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Charity Events

10 Must Attend March Fundraisers

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Every month the Miami Valley plays hosts to multiple fundraisers for local nonprofit groups and programs. We’ve highlighted 10 of the must attend events for the month of March, but there are plenty more you can support. Some require ticket purchases or pre-registration, others are donation at the door, with participation prices as little as the cost of an ice cream cone, up to $150 tickets. For a full list of charitable fundraisers check out the MostMetro.com calendar.

Lion & Leos Club Spaghetti Dinner
Giovanni’s
15 W Main St, Fairborn, Ohio 45324
March 4 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm   $10

Spaghetti with meat sauce, famous Italian homemade bread, salad, drink and dessert.

Takeout orders are available . 878-1611

 

Acoustapalooza 2019  Juvenile Diabetes Benefit

The Barrel 857 W Central Ave, Springboro, Ohio 45066
March 10 @ 1:00 pm –  9:00 pm   donation requested at the door
The one-day Show will be held at “The Barrel” located just off of I-75 in Springboro, Ohio on March 10th from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. As of today artists including Cevin West, Jayme, 9 Eight Central, The Jay Clark Band, Two For The Road, Until Rust, Untold Glory, Velvet Crush Unplugged have committed to performing at the event. A host of other talented musicians will fill in the gaps between sets to make this a day of non stop musical talent!

There will be raffles, door prizes and a silent auction to support the fundraising during the entire day! All Proceeds from “Acoustapalooza”will go to local and national Juvenile Diabetes Research and Support. We are honored to bring this event to our music community with some of the regions best talent donating their time to aid in the effort!

Reason To Hope Breakfast Fundraiser
Dayton Marriott
March 12 @ 7:30 am – 9:00 pm

A powerful, one-hour breakfast designed to educate the community about the Alzheimer’s Association while raising funds to support dementia research, programs and services.
This event is free to attend, however all guests will be asked to consider making a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association Miami Valley Chapter.
Contact Meg McFarland at 937-610-7007 for more info.

 
Eureka: Playing the Odds
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Pkwy, Dayton, Ohio
March 16 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm .   $75 – $90

From modern games of chance to ancient superstitions, people have always been fascinated by the good fortune that seems to befall a lucky few! Spend an evening Playing the Odds with us as you explore the Museum at this annual winter fundraiser.

Featuring a dance floor, hors d’oeuvres, a welcome drink, craft beer and wine, this one-of-a-kind adult evening will expand your science knowledge while you mix and mingle at Dayton’s most entertaining cocktail party. 21+

2019 Women of Influence Awards
Dayton Convention Center
22 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402
March 21 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm  $150
Since 1998, YWCA Dayton has set aside one special day to recognize and honor women in our community. Join us in celebrating Dayton’s most influential women, all of whom have made a difference in our community through their dedication to the YWCA mission of empowering women, eliminating racism, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

Honorees in the Women of Influence Class of 2019 are:
• Cassie Barlow, COO of SOCHE
• Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel
• Kim Duncan, Founder of Elements IV Interiors
• Neenah Ellis, General Manager of WYSO Public Radio
• Chris Saunders, Community Philanthropist and Global Advocate
• Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, Dancer with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
• The Dayton Chapter of The Links, Incorporated (Lifetime Achievement Award)

Harrigan’s 5k
Harrigan’s Tavern
4070 Marshall Rd, Kettering
March 23  9:30am  $25
This race is a great way to celebrate the St Patrick’s Holiday, a few days after the actual St Patrick’s Day. Not only a fun race, but proceeds to good causes as well.

Proceeds of this race benefit Alzheimer’s Association, JDRF, United Rehab Services of Greater Dayton and South Community Positive Health Options. ONLINE REGISTRATION open through March 20! Entry fee is $25 if received by March 20. Registrations received at packet pickup or on race day are $30 so please register early to $ave!
Dayton Heart Ball

Sinclair College
March 23 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm  $150 or corporate tables available
Our evening celebrates our work and mission; our donors and volunteers; and — most importantly — the lives saved and improved because of everyone’s effort.

Event Program
6:00 pm Cocktail Reception
7:30 pm Ballroom Opens
8:00 pm Dinner, Open Your Heart Appeal
8:45 pm Live Auction, Dessert, Dancing Immediately Following
The American Heart Association Dayton Heart Ball is a “must attend” social event, where people come to network with peers and socialize with some of the region’s most influential people.  Our Mission: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our mission drives everything we do at the American Heart Association.

We Care Arts Takeover Night
Old Scratch Pizza
March 26 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Grab some friends and stop by for delicious pizza, drinks, and dessert in support of We Care Arts and its mission!
Tuesday, March 26th from 5pm til closing time, Old Scratch Pizza will donate 10% of all sales to We Care Arts!
All March long is Cones For A Cause at Old Scratch Pizza, so make sure to get a cone after your pizza and 100% of your donation will benefit We Care Arts!

Jersey Mike’s Subs – Day of Giving
Jersey Mike’s Subs
March 27 @ 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
United Rehabilitation Services (URS) has been chosen by the three local Jersey Mike’s Subs locations for their 8th Annual Month of Giving. Customers are invited to visit Jersey Mike’s for a delicious sub meal and they will donate 100 percent of the day’s sales to URS!

Proceeds from the Day of Giving will help subsidize early childhood education programs for children ages 6 weeks – 17 years old, many of whom are medically fragile and require critical care from onsite nurses who provide g-tube feeds, seizure monitoring and acute care, as well as support the Region’s only Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Program and “spider cage”.  URS is committed to providing care for every stage of life, from infancy through the senior years for individuals with disabilities.

Locations include: 3510 Pentagon Blvd, Beavercreek, 6002 Far Hills Avenue, Centerville, and 1512 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton

Crayons To Classrooms 10th Anniversary Celebration

Sinclair Community College – Ponitz Center
March 29 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm  $110
Join us in March as we celebrate this milestone! Your ticket includes social hour with heavy appetizers, event program, and parking.

Crayons to Classrooms has helped contribute to the growth of our community’s youth for 10 years by distributing over $17M in school supplies to 110 Dayton-area schools and their teachers.

 

Hamburger Wagon Owner’s Plea for Help

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Jack Sperry and his daughters

Sometime life throws you curveballs.  For Jack Sperry, owner of the Hamburger Wagon he has thrived on meeting challenges head on and through hard work has typically achieved success.  He is now facing a new challenge, that is out of his control.

The Food Adventures Crew has known Jack since he was a standout football player at Centerville High School in the early eighties.  Jack is a supporter of Centerville and Miamisburg Schools and also helps run the Rock N Green Tomato Festival in Miamisburg, among other charitable events.

Jack is that prideful guy you know, who never asks anyone for help.  As irony would have it , he was was diagnosed 15 years ago with a kidney disease called “Berger’s Syndrome.”  The illness eventually damages kidney function, until the person needs a transplant.  That’s where Jack is at today.  His kidney function has fallen below a critical level, and dialysis and a transplant are eminent.

Jim Bucher left and Jack Sperry joke around the Hamburger Wagon

This is the passing along of a plea for help.  A plea from a lifelong Daytonian, in his time of need. We were going to write this article and explain the situation, but his brother Hank Sperry posted a Facebook message that was a perfect reach out for help.  Here it is:

“My name is Henry Sperry and I’m sending this message out on my brother’s Facebook account. I’ll get right to the point. I am looking for a hero to save my brother’s life. Please don’t turn away now. This won’t take much of your time to read. You may be the key to preserving the life of a man who is very much worth saving.

Jack recently got engaged

My brother is Jack Sperry. He is a beloved brother and the father of two beautiful teen-aged daughters, Alex and Emma Sperry. He is engaged to be married. He is an honorable man, a loyal friend to legions of people who are fortunate to know him. He is the proprietor of the famous Miamisburg, Ohio Hamburger Wagon.

15 years ago, Jack was diagnosed with Berger’s Syndrome (IgA Neuropathy), a kidney disease that occurs when a specific antibody lodges in one’s kidneys. THERE IS NO CURE. The disease slowly progresses over years until eventually, the kidneys cease functioning. When Jack was diagnosed, the hope was that the disease would progress so slowly that medical intervention would not be required in his lifetime.

Sadly this is not the case. His kidney function is below the critical threshold. It is time for serious medical intervention. Last fall, Jack’s local Nephrologist referred Jack to both the University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University transplant centers. I am pleased to report that after thorough and comprehensive medical evaluations, Jack has been approved by both centers for organ transplant.

Ron Holp of Ron’s Pizza with pal Jack Sperry of the Hamburger Wagon

Jack has three options, but only one which offers the promise of a normal life expectancy. Option 1 is kidney dialysis. While this option does extend life expectancy, it is burdensome and for someone Jack’s age, the average life expectancy on dialysis is 10 years. Option 2 is a kidney transplant from a deceased donor. But the wait for such a donor can be up to 5 years. The average useful life expectancy of a deceased donor transplant is 10 – 15 years.

By far the most favorable option is the third one, live donor transplant. Live donor transplants can last 20 – 25 years (even longer). Such a transplant would carry Jack into his late 70’s or even his 80’s, allowing him the joy of walking his daughters down the aisle, sharing love and life with his grandchildren, continuing to cherish his friends and family, and giving him the opportunity to pay forward the generosity of the hero who saved him.

Jack in front of the Hamburger Wagon with friend Gary.

I, as well as my other brother, Bob Sperry, would give up a kidney in a minute. Unfortunately, our own health issues have prevented us from being candidates.

That’s why we are turning to you. We realize this is a BIG ASK. But this is literally a chance for you to save the life of at least one – and perhaps two – human beings. That’s because you don’t have to be a direct match to Jack. Both medical centers are part of a national sharing chain whereby a non-matching kidney is donated and then Jack would receive a matching kidney immediately, no waiting.

I am not ready to write an obituary. There is so much life ahead for Jack, if someone is willing to answer the call. PLEASE consider making this gift. Think about the magnitude of this opportunity! You have the chance to give a decent, loving, honorable man the ability to share and experience a full life! We are looking for a hero and an angel.

Recent photo of Jack and his kids

This quest has obviously raised a number of questions. People ask me how Jack is doing now. Other than very poor kidney function, he is doing fairly well. He is not yet on dialysis but certainly headed there. He still works every day and other than fatigue from time to time, life is fairly normal and routine for him currently. People ask me how kidney donors do post transplant . The surgical/medical teams we’ve spoken with say kidney donors do just fine after transplant. As a rule of thumb, a healthy person with 100% kidney function will see their overall function drop to around 80% post transplant and should continue that level of function for the remainder of their lifetime. Jack’s current kidney function is less than 20% and he currently has no discernible symptoms.

Jack and his fiancee

Finally, people have asked how to go forward if interested in being a potential donor for Jack with either the University of Cincinnati or Ohio State University transplant centers. The process simply begins with a phone call or going on-line. For both Medical Centers you will need Jack’s legal name which is John P. Sperry and his birthdate which is March 4, 1963.

For the Ohio State Program:
Call 1-800-293-8965 Option #3

For the University of Cincinnati Program:
Log into: www.uchealth.com/Transplant or you can call UC Health’s waitlist coordinator, Beth Sanders, at (513) 584-0784.

Father / Daughter event

As mentioned earlier, I know this is a HUGE ASK and understandably perhaps too big of one for many of you. That’s okay. My intention is not to give anyone a guilt trip. My goal is simply to get the word out to as many as people as possible so that a potential hero for my brother can be found. Even if you aren’t interested in being a donor, would you mind sharing this with your contacts in some shape or form so that the word can be spread?

From all of us who love Jack Sperry, God bless you.”

 

From all of us at Food Adventures, we hope someone sees this who can save the day.   With a new fiancee, and 2 daughters, Jack is still very active and community involved.  We are staying positive that things will work out for him and his prayers will be answered.

Jack and his family need a hero, could it be you ?

 

Jack, working at the Hamburger Wagon

 

 

 

 

 

20 Events That Give Back This November

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Dayton long ago earned a reputation for being a city that gives back. According to the history of the Dayton Foundation, NCR founder and Chairman John H. Patterson championed innovative projects for the betterment of the community. Joining him in his enthusiasm was his sister-in-law, Julia Shaw Patterson Carnell, and nephew, Robert Patterson, son of John Patterson’s brother, Capt. Robert Patterson, all active community leaders in their own right. A leading businesswoman, Julia Patterson Carnell helped establish the Dayton Art Institute by donating works of art, a mansion that served as the museum’s first home and $2 million towards the construction in 1930 of its current facility.

Today there are over 4000 nonprofits in the region, and to continue the legacy of taking care of our community, there are hundreds of fundraising events to support them.

Here are MostMetro’s list of the top 20 November events we think you should be aware of:

21st annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon

Dayton Children’s Hospital

November 7- 9  @ 6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Tune in November 7-9, 2018 for the 21st annual K99.1FM Cares for Kids Radiothon, hosted by Nancy Wilson and Frye Guy from K99.

The Cares for Kids Radiothon raises money to provide high-quality pediatric health care to infants, children, and teens throughout the region. Nancy Wilson and Frye Guy broadcast live from the Dayton Children’s lobby, talking to patients and families while asking listeners to call in and make a contribution.

Find out more »

Champions for Youth Fundraising Lunch

Mandalay Banquet Center
November 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Call 937-395-4600 ext. 112 with questions or to reserve your seat. We promise that the hour you spend with us…

Find out more »

One City: Many People, Many Voices

The Brightside Event & Music Venue
November 8 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm  $100

Join us for a fundraiser to support critical services for the Dayton area’s immigrant and refugee community members! The One…

Find out more »

Brains, Brews, & Broadcasting: A 40 Year Flashback with DATV

The Steam Plant
November 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm $55.00

2018 marks DATV’s 40th year of providing public access television to Dayton and giving our community the Freedom to Communicate. Rewind back to 1978 at the 1st annual gala with a trivia contest, a silent auction, and heavy hors d’oeuvres! The Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Combo will lend their musical talents during the night as well!

Find out more »

 

48th Annual Dayton Book Fair

Montgomery County Fair & Fairgrounds, Dayton OH
November 9 – 12 @ 9:00 am – 8:00 pm   $10 Friday, Free entry Sat & Sun, Mon. pay $1 to get in and take all you want

It’s the 48th Annual Dayton Book Fair at Montgomery County Fairgrounds! Ohio’s largest used book sale begins on Friday, November 9th and runs through Monday, November 12th at noon. Hundreds of thousands of books, collectible books, children’s books, paperbacks— sorted into 70 different categories.

Proceeds benefit three Dayton area non-profits. This year it’s Rebuilding Together Dayton, the Victory Project and We Care Arts.

Find out more »

 

Holiday Open House – Make and Take

We Care Arts
November 10 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm  $5

Start your holiday shopping with us!
Shop our clients’ beautiful handmade gift items in our store!

Create your own art at our Make it -Take it!
Art lovers of all ages can drop in to create handmade items. For a $5 donation, create ornaments to keep for yourself or give away as gifts!  You be the artist!  We’ll provide the supplies. We’ll clean up the glitter!

Find out more »

 

Oregon District Barstool Open

The Oregon District
November 10 @ 10:30 am – 5:00 pm

Put together a team of four and join us for a crazy-fun 9-hole indoor miniature golf outing in the Oregon District.   We have 10 bars participating this year. You will begin playing at the bar you registered at. Complete as many holes as you can by 5:30 pm when the event ends. All teams who wish to be eligible for prizes must complete at least 9 holes by 5:30 pm and turn in their scorecard to a URS volunteer

Find out more »

 

Veteran’s Against Violence

South Park American Legion Post 675
November 10 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm   $10

The Ladie’s Auxillary of the American Legion Post #675 and Warriors With Wings is hosting an event to raise money…

Find out more »

 

Glo Gala for the Epilepsy Foundation- Greater Dayton Region

The Dayton Art Institute
November 10 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, $150

Light up the night at the GloGala for the Epilepsy Foundation.

Join us for an elegant evening of dining and dancing to celebrate our community, our heroes, and support our mission to lead the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy.

Find out more »

 

Pet Afflaire Gala

Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
November 10 @ 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm     $116.00

Join us to celebrate 28 years of Pet Afflaire!

It’s paw-ty time! Grab Fido or your fancy feline because you don’t want to miss our “fur-filled” fundraiser for a chance to dine with your pet for charity.

Find out more »

89th Annual Waffle Shop

Christ Episcopal Church

November 13- 16  @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Christ Episcopal Church invites you to join us for some good food for a great cause!  Waffles and other lunch items, Elsie’s Attic sale, bake sale . . . and did we mention waffles? Proceeds are used to support community outreach programs throughout the area.  Eat in or order to-go!

Find out more »

Executive Bourbon Tasting

The Steam Plant
November 13 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm    $100

The premier bourbon tasting of the year, Joe Head will school you on all things bourbon (and maybe an occasional rum) to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Find out more »

National Philanthropy Day Luncheon

Sinclair Community College
November 15 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm   $40 – $60

Please join AFP Dayton as we celebrate another generous year of philanthropy and congratulate our 2018 National Philanthropy Day Award winners, including Maureen Lynch & Richard Lapedes, Ellen & D. Jeffrey Ireland, Bill’s Donut Shop and more!

Find out more »

Holiday Gift Gallery Preview Party & Artful Cocktail Mix-off

Dayton Visual Arts Center
November 15 @ 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
$20 – $25

Shop, sip and cast your vote for most Artful Cocktail mixed by celebrity bartenders from the hottest restaurants around Dayton. The party sells out, so get your tickets today! Tickets include a smorgasbord of fancy cheeseballs and party snacks by Nibbles Catering, cash bar, and 10% off your DVAC Holiday Gift Gallery purchase at the event. Cocktail tastings are $1 each or 6 for $5 — so bring CASH!

Find out more »

Bags & Brews POP kickoff

Mother Stewart’s Brewing Co
November 15 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Ladies and Gentleman, please join the Women’s Giving Society for our Power of the Purse kick off event at Mother Stewart’s Brewery on Thursday November 15th!

Bring a gently used or vintage bag/purse to be donated to our 2019 POP auction. Receive a drink ticket in return for your donation (up to two tickets for two donated bags).

Find out more »

 

“Living in Tents” documentary and discussion

The Neon
November 15 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
$10.00

In January 2011 Paul Crane (Director) discovered a tent city in downtown St. Louis, along the Mississippi River. He was…

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2018 Jazz Party

Dayton Marriott
November 16 @ 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
$125

The Jazz Party is Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley’s biggest fundraiser of the year. If you’re up for a night of live music, great food, fun people and an awesome silent auction, AND you support our mission to strengthen individuals and families through actions of faith, service and charity, you won’t want to miss the 2018 Jazz Party!

Find out more »

Share a Pint Make a Friend for Hospice of Dayton

Warped Wing Brewing Company
November 18 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

At Warped Wing we believe that our passion for craft beer brings a unique approach to the Dayton. Throughout the year, Warped Wing will partner with local non-profit charities. Every Tuesday we will donate $1 for every pint sold to the selected non-profit organization.

Find out more »

Heart to Heart with The Beach Boys

Schuster Center
November 19 @ 8:00 pm . $53 – $93

Celebrating 30 years, Kettering Medical Center Foundation’s Heart to Heart Gala has raised more than $7.5 million for advanced medical innovation and technology, patient-centered education and recovery, community cardiac and stroke screening and outreach, and advanced caregiver training.

Special Offer! With every online ticket purchased for THE BEACH BOYS, you’ll receive a digital copy of the Mike Love’s new double album “UNLEASH THE LOVE”. You will receive an email with more details about this offer approximately 7 days after your purchase.

Find out more »

The Rubi Girls Show Must Go On

The Brightside

November 24 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm,  $30- $150

As long as HIV/AIDS exists, The Show Must Go On! It’s The Rubi Girls annual Thanksgiving weekend extravaganza!
This show is not for the easily offended and all guests must be 21 or over! Brand new venue this year!

Find out more »

Horse Around, ***WIN CASH !!! ***

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Win cash and help a charity by doing so… Sound too good to be true?

At Rent Foundation’s NITE AT THE RACES – it all can come true.   The Greater Dayton Apartment Association’s charitable arm is the Rent Foundation, and they need your help by attending a spectacular night of fun on November 9th at 1675 Woodman Drive (former IUE CWA Hall).

This is an annual charity event that you just cant miss.   Do you like endless food and beer?  How about betting on horse races on the big screen?  We will also have more liquor baskets than Charlie Sheen.  Pull tabs, door prizes, snacks and oh so much fun.

 

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO LOCAL FAMILIES AT RISK OF EVICTION:
The best part, is your participation will keep Dayton area families from going homeless.  How? Because theRent Foundation pays rent of families who are going through and unforseen crisis and are unable to pay rent.  By stepping in and helping these local residents, we are able to help them stay on their feet and avoid eviction.  REAL FAMILIES, REAL THREATS OF HOMELESSNESS….

TICKETS –

Pre Pay $15 online by clicking HERE or
pay $20 at the door Friday Nov. 9th 6pm.

Includes – Beer, Bottled Water and Soft Drinks
Includes – Wings, Pizza, Hot Dog Bar, Pasta Salad and Snacks
Includes – 8 horse races on the Big screen, bet cash and win cash !!
Includes – Pull Tabs Available for purchase


Includes – Over 50 Fabulous Door Prizes from electronics, to booze, to baskets, to restaurant gift cards and more

 

WHAT: RENT FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL NITE at THE RACES !
WHEN: FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9th, 6pm -11pm
WHERE: 1675 WOODMAN DR, KETTERING, OHIO (formerly the IUE CWA Hall)
2 doors down from the famous Root Beer Stande Drive In.
COST: $15 if you pre pay online by clicking HERE or pay $20 per person at the door
WHY: To help worthy Dayton families in crisis from going homeless by paying their rent due.

*** Bring cash because there will be chances to buy raffle tickets for prizes and pull tabs, as well as horse race betting.
Feel free to dress in your race hats, or Derby attire !

 

What did the winning horse say to the 2nd place horse …. “Why the Long Face?”

History & Halloween combine at Huffman’s Spooky Tour

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If you’ve ever driven or taken a stroll down Linden Avenue in the Huffman Historic District, you may have been struck by the beauty of the tunnel of oak and linden trees that create a continuous canopy overhead. Or perhaps you were too distracted by the stately collection of Queen Anne, Italianate, and Eastlake Victorian homes. Especially in the fall, there’s a certain magic in the air in Huffman when jack-o-lanterns grace front porch steps and the leaves of the tree canopy transition to autumn colors.

This October 12th and 13th, that magic will be alive and well when the Huffman Historic Neighborhood Association puts on their biannual, guided home tour, “The Spirit of Huffman.” The Spirit of Huffman home tour’s tagline is, “Where Halloween and History Collide,” and, indeed it’s true, when the outing offers tour goers a visual feast of Halloween decorations and entertainment dispersed among the Victorian homes.

Participants of the home tour will be guided through the neighborhood, established in the 1860s through the 1890s  by William P. Huffman, stopping to tour nine unique homes: one totally renovated house, a home bought through auction, homes renovated through Rehabarama, one home that housed the neighborhood post office, and two houses that were doctor’s offices. They will encounter an extensive collection of Halloween decorations, marble mantles, one-of-a-kind woodwork, bay windows, original hitching posts for horses, original carriage houses, carpenter’s lace, fretwork, corbels, towers,  and curved-glass windows. Along the way, they’ll take note of Dayton’s first brick school house, two beautiful Victorian churches with active congregations, and an old market that is looking at a second life. They’ll hear about the importance of the community’s connection to the country’s largest manufacturer of bicycles.

Each time The Spirit of Huffman Tour is presented, visitors are entertained. In addition to being a tour of today’s homes, this is an energized evening walk through time.  Expect to meet up with Huffman residents of a century ago who are scheduled to make an historic return engagement this year – just in time to make the past live again.  Visitors are advised: It is likely you will be transported beyond the Victorian architecture you are coming to see. Come prepared for several “Close Encounters of the Huffman Kind” as they pull back the curtain on time, revealing William Huffman’s new dream for a diverse community of bankers, laborers, shopkeepers, and street vendors at a moment when it is all so exciting and new.  When you come, be sure to listen carefully. The winds of change are rustling through the prairie grasses outside the city. It is 1870 and thanks to one man’s vision, Huffman Prairie is about to transform into the vibrant “Inner East” of Dayton.

Tickets are on sale now! To learn more about the Spirit of Huffman Tour please visit their website at www.SpiritofHuffman.com, or contact spiritofhuffmanhometour@gmail.com

A special thank you to sponsors DK Effects, LinkDayton, Blackbox Improv, Dayton Most Metro, St. Anne the Tart, Gem City Podcast and our great neighborhood of volunteers helping to keep the Spirit of Huffman alive.

How to Go?

When: October 12 and 13, 2018

Where: Huffman Historic District – 19 Linden Avenue, Dayton, OH 45403

Tickets: $18

buy online here

Note: This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 12.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Once you arrive for the tour signs and guides will help to find parking.

What can I bring into the event?

This event is rain or shine. Please come prepared with umbrellas and/or ponchos in the event of rain. We will have flashlights to share but are limited. Feel free to bring your own.

Sound Valley Summer Music Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern

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The inaugural Sound Valley Summer Music Festival is being held over Labor Day weekend, at the Yellow Cab Tavern on Saturday, September 1st. This festival has a dual purpose: one, to showcase talented rock bands from across the Miami Valley, and to raise awareness and funds to help combat the heroin epidemic through the local non-profit, Brigid’s Path.

“Dayton has been considered the heroin capital of the United States. We want to shift the national perspective and reclaim our reputation as a place for innovation, creativity and artistic expression through music,” Zac Pitts, co-owner of Sound Valley said.

With a full day of live music, Sound Valley Summer Music Festival will feature local rock, indie, and alternative bands, including: Life In Idle, Knavery, Beesly, Yardboss, Weathervein, NOVAGOLD, Seth Canan And The Carriers, Crosley Court, Isicle, Flee The Valley, Dave Zup, ThunderTaker, and A Voice of Your Own.

“This event is meant to connect those who want to take Dayton’s music scene to the next level.” Pitts said. “There will be two stages, both indoor and outdoor, and some amazing local food trucks throughout the day to keep hungry fans happy!”

In addition to great music, half of Sound Valley Summer Music Festival’s proceeds will benefit the Dayton organization, Brigid’s Path. This local non-profit provides inpatient medical care for drug-exposed newborns, non-judgmental support for mothers and education services to improve family outcomes. “The heroin epidemic has hit our community hard,” Pitts said. “We want to work alongside those that are taking away the stigma and standing with our neighbors who are struggling.”

Life in Idle is one of the bands set to perform at Sound Valley Music Festival at Yellow Cab Tavern on September 1, 2018.

HOW TO GO?

Sound Valley Summer Music Festival

Saturday, September 1 at 4pm

Yellow Cab Tavern 700 E 4th Street Dayton, OH

$10 in advance / $13 at doors

 

 

 

PorchFest – 40 Mini-Concerts In One Day

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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

Still Time To Register For Breast Wishes 5k for Kelli

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Many women we know and love have been affected by breast cancer, including Kelli James, a young mother and beloved sister, who died in the prime of her life. Her sisters, Elesha Snyder and Mandi Moore, decided to both honor their sister and help other women and families in the same situation. The founded the Breast Wishes Foundation to bring joy to those who are suffering with spa days, restaurant gift cards, yoga retreats, nutrition classes, family vacations and financial assistance for medical bills and holistic treatments that aren’t covered by insurance.
The 6th annual 5k for Kelli Run/Walk is Breast Wishes Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and is coming up this weekend, on August 18th, 2018 at the beautiful Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park. Since Kelli loved fairies, runners are encourage to dress in their fairy best! No fairy gear? No problem! They will have tutus, wings and flower crowns at the merchandise tent.
This is run / walk 5k, so even if you’re not a runner, you can walk it and support this worthwhile local charity! Foro the competitors out there, awards to the top 3 male and female in each age group and the top 3 male and female overall. Please do consider supporting this fabulous organization!

How to Go?

What: 5k for Kelli Run/Walk

When: August 18, 2018 at 9am 

Where: Wegerzyn Gardens Metro Park at 1301 E. Siebenthaler Avenue. The race will take place on path along the Stillwater River.
Cost: $25-online registration at speedy-feet.com until August 14th. Paper registration at George’s Family Restaurant 5216 North Dixie Drive until the evening of August 17th. On site registration tent opens at 7:30am on race day.
Also – they need volunteers! If you’re interested please contact our volunteer coordinator at 5kforkellivolunteers@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=7IdOsIF5Z44

Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma Walk

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The Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma walk is an event to raise awareness and funds to help research efforts and provide patient support and education. Scleroderma, which means “hard skin”, is a chronic connective tissue disease classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It can cause a thickening and tightening of the skin and damage to internal organs including the lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. Medications and treatments can help with symptoms, but no cure exists for Scleroderma. 

 An estimated 300,000 persons in the United States have Scleroderma. Approximately four times more women than men develop the disease. The exact cause or causes of Scleroderma are unknown, and although medications can sometimes help, there is no cure.

Help us as we seek to increase understanding about treatment and management of scleroderma.  Bring your family and friends on Saturday, August 4, 2018, to run or walk and enjoy a 50/50 drawing, DJ, kids activities and prize raffle to support a great cause. Register Online.  Light snacks will be provided. Feel free to bring a picnic lunch. Rain or Shine!

 

Fairborn Community Park 691 East Dayton-Yellow Springs Road Fairborn OH 45324

Registration: 9:00am-10:30am

Opening Ceremony: 10:30am
Fun Run & Walk: Immediately after Prize Raffle: 12:00pm

Routes: 3/4 mi., 1.5 mi. or 5k

Children 12 and under are free. Childrens size T-shirts are available to purchase online only for $5.00.

Pets on leashes are welcome.

Team Captains raising over $100 will be entered into a raffle for a 7 day Florida stay for up to 6 people. One raffle ticket for each $100 raised

Miami Valley Music Festival raises money and spirits!

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Miami Valley Music Festival is a beloved, family friendly music festival that raises money and awareness for local charitable causes. MVMF features multiple stages where you can experience the best regional, original musical talent, along with unique vendors and children’s activities. This year’s festival features over 20 exciting, up-and-coming bands on multiple stages. Lots of variety! Couldn’t be more of a win-win for everyone!

More information can be found at www.miamivalleymusicfest.com. See below for the full music schedule and event details: 

DATE AND TIME

Fri, Jul 20, 2018, 12:00 PM – Sun, Jul 22, 2018, 12:00 PM EDT

FULL MUSIC SCHEDULE:

Friday Music Schedule:

Stage 1: 6:30pm The Vibe / 10:00pm The Ark Band

Stage 2: 5:00pm Grampybone / 8:00pm Subterranean / 12:00am (midnight) Spikedrivers

Acoustic Stage: 6:00pm Joseph Gillis / 7:00pm Scott Lee

Saturday Music Schedule:

Stage 1: 11:30am Scott Lee / 1:30pm OldNews / 3:30pm Mike Perkins / 6:00pm Krunk Town Boogie / 8:00pm Charity Announcements and Movement Arts Performance / 8:30pm Wolf Moon Revival and Sharon Lane / 11:30pm D-Funk All-Stars

Stage 2: 10:00am Mystical Flutes and Tribal Drums with Yoga by Beth Weaver (The Space Between Studio in Tipp City) / 12:30pm Stringus Kahn / 2:30pm Typical Johnsons / 5:00pm Dustin Smith and the Daydreamers / 7:00pm R.I.N.D. / 10:00pm Jah Soul

Acoustic Stage: 12:00 – 3:00pm Open Mic (sign ups start Friday at the opening of the festival) / 3:00pm Vicki Brown / 4:30pm Dillon Brown / 6:00pm Tony Herdman / 7:30pm Amber Hargett

 

VIP EXPERIENCE

As with many festivals, there is a VIP upgrade, which includes the perks listed below. More information and pricing details here.

  • Access to the VIP Hospitality Tent, sponsored by local vendors
  • Beverages and water
  • Back stage & front of stage seating and viewing area access

Add to Calendar

LOCATION

Troy Eagle’s Campgrounds:2252 Troy-Urbana Rd

Follow signs to entrance on Cathcart Road

View Map

TICKETS

Full detailed ticket information here.

$60 for 2 day weekend, including camping

$60 VIP upgrade

$40 for single day passes

$25 VIP car pass

$75 Reserved camping spot

$25 Car camp pass (this allows you to camp by your car)

NOTE

No refunds. Please no pets.

Elsass Art Sale This Thursday To Benefit 4 Local Charities

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Mike Elsass has started his outdoor painting season in a lot next to The Front Street Building Co., but when I caught up with him all he wanted to talk about was last year’s outdoor painting.


“Last year I painted once a week in the parking lot of the Life Enrichment Center,” Mike told me. “They are a faith-based organization that helps all kinds of people in this area. The building is at 425 Findlay Street, next to a large metal recycling center, which seemed like the right place for an artist like me who paints on weathered steel.”

“A group going through a sobriety program painted with me. They were working to reclaim their lives, so I tried to use as many reclaimed materials in the art as possible – like used sandpaper and steel shavings. Then I invited others to join us. We had civic leaders, other artists, and even my grandchildren grab a brush and make art that now hangs in the LEC conference room.”

“Some of that art will be on display, and for sale on May 10 at Infiniti of Dayton (299 Loop Road) from 5 to 8 pm. The money raised goes to LEC and three other great local organizations – Good Shepherd Ministries, United Rehabilitation Services and the Therapeutic Riding Institute.”

Mike told me he’s planning a larger effort at LEC this year. If you have any paint you don’t need, he’d love to have it. You could drop it off at the Life Enrichment Center parking lot any week day between 9 and 5. Just leave it by the yellow truck behind the building. If that doesn’t work, just message Mike’s facebook page and he’ll arrange a way to get it.

CTW Kicks Off Men at Work Campaign

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Each week, our men will compete in a themed competition. The Role Model who secures the most votes each week will win an award:

  • Beginning April 30, 2018:
    First Impressions Award
  • Beginning May 7, 2018:
    Workplace Image Award
  • Beginning May 14, 2018:
    Casually Cool Award

Voting will officially end at 11:59pm on Friday, May 18th. We will then tally the votes and announce the results at a special awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Individual awards will be given to the winners of each weekly themed competition, and the individual who has the most overall votes will be crowned Clothes That Work’s “Ambassador of the Year.”

Meet the 2018 Role Models:

 


Charles Baerman
Shawn Bauman
Ben Bergman

Kevin Cornell
Ken DeMange
Aliou Diouf

Justin Howard
Jacob Hynes
Brent Johnson

AJ Kessler
Rob Krause
Tom Maher

Sean Mitchell
John North
Stephen Offord

Peter Qumsiyeh
Josh Schierloh
Shelby Shackelford

Bill Slowden
Chris Southern
Josh Stuckey

Jonathan Thompson
Bill Twiss
Rodney Veal

Move & Meditate!

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You can feel it in the air – spring is almost here! This is the perfect time to shake off the winter “blahs” and bring more movement and meditation into our lives. On Saturday March 3, 2018 you can do just that with a 2 hour mixed session of Yoga, BollyX and Heartfulness meditation.
First, stretch your muscles and align your body with Yoga to prepare yourself for some lively movement to Bollywood music with a BollyX dance workout, and then cool down and refresh your spirit with Heartfulness Meditation! There is no set fee for this event. Donations are welcome, but not required. Any collected will go to support  the Heartfulness Center in Dayton that offers free meditation and yoga classes to the community.
How to Go?
Saturday, March 3rd
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Venue: Ayurveda Natural Health Center, 1342 N. Fairfield Rd, Suite B, Beavercreek, OH 45432
(Park in the parking lot across from CVS, between the Shell gas station and Valvoline and then there is a walkway from the parking lot to the front door behind the Shell gas station)
Limited space. Please email dayton.oh@heartfulness. org to reserve your place as soon as possible.
Visit www.daytonheartfulness. org for more information on the Dayton Heartfulness Center.

Tour de Donut is Growing!

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For its 12th anniversary and its second year in Troy, the Tour de Donut is planning an event bigger and better than ever. The ride will start and end around the square of historic downtown Troy on Saturday, August 25, 2018. Registration for this very unique event is now open.  The inaugural event in Troy brought 2300 riders, the largest participation number to date. This number is expected to increase as the demand of interested cyclists grows. Being Ohio’s largest one-day bicycle event, cyclists travel to the Tour de Donut from 30 states.

 

New for 2018, the Tour de Donut welcomes Be The Match as their official charity partner. For the runners/walkers out there, Be The Match invites you to participate in the Buckeye Donut Dash. This 5k will begin in downtown Troy at 8:30am on Saturday, August 25, 2018 running simultaneously with the Tour de Donut. Registration is now open and information can be found  here . The Buckeye Donut Dash raises funds to help patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. With your support in fundraising, you help more patients afford transplants, add potential marrow donors to the Be The Match Registry and make more life-saving research possible.

Mallory Lynn eats a donut during a stop at Gordon United Methodist Church, during the Tour de Donut last fall. Photo from Troy Daily News.

The Tour de Donut is a unique bicycle event in which participants’ ability to eat donuts is just as important as their ability to ride their bicycle. During this timed bicycle event, riders visit donut stops along the course. For each donut the rider will eat (and keeps down), five minutes will be deducted from their ride time. The Glazer, a special donut stop, will return by popular demand. Each donut eaten at this stop is worth a ten minute deduction in ride time. A competition will be held between area donut shops during the Troy Strawberry Festival in June to choose the coveted special glazer donut.

Event organizers will offer three different distances for cyclists in 2018. New and improved routes are being designed, free of trains, that will offer riders a fun, challenging experience through beautiful, rural Miami County.

The Donut Mini, a 16-mile course, will return with one donut stop. The Mini awards its own prizes and allows younger riders and families to take part in the fun due to the shorter distance.

The 32-mile course, the Tour de Donut, will offer two donut stops. And, for the experienced cyclist, the Double D Challenge is a 64-mile ride with three donut stops. Prizes will be awarded for these courses in age group classes. Special awards will be given for the most donuts eaten, fastest time (without donuts), and the coveted golden Tour de Donut championship belt for the best adjusted “donut time”.

A free children’s event will take place at 8 am on N. Market Street. All children participating will receive a free T-shirt, finisher medal and all the donuts and milk they care to eat courtesy of Orthopedic Associates of Southwest Ohio.

Online registration is open. Cyclists should visit www.thetourdedonut.com and runners/walkers should visit www.bethematchfoundation.org/TheBuckeye to get registered.

If your group is interested in assisting with the ride at a donut stop, or would like to volunteer with organizers, please contact the Head Donut.

 

Equitas Associate Board Announces Masquerage 2018

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The Dayton Equitas Associate Board released the announcement today that Dayton Party of Parties will not skip a year, as originally planned.  Instead it will return on Friday, Oct 26th at the Steam Plant.

According to Equitas Associate Board member Nick Warrington, “when we met in November to do the recap of Masquerage we all agreed that the excitement from the community was there for the event and the Equitas  Board of Trustees agreed that it should go back to being an annual event.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPCxLgKqYQI&feature=youtu.be

So planning is underway for Masquerage 2018, contact the Associate Board to get involved.

Equitas also has  announced they will move the RED Table Design event, which happens every two years, back to spring, so mark your calendars for April 13, 2019 for that one.

Enjoy an Evening of Celtic Music & Dance!

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Colleen Raney performs in Dayton for the first time at the Celtic Concert on December 10th at Stivers High School

For all the Celtic lovers out there, an upcoming event featuring Celtic music and dance, is just for you! The evening starts off with a performance by Celtic Academy of Irish Dance followed by local musical favorites Dulahan, followed by headliner and acclaimed Irish singer, Colleen Raney.  This show is being presented at Centennial Hall inside Stivers School for the Arts in downtown Dayton, and will benefit We Care Arts. This is a family friendly evening that’s sure to entertain Celtic lovers of all ages!

Colleen Raney has been referred to as “among the best in her genre” (Irish Music Magazine) and “one of America’s best traditional singers” (Tradconnect) . Her ability to convey her love of Irish music makes every performance a captivating experience! Colleen is making her first visit to the Dayton area and will perform here with her band, which includes: Hanz Araki on flute and vocals, Bethany Waickman on guitar and Ryan Davidson on upright bass and vocals. In addition to singing, Colleen also plays guitar and bodhran.

Dulahan‘s music pays homage to traditional and contemporary Celtic with 3 and 4 part harmonies and subtle hints of Roots/Americana. The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance is one of Dayton’s fine Irish Dance schools. Many of the students compete at the local, national and international levels, and they are a joy to watch!

Sunni Russo, the organizer of this concert, loved the variety of new music that Cityfolk brought to the Dayton area. She discovered many artists and musical styles she would not have known about otherwise.  In that tradition, she wanted to bring an artist, Colleen Raney, who has not played in Dayton before.

The Celtic Academy of Irish Dance performs at the Celtic Concert held on December 10, 2017 at Stivers High School

December 10th, 2017
Show from 7-10pm
Stivers High School
Tickets are just $25 and on sale now! 
For more info or if they prefer not to order online:
Tickets will also be available at the door.
The show will benefit We Care Arts, a great local charity! Check them out at www.wecarearts.org