Category Archives: Local Businesses

Mabel Creager Barnes & Dwight L. Barnes

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A 1991 Dayton Daily News article titled “Looking back at ‘hay’ days” highlighted a brief history of schools in the Kettering/Dayton area and a retired teacher named Mabel Creager Barnes.

Comparing the ages of local schools is a difficult task because the creation of early schools was an informal and often undocumented process. Schools were often one-room buildings established by ministers on church grounds.

The first school in the West Carrollton area was established in 1802 in Alexandersville, which is roughly where Woody’s Market on Dixie Drive stood. Dayton had a school district established by 1831. Miami Township is likely next given its proximity to the Great Miami River and the fact that settlements normally began near bodies of water. Area settlements began at Riverside and moved inland. The oldest settlements would have had the earliest schools. Van Buren Township School District was established June 24, 1841, when the township separated from Dayton.
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I-75 Construction Delayed Again

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Reconstruction of I-75 near downtown Dayton has been delayed further due to finding multiple areas where the thickness of the pavement was deeper than expected. Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has stated this would require additional and substantial work to complete the project.

The construction taking place now is the first time this section of I-75 has been rebuilt down to the base since its construction in the 1950s. Decades of construction and reconstruction will need to be removed before constructing the new road to ensure quality and longevity.

The remaining work, which depends on the weather for progress, poses many challenges. Many important tasks cannot be performed during winter months, which adds to complications to adhering to the schedule.

Completion of the work was planned for Summer 2027, but with the complications and additional work required, the date will have to be reassessed as the project continues.

For more details about i-75 construction and delays, visit the ODOT website here: ODOT – Montgomery County: Construction Update

Nancy Cartwright Donates to Rosewood Arts Center

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Nancy Cartwright, Emmy Award winning voice of Bart Simpson and former Kettering resident, gave back to Kettering in a big way. She donated $100,000 to The Rosewood Arts Center Reinvention and Renovation campaign. Cartwright graduated from Fairmont West High School, now Fairmont High School. Cartwright’s voice talents are not limited to just Bart Simpson, she has also voiced Ralph Wiggum, Todd Flanders, Nelson Muntz, and Maggie. Among many of her other voice roles are: Chucky from Rugrats, Rufus from Kim Possible, and Mindy from Animaniacs.

In a statement, Cartwright commented, “I am thrilled and deeply honored to contribute to this incredible art facility. I truly believe that the expansion and survival of our culture depend on our unwavering support for both art and artists. The Rosewood Arts Center stands as a beacon for bringing hope and inspiring greatness in others.”

Cartwright will also have a permanent association with Rosewood as it introduces “The Nancy Cartwright Painting and Drawing Studio.”

Upcoming Sara Kaushal Author Events

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More events are likely to be added, but here is the current list of events where you can meet Sara, hear about her books, and buy a few!

  • Murder & Mayhem in Dayton and the Miami Valley Book Talk
    August 29, 10 AM, Charles Lathrem Senior Center in Kettering
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    September 24, 6 pm, Jamestown Library
  • Spooky Presentation
    October 3, 330, Brookville Library
  • Huber Haunts Truck or Treat
    October 6, 1-4, Thomas Cloud Park
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 10, 11 AM, Vandalia Senior Center
  • Fairborn Halloween Festival
    October 11-13
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    October 15, 7 pm Centerville Washington Township RecPlex
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 19, noon, Dayton Metro Library Downtown
  • Dayton Ghosts & Legends Book Talk
    October 23, 2 pm, St Leonard’s Community
  • Urban Legends Presentation
    October 28, 6 pm Northmont Library

Local Author: Marshall Weiss

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Author of Stories of Jewish Dayton and Jewish Community of Dayton, Dayton resident Marshall Weiss is also the editor and publisher of The Dayton Jewish Observer, which he established more than twenty years ago for the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.

He was a past president of The American Jewish Press Association and helped establish the Jewish Scholastic Press Association for high school students. Marshall is the recipient of numerous first-place awards from the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists and Simon Rockower Awards given by the American Jewish Press Association. He received Religion News Association’s first-place Cassels Award for Excellence in Religion Reporting at Small Newspapers in 2017.

More Summer Events

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  • What: Dayton Celtic Festival
    Date: July 26-28
    Where: Riverscape MetroPark, 111 E Monument Avenue, Dayton

  • What: Demolition Derby
    Date: July 29
    Time: 7 pm
    Where: Greene County Fairgrounds

  • What: All Ohio Balloon Fest
    Date: August 8-10
    Where: Union County Airport, 1500 Weaver Road Entrance, Marysville

  • What: Germanfest Picnic
    Date: August 9-11
    Where: 1400 E. 5th Street, Dayton

  • What: Taco and Nacho Fest
    Date: August 24
    Time: 3-10 pm
    Where: 10400 Innovation Drive

Collins School

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For the purpose of building a school, Samuel and Rebecca Collins deeded 1.28 acres of land to Beavercreek Township in 1854. Two brick school houses were built with stone, including fireplaces for heat. Until decreased enrollment forced the school to close in 1944, children were educated from first through eighth grade in the red brick building still standing today.

Thirty eight years later, Helen Bryson Brantley (great granddaughter to Samuel and Rebecca Collins) and her husband Virgil purchased the property to restore the schoolhouse, which had deteriorated and been vandalized. They rebuilt the pony sheds and privies on their foundations. Collins School was rededicated on August 30, 1986.

Two teachers were enlisted to research and organize a curriculum. Later that fall, students were invited to attend to experience a day of the 3 Rs; “readin’ ritin’ and rithmetic’” as it would have been experienced during the schools operating days. Today, roughly 2,400 students and adults experience Collins School each year. They learn citizenship, read from McGuffey Readers, practice writing on slates, and play period appropriate games in the school yard. Collins School is located in Xenia at 2804 West Enon Road.

Fun Fact: Sara and Bethany both went on field trips to Collins School when they were in elementary school!

Local Author: Ken Serey

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Tipp City resident Ken Serey is a husband of 50 years, father of two grown children, and grandfather of five. While running an independent business with his brother helping those with visual impairments to live normal lives, Ken worked with veterans, inviting them to share their personal stories of war.

Ken’s book What’s The Story? is a collection of first-hand stories from Ohio veterans who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The stories come straight from the foxholes with 20/20 vision, recounting their experiences with Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler’s Hideaway, German POW camps, and more.

Upcoming Summer Events

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We hope you’re having fun this summer! Here are more events.

  • What: Americana Festival
    Date: July 3-4
    Where: Kickoff at Centerville High School, up Franklin Street

  • What: Firefly Party
    Date: July 5
    Time: 8:30 PM
    Where: Russ Nature Preserve

  • What: Seltzer Fest
    Date: July 6
    Time: 5 PM
    Where: The Greene, 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek

  • What: Dayton Mac and Cheese Fest
    Date: July 13th
    Time: 5 PM
    Where: Yellow Cab Tavern

  • What: Friends of SICSA Garage Sale
    Date: July 18th and 19th
    Time: Starts at 8 AM
    Where: The Old SICSA Building, 2600 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

      • The Tragic Disappearance of T.C. Kidd

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      When Tom C. Kidd disappeared from his home on the morning of July 7, 1879, rumors swirled. Many assumed he had run off with another woman, but his wife knew that wasn’t the case. Tom was a dedicated and loyal husband and father. In the two years since he had moved to Dayton, he had earned the trust of any who had come in contact with him or did business with him. As the secretary of the Building Association, Tom was known to be kind, cheerful, and trustworthy, which earned him many friends.

      A week went by without news until the morning of July 15, when a letter arrived for his wife. It read:


      My Own Darling Wife:

      Dare I still call you so? Can you ever forgive your wretched, miserable, erring, wicked husband for the great wrong he has done you? If you can, your charity exceeds that of angels.

      You know, I presume as much concerning my trouble as I do myself. I know it happened, and I hardly know how. The association’s money was mixed with mine, and, as it was received at all times and in all places, was often forgotten or memorandums mislaid, and before I knew it I was a defaulter for, I supposed, $300 to $500. Then I grew desperate, trying in every way to redeem myself, (well, you know that business was next to nothing, and hoping and expecting by business and collections of debts owing me to come out all right.

      The result I need not state. I dared not post my books, for exposure was then inevitable. So they were left.

      The most cowardly act of my life I believe was leaving you the way I did. Yet when I left home in the morning I did not dream of it. It was an impulse of the moment, and I followed it. My intention was to commit suicide, and rid you and the world of such a worthless man, but I could not find it in my heart to commit the deed at home. I could not, so I left. Where I have been, Heaven knows – I do not! I know I have ridden and walked in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, and I also know I have not eaten enough since I left for one meal, or slept enough for one night’s sleep. My body and mind have both been in a grand tumult, and this is the first time for days I have been able to recall your name and address.

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