The 8th Annual Joint Golf Tournament held at Meadowbrook at Clayton Golf Course is Friday, July 26, 2024. This yearly event held by St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church and College Hill Community Church PCUSA generates funds that enable both churches to address local issues such as poverty, literacy/education, justice and empowerment, health disparities, and more. This event is looking for business sponsorships and golfers to enjoy the well-kept grounds of the Meadowbrook at Clayton Golf Course. Golfer registration cost is $125 per individual or a team of 4 for $500. Registration fee includes a continental breakfast, a great lunch, a hole in one competition, a longest drive competition, a nearest to pin competition, and prizes!. Business sponsors are also invited. To get more information as to how you may register as an individual golfer or as a team, or how to publicize your business while being socially conscious contact co chairs Barbara Hudson-Banner at 937-287-6056 or Lee Townsel at 937-832-1293. Registration deadline is Friday, July 12, 2024.
community
For the Love of Beer and Community – An Interview with Mike Schwartz
Update: Mike has sold Belmont Party Supply and posted this photo and message on his Facebook page:
“Thanks for the Memories!
May the Schwartz Beer Be With You Always”
Please enjoy this repost of this interview with Mike from 2013.
Belmont Party Supply: the epicenter of great beer knowledge in Dayton.
The craft beer business has been booming for the last two decades. Since the late 1980’s, craft beer has been slowly nibbling at the edges of the big name beers that people knew well and enjoyed. Sam Adams led the charge at a time when there were roughly 90 breweries in the United States. That number has grown to over 2,500 in 2013, and it looks like there is no slowing down. Dayton has multiple breweries and brew pubs opening in the area, adding to the seventy that already dot the state of Ohio. As this beer explosion was happening, there was a business that was quietly growing with it. Belmont Party Supply, owned by community supporter and beer advocate Mike Schwartz, will be celebrating 30 years of business next year. They also have been named by several websites and magazines as one of the best beer stores in the world. While beer lovers see Mike as a cornerstone of the Dayton beer scene, it was something that may not have come to pass if events played out differently.
“I actually quit drinking beer, because I am not a fan of carbonation, and I don’t like cold beer,” Schwartz said, sipping a Bell’s Expedition Stout at the Trolley Stop. “I didn’t know anything about drinking a warm beer like English ale. I was so slow at drinking my beer it would turn warm, and obviously we all know what an American major tastes like when it turns warm.” He quit drinking beer around the same time he bought the Belmont Party Supply in January of 1984. It was two years before the craft beer movement was even truly born, and he bought Belmont as it was going out of business. Mike had been sidelined by illness from his day job as an electrician, ultimately bought the failing shop for one reason. “I was bored!”
Author Brian Petro and Mike Schwartz after beer tasting at Trolley Stop
The explosion of craft beer in the late 1980’s helped his business, and his knowledge of beer, grow. That growth eventually led to some problems in the middle of the 1990’s. “They were putting a lot of crap on the shelves. Very expensive crap. I started to see breweries putting money on their labels and not in their beers. The consumers stood strong. I had to react by tasting beers before I put them on the shelf. At one time I had distributors bringing me beers to evaluate before they carried them. It was that bad.” Mike developed a reputation in the area as the guy that knew beer. “I used to have my beer manager collect the samples. She would sit down and pour the beer on Friday afternoon. Then she would tell me what to evaluate it as. I would evaluate it. She would not tell me the price. I would evaluate it by how much money I thought they put into it and how it fed into the style.” He had good taste even then. He was selling North Coast and Avery beers before they were widely popular.
Isn’t he a good sport? And pretty in pink?
He gained some of his vast knowledge of beer the same way most of us do: trial and error, tasting many different beers, and learning about their flavors through experience. He also went the extra step and became certified. “First of all I took the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). If you are a brewer, that will teach you how to brew. It will teach you all the physics, the science behind all the beers. What they are supposed to be, how they are supposed to taste, and what makes them taste that way. Yes, you have certain ingredients, but it’s how your treat that certain ingredient to get the flavor you want.” There is another program, the Cicerone program, which is for beer handlers. Mike suggests that if you are a beer lover, either of those programs would be beneficial for your knowledge of beer. He also networked to learn more behind the scenes information about the beers and the programs he loves. He has met such beer luminaries as Gordon Strong, one of the creators of the BJCP and a master brewer in his own right; Randy Mosher, 27 year veteran of home brewing, author, and part owner of Five Rabbit Brewery in Chicago; and Fred Karm, brewer at the increasingly popular Hopppin’ Frog brewery in Akron, OH. Some of the luminaries in the beer world he had the pleasure to interview, and those interviews are posted on the Belmont Party Supply’s website for all of our benefit. Mike’s reputation grew as his business grew, and soon he was not just known through the state or the region, but the world.
For those of you not in know, Belmont Party Supply is known well beyond the confines of Dayton. Mike spoke about one of the incidents that illustrated how widely known this local beer store is. “My wife went out to San Diego last year for a family wedding and people that grew up next door to us flew in as well. They had just come back from Belgium. They were doing a brewery tour, and they asked they tour guide if they ship to the United States. The tour guide asked ‘Where are you?’, and our friends said in Ohio, right by Dayton. He responded by saying ‘Do you know Mike Schwartz over at Belmont Party Supply? He carries our beer. That to me is an impressive thing.” BeerAdvocate has rated it as one of the best in the country, and RateBeer has it ranked as one of the top beer places in the world. After being in the business for thirty years, Mike knows what it takes to create a successful business. “I did not do that all alone. I am the guy at the top but it took great people working for me, and the customers that requested beers. We worked hard with the distributors. I could not have done it without the distributors. We carry some of their slow moving items, and when we do that, they feel the need to pay us back.” And pay him back they have. One of the beers he was paid back with was the ultra rare and highly desired Westvleteren 12. “It came in through Shelton Brothers Importing, through a distributor of course. We carry all of Shelton Brothers beers, and they have showed us appreciation by giving us some one offs.” It is smart business practices like this that allow Belmont to carry beers no one else has, and end up with beers that everyone will want.
This is utopia for beer brewers in the Dayton community.
Mike Schwartz’s beer expertise is not just in tasting in and selling it, but brewing it as well. Brewtensils started as shop within Belmont Party Supply, helping local brewers make their own beers at home. It eventually grew into its own shop right next door, offering not only brewing supplies but brewing classes and contests as well. His favorite style to brew is imperial stouts. “It is very English, it tastes better the warmer it gets. I have had bartenders pour me a glass and put it in the microwave for ten to fifteen seconds to knock that chill off.” The classes not only give Mr. Schwartz a chance to help local brewers pursue their craft, they also give him a little insight into what brewers are starting to explore. Many big beer trends start in kitchens of amateur brewers, so this becomes a little lab for him to observe. What is he seeing on the horizon? “I really think you are going to see more herbs going into beers. People are more conscious of nature. Some of the people herbs are using for flavor and bitterness are phenomenal. Your saisons are increasing now. You can play all kinds of games with saisons with herbs, ginger, lemongrass, all kinds of stuff. I see that coming around the corner, I really do.”
Beer brewing classes and tastings around town are just a few ways Mike stays in touch with the community. And he is a big supporter of this community. He is part of the brain trust that is bringing Big Beers and Barley Wines back for its fifth year at the Roundhouse on October 5. For the connoisseurs of craft beer and looking for more local flavor, this is one of the last big beer festivals of the year. The list of beers for this year’s festival is impressive. Revolution Brewing’s Very Mad Cow stout is almost worth the price of admission on its own. Mike has other reasons other than supporting local breweries and beer lovers. “This organization (the Resident Home Association) came to me and asked me to do a beer tasting for them. I said ‘No, I want to do a festival. I want to do a knockout festival.’ I told them they would have to handle all the money, but I will not accept any users or advisors fees. No one will make a penny off of this. This is the fifth one, and now we’re typically putting in $8000 to $10,000 a year in profit.” He gives back quite a bit to the community that supports him, not just locally, but nationally. He has done charity work for others as well, like our veterans. “Probably the neatest thing I have ever done in this trade was helping my sister down in Columbia, SC, home of Ft. Jackson. She belonged to an Elks Club, and she asked me to come down and do a beer tasting for the Wounded Warrior Walk. It is the hospice for wounded warriors. We raised quite a bit of money. I got to meet some high ranking officials down there. One high ranking officer invited me out to the firing range to fire some of the big guns. I wasn’t able to go because I was flying out the next day.”
You have a date with some great beer for a good cause on October 5.
The wisdom Mike has about beer and his willingness to share it is obvious to anyone who speaks with him for any length of time. It makes Mike a quiet but influential figure in the beer community, and he knows there is plenty of room for everyone. “I think the breweries have a great chance in Dayton, especially with Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Kentucky not too far away.” And he thinks Dayton has just started to hit its stride. “I don’t know what happened to Dayton. It has one of the world’s best water supplies. It is very comparable to English water. It is beautiful ale water, and there is plenty of it here.” When asked if he thought that the Miami Valley was getting too many breweries and brew pubs too soon, his answer was a very quick “Absolutely not.” He even sees some lessons that the “fizzy yellow beer” producers can teach all of these new brewers. “Back in the late 1800’s, Anheuser Busch was making a European style lager. They almost went belly up until they decided to lighten the beer up by using rice. Anheuser Busch actually listened to the consumer, adjusted, and hit a home run. Americans were looking for a lighter, drier finish. I don’t have a problem with yellow, fizzy beer. There is a beer for everybody, and we all need to accept that and honor someone’s beer. If that’s what they like, that’s what they like. If everyone is drinking that beer, they leave my imperial stout alone!”
Mike Schwartz is not just a lover of beer; he is a lover of the industry and the community that supports him. He gives that love right back in a way that raises all the people around him. He does what he can to make sure everyone gets the help they need. His view of success sums it all up quite nicely: “If you work hard all your life and you take all the proceeds and experience and keep it to yourself, you really haven’t gained anything. But if you can share it with other people and do good for unfortunate people, which makes me feel good. That’s success right there. You can live in your mansions, but if you can’t share it, you haven’t succeeded at life.” I would gladly raise a glass to that sentiment.
Where Do We Go Now?
Columbus Alive this week featured an article detailing the sexual assault of one of our local craft beer mavens. The community rallied around her, supporting a woman that showed incredible courage confronting a known and prevalent issue in the alcohol and hospitality community. Over the last year and a half, what was once an issue that was only shared privately has become a public topic of conversation. Behaviors that were dismissed as “boys being boys,” or that were simply ignored, now are being addressed and dealt with. And it has been a long time coming.
The problem of sexual harassment and mistreatment of women and other minorities is not new in the industry. A report that was done in 2014 shows that roughly 90% of women that work in restaurants have been sexually harassed, with half of them being harassed on a weekly basis. It is thought to be just as bad in the alcohol industry, but no studies have been done. This is years before the allegations against Harvey Weinstein emerged, bringing the much-needed conversation about sexual harassment into the public. After that New York Times article came out, a steady flow of articles addressing the issue in the industry emerged.
Many of the women that work in the industry have, over the years, just accepted the harassment as part of the environment. The unwanted comments, touches, and innuendos were something that was endured to be part of the industry. Until the cocktail boom hit in the 2000’s, bartending and hospitality were seen as a transient job choice. Something that you did while waiting for a “real job.” The growth of specialty cocktails, craft beer booming into over 7,000 breweries, and distilleries sprouting up all over the country have turned what was once something temporary into a career choice. It is easier to ignore the sleaziness you have to go through to do your job when you can tell yourself it is a temporary condition. What happens when it becomes the place where you want to plant your flag?
You have to start cleaning it up. There are few mechanisms in the industry to address sexual harassment. Some have popped up, like the efforts made by Collective Actions for Safe Spaces to build Safe Bars training about sexual harassment, but they are difficult to find. Only five states require training for harassment in the workplace. It is a monumental task to address, especially in an industry where males hold most of the positions of power and confronting them could impact your career. An unbalanced power dynamic is not unique to this industry, but it is in the early stages of being addressed. Small steps are being made as women rise up and show they are not going to accept a workplace where they are under the constant threat of sexual assault. Or when that threat becomes a reality.
It is too easy to write off, as many have, that this is a result of the free flow of alcohol through every corner of the business. As reported in a story by SevenFifty Daily, San Franciso lawyer Richard Curiale commented that “60 percent of the complaints I get wouldn’t have happened if there hadn’t been drinking.” This is a convenient excuse, but not an acceptable one. Cleaning up the industry also requires cleaning up the constant party atmosphere that surrounds it. Many bartenders and hospitality professionals have been focusing on taking what has been a generally toxic environment for workers and turning it into a healthier, safer one. This focus on a more positive environment is starting to include how women and minorities are treated in the business.
Where do we go from here? The hospitality that establishments provide to customers that walk through the door has to extend to the people that work there. Creating that safe environment for all of the people they interact with, from sales representatives to bartenders, is critical to building an inclusive, diverse industry. The generally permissive, male-dominated culture that has existed in hospitality for decades needs to change. It is going to be a slow change, requiring the efforts of everyone in it to make that shift. Women are going to have to be bold and stand up for what is right, and men are going to have to support those women in any way they can. It is going to take a long time and incredible effort. But if the support that has happened in Dayton can happen more often in other cities, the future for women in the industry looks brighter and safer.
PorchFest – 40 Mini-Concerts In One Day
Play Music on The Porch Day started out as an idea…“What if for one day everything stopped…and we all just listened to the music?”
Even though this seems like a simple idea, if it worked, it could produce profound results. So in 2013 the organizers of the first “Play on a Porch Day” decided to share this idea with the world and to their surprise the idea spread even faster than they could have ever imagined.
In 2017 thousands of musicians from at least 40 countries and over 400 cities – including Dayton for the first time – participated and the movement continues to grow every day. Musicians from across the globe, regardless of their differences, are finding common ground through music.
This year Dayton again participates in this growing international music phenomenon as the now annual event known as Dayton Porchfest, a free, family friendly event for all ages. The festivities take place in the historic St. Anne’s Hill neighborhood, just east of downtown. There you will find over 40 live Dayton musical acts performing on home owner’s porches. Not only do you get to listen to music all afternoon, you get to experience one of Dayton’s most charming neighborhoods!
This event celebrates Dayton’s rich and diverse music scene, with musicians and bands covering funk and blues to indie rock and jazz, classical and country, to bluegrass and old time muisc that has deep Appalachian roots here. This event also celebrates our “Welcome Dayton” spirit that has contributed to a significant influx of immigrants and refugees over the past decade.
Dayton Porchfest is organized by The Collaboratory, a non-profit incubator for community enterprises and initiatives, located on Courthouse Square. Proceeds from Porchfest go to benefit The Collaboratory. Tips for the musicians are appreciated!
St Anne’s is home to the Fifth Street Brew Pub, who will be open during the festivities. Four food trucks will also be on site, including: McNasty’s, Courtland’s Mobile Grill, Pa’s Pork, Chi-Dogs, and Gary’s Italian Ice. Be sure to scroll below for map and music schedule.
How to Go?
When: Saturday August 25th from 1:30pm – 7pm aka “International Play on the Porch” Day. See schedule below.
Where: Throughout St. Anne’s Hill Historic District located between 4th and Josie St. Please do not park in the neighborhood. Parking is available at the Liederkranz building, Stivers High School, Becker Electric, RSC Graphics, and Miami Valley Gasket. Signs will be present. See map below.
Cost: Free!
Ages: All ages welcome
Remember to bring: Sunscreen, chair, and umbrella (just in case!)
Take photos? Please use #DaytonPorchfest #MusicOnTheHill #DiscoverDayton
Welcome to The Collaboratory!
Cities are amazing things. Their growth during the 17th and 18th centuries helped lay the foundation for some of the largest leaps in thought in that era, and have continued to be a source of innovation ever since. A conversation in one of the booming coffee houses in 17th century London lead to the writing of Newton’s Principia; another chat lead to the creation of Lloyd’s of London, the world’s first insurance agency. The Industrial Revolution grew slowly within cities, drawing people in with opportunities for economic growth. The density of people in urban centers helped to spread ideas by developing a fertile environment for it. The more seeds of ideas that are planted in one area, the better the chances those thoughts will bump into each other and spawn completely new, innovative thoughts. The internet may have us more connected to more resources than ever before, but there is still something special about meeting people face to face. Adding a personality and a voice to all those interesting Facebook posts and LinkedIn updates. That is where The Collaboratory, a new place for people to connect, share, and develop, comes in.
The Collaboratory is located at Courthouse Square, the hub of downtown Dayton, and provides a space for everyone to use. There is a wealth of talent in this area, and we are seeing it grow in leaps and bounds. It is being developed in homes and small offices through the city, people working long days on labors of love. The Collaboratory is a space for people who are looking for more tools, a change of scenery, and more access to expert advice on building a business. It is for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and looking for help and for established businesses needing a place to work on larger projects. Being downtown encourages a wider group of people to come and utilize the space, attracting politicians, students, non-profit experts, and civic leaders to interact and develop new ideas to enhance the Miami Valley. It is within walking distance to many resources, like the Metro Branch of the Dayton Public Library, Sinclair Community College, and Boston Stoker. Physically, it offers one of the largest white boards in the Miami Valley, as well as internet access, public and individual tables, and the ability to be reserved for morning and evening meetings. All of this access costs just $5 and a mention on social media!
Connect and collaborate for the cost of a few beers. What could be better?
This venture has been spearheaded by Peter Benkendorf, someone who has believed strongly in this community since he moved here in 2008. He is head of Involvement Advocacy, a group dedicated to encouraging collaborative efforts and creating support systems for those seeking to build a better Dayton. By developing spaces and events that bring people together, better known as Collaborative Infrastructure, Involvement Advocacy is looking to put our city on the map with St. Louis, New York, and Oakland as leaders in innovation. Spaces like this foster interaction with thinkers in diverse industries, ones that may not otherwise have a chance to sit down at a table together. This is where new concepts are developed, ones that can add a fresh sparkle to the Gem City.
Cities are engines for developing new ideas, and Dayton has the talent and imagination to make its own future. The Collaboratory wants to collect that imagination and turn it into businesses, actions, and inspiration to go out and connect with members of your community. There are many places in Dayton you can go outside of your office to get some work done. There are few where you have all of the resources you need to assemble something new. This space will be open on Monday, January 18th from 10 AM to 4 PM. We look forward to seeing and reporting about all of the phenomenal new ideas to come out of The Collaboratory! What will you be heading downtown to build?
A Family in Art – The Dayton Visual Arts Center 20th Anniversary Auction
A view from the top.
The Dayton Racquet Club sits on top of the Kettering Tower, offering an amazing view of the city from any window you choose. Heading into this venerable Dayton establishment is special for any reason. This past Thursday night was no different; people mingling, smiling, and filling the 29th floor of the Kettering Tower with light conversation and laughter. If you did not know better, you would think that this was a family reunion. Everyone knew each other, and any stranger that came up was warmly greeted and introduced to the rest of the group. You would have been hard pressed to find two people in the room that were complete strangers. The only difference on this night is the main focus of the room. The views of all things grand in Dayton fades back as thirteen pieces step into the spotlight.
The thirteen pieces of art ranged from photography to ink drawings, from sculpture to charcoal drawings. This gallery represents just a fraction of the art that has been purchased over the past 20 years through various shows, Artist’s Palates, and auctions sponsored by the Dayton Visual Art Center (DVAC). DVAC is celebrating the 20th anniversary of this yearly tradition. The actual auction this year is on April 25th, but on this past Thursday evening they had a kickoff party leading up to the main event. Being on the top floor in the tallest building in Dayton can almost be seen as a metaphor of how far this institution has come.
DVAC started in 1991 in the Biltmore Hotel, where they were able to set up a small gallery for local artists to share their work with the community. Their goal was a simple one; expose Dayton to the original artistic talent they had in the city and provide a setting for art lovers to meet and discuss their passion. They had a few fundraisers in the early days through various shows, such as their Masquerades where they invited artists to create masks for auction. It was not long before the idea of organizing an auction where artists would donate work and the community at large could come in and bid on it was suggested. The first auction in 1994 was at the Dayton Art Institute. It was organized by artists and members Pam Hauk, Linda Lombard, and Ray Must, and it started a tradition that has helped build this community into a family over the last twenty years.
Just one of the beautiful pieces on loan for the show, Caryatids by Don Williams.
Everyone in the room had a story to tell. Each piece of art that silently drew all of the attention in the room belonged to a member. They sat as examples of some of the art that has been auctioned over the lifetime of the events. Eva Buttacavoli, the Executive Director of DVAC and host for the evening, did not just introduce each piece of art in the room, she was able to entice almost every owner to narrate the history of the piece and why they love it. Each piece was impressive, created by names like Andy Snow, Homer Hacker, and Palli Davis. What is equally impressive were the stories told by the collectors about the impact the piece had in their lives. Some did not just collect art from the artists, but were able to develop personal relationships with them. Relationships that led to deeper understanding of the art that was being produced. Some purchased from a variety of artists; some would buy every piece from one artist (if they had room in the house). As one of the collectors told her story, she spoke about how “DVAC becomes a part of your life” and how they “never buy work we don’t love to see every day.” Another woman spoke about how her children, growing up around all this amazing art, were able to not only meet these talented people, but pick out their work on the street. More than a few pieces were bought while the speakers spouse was away. There was a bond among all the people in the room, being either lovers of art, creators of art, or both.
Many of the people attending that night had memories of DVAC that went back to the beginning. Ray Must was there, one of the original three creators of the auction and an artist in his own right. He has been an active member in the Dayton art community for decades as an artist and an educator at Wright State University. His works range from large scale murals in acrylic paint to smaller, more detailed etching. In the opinion of one of the collectors, “what Ray has done for the community cannot be measured.” One of his works, “Edwin Moses and the Dayton Carousel”, will be available at the live auction on April 25th. Bobette ”BK” Olsen was also in attendance, carrying a file that showed some of the history of DVAC’s shows. Names like Connie Hanselman, Ernest Koerlin, Abner Cope and Bobette herself showed up over the years of shows. Sculptor Susan Zurcher, was also there as an early supporter. She chaired the second artist auction, helping to “expose all the hidden gems” within the city. She sees the organization as a microcosm of the city, “helping each other without blowing our own horns.” These three and many more have been involved with this organization over the years, building it slowly but surely. All of the people in the room that night helped build it from the ground floor of a donated space downtown to the top of the town.
The apron from the first art auction.
The Friday, April 25th show is going to be the 20th Anniversary artist auction. Ten pieces will be on display at the live auction, with over one hundred more pieces being available online for a silent auction. The curators see this event less as a party and more of a family reunion. It is a chance for the art collectors in the community, some who may not have seen each other for years, to speak with old friends and meet new collectors in the community. This event has outgrown the auction’s home of the last few years, the Ponitz Center in Sinclair Community College, and has moved into a new home at The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center. It is a perfect opportunity for veteran art collectors to see all the newest talent Dayton has to offer, or for new collectors to meet the artists and patron that make Dayton such an original. Ms. Buttacavoli stated it best at the kickoff; this is a celebration “of a generation of artists giving to the community and people supporting art.”
A New Full Moon Rises in Dayton
Photo by Mike Ritchie
A new shop has opened in Dayton just a few feet away from the tattooed Jesus sign of Truth n Triumph Tattoo. Amanda Hamilton, formerly of Anything Under the Moon, has returned, re-opened and rededicated herself with to helping the wiccan/pagan community and those in need of guidance, counseling, supplies and just a good friend to talk to. Her new homestead is A Full Moon Rising at 603 Watervliet Avenue right off Mundale Avenue in the Belmont Business District. It’s an artisan retail store with all the best of the handmade, homemade crafts, gifts, goodies and necessities needed for the craft.
90% of Hamilton’s inventory is handcrafted and made with extra special care including soaps, incense, prayer candles, ritual items, smudge fans, smudge sticks, oils and dream-catchers. She also makes her own jewelry from a variety of stones, gems and minerals, and has plans for upcoming classes, workshops, tarot reading, and psychic readings.
Hamilton joined the Pagan community at 16 after spending a year and a half in a Dianic Coven. She opened Anything Under the Moon on her 18th birthday, becoming one of the best known shops of its kind in town for 24 years. Two months ago, she started a new beginning and vision under the light of the full moon. The shop specializes in candles with color symbology and essential oils with specific purpose. Hamilton’s a believer/follower of the 13 goals of a witch and The Wiccan Rede.
“I’m thrilled to be back in business and looking forward to serving the communities spiritual needs,” says Hamilton.
A Full Moon Rising also features a community bulletin board which local businesses are encouraged to use. Store hours are Monday-Saturday 10-7 and by appointment Sunday. 1-937-252-7000
Need a Garden? Then Grow With Your Neighbors!
Gardening can bring a community closer together. Learn about available opportunities at http://www.metroparks.org/gwyn.
If you’re a renter like me, you may look upon homeowners with envy for their ability to cultivate and grow their own fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Urbanites with a lack of available green space probably feel my pain, too. So what’s a veggie-loving city slicker/tenant to do? Grow With Your Neighbors.
This program, founded in 1986, helps those without land become more self-sufficient and promotes healthy lifestyles by providing space where patrons can grow their own food. “Originally called Dayton Urban Gardens, this movement emerged as a way to encourage creative use of vacant land, Brother Ed Zamierowski served as the first coordinator,” says GWYN Manager Luci Beachdell. ““Today, the program is centrally managed at Wegerzyn Garden MetroPark as a program of Five Rivers MetroParks. Our goal is to promote local, neighborhood development, especially in low-income areas, by turning vacant land into a resource for food production and neighborhood beautification. By establishing a network of neighborhood gardens, the program encourages the development of new gardens and offers assistance to existing ones.”
Eating local is a hot topic. Urban agriculture has exploded on the local scene, with 40 community gardens (including hundreds of plots at Wegerzyn Gardens and Possum Creek MetroParks) open in 2010 and another eight slated to open in 2011. So chances are, wherever you live, you’re close to a community garden. “But Val,” you might be saying, “I don’t exactly have the world’s greenest thumbs. I’m lucky if I can keep a cactus alive. How do you expect me to cultivate produce?” GWYN’s got you covered. The program has built-in support of managers and volunteers willing to lend their time and talents to assist the horticultural-impaired. “We love to help new gardeners get started,” Beachdell says. “From planning to tilling to building beds, we want to give gardeners the know-how they need to be successful and self-sustaining.” In addition to available free or at-cost gardening programs offered through Five Rivers MetroParks, there are also several community garden “road shows” in which MetroPark horticulture experts are on hand to answer questions.
It’s never too early to introduce kids to the concept of local foods. First Lady Michelle Obama is helping shine the spotlight on gardening and incorporating more fruits and vegetables in our diets, especially for children. The City Beets program operates out of Wegerzyn’s community garden to educate youth on gardening and leadership skills as they grow their own produce, then preserve or prepare their goods to be sold at the PNC 2nd Street Market. “We also work with schools interested in creating a school garden in the same ways that we work with new and existing gardens. We help them plan and prepare, and do some basic gardening run-throughs,” Beachdell says.
You, too, can make others envy your giant gourds when you visit http://www.metroparks.org/GWYN.
Another great benefit of community gardening is neighborhood improvement. In addition to the beautification of transforming a former vacant lot into an attractive and productive garden, GWYN gardeners frequently donate excess crops to local food pantries, giving the gift of good health to others.
Now that you’re out of excuses, put down the Cheetos and pick up a shovel. You, too, can become a gardener and live a life more nutritious and delicious. Contact Luci Beachdell if you’re interested in taking a plot in a community garden near you, or info on how to start a community garden in your neighborhood.
