As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, I find myself thoroughly enjoying everything about summer. There’s just something about this season that brings about a sense of excitement and adventure.
The pages of our Summer Fun issue will help you make the most of this season in the Greater Dayton area.
From hands-on farm activities at Learning Tree Farm to picking your own beautiful bouquet of fresh cut flowers, we share many ways to experience fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to cap your day off with the quintessential summer treat–soft serve ice cream–from the recently opened Goldies Flavored Soft Serve.
If you’re looking for ways to bring wellness and relaxation to your home, look no further than HotSpring® Spas of Dayton. Transform your backyard with their latest offerings from traditional spas/hot tubs to swim spas and even saunas and grills.
Just like this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope this month’s issue will help enrich your experiences in Centerville and surrounding areas this summer!
July 2023
PUBLISHER
Mark Andrea | mark.andrea@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Amanda Stout | amanda.stout@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Karen Andrea
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Nina Weierman, Amanda Stout, Nan Paraskevopoulos, Rod Bluhm
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Kelly Ann Photography, Christina Littleton Photography, Lindsay Lampert Photography
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
Learn
Proverbs 3:5-6
brought to you by Dayton Children’s Hospital
My primary motivation is the joy I get in helping families get through major and minor orthopedic issues. Every child is special and I try to treat each patient as if they are my own kids.
About Dr. Albert:
• Dr. Albert was one of the first surgeons in the country to pioneer the ApiFix minimally invasive surgery for scoliosis
• Dr. Albert received the 2022 Health Care Hero award for innovation from the Dayton Business Journal.
Centerville resident, Dr. Michael Albert is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and division chief of orthopedics at Dayton Children’s Hospital. He specializes in caring for kids with conditions such as:
• Spinal deformity and scoliosis
• Fractures
• Knee injuries
• Club feet
• Hip dysplasia
• Dr. Albert was born and raised in Ohio and attended Miami University. scan to learn more and book an appointment
15: The 25th Centerville-Washington Foundation annual meeting was held at Yankee Trace Golf Club. 16: CEO and President of Dayton History Brady Kress was honored at the recent meeting. 17: The foundation provides grants to assist with education, poverty, arts, health and more. 18: The foundation presented $2,000 to Centerville-Washington History in Brady’s honor. 19: Brady has been a Centerville-Washington Township community leader since he was young. 20: New levels of generosity have helped to build a better community. 21: Brady has a love for preserving history through storytelling across the Dayton area.
Photography by Centerville-Washington Foundation
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Graceworks has been faithfully caring for and helping older adults and persons with disabilities experience dignity and wholeness in their lives for almost 100 years. Because of this commitment, they were recently named the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics nonprofit winner. "Ethics is not about one or two big things; it’s about the hundreds of little things (our employees) do to care for one another and for our residents and clients," says Judy Budi, Graceworks president and CEO. Graceworks.org
Scan to read more.
The Centerville Education Foundation (CEF) honored a group of outstanding individuals for their commitment to Centerville City Schools (CCS), the community and improving education during their annual Hall of Fame banquet. Nineteen educators, students and alumni were recognized. Some of the awards included: Patricia Kinzig and Christine Montour, Outstanding Educators; Sam McLain, Outstanding Student; Hannah Beachler, Distinguished Alumna; Lisa Tucker, Citizen Advocate; Jessica Ludwig, Special Service Award and Dr. Tom Henderson, former superintendent of CCS, Lifetime Achievement Award. CentervilleEducation.org ; Centerville.k12.oh.us
The City of Centerville received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (ACFR) and Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). These achievements are the highest recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting and represent a significant accomplishment by the city government and its management. The GFOA advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research. CentervilleOhio.gov
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Centerville
LEARNING TREE FARM HAS GIVEN CHILDREN A HANDS-ON FARMING EXPERIENCE FOR 50 YEARS AND COUNTING.
In 1973, two elementary school teachers who saw a need to reconnect their students to nature started Learning Tree Farm, a nonprofit, traditional working farm in Montgomery County. Now fifty years later, with technology, packed schedules and limited access to green spaces, it seems Jean Ryan and Sally Keyes’ mission is more important than ever.
“We encourage children to taste the vegetables growing in our tasting garden and make the farm feel like their own for the day they are visiting,” conveys Executive Director Heather Ritter. “We provide a truly hands-on farming experience that you won't receive at other farms and centers.”
Arriving at the farm feels very much like visiting a friend. The experience is self-guided and allows guests to go into the animal pens and walk through the pastures interacting with the animals in their natural setting. “A favorite activity at the farm is picking up a chicken,” shares Heather.
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“We encourage children to taste the vegetables growing in our tasting garden and make the farm feel like their own for the day they are visiting.”
Beyond visiting the animals, kids may play on the nature playscape or follow the storybook trail to the tire swing. Learning Tree Farm also offers unique events like Sheep Shearing Day, when visitors are invited to watch and learn about sheep herding and shearing. There are summer camps, story times, volunteer days and a Nature Preschool.
Each month there is a plethora of calendar activities including Summer Saturday Farm School kicking off in July. Autumnfest, the farm’s annual fundraiser event held September 16 features pony rides, food trucks, educational and craft booths, hayrides, live music, pumpkin chucking and farm demonstrations.
Learning Tree Farm has seen amazing growth over the years. During the farm’s first year, 200 children visited for field trips. Attendance for field trips alone is now more than 9,000 children per year. Along the way, the farm has stayed true to their mission and made improvements to the experience. Heather came on board in 2019 as executive director and saw the farm through additional pandemic challenges.
“In 2020, we were able to raise $43,000 from donors to install city water and a hand wash station for our visitors,” shares Heather. In 2022 they laid concrete paths throughout the farm property to allow individuals with disabilities to have equitable access to their animals, gardens and shelter house.
During Heather’s tenure, the farm has added scouting programs, started a pollinator program, began college internships, and started the Saturday volunteer days that allow participants to dig into a variety of tasks needed at the farm. “I am very proud of the amazing staff of 26 individuals we have at the farm who help us develop and run the programs, nature preschool and field trips,” acknowledges Heather.
In addition to volunteer days and volunteering for big events like Autumnfest, the farm also welcomes corporate groups to set up a day to volunteer for team building. Other ways to support Learning Tree Farm include financial donations and donations of supplies. “We love receiving gift cards from Tractor Supply, Amazon, or Lowes,” says Heather.
To find out more about the programs and how to support Learning Tree Farm visit LearningTreeFarm.org
As the sun shines brightly and temperatures soar, July beckons us to embrace the outdoors and indulge in rejuvenating experiences. George Dalhamer, owner/ operator of HotSpring® of Dayton, knows this better than anyone. Operating in Dayton since 1981, George’s business sells spas (also known as hot tubs), saunas, and grills - all designed to provide a sanctuary for unwinding and finding solace amidst the hustle of daily life.
When George opened his showroom more than 40 years ago, he was in the energy business. He wanted a spa himself and went to a showroom to ask about the energy efficiency. He was so impressed that he decided to switch his entire business model. Now he sells one line of spas - HotSpring.
“Within a year I had dropped everything else. I'm only satisfied with the best. And you can't have two of the best,” George says. “Because we’re exclusive with the manufacturer, they go the extra mile for us which allows us to go the extra mile for our customers.”
Wellness has been a guiding principle for HotSpring of Dayton since the beginning. They carry some of the first spas on the market to pass the rigorous California Energy Commission guidelines. They also boast innovative options such as remote starts, treadmills and bicycles in the swim spas. George is passionate about creating a trusted space for people who are seeking to enhance their physical performance and looking to add recovery options into their homes and backyards.
He explains, “I don't go to a third party to deliver. I don't go to a third party for servicing. I use people who work for me. We look at our customers as being part of our family. I'm proud to say we've got more than 20,000 family members here in the Miami Valley.”
His first venture out of the world of spas was an easy step - saunas. Inspired by the health and wellness cultures of countries like Finland and Sweden, George invested in the Finnleo brand. Within that brand HotSpring carries a variety of options - steam, infrared, and combination (also with remote start options). “It’s a chance to get that moment of Zen,” he says. “You get the detox, skin benefits and cardiovascular benefit, but it’s really about that moment. In Europe, the whole family goes into the sauna together.”
More recently, George has been excited about the Traeger line of grills. Using wood pellets instead of gas means not only is the grilling process carbon neutral, but the organic veggies and pasture-raised burgers are cooked in a way that feels more intuitive for a wellness-minded family.
George shares, “I noticed once I started cooking strictly with wood pellets that the food actually tastes different. The exhaust of burning wood pellets is exactly the flavor you want without the aftertaste of propane. It’s cooking without all those toxins. And when the pellets burn down, you can simply use the ash as fertilizer.”
HotSpring of Dayton is a business, but it’s also the vision of George Dalhamer. Prioritizing the health and wellness of himself and his neighbors, George provides the Dayton area opportunities to stay well and enjoy moments of quiet luxury.
HOTSPRING AWARDS:
• Outstanding Sales and Service Award
• Superior Consistency Award
• 2x Showroom Design Award
• Locksin Thompson Global Dealer of the Year Award
HOTSPRING OF DAYTON 6100 Wilmington Pike, Dayton 937.848.3366 | HotSpring-Dayton.com
There’s nothing quite like a bouquet to brighten up a typical day or special celebration. And just like the in-season fruits and vegetables we get to enjoy during the summer months, we can also find fresh florals grown, quite literally, in local farmers’ backyards. We’ll share where to find them and tips and tricks for lovely arrangements featuring flowers grown in Southwest Ohio.
While many flower farms and shops are selling locally grown florals, two growers sprouted up last summer in Washington Township and Springboro.
BrownTrout Acres, located on nearly four acres of land in suburban Washington Twp. is owned by Tracy Trout and Zach Brownlee. Tracy, a registered nurse, and Zach, a ceramic artist, moved back to the area after twenty years and immediately wanted to find a way to make use of their land and build a community.
Tracy shares, “We decided that growing cut flowers was a way to merge our love for gardening and natural beauty. Last year we offered a handful of flower subscriptions to test the waters and we were hooked! It has truly been a joy to share the flowers that we have grown and nurtured from seed to vase.”
Under the Pines Flower Farm, a five-acre farm in Springboro owned by Liz and Jake Cassinari came about in a bittersweet moment. Liz, who was widowed with three children (LillyMae 14, Zoey 10, and Ever Pieniazek 8) was starting to heal after remarrying when she and Jake decided to go on a camping trip for their honeymoon. They happened upon a flower farm that offered Liz the seed for the flower farm idea.
“We saw a beautiful field of colors and stopped for a closer look. It reminded
me there is so much beauty even in the pain. The owners let us cut flowers to bring with us, and an idea was planted. Jake wasn’t sure at first, but we dipped a toe in last year with a flower cart and the community loved it,” shares Liz.
They have since added Journey, now age 2, to the brood. All of the kids are homeschooled and taking care of the farm is a family affair, with daughter LillyMae helping run the U-Pick operation this year.
Both farms grow many varieties each season, but they have a couple of favorite flowers.
“Our favorite flower is probably the Zinnia. We love how many varieties and colors there are! They are truly such a giving flower. Zinnias are a must-have in any cut-and-come-again garden,” says Liz.
”Dahlias are breathtaking and spectacularly diverse. It is hands down the most asked-about flowers when we have them in our arrangements. They also multiply over the growing season so you can often get five or more new plants from a single tuber at the end of the season. Both of our grandparents grew them so we feel it’s in our blood to love and grow these dazzling flowers,” Tracy enthuses.
There are key benefits to buying local flowers, going far beyond their freshness and beauty.
“Many cut flowers available in stores and floral shops come from Central and South America and may be full of pesticides and fungicides while also carrying a big carbon footprint,” explains Tracy. “When you buy local flowers, you support your local community and farmers while also promoting healthy soil.”
Liz shares, “Being around flowers has been shown to increase dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin levels in your brain! Not only is it amazing for you but it also supports farmers, families and ecosystems that are right in your community. We are firm believers that a community needs to support its community.”
These local flower growers are just starting their farming journeys, but they have goals for how they might continue to expand their offerings for their neighbors.
Under the Pines is considering a flower CSA next year and would love to offer farm-to-table meals amongst the flowers using crops from their family vegetable
gardens, as well as photography sessions as a perk for their subscribers. Says Liz, “We want to help foster a love for neighbors knowing neighbors and we want to do that with flowers.”
At BrownTrout Acres, they plan to create more offerings with each season while staying small-scale. They will also be offering tulips in the offseason through indoor bulb forcing next year. Tracy explains it’s not only about what the land does for them, but how they can support the land as well.
“We strive to be good land stewards and are committed to building the soil and putting nutrients back into the earth. Our goal is to create a regenerative farm with cultivated growing areas as well as areas of natural habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. We intend to bring back a little ‘wild’ to the suburbs!”
"Our goal is to create a regenerative farm with cultivated growing areas as well as areas of natural habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. We intend to bring back a little ‘wild’ to the suburbs!”
WHERE TO FIND LOCAL FLOWERS
UNDER THE PINES FLOWER FARM
833 East State Rt 73, Springboro 419.722.2823 | underthepines5@gmail.com
U-Pick Fri/Sat/Sun
Check social media for updates.
Flower Varieties: Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, celosia, marigolds, linaria, bells of Ireland, Iceland
poppies, snapdragons
BROWNTROUT ACRES
9501 Paragon Road, Dayton 828.335.0221| BrownTroutAcres.com
Seasonal flower subscriptions that include local delivery within a 10-mile radius of Centerville. Individual arrangements when available.
Flower Varieties: Sunflowers, zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, lisianthus, snapdragons, rudbeckia, goldenrod, yarrow, celosia, feverfew
DOROTHY LANE MARKET
6177 Far Hills Ave, Washington Township 937.434.1294 | DorothyLane.com
Local growers: That Girl’s Flowers, Peach Mountain Organics, TraceyRae Farmer/Florist, The Flower Fields, Hungry Toad Farm
Flower Varieties: Mixed bouquets, dahlias, celosia, spring ranunculus, sunflowers, specialty tulips, single variety consumer bunches (snapdragons, lisianthus, etc.)
CUT “A clean, sharp cut allows the stems to take up water. Dull cuts and mashed stems will shorten the life of your flowers,” says Stuart Delk, floral director at Dorothy Lane Market
ARRANGE “Narrow-mouth jars and vases will hold your flowers more upright. Wide-mouth containers will require more stems and generally gives a more relaxed presentation,” explains Stuart. “Start with larger flowers first and build around those creating balance but don’t worry about perfect symmetry.”
MAINTAIN “Keep flowers cool, out of direct sunlight and away from fresh ripening fruit. Changing water daily, trimming stems at an angle and removing blooms as they fade will prolong your bouquet,” shares Tracy.
THE FLOWERMAN 70A Westpark Rd, Dayton 937.433.8610 | FlowermanFlowers.com
The walk-in cooler offers florals sourced locally and internationally, varying week-to-week.
Flower Varieties: Celosia, cosmos, gomphrena, marigolds, scabiosa, zinnias, and other mixed assortment florals
Goldies Flavored Soft Serve opened on May 5, less than six months after the idea for the shop was conceived. Scott Maney and Jason Head were enjoying a long weekend with their families and reminiscing about their love of classic ice cream shops from their youth. Rather than brush it off, they discussed opening a shop with their friend and neighbor, Alex Gabbard. With everyone on board, including their spouses, they got to work.
“Typically, those hot ideas are forgotten about. This one had legs, so we came back and talked with Alex. That was right before Thanksgiving, and by Christmas, we had the space leased and we were off to the races,” explains Scott.
The owners’ wives, Alicia, Lindsey and Maria are credited with the name “Goldies,” a reference to the families’ pet golden retrievers and love of dogs. Scott’s family has two goldens, Leo and Lou. Jason’s is named Daisy and Alex grew up with the beloved breed as pets.
Alex, Scott and Jason were intentional in their use of local services and companies in creating Goldies. Everything from the build-out to the flooring, security system and graphic design was done by companies from Centerville or the surrounding area.
GOLDIES FLAVORED SOFT SERVE BRINGS THE SIMPLE PLEASURES OF ICE CREAM AND COMMUNITY TO CENTERVILLE.
The walk-up ice cream shop boasts 48 flavors for soft serve ice cream. Each serving is individually mixed using Borden milk from Ohio dairies in Cleveland and Cincinnati and your choice of flavor. Ice cream can be served up in a sugar cone, waffle cone or a dish. You can add rainbow sprinkles, chocolate sprinkles or Krunch Koat. The Krunch Koat has already found many fans.
The owners’ favorite flavors are peanut butter, caramel and wild cherry chill, while top sellers have been fudge brownie and peanut butter. Goldies was created with simplicity in mind, but new, delectable creations will be offered occasionally, such as ice cream nachos which were introduced for a limited time in mid-May.
Goldies has 65 employees (including Jason and Lindsey’s son Carter and Maria Gabbard’s children, Evan and Bella Tharp), most of them high school students. They allow kids to work a limited schedule and gain experience in a fun, positive work environment. The owners have enjoyed watching them grow and work as a team. Those who have shown their leadership potential have been promoted to shift leads.
Goldies is a family-friendly shop and a community gathering place. Jason says, “Our price point reflects that. You can charge as much as you want for this stuff, but we wanted to keep it lower so that families could enjoy it no matter what.”
Free pup cups with mini dog treats are also available for all dogs. Open seasonally, Goldies hours are 12-10 p.m. seven days per week.
“When they first came to me with the idea, I thought they were joking because we're always joking with each other. My wife Maria said, ‘I don't think so. I think they're serious.’ It's been a fun ride ever since. These two guys are great to work with, and it has strengthened our friendship,” says Alex.
Scott, Jason, and Alex undoubtedly love their ice cream, but even more, Goldies is about their love of family, community and the fun of gathering with friends and furry pals. Goldies Flavored Soft Serve is located at 9352 Dayton Lebanon Pike. You can check out the current menu at GoldiesSoftServe.com.
MAIN STREET | 9:30 AM
Ohio’s largest one-day festival is back with all the pomp and circumstance of the grand parade leading into the festivities. The street fair features vendors, food trucks, music, street performers, a car show, a kid’s activity area and a 5K run/walk. For a complete schedule of events go to AmericanaFestival.org .
SCHOOLHOUSE PARK | 10:30 AM
All ages are welcome to enjoy this free event. Bring a blanket and the whole family and hear a story courtesy of the Washigton-Centerville Public Library. Nature-themed activities will follow the story. This event is scheduled for July 10 at 10:30 a.m. To register as recommended, please visit CWPD.org
STUBBS PARK | 5:30 PM
Join the party at Stubbs Park! The second edition of Party in the Park will feature the local band, Stranger. There will also be more than 30 vendors and local businesses, food trucks and alcohol sales. Stranger will take the stage at 7:00 p.m. For details please visit CentervilleOhio.gov.
RIVERSCAPE METROPARK | 7:00 PM
This free concert will feature The Dayton Jazz Orchestra. Bring your dancing shoes and a chair to the pavilion at RiverScape MetroPark. Food and beverage sales will be available. This event is weather dependent and is scheduled for July 20 at 7:00 p.m. MetroParks.org
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Centerville
DAYTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT | 9:00 AM
The Dayton Air Show returns with a full slate of performers, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Golden Knights. Enjoy ground displays, plane and helicopter rides, a children's play area and more. For a complete list of performers, schedule of events and ticket information, visit DaytonAirShow.com .
OAK GROVE PARK | 11:00 AM
The Seventh Annual Big Backyard Party will offer an afternoon full of activities for kids of all ages. Children can participate in fishing, inflatables, archery, field games, face painting and many other programs. Food trucks will be on hand too. Registration is required for this party. Go to CWPD.org
Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark.
Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.
Take
Visit
Go
Explore
Try
Hike
Explore
Read
Go
