The Dayton Weekly News - Vol. 29, Issue 39

Dayton, Montgomery County Host Overdose Awareness Day Event

Clay Mathile Dies; Iams Pet Food Billionaire, Dayton-Area Philanthropist

Across the world, Aug. 31 is known as Overdose Awareness Day.

It’s a time when communities and cities come together to remember those who died from substance abuse, to help those who are still fighting addictions and to spread a message of hope and resiliency.

“I am very excited to see the county doing this,” said William Roberts II as he looked at fliers for the Overdose Awareness Day community event in downtown Dayton at the Levitt Pavilion.

Roberts is the senior manager of Recovery Services for Public Health - Dayton and Montgomery County.

“We’re able to help people with substance use disorder, gambling, and even if you don’t fit our services, we’ve got an outreach team that visits hospitals after overdose deaths,” he said.

Roberts was born and

raised in Dayton. The city is home to some of his brightest and darkest days.

“I got caught up in addiction myself. I was part of the crack epidemic, but through recovery, I had a chance to turn my life around and got into the field 32 years ago,” Roberts said.

He’s worked for a lot of outreach agencies and climbed his way up the ladder.

Working in recovery services for Montgomery County for more than a decade, he said there’s a lot of misunderstandings about people who are struggling.

“Sometimes they do bad things, but they’re sick people who need help and that we have help, and they also need to know that we do recover,” he said.

The free event will have music, games and food trucks, but will also provide education about the signs of an overdose, treatment options and naloxone use.

“I was once homeless down here myself and so

to stand here today in another capacity and leading an agency who helps others it kind of feels as if we’ve got an Underground Railroad that we’re helping people get free from addiction,” said Roberts.

Along with raising awareness, breaking stigma is a top goal for the night.

“You never know when addiction may come across your doorstep, either through yourself or through your family members, your friends, so we want to make sure everyone in the community knows what resources are available,” said Dan Suffoletto with Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.

“We now want to smash the stigma that people don’t have to live in the shadow of their past. They can evolve and become members who give back to society. Taxpaying citizens who care about other people,” said Roberts.

The free event was held at the Levitt Pavilion.

Guitarfest 2023

Clay Mathile, the former owner and CEO of the Iams pet food company, and a longtime Dayton philanthropist, died Saturday surrounded by family, according to a statement from the Mathile family.

He was 82.

“Clay was a visionary leader, impassioned philanthropist, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He profoundly changed the lives of many through his generous heart, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his unwavering belief in others,” the family said in a statement.

Mathile bought part ownership in Iams in the 1970s, then became full owner in the early 1980s, and sold Iams to Procter & Gamble in 1999 for $2.3 billion. According to Forbes, Iams’ annual sales were $500,000 when

Mathile joined in 1970, and grew 1,600 times over, to $800 million by 1999.

Mathile was heavily involved in Dayton-area causes. He founded the Aileron business nonprofit, as well as the Mathile Family Foundation and The Glen at St. Joseph, a Dayton institution that aims to help low-income single mothers.

A statement from Aileron Saturday said, “As we reflect on Clay’s life, we remember his words: ‘My hope for Aileron is that it will forever meet the needs of future generations of entrepreneurs, practicing what it preaches — using professional management to guide its mission and shape a brighter future for our communities. Dream no little dreams … for they have no magic to move men’s souls.’ “

State, local leaders react

Gov. Mike DeWine said Saturday said Mathile was the “go-to leader of the business community in Dayton” for many years.

“He was a visionary, and through his passion and belief in the future of the Miami Valley, he saw what was possible and made others believe in what could be achieved,” DeWine said, calling Mathile a mentor to many. “He cared deeply about his community and Ohio.”

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said despite Mathile’s many achievements, he remained humble and generous: “Clay never asked for anything for himself ... he wanted to help the community he Continued on Page 4

Tour De Gem 6th Annual Cycling Classic

Dayton Guitars4Heroes Band performing at the GuitarFest 2023.

Dayton Guitars4Heroes Band performing at the GuitarFest 2023., 10 September | Event in West Carrollton | AllEvents.inAbout the event Dayton Guitars4Heroes Band performing at the GuitarFest 2023.

GuitarFest 2023 will be held Sunday, September 10 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Stubbs Park Amphitheater, 255 W.Spring Valley Road. Centerville, OH.

Performers include Jim McCutcheon, Chris Yakopcic, Eric Loy, Greg Jones, Guitar for Heroes Band, Michael Locke, Richard Rose, Jim Caudill, Donald Broerman,

Kyleen Downes, Tom Downs and Vinnie Marshall, Tom Wittberg and Raul Ordonez, Dennis Geehan and Keith Lykins. Co-sponsored by the Dayton Guitar Society and the Centerville Arts Commission.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Tour de Gem 6th Annual Cycling Classic is a fundraising cycling event for local Nonprofits to raise money and bring awareness to their important missions. This is a fun, family-friendly way for cyclists of all ages and abilities to have a positive impact in their community and explore the many GEMs the Dayton region has to offer. In just 5 years, we have raised over $350,000 for 60+ Nonprofits!

To participate in this event, select the "REGISTER" button to set up a new or returning team, join a team, or register as an individual. Additional family members can be added by selecting the green "Add Another Registrant" button during Step 3. After you register, you can start your team or personal fundraising page by

Labor Day, which is celebrated annually on the first Monday in September, is a celebration of the achievements of workers in the US. The

selecting the "Fundraising Page Set Up" button at the top of the online receipt.

Returning Nonprofit Team Captains please note: in Step 2 of registration, make sure to provide your user name and password when prompted to have access to your team and donor information from last year. You can also request your user name and password if needed at that time.

Century: 105 road miles (click for map) 7:45 am

Ride participants can take part in the virtual challenges that will be available starting Monday, 18 September, and continuing through Sunday, 01 October. For more details, visit: Virtual Ride Challenge.

If you cannot participate in this event but would like to make a donation to the Tour de Gem | 6th Annual Cycling Classic, please select the DONATE button.

Metric Century: 65 road miles (click for map)

7:45 am

½-Metric Century: 40 road miles (click for map)

11:00 am

Fun Ride: 1–38 bike path miles (click for map)

10:00 am

Again, this year we are offering both Live Ride and Virtual Ride options!

Live Ride and Virtual

Continued on Page 7

Registration fees: Adult Live Ride—$35 (adult Rider 18+, includes t-shirt) price inholiday was first created by the labor movement in the late 19th century, before it became a federal holiday in 1894

Clay Mathile, former Iams owner and Aileron founder. Staff photo by Ty Greenlees

The Dayton Guitars 4 Heroes Band was formed back in November 2018, hand picked and has been in rehearsal mode over the past few months getting ready to start shows April or May. 6 strong band, 2 lead electric guitar, 1 acoustic rhythm guitar, bass guit

Around DAYTON 5day Forecast

Black

Production Manager Brenda Coleman

Photographer Kenny Wilkinson

Miami Valley Weather

Get Outside with DML and Five Rivers MetroParks

Dayton Metro Library and Five Rivers MetroParks will host Get Outside Book Club programs through October. Families will be able to enjoy both nature and reading time together. Each session will have a different theme. Some sessions will be held at one of Five Rivers’ parks, while others will be held at DML Branches.

Here is the book club schedule, including themes, through September:

Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark

Wednesday, September 6, 10-11 am

Theme: Beavers – Information on Ohio’s largest rodent is presented through stories and plays. Time will include searching for beavers in the park.

Huber Heights Branch

Tuesday, September 12, 11 am-12 pm

Theme: Lessons from Wildlife – Metroparks staff will bring the box turtle, the gray rat snake, and others for a visit.

Wesleyan MetroPark

Tuesday, September 12, 5-6 pm

Theme: Creek Creatures – Explore the creek, read stories about creatures who live there, and dip your feet in!

*Children will be encouraged to get wet.

Taylorsville MetroPark – CCC Shelter

Thursday, September 21, 10-11 am

Theme: Pondology –Read stories about pond life and use dipnets to explore the pond edge.

*Children will be encouraged to get wet.

CITY OF TROTWOOD

Community Communications Strategy Project Launch

The City of Trotwood is embarking on an exciting community communications strategy from August through December 2023. The primary goal of the project is to receive feedback from everyone in Trotwood to best communicate and inform community members of what is happening in Trotwood, through a variety of communication methods. The outcome in December will be to produce a robust Communications Strategy with a dynamic toolkit to reach out to all members of the community.

“Communication is an essential pillar of any strong community and we want to utilize best practices to make sure we meet the needs of our residents.” Said Trotwood City Manager Quincy E. Pope Sr.

The City of Trotwood is inviting all Trotwood residents to attend the initial Public Launch events on, September 8th (6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) or September 9th (10:00 am – 12:00 pm) at Goodwill Easter Seals West Campus, (735 E Main St, Trotwood, OH 45426). These sessions will be the

first of two engagement processes that will allow residents to provide insight into how they want the City to communicate with them, as valued residents of the Trotwood community. Residents can choose to attend on either date – as the material and content will be the same for both events. The Public Launch will give residents the opportunity to get up-todate information on the project and then sign up for upcoming in-person events.

The City asks residents to complete the City of

Trotwood Community Communications Strategy Project Survey at https://www.research. net/r/TrotwoodCommunicationsSurvey

The Surveys will also be available at the Trotwood Library (855 E, Main St., Trotwood, OH) Goodwill Easter Seals West Campus (735 E. Main, St., Trotwood, OH) and in the Government Center 2nd floor lobby (3035 Olive Rd., Trotwood, OH)

Read more about the project at www.trotwoodspeaks.com

Nationally Recognized Economist to Speak to Local Manufacturers

The Dayton Region Manufacturers Association (DRMA) will present “Preparing for 2024” featuring Connor Lokar, a nationally-recognized economist from ITR Economics, on Tuesday, September 12, at the Sinclair Conference Center.

Lokar will give manufacturers and other businesses insight on how to forecast, plan, and in-

crease their profits based on business cycle trend analyses. ITR Economics predicts future economic trends with a 94.7% accuracy rate and 60+ years of correct calls.

According to Lokar, “2023 is winding down as we prepare for the challenges and ongoing uncertainties of 2024. The decelerating rate of rise and, in some cases, onset

of decline that characterized many industries and businesses in 2023 will extend through 2024 for many.” Attend and learn business strategies and tactics that address the projected changes in the economic landscape.

Lokar is a dynamic, interesting, and entertaining speaker. Sponsored by Huntington, the event will take place at the Sin-

clair Conference Center. Doors open at 2:15 p.m.; the presentation begins at 3:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception beginning at 4:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 250 people and is expected to sell out quickly. The price to attend is $85 for DRMA members and $110 for non-members. For more information, visit the DRMA website at www.DaytonRMA.org.

Englewood MetroPark – Patty Shelter

Monday, September 25, 2-3 pm

Theme: Nature Play –Use the power of imagination and creativity to discover nature.

West Branch

Wednesday, September 27, 10:30-11:30 am

Theme: Lessons from Wildlife – Metroparks staff will bring the box turtle, the gray rat snake, and others for a visit.

To register for programs that take place at a MetroPark location, visit metroparks.org/bookclub. To register for a program that takes place at a DML Branch, visit DaytonMetroLibrary.org and search Events for “Get Outside”. Additional information or questions can also be directed to 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.

Arts & Entertainment

Bakers Wanted for Annual “Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays” Contest

A public vote will decide this year’s winner at the Dayton Holiday Festival on Friday, November 24.

The taste of sweet victory is just a few short months away for the champion of an annual confectionary competition! The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) is looking for up to 20 pastry powerhouses to be part of the 16th annual “Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays” contest. Members of the public will vote on their favorite house to determine which gingerbread home designers will take home cash prizes during the 2023 Dayton Holiday Festival kickoff event on Friday, November 24.

Applications are now open for interested participants. Bakers and pastry designers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to fill out an online application detailing their vision and plan for their gingerbread creation. Up to 20 entrants will be selected to compete and have their finished gingerbread masterpiece on display inside of the Old Courthouse. Selected entrants will showcase their completed masterpiece to compete for the title of “Best House on the Block” with a top prize of $400. The second-place vote-getter will receive $200. All selected applicants will receive a $200 stipend to help cover the

“THINGS TO DO” Labor Day Weekend

Kettering Holiday @ Home

REE admission

FREE nearby parking

FREE music and other entertainment all day

FREE children’s games

Labor Day Parade

Top-quality handmade art and craft exhibits Performers from across the Miami Valley and beyond!

cost of building materials. Traditional houses, building replicas, and even cardboard entries are all allowed in the competition. However, all exposed surfaces should be covered with edible materials. More guidelines and criteria can be found on the official entry form, which is available to fill out online here or available to print at daytonholidayfestival. org. Applications are due by Wednesday, September 20.

“Bakers bring an impressive amount of innovation, creativity, and attention to detail to this competition year after year,” said Sandra K. Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “The Gingerbread Home for the Holidays contest is a favorite feature of the Dayton Holiday Festival, and we’re

excited to see how this year’s contestants can transform their holiday treats into works of art.”

The Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest is part of the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and the Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. For more information on the contest and other activities that are part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, call (937) 224-1518 or visit daytonholidayfestival.org.

For more information: Lynn Robertson, 937224-1518 ext. 227 or robertson@downtowndayton.org

DML and DPAA Partner for Free Ticket Performances

For the second year, Dayton Metro Library and Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) are partnering to provide free tickets to patrons and community members for a variety of performances.

To improve customer service and mainstream the obtaining of tickets for patrons, the distribution of tickets has changed from last year.

Ohio, 45402. Box Office hours are 10 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Friday.

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Monday, September 4, 2023

Free Event

Holiday at Home - Kettering's Labor Day weekend celebration for the family.

Don’t settle for a boring Labor Day Weekend!

Holiday at Home has grown from a small, neighborhood event in 1959 into one of Ohio's

largest weekend events. Packed with exciting, fun, safe, family-oriented activities designed to encourage people to stay at home and enjoy their family and friends over Labor Day weekend, Holiday at Home is a great way for the family to enjoy the ending of the summer activities together. Enjoy these FREE features and highlights!

Food trucks and specialty snacks

In addition to the free features, we have a 5K race, Children’s Fun Run, and Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Kettering City Schools Booster Club which takes place the morning of Labor Day before the parade.

We'll see you for the fun at Holiday At Home always Labor Day Weekend.

Registration will still be required and will open on the first Tuesday of the month. Patrons will be able to find a list of participating DPAA performances in DML’s event calendar, under the heading of “DPAA Ticket Series.”

To register for up to four free tickets, patrons should call DPAA’s Box Office at 937.228.3630, or in visit in person at Schuster Performing Arts Center Wintergarden, One West Second Street, Dayton,

Alter Fest!

Friday, September 1, 2023

6:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Saturday, September 2, 2023

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday, September 3, 2023

12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Alterfest is back! Join us Labor Day Weekend! Entertainment, food, rides, games!

AlterFest - Labor Day Weekend

Rides and Games all Weekend! One of South Dayton's premier events hosted over the Labor Day weekend Sept 1-3, 2023!

Alterfest is our traditional, FREE festival! We can't wait to get together again Labor Day weekend with our families, alumni and the community!

Any accessibility requests can be made at the time of registration with DPAA’s Box Office. To pick up reserved tickets, a patron must show their Dayton Metro Library Card. Ticket availability is on a first come, first serve basis, cannot be exchanged or refunded for cash value, and cancellations must go through the DPAA Box Office.

Here’s performance information on September’s free ticket opportunity – DML tickets become available on Tuesday, September 5:

Masterworks Series

Pictures at an Exhibition

Show dates and times:

Friday, September 29, and

Saturday, September 30, 7:30 pm

About the performance:

Rides, children's games, children's entertainment, corn hole tournament, food and great music!

• ALTER 5K

• FOOD/BEVERAGES

• BANDS & ENTERTAINMENT

• RIDES - Unlimited

Ride Wristbands

Program: Jessie Montgomery: Banner Sergei Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Modest Mussorgsky (orch. Maurice Ravel): Pictures at an Exhibition

Featured Artists: Aleksandra Kasman, piano Neal Gittleman, conductor Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

For detailed information on this performance, visit https:// daytonperformingarts. org/ticket/pictures-atan-exhibition/.

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

• REUNION CLASSES

• BLACKJACK & TEXAS HOLD’EM

• LOTS OF NEW KID GAMES

• CORNHOLE TOURNEY

• MORE!

Editorial Comments &

Clay Mathile Dies; Iams Pet Food Billionaire, Dayton-Area Philanthropist...

Continued from Page 1

loved become the best it could be and wanted all of us to work toward that end.”

Mathile helped launch the Miami Valley Economic Development Coalition in the early 1990s before it turned into today’s Dayton Development Coalition.

“Mathile always saw Dayton’s potential, even when many of us struggled to see it ourselves,” said DDC President Jeff Hoagland. “He spent decades cultivating that potential through his leadership in the business community, his engagement with entrepreneurs, and his vast philanthropic work.”

For many who knew him, whether personally or professionally, Mathile’s legacy of success is a testament to his character.

“(Mathile) embodied the American Dream,” U.S. Rep. Mike Turner said in a statement Saturday. “His hard work, grit, and determination helped him find success, (and) he donated tens of millions of dollars and gave back to the Miami Valley.”

Dayton Chamber of Commerce President Chris Kershner called Mathile “an authentic, good and genuine person,” and also praised Mary Mathile for her work in the couple’s philanthropy.

“His reach was great and he didn’t do it because he wanted the recognition,” Kershner said. “Our community is better because of what Clay and Mary Mathile have done for us.”

Clay Mathile’s history Mathile was born Jan. 11, 1941, in Portage, Ohio, just south of Bowling Green, where his parents were a farmer (Bill) and a teacher (Helen), according to the family. He earned a business degree from Ohio Northern University in 1962, then married MaryAnn Maas Mathile, with whom he had five children.

After working in accounting at General Motors and then at Campbell Soup Company, Mathile moved to Dayton in 1970 to begin working with Paul F. Iams’ Iams Food Company, which produced premium dog food products, according to the family. When Paul Iams retired in January 1982, Clay and MaryAnn Mathile became sole owners and Clay the CEO of The Iams Company.

Mathile grew Iams from $13 million in sales in 1982, turning it into a billion-dollar company.

In a statement, the family said Mathile grew Iams with a fourpart focus on “Customer, Culture, Products and People.” They said that manifested itself in “world-class manu-

facturing practices and world-class nutrition” for cats and dogs. But it also meant a work environment where employees were respected and given resources, such as the Iams University training approach.

According to previous Dayton Daily News coverage, Mathile founded Aileron in 1996, three years before he sold Iams, as the Center for Entrepreneurial Education. Its mission was to function as a local outreach in response to the declining automotive and manufacturing industries in the Dayton region.

Mathile wanted to help other business owners the way his mentors had helped him, family members said. He believed that supporting America’s small business owners via professional management training “would catalyze a ripple effect that could raise the quality of life for families, communities, and the nation.” Aileron said Saturday that 15,000 business leaders visit Aileron’s campus every year to retreat from the day-today and focus on the future of their businesses.

About his connections to Dayton, Mathile had said: “I have had a strong belief in and a commitment towards the potential of the Dayton Region since I joined the Iams Company in 1970. And, it was because of that belief that we kept the Iams Company headquartered here, in Dayton. After the sale, we went to work on giving back to the region through our Family Foundation, The Glen and of course Aileron. Each of which have helped to support our dreams of giving back to this community.”

In 2012, Mathile was the second-richest person in Ohio, according to Forbes magazine, at $1.9 billion. That ranked him 250th in the United States according to Forbes, and among Ohioans, behind only Leslie Wexner, founder of The Limited store chain.

Awards and investments

In 2014, the President’s Club of Dayton gave Clay and Mary Mathile its Citizen Legion of Honor award, the oldest honor given to volunteer-leaders in the region. As of 2014,

Letter to the Editor

the Mathile Family Foundation said it had awarded more than $300 million in grants to organizations, mostly in the Dayton area, many of them focused on children. Today, they say that total has passed $500 million.

“Over the years, I have gotten too much credit, and Mary hasn’t gotten enough,” Clay Mathile said at the time of the Legion of Honor Award.

“In her humble way, she has taught all of us in the family how philanthropy should be done.”

Via the Mathile Community Awards, over 10 years, they awarded more than $60 million to projects like the Schuster Center, the YMCA, the Cassano Health Center, and Wright Dunbar Inc., the family said. They also worked internationally. The Mathile Institute for the Advancement of Human Nutrition developed Chispuditos, a nutrientdense formula-like food that combats childhood malnutrition and is distributed throughout Central America.

Mathile and his wife have also been major Republican political donors. They gave over $75,000 to Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted over the past five years, according to Ohio campaign finance records. In 2017, Mathile donated donated $1 million to Ohio Conservatives for Change, a super PAC that was backing Husted for governor, according to federal campaign finance filings.

In 2019, the Dayton Development Coalition honored Mathile with the Maureen Patterson Regional Leader Award at its annual meeting.

In 2021, Aileron celebrated 25 years in business, as its goal to guide entrepreneurs through choppy waters and teach them to adapt was very relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mathile family said Saturday that Mathile is survived by his wife, MaryAnn; his children Cate and Don Laden, Tim and Lynn Mathile, Mike and Michelle Mathile, Tina Mathile, Jennifer and Pat Prikkel, his 15 grandchildren and their families; and his one great-grandchild.

Have Dayton Public School Boards Been Complicit in Students Poor Academic Performance?

Dear Editor: For the last 25 years or so, the Dayton Public School District has been at or near the bottom of Ohio’s public-school districts academically. While the administrators find it convenient to blame teachers, teachers find it convenient to blame parents, and parents blame everybody but themselves, one must ask why the various school board members have not received more scrutiny. It is they who choose the superintendents. The superintendents choose the administrators. The administrators then set the tone for the academic environment within the schools. However, as a teacher in the DPS district, rarely have I taught at a Dayton Public School where the environment was consistently conducive to teaching and learning! Administrators, when they admit this fact, and most rarely do, place the blame on teachers’ lack of classroom control. Classroom control is next to impossible without administrative support.

As superintendent, Lori Ward mandated that students’ suspension decrease by 10% without providing positive methods for doing so. Rhonda Corr had no clearly defined policy relative to improving environments conducive to teaching and learning, and things got worse when Elizabeth Lolli replaced Rhonda Corr. It was the school boards who supported all these superintendents while students’ academic achievement ebbed and flowed but remained or the bottom of Ohio’s districts!

Proving that our current school board has not learned from previous failures, they sought out and hired David Lawrence who is now the interim superintendent. What are Mr. Lawrence’s credentials that qualify him for the job? Whenever I have discussed this with people who should know, I have been told he significantly raised test scores while he was principal at Thurgood Marshall. If that is so, why is that data not shown by those board members who endorsed him? Not one Board member has mentioned Mr. Lawrence’s stint as principal at the Stem School, which resulted in such a serious teacher rebellion that he was only there for one year. The Stem School was already a school known for academic excellence. Did the Board even inquire as to why there was such a teacher rebellion in his one year there?

While at Thurgood Marshall, Mr. Lawrence was so intent on harassing Coach Earl White, perhaps the best football coach in Dayton Public School’s history, that the grievance staff, headed by Willie Terrell Jr. had to intervene. Was he jealous of Mr. Whites record of excellence?

I met Mr. Lawrence for the first time when I had reported principal James Fowler, first to Lori Ward, then to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, for repeatedly allowing students who were ineligible to compete athletically. After that association sanctioned the school for his transgressions, Mr. Fowler continued to do so. I asked that association what I should do besides reporting the violations to them. I was advised to write to the school board. I did. It was then that Lori Ward instructed me to meet with Jonas Smith, the district’s athletic director. When I met with Mr. Smith, Mr. Lawrence was mysteriously there. After I related Mr. Fowler’s documented history of allowing ineligible students to compete, Jonas Smith lied and said that I was mistaken about the last student who was allowed to compete. Mr. Lawrence supported that lie. Because I had proof in my phone, both backed down on that incident and lauded the measures the district had put in place to curtail such incidents. Neither of them explained why those measures had not curtailed James Fowler’s transgressions. However, Mr. Lawrence did state that he would now be doing my evaluations. Conscious of this threat, I reminded him that my students typically had the best proficiency test scores at any school at which I had taught. Mr. Lawrence’s administrative position was over high schools. Kiser, the school at which I was teaching, was an elementary school. His deciding to do my evaluations was an obvious attempt to cover up the district’s well-established practice of allowing ineligible athletes to compete by intimidating me.

My next encounter with Mr. Lawrence came when he, still as a high school administrator, came to Rosa Parks in support of Principal Crystal Phillip’s malfeasance. Rosa Parks was an elementary school! Ms. Phillips was determined to support the district‘s well-established practice of requiring teachers to inflate students’ grades and allowing chaos to occur in classrooms. Mr. Lawrence had come to support that endeavor, and he did. Ms. Phillips was then promoted to principal at Dunbar high school. Some of us still remember how that worked out!

My last official encounter with Mr. Lawrence came when he usurped the authority of principal Laura Busse at Cleveland Elementary school and was doing my evaluation. During one of his unannounced observations of my classroom, one of my students had decided to cut class. Security returned him to my classroom twenty minutes after he was supposed to be there. When I asked that student where he had been, he replied, “I don’t have to tell you.” I sent that subsequently wrote of that incident on his observation notes that he was required to share with me, “Mr. Wa-Tenza doesn’t know how to relate to children of poverty.” Clearly, the student’s cutting class had nothing to do with poverty!

Mr. Lawrence also came to one of our Central State Alumni meetings and asked us to support his effort to establish another charger school in Dayton. Will he, as interim superintendent, try to do as James Williams did, try to sell one of our public schools to a charter school company for his own personal enrichment?

The aforementioned incidents are excellent reasons not to have pursued David Lawrence for service at Dayton Public Schools. I am still waiting to hear good reasons from the school board for their selecting him!

K. Kimaru Wa-Tenza

Record Sealing Clinic at DML

Dayton Metro Library will hold a Record Sealing Legal Aid Clinic at the Trotwood Branch, Thursday, September 7, from 1-5 pm.

Patrons can meet with volunteer lawyers from the Greater Dayton Volunteers Project and local courts to determine eligibility and file the necessary documents for record sealing. Walkins are welcome based on attorney availability;

however, registration is recommended by visiting https://www.gdvlp.org/ legalhelp.

Attending this clinic does not guarantee that a petition for record sealing will be successful. The Trotwood Branch is located at 855 E. Main St., Trotwood, 45426. For additional 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.

Sinclair Community College Mourns the Loss of Clay Mathile, One of the College’s Greatest Supporters

Sinclair Community College is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Clay Mathile, one of the college’s most ardent supporters and one of the most significant philanthropists in the history of the Dayton Region.

Clay and his wife, Mary, have assisted countless Sinclair Community College students and programs, both through their personal gifts, as well as significant grant awards from the Mathile Family Foundation.

The Mathile’s support has helped Sinclair Com-

munity College serve students in a variety of ways, from direct aid to students through the Mathile College Completion Scholarship, to invaluable student services through the City Connects program, which provides intensive schoolbased support systems to ensure student success in college and beyond. The Mathiles combined 27 consecutive years of giving make them one of the largest contributors to the Sinclair Community College Foundation.

“Clay Mathile was a steadfast pillar of support

Deputies Remove Roadside Memorial Honoring Boy Killed in Clark County School Bus Crash

Clark County Sheriff’s deputies have removed a roadside memorial honoring an elementary school student killed in a school bus crash late last month.

The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office asked deputies to remove the memorial on behalf of Aiden Clark’s family, county prosecutor Dan Driscoll said Thursday night.

“(Thursday night), my office has asked local law enforcement to remove the memorial created at the site of the

Northwestern Elementary School bus crash last week,” Driscoll said in a statement to News Center 7’s John Bedell. “This decision was made at the request of the family of Aiden Clark. All the other families with children who were involved in the crash, as well as bus driver Gene Collier, have been made aware. While the families greatly appreciate the outpouring of support from the community, the memorial created at the site is a heavy reminder of the loss experienced in the Aug. 22 crash.”

Deputies removed the memorial on State Route 41 (Troy Road) during the overnight hours on Friday.

Troopers identified Hermanio Joseph as the driver of the Honda Odyssey that crossed left of center on state Route 41 (Troy Road), near Lawrenceville Road, and into the path of a Northwestern Local School District bus.

The bus, driven by 68-year-old Alfred Gene Collier, also of Springfield, traveled off the right side of the roadway, down an embankment, and overturned.

and generosity for the Dayton region,” said Dr. Steven Johnson, President and CEO –Sinclair Community College. “He leaves an indelible mark on Sinclair Community College through his unwavering commitment to providing educational opportunities for those who might not otherwise have been able to pursue their dreams. Our thoughts are with Mary and his family.”

Dayton Public Schools Names an Interim Superintendent

Dayton Public Schools used Tuesday’s meeting at Belmont High School to name a temporary replacement for the departing Dr. Elizabeth Lolli.

While the search for a new permanent superintendent has only just begun, the board has named Dr. David Lawrence to lead the district heading into the new school year.

“We are very pleased that Dr. Lawrence will serve as Interim Superintendent,” said Dr. Chrisondra Goodwine, president of the DPS board. “He has a long history with the district and is a DPS graduate himself.

“We are excited for him to step into this role.”

Lawrence has been in public education for more than 25 years, including serving as DPS’ Business Manager since September 2022.

“It is a true honor and privilege to be stepping into the role of Interim Superintendent,” said Lawrence. “As a product of DPS, I care deeply about the staff and students, and look forward to a strong start to the school year.”

Lawrence graduated from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 1984. He has been with the district since 1995, including duties as principal at Thurgood Marshall STEM High School and Chief Academic Officer for the Dayton Regional STEM School.

The board’s search for a permanent superintendent will also continue.

“The Board of Education is taking the search for the next Superintendent

Aiden was killed in the crash. Driver accused in deadly Clark Co. school bus crash makes initial court appearance

As many as 26 other children on the bus suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to area hospitals. One of them suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was taken to Chil-

very seriously and intends to find the best person to step into this role,” Goodwine said. “It is imperative that whoever is chosen can continue to lead our district in the right direction, and understands the challenges facing urban districts and students.”

The need for a new superintendent was created when Lolli announced last week that she would be leaving DPS. She was named the interim superintendent for Lakota Local Schools in Butler County, beginning Wednesday, July 19.

“It has been a great honor to serve the students and families in DPS,” Dr. Lolli said. “I appreciate the hard work by the staff and community to help Dayton become better over the past six years. I wish the district well.”

2 NEWS previously reported Lakota Local Schools named Robb Vogelmann as interim superintendent of the district in January. That decision came after Matt Miller, who was the superinten-

dren’s Hospital in Dayton. Collier suffered minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital.

Joseph and his passenger, Roberto Mompremier, 37, also of Springfield, suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center, the patrol said. Grand jury indicts driver of minivan in deadly Clark

dent prior to Vogelmann being named, gave his resignation to the district’s board of education.

Dr. Lolli had led the district as superintendent for the past six years at Dayton Public Schools, according to Board of Education President Dr. Chrisondra Goodwine.

“Dr. Lolli was a great leader for our students and staff, most recently being named the 2023 Ohio Superintendent of the Year,” Goodwine says. “We wish her well in all future endeavors.”

Some of Dr. Lolli’s accomplishments the district names include increasing the district’s academic performance, improving mental health resources for students and more.

In April, Dayton Public Schools voted 4 to 3 to extend Lolli’s contract, but the district will have to look for a replacement.

County school bus crash Driscoll said, “The families would ask that the community support them in moving forward without the daily, visual reminder at the crash scene. I would ask that you continue to pray for these families and support them as they continue to heal.”

Roadside memorial grows for victim in Clark County school bus

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Sisters of the Precious Blood Celebrate 100 Years in Dayton

A celebration Mass will be held Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at Precious Blood Catholic Church. The Rev. Jeffrey Kirch, CPPS, will preside. A reception will follow in the parish activity center.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Over the past century, Sisters of the Precious Blood have been active in a variety of ministries in the Dayton area, including education, parish ministry, food and domestic service, health care and social justice. Sisters also serve throughout the U.S. and in Chile and Guatemala.

“For over 100 years, the Sisters of the Precious Blood have been a presence in the Dayton community. As the Congregation looks to the future, it remains committed to being a part of the fabric of the community, collaborating with the city and local agencies to serve wherever Sisters are needed,” said Sarah Aisenbrey, archivist for the Sisters of the Precious Blood.

The religious community first arrived in the U.S. in 1844, when three Sisters came to northern Ohio to minister to

the German Catholic immigrants of the area. For nearly 80 years, Maria Stein in Mercer County was the site of their motherhouse, which still houses the Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics.

By the early 1920s, Mother Emma Nunlist, the Mother General of the Sisters of the Precious Blood, felt that the Sisters needed to be closer to the amenities the city of Dayton could provide, including health care and educational facilities. She also thought that being close to a more populated city would allow the Sisters to find more volunteers to help with perpetual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a hallmark of the Sisters’ lived vocation since their founding.

She purchased 75 acres of farmland two miles north of Dayton, and construction began.

“The feast of St. Augustine, August 28, 1923, will go down in the annals as a memorable day for

the community, since it marks the departure of the Sisters from the old motherhouse to the new,” reads the community’s historical record. “Knights of Columbus of Dayton offered to transport the Sisters to Salem Heights, where they were welcomed with the pealing of bells and the greetings of the Sisters who had arrived earlier.”

The Sisters of the Precious Blood are an apostolic Catholic women’s religious congregation devoted to Eucharistic prayer and motivated by the redeeming love of Jesus. Founded in Switzerland in 1834 by Maria Anna Brunner, Precious Blood Sisters serve in the United States, Chile and Guatemala, proclaiming God’s love by being a life-giving, reconciling presence in our fractured world.

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African-American Community Fund Hosts Third Annual Golf Outing in Honor of Founder, Community Leader, John E. Moore, Sr.

The African-American Community Fund (AACF) will host the Third Annual John E. Moore Sr. Memorial Golf Outing on Monday, September 25, at Pipestone Golf Course, 3444 Benner Road in Miamisburg. Check-in and registration will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a 1 p.m. start time.

The outing honors the late John E. Moore, Sr., Co-Founder of the African-American Community Fund and one of Dayton’s most dedicated volunteers, who passed away in 2021.

Golfers may register as a team or individually. The outing includes 18-holes of challenging golf with beverages and refresh-

A Surprise for Late NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s Daughter Natalie

Russell Wilson and wife Ciara plan a surprise for Kobe Bryant’s daughter as she kicks off junior year at USC that read:

Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson and his wife Ciara planned a surprise for late NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s daughter Natalie as she embarks on her junior year at the University of Southern California (USC).

The NFL power couple sent young Natalie a bouquet of flowers to commemorate her first day back in the third year of college along with a hand-written note

“Nani, we hope you had the best first day of school. We are so proud of you as you enter your junior year. Rock it, girl. Go, Nani, Go! Love Uncle Russ and Aunt Ci.”

Kobe Bryant’s daughter, Natalie is currently majoring in Film at USC.

She was just 17 years old when his father and Laker’s legend passed away in a fatal helicopter crash alongside sister, Gianna.

Tour De Gem 6th Annual Cycling Classic...

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creases to $50 after 31 Aug 23.

Adult Live Ride (I just want to ride)— $200 (adult Rider 18+, includes t-shirt. $150 donation included with fee.)

Youth Live Ride— $15 (youth Rider ages

12–17, includes t-shirt)

Child Live Ride—free (child Rider under 12, includes t-shirt) Fundraise Only—$25 (fundraise for your Nonprofit, t-shirt is not included)

Adult Virtual Ride—$35 (adult Rider 18+, includes

“Being his daughter is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I hope to continue to embody and cherish the many lessons he has taught me,” Natalie said during her father’s tribute ceremony in March 2023.

Natalie Bryant is the firstborn child of Vanessa and Kobe Bryant. Her younger siblings, Gianna and Bianka, were born in 2006 and 2016, respectively. The youngest of the sisters, Capri, was

t-shirt) price increases to $50 after 31 Aug 23.

Youth Virtual Ride— $15 (youth Rider Ages 1217, includes t-shirt)

Child Virtual Ride— free (child Rider under 12, includes t-shirt)

ments along the way. Lunch will be served before golf, and awards and presentations will follow after play. Online registration is required by Tuesday, September 12. The cost is $125 per golfer or $500 per foursome. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Proceeds will benefit the African-American Community Fund discretionary fund. The AACF is a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. Please visit: www.aacfdayton.org/golf-outing to register.

For questions or more information, please contact Debbie Carter at debbie.crtr@gmail.com, (937) 206-3799, or Kevin

Washington at kwashington@apgof.com, (937) 681-8953. If registering with a check, please make it payable to: The Dayton Foundation, with AACF Fund #1750 in the memo line, and mail to 1401 S. Main St., Suite 100, Dayton, OH 45409.

About the AfricanAmerican Community Fund:

Established in 1992 as a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, AACF’s mission is to increase organized philanthropy in the African-American community and empower others through giving.

Celebrating Joe Swan Jr. who Broke Barriers for Ohio Athletes

An Ohio trailblazer was recognized Wednesday for his work in breaking the color barrier in the NCAA.

Joe Swan Jr. is a Miami University alumnus who was one of the first five Black basketball players at the school in the sixties. Football and friendship:

Local league holds fantasy draft for 30 years

Swan has spent his life helping young athletes with their academics so they had the chance to succeed at the collegiate level.

An event was held at the Singing Woods Assisted Living Facility in Dayton,

where representatives from Miami University, and many others, gathered to celebrate. Swan also participated in the Freedom Summer voter registration drive at Miami University in 1964.

UD Football Picked to Finish 3rd in PFL

The University of Dayton football team was picked to finish third in the Pioneer Football League for the fall 2023 season in a preseason vote of the league’s coaches. Dayton has 12 league championships to its credit in the PFL’s 30 seasons.

Defending champion St. Thomas, Davidson, Dayton, San Diego and Butler , Davidson were ahead of the rest of the league in the balloting.

St. Thomas was picked as the favorite to win the 2023 PFL crown with 98 voting points and eight first-place votes. Davidson was next with 92 and two first-place votes. The Flyers were third (75), followed by San Diego (73, and the remaining first-place vote) and Butler (68).

Valparaiso (52) and Marist (45) were next, followed by Drake (38), Stetson (31), Morehead State (22) and Butler (30), Presbyterian (11).

The 2023 season will be Dayton’s first under new coach Trevor Andrews. Andrews, a Flyer alum who brings 25 years of col-

lege coaching experience back to the Hilltop, has a group of returnees that includes eight Flyers who earned All-Pioneer Football League honors last season – offensive tackle David Tkatch, defensive tackle Sam Schadek (who were named to the first team), linebacker Nathan Arthur (second team) and wideouts Luke Brenner, Sam Bubonics and Derek Willits, safety Cole Hildebrand and placekicker Sam Webster (all honorable mention).

UD was 8-3 overall in 2022, including 6-2 in the PFL, which tied for second place in the league.

The first game of the Trevor Andrews era will be Saturday, September 2, when the Flyer football

team opens the 2023 season at Illinois State. The home opener will be the following Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against Central State.

UD will play scholarship programs in all three non-conference games – Illinois State of the Missouri Valley, Central State of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Taylor of the Mid-States Football Association.

Dayton will begin the quest for its 13th Pioneer Football League championship on Saturday, Sept. 23 when the Flyers open PFL play at San Diego. UD will then host St. Thomas on Sept. 30.

Alzheimer's Association

Greater Cincinnati and Miami Valley Chapters Offer Free September Webinars

CINCINNATI and DAYTON, OH – August 29, 2023 – The Alzheimer's Association Greater Cincinnati and Miami Valley Chapters will host two Expert Series webinars in September.

“Polypharmacy: How many medications are too many?” will take place on Thursday, September 21 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. In this program, Maureen Gearhart, Clinical Consultant Pharmacist at Geriatric Pharmacy Consulting, LLC, will discuss medication use in the senior population and how to manage medications prescribed to the elderly, with a special focus on polypharmacy. More details are available here.

“These programs offer different - but equally valuable - insights for families facing Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Dayna Ritchey, program director of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Cincinnati and Miami

Valley Chapters. “Managing prescriptions can be scary for people caring for a loved one. We’re here to help you feel more confident with the process.”

On Tuesday, September 26 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm, join the Association for “Early Detection of Alzheimer's and the Role of the Neuropsychological Evaluation.” The presentation will explore the methods and tools that healthcare providers use to detect Alzheimer's disease, with primary focus on neuropsychological evaluations and early detection.

Dr. Audrey Greene and Dr. Shawna Jacob, boardcertified clinical neuropsychologists, will share their scientific knowledge and the invaluable lessons learned from their work with people with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease and their families and caregivers. The presentation will include practical information about managing overwhelming healthcare systems and pursuing answers and clarity in the early stages of memory

loss. More details are available here.

“As we enter the era of treatment, it’s more important than ever to seek early detection and diagnosis to gain access to drug trials and FDA-approved treatments,” said Ritchey. “We want to help families get past the stigma and work with their health care providers to understand symptoms and if or when they need to be addressed.”

The events are free to the community, but preregistration is required. To register, call the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

Instructions on how to

join the webinars will be emailed following registration.

There are 220,000 Ohioans aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association “2023 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures.” That number is expected to increase to 250,000 by 2025. One in three seniors dies with the disease.

Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer's Association Greater Cincinnati Chapter at 513.721.4284 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to local resources.