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THE GUIDE to YELLOW SPRINGS 2012–13
YELLOW SPRINGS NEWS
Greene County Eye Care, Inc. more than great vision NEW PATIENT OFFER ������������������������ ����������������������������� ��������������������������� ����������������������
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Bill, Jody, Romy Farrar, Kate Crews, & Ludo The first Christmas the Farrars spent in Yellow Springs told them all they needed to know about the community. Seven years ago Bill Farrar and his daughter, Romy, were coming back from some last minute Christmas shopping when their Volkswagen bus, filled with presents, caught fire and burned to the ground. To help them get back on their feet, someone put a tip jar in the Emporium and, in response to a letter-to-the-editor in the News, a fellow villager donated a car to the family, which had just lost its only vehicle. “This community is looking out for us,” Bill recalled feeling. That Christmas, the differences between Yellow Springs and the far more conservative town they moved from,West Milton, became quite clear. In West Milton, the Farrars were targeted for their political views, their appearance and even their bumper stickers. “We stuck out in our town being upset by intolerance,” Bill said. “We were the only ones saying, ‘that’s not right’ or ‘there’s nothing wrong with that.’” The move was especially important for Bill and Jody’s school-age daughters, Kate and Romy. Kate, who had a mohawk and nose ring, was kept out of regular classes for her look at her old school, but fit in fine in Yellow Springs. She even grew a much bigger mohawk. “High school being the high pressure zone because everyone radiates negativity, kids take it out on each other less [in Yellow Springs],” said Kate, now 22 and working in town.
“What we’ve been able to contribute to Yellow Springs has been accepted, and that’s been a gift.” Romy, who met all of her classmates at Gaunt Pool before school even started, especially loved her time at Mills Lawn, which included far more field trips and outdoor time than she was used to. Now 17, Romy enjoyed a pretty free childhood. She went downtown by herself at age 10. And she learned that in a small town, nothing said is private. “You can’t say anything about anyone because everyone’s very connected,” Romy said. Bill and Jody feel at home as well. Jody, who was once the chef at the Emporium, runs a catering company with gluten-free and vegetarian options and sells the eggs from the 28 chickens she raises in her backyard. Bill commutes to his job at a Fairborn nursing home on bike, offsetting about 10,000 vehicle miles over the last few years. “What we’ve been able to contribute to Yellow Springs has been accepted, and that’s been a gift,” Jody said. Added Bill of their life before Yellow Springs: “It’s like having something to write but nothing to write it on.” — M E G A N B AC H M A N
���������������� ������������������� ��������� Todd Kreeger YELLOW SPRINGS
767-2319 or 768-5450
937 CELL 937
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�������������� ���������������� Support for Greene County Seniors & Caregivers • Information and Assistance Seniors and caregivers can call/e-mail the Yellow Springs Senior Center or Council for information on senior/caregiving issues and services. The Council’s Directory of Services and Support is available at the Center. • Partners in Care (PIC) Program Designed to keep seniors (60+) in their own or family member’s home for as long as possible. Depending on need, in-home services are purchased from local agencies. Council staff works with the Yellow Springs Senior Center when assisting Yellow Springs seniors and families. • Caregiver Support Caregiver Resource Center – information and materials on a wide variety of topics to review, borrow & keep. Caregiver support groups, educational and wellness programs and respite care.
937-376-5486 or 1-888-795-8600/www.gccoa.org Programs provided by the Council on Aging are possible through a 1.0 mil countywide senior services levy.