March 1 - 8, 2024

March 1 - 8, 2024

The Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame to Enshrine Five in 2024

By: Retha Phillips

The five individuals to be enshrined include

Guy Fogle – long-time Dayton Sports Broadcaster; Chuck Hamlin – Videographer, with a career that spans over forty years; Mike Hubert, who spent over ten years on the anchor desk at WHIO Television as a sports announcer -who became the Voice of the Florida Gators for Thirty -three years; Jamie Jarosik, well-known and beloved meteorologist at WDTN Television, who has won the heart of Daytonians and whose career spans over twenty-three years in Dayton

and Tom Michaels, sports announcer with over fortyfour years in the industry. A Community Service Award will also be honored for Montgomery County Commissioner

Judy Dodge and former City of Dayton Culture Director Carol Sampson for their tireless work on the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame.

Guy Fogle started his

MCPC Awards Prevention Officer of the Year

The Montgomery County Prevention Coalition (MCPC) is honoring a local police officer with the first Prevention Officer of the Year Award. The Opioid Prevention Committee accepted nominations for police or school resource officers who prioritize prevention in the community.

The 2024 Prevention Officer of the Year Award winner is Officer Nick Lambert of the Huber Heights Police Department. “Officer Lambert assisted with Fall DEA Take Back Day and served as a champion for spreading the word about the event in the community. He made efforts to connect with children and families who came to the event to drop off unused medication. He seemed like a welcoming officer within our community as he approached cars and assisted with passing out MCPC prevention swag bags. Based on my observation dur-

Officer Nick Lambert

ing Fall DEA Take Back Day, he seemed truly concerned about accepting unused medications and engaging with residents,” said the nominator.

“Prevention saves lives every single day. Police Officers can’t be everywhere all day, so putting prevention in the hands of citizens literally saves lives,” said Officer Lambert.

Officer Lambert will be given his award at the March 8, 2024, meeting of the MCPC. The meeting will take place at the downtown branch of the Dayton Metro Library at 10 a.m.

Cory Brown, Manager of Problem Gambling Services at the Ohio Casino Control Commission, will provide professional development. Brown will give an update on sports betting in Ohio since becoming legal more than a year ago.

For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact Tina Rezash Rogal at trezash@ mcadamhs.org or call 937416-1458.

What is the MCPC?

– The MCPC comprises community leaders passionate about preventing substance misuse and promoting positive mental health. The coalition's mission is to mobilize Montgomery County to prevent youth substance use and promote positive mental health by implementing evidence-based prevention strategies and community collaboration. The vision of the coalition is a community where every individual lives a substance-free life with optimal mental health.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality

The Board of Trustees for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE)—a nonprofit law firm that provides comprehensive legal representation in non- criminal matters to more than 385,000 people living, working, and raising their families in poverty in northwest and west central Ohio—is pleased to announce that it has named Makiedah Messam its new Executive Director.

Messam brings to the role decades of experience in public interest law, being an integral part of developing and implementing policy that serves and empowers underprivileged communities. Prior to accepting the position, Messam was the Interim Executive Director of the City of Cincinnati’s Citizen Complaint Authority, where she coordinated the agency’s investigations into citizen complaints and oversaw its commitment to strengthening

career in 1985 through 2004, working at all three TV stations. He was on the anchor desk of WKEF, WDTN, and WHIO television. He also traveled and covered the Cleveland Browns

football team, did play by plays for the Dayton Wings Professional Basketball team, Wright State University football team and High School baseball games of the week. Fogle worked with such greats

as the late Johnny Walker, Lyle Steig and recently retired sports announcer, Mike Hartsock.

Chuck Hamlin is the son of the late sports

Continued on Page 4

The City of Dayton Will Not Have 2024 Fourth of July Festival

The City of Dayton will not have a Fourth of July festival to go with the fireworks for a second year in a row.

City leaders said that modern workplace realities make the festival impossible now.

“Our experience with our festival is 30,000 to 50,000 people, depending on the weather,” Joe Parlette, Deputy City Manager, said.

Parlette said that a citysponsored event like the festival is all on the back of city workers and staffing problems are a big issue.

“I saw we have 161 va-

cancies in our organization,” he said. Parlette said it’s not just the police department involved in the festival. It’s also the fire department, street maintenance, recreation, and trash pickup.

People like Kasandra Frazier are sad the festival won’t be happening.

“That’s sad because kids won’t have the same memories we had back in the day,” she said.

Mark Weaver thinks there are enough volunteers or community service workers that could step in but city leaders said that since this is a city-sponsored event, they

would have to be subject to background checks like regular employees. They said the real issue is that they have to concentrate on providing the services residents expect and demand and that’s already demanding overtime from exhausted workers.

“We’ve experienced so much overtime that people just don’t want to work any more overtime,” Parlette said.

While there won’t be a large festival, the city is exploring adding other nighttime attractions.

Appoints New Executive Director Makiedah Messam

public confidence by ensuring that all claims are investigated diligently

with the highest degree of professionalism and promoting accountability

in the Cincinnati Police Department.

In addition, she served four years as a Director with the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) in Jamaica. INDECOM’s groundbreaking and transformative work in law enforcement oversight is well known throughout the Caribbean and internationally. Messam holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Cincinnati College of Law and a Practice Certificate from

Red Cross Month Kicks Off to Honor Community Heroes

The American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region this week is kicking off its annual Red Cross Month celebration in March to honor local community heroes who help ensure their neighbors never face crises alone.

the University of the West Indies Norman Manley School of Law.

“We are thrilled to welcome Makiedah Messam as our new Executive Director,” says Cassandra Rice, ABLE Board of Trustees President. “She will bring leadership experience and excellent communication skills to the organization. An executive director’s role is to envision an ambitious future and lead our advocates into that future with strength and sta-

Continued on Page 2

Join the annual celebration by donating on Red Cross Giving Day (March 27), giving blood, volunteering or taking a lifesaving skills course began in March 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation — and each U.S. president has followed ever since. Governor Mike DeWine has declared March as Red Cross Month in Ohio with an official proclamation.

Red Cross Month is a national tradition that

“During Red Cross

Month, we are proud to honor the people in our community who step up to support one another during emergencies when help can’t wait emergencies,” said Stephanie Byrd, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region. “This relief wouldn’t be possible without these lo-

cal heroes. Please consider joining in their commitment by donating, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course.”

Join the Red Cross Month celebration by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood or platelets, become a volunteer or take

a lifesaving skills course. Those who donate at redcross.org/givingday on March 27 will be part of the 10th annual Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 supporters nationwide to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people

Continued on Page 8

Guy Fogle Chuck Hamlin Mike Hubert Jamie Jarosik Tom Michaels

Makiedah Messam

Heather Hall

Miami Valley Weather

Around DAYTON 5day Forecast

Virtual Public Participation Meeting to be held regarding the DRAFT Public Participation Policy Update

The Public Participation Policy is intended to guide and facilitate meaningful discussion and consensus building throughout the transportation planning process, as well as in other non-transportation related, but regionally significant plans and studies.

The meeting will take place via Zoom, a video conferencing platform, and will be held as follows:

Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Access the meetings via computer, tablet or mobile device using this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84457274163

Or call in to join the meeting by phone:

(646) 558-8656 US (New York)

(312) 626-6799 US (Chicago)

Enter Meeting ID: 844 5727 4163#

After a brief summary of the DRAFT policy, MVRPC staff will accept comments and answer questions. If you are unable to attend, the information will also be available for public review on the MVRPC website at mvrpc.org/about/policies and at the MVRPC office.

Written comments will be accepted until April 8, 2024.

For additional information, contact Laura Dent, Director of Marketing and Public Outreach, at 937.223.6323 / TTY/TDD 1.800.750.0750 or lhenry@mvrpc.org.

Montgomery County Auditor Hosting Informational Workshops

Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith is hosting eight informational workshops around the county in March for residents to learn how to file a property value appeal with the Board of Revision (BOR) and what types of evidence to prepare for an appeal hearing.

The BOR is responsible for conducting hearings to determine the fair market value of property, allowing individuals to present evidence to suggest a need for a change in a property’s value. It is a quasi-judicial board comprised of representatives from the offices of the County Auditor, the County Treasurer and the Board of County Commissioners.

Final property values were released in January; and property owners received a notice of their property value in the mail. The final values can also be viewed online at www.mcrealestate.org.

Property owners who disagree with their property’s new value have until April 1 to file a formal appeal with the Board of Revision. After a property owner files an appeal, they will be scheduled for a hearing where they can make a case for a change in their property’s value. Hearings will be held by Zoom video conferencing or phone, a practice Keith started in 2020 for convenience and public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To provide residents with more information

DML and LWV Work Together to Host Important Programs

Dayton Metro Library (DML) and the League of Women Voters (LWV) of the Greater Dayton Area have partnered to host programs for children, their parents/caregivers, and adults.

Published

Two programs coming up are storytimes geared for families:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Stuff the Ballet Box, Saturday, March 2, 11 am-12 pm, E.C. Doren Branch: A LWV volunteer will be a guest reader for this informative and fun storytime about voting. Kids will be able to vote for their favorite book character: Pigeon, Pete the Cate, and Groovy Joe. A book featuring the winning character will be read, followed by crafts and activities.

559-5582

(937)

Editor/Publisher Donerik Black

Production Manager

Brenda Coleman

Photographer Kenny Wilkinson

Writers

Brenda Cochran

League of Women Voters Storytime, Wednesday, March 13, 10:30-11 am, Miami Township Branch: The LWV joins the Branch in not only celebrating Women’s History Month, but sharing books, songs, and rhymes about the basic concepts of voting.

With the March 19 primary election happening soon, offering storytimes that encompass the idea of voting is important for two reasons, states the

Dayton area’s LWV Executive Director, Christine Corba. “Such programs introduce kids to voting, and it’s also an opportunity to get information about voting out to parents.” Speaking of getting information out to parents (and adults), the LWV is sponsoring this program: Conversations on Democracy with Author David Pepper, Monday, March 11, 6:30-8 pm, Main Library, Community Room

A. Pepper, a lawyer, writer, and senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation will lead a discussion on Ohio citizen responsibilities with involvement in the democratic process. This program is in partnership with the Peace, Justice, and Ecology Department of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. A program that focuses more on public education, but also in partnership with LWV, is Public Education Today: Existing Challenges and Opportunities, Thursday, March

about the BOR process, Keith is hosting eight sessions around Montgomery County throughout March:

Dayton Metro Library –West, March 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Wright-Memorial Public Library, March 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dayton Metro Library –Brookville, March 9, 1-2 p.m.

Harrison Township Government Center, March 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dayton Metro Library –Vandalia, March 21, 5:306:30 p.m.

Dayton Metro Library – Main (American Sign Language interpretation provided), March 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dayton Metro Library – Miamisburg, March 27, 4:45-5:45 p.m.

Woodbourne Library*, March 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Keith hopes that the information sessions will assist property owners with the appeal process.

“We know the property value appeal process may feel daunting for property owners,” Keith said. “We’re trying to make that process more

21, 6-8:15 pm, Main Library, Eichelberger Forum. Several panelists, including Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, will discuss the current challenges and opportunities that exist within our system of education. Advanced registration is required to attend this event.

Additional information about the LWV can be found at lwvdayton. org. For more information about DML’s programs and to register, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

DML is committed to providing access to all of our events. Please contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request accommodations for sign language interpretation, audio amplification, and/ or language translation. Additional accommodations may be available upon request. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

welcoming and accessible by hosting these workshops. We hope property owners take advantage of this opportunity to learn if a value appeal is right for them.”

Each workshop will include an informational presentation given by Keith’s staff, followed by a questionand-answer period. After each session, Auditor’s Office staff will be available to help property owners sign up for an appeal.

Property owners are encouraged to attend any of the eight information sessions to learn more about the BOR process. Residents can also learn more and file an appeal at www.mcbor.org.

*The WashingtonCenterville Public Library requires guests to RSVP in advance for the workshop that will be held at Woodbourne Library. Attendees can register for that session at www.mc-bor. org. Registration is not required for the other seven events.

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality Appoints New Executive Director Makiedah Messam... Continued from Page 1

bility. I am confident that with Messam at the helm, ABLE is in great hands.”

As part of the Board’s vision for ABLE, the Board also elected to elevate its Interim Executive Director, Heather Hall, to the position of Deputy Director. Hall previously served as the Director of Advocacy for six years and assumed the role of Interim Executive Director in 2023. “Heather Hall has been an unwavering and resilient leader over the past year; we could not envision a future without her. The Board feels that Messam and Hall each bring unique experiences as attorneys and advocates that will only embolden our firm’s strategy for growth,” Rice said. Breaking from tradition, Messam will be based in ABLE’s Dayton office, bringing executive presence and renewed

outreach to the southern part of the firm’s service area. Hall will be based in the Toledo office, continuing to reinforce the firm’s enduring relationships in the northern part of the state. Messam will officially begin her functions in March 2024. She is ABLE’s 4th Executive Director, and the first person of color to lead the 32-county agency in its 55-year history.

About ABLE: Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is non-profit regional law firm that provides high-quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve selfreliance, equal justice, and economic opportunity.

VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING

National

Black

Entrepreneur, Once

Meet Eve Lynne Robinson, an African American entrepreneur from Oakland, California, who has created a gender-neutral Black doll named Ella B. Jenkins with afro puffs and an accompanying book series about the character. She has been able to accomplish this after a medical emergency that left her paralyzed with only five days to live according to doctors.

Ella B. Jenkins is a small but mighty perpetual 2nd grader and fictional character that is intended for all children to look up to. She has

Paralyzed with 5 Days to Live, Creates Afro Puff Doll for Boys and Girls

a curiosity for exploring all things within her local community as well as the world around her.

The Ella B. Jenkins doll with its accompanying children’s books, written by Eve Lynne Robinson and Whitney Jade Gordy, convey a heartwarming tale that underscores the values of family, the beauty of discovery, and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. This enchanting children’s book is a tribute to young minds’ creativity and an ode to the vibrant community of Oakland, California.

Readers follow the young and spirited Ella

B. Jenkins as she explores her hometown of Oakland, California, alongside her loving and supportive family. Together, they

venture into the heart of the city, where Ella B. encounters a rich tapestry of culture and art that Oakland has to offer.

One of the highlights of her adventure is her visit to the renowned Oakland Museum of California, where she is enchanted

by the fascinating exhibitions and immersive experiences celebrating her beloved city’s history and diversity.

Learn more at EllaB-

Jenkins.com

About the creator

Eve Lynne is an Oakland, California-based artist who spends her time creating one-of-akind ceramics, illustrations, and other mixed media forms. She developed Ella B. Jenkins in 2007 to inspire, highlight, and celebrate Black culture and children everywhere.

Publisher of Popular Ethiopian Children’s Books Continues to Garner International Recognition

Open Hearts Big Dreams (OHBD) and the Ethiopian Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY Ethiopia) are elated to announce that two of the OHBD Ready Set Go Books (OHBD-RSG) were honored at the 29th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2023 in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia. Friends Forever:

A Tale of Two Fruits by Yoseph Ayalew was listed as third in “Best Food Books for Children—Africa” and third in “Best Fruit Books in the World.” And Thank You, Cow: The Origin of Some of Ethiopia’s Best Foods, written by Mastewal Abera and illustrated by Abel Tekleyes, was listed as fourth in “Best Dairy & Cheese Books in the World.” This now makes four books published by OHBD-RSG that have been awarded

Open Hearts Big Dream similar honors.

Founded in 1995, the Gourmand Awards are selected each year from over 100,000 publications from 230 countries/ regions around the world. The awards have been compared to film’s Oscars.

OHBD Executive Director Ellenore Angelidis noted the impact of this recognition by stating, “We once again offer our gratitude to the Gourmand Awards for recognizing our OHBD-RSG books. What is particularly noteworthy with this set of awards is that both authors and one of the illustrators were based in Ethiopia when they created these titles, a critical step toward building local capacity, which is an important goal for OHBD and one of the reasons we sponsored the launch of IBBY Ethiopia. Also, most of our content creators donate their talents, so this type of international recognition is a priceless gift.”

In addition to writing and doing translation for OHBD, Yoseph Ayalew is a Project Manager for the NGO, leading the printing and distribution of OHBDRSG books in Ethiopia, and also one of the official leaders of IBBY Ethiopia. Yoseph has written various children’s books in Amharic, English, and Anuak and has also been a teacher for two decades in elementary and middle school. Yoseph commented on how much this recognition means to him by noting, “I believe that writing a children’s book is the most difficult thing in the world. But thanks to the editors, creative team, and illustrator, I am now an award-winning author. Receiving two honors for the same book is like fulfilling a lifelong goal. The book encourages children to view all others as equals no matter their differences.”

Mastewal Abera is an Ethiopian children’s book

author who is dedicated to promoting child literacy through bilingual picture books. As an Ethiopian author, she brings a unique perspective to her work that is sure to resonate with young readers from diverse backgrounds. By providing young readers with stories that reflect their own lives and cultures, she hopes to foster a love of reading that will stay with them for a lifetime. In addition to promoting literacy, Mastewal’s books also offer a window into the rich cultural traditions of Ethiopia.

Abel Tekleyes is a gifted young artist from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Although he began as a young boy who loved to draw cartoons, his portfolio has come to be filled with a diverse array of media, including printmaking, sculpture, paintings, and other forms of visual art. Tekleyes notes, “I would like to express my appreciation for the award. My inspiration for art started when I was very young, even before I could read and write. As any child nowadays, I grew up watching cartoons; which sparked a desire in me to draw the characters. Gradually, I would use the cartoon characters I was familiar with to come up with new comics from my imagination.”

The OHBD-RSG Books program publishes culturally appropriate bilingual

books and distributes them to readers in Ethiopia and around the world. The rapidly growing list includes over 160 books in nineteen languages, with more than 360,000 books printed and distributed in Ethiopia through OHBD’s local printing pilot and collaborations. Both of these award-winning titles are also part of the OHBD-RSG inclusion series, the “Mike Carr Legacy Project.” As the website states, “The goal of the legacy project is to increase awareness of the educational disparities of Ethiopian children with disabilities and to increase educational opportunities for these children so they can become the role models of the future that Mike Carr was during his lifetime.”

About OHBD is a Seattlebased, not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to increasing literacy, inclusion, innovation readiness, and leadership skills in Ethiopia and beyond. The organization sponsored the launch of IBBY Ethiopia as a new National Section of IBBY, joining in July 2023. IBBY is a non-profit organization that represents an international network of people from all over the world who are committed to bringing books and children together. Tens of millions of Ethiopians— half the population—lack

literacy skills. There are seventy to ninety first languages spoken and a lack of culturally appropriate children’s books in the local languages. The Ethiopian National Section of IBBY will build on the limited but growing activities focused on increasing access to quality books and creating a love of reading. Visit the official website at OpenHeartsBigDreams.org

For further information:

OHBD website: https://openheartsbigdreams.org/

IBBY Ethiopia: org/ ibby-worldwide/national-sections/ethiopia

OHBD Ready Set Go Books: https://ohbd-rsgbooks.com/

Mike Carr Legacy Project: https://openheartsbigdreams.org/inclusion/

Gourmand Awards

2023:https://www.cookbookfair.com/

OHBD on Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/openheartsbigdreamsfund/

OHBD on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ OpenHeartsBigD1

OHBD on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/OpenHeartsBigDreams.org

Author’s 24th Book Reveals Plan On Why And How Black People Should Unite

RJ Publications is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of A Time For Revenge 2: The Black Revolution by national bestselling author Richard Jeanty. Renowned for his compelling narratives, Jeanty, a prolific national bestselling author with over a dozen titles, including the highly acclaimed debut novel “Neglected Souls,” captivates readers once again with this powerful sequel.

As Black History Month is being commemorated, Jeanty’s latest work serves as a poignant reminder that Black History is an integral part of American history, resonating far beyond a designated month.

A Time For Revenge 2: The Black Revolution delves into the contin-

the fight for justice. The narrative skillfully portrays the trials and tribulations, teaching moments,

and the imperative need for family unity to safeguard their twin boys, Toussaint Nkrumah Lumumba Black and Dessalines Malcolm Xavier Black.

Jeanty’s storytelling compellingly conveys the his-

torical pain experienced by the black community, juxtaposed with their strength, resilience, and inherent power. The novel intricately explores the collective history of a people who have endured illegal kidnappings,

maiming, rape, lynching, enslavement, and forced sale in an unjust environment. A Time For Revenge 2: The Black Revolution evokes a range of emotions, prompting readers to sympathize and empathize with the characters, while fervently rooting for their pursuit of justice against an unwavering nemesis. The narrative sheds a poignant light on the daily struggles faced by the black community, exposing the injustices prevalent in a wellstructured systemic racist society that seeks to perpetuate their marginalization.

Jeanty challenges prevailing narratives about black unity, self-determination, and the fervent zeal within the black community to collectively fight for justice.

In emphasizing the sig-

nificance of Black history, the author underscores its role as an intrinsic fiber within American society and globally. Jeanty asserts that the unity of black individuals is essential for their survival into the next century.

Currently available exclusively on Amazon’s Kindle and RJPublications.com, A Time For Revenge 2: The Black Revolution is set for an official nationwide release. On this date, the book will be accessible in bookstores nationwide and on Amazon. Don’t miss the opportunity to engage with this thought-provoking narrative that transcends boundaries and resonates with readers profoundly.

Eve Lynne Robinson creates puff doll.

Arts & Entertainment

Dayton Live Brings

Tony Awards® and Grammy® Award Winning Musical Hadestown to the Schuster Center

Dayton Live is pleased to welcome

HADESTOWN at the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, March 1217, 2024, as the third production in the Premier Health Broadway in Dayton 2023-2024 Season!

The remaining shows in this season include TINA- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL (April 9-14), DISNEY’S THE LION KING (May 1-12) and MAMMA MIA! (June 11-16).

Show Synopsis: HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hellraising journey to the underworld and back.

Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always.

Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and sing-

ers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

How to Get Tickets:

Tickets are available online at daytonlive.org/ hadestown, by phone at 937-228-3630, or in person at the Dayton Live Box Office, located in the Wintergarden of the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center.

The Dayton Live Box Office and phone hours are regularly Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-4 p.m., and 90 minutes prior to every performance.

Performance Schedule:

Tuesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 16 at 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 17 at 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Background on Broadway: Join us 60 minutes before each performance of HADESTOWN for Background On Broad-

way! You’ll learn about the development, history, and artistry of the show. This free event is held in the Schuster Center’s 4th Floor Lobby. You must have a ticket to that day’s performance.

After-School Intensive

Participants (ages 1218) will work with local theatre professionals, artists, and HADESTOWN company members (when possible) in sessions filled with the music, dance, and scene work from this award-winning musical!

This weeklong workshop will culminate in an Informance for family and friends on the final day of the Intensive. Participants will receive show merch, nightly dinner, and a ticket to the Thursday evening performance of HADESTOWN at the Schuster Center.

This after-school intensive meets Monday, March 11- Friday, March 15, 2024 from 4:30 p.m.8 p.m. at the PNC Arts Annex. To register, visit daytonlive.org/dlca-asihadestown.

Stage & Sip:

An evening of Broadway magic and sophisticated entertainment, exclusive workshops, a complimentary curated cocktail hour, and unique tour merchandise for adults 21 and up. STAGE & SIP promises an unforgettable journey into the world of Broadway, created for adults seeking a blend of culture, craft cocktails, and theatrical excellence.

Each person in your

party must be registered to participate. Registration includes a ticket to the Thursday, March 14, 2024 evening performance of HADESTOWN, preshow cocktails, an exclusive workshop, and special tour merchandise. To register, visit daytonlive.org/ dlca-stage-sip-hadestown

About Dayton Live:

As a not-for-profit arts organization, Dayton Live is the region’s home for arts, culture, and entertainment. Its mission is to strengthen community engagement in the arts through inspiring performances, educational opportunities, and worldclass venues: the Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center, Victoria Theatre, The Loft Theatre (at the Metropolitan Arts Center), and the PNC Arts Annex. Dayton Live presents a wide variety of arts and entertainment events, including the best in touring Broadway, family shows, concerts, comedians, and so much more. An extensive Education & Engagement program reaches more than 100,000 individuals annually with the Dayton Live Creative Academy, the Discovery Series, Background on Broadway, Bagels & Broadway, and other initiatives. In addition, Dayton Live operates The Arts Garage. DaytonLive.org is the official ticketing source for all performances presented in Dayton Live venues.

Charismatic Musician and Cleveland Native Michael Cavanaugh Rocks the APAC with The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel

The Arbogast Performing Arts Center (APAC), located at 500 S. Dorset Rd. in Troy, OH, presents the eleventh performance of its 2023-2024 Season on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at 7:00 pm when Michael Cavanaugh lights up the APAC Stage with the Music of Elton John and Billy Joel Elton John is the most successful solo male in the history of the American charts and the third most successful artist overall, behind only Madonna and the Beatles. He has logged 67 Hot 100 entries between 1970 and 2000, including nine No. 1s and 27 top 10s. He achieved seven #1 albums in the threeand-a-half-year period from 1972 to 1975, a period of concentrated success surpassed only by the Beatles. Elton John has achieved 1 diamond, 32 platinum or multi-platinum, and 21 gold albums, over 70 Top 40 hits, and he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, is one of the most

highly acclaimed and successful solo artists of all time. (www.eltonjohn. com)

Having sold more than 150 million records, Billy Joel ranks as one of most popular recording artists and respected entertainers in the world. He has had 33 Top 40 hits and 23 Grammy nominations since signing his first solo recording contract in 1972. In 1990, he was presented with a Grammy Legend Award. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992, Joel was presented with the Johnny Mercer Award, the organization’s highest honor, in 2001. In 1999 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,

and he has received the Recording Industry Association of America Diamond Award, presented for albums that have sold over 10 million copies. Throughout the years, Joel’s songs have acted as personal and cultural touchstones for millions of people, mirroring his own goal of writing songs that “meant something during the time in which I lived … and transcended that time.” (www.billyjoel.com)

To tie these two musical forces together, enter Michael Cavanaugh! For the last two decades, consummate musician Michael Cavanaugh has dedicated his talents to bringing the music of these two mega

The Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame to Enshrine Five in 2024... Continued from Page 1

announcer, Tom Hamlin. Although his career took a turn from on air performance like his dad. Chuck became a videographer and turned to pointing his camera on the eyes of the world. He has covered many great stories and, in the meantime, touched the hearts of the viewing audience with his camera lens. He has over forty-one years in the industry and has won many awards. Chuck has many times slept in his news van just to be on top of a story. He’s covered hurricanes and been embedded with the 445th Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Chuck has four decades of work and he’s still pointing his camera.

Mike Hubert was a fixture on Dayton Television for ten years working as sports director at WHIO television and doing play by plays for the Dayton Flyers basketball team. He later moved to Florida where for over thirty-three years was the voice of the Florida Gators. Huber was born in St. Anne’s, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Journalism. He was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 and retired in May of 2022.

Jamie Jarosik has been a fixture on Dayton’s television for over twenty-three years as a meteorologist. She is a hometown girl who has done two stints at DWTN television. She started her broadcast career at Helena, Montana as Chief Forecaster, then at Rockford, Illinois, later at WDTN, then in Kansas City, Missouri before coming back to Dayton television where she has been ever since.

Jamie is a graduate of Kettering High School and Ohio University. She studied meteorology at Mississippi State. In 2003, she was picked as favorite weather personality and won it again in 2016. Jamie has battled breast cancer and shared her tough fight with her viewing audience, hoping that her story might help others and save lives.

working at WKEF television and working at WING and WHIO radio. At WING, Michaels worked with another icon, the late Steve Kirk, doing sports news throughout Kirk’s morning show.

Michaels was the voice of Wright State Basketball Team, the Dayton Bombers and the Dayton Gems, just to name a few.

Gary Sandy, portrayed the Broadcast Industry on the TV sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” for many years. Born in Dayton, Sandy graduated from Fairmont High School along with Dayton Hall of Famer Broadcaster George Wymer.

After winning an allstate actor award his senior year, Sandy attended Wilmington College until a professor there urged him to go to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Sandy began his acting career in daytime drama working on As the World Turns, Another World, Somerset and the Secret Storm.

Before and after his work on WKRP in Cincinnati, Sandy appeared in countless film and TV productions. Last year Radio Ink presented him with the first Radio Wayne Influence Award for his insightful and nuanced of Andy Travis on WKRP.

He will receive an Honorary Plaque from the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame for his positive portrayal of the Broadcast Industry.

The enshrinement will take place sometime in September 2024, place and date to be announced.

artists to life on stage in venues across the country and around the world. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Cavanaugh is widely considered the “new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook” (Billboard Magazine). Cavanaugh is a charismatic performer and musician made famous for his piano and lead vocals in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Handpicked by Billy Joel himself to star in Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man himself. He appeared in Movin’ Out for three years from 2002-2005, delivering over 1,200 impeccable performances and receiving multiple

Tom Michaels is a broadcast icon with over forty-nine years in the industry. He started his career in 1978 as a reporter/ producer and then moved int sports, doing play by plays. His career spanned over a number of years

accolades, including both Grammy and Tony Award nominations. With the closing of Movin’ Out at the end of 2005, Michael began touring worldwide with a show that reinterprets the modern pop/ rock songbook. Michael Cavanaugh brings the music of the Piano Man and the Rocket Man to the APAC this March for a stunning evening of The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

PURCHASING TICKETS: Tickets to The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel begin at $25 and can be

For more information contact; Retha Phillips at 937-429-4792 or Bill Nance at 927- 620-2082, Board of Directors, Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

ordered in one of three ways:

1) Online at www.etix. com/ticket/v/21323.

2) Calling the APAC Box Office at (937) 418-8392.

3) Visiting the APAC Box Office in person. The APAC Box Office is located at 500 S. Dorset Road, Troy, OH 45373, and is open Tuesday-Friday from 12:00pm-4:00pm.

Please Note: The APAC does not allocate tickets or authorize any other ticket seller, service, broker, or agent

Continued on Page 6

Gary Sandy

Education

DML Offers Fresh Twist on Classic Storytimes

Dayton Metro Library

created fun and unique storytimes that involve celebrations and cookies, puppets and pets, and more. The following are DML’s storytimes in March:

Brookville Branch

Stories with Art: Enjoy a short story, then explore various art techniques. Registration is required. (Grades 1-4)

Friday, March 8, 10-11 am

Paws to Read

Couper, a certified therapy dog will visit for storytime. Registration is required. (Families)

Thursday, March 14, 6-7 pm

Burkhardt Branch

Wild Outside Storytime: Explore the theme of hyenas this month with outdoor stories, songs, and activities. (Ages 3-8)

Wednesday, March 6, 4-4:45 pm

Family Storytime Holidays and Celebrations: Spend quality family time exploring the theme of “Happiness” with books, songs, and different activities.

Wednesday, March 20, 4-4:45 pm

Main Library, Children’s Creativity Space

Full S.T.E.A.M.

Ahead: Discover different art or STEM ideas. (Babies/Toddlers and PreK/K)

Wednesday, March 6 and 20, 10-11 am

Miami Township Friendly Bees Storytime: Learn about everyone’s favorite flower-power insect through books, songs, and rhymes. (Families)

Northmont Branch

PJ Pals - Family Storytime: Let your littles wear their jammies to the Library for a family storytime.

Every Tuesday, March 5-May 14, 6:30-7 pm

Southeast Branch Glow in the Dark Storytime: DML will light up the evening with stories, songs, and glow- in-thedark sticks. (Families)

Thursday, March 21, 6:30-7:30 pm

Trotwood Branch First Chapter Friday: Tweens will become excited about new genres and learn new things when the Branch reads the first chapter from their bookof-the-month selection.

Friday, March 1, 4:305:30 pm

Baby & Toddler Storytime: Egg Scavenger Hunt: Rhymes, songs, and stories, all with an egg hunt.

Thursday, March 28, 10:30-11:30 pm

Vandalia Storytime – Disability Awareness Month: The Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities brings stories and activities to the Branch. (PreK/K)

Monday, March 4, 11 am-12 pm

Puppet Show: Crafts and a puppet show. (Ages 3-12)

Tuesday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 pm

West Carrollton Preschool Storytime: STEM: A STEM twist on this traditional storytime. (Ages 3-5)

Every Monday, March 4-May 20, 2-2:30 pm

Wilmington-Stroop

Branch

Art Start Preschool Storytime at Rosewood Art Center: A DML Librarian will share a story and a Rosewood instructor will lead a craft. (PreK/K)

Thursday, March 14, 11:30 am-12:15 pm

For more information, and to register if required, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

DML is committed to providing access to all of our events. If you would like to request accommodations for sign language interpretation, audio amplification, and/or language translation please contact us through the method that best meets your needs. Additional accommodations may be available upon request. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. You can submit an Accommodations Request on our website at DaytonMetroLibrary.org/Accommodations or call our Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

Celebrate Irish Heritage with DML

Dayton Metro Library is offering a variety of programs in March to celebrate Irish American Heritage Month.

Spice Kickoff: Irish Edition

Wednesday, March 6 and March 20, 12-1:30

pm

Southeast Branch

Pick up a Corned Beef Spice kit to flavor up food at home, while supplies last. (Adults)

Where the Wild Kids Are – Leprechaun Traps

Saturday, March 9, 1111:45 am

Northmont Branch

Create leprechaun traps to take home –maybe capture one on St. Patrick’s Day!

(Grades 1-4)

Leprechaun Pancake

Art!

Wednesday, March 13, 4-5:30 pm

Trotwood Branch

Create different pancake molds in the shape of lucky leprechauns and listen to a book read aloud while you cook.

(Grades 1-4 and Tweens)

St. Patty’s Charm: Try Your Luck

Friday, March 15, 4-5

pm

West Branch

Patrons will paint good luck charms and try their luck at a raffle

game. (Adults)

Sober St. Patrick’s Day Party for LGBTQIA+ & Allied Adults

Saturday, May 16, 2-5 pm Main Library, Bassani Theater Off Third, 3rd Floor Dance, chat, and hang out while enjoying light refreshments in an alcohol-free environment. All adults are welcome. This program is in partnership with Heartsiq.

St. Patrick’s Day: Make Irish Soda Bread

Monday, March 18, 5-6:30 pm

Northwest Branch Learn how to make an

Irish staple. Registration is required. (Teens)

For more information, and to register if required, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

DML is committed to providing access to all of our events. Please contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request accommodations for sign language interpretation, audio amplification, and/ or language translation. Additional accommodations may be available upon request. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Unleash Potential with Central State University's State-of-the-Art Certificate Programs

Wilberforce, Ohio Central State University Workforce Development is pleased to announce its partnership with Coursera, a global online learning platform, to introduce innovative certificate programs to elevate professional growth and prepare students for in-demand careers.

"Whether you're aiming to break into a new industry or climb the ladder in your current field, these certificates are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel," said CSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Director of the 1890 Land Grant Programs Morakinyo Kuti, Ph.D.

Through this initiative, students, faculty, and staff will have access to Career Academy on Coursera, which includes 45 Professional Certificates designed by the world’s leading companies, such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Meta, and Salesforce, to train students without prior work experience for high-growth entry-level jobs.

This will allow students to dive into a diverse array of Professional Certificate options spanning IT, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, software development, project management, sales, human resources, and more. From IT Support to Cybersecurity Analyst, Data Science to UX Design, and Career Coach and Navigator, programs cater to a wide range of career aspirations. Hands-on projects and interactive assessments allow students to apply their skills in realworld scenarios and practice using workplace tools.

“Google is proud that Central State University will offer the Google Career Certificates program to students,” said Amanda Brophy, Director, Grow with Google. “We’re excited that this program will help students prepare for the amazing job opportunities in Ohio.”

“Choose from flexible learning options, including asynchronous online courses or in-person classes at our Dayton Campus, all to be completed within 4 months. In-person sessions run for 90 minutes, with no fees for students attending in person,” said Project Director, Work-

CSU Vice President for Research and Economic Development and Director of the 1890 Land Grant Programs Morakinyo Kuti, Ph.D

force Training and Business Development Center

CSU Terry Muff, Ph.D.

Participants will receive a certificate for every course and Professional Certificate program they complete, enabling learners to earn multiple stackable certificates, enhancing their qualifications and opening up new career pathways.

According to research by Coursera, 86 percent of college students strongly agree that a Professional Certificate will help them get a job. The report also found that U.S. employers viewed job candidates with credentials more favorably. Specifically, 92 percent of employers believe micro-credentials help a candidate stand out. In comparison, 85 percent of employers are more likely to hire a graduate who has a degree and a professional certificate.

Seize the opportunity to elevate your professional journey with Central State University Workforce Development's cuttingedge certificate programs. Enroll today and embark on the path to a thriving career! Contact: abrowning@centralstate.edu

About Central State University: Central State University is a public HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant Institution with a 135-year tradition of preparing students from diverse backgrounds and experiences for leadership, research, and service. Central State ranks among U.S. News & World Report’s best colleges in five categories, including Best Undergraduate Engineering Program and Top Public Schools. The University fosters academic excellence within a nurturing environment and provides a solid liberal arts foundation and STEM-Ag curriculum

DML and Chill in March

Branch

Project Director, Workforce Training and Business Development Center

CSU Terry Muff, Ph.D.

leading to professional careers and advanced studies globally.

EEO Statement: Central State University, an 1890 Land Grant Institution, is committed to the full inclusion of all people and does not discriminate based on race, age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV / AIDS states, marital or family status, military status, national origin political beliefs, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Department of Human Resources at (937) 376-6540. Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity institution

About Coursera: Coursera was launched in 2012 by two Stanford Computer Science professors, Andrew Ng and Daphne Koller, with a mission to provide universal access to worldclass learning. It is now one of the largest online learning platforms in the world, with 142 million registered learners as of December 31, 2023. Coursera partners with over 325 leading university and industry partners to offer a broad catalog of content and credentials, including courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Institutions around the world use Coursera to upskill and reskill their employees, citizens, and students in fields such as data science, technology, and business. Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021.

Every Dayton Metro Library location has a variety of hangout-and-have-fun programs for grades 1-4, tweens, and teens happening in March. After Hours Silent Disco Library-after-hours is fun-filled with crafts, games, and more. Registration required. (Teens)

Friday, March 1, 6-9 pm, Brookville Branch

Tween Scene Come together in an engaging environment for socializing, fun, and creative activities.

Every Tuesday, 4-5 pm, West Branch

Thursday, March 7 and 21, 4-5 pm, Main Library, Children’s Creativity

Space

Teen Hangout: Expression Session Using the Branch’s tripod and a backdrop, teens can show off their talents.

Thursday, March 7, 3-4 pm, West Carrollton Branch

Teen Hangout Socialize with friends, play games, and have fun. Various days of the week, 3:30-5 pm, Trotwood Branch

Every Wednesday, 3:304:30 pm, Huber Heights Branch

Every Thursday, 3:304:30 pm, E.C. Doren Branch

Every Thursday, 4-5:30 pm, Miamisburg Branch Tuesday, March 12, 4-5

pm, Kettering-Moraine Branch

Tween Game Zone

Tweens will have a ton of fun at this weekly meetup.

Every Tuesday, except March 12, 4-5 pm, Northwest Branch

Art Sparks Learn about different art styles and techniques. (Grands 1-4)

Tuesday, March 12, 4-6 pm, Miami Township Branch Homeschool Club

Here’s a chance for homeschool families to join up for socializing and fun with crafts and a light snack. (Grades 1-4)

Thursday, March 14, 1:30-2:30 pm, Vandalia

Teen Movie Thursday Enjoy a movie and popcorn.

Thursday, March 14, 3:45-6 pm, Northmont Branch Teen Crafternoon Stop by to see what cool stuff can be made with all sorts of different things.

Thursday, March 14, 4:30-5:30 pm, Burkhardt

Branch Games Galore Try out different games. (Tweens)

Tuesday, March 19, 3-4 pm, New Lebanon Branch Escape from the Southeast Library Show off problem-solving skills in DML’s rendition of Escape Room.

(Teens)

Wednesday, March 20, 3:15-4 pm, Southeast Branch

Kettering Middle School Lounge

Miami Valley Middle Schoolers are invited to hang out with snacks, board games, and a huge video game screen. (Tweens)

Wednesday, March 20, 4-5:30 pm, KetteringMoraine Branch For more information, and to register if required, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

Worship At The Church Of Your Choice

Charismatic Musician and Cleveland Native Michael Cavanaugh Rocks the APAC with The Music of Elton John and Billy Joel...

Continued from Page 4

to sell tickets to APAC events. If you purchase tickets from anyone other than Arbogast Performing Arts Center (via etix.com), please check the seller's credibility and examine tickets carefully for authenticity before purchasing. To avoid potential ticketing issues, including overpricing, purchase tickets only from the Arbogast Performing Arts Center online (via etix.com), in person at the APAC Box Office, or by phone at 937-418-8392.

For more information, to order tickets to any of the APAC performances, or to become an APAC Season Member, call the Box Office at (937) 4188392, visit the APAC in person, or visit online at www.arbogastpac.com.

About the Arbogast

Performing Arts Center

The Arbogast Performing Arts Center, a

39,000 square-foot nonprofit performing arts venue located in Troy, Ohio, opened its doors in October 2021. The creation of the APAC was a vision of Troy Christian Schools and was made possible with a significant gift of $2 million from longtime Troy community residents and supporters, Dave and Linda Arbogast, and generous contributions from businesses and individuals across the greater Miami Valley. The goal of the APAC is to bring added value to the greater Miami Valley area, including regional schools and community organizations, with enhanced programs in performing and visual arts. In its inaugural 20212022 Season, the APAC presented nine professional performances and welcomed over 6,500 attendees to its brand-new theater. Additionally, the APAC welcomes area

school performances and events and offers its space in rental agreements to surrounding community organizations for their own private meetings and events. This dynamic venue will continue to provide numerous opportunities for the region to learn, gather, perform, and enjoy each other’s company and community. The enduring impact that this performing arts center will bring to the greater Miami Valley community and its residents will be felt in the educational opportunities, new forms of creative expression, positive economic benefits, and enhanced community pride it offers. The cultural enrichment promoted through a facility like the APAC, one dedicated to artistic pursuits, generates a lifetime of far-reaching benefits to the community and to the people it serves.‍

SOUL II SOUL INFLUENCE: World War Three Has Begun, Whose Side Are You On?

Pastor/Chaplain Pamelajune (Pj) Anderson, DMin.

Lt. Commander (RET) USN Chaplain Corps

TFAM National Veteran’s Support Chaplain Certified Peer Support Specialist

BE STILL AND YOUR SOUL WILL SPEAK

“If you decide that it’s a bad thing to worship God, then choose a god you’d rather serve— and do it today…” Joshua 24:15 The Message

Dear God, thank you for making me mindful that the times in which we live are perilous and filled with warnings that things have changed and are changing, not necessarily for the better.

Not only by whom to vote in the 2024 presidential election but also, most importantly, by who we are and will serve as we participate in World War 3.

This year, many prophets are saying that we are at the end of the end of days. In 2023, politicians have secretly put in place policies that will utterly make the United States a godless country, literally and legally. Political leaders will press hard to devastate the country as we have known it in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The overturning of Roe vs Wade ruling is just the beginning of the end of human rights. And don’t look for any help from the evangelicals. Their silence is a sign of consent. They are the perpetrators of WWIII in politics and church policies.

The second indication that we are in WWIII is economic, and the third is the One World Order. Watch the advancement of WWIII by what is happening in Israel. I’ll write more later. For now, I want to focus on the issue of choice while you can choose. I believe that the time is coming when the option will be life with Christ or death with Anti-Christ.

There is no better time than NOW to choose Christ by confessing your sins, believing that He is the only begotten Son of God who died on Golgotha Hill’s cross, was buried, rose again, and is coming back before Armageddon for His people. This is also a great time to study Armageddon's meaning. Educate yourself so you can BE ready for the end of days.

Accordingly, the question is: WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

LOVE YE ONE ANOTHER

YOUR SOUL MATTERS: World War Three Has Begun, Whose Side Are You On? 02272024

Pamelajune Banks-Anderson, D.Min.

The Radically Inclusive Veteran Chaplain

LCDR (RET) US Navy Chaplain Corps

"mailto:drpjanderson@spaceforgrace.org"drpjanderson@spaceforgrace.org BE STILL, AND YOUR SOUL WILL SPEAK

Something to Consider: Handling Criticism

By: Brenda Cochran

Contributing Writer

I love quotes and one of my favorites was provided by Norman Vincent Peal. It reads: “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.”

Realizing that there are many people who must deal with criticism on a daily basis, some have been unable to deal with, or change their situation at all.

It is very easy to criticize, but the question is how does one react to it; can one handle it; and can it often be of assistance to a person?

It seems that criticism is one of those words that can cut some people like a knife, even when the word ‘constructive’ is in front of the word.

How often have you heard a parent or teacher say that you can’t control or worry about what people say? Many believe that only they can control what they say and what they do.

Perhaps you view criticism as neutral. I find that I personally view criticism as a phrase that no one likes to say or hear. The phrase is “It is what it is.” I once heard a friend say – “Eat the Meat and spit out the bones.”

When you are chewing on the meat of life, you might find some pieces that are not cooked well, but you go ahead and eat it anyway.

This same friend referred to this life lesson and this learning experience. Maybe it’s best to say nothing or do nothings if you don’t want to be criticized. Although it does not feel right, criticism can actually

Opinion

Brenda Cochran

present you with a different or a fresh view on things you’re working on.

Being able to address criticism can also give you an indication of how well you understand what you’re doing. The major consideration is that you have to be able to differentiate good criticism from the bad.

I discovered that there are various forms of criticism. The worst kind that we are used to is the criticism that is given as a personal insult. There are people that have nothing good to say and you will recognize them immediately when you may be standing in live at a store and all they seem to do is complain about every little thing. Many times, these people actually try to put down everyone or anything around them. Often this is in order to compensate for their personal issues or it is their low selfesteem.

The other form of criticism is known as constructive criticism. This type offers valid feedback that can be negative and positive. The difficult part stripping away the natural desire to become defensive and upset.

If an individual is not going out of their way to insult you for their own benefit, chances are,

you’re receiving constructive criticism. In this case, just take a deep breath, step back for a minute and think about the criticism that has been given to you. You may decide that this person brought up a good point.

There’s a right way to ask for criticism. The wrong way to ask is “What do you think?” This way is too general, but the right way to ask is “What can be better?” or “What can improve?” This way is narrowing down your responses to something that can be changed.

In one of my ministers’ sermons, the gave steps to take if you are criticized. was given. The first was Be Honest; Be Gracious; Be Courageous and Be Faithful to God.

According to Theodore Roosevelt, “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devoting, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at worst if he fails at least fails, while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

It seems that no matter what or how we do something, many of us will eventually receive some criticism. I read an answer to keep from being criticized. It is Say nothing, Do Nothing, & Be Nothing.!!

Fridays

Saturdays

Sundays

Black Families Can Now Recover More of Their Lost Histories

By Edda L. Fields-Black

Dr.

Fields-Black

is the author of “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom

During the Civil War.”

In many ways, the overgrown cemetery on a South Carolina rice plantation where my paternal ancestors are buried is emblematic of Black history itself. On my first visit in 2013, I went in search of the Fields family graves.

There I found many unmarked graves, some of them nothing more than sunken depressions, as far as the eye could see. A few had simple headstones. One marked grave had been broken wide open by a fallen tree limb, and had filled with water. I was horrified to see my ancestor’s skeletal remains floating at the top.

After researching the history of peasant rice farmers in West Africa for over a decade, I had recently extended my research to enslaved laborers on Lowcountry South Carolina rice plantations. But I had not thought to research my own family’s history. Seeing that open grave

historians and genealogists that efforts to recover African American family histories reaching back to the time of slavery would hit a brick wall.

Today, I’m excited to report, the brick wall, or at least a large part of it, has been dismantled. Projects to digitize enormous troves of once-difficultto-access records are giving African American families opportunities to recover more of our lost past and offering historians the potential to enrich and rewrite the history of slavery.

who lived before that time was virtually impossible.

An illustration of a person looking up at a large head, in portrait. Tiles of color form a grid over the head, some falling off as though they are sheets of paper falling to the ground. Credit...Jamiel Law made me feel as though I had turned my back on my ancestors. I pledged then to find out who was buried in that cemetery and tell their story.

African Americans searching for their family histories often have only small irregular pieces of an enormous puzzle. Most of those pieces are missing because enslaved African Americans were not recorded by their first and last names. Until recently, identifying enslaved and formerly enslaved people

To complicate matters, professional historians typically analyze and interpret plantation owners’ records, which identify enslaved people as property and by first name only, and describe the violence that was done to them, how their labor was exploited and their bodies abused. These records deny our ancestors’ humanity.

Because of these limitations, it had become accepted as fact among

When I embarked on my journey to research my father’s family’s history, all I had to go on was a list of names from the census that included that of Hector Fields, my great-greatgreat grandfather, and his direct descendants. It wasn’t much, but it was something; most African Americans can trace their families back only a few generations. I knew I would need new tools to uncover the history of my enslaved ancestors.

Fortunately, my mission aligned with the International African American Museum’s Center for Family History in Charleston, S.C., one of the first

genealogical centers focusing on African Americans. The center is open to both scholars and individuals who want to use the museum’s resources to research their family history and the role African Americans have played in building and shaping the nation. Perhaps the most valuable resource of all is the United States Colored Troops Pension File Project, which is collecting the pension files of the African American men who served in Civil War regiments and making digitized records available to all, not just to scholars like me. Because these files have been so underused as a historical source, the potential for discovery here is exciting.

Decades after the war, Black veterans, along with their widows, dependents and neighbors, told their stories of enslavement and freedom when they applied for pensions for their military service. Approximately 140,000 formerly enslaved men fought in the Civil War. Approximately 83,000 Black Civil War veterans received pensions. To help in my search, the Center for Family History’s researchers iden-

tified a Hector Fields who had enlisted in the Second South Carolina Volunteers. He had a military service record, but no pension file. They later found the file of a Jonas Fields who served with Black troops in the 128th Regiment.

In Jonas’s pension file, a woman by the name of Phoebe Washington testified that she had two brothers, Hector and Jonas Fields, who went after the war to work on rice plantations in the same area where the Fields family I knew lived. She gave the names of their parents, Anson and Judy, and the name of the family who held them in bondage in downtown Beaufort. With one pension file, I was able to fill in multiple gaps in my family tree: I found my greatgreat-great-great grandparents, Hector Fields’s siblings, and the location where most of my paternal grandfather’s family had been enslaved.

Jonas Fields’s pension file also confirmed that I am a direct descendant of the same Hector Fields who fought in the famous Combahee River

Alzheimer's Association’s Free March Program Features Two Local Experts to Help Families Plan Financially and Legally After Dementia Diagnosis

Library, 6060 Far Hills Ave., in Centerville. Preregistration is required. To register, call the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. Free educational programs are offered monthly throughout the Miami Valley. Visit www.alz.org/crf and search by zip code to find local programs.

“The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease makes planning for the future more important than ever,” said Dayna Ritchey, program director of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Cincinnati and Miami Valley Chapters.

“We are fortunate to partner with these local ex-

Opinion

Black Families Can Now Recover More of Their Lost Histories...

Continued from Page 7

Raid in 1863, when Harriet Tubman, who was working as a spy for the United States Army, provided key intelligence in the daring expedition to rescue some 700 people from bondage on seven South Carolina rice plantations.

My cousins and I were so proud. We were also profoundly sorry that our Fields family patriarch who had pointed me to the plantation cemetery did not live long enough to learn of this important history.

Eventually I collaborated with the International African American Museum to widen my research beyond my own family and help identify hundreds of the 756 enslaved people who liberated themselves in the Combahee raid, then trace their lives backward into enslavement and forward into freedom.

It may sound difficult, but it is easier than you think for African Americans who are not professional researchers or scholars to break down the brick walls in their own family histories: Use genealogical search engines like Ancestry. com or Family Search to identify ancestors who have Civil War pension files, then order copies from the National Archives or view them on the museum’s Center for Family History website (for South Carolina

regiments). If you are fortunate enough to obtain a file in which other soldiers testify, you can deepen your research by requesting these soldiers’ pension files, too. The testimony of your ancestor’s widow, comrades and neighbors in another soldier’s pension file may hold additional keys to your family history.

African American veterans approved for Civil War pensions could have thousands of descendants, so millions of African Americans could recover their family’s history using these recently digitized records. I hope that the files will inspire and energize historians to create tools and methods of recovering our ancestors’ names, voices and stories. This knowledge could have profound effects on what Americans know about slavery and how we grapple with its legacy.

My cousins and I have come together to fix the grave in the cemetery that had been damaged and to identify and mark one of the Fields family’s unmarked graves. There are still pieces missing from my family’s puzzle, but finding Hector Fields was the beginning.

Edda L. Fields-Black is a professor of history at Carnegie Mellon University and the author of “Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War.”

perts who will share what important legal and financial issues to consider, how to put plans in place, and how to access legal and financial resources.”

Families and individuals who have loved ones living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia will hear from local experts and learn tips for managing someone else's finances, how to prepare for future care costs and the benefits of early planning. Other topics covered include making legal plans according to needs; legal documents and what they mean; and how to qualify for Medicaid.

There are 220,000 Ohioans older than 65 living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association 2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. That number is expected to hit 250,000 by 2025. A total of 493,000 Ohio caregivers provide 736 million hours of unpaid care each year.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s or other dementia and to access free support and resources, visit alz.org/dayton or call the Miami Valley Chapter at 937.291.3332 or the 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Women’s Health Program at DML

Women’s Health

New Lebanon Branch: Monday, 3-4, 6:30-7:30 pm

Miamisburg Branch: Friday, March 8, 1-2 pm

Northwest Branch: Monday, March 11, 6-7 pm

For more information, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org or call the Library’s Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665.

DML is committed to providing access to all of our events. Please contact the Ask Me Line at 937.463.2665 to request accommodations for sign language interpretation, audio amplification, and/or language translation. Additional accommodations may be available upon request. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Red Cross Month Kicks Off to

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affected by disasters big and small.

As the final weeks of winter approach, the public is urged to book a time to donate blood or platelets now as we continue to strengthen the blood supply heading into spring. Much like pets provide comfort and support, so does the Red Cross in local communities. As a thankyou for providing comfort during Red Cross Month, all who come to give blood or platelets March 1-24 will get a $10 e-gift card to a pet supply merchant of choice, plus automatically be entered for a chance to win a $3,000 gift card. There will be five winners. See rcblood. org/Pets for details.

HELP CAN’T WAIT

WHEN EMERGENCIES

STRIKE Volunteers comprise 90% of the national Red Cross workforce to power its lifesaving mission, along with generous blood, platelet and financial donors; people trained in skills like first aid and CPR; and other supporters. Below are some of the ways that people from all over the region have delivered relief with the Red Cross in times of crisis: Lawanda Banks from our Cincinnati chapter volunteered in Maui during the wildfires in 2023 – she wrote a first-hand account of her time there you can read here.

Honor Community Heroes...

Jena Reif made the decision to become a blood donor after he daughter was diagnosed with cancer and she knew that her donations could help her daughter and others.

For more stories on how our volunteers impacted their communities, from installing smoke alarms, responding to house fires and many other stories check out our 2023 year in review.

JOIN A REWARDING

DAY OF GIVING BACK

Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety campaign. Volunteers are needed for events all throughout the region from April 13 to May 4 — to learn more about the campaign and register for an event please visit our regional Sound the Alarm hub.

About the American

Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volun-

teers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit www.Redcross.org/ centralandsouthernoh or

CruzRojaAmericana. org, or follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.