It’s no secret that kids and pets can bring immense feelings of joy and fulfillment to our lives. That's why we love to celebrate them in our Kids + Pets issue.
If you were to look at my Instagram feed, you would see a lot of dog content—specifically golden retriever puppies. While I know my parents would prefer a grandchild instead, I do hope to welcome a puppy to my home soon.
One thing I admire about children is their limitless imagination, from big dreams to stories of wild adventure. The Dayton area is full of ways to cultivate children's creativity from exploring the great outdoors to more structured arts programming. Read about the whimsical world of Aullwood Audubon nature sanctuary and family fun programming from The Lange Family Experiencenter at the Dayton Art Institute.
Every issue, we love sharing a nonprofit organization with our readers. This month we have two incredible organizations that have been helping local residents and pets for many years. Learn more about The Therapeutic Riding Institute and the Humane Society of Greater Dayton and their impact in our community.
From time to time, we get story ideas suggested by community members. A few months ago we were amazed by three local teenagers who worked together to raise funds to fight cancer. Join us in celebrating Naisha Patel of Centerville High School and Anya Paliwal and Maya Patel of The Miami Valley School who raised $210,726 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Check out these Student Visionaries of the Year and read about their mission. With summer winding down, we hope that you take time with your family and fur babies to explore our wonderful community as well as the August issue of Centerville Lifestyle
PUBLISHER
Mark Andrea | mark.andrea@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Amanda Stout | amanda.stout@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Karen Andrea
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Rod Bluhm, Nina Weierman, Nan Paraskevopoulos, Michelle Moody
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Christina Littleton Photography, Michelle Moody
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall
MARK
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsi Southard
ANDREA, PUBLISHER @CENTERVILLELIFESTYLE
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Born with Down syndrome, Avery has been followed by the specialists at Dayton Children’s since she was a baby. From cardiology to audiology and many specialties in between, her family considers the Dayton Children’s care team part of their family. After being diagnosed with significant hearing loss, Avery was fitted with a pair of pink, sparkly hearing aids. For months, Avery would exclaim “I can hear!” as she experienced the new world of hearing! Avery is active in Special Olympics gymnastics, exercise classes, horseback riding, and is a delightful homeschool student. Avery even wants to be a nurse when she grows up!
above and beyond
Avery Abshear, age 10, Centerville resident
The City of Centerville is developing an improvement plan to refresh and expand the use of the 19th-century picturesque estate of Benham’s Grove for generations in the future. Improvements will make the space more accessible for all guests, including a new building that will make it possible to host weddings and other events year round. The project is currently in the design phase and public bidding is anticipated for September 2023 with a contract award in December 2023. CentervilleOhio.gov
The Centerville Noon Optimist Club recognized their scholarship and contest winners at their annual Youth Recognition night in June. In addition to enjoying appetizers and a sundae bar together, local students were recognized in the following categories: Memorial Scholarships, Will Cale Scholarships, Skilled Trade Scholarships, Oratorical Contest, Essay Contest, Got Talent Contest, Photography Contest, Visual Arts Contest and Youth Appreciation Award. For more information about the Centerville Noon Optimist Club and their scholarship and contest programs, visit CentervilleNoonOptimist.com .
Join Centerville-Washington History at Benham's Grove on September 7 from 5-8 p.m. for their annual A Sense of Taste event. Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants, live music, a cash bar and other vendors. It’s a wonderful way to support Centerville-Washington History and spend a fun evening with family and friends. Tickets must be purchased in advance on their website, in person at the Walton House Museum or by calling 937.433.0123 during museum hours. CentervilleWashingtonHistory.org
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Centerville
IF YOU ARE READING THIS... SO IS YOUR BEST CLIENT.
The Therapeutic Riding Institute offers equine-assisted therapy to kids and adults.
ARTICLE BY ROD BLUHM | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA LITTLETON PHOTOGRAPHY
Tucked away on 23.5 acres in nearby Spring Valley, the Therapeutic Riding Institute (TRI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. TRI is a place for healing— helping kids and adults with a variety of diagnoses through equine-assisted therapy.
Founded in 1973 by Betty Lou Townley and Linden Moore in Betty Lou’s own backyard, the organization traveled from one boarding facility to another before the TRI farm was purchased in 2019. It is now the only premier accredited center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship in the Dayton area.
Growing from their modest beginnings, the volunteer-driven community service now boasts a large
indoor riding arena with a temperature-controlled viewing room, a barn with grooming stalls and a tack room and acreage for horse turnout.
Executive Director Stephanie Llacuna has a passion for horses, wellness and children. “When this position opened up, I felt called to it. It was time for me to make a change, and I thought I could bring something to the organization that would be positive,” she recalls. Stephanie is a classical musician who was performing and teaching before getting involved in the nonprofit sector in 2012. She was previously a philanthropy officer for Dayton Children’s.
Therapeutic Riding is the core program at TRI for people ages five and up with a range of medical diagnoses from anxiety to cerebral palsy. Students are evaluated by Program Director Sam Ingersoll to confirm their class fit, set individualized lesson goals and determine a compatible horse and correct tack or equipment. TRI has a wide variety of saddles, reins, stirrups and other tack adapted for different abilities and needs.
The Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors’ (CTRI) skill sets go far beyond knowing about horses and riding. Their training enables them to work with diagnoses from autism to spina bifida. TRI currently sees about 75 students per 10-week session with riders visiting weekly for 45-minute lessons. They also offer popular summer camps in June and July.
Horses that participate in the program are selected carefully. Only horses with the proper disposition are chosen to take part and are retired from therapeutic riding when necessary due to the specialized work involved.
There are countless benefits associated with participating in TRI programs. Therapeutic riding students experience physical activity that may not otherwise be possible, find themselves in social situations more conducive to forming friendships and feel the empathetic nature of the horse.
Sam explains the physical aspect of riding, “The horse's gate is the closest you can get to a human’s gate, so the movement of the horse is activating a lot of muscles that people in wheelchairs, walkers or with limited mobility wouldn't normally be able to.”
Stephanie highlights the social benefits, “One of the moms at our gala shared that her daughter had her first birthday party where she had friends come. I get a little weepy thinking about it.”
Sam and instructor Jess Rice share an experience of working with Centerville riding student, Avery. She suddenly became fearful of getting on a horse during summer camp last year, but with daily attention, care and incremental progress, her confidence returned. Emotions were high when she finally rode again.
TRI’s future goals include increasing the number of students and public awareness, improving internal and external communications and establishing lasting partnerships with organizations.
“It's been an amazing experience to work here,” says Stephanie. “Our team is incredible, from our instructors to our directors and everybody who works in the barn.”
If you’re interested in supporting TRI, their peaceful farm has more than 200 volunteers but needs more. Therapeutic riding and farm work require many hands. Experience with horses is only necessary to qualify for some positions.
TRI will host their gala, Stetsons and Sterling, on September 9 at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature music, dinner, a live auction, student riding demonstrations and more. To purchase tickets, find out about sponsorships or learn more about therapeutic riding, visit TRIOhio.org
Therapeutic Riding Institute
3960 Middle Run Rd, Spring Valley 937.317.4001 | TRIOhio.org
“When this position opened up, I felt called to it. It was time for me to make a change, and I thought I could bring something to the organization that would be positive.”
Aullwood Audubon provides the perfect setting for a nature-filled family outing.
Denmark-based recycle art activist Thomas Dambo builds stunning, larger-than-life trolls from recycled materials. One hundred of these creative creatures can be found around the world in locations as far away as Australia, South Korea and Belgium. Three of his woodland masterpieces call Aullwood Audubon their home, just a short 30-minute drive to the north.
Aullwood Audubon is a 200-acre nature sanctuary and educational farm with eight miles of tree-shaded trails, open prairies and category-three wetlands. Aullwood is an environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats.
“We’re all about what birds need to survive and thrive,” says Laurie Cothran, development and marketing manager at Aullwood Audubon. “That’s why Audubon exists. It’s also to get people excited about birds.”
Many of Aullwood’s attractions and events are hands-on, so the COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the organization. The team was looking for something big and unique that would encourage people to come back to the woods while also incorporating their focus on science, nature, conservation, recycling and a love of birds. The Executive Director
at that time, Alexis Faust, knew of Thomas Dambo.
“She knew that he built trolls from wood and all recycled materials, which follows our mission,” says Laurie. “He had an opening in his schedule to create trolls at Aullwood. It was like a miracle!”
The staff had only six months to gather all the materials, line up the volunteers and coordinate the visits from the artist. Most of the wood used to build the sculptures came from fallen trees on the property. What resulted are three whimsical trolls and a giant-sized nest tucked along the winding nature paths. The sculptures are woven into their mission of education and stewardship of birds through a delightful tale.
“How fun it is to go out in the woods and see these incredible structuresthat are really like a genius built them,” describes Laurie.
“The Troll That Hatched an Egg” exhibit opened in the fall of 2021 and tells the story of a family of trolls that loves birds and calls Aullwood Audubon their home. One day a large metal “bird” (airplane) drops her “eggs” (propane tanks) into the woods. The family decides to build a nest to try to hatch these eggs. Father troll Bo, mother Bodil, their daughter Bibbi and the nest can be found nestled along the trails at Aullwood.
CONTINUED >
Bodil gathers the fallen “eggs.”“Thomas Dambo inspires people all over the world to look at trash as something other than trash–it could be a treasure,” Laurie reflects. “I think it's a wonderful perspective that Thomas helps people want to protect and preserve our beautiful earth and recycle as much as possible.”
Beyond the trails and trolls, Aullwood offers educational workshops, camps, events, wedding venues, a hands-on nature center and more. Its farm is home to unique breeds of animals that are on the Livestock Conservancy’s endangered and threatened species list. In July, they opened a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that spans 800 feet along the marsh.
To help maintain the nonprofit sanctuary, there is a small admission charge, but they also offer a variety of low-cost annual membership options. One of the many benefits of membership is reciprocity with Cincinnati Nature Center, the Association of Nature Centers and the National Audubon Society, which collectively includes 180 nature centers around the country.
“You can never get too much nature-it always gives back to you,” says Laurie.
For a unique end-of-summer activity or a special kickoff to fall, add an afternoon of outdoor exploration at the Aullwood Audubon to your plans. Check the website for lists of events and other educational opportunities happening throughout the year at Aullwood.org .
Whether you're considering bringing a feline companion into your life or want homeless cats to be cared for, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton (HSGD) has got you covered. As a leading no-kill shelter in the area, they offer a range of initiatives centered around cats. From their MeowZa! Cat Boutique to their Community Cat Initiative, the HSGD is dedicated to finding forever homes for cats and ensuring their welfare.
The MeowZa! Cat Boutique is an innovative and extremely cute pet store inside the Dayton Mall operated by HSGD. Cats who are ready to be adopted (socialized, spayed or neutered and vaccinated) can be adopted right inside the mall, giving them a second chance at happiness. Their knowledgeable volunteers can also help you find the right food, toys and beds to pamper your furry companion.
Cats can have three litters per year and up to four kittens per litter. Euthanizing cats doesn’t actually help keep their population down. Instead, the HSGD focuses on their Community Cat Initiative, which spays or neuters and vaccinates community cats. By prioritizing the needs of community cats, the Humane Society ensures their well-being while also reducing overpopulation.“Then their numbers decrease through attrition, as nature intended,” says President and CEO Brian Weltge.
The well-being of local animals is so central to the Human Society’s mission that the Greater Dayton headquarters has opened a veterinary hospital for families to bring their pets. This is a low-cost service for all Montgomery County residents and their pets. “We have beautiful new facilities. We built out a full-service hospital to serve the underserved in our community. There are people who love their pets like anyone else does, but they have a financial barrier. We want to help people where they are,” says Brian. “I’m so thankful to our donors, our board and our team who helped this vision become a reality.”
Apart from cat adoption and fostering, there are numerous ways to support the Humane Society of Greater Dayton’s mission: to build a community in which all animals are valued and free from suffering and life is enhanced through the relationship with pets. One notable opportunity is the Fore Paws Golf Classic, happening August 28 at the NCR Country Club. Organizations and groups can purchase options to golf as a foursome, sponsor a hole and ultimately support the lifesaving work happening at the shelter through their participation.
On November 18, they are hosting their 32nd Annual Pet Afflaire Gala at the Dayton Arcade. This event includes a gourmet meal, auctions and treats on silver platters for the pets who are welcome to attend.
The HSGD is a true champion for animal welfare in the community. Their innovative approaches to adoption, veterinary practices and even fundraising are making a difference in the lives of animals and the people who love them. For more information on the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, visit HSDayton.org
Consider safety. Ensure your home is a safe environment by removing toxic plants (like lilies) or even just closing windows. Create areas for perching, scratching and resting.
Take time to budget. Having a pet requires regular check-ups, vaccinations and occasionally emergency care, as well as food, treats and toys.
Evaluate your lifestyle. Each cat has a unique personality, just like people. Talk to the HSGD about what you’re looking for in a pet, so they can help you find the right fit.
Try fostering a cat. When you foster you are actually helping twice as many animals. You welcome one cat into your home, but you also free up cage space at HSGD so that the shelter can then welcome another homeless pet in need of help.
The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) offers even the youngest members of our community ways to engage with the art world. The Lange Family Experiencenter, an interactive art gallery for all ages, provides informal learning opportunities for children and their caregivers, encouraging families to interact with art and learn together.
“As an education team, we understand that children often learn best through hands-on engagement. By having a gallery dedicated to interaction, we allow children to be active participants in their experience at the DAI as they can play, make and rest during their time at the museum,” shares Matthew Boyd, museum educator.
The DAI offers a program called Tiny Thursdays that is geared directly toward children ages 2 to 5 and their caregivers. The program includes story time, a gallery visit and an artmaking project.
“I think the biggest misconception about kids and art museums is that it’s not meant for them or that they will not understand the subjects. Some of the most interesting and meaningful art conversations I have ever had have come from engaging with students,” explains Matthew.
ARTICLE BY NINA WEIERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDEDCommunity and school tours of the collection gallery, classes, workshops, and a wide range of programs for families, children, and youth are offered by DAI. Open to all ages and all levels of artistic ability, the ARTventures program explores the artistic processes of a highlighted artwork in the museum’s collection and guides participants in making their very own art projects. Some examples include creating a unique pottery sculpture or making a 3D poster. Those looking for a more immersive experience might look into summer art camps that are offered for children in the first through ninth grades.
“Some of our most unique opportunities are our Yeck Education Programs,” provides Matthew.
The Yeck Artist-in-Residence (AiR) fellowship offers an opportunity for families and children to connect directly with an artist within the galleries, particularly in the Lange Family Experiencenter. There are also several scholarship and fellowship opportunities made possible by The Dorothy and Bill Yeck Endowment that allows the DAI to assist in the development of promising student artists ranging from middle school to college.
There are so many ways for children to enjoy the DAI and the benefits that come along with engaging with art. The programs offered integrate elements from other disciplines, such as history, literature, science and technology. This interdisciplinary approach provides children with a well-rounded educational experience, fostering connections between different subjects.
“SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING AND MEANINGFUL ART CONVERSATIONS I HAVE EVER HAD HAVE COME FROM ENGAGING WITH STUDENTS.”
“We like to think of ourselves as a leading interdisciplinary resource to our community that strives to promote critical thinking, close looking and practicing empathy through all our children's programs,” expresses Matthew.
As a museum educator, Matthew has had a frontrow seat to kids making connections and having aha moments in the museum. He recalled speaking to a group of third graders about the painting “View of Cincinnati” by Edward Beyer.
“The moment the students understood that we were looking at an early image of Ohio you could see the wonder wash over their faces. Realizing how tough it must’ve been to build Cincinnati, the students then began to ponder about how Dayton might look in the future, and more importantly, what their role would be in creating it. It was a marvelous moment,” shares Matthew.
The DAI offers the opportunity for kids to disconnect from everyday concerns and step into a different realm. “A day spent at the museum with young kids is a day spent making memories, sharing insights and building connections. While we pride
ourselves on being educational, it’s also a place to recharge batteries and escape the world for a little bit too,” says Matthew.
For more information on all programs and events offered by the Dayton Art Institute, visit DaytonArtInstitute.org
Local high school freshmen are recognized for their fundraising efforts in the fight against cancer.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) offers many initiatives to engage high school students in their mission. One such program is the Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign which is a philanthropic leadership development program for high school students. Young people who participate form a team and compete in fundraising the most money for the cause to earn the title of Visionaries of the Year.
Working as a team, Naisha Patel of Centerville High School and Anya Paliwal
and Maya Patel of The Miami Valley School raised $210,726. They earned the title of Visionaries of the Year and were also recognized with the LLS Advocacy Mission Award for their commitment to mission integration during fundraising. These rising sophomores were able to accomplish a truly amazing feat while in their freshman year of high school.
Friends before becoming team “Crafting a Cure,” Naisha, Anya and Maya credit their bond as one of the key elements that led
to their success along with support from their family, friends and community. They also share a love for arts and crafts which inspired their team name.
“Maya and I both have a passion for art, painting and crafts and Anya shows her creativity when it comes to events. So since we all have creative minds, we decided to incorporate that into the name of our team,” shares Naisha.
Together they met their goals through fundraising efforts including restaurant
ARTICLEBY NINA WEIERMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK'S PHOTOS AND VIDEOS & PROVIDED
takeovers, raffles and reaching out to family and friends. They found motivation by experiencing firsthand how people felt about the cause they were working for. “My favorite part of the program was putting smiles on people’s faces when they learned what we were doing,” expresses Maya.
The team also drew inspiration from Naisha’s father, Dr. Piyush V. Patel, an oncologist. “Watching how he has given this community hope and seeing how many people he has helped inspired me to do the same,” says Naisha. Anya shared that Dr. Patel is “a huge inspiration to me as well because of his impact on society through the medical field.”
Naisha, Anya and Maya gained more self-confidence and learned a lot along the way including how to speak to potential donors. “I talked to hundreds of strangers throughout the program, asking them for a minute of their time where I could have the opportunity to tell them about our team, cause and the campaign we were running. I would make it authentic, rather than just your typical elevator spiel,” explains Anya.
When asked what advice they may have for students looking to participate in the Student Visionaries of the Year program, all three of these remarkable young ladies share how important it is to stay committed to the cause. Though there were many challenges along the way, they were able to gain real-life experience and achieve their goals through perseverance.
A gala is held at the end of the Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign to recognize the efforts of each team and honor the Student Visionaries of the Year. There, the team was able to not only see the results of their hard work but also of everyone participating in the program. “I also loved attending the gala because not only did I see the result of our team’s dedication and hard work but also the other teams,” shares Naisha.
The 2023 Student Visionaries of the Year Ohio River Valley Region, which includes teams from Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Northern Kentucky, raised a grand total of $415,003. To learn more about Student Visionaries of the Year and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, visit LLSStudentVisionaries.org .
Chickens have become increasingly popular as pets in both suburban and urban areas during the last 20 years. Backyard chickens may seem to be an unsuspecting animal to keep as a pet but the tried and true egg producers are back in fashion as food costs are soaring and families are looking for more food independence in light of recent supply chain shortages.
There’s a lot to like about raising chickens in your backyard. Surprisingly, chickens are relatively low maintenance. And bonus – unlike dogs, they don’t need to be bathed or groomed, and they don’t shed on your clothes or require training. Could backyard chickens be the perfect pet/producer to add to your home?
First, check local town ordinances to ensure that keeping chickens is even allowed in your neighborhood or if there is a limit to the number of chickens you can keep at once.
Make sure you have the space for a henhouse or a full-size chicken coop. It has to hold a feeder and water containers, a roosting area, and a nest box for every three hens. A proper coop should be large enough that you can stand in it to gather eggs and shovel manure comfortably, but a simple hen house can be quite a bit smaller. Plus, any housing must be sturdy enough to keep your chickens safe from all the predators out there. Gorgeous coops are aplenty on places like Pinterest if you’re building your own, but many pre-made options are available through various farm supply stores as well.
Chickens need food and water daily. Feed is about $20 per 50-pound bag, but prices vary depending on your location and the quality of the feed. How long a bag lasts depends on the number of chickens you have.
Hens will lay eggs through Spring and Summer and into the Fall, as long as they have 12 to 14 hours of daylight. Expect to collect eggs daily, or even twice a day.
Everything you need to get started on your backyard coop.
GRAETER’S ICE CREAM - CENTERVILLE | 5:30 PM
Former American Idol contestant Alexis Gomez will appear at Graeter’s Ice Cream in Centerville. The Alexis Gomez Trio will play along with Tom Lee of nearby Spring Valley. The event is part of the new Uptown Music Series created to expand the arts in the community. This is a free event. For updates see BandsinTown.com
STUBBS PARK | 7:00 PM
Creedence Revived takes the stage at Stubbs Amphitheatre for the Summer Concert Series. The group of four talented musicians from Los Angeles and Chicago has played to sell-out crowds around the world. Bring your chairs and blankets, grab your spot and enjoy the music. The concert starts at 7 p.m. For details visit CentervilleOhio.gov.
STUBBS PARK | 5:30 PM
Join the last party of 2023 at Stubbs Park! The third Party in the Park of the season will feature The Dave Matthews Tribute Band. There will also be more than 30 vendors and local businesses, food trucks and alcohol sales. The music will start at 7 p.m. For details please visit CentervilleOhio.gov
Made entirely from local flours, this naturally leavened loaf symbolizes the local circle formed when farmer and baker partner together.
Made Right Here in the DLM Bakehouse with Red Fife from Branstrator Farm, Turkey Red Wheat from Danny Jones/Edward Hill/Dale Friesen, and Maverick Spelt from Brandt Family Farm.
AUGUST 19TH
Bacon Fest 2023
FRAZE PAVILION | 3:00 PM
The 10th Bacon Fest comes to Fraze Pavilion on August 19. Sample food made with bacon from local restaurants while listening to music from 24 Seven Party Band, Ryan Mundy Band and LYD featuring Yolanda Drake. This is a Fraze Free Festival. The event begins at 3 p.m. To learn more visit Fraze.com .
AUGUST 26TH
ARTfest on Main
S. MAIN ST, SPRINGBORO | 10:00 AM
The Springboro Arts Council presents ARTfest on Main August 26. The festival highlights Historic Downtown Springboro and features work from 100 artists, food trucks, beer and wine vendors, music and entertainment. Artwork will include paintings, sculptures, pottery and more. Admission is free. This event is pet friendly and will be held rain or shine. ARTFestOnMain.com
AUGUST 28TH
Neighborhood Park Party
ROSEWOOD PARK | 7:00 PM
Kick off your week and meet your neighbors at this all ages, family-friendly neighborhood party. The Centerville-Washington Park District will provide refreshments, games and activities for attendees to enjoy. The party starts at 7 p.m. To register for park party updates go to CWPD.org
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Centerville
