Community

#SpreadtheGood Returns Oct 22nd

October 20, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

#SpreadtheGood, The Dayton Foundation’s social media campaign that celebrates and builds awareness of the good work happening through nonprofits in the region, is back for a third year and set to begin on October 22 (Making a Difference Day).

Between October 22 and November 18, individuals and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to show how they #SpreadtheGood by taking action photos of good deeds happening in the community and uploading them to the Foundation’s 2016 #SpreadtheGood online photo gallery. Each photo will enter the featured nonprofit into an opportunity to receive one of three #SpreadtheGood grants ranging from $500 to $2,000.

Beginning November 21, individuals may vote up to ten times per day for their favorite local nonprofit (from the photos submitted) via the #SpreadtheGood online photo gallery. The #SpreadtheGood grants (first place – $2,000 grant; second place – $1,000 grant; or third place – $500 grant) will be awarded to the three organizations that receive the most votes on their photos by #GivingTuesday, November 29.

“The Dayton Foundation strives to partner with and support local nonprofit organizations to help lift and grow their missions. #SpreadtheGood is a great way to highlight the efforts and stories of these organizations and their volunteers, as well as have the community show its support for these causes,” said Barbra Stonerock, vice president of Community Engagement for The Dayton Foundation.

Also this year, the Foundation will follow six community advocates as they highlight the good in our region. The 2016 #SpreadtheGood Ambassadors will share photos and videos of the missions that they support in the areas of education, art, human services, health, environment and community benefit as they encourage others to #SpreadtheGood in Greater Dayton. Stories of each #SpreadtheGood Ambassador will be featured weekly on the Foundation’s Facebook page throughout the campaign. Individuals can get to know them and read their stories by following The Dayton Foundation on Facebook or using the hashtag #storiesofgood2016.

The 2015 #SpreadtheGood campaign collected 224 action photos, entering 40 Dayton-area nonprofits into the Challenge portion of the campaign. A total of $3,500 was awarded to three local nonprofits organizations: First Place ($2,000): The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton, Second Place ($1,000): SICSA (The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals), and Third Place ($500): Therapeutic Riding Institute. See how last year’s #SpreadtheGood grants helped these organizations continue to #Spreadthegood.

To participate in this year’s #SpreadtheGood campaign, visit daytonfoundation.org/spreadthegood.html.

Human 2.0 Fest debuts in Dayton

October 20, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

screen-shot-2016-10-19-at-9-44-59-pm Human 2.0 festival is a festival that offers FREE full-fledged Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong classes, all in a natural, tranquil setting. The stage is set with engaging speakers, and a multitude of activities aimed at exploring the various facets of the mind-body-self connection.

Local food trucks will be serving delicious food, and the kids will enjoy our multitude of activities such as face-painting booths and a 7-foot tall blank canvas!

This festival is a space for you to explore the ways and means to create your OWN unique reality. We would like to invite you to come and set the tone.

Admission and Activities are Free!

Saturday October 22nd from 10am – 6pm

Address: 3153 Lantz Rd Beavercreek OH

Engaging Speakers
Full length Yoga, Tai chi, Qi Gong classes (Bring your Own Mat!)
Fun kids activities, families welcome
Physical fitness challenges for fitness buffs
Chess challenge for those looking to exercise their minds!
Delicious food trucks and various holistic practitioners
Meditation for Humanity – Spread the peace and love!

Last Yellow Cab Food Truck Rally of the 2016 Season

October 19, 2016 By LIbby Ballengee

Don’t miss out on the last Yellow Cab Food Truck Rally of 2016 on Oct 21st from 5-10pm! They have had a great season of awesome food trucks but if you miss this one you’ll have to wait until March to enjoy another beautiful Friday evening at The “Old” Yellow Cab building. They are partnering with Night Market to bring delicious produce and other local items to every food truck rally this season.

The recently updated Yellow Cab facility will be full of gourmet street food, live music and craft beer. Since this is so close to Halloween they are encouraging attendees to come dress in their costume! We’ll be hosting a costume contest at 8pm and the winner will take home $50 in Yellow Cab Food Truck Rally gift certificates!

They are excited to host Death By Curry for the first time in addition to returning favorites El Meson, The Drunken Waffle, Greek Street Food Truck, Cupzilla-Korean BBQ, Thai1On, and Ramen Rickshaw. Desserts by Ginniebug Creations, Fronana, Flying Santucci Bros and Gourmet Cotton Candy.

Live music being provided by the local original rock’a’billy band, Cherry Lee & The Hot Rod Hounds. They are also hosting an art show at the last rally of the season! Check out “The Astronauts Return Home: Discoveries From The Final Frontier”. It will include work by Zach Goetz, Heather Sandy, Matt Szozda, and Christine Zuercher.

Free Entry! Address: 700 E. 4th St. Dayton, OH. October 21, 2016. 5-10pm

Wanna Hear Some Great Campfire Stories?

October 18, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Dayton’s Story Slam event returns to the stage at Wiley’s Comedy Joint on Wednesday the 19th this month. In the spirit of The Moth, Dayton has its own monthly storytelling stage. Presented by Dayton Most Metro and produced by Shelly Hulce and Bryan Suddith the event welcomes anyone with a story to tell.

The rules ares few and make the storytelling experience accessible for anyone who enjoys hearing a good storing or telling one. The Moth rules are simple. Stories are told in the first person, are always true, are about 5-6 minutes in length, are unscripted (no notes) and are told on the theme of the night.

This month’s theme for Story Slamm Dayton is Campfire Stories. The event is held at Wiley’s Comedy Joint at 101 Pine Street in Dayton’s Oregon District. $5 door charge and a cash bar is available. Storytellers simply put their name in the hat and 10 storytellers are selected at random for a spot on stage.

Audience members judge the stories and a winner is chosen to take home a $50 cash prize. Visit Facebook.com/StorySlammDayton to see videos from last month and find tips to craft your story.

Can’t make this one, then be sure and add November 16th to your calendar when the theme will be Stories of Endurance. Its a nod to the end of the elections.

Start Downtown

October 18, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

At the heart of Dayton’s comeback are talented people taking risks and shaping our city. You can find their stories in locally-run coffee shops, coworking spaces, entrepreneurial hubs, artist spaces, brewery tasting rooms, and the kitchens of local restaurants. A groundswell of entrepreneurial and creative activity is changing Dayton.

Earlier this year, almost 100 people came together to begin an initiative to help more enterprising Daytonians start downtown. This initiative promotes the people and their stories who are changing Dayton and why they are launching their endeavors here. One of several “Start Downtown” volunteer-led programs, the “I Started Downtown” video series interviews a diverse group of business owners who invested in downtown Dayton.

This is the first in the series, featuring the “I Started Downtown” story of Juanita-Michelle Darden-Jones, the proprietress of Third Perk Coffeehouse and Wine Bar at 42 W. Fifth St. in downtown Dayton.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership are also launching several new projects as our contribution to the cause:

Pop-up Coworking:
Beginning in November, we are teaming with several partners to host monthly pop-up coworking events at interesting and fun locations around downtown. Our first one is at Dayton Beer Company on November 3rd – click here for more info.

Dayton Kiva Team:
We are organizing a Dayton-based Kiva network to connect local funders to local small businesses that need support. Kiva is like crowd-funding, but instead it’s crowd-lending – after your loan is repaid, you can use the same dollars to support another small business. Sign up for Kiva and join the Dayton network by clicking here.

Innovation / Improvement Challenge:
Volunteers are launching a new challenge for startups and established businesses around solving problems and creating significant returns on investment at the established company. The first cohort will launch in early 2017 – more to come.

Dayton Collaboration Network:
Interested in providing discounted business services to startups to help them grow? We are organizing the Dayton Collaboration Network to better support startups in downtown Dayton. To join or learn more about the network, contact Scott Murphy at [email protected] or (937) 224-1518 ext 223.

To learn more about the Start Downtown programs and how to get involved, visit http://bit.ly/StartDowntown

Dayton Gets Perfect Score on LGBT Equality Index!

October 17, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

In an email sent today from Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley she shared that she’s “proud and excited to announce that Dayton has received a top score of 100 on the 2016 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index! Dayton is one of just 3 cities in Ohio and 60 nationwide to earn a perfect score. Dayton is also just one of 37 cities to be named an All-Star City, representing a high score in a state lacking supportive state-level laws.”

The Municipal Equality Index is based upon a set of 44 criteria that fall into five broad categories: non-discrimination laws, municipal employment policies, inclusiveness of city services, law enforcement and municipal leadership.

I am so proud of what this award represents. Dayton is truly moving forward as an open, progressive and welcoming place.”

“Despite another year of legislative attacks on LGBTQ equality, we are not merely holding our ground; we also continue to make significant gains across the country,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute. “The opportunity for further progress is huge, and we are proud to partner with HRC on the Municipal Equality Index, a powerful roadmap for elected officials and community advocates who want to continue down the path to full equality.”

Since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has more than quintupled, and today at least 24 million people now live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state. And cities that have been rated all five years of the MEI have improved their scores by about 20 points over that time.
Progress on transgender equality has been particularly noteworthy in cities across America this year, continuing a positive trend that the MEI has tracked — and encouraged — since 2012. Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 86 municipalities this year — up from 66 in 2015 and 5 in 2012 — and the growth of cities offering those benefits to their employees outpaces the growth in the number of cities rated. The MEI’s Issue Brief on Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits is available here.

You can see the complete Dayton report card here.

Mystery Monday: Monday, Oct 17th

October 17, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Welcome to Week 36 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 35’s Mystery Photo is The Leaders Bench located on the south end of Riverscape along the walkway area by the rectangle fountains, behind the The Enormous Information Universe .

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Joy D of Dayton- Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

We challenge you to tell us where in the Dayton area this photo was taken by filling out the form below. We’ll do a random drawing from all those with a correct answer and the winner will get 2 pizzas from Rapid Fired Pizza.

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 36:

Dia de Muertos Dayton — A Movable Celebration of Life

October 17, 2016 By Guest Contributor

The fifth annual Dia de Muertos celebration and parade kicks off Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 pm with pre-parade family activities at K-12/Tejas Gallery. Participants are encouraged to arrive early to make colorful parade accessories, learn traditional Mexican folk dance moves and transform your face into a sugar skull with the help of professional artists and students from Decoy Art Studio. An exciting element of Dia de Muertos is being a part of the action, so plan ahead and bring strollers and wagons for young children. An El Meson food truck will be on hand for tasty choices until the parade lines up.

The parade will take off from K-12/Tejas Gallery toward Fifth Street at 4 pm, travel through the Oregon District and stop at Missing Peace Art Space, located across from Stivers School for the Arts at Fifth and Dutoit streets. St. Mary’s will be there serving up traditional Mexican food and Pa’s Pork will offer other eclectic choices.

Entertainment will begin as soon as the parade arrives, with the legendary Rev. Cool Carter as master of ceremonies spinning records between acts until 9 pm. Ballet Folklorico Orgullo Mexicano will be back to delight the crowd with traditional dancing, and returning storyteller Alicia Pagan will capture the imaginations of both young and old. This year, guitarist Ramon Perez El Alacran de Durango will perform with his daughter, and the Lucha Libre rock band Team Void will bring a new sound to the celebration.

The Missing Peace Art Space will display personal ofrendas, traditional altars recalling the lives of loved ones who have passed. Artist Tiffany Clark will offer a community ofrenda for families and friends of heroin loss, and the Tree of Life congregation will honor the lives of those lost at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. A general outdoor altar will offer the opportunity to leave memorial notes and light candles for loved ones.

Be sure to put us on your calendar for a day of celebration and healing as we honor the traditional Mexican memorial holiday of Dia de Muertos, recalling the beauty of lives gone before us, and including all cultures in a celebration that is uniquely Dayton.

Dia de Muertos Dayton — A Movable Celebration of Life – Sunday, Oct. 23,

2 to 4 pm: Pre-parade activities at K-12/Tejas Gallery, 314 S. Jefferson St., Dayton

4 pm: Parade leaves K-12/Tejas Gallery and travels toward Fifth Street

4:30 pm: Celebration at Missing Peace Art Space, 234 S. Dutoit St.

Story contributed by Joy Levett

Dayton Has A New Event Space

October 15, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

When you plan on hosting your own wedding in a building you own, finishing out the event space takes on a very special importance. For building owner Matt Dieringer, that work will be showcased today when he weds his school teacher love, Amanda. Dierineger purchased the 160,000 square foot Davis-Linden Building in spring of 2015, which was the home of the Davis Sewing Machine Co. in the 1920’s. In 1924 the company changed it’s name to Huffman Manufacturing Company and started to manufacture bicycles.

The building is now filled with creative tenants that include woodworkers and cabinetmakers, a screen printing and graphic design company, a manufacturer of laser dyes, a nationally recognized sculptor/musician, a television studio, an interior design firm, and more.

The event space located on the 2nd floor is over 10,00 square feet with the original wood floors which for over 100 years old, are in pretty good condition. Large windows line both sides of the venue letting the natural light just bathe the room.

All decked out with 8 foot rounds the room should easily seat over 400 guests. A freight elevator just inside the entry way makes load in pretty easy and the building has plenty of carts to help and there is even a lift on site to assist with decorating.

Bathrooms have been updated with double sinks and 3 stalls in the ladies room and one stall and 2 urinals in the men’s room. Future plans call for a partition to make the room more intimate for smaller events. Other plans call for an improved entry to the space, that will give a direct walkway from the sizeable parking lot .

A moveable bar has been installed on one end of the room, just in front of a set of barn doors that make way for a perfect space for a buffet line for serving food. Several crystal chandeliers have been installed to add an elegance to the space.

For more information or to reserve the space for your special event contact Matt Dieringer at 937.489.8635 or [email protected]. The building is at the corner of Davis & Linden, street address is 400 Linden Ave, Dayton, OH 45403.

Upcoming events in the space include:

Sat, Oct 22 at 7:30pm Dare To Defy Showcase

This theater company will showcase they will be performing bits from their upcoming season, as well as interacting with the audience to give them a taste of what it’s like to be on stage. Tickets at the door will cost $20 for General Admission and $25 for the VIP Experience.

Nov 4 & 5th at 8pm Sound Sculpture Concerts

Michael & Sandy Bashaw will present the first concerts in this building in over 10 years! The concerts will feature new music composed for the Sound Sculptures, as well as some favorites from past concerts, and several new Sound Sculptures. Michael & Sandy will be joined by musicians John Taylor, Erich Reith and Dick Roll. Dayton Visual Arts Center will be hosting the bar with beer & wine available. Proceeds from the bar will go to DVAC. Admission is $20.

DP & L Offering Free LED Light Bulbs

October 15, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

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Dayton Power and Light wants to help you conserve energy by offering free replacement LED light bulbs in exchange for your old incandescent light bulbs. LED bulbs use 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 years. The LED replacement bulb is a standard, 9 watt (60 watt equivalent bulb). Any incandescent bulbs will be accepted.
If you bring your incandescent bulbs to the parking lot of Walmart between 10am and 2pm on the following dates, you’ll get free LED bulbs as replacements:

Dayton to Punta Gorda, Flights Starts Nov 17th

October 14, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

As Ohio temperatures begin a downward trend, Dayton International Airport is preparing to begin new flights to its newest getaway destination: Punta Gorda, Fla.

“Allegiant is known for providing affordable flights to many popular destinations,” said Airport Director Terrence Slaybaugh. “By offering this new flight to Punta Gorda, Allegiant is able to give travelers even more options at the Dayton International Airport when they want to get away.”

The first flight from Dayton to Punta Gorda will take place at 8:33 p.m. on Thursday, November 17, so there is still plenty of time to book tickets and escape the frosty air.

The inaugural flight will be sent off in the traditional DAY airport manner, with balloons, refreshments and giveaways for passengers, along with a water cannon salute from the airport’s fire engines.

“We like to send off new flights in a fun way,” Slaybaugh said. “It’s our way of letting passengers know they are a part of something special at the Dayton Airport.”

The new nonstop flights will operate twice weekly out of Dayton.

Flight days, times and the lowest fares can be found only at Allegiant.com. Allegiant is known for its low-cost leisure travel. The company provides customers with low base fares averaging nearly half the cost of the average domestic round-trip fares.

Making A Difference In Dayton: Debbie Fox

October 13, 2016 By Lisa Grigsby

By day Debbie Fox is the Grants and Operations Director for Levin Family Foundation. She also has served on the board of Artemis, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Dayton, and the WSU Non Profit Leadership Alliance. But she spends her nights and weekend drumming up support for the The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley, a program that impacts young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Debbie’s husband is a head coach for the program as well. We asked her to tell us a little more about her involvement with First Tee.

How did you get involved in The First Tee?

There’s one word to describe why I got involved in The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley… Passion.

Passion for our youth that would not necessarily have the opportunity to experience life skills such as our nine core values and nine healthy habits.

Passion for sport.

Passion for inspiring children.

Passion for education.

Passion for being a dependable mentor that our participants can count on.

Every person involved with The First Tee has an individual reason for being a part of it–whether they love the sport, they want to be an important role model, or they want to make a difference helping to shape young lives.

The First Tee programming provides a learning environment with positive reinforcement from our coaches while focusing on values and life skills that the participants will take with them well after they leave the program. Golf is just the means to demonstrate these values and life skills. It is the vehicle to lead by example. The emphasis is on inspiring young people and making an IMPACT, and who doesn’t want to be a positive reinforcement?

If you think back about role models in your life and who inspired you, why did they impact you? How did they shape you? Not everyone necessarily has those mentors in their lives, and The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley provides that inspirational core to inspire our participants to make a difference throughout their lives–Enriching lives.

Tell us how this organization impacts our community?

The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley is proud to partner and collaborate with many organizations in the Butler, Warren, and Montgomery county areas. Currently we are in 13 elementary schools in the Dayton Public School District thanks to the Brian Hafer Foundation with our National School Program that is impacting over 4500 students.

The First Tee Life Skills program offered 295 participants scholarships in collaboration with the City of Dayton Golf Courses and nearly 700 participants total in our Chapter for 2016.

Dennis Walters and his dog, Bucky,

On Wednesday, October 12, in partnership with TPC River’s Bend, we welcomed Dennis Walters from The Dennis Walter Show. He spent the day visiting three Kings School District Elementary Schools sharing his story of overcoming obstacles, reaching for your dreams, and never giving up with over 275 second and fourth graders.

Through partnerships such as these, as well as The First Tee Life Skills Experience, National School Program, and DRIVE, The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley is able to continue making an IMPACT on young lives.

How can folks get involved?

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Top Golf West Chester – entertainment complex

Volunteer. Attend Events. Sponsor an Event. Participate in Programming. Spread the Word!

Join us on Dec 1st: Tee It Up With First Tee of Greater Miami Valley & Top Golf!

Great Team-Building Event and Holiday Fundraiser at Top Golf in West Chester to benefit The First Tee of Greater Miami Valley! B2B Network, Silent Auction, Golf Competition, Dinner and Open Play! Plus “Meet & Greet” First Tee Participants!

You don’t have to know the game of golf to be a part of this organization. It’s about inspiring our children to be better people–Good golfers…Better people.

To learn more visit www.thefirstteegmv.org or contact Brian K. Parkhurst, PGA Executive Director for more information on how to get involved with fundraising: committees, events etc.

Preview The RED Table Design Gala

October 12, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

The RED Dayton Table Design Gala benefitting Equitas Health (formerly AIDS Resource Center Ohio) is returning this year with the theme “Idols and Icons.” With the recent passing of artists and actors like Prince, David Bowie, and Alan Rickman, breakout moments from Beyoncé with her video album “Lemonade” and Super Bowl “Formation” performance, and launch of the first PRIDE flag into space, there’s plenty of inspiration for the 16 table designers at this year’s event. Some of the designs you’ll want to see in person; like the one by Mark Breuninghaus, long-time supporter and owner of The Flower Shoppe, who is creating a Liberace-themed table using a baby-grand piano as the table!

On October 14^that 5:30pm, a special Preview Party hosted by the Equitas Health Dayton Associate Board will take place at the Dayton Masonic Center. You’ll get to stroll through each designer’s uniquely decorated table while enjoying delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. The preview party is a great opportunity to get a first look at the tables, meet the region’s most inspiring designers, and enjoy music by local artists Kris N. and Paige Beller. If a casual, dance party is your style, then the preview party is for you. Tickets are available at reddayton.com.

“The Equitas Health Associate Board members are excited to present yet another fun, fabulous party. Now that we’re switching to the biennial format, alternating RED Dayton Table Design Gala and Masquerage, hosting the preview party gives us a break from pulling out a showstopper year after year, but we still get to throw a fantastic event,” says Val Beerbower, Dayton Associate Board Member.

Brenden Wynn

Associate Board Vice Chair, Brenden Wynn, will be one of the featured speakers at the annual TEDxDayton signature event, also taking place Friday, Oct. 14, at the Victoria Theatre. His talk will focus on empowering healthcare consumers to seek out better care at lower cost. Wynn will be speaking to a packed house at the fourth consecutive sell-out for the locally organized TED event. Wynn’s role with the board and in his professional career at Providence Medical Group demonstrate his commitment to improving the health and wellness of Dayton-area residents.

Another way to support Equitas Health is by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win an iconic trip for two to your choice of Havana, Maui, or London. Each trip is valued at over $10,000 and includes air fare or air fare voucher. Raffle tickets are 3 for $100 or $50 each. Purchase raffle tickets at reddayton.com/raffle.

With Masquerage moving to a biennial event the RED Dayton Table Design Gala Preview Party is a great opportunity to enjoy a fun evening all for a charitable cause.

All funds raised will benefit Equitas Health’s diverse healthcare and support services focused around primary care, specialized HIV and LGBTQ medical care, behavioral health, HIV/STI prevention, advocacy, and community health initiatives.

Cowork at A Local Brewery

October 12, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

On Thursday, November 3, The Dayton Beer Company will be transformed into a coworking space!

Bring your laptop, notepad, and coffee mug for a day of working alongside some of Dayton’s most creative entrepreneurs, designers, developers, and change-makers!

Schedule for the Day*
8:30 am to 9:30 am – Meet November’s “Featured Entrepreneurs” and learn from their startup stories
9:30 am to 11:30 am – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
11:30 am to 1:00 pm – Lunch with Nucleus; Dayton’s coworking pioneers talk about how the coshare has impacted their businesses
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Open office hours (experts in legal advice, marketing, accounting, funding, and more)
3:00 pm – Startup Grind with Pete Hilgeman; Q&A with the founder of Dayton Beer Co.
4:00 pm – Happy Hour

*open coworking available all day

November’s Featured Entrepreneurs
Jason Harrison, Present Tense Fitness
Jeff Graley, Mile Two
Theresa Steele, The Hathaway Group, LLC
Juanita Darden-Jones, Third Perk Coffeehouse & Wine Bar

Amenities: high speed wi-fi (powered by AT&T), free coffee from Third Perk, lunch, shuffleboard, arcade games, patio

Event Partners: Downtown Dayton Partnership, AT&T, Dayton Startup Grind, Dayton Tech Guide, Minority Business Assistance Center, Nucleus, Ohio SBDC Network

Please RSVP to Colleen Turner at 937.224.1518 ext. 221 or [email protected]

Patty Wagstaff: Preserve Wright Brothers’ Factory

October 11, 2016 By Dayton Most Metro

Air show legend Patty Wagstaff made her mark on aviation history by breaking gender barriers in aerobatic contests. Now, Wagstaff has added her voice to those urging the restoration of America’s first airplane factory—the Wright Company factory in Dayton.“I’m completely honored to be standing here,” Wagstaff says in a new video filmed inside the historic but unrestored factory. “I want to know what it was really like, and I think the only way you can do that is to make this place as real as it was, and bring it back to its original space.”

The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA) announced the video on Tuesday, Oct. 11, as part of its continuing campaign to save the historic buildings for use as a national park. Wagstaff toured the factory in June when she was in town to fly in the annual Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger. The video is available on NAHA’s YouTube channel. Wagstaff’s video message follows one by David McCullough, author of the best-selling book The Wright Brothers, in which he declares the factory “important to the world” after touring it in April.

Wilbur and Orville Wright formed the Wright Company in 1909 and built the first of two factory buildings near their West Dayton bicycle shop in 1910. They added a matching building in 1911. The factory was the first in America built for the purpose of manufacturing airplanes. Besides the Wright brothers themselves, famous visitors to the factory have included such pioneer aviators as Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, later to become the first general of the Air Force, and Calbraith Perry “Cal” Rodgers, who made the first U.S. coast-to-coast flight in a Wright airplane dubbed the “Vin Fiz.”

About Patty Wagstaff:

First woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship in 1991, Wagstaff has garnered many aerobatic, air show and other awards in her flying career. The airplane she flew to win her first national is in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. In 2004, she joined the company of Arnold, Rodgers and the Wright brothers as an enshrinee of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Restored to its original state, the Wright factory could spark new interest in aviation, Wagstaff says in the video. “Of course these buildings are worth saving. I really feel that aviation is under appreciated, and anything that we can do to highlight it, and (show) how important it is, and get people to understand it, and think about it, and appreciate it, is really, really important.”

NAHA is negotiating to buy the factory, several attached buildings and surrounding acreage from the current property owner. The property is the site of the former Delphi Home Avenue Plant, a 54-acre auto manufacturing complex that began with the original two Wright buildings. The site has been razed except for the row of buildings that includes the factory.

“I want to walk in and have a feeling for the way things were.… Who were these people that actually built the airplanes, and how were they the same as people today, and how were they different than people today?” Wagstaff says.

NAHA has raised approximately $2 million toward a goal of $4 million in public funds and private donations to acquire the site and begin restoration. Its plan is for the factory to become the Wright Factory Unit of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park and to guide the redevelopment of the surrounding property in ways that complement the factory. Dayton Metro Library has committed to buy approximately seven acres of the site for its new West Branch library.

Mystery Monday – October 10, 2016

October 10, 2016 By Tom Gilliam

Welcome to Week 35 of Mystery Mondays. The answer to Week 34’s Mystery Photo is: Garden Station in Downtown Dayton along with a special appearance by my late beloved Scottish Terrier (aka Scottie) Lucy. I took this photo on September 22, 2016 during our final adventure together, the morning I had to have her put down after a short but painful illness. She would’ve been 12 years old on November 1, 2016.

Lucy Scott Terrier Gilliam

November 1, 2004 – September 22, 2016

We congratulate our randomly drawn winner Like S of Beavercreek. Rapid Fired Pizza certificates are coming your way!

Enter here:

http://goo.gl/forms/dyU55fzc48

We’ll post the winner next Monday with details about the photo as well as a new photo to challenge your knowledge of the Dayton area.

Thanks for playing and good luck!

Here’s our Mystery Photo for Week 35:

Photo by Tom Gilliam of DaytonGram & Tom Gilliam Photography.