents Orville and Wilbur Wright, inventors of powered, manned flight. In fact, a number of Wrights are buried in the lovely Wright Family lot. Woodland is forever grateful to the Dayton Garden Club and the National Aviation Heritage Area for their support in upgrading the Wright Family lot this past year. The old plants and shrubs were pulled and donated to Carillon Park to be used in the Marie Aull Garden. New plantings were installed as was a new brick walkway.

Photo Credits: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum; Wright State Archives

8. The Woodland Pond is a great place to come for reflection, to enjoy a casual lunch, or to clear your mind. Enjoy the colorful reflection of the fall tree leaves in the pond. Or, on a warm summer day look for the variety of turtles numbering up to twenty, sunning themselves on the pond’s island. Blue Herons stop by and of course, there are always geese to be found.

Woodland Cemetery - cross and pond in background

Photo Credits: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum and Kevin Myers

9. The Deeds Mausoleum is a beautiful private family mausoleum. The architectural details are stunning. Col. Edward A. Deeds was involved in many Dayton enterprises including NCR, DELCO, and The Wright Brothers Company. He gifted Deeds Carillon Park to the community and his wife, Edith Walton Deeds was a major philanthropist in the city as well. You can read more about the Deeds by looking them up in Woodland Cemetery’s Locate A Loved One tab on their website woodlandcemetery.org. You can also download the mobile app and take one of 13 self-guided tours that feature the Deeds and many more prominent Dayton citizens.

Photo Credit: Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum

Explore the stunning fall views Woodland Cemetery has to offer this season! Learn more at woodlandcemetery.org, call at 937.228.3221, or visit at 118 Woodland Ave, Dayton, OH 45409.

This post createc by by DaytonCVB