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D E C E M B E R 2 022

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December 2022 PUBLISHER

Mark Andrea | mark.andrea@citylifestyle.com EDITOR IAL COOR DINATOR

Amanda Stout | amanda.stout@citylifestyle.com

LIFESTYLE LETTER

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

COPY EDITOR

Karen Andrea AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER

Kelsi Southard CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. From twinkling lights everywhere to familiar festive tunes, there really is more joy in the air. As a great Elf once said, “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” I definitely look forward to switching my music over and belting out all of the holiday classics! Another common saying of the holidays is “It’s better to give than receive.” This issue is filled with stories about giving back. We share how you can assist local nonprofits and how the Centerville VFW Post 9550 is supporting Veterans. Plus, learn how our parent company, City Lifestyle, would like your help giving away more than $300,000 to individuals and families in need this holiday season! Lastly, as we get closer to the end of the year, I would like to say thank you to everyone who is a part of our Centerville Lifestyle family including our amazing editorial team—our Editor Amanda Stout, our photographers, writers and social media coordinator—our incredible advertising partners, our community partners, and to everyone throughout Centerville and Washington Township who reads, likes, shares and contributes to each issue. THANK YOU for welcoming us into your home every month. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Nina Weierman, Jonathan Stout, LeAnn Parker, Amanda Stout, Rod Bluhm CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

April Sova–Remember When Portraits, Janie Jones

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Randy Radosevich DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

MARK ANDREA, PUBLISHER @CENTERVILLELIFESTYLE

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Proverbs 3:5-6 Centerville Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Centerville area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Centerville Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the

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DECEMBER 2022

inside the issue The Holiday & Giving Issue

F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

14 Answering the Call

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Hometown Hero

Giving Back

How To

Inspired By

Events

Learn how local Centerville VFW Post 9550 supports Veterans and the community.

20 The Season for Giving

Show appreciation for the charitable organizations that serve kids, families and animals in our community.

26 Snowflake Salt Dough Ornaments Try out old holiday traditions updated with modern-day trends.

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Janie Jones We love when traditions can live throughout the decades as we find ways to reinvent them with modern-day trends. That is exactly what LeAnn Parker helped us do with her Snowflake Salt Dough Ornaments.

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1: Heart of Centerville & Washington Township partnered with the City of Centerville for Fall Fest. 2: This year’s event featured 2,000 pumpkins available for free in the Heart-sponsored pumpkin patch. 3: The expanded fest featured 75 unique retailers, a beer garden, food trucks, performances, hayrides and activities. 4: The city's largest annual event brought in record crowds of more than 10,000 visitors. 5: The MVCCA welcomed Nicolas Dromard and Desiree Davar for "Nic+Desi: Broadway Song, Dance and Romance.” 6: Real-life husband and wife, Nic and Desi shared stories of their life as Broadway performers. 7: Nic took a solo turn singing some Broadway classics at the October concert. CONTINUED >

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8: Dayton Art Institute's (DAI) Oktoberfest returned for 2022. Pictured: Ken & Mary Turbo Accordions. 9: Oktoberfest was recently named Best Annual Festival for the Dayton Daily News' Best of Dayton. 10: Outdoor entertainment was provided throughout the weekend by various local bands and DJs. 11: DAI’s Oktoberfest is southwest Ohio’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration, and the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. 12: The food court was packed, featuring Big B’s Tasty BBQ, Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and more. 13: The ACCO Brands FamilyFest on Saturday and Sunday afternoon provided special activities for all ages. 14: New food vendors, beer trucks, the wine bar and Bottle Shop offered something for everyone.

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business monthly A round-up of exciting news from local businesses. Class 101 Launches Super Junior Program for Class of 2024 It’s crunch time for the Class of 2024! Between now and Feb. 12, 2023, Class 101 juniors complete the Super Junior Checklist which is designed to ensure they stay ahead of the stressful admissions schedule. Seniors who work ahead are able to put college applications behind them early in their senior year, opening up time to apply for scholarships. The Super Junior program is the perfect time for juniors to join Class 101! Call 937.705.5113. Class101.com/DaytonOhSouth

Scan to read more.

Photography by Class 101-Dayton

Ghost Walk on Main Celebrates Successful Community Event Since 2017, Centerville-Washington History, the Friends of WashingtonCenterville Public Library, the Heart of Centerville & Washington Township, the City of Centerville, and Washington Township’s Town Hall Theatre has brought a haunted history walk to local citizens. This year, the event sold out in two weeks with more than 180 attendees and seven tour groups visiting owls from the Glen Helen Raptor Center, watching re-enactments and hearing about the friendly ghosts still inhabiting some of the beautiful limestone homes in Uptown Centerville. CentervilleWashingtonHistory.org Photography by Centerville-Washington History

Benham's Grove Redesign Planned, Seeks Public Funding The City of Centerville announced plans for a redesign of Benham’s Grove, a historic event complex and community gathering space that was purchased by the city in 1991. Centerville City Council voted on November 7 on a design contract with Dayton-based architecture firm LWC Incorporated. The preliminary total project cost is $5.48 million. The city is seeking public funding for the redesigned center, which includes an event space, outdoor terrace, bridal wing and more. CentervilleOhio.gov

Photography by LWC INC.

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From left to right: Jason Riley, Rich Hughes, Roger Krass, Gus Vitali, Enzio Vitali, Ron Columbe, Marilyn Barrett, Bob Brewer.

LEARN HOW LOCAL CENTERVILLE VFW POST 9550 SUPPORTS VETERANS AND THE COMMUNITY.

Former Post Commander Ezio Vitali, US Army and Post Quartermaster Gus Vitali, US Air Force.

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

ANSWERING THE CALL When Fred "Rico" Rojas, Post Commander of local Centerville VFW Post 9550 says “we are dedicated to Veterans any way we can” he isn’t just giving lip service. It seems there is no concern too big or small for the local post to lend a hand. With no VFW hall or canteen, the Centerville VFW is able to put all donated funds to good use serving Veterans and the community. Post 9550 provides transportation to and from medical appointments, supplies hot meals and even picks up groceries for local Veterans when needed. “If we can't help, we can find someone or another organization that can,” explains Fred. The VFW is often also the bridge between Veterans and the Montgomery County Veterans Service Commission for the submission of benefits or questions about benefits eligibility. Sr. Vice Commander Ron Colombe sums it up with “listening, answering calls for assistance and getting Veterans together.” Recently, the post was able to support a local Veteran suffering from the effects of Agent Orange Disease and his spouse who has Parkinson's. The Post set up at-home appointments for the Veteran to submit paperwork for his disability compensation, repair their computer and even provided step-by-step guidance for ordering groceries. This is just one example of how VFW Post 9550 helps Veterans in any way they can. Jason Riley, who serves as the Adjutant for Post 9550, joined last year when he retired after serving 25 years with the US Army. “I wanted to support Veterans and my local

community and VFW Post 9550 gave me just what I was looking for,” shares Jason. The Centerville VFW supports the community in a variety of ways including youth outreach. “One of the most rewarding community events is the annual Veterans Recognition ceremony at Centerville High School where Veterans are invited to come in and talk with high school students and answer questions,” shares Fred. In addition, the Centerville VFW supports scholarship opportunities available through The Voice of Democracy oral essay contest for high school students. Each year, the VFW provides a subject to base the essay on. High School students submit a recording of their oral essay along with a written transcript. Winners are awarded scholarship money based on the level they win. “One of my favorite times of year is watching them compete and read the essays,” says Ron. The Post also gives out local teacher, firefighter and police officer of the year awards honoring outstanding public servants. Another important service of VFW Post 9550 is providing the Color Guard for several community events including the start of the Americana Festival parade, festival kickoff concert and for Centerville High School sporting events. They support Avenue of Flags in Centerville by placing American flags in yards and businesses for all major holidays. This past year, Post 9550 started collecting unserviceable flags and was able to gather more than 150 flags for proper disposal on Flag Day. CONTINUED >

ARTICLE BY NINA WEIERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY APRIL SOVA–REMEMBER WHEN PORTRAITS D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

Post Trustee Bob Brewer, US Navy

Post Adjutant Jason Riley, US Army.

Robert "Bob" Brewer is one of three Trustees at the Centerville VFW Post 9550. Having joined back in 2014 when a friend and neighbor recruited him, Bob says that the most rewarding thing about VFW 9550 is the camaraderie and helping fellow Veterans. Former Post Commander, Ezio Vitali and his son Quartermaster Gus echoed the love of giving back to Veterans and their local community, “It’s not about us in particular, but about our community and Veterans that need our help, whether they know it or not.” The VFW is a nonprofit organization and receives no government funding. They rely solely on individual donations and corporate sponsorships to do the work that they do. Both Ezio and Gus have been members of VFW Post 9550 for 27 years. When asked what the community can do to support the VFW efforts they say, “Come see us when we hand out poppies.” The biggest fundraiser of the year for Centerville VFW Post 9550 is handing out poppies during Memorial and Veterans Day weekends and accepting donations outside Sr. Vice Commander Ron Colombe with Barbie, US Air Force

H OM E TOWN H E R O | L IFE + CULTURE

Rich Hughes, US Air Force

Marilyn Barrett, US Air Force

“A Veteran’s Station” Veterans Memorial outside the Performing Arts Center at Centerville High School.

Bill’s Donuts and Lowe’s. The red poppy became synonymous with fallen troops during World War I and has remained a symbol of their sacrifice ever since. Donations to the VFW are always appreciated as Fred notes, “We depend on donations to help us with the monetary support we provide to different Veterans and community organizations. Without those donations, we wouldn't be able to do as much as we do.” This holiday season, the post is collecting for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and is sponsoring a local family from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base through Adopt-a-Family. Donations from the community will be used to support these efforts. Centerville VFW Post 9550 is always accepting new members. For assistance for a Veteran or with membership, the best way to contact them is by emailing vfwpost9550@ gmail.com. Follow VFW Post 9550 on Facebook for more information about upcoming events and opportunities to support local veterans.

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

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The Season for Giving SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE KIDS, FAMILIES AND ANIMALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

It’s a great time of year to recognize and give thanks to the organizations that provide for our community throughout the year. Whether it’s helping animals, children, families or schools, we can show our appreciation for these services by donating funds, offering our time by volunteering or enjoying one of their holiday programs. We assembled a few of our favorite local nonprofit organizations to see what they have planned for the holiday season.

ARTICLE BY JONATHAN STOUT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

G IV IN G BAC K | LOCA L SERVI CE S

“Our grant projects go above and beyond the standard curriculum and will enhance learning for the students in unique and innovative ways.” Rajeev Goel, CEF Board of Trustees member.

CEF Classroom Grant: Primary Village South In collaboration with the parks district, two outdoor classroom spaces were created to enhance literacy, math and science learning.

CONTINUED >

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

The Society for the Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals (SICSA) SICSA of Dayton promotes the welfare and adoption of companion animals and nurtures lifelong relationships between animals and people. This year they have many holiday events for locals and their furry friends. Lights of Love, beginning December 1, lights up the community with a memorial or honorary lights purchased for $5 each. Those who order at least five lights will receive a keepsake luminary with their loved one’s name. The lights are displayed for the entire month of December. The Friends of SICSA Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, offers homemade treats, pet goods and more. Santa will even be there to take pictures with your pets! SICSA also sponsors Pet Nights at Woodland Lights on December 3 and 19. Participants can walk the trails with pets, visit Santa Claus and enjoy food vendors. The SICSA booth will offer free treats for every pet in attendance. For more information and opportunities to support their efforts, visit SICSA.org.

G IV IN G BAC K | LOCA L SERVI CE S

The Centerville Education Foundation (CEF) CEF is a nonprofit organization founded to enhance the education program in Centerville City Schools. The Foundation depends on support from individuals, businesses and more. Funds are distributed through a grant program that benefits students, faculty and staff. “Our grant projects go above and beyond the standard curriculum and will enhance learning for the students in unique and innovative ways,” says Rajeev Goel, CEF Board of Trustees member. If you need a gift for a Centerville student or alumni, CEF offers a Lego kit specially designed with Brixilated that highlights Centerville. Kits include 83 genuine Lego bricks and a full-color instruction manual. Each kit is $25 with 20% of each sale donated to CEF to fund student scholarships and classroom grants. For those looking for another way to contribute, CEF has recently selected 25 grant projects to fund. Details of all 25 projects are posted on their website for the community to browse and consider making a one-time $25 contribution to the project that they feel most passionate about. CentervilleEducation.org.

Give Back for the Holidays Hannah’s Treasure Chest Hannah’s Treasure Chest of Centerville seeks to enrich the lives of local children in need. They respond to the needs of struggling families and provide clothing, baby equipment, diapers, hygiene items, toys, books and other essential items. Hannah’s Treasure Chest does daily care package fulfillment for children in need. Volunteers hand select items from their warehouse for packages that reflect the unique family profile and checklist of needs provided by their partners. They also offer Beds for Babies and Blankets & Bears programs and Brighter Smiles Dental Kits. Their holiday gift program, Giving Angels, begins in August. They’re currently prepared to serve a record 1,000 children this year. This is accomplished through the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals who purchase and donate children’s wish list items, family gifts and gift cards. “It truly is a Santa’s Workshop-type atmosphere and though the work days are long and hard, everyone loves doing it because we all know the joy it brings to children,” Executive Director Deanna Murphy tells us. Hannah’s Treasure Chest is supported by in-kind and financial donations, events and proceeds from selling overstock donations in their Shop Hannah’s store. To donate, volunteer or learn more visit HannahsTreasure.org.

D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

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H OW TO | HOM E + D ESIG N

snowflake salt dough ornaments

Try out old holiday traditions updated with modern-day trends.

ARTICLE BY LEANN PARKER & AMANDA STOUT PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

CONTINUED > D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

Salt Dough Recipe

Makes about 12 ornaments

Supplies A Festive Holiday Craft Salt dough ornaments are a simple yet beautiful way to adorn spaces and even gifts during the holidays. Making salt dough ornaments is a holiday tradition that you may remember doing with your family in the ‘80s, but the process has been around even longer than that! The use of salt dough is as old as dirt, or you could say as old as clay. Even so, salt dough has made a comeback in recent years and for good reason—it only requires three ingredients, and the festive end product will last for years to come. You’ll be able to pull out the salt dough ornaments you made with your family and decorate with them each winter. We love when old traditions can live throughout the decades as we find ways to reinvent them with modern-day trends. That is exactly what we did here with these lovely Snowflake Salt Dough Ornaments. We hope you follow along to make some yourself this holiday season.

• •

Rolling Pin Snowflake Cookie Cutters (or you can use whatever shapes you have!) Plastic or Metal Straw Cookie Sheet

• •

Parchment Paper Lettered Stamps and Ink Pad (or use acrylic paint, permanent markers) Acrylic Sealer Bakers Twine

Ingredients • •

1 cup All Purpose White Flour ½ cup Table Salt

• •

¼-½ cup Water (approximately) 4 oz White Acrylic Paint

Step One Mix together flour and salt. Add ¼ cup water and paint (if you want a white dough, otherwise you can leave the paint out). Stir to mix. If needed, slowly add more water until you reach a pizza dough consistency.

Step Two Remove dough from the bowl and knead on a floured surface until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Add more flour if too sticky, add more water if too dry.

Step Three To make ornaments, use a rolling pin to roll dough to a ½ to ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to create snowflakes or other shapes. Use a straw to poke a hole at the top of each snowflake to allow a space to thread your twine after baking (the hole will shrink).

Step Four Place ornaments on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 200° F for 2 hours until dry. Flip ornaments every 30 minutes for a faster bake.

Step Five Once cooled, add decorative touches with lettered stamps, acrylic paint or permanent markers. Finally, spray one side of the ornament with an acrylic seal. Let dry, flip and spray the other side.

Step Six Once dried completely, thread twine through the hole created before baking. Tips: Hang your ornaments from a tree, tie to gift boxes as gift tags or use them as place cards at a holiday dinner party. For more DIY’s and seasonal styling ideas, visit SilverToothHome.com. Happy Holidays!

H OW TO | HOM E + D ESIG N

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The City Lifestyle

Giving Campaign Now in its third year, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign will give away $300,000 this holiday season to help individual community members who would benefit from a helping hand during their time of need. But they need YOUR HELP to make it happen! Maybe you know of a single parent struggling to provide, an elderly person who has experienced loss, a child enduring a health issue, a co-worker suffering a sudden, unexpected tragedy or a neighbor with a financial hardship who has fallen between the cracks of getting assistance. Chances are you know someone with a specific need—even if nobody else does. To preserve and protect the dignity of every recipient, the City Lifestyle Giving Campaign is completely confidential. No identities will be revealed or publicized in ANY way. (Even those who nominate others may remain anonymous if they choose.) Last year, City Lifestyle was able to give to more than 70 recipients all over the country by sending checks in the mail through New Year’s Eve. (This year, the goal is to double that number with checks ranging in amounts up to $3,000 each.) With nominations flooding in from community members and leaders such as judges, police officers, teachers, nurses, social workers, mentors and readers like you, we were able to reach people who might otherwise go unnoticed. “We believe in giving back and serving the communities where we live in a real and tangible way,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.” Together with Matthew Perry, Chief Sales Officer, Steven adds that the outpouring and gratitude from the recipients was overwhelming and affirmed that this is a tradition they want to continue. “We believe God has blessed our company with continued success,” Matthew adds, “so we in turn want to be a blessing to others.” City Lifestyle has also enacted an internal giving program whereby every employee in the company receives $100 to give away to someone in the community. “The idea is to encourage our employees to keep doing it on their own,” Steven says. “Taking care of one another and blessing others is so rewarding that it perpetuates a cycle of giving. It’s extremely important to me as a person and as a company to foster that culture of generosity.”

I NSP IR E D BY | L IFE + CULTURE

“This Giving Campaign is all about personally impacting the lives of people we know with an unexpected check in the mail just to say that someone thought of them this holiday season.”

W here ha s t he c a mpa ig n g i f t e d?

Scan Code to

Nominate between Dec. 1 – 15, 2022

Follow @citylifestyle on Instagram for reminders! To submit a nomination, follow @citylifestyle on Instagram and fill out the form found in the bio link. All entries will be read, and because this is not a raffle, there is no need to nominate someone more than once. The amount given to each recipient will be based on need. D ECEMBER 2 0 2 2 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/C E N T E RV I L L E

DECEMBER 2022

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

D E C E M BE R 1 ST - 4 T H , 8T H - 1 1 T H, 15T H - 2 3 RD

D E C E M BE R 2 N D - 1 8T H

D E C E M BE R 9 T H , 1 6T H

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Woodland Lights

COUN TRYS IDE PAR K | 6:00 PM Woodland Lights is back for a month-long celebration of both the holiday season and the 30th year of this grand festival of lights. Join the thousands of visitors who make this an annual affair. Updates abound for 2022 including Lover's Lane and the Woodland ONE-derland Walk. For tickets and more information, please visit WoodlandLights.org.

Mainstage Series: Junior Claus

TOWN HALL THEATRE | 3:00 P M Based on the book and lyrics by Christopher Diamond and music by Michael Kooman, Junior Claus is the tale of the only child of the Claus family and his struggles with taking over the family business. The Mainstage Series performances will take place Dec. 2-18. For tickets and showtimes, please visit WashingtonTwp.org.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Class

RACHEL BAKES & CO | 6:00 PM Linnyloo’s Christmas cookie decorating class is perfect for adults and kids who can work on their own. Rachel Bakes & Co will host classes on Dec. 9 and 16 at 6 p.m. where participants can learn various techniques for making beautiful Christmas cookies. All supplies are provided. For tickets and further information, please visit LinnyLoosCookies.com.

The Children’s Christmas Market

TOWN & COUN TRY S HOPPIN G C E NT E R | 1 1 :0 0 A M Shop handmade and homegrown items at booths run exclusively by kids at Town & Country Shopping Center on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. These young entrepreneurs do all the work, but an adult will be present at each booth. All proceeds benefit the Kettering Backpack program. For further information, please visit DaytonTownandCountry.com. D E C E M BE R 16T H , 1 7 T H , 1 8T H

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An Olde Family Dunbar Christmas

PAUL LAUR EN CE DUN BAR HO US E | 3:0 0 P M Tour the historic Dunbar House while enjoying poetry, music, acting, and singing. The Christmas-themed tours, which run from Dec. 16-18, are offered courtesy of the University of Dayton Department of Music and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park. For reservations and more information, please contact Angela Stewart at 937.203.6631 or angela_j_stewart@nps.gov. OhioHistory.org

Hauer Swing Band Christmas Dance

T HE HIDDEN G EM MUS IC CLUB | 7 :0 0 P M The Hauer Swing Band will perform at the Hidden Gem Music Club in Centerville on Dec. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The band features many of the most talented musicians in the area performing their Christmas show. For tickets and more information, please visit HiddenGemDayton.com/Calendar.

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