Archives for August 2020
Kitchen Cocktails #52: Agua fresca
Have a melon cut and ready for this one! Bring a blender, some lime juice, sugar, and your favorite herbs as well. We are going to make a delightful non-alcoholic drink/cocktail mixer that is popular in Mexico. So, tequila too…
We Wear the Mask: Breathe
This compilation of Black Voices is a collaboration between Sinclair Theatre, Wilberforce University and Sinclair’s Office of Diversity. Monologues were written by Black authors and are being performed by current and former Sinclair actors in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The project was aptly titled by its director Edward Hill, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at Wilberforce University.
DLM Associate Wins Ohio Best Bagger, Featured on ESPN
For the second year in a row, a DLM associate wins the Ohio Grocers Association’s Best Bagger Award. DLM Washington Square’s Fengning Liu represented Dorothy Lane Market at the Ohio Best Bagger competition, which took place in June. The competition, including the winner reveal, was nationally broadcasted on Saturday, August 8, 2020, as part of ESPN’s “Ocho” programming, which is the first time this competition has been picked up by ESPN.
In revealing the “Ocho” programming, the network explains that it’s “surprising fans with a nine-and-a-half-hour slate of seldom seen sports.” As the first-place winner in the Ohio Best Bagger Competition, Fengning, a Centerville High School senior, was awarded $1,000 and he will eventually progress to the National Best Bagger Competition sometime in 2021, which DLM’s Katie West placed second in this past February.
“It was a unique experience that I didn’t expect going into the competition. It’s cool to me that I was able to apply by normal work skills in a more competitive setting,” says Fengning of the experience. Matt Bayne, DLM Washington Square’s Front End Manager, couldn’t be more proud. “Fengning is one of the hardest working young people who I’ve worked with. He always has a can-do attitude and never hesitates to go out of his way to help a customer or fellow DLM associate. He genuinely loves helping others and we are fortunate to have him on our team.”
Crooked Handle- Great Beers and Now Good Eats!
Crooked Handle, the Springboro brewery located in the strip center anchored by Dorothy Lane Market, has been serving up some great brews since December of 2015. They’d often have food trucks or even promotions for DLM’s pizza’s. They even added a full bar, so you can choose between the Berry Boro Blonde, the Bombs Away IPA or a Moscow mule. But they never really had much to offer in the way of sustenance to accompany their beers.
Well that’s changed as they’ve added a kitchen and quietly rolled out a pretty extensive food menu a few weeks ago. I was able to take a peek into the kitchen and looks like they’ve done it right! With a kitchen manager and crew that really understand how to put out great food in a relatively short amount of time. I’ve eaten there twice already and I’ve got to tell you it’s good! Currently following covid safety procedures, you order and pay at the register near the front doors, get assigned a # and then a food runner brings it out to your table.
On my first visit with a friend we tried some of the appetizers. Starting with some shareable apps, like traditional nachos, beer cheese and pretzle bites to flatbread and hummus, crispy cauliflower bites and even a charcuterie board and my favorite, the Crooked Tots-loaded with Beer Cheese, Onions, Jalapeños, Sour Cream, and Green Onions and the option to add a protein like chicken, beef or mojo pork. Most of these are in the $6-8 range, except the boards $9 for a 1/2 and $16 for a full board.
On my next visit I tried the CHBC Burger – Beer Cheese, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Mushrooms, Bacon, Fried Egg, and Lettuce and choose onion straws as my side. I could not get my mouth open wide enough for this ginormous burger- but even eating it with a fork it was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a while. And yes, I should have taken a picture, but I was so excited to dig in, I forgot
For those of you that might prefer a salad:
To check out the entire menu, visit the website.
They have two patio’s one out back and a newly expanded front patio:
Crooked Handle Brewing Co.
760 N. Main Street,
Springboro, OH 45066
(937) 790-3450
Wed & Thurs : 4-9p
Fri & Sat: 4-10pm
Sunday: 1-8pm
Chappelle Shows Granted Zoning Variance to Continue!
A 3 hour meeting was held tonight via Go To Meeting which included testimony from folks from Miami Beach, Florida, Baltimore as well as all over Ohio, requesting their be a temporary zoning variance. Folks shared the economic impact the performances are bringing to the village, as well as the mental health benefits attendees felt they got. Many folks shared that the spotlight Dave Chappelle’s shows are bringing to Yellow Springs and the fact that he is setting the standard for COIVD 19 safe entertainment are monumental. A performer who’s appeared on the show shared how much he appreciated getting to be a part of something so special, while also sharing that his wife has buy spending way too much money in the local shops.
Several neighbors complained about the sound, especially the bass and lighting flooding their house, while other neighbors testified in support, saying that the noise was worth the positive effects the show was having in the community. Property owner Steve Wirrig said he’s made every effort to make sure the pavilion is being a good neighbor and respectful of other property owners.
After the Miami Township zoning board went into executive committee for about 1/2 an hour the board came back and approved the variance through Oct 4th unanimously with 2 conditions:
- every effort is made to reduce the noise from the shows
- property owner agrees to meet weekly with the neighbors to talk about noise and other concerns
Let the shows continue!
Now good luck getting tickets! For more info join the Dave Chappelle and Friends at Wirrig Pavilion – Fan Group on Facebook.
Greene County Junior Fair Going on Now!
The Greene County Agricultural Society’ presents the 181st ‘Greene County Fair’ through Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Road. Xenia, OH.
“We are absolutely thrilled, in these unusual times, to present a smaller version of our fair.” said Dan Bullen, a director for the Greene County Agricultural Society.
“We went above & beyond the state guidelines to protect our fairgoers with masks, social distancing, sanitizing stations and limited access to our buildings, but after consulting with the Greene County Combined Health District they strongly recommended its best to scale back.” he added.
A small array of food vendors is set-up and serving all your favorites. Also, big news, attend the fair for free while enjoying lunch or dinner. Here’s how it works.
Lunch: 11-1
Dinner: 5-8
Buy a special admission ticket at the gate and if you leave before the end of the time posted above you will get your money back. Great way to enjoy some great fair food and support our awesome food vendors. An offer you can’t refuse.
The Junior Fair highlighting area youngsters and their animal’s is on-going and live streamed on our Facebook page. Check us out for our Livestock auction this afternoon August 6, at 4pm.Also, Friday, August 7, 4pm.
Then we conclude our live streaming on Saturday, August 8,9am for the marked feeder calf show.
The following is what to expect:
*Masks are required for all individuals on the fairgrounds. Except youngsters 10 and under or those who suffer with a medical condition.
*Admission is $5 unless you bring a canned good for our local food pantry. A non-perishable item reduces admission price to $3 dollars and ithe special pricing is available during each day of the fair.
*No rides, no games
*Minimal food vendors.
*No ground acts, no grandstand events, closed grandstand.
*Only family and close friends limited to 10 per exhibitor.
*All the above rules are in accordance with The Greene County Combined Health District
‘The good news is we will be back in 2021 bigger & better than ever!” Bullen said.
Dayton Art Institute Launches “Virtual Oktoberfest”
The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) recently made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Oktoberfest–the first time in its 49-year history the event has been canceled–due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the museum still wants to spread some Oktoberfest cheer.
Today, the DAI launched its first ever “Virtual Oktoberfest” fundraiser, offering a unique way to celebrate the popular festival and raise important operating revenue for the museum.
“Oktoberfest is an immensely popular community festival, and we wanted to make certain the spirit of the event continues, even though we can’t celebrate at the museum this year,” DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger said. “This virtual fundraiser offers the opportunity to keep the tradition of the Oktoberfest mugs, t-shirts and hat pins alive, while also generating much-needed support for the museum.”
Virtual Oktoberfest offers an exclusive, limited-edition 2020 Oktoberfest mug and hat pin, as well as three different Oktoberfest t-shirts, and an invitation to a special livestream event to take place on September 26.
“Even though you can’t spend the traditional weekend at the museum, listening to polka bands, perusing the artisans and having a pretzel with a mug of beer, you can take the DAI’s ‘party-in-a-box’ and have your own Oktoberfest celebration at home,” Roediger said. “Many collect the Oktoberfest mugs–a tradition dating back to the late 1970s–and you definitely won’t want to miss out on the 2020 mug, created specifically for this event. A very limited number are being produced, and they will only be available through this online fundraiser.”
Three different Virtual Oktoberfest Party Packs are being offered:
- VIP Party Pack ($200): Contains the exclusive 2020 Oktoberfest mug, two Oktoberfest hat pins, two Oktoberfest logo t-shirts and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.
- General Admission Party Pack ($100): Contains the exclusive 2020 Oktoberfest mug, one Oktoberfest hat pin, one Oktoberfest logo t-shirt and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.
- Starter Party Pack ($50): Contains one Oktoberfest hat pin, one Oktoberfest logo t-shirt and an invitation to the Virtual Oktoberfest livestream event on September 26.
Each Party Pack offers the option to purchase two other Oktoberfest t-shirts designs: a “Dayton Strong” shirt and a “Beer Eye Chart” shirt.
All three t-shirts may also be purchased individually, and a specially priced three-pack of Oktoberfest logo t-shirts is available. The Party Packs are the only way to purchase the Oktoberfest hat pin, and the VIP and General Admission Party Packs are the only way to purchase the 2020 Oktoberfest mug.
The virtual livestream event on September 26 will feature music and other special surprises. More details about the livestream event will be released in September.
All Virtual Oktoberfest merchandise will only be available, in limited quantities and for a limited time, via the museum’s online store, at www.daytonartinstitute.org/shopdai. Virtual Oktoberfest sales will end on August 31. All purchases will be curbside pickup at the DAI: VIP Party Packs will be available for pickup on September 18; all other items must be picked up on September 26. The museum will provide pickup instructions after orders are placed. No Virtual Oktoberfest items will be shipped.
The DAI, which recently reopened after being closed four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has canceled all three of its 2020 Signature Events–Oktoberfest, Art Ball and Bourbon & Bubbles–and faces a projected budget deficit of more than $1 million in 2020. Oktoberfest is the museum’s largest annual fundraiser, and its cancellation means the loss of more than $400,000 in revenue,” Roediger said. “This Virtual Oktoberfest fundraiser will play a critical role in offsetting some of that loss and helping to fund museum operations during this difficult time. Oktoberfest will be back in 2021, but we need the community’s support to help make that happen.”
Dayton at Work and Play: Daj’za Demmings
Daj’za Demmings is a Biomedical Engineer working on artificial vertebrae for people with back disorders. She’s also the Executive Director of Dayton Young Black Professionals. I met her while she was working to clean up Mallory Park in Dayton’s Pineview neighborhood, as part of the I Love West Dayton project.
I wasn’t familiar with the Young Black Professionals Group and asked Daj’za to tell me something about it.
“We try to empower our members to be leaders in our communities, and to support improvements to those communities to make them the kind of place where we want to live. Last year after the tornadoes hit we delivered food, water and other supplies to people who were impacted. This year we’re working on the Mayor’s Police Reform effort. We also have an after school program, run summer camps and do workforce development training.”
“We could use some help with one of our projects. We’re buying Chrome Books for students who don’t have a computer while schooling from home. The GoFundMe page is https://www.gofundme.com/f/dybps-fight-for-social-justice ”
Tree of Life Memorial on Display in Oregon District
Today on display in the Oregon District you will see nine paintings done by local artists. These trees of life represent the nine lives lost in the horrific shooting on April 4th, 2019 that happened on Fifth Street.
Their was a committee formed to help create a memorial to remember those who loft their lives. Committee member Mark DaGrossa, who actually created the Dayton Shines logo, says, “we talked about many ideas, but a tree seemed to emerge as a symbol we could all agree upon. So I reached out to local artist Julie Riley to see if she’d be interested.” Julie shared that the idea was to create trees so people could write notes of remembrance and tack them on the trees.
Riley then recruited Richard Lundin, Property Manager of Front Street for help with Mark’s idea and he came up with the idea of 9 artists each painting one tree. Digital Fringe printed a plain tree on 46”x46” boards and each artist painted their tree as a memorial to the victims. Julie says, “it was really cool because none of us saw what the other artists painted until the installation was up this morning. Richard then built the frames for the installation you see in the OD and then mounted the paintings. It’s already been visited a lot this morning and people are placing notes on the trees to the victims. It was very emotional for each of us who painted the trees, thinking of those who lost their life and those who were injured. The trees will be there for a month and then moved to Front Street’s sculpture park.”
Visitors are welcome to visit the installment today and pin a note, a memory, or message of hope to the installment. The Crisis Response team will be on site until 6PM to offer materials and support for those in need.
The nine artists that created these trees are: Julie Riley, Mikee Huber, Jo Ann Vincent, Hyacinth Paul, Lori Daugherty, Rusty Harden, Samantha Mang, Bonnie Kuntz and Sunny Simms.
Julie Riley’s Tree:
“Although it was a huge honor to paint the tree, it was a somber and emotional time. The nine doves and nine leaves represent the 9 who lost their lives, it broke my heart each time I painted a dove and especially when I wrote their name by each dove. I prayed for each family as I was writing the victim’s name. The yellow hearts at the bottom of the tree represent those who were injured and that was difficult too. I did not personally know anyone who lost their life or those injured but because of the news and social media, I was able to put a face to many of the victims. If you look close at the painting, you can see where my tears disturbed some of the paint.”
Mikee Huber’s Tree:
” It was emotional and overwhelming at times, so I’d like to share with you what this tree of life means to me. I chose nine colors for the leaves, one color per deceased. The bright colors represent the light they had in them and the joy they brought to others. Some colors have interference (color shifting) paint, and some have glitter paint but its subtle.I choose a galvanized steel appearance for the tree to represent the strength and resilience of Dayton, and to the victims who held on as long as they could.”
“The entire tree and leaves have a layer of Phosphorescent paint to represent even though they are gone, they are still with us. The Phosphorescent paint is also for Dayton Shines. The blue heart is love from Dayton to everyone who was there that night, and to those who lost a loved one. The initials represent they are forever with Dayton, we can never forget them, and we never will.”
Rusty Harden’s Tree:
“Its been an intense process and the finished piece with the other 8 belong to the community.”
Hyacinth Paul’s Tree:
Lori Daugherty’s tree:
My heart still hurts💔. Aug 4th, 2019 was a day that will always be a part of me.
A day I would have never imagined in my worst of nightmares.
A day that Dayton cried together.
A day that Dayton became stronger together.
Nine wonderful lives were lost that morning, thirty-nine more were injured, and countless lives were forever changed.
I am honored to have played a tiny part in creating the one year memorial for the anniversary of the Oregon District Shooting.
WYSO Public Radio Adds Staff
Luke Dennis, WYSO General Manager, and Neenah Ellis, Executive Director of The Eichelberger Center for Community Voices (The Center) have announced a number of staff changes both at WYSO Public Radio in Yellow Springs, signaling a fundamental shift in the direction and capacity of the station, and at The Center.
“Our world has changed dramatically in often turbulent and dramatic ways. The credibility of institutions is tested every day and people often are unsure where to find accurate, credible, and responsible news and information,” Dennis said. “We believe our audience, which has increased substantially over the last several years, looks to our station, our reporters, and editors and to NPR as a credible, balanced, and responsible news source. This change strengthens our news gathering and reporting capacity in order to keep pace with a rapidly and fluid news and information environment.”
According to Dennis, four new staff members have been added to the news team and three current WYSO employees have transitioned to new job responsibilities at the station. The new WYSO staff members are: News Director Jason Saul, Reporter Leila Goldstein, Environmental Reporter Chris Welter and Morning Edition Host Mike Frazier.
Three current WYSO staff members have assumed new duties at the station. They are:
Juliet Fromholt, who’s been with the station since 2009, has been promoted to Director of Digital and Programming Strategy. She will continue to oversee web and social media with a special focus on developing new digital music content in the coming year. She will continue to host “Kaleidoscope” and “Alpha Rhythms”.
Katie Main, formerly the Business Support and Events Manager, becomes an Account Executive, managing a portfolio of underwriting clients with a focus on Greene and Clark Counties.
Business Manager Art Boulet becomes Director of Finance and Administration, reflecting new responsibilities in HR and administration since Miami Valley Public Media received the station’s FCC license from Antioch College and made WYSO a completely independent radio station.
In addition, Luke Dennis becomes President and General Manager, overseeing the entire growing staff. He’s been with WYSO since 2012, leading its development team and increasing fundraising significantly in all categories.
Neenah Ellis, WYSO’s General Manager from 2009 to 2019, becomes the first Executive Director of The Eichelberger Center for Community Voices, which she began in 2010 as community training workshops.
Ellis is joined by the long time and award-winning producer of “Dayton Youth Radio,” Basim Blunt. He began an assignment in January as full-time Senior Producer and Instructor for The Center. Managing Editor and Reporter Jess Mador leaves the WYSO newsroom and becomes Senior Producer and Assistant Director of The Center focusing on community engagement and special projects. Finally, community producer Jocelyn Robinson, producer of several WYSO radio series, including “Rediscovered Radio” and “Senior Voices,” joins the staff of The Center as Producer for Emerging Initiatives, Education and Archives.
“Now is our time,” says Ellis, “we’re grateful to our listeners and donors for the faith they’ve placed in us and with this reorganization we will change the face of public media in the Dayton area, with more local voices and more local stories. There’s never been a more important time to focus on local news, music and storytelling. We’re ready.”
On the air 62 years, with studios in Yellow Springs on the campus of Antioch College, WYSO has seen steady growth in fundraising and award-winning programming in the last ten years, increasing its listening audience significantly. Last year it became independent of Antioch College when Ellis and Dennis raised $3.5 million dollars in the community and worked with the College to create a new nonprofit entity, Miami Valley Public Media, to own the license and manage the station.
“Launching the Eichelberger Center for Community Voices and strengthening our newsroom are two pillars of our strategic plan. I’m proud that, with this reorganization and the new hires, we are delivering on those aspirations,” says Luke Dennis. “Like Neenah says: We’re ready!”
WSU Foundation Welcomes New Trustees
The Wright State University Foundation has appointed six new trustees to its board, effective July 1.
Samia Borchers, M.D., a dermatologist in solo, private practice since 1984, was a member of the Wright State University Medical School charter class of 1980. She is a past president of both the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Ohio Dermatology Association. She has also been awarded Dermatologist of the Year in Ohio. She is a past chair of the Wright State University Academy of Medicine and is a current board member of the Discover Classical public radio station. Borchers has established an endowed scholarship for students in the Boonshoft School of Medicine.
Lauren Macgregor is a graduate student in Wright State University’s Student Affairs in Higher Education Program. She will be one of two Wright State students serving on the Foundation Board of Trustees.
Gary McCullough, a private investor, is a 1981 graduate of Wright State University. For more than 30 years, McCullough served in executive and board positions for such leading companies as TransDigm Group, Inc., The Sherwin Williams Company, Career Education Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and The Procter & Gamble Company.
Hernan Olivas is CEO and president of O’Neil & Associates. Olivas has been with ONEIL, a technical publications and training materials firm, for more than 17 years. He serves on the board of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce and the board of advisors for the Wright State University College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Randy Phillips is senior vice president for corporate development at Leidos, Inc. Phillips, a 1982 graduate of Wright State University, has held multiple executive roles at Boeing Company, TASC, Computer Sciences Corporation and Alcoa. He most recently served at Ellucian as senior vice president for corporate development.
Sharon Honaker Rab is an educator, writer and community activist. Rab taught English for a combined 47 years at Kettering Fairmont High School, Miami University and the University of Dayton. She received a Master of Education in Curriculum and Supervision from Wright State University in 1975. Rab founded the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the only literary prize honoring the power of literature to promote peace in the country.
“We are honored to welcome these outstanding business and community leaders from the Dayton region and beyond,” said Scott Rash, president and CEO of the Wright State University Foundation. “We appreciate their willingness to volunteer their time and talents to the Wright State University Foundation Board of Trustees. They will provide outstanding service to the foundation, the university and our students.”
The foundation board is also bidding a fond farewell to three trustees. Sonja Wolf, an MBA student who recently graduated; Stephen Hightower, president and CEO of Hightower Petroleum; and Barbara Duncombe, a partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, will end their board terms on June 30.
“We are grateful to Sonja, Stephen and Barbara for their contributions,” said Rash. “They all have tremendous passion for Wright State University and our students. Even though they will no longer be serving on the foundation board, I know they will continue to support our students and serve as ambassadors for our great university.”
This article written by By Kim Patton.
Ohio Sales Tax ‘holiday’ Is Back
The National Retail Federation’s annual back-to-school spending survey says families with kindergarten through 12th-grade students expect to spend an average of $630.36 on electronics, apparel and other school needs.
Legislation passed in 2018 means Ohioans won’t have to pay sales tax on purchases of clothing and footwear priced at up to $75 per item, as well as school supplies and instructional materials priced at up to $20 per item. This year the sales tax holiday begins Friday, August 7, 2020 at 12:00 am and runs through Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm
During the holiday, the following items are exempt from sales and use tax:
An item of clothing priced at $75 or less;
An item of school supplies priced at $20 or less:
School supplies” include only the following items: binders; book bags; calculators; cellophane tape; blackboard chalk; compasses; composition books; crayons; erasers; folders (expandable, pocket, plastic, and manila); glue, paste, and paste sticks; highlighters; index cards; index card boxes; legal pads; lunch boxes; markers; notebooks; paper; loose leaf ruled notebook paper, copy paper, graph paper, tracing paper, manila paper, colored paper, poster board, and construction paper; pencil boxes and other school supply boxes; pencil sharpeners; pencils; pens; protractors; rulers; scissors; and writing tablets.
An item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less.
For example: reference books, reference maps and globes, textbooks, and workbooks.
There is no limit on the amount of the total purchase.
Bike Night w/The Doug Hart Band
We had such a great time at the last one that we have decided to do it again! Join us Friday, August 7th for Bike Night sponsored by Sandy’s Towing!
The Doug Hart Band will be playing & your new favorite food truck Phat & Rich will be here!! Their food is amazing and we can’t WAIT for you to try it!!
Dayton at Work and Play: Ghosts at Browse Awhile Books
When I visited Browse Awhile Books (118 East Main Street, Tipp City) last week I learned about their ghosts. The building is 150 years old, and has been a grocery store, harness shop, bakery and hardware store before becoming a bookstore 30 years ago. I guess that’s a long enough history to attract a few ghosts. The ghostly activities at the bookstore have been featured on two TV shows and the place has been visited by dozens of paranormal investigators.
When I asked bookstore owner Bill Jones about his ghosts, he said they didn’t worry him. They had never done anything harmful or bothered anyone. He suggested I talk to Haley, one of his employees, about her experiences.
“I’ve been here about a year, and in that time I’ve seen quite a bit” she told me. “It doesn’t bother me. I grew up in an older house and we had weird things happen at home every once in a while.”
“I’ve seen one particular ghost three times. The first time I thought he was a customer standing with his back to me, although I hadn’t heard anyone come in. He was wearing a hat and a long coat even though the day was warm. I walked around the counter to greet him, and he was gone. Then someone showed me a photo of Sam Baldwin, who had owned the building when it was a hardware store. That’s who it was.”
Tipp City, OH 45371
Tuesday- Friday 11am – 5pm
Saturday 11am – 4pm