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Veterans Career and Resource Fair at Wright State

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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.

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

Dayton Barrel Work Brings Home Gold

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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.2nd 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

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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

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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

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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    877-226-3921Anthony 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.

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

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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

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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, 1st Fridays from 5 – 9pm, and 3rd 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.

Fa

“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

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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 20th 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

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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:

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 20th 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.

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 20th 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!

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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!

Woodland Cemetery 1
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.
City of Dayton by Robert Yontz
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.
Woodland Cemetery PL Dunbar Headstone
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.
historic Chapel     Woodland Cemetery Tiffany Window
                           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.
Stanley Monument
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.
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.
Wright Lot Section 101     Wright Brothers Collection
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  Fountain and Pond  Turtles and Geese at Pond
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.
Deeds Mausoleum
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

5 Stunning Foliage Hikes in Ohio

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Ohio is a beautiful state for going out on long hikes and taking in the scenery of nature. And when it comes to breathtaking foliage, you’ve come to the right place. Experience the change of seasons to its fullest with these five stunning foliage hikes in Ohio!

1. JOHN BRYAN STATE PARK

John Bryan State Park is the most beautiful state park in Western Ohio. It has over 752 acres to explore containing an extraordinary limestone gorge cut by the Little Miami River.

2. MOHICAN-MEMORIAL STATE FOREST

Mohican-Memorial State Forest has 32 miles of hiking trails that provide beautiful foliage and scenery for you to spend the day enjoying. The trails curves through the primitive and scenic areas of the forest.

3. SUGARCREEK METROPARK

Sugarcreek MetroPark has oak trees that are estimated to be over 550 years-old, a tallgrass prairie, and woodlands. The scenic Sugar Creek beckons visitors. Much of the 618-acre park used to be farmland but now provides scenes of gorgeous foliage!

4. SCIOTO TRAIL STATE PARK

The Scioto Trail State Park is an idyllic 218-acre state park, nestled in the 9,000-acre Scioto Trail State Forest. The ridge tops and snaking forest roads offer awe-inspiring vistas of the Scioto River Valley in a beautiful remote setting.

5. CONKLES HOLLOW STATE NATURE PRESERVE

Conkles Hollow State Nature Preserve is 87 perfectly-preserved acres of forest land with beautiful foliage in Hocking County. Its sheer cliffs of Black Hand sandstone rise almost 200 feet above the valley floor and the gorge is 100 feet wide in places!

This piece by By Mat Stevens first appeared in Step Outside.

https://stepoutside.org/

Find fall color, qualify to win during final months of MetroParks Trails Challenge

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Those who have registered for the MetroParks Trails Challenge have a little more than one month to check off the trails they wish to complete. Luckily, the cool weather, fewer insects and beautiful views make conditions perfect for hiking, cycling, paddling and more.

The MetroParks Trails Challenge is a fun way to explore the region’s trails. It’s also a fun way to stay active outdoors on your own time and at your own pace.

  • The 2021 challenge runs through Oct. 31.
  • It includes 28 trails for hiking, walking, cycling, paddling, running, mountain biking and even horseback riding.
  • Trails selected allow participants to customize their adventures and work up to more challenging trails.
  • Trails vary in length, from 0.71 to 6 miles, so there are many opportunities to invite family — including younger ones — on your outings.

2021 MetroParks Trail Challenge

You can participate by completing just one trail. And because you explore the trails in your own way, it’s easy to practice safe social distancing while participating in the challenge. Indeed, the MetroParks Trails Challenge is a convenient way to improve your physical and mental health while connecting with nature and enjoying an active lifestyle.

You can also win awesome prizes for checking off trails on your log. Completing just one trail enters you for the chance to win a prize. Learn more about how you can win a Huffy mountain bike, Kids Adventure Pack and more.

The 2021 MetroParks Trails Challenge is presented by Huffy with additional support from Dayton Children’s.

Find fall views and complete challenges

MetroParks Trail Challenge participants who want to experience all the colors of fall should make it a priority to check off the following trails in their log as the leaves start to change. Because fall color is so depended on temperatures, it’s best to check the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Fall Color Map to stay up to date on the changing leaves.

MetroParks also will post updates on social media when staff notice colors changing in the parks. Follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all the fall happenings – including leaf peeping opportunities – in MetroParks.

  1. Hills & Dales MetroPark: Adirondack Trail (Hike) – Trails Challenge #11
  2. Taylorsville MetroPark: Yellow Trail (Hike) – Trails Challenge #15
  3. Wolf Creek Paved Trail (Walk/Bike) – Trails Challenge #3
  4. Mad River (Paddle) – Trails Challenge #2
  5. Twin Creek MetroPark: Orange Trail (Hike) – Trails Challenge #23
  6. Stillwater River Paved Trail (Walk/Bike) – Trails Challenge #4
  7. Sugarcreek MetroPark: Green Trail (Hike) – Trails Challenge #25

Fairmont Cheerleaders Spread Community Spirit

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Here’s a great story to end your week, shared with us by Fairmont Cheer Coach, Carrie Kihn:
For two years now there has been a resident of The Carlyle House that watches soccer games out her windows and cheers for the Firebirds.
Our cheerleaders heard her rooting on the Firebirds one day, and started waving to her during every game. Earlier this year, a staff member came out and told the cheerleaders that the lady never has visitors, and cheering for the Firebirds at the soccer games is all she talks about.
This week the cheerleaders asked if they could visit the resident, and the staff member said yes…but outside only! The staff members told the resident that she had some visitors, but that she didn’t believe them, because “nobody ever comes to see me!”
To say that the resident was surprised when she came out and saw all the cheerleaders gathered there in the parking lot is an understatement! They presented her with a cowbell, a set of pom-poms and a T-shirt. She was tickled, and they have made arrangements to visit again and to continue waving at her during every game.
Now how’s that for “We Are Firebirds” Spirit!?!

Walking Tours of Dayton’s Historic Neighborhoods 

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A series of self-guided walking tours in the 10 historically-zoned district areas in Dayton are now available courtesy of Preservation Dayton, Inc. The walking tours highlight architectural and historical features of each area.

“Each tour highlights the unique architectural heritage of the area and the citizens who helped Dayton thrive through the centuries,” said Monica Snow, the organization’s president. “The leisurely designed walks allow ample time to pause and appreciate the architecture, the streetscape, and the amenities of each area.”

The Daniel G. Fitch House, a Greek Revival home on South Williams Street in the Wright-Dunbar Historic District, was built around 1856 and is one of Dayton’s oldest homes. Photo courtesy of Andy Snow.

Made possible by a $3,500 grant from the City of Dayton, 12 volunteers devoted more than 400 hours to create the web-based tours.  PDI developed the first printed tour guides in 1994 with a grant from the Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District.

This Victorian Italianate home on Linden Avenue in the Huffman Historic District was built for Charles P. Huffman, founder of the Huffy Bicycle Company. Photo courtesy of Andy Snow.

Easy downloadable audio and print formats with photos and Google maps are provided online at https://www.preservationdayton.com/walking_tours.html. Free tours are available for the following historic neighborhoods: Dayton View, Five Oaks Squirrel Forest, Grafton Hill, Huffman, McPherson Town, Paul Laurence Dunbar, South Park, St. Anne’s Hill, West Third Street and Wright-Dunbar Village.

Russell H. Bates, a partner in D.L. Bates and Brothers, a manufacturing company, built this home on Grand Avenue in the Dayton View Historic District around 1900. At the time this Free Classic Queen Anne cost $10,048.21. Photo courtesy of Andy Snow.

Originally founded in 1983 as the Dayton Area Coalition of Historic Neighborhoods, Preservation Dayton is a non-profit corporation that promotes the restoration, renovation, and rehabilitation of historic structures and settings as economically viable activities and enhancements to the public welfare.

This Colonial Revival house on Belmonte Park in the Grafton Hill Historic District was built in 1931 for Judge T.A. Ferreding. The stone wall came from an early 1800s barn on the family homestead, the site of the former Salem Mall. Photo courtesy of Andy Snow.

 

Contributions to PDI’s Endangered Property Fund can be made online at preservationdayton.com/endangered or by check made payable to Preservation Dayton, Inc. Fund #8630 and mailed to Preservation Dayton, P.O. Box 3614 Dayton, OH 45401.

 

WSU Big Lens Festival To Be Held at The Drive-In

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Wright State University’s acclaimed Motion Pictures program will present its annual Big Lens Film Festival Thursday, April 22nd at 8pm at Dayton’s Dixie Twin Drive-In.

For the first time, in order to accommodate COVID-conscious viewing requirements, the Big Lens Film Festival will take place outdoor, with audience members viewing from the safety of their cars. Big Lens has become an annual tradition in the regional film community as a celebration of the graduating students being showcased.

This year’s films are the culmination of up to two years of preparation and production – all of it made more challenging by an abrupt halt to production, and then the added requirements of following industry standards for COVID-safe conditions for filming, editing and preparing these premieres. The chance to see these films on a very large screen at Dixie Twin will be a joyful culmination to these filmmakers’ four years as students in the Tom Hanks Center for Motion Pictures.

 

Festival Director, Instructor of Motion Pictures Jeremy Bolden says, “This year’s Big Lens will have films from 2020 graduates, as well as 2021 graduates. Almost everything you’ll see on the screen was either finished, or entirely created during the COVID-19 Pandemic. A large part of the filmmaking process is problem solving, and our students have and continued to put in a tremendous amount of work to create content and tell stories that are important to them.”

The Disaster Mitzvah

Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures Chair, Joe Deer, says, “The Big Lens Film Festival is always a great event. But, this year is special, seeing a group of students that have banded together to make films while much of their industry has had to go on hiatus. I have such admiration for them and for their gifted faculty and staff, who have gone so many extra miles to make this event possible. I don’t think any of these filmmakers will ever forget this festival.”

This year’s films include:

  • Will I Make it Thru the Springtime, Music Video, Directed by Adam Clark
  • 27 Pages of Notes, Documentary, Directed by Parker Bowling
  • MAGGIE & SARAH, Short, Directed by Ella Price
  • Meat*, Animation, Directed by Vincent Short
  • Sick and Tired, Music Video, Directed by Adam Clark
  • CANVAS, Documentary, Directed by Ryder Caldwell
  • The Disaster Mitzvah*, Animation, Directed by Brandon Werwa
  • DEON, Documentary, Directed by Danny Fain
  • You May Feel, Animation, Directed by Joe Greenwell
  • I’m Lonely Even Though I’m Not Alone, Music Video, Directed by Parker Bowling
  • APOTHEOSIS, Short, Directed by Ella Price
  • Gooey Goats*, Animation, Directed by Ben Young

* Denotes 2020 Graduate.

Graduates of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures who have participated in this festival have gone on to win Emmy and Academy Awards and to lead the film and television industry in Southwest Ohio and the nation.

The Festival screening will take place Thursday, April 22nd, with gates opening at 7:00pm. The showings will begin a sunset (approximately 8pm). A suggested cash/check donation of $10 per person can be made at the gate. Patrons are expected to follow COVID precautions while viewing films at the Dixie Twin Drive-In

This article originally appeared on

Wright State Theatre presents Sophocles’ ‘Antigone’ in an Outdoor Production This Weekend

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Wright State University’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures continues its spring festival of COVID-conscious performances with an outdoor production of Sophocles’ timeless tragedy “Antigone.”

Performances will be presented on Saturday, April 10, at 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 11, at 2 p.m. at Wright State’s outdoor amphitheatre, next to the Medical Sciences building.

A limited number of tickets are available for free but must be reserved in advance by contacting the Theatre Box Office at 937-775-2500. Tickets will not be available on the day of the performance.

“Antigone” is often called one of the greatest, most moving of the ancient Greek tragedies. It continues to be relevant today because of its depiction of the struggle between individual conscience and state policy and its examination of the nature of human suffering and grief.

Wright State’s production has a contemporary quality, in part because of the modern language translation by Nicholas Rudall, and because it resonates with modern political and social moments in the ways it depicts young people challenging government authority in pursuit of justice.

“This play couldn’t be more relevant as it reflects the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide who will no longer stand for injustice codified in their governments,” said John Lavarnway, “Antigone” director and a Wright State Theatre staff member.

He said it’s an ideal time to produce “Antigone” since it was written to be performed outdoors and since the original actors wore masks the characters’ expressions were written into the dialogue.

“We have come up with a concept that blends the ancient with the modern in this truly timeless play,” Lavarnway said. “The young actors who have been sidelined for a year are so grateful for the opportunity to perform together in person before a live audience.”

 

 

By Bob Mihalek originally posted in the