Jewish Cultural Festival 2022

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If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, head on out to the Jewish Cultural Festival at Temple Israel on Sunday June 12 between 11 am and 7 pm, located at 130 Riverside Drive.

This festival involves over 150 volunteers contributing their time to serve food, perform, lead tours, and answer questions about Judaism, all to welcome everyone to share the Jewish experience.

Some highlights for this years events are:

  • Interactive, hands-on projects for children and a giant inflatable slide.
  • Baked goods such as rugelach, hamentaschen, mandel bread, honey cake, and challah.
  • There will be interactive sessions featuring local and regional speakers including rabbis.
  • Crafts will include a market to showcase Jewish and Israeli arts and crafts including woodworking, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and accessories from local and regional artisans.
  • If you’re feeling lucky, try your chances to win one of five prize bundles worth over a total of $4500.

Bring items to donate to Crayons to Classrooms and Daybreak or stay to make a toy to be donated to SICSA.

Marshall Weiss will be just outside the Jewish Federation tent on Sunday from 11-2, with copies of his new book Stories of Jewish Dayton. Get a chance to meet him in person and get a copy of his book!

Our Favorite Hiking Spots

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It’s almost summer! The weather is beautiful, and we’re all starting to get outside more. Here are a few of our favorite places to go hiking in the area!

  • Koogler Wetland Prairie Reserve
  • Russ Nature Preserve
  • Caesar Creek State Park
  • Twin Creek MetroPark
  • Germantown MetroPark
  • Aullwood Farm
  • Charleston Falls Preserve
  • John Bryan State Park

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Eddie Breen

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“Eagles can fly, but can’t talk; parrots can’t really fly but can talk; so I just think I’m an Eagle.” Orville Wright to Eddie Breen, when asked why he doesn’t say much. Eddie Breen would later serve as pallbearer at Orville’s funeral.

Eddie Breen served as Mayor of Dayton from 1946-1948 then served as a member of the US House of Representatives from Ohio’s 3rd District.

Eddie had many notable members of his family, including:

  • John Breen, who along with John Ohmer had invented and manufactured the Taxi Meter. They originally planned to take the maiden voyage of the Titanic but opted instead to continue their sales trip in Europe.
  • Maurice Breen, who smuggled runaway slaves in his wagon among parts for railway construction.
  • Bernadina Focke and her sons, who set up a card table in the Arcade selling meat. This business would become a successful meat packing business that lasted until 1972.
  • Mary Lousie Breen, who spied for FDR in France and Germany during WWII.
  • Marie Berno Focke, who sang and danced with Fred Astaire in the 1920s.

Eddie Breen died on May 8, 1991, and is buried at Calvary Cemetery. For more information about these events and more stories about this family, check out the book Lucky Eddie, by Edward Focke Breen.

The Future of A World A’Fair

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This time of year, we would normally be sharing all about A World A’Fair and how excited we are to attend.

Unfortunately, the event has been cancelled for the third year in a row. According to a statement on their website:
“Unfortunately, due to the uncertainties surrounding Covid-19 and its variants plus uncertainties surrounding the Convention Center’s new ownership and management, the festival board has decided to cancel the May 2022 festival and study revamping the festival, pretty much from scratch. We have formed a committee to study what our options might be and as any decisions are made they’ll be presented here.”

We hope to see the festival return in the future! Here are some pictures from past years.

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Sara is Speaking at Wright Library!

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Have you had a chance to hear about Sara’s book? If you’d like to hear some background info and purchase the book from Sara, come see her Author Visit at Wright Library!

Where:
Wright Memorial Public Library
1776 Far Hills Avenue
Oakwood, Ohio 45410

Whene:
Wednesday, May 11th
7pm-8pm

As always, Sara’s book is available to purchase online as well! You can get an autographed copy directly from Sara or from the sites listed on our Where to Buy page!

John H. Wartinger and Wartinger Park

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On Kemp Road, about a quarter mile from North Fairfield Road in Beavercreek, sits Wartinger Park. The designated historical park is owned by the City of Beavercreek and was named for John Wartinger. Building Codes at the time required that green space be set aside while plotting a development, and about 5 acres were set aside for a park – later 4.3 acres, as Beavercreek Fire Station #3 was built. The park was cared for by the Flower Trail Garden Club from 1976 until 1983, when it was turned over to the City of Beavercreek.

In 1975, Wartinger Park was named for John Wartinger, who served his community in several ways:
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A Few Fun Facts about Dayton

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It’s shaping up to be a busy year, so here are a few fun facts about Dayton!

  • Dayton’s first attorney was Judge Joseph Crane.
  • James Cox served 2 terms as governor of Ohio and ran for US President.
  • Charles Lindbergh flew into Dayton’s McCook Field on August 5, 1927.
  • Susan (Koerner) Wright, mother to Wilbur and Orville, was highly-educated, especially for her time. She met Milton, her future husband, while attending Huntsville College in Huntington, Indiana. After being ordained in the United Brethren ministry, Milton was assigned to Oregon. He asked Susan to accompany him as his wife. She agreed to the marriage proposal but did not want to go to Oregon. She waited 2 years and they wed on November 24, 1859.

Huffman Dam

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After the Great Flood of 1913, the Miami Conservancy District, led by Colonel Edward Deeds and Arthur Morgan, started the process of building dams to prevent future flooding catastrophes in Dayton. Driving along Route 444, you’ve probably glanced over to see the Huffman Dam.

Huffman Dam
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