Local Author: Ken Serey

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

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
    • Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley

      Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley has received some recognition recently. The Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley Women’s Clinic was dedicated at the Dayton VA Campus on June 12. This will be her second namesake honor. On April 27, 2023, Fort Lee in Virginia was officially renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in honor of Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams.

      Charity Edna Adams was born in Kitrell, North Carolina in 1918. Her father was a minister, and her mother was a former teacher. When she was a young girl, her family moved to South Carolina, which she later considered home.

      Charity was intellectually gifted and started school in second grade. By the end of elementary school, she was tested and scored ready to start high school. Her parents decided not to advance her any more grades since she was already a few grades ahead of her age group in school. Charity graduated school two years early as valedictorian. At Wilberforce College, Charity majored in Latin, Math, and Physics. She held a part-time job and was involved in many student activities before she graduated in 1938.

      During WWII, Charity was the first African American female officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC, later called WAC). She led the 3rd Training Regiment, made up of two white and one black platoon. At Fort Des Moines, she was promoted to Major, which made her the highest-ranking female officer at the fort and one of the highest-ranking WAC officers in the country. She then deployed to Europe and led the first Black WAC unit to serve overseas. For her work in Europe, Charity was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest possible rank for WAC.
      Continue reading

      The Tragic Disappearance of T.C. Kidd

      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.

      Continue reading

      Spook-Ghetti at Spaghetti Warehouse

      Do you love Dayton history, Italian food, and ghosts?

      Enjoy a delicious Italian meal while listening to Haunted History and encounters of downtown Dayton and the warehouse. After dinner, take a haunted tour of the warehouse with local Paranormal Investigator Paula Dytko. For an extra $30 per person, experience getting to know the spirits of the Warehouse with the VIP 2-hour ghost hunt after Spook-ghetti ends. All levels of ghost investigators are welcome. Ages 16+.

      Call Spaghetti Warehouse at (937) 461-3913 to reserve your seat.

      Upcoming dates: June 6, July 11, August 1, and Sept 5

      More Upcoming Events

      This summer is shaping up to be a summer of fun with so many events happening!

      • What: Passport to MetroParks
        Date: May 24 (tonight!!)
        Time: 6-9 PM
        Where: 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton
        Description: A preview of events taking place at each MetroPark this summer. There will be live music, food trucks, and park rangers. Representatives from upcoming festivals will be there to detail their upcoming festivals.
      • What: Cheese Fest
        Date: May 25
        Time: 3-10 pm
        Where: Austin Landing, 10400 Innovation Drive, Miamisburg
      • What: Kettering Block Party
        Date: May 29
        Time: 6-8 PM
        Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Kettering
      • What: Halfway to Hauntfest
        Date: May 31
        Time: 9 pm to 2 am
        Where: NextDoor Bar, 454 E Fifth Street, Dayton; Oregon District
        Description: To celebrate the halfway mark to Halloween and reveal the theme for this year’s Oregon District Halloween festival. 21 and over
      • What: Dayton Pride
        Dates: May 31-June 1
        Times: 6pm-10 pm May 31
        11am-4pm June 1
        Where: Greater Dayton LGBT Center, 136 North Main Street, Dayton
      • What: Troy Strawberry Festival
        Dates: June 1-2
        Times: 10 am to 9 pm June 1
        10 am to 6 pm June 2
        Where: Downtown Troy
      • What: St. Christopher Festival
        Date: June 7-9
        Where: St. Christopher Catholic Church, 425 East National Road, Vandalia
      • What: St Helen Spring Festival
        Date: June 7-9
        Where: St. Helen Private Elementary, 5086 Burkhardt Road
      • What: Jewish Cultural Festival
        Date: June 9
        Time: 11 am to 7 pm
        Where: Temple Israel, 130 Riverside, Dayton
      • What: Versailles Poultry Days
        Date: June 14-16
        Where: 459 South Center St, Versailles
      • What: Celtic Fest Ohio
        Date: June 15
        Time: 11am-10pm
        Where: Renaissance Park, 10542 E Ohio 73, Waynesville
      • What: Pride Art Show
        Date: June 21
        Time: 5 PM
        Where: Secret Chamber of Oddities and Artwork 17 West Main Street, Fairborn

      Upcoming Events Spring/Summer 2024

      The weather is warming up and that means it’s time for Festival Season! Here are a few of the upcoming events in the Dayton area:

      • What: Hunger Days Food Truck Rally
        Date: May 23
        Time: Brunch 8-12 Dinner 4-8
        Where: Hobson Freedom Park, 2910 Trebein Road, Fariborn

      • What: Dayton Pizza Fest
        Date: May 25
        Time: 5 PM
        Where: Yellow Cab Tavern

      • What: Axe Throwing Tournament
        Date: May 30
        Time: 6:30 PM
        Where: Wild Axe Throwing, 3251 Seajay Dr, Beavercreek

      • What: Summer Flea Market
        Date: June 1
        Time: 8:30 – 11:30 AM
        Where: Kettering Rec Center Parking Lot

      • What: Touch a Truck
        Date: June 1
        Time: Starts at 9
        Where: Kettering Rec Center Parking Lot

      • What: 3rd Annual Beavercreek Pride
        Date: June 9th
        Time: 2-8 PM
        Where: EJ Nutter Park

      • What: Pride Celebration
        Date: June 14
        Time: 4 PM
        Where: Delco Park

      • What: Wine Fest
        Date: June 15
        Time: 5 PM
        Where: The Greene, 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek

      • What: Zinnia Days Craft & Vendor Show
        Date: June 22 & 23
        Time: Sat 9-4 Sun 10-3
        Where: Greene County Fairgrounds

      The Weyrauch Family Tragedy

      When Walter Weyrauch Sr. left for work on August 23, 1940, he had no idea it was the last day his life would ever be normal. When he arrived home after work that afternoon, he found his young children, 2-week-old Lela Mae and 7-year-old Walter Jr., drowned in the bathtub of their home. A note left on the table read:

      Walt,
      They’ll find me in the water at Island Park. I couldn’t die and leave the children. At least they’ll never suffer.
      Lou

      Family members searching Island Park found Lucille sitting on a curb in a daze. She was unable to recognize her relatives and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

      Police attempted to question Lucille, but she spoke unintelligibly and was unable to answer any questions. The Probate Court ordered her to be committed for an indefinite period. Walter Sr. later told police “she was nervous as hell and lost her mind, I guess. I should have never left her yesterday afternoon.” Acting Coroner A. P. McDonald said the children had been dead for about an hour when Walter Sr. discovered them.

      Don’t forget to sign up for Sara’s Ghost Tours!

      Sara is teaming up with the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and hosting two walking tours in downtown Dayton to highlight some haunted buildings! The tour will be approximately one mile and last for one hour.
      Sign up now!

      When: May 11th at 2 and 4pm
      Ghost Tour

      Sara’s Ghost Tours

      Teaming up with the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Sara is hosting two walking tours in downtown Dayton to highlight some haunted buildings! The tour will be approximately one mile and last for one hour.

      When: May 11th at 2 and 4pm
      To register for this event, visit this link

      Ghost Tour