It is already showing strong signs of becoming a more beautiful day as the sun warms the earth on this first official day of summer, 2022, and to make it official, my Mary Lincoln daylilies began blooming this morning.
About fifteen years ago, Jim and Debbie McCutcheon sent me a box of Mary Lincoln day lilies and they have been a passers-by favorite for years. Mine, too.
For nearly two weeks, they generally make a daily appearance on their summer tour with as many as eighteen blooming in one day.
If you are passing by The Haasienda, please be sure to spy those deep yellow daylilies in the front yard.
Flowers can help make it a great day, but only we can truly make it a great day!
For some reason, I fought sleep throughout the night. The heat was the seed but by 3:00 AM, it had cooled off a good bit and a nice breeze coming off the deck mixed nicely with the window fan, ceiling fan, and pedestal fan from the hall. I retired from the deck just before 11:00 PM, Thursday night, and felt prepared for a good night’s sleep; however, a pressing matter kept my brain wired and I’ve not gotten that far into my research of electrical engineer, Charles Kettering, to learn how to unwire things, mostly my brain.
This morning’s humidity is uncomfortable at 88% in this 75 degrees. I try my best to never complain about the weather – it is what it is. However, humidity is the one thing that makes me push that envelope. The cap for today is 84 degrees and appears to be lower by about 8 degrees when the Levitt Pavilion concert begins at 7:00 PM. Plus, the humidity will be below 45%!
There’s not much to report on this fine morning leading into the full weekend. I’ve only a dinner with family on Saturday evening, and at some point, the yard will need to be mowed on Saturday or Sunday.
The Quartet is well and will be anxious upon me taking leave for the day.
My sister, Dena, who is 49 years old, and my younger brother, Destin, who would have been 48 years old, are also 38 years old, today.
On the morning of June 20, 1984, I entered the private quarters of Madison County Judge, Dennis Carroll, as Darin Lee Jolliff. About an hour later, I left the Madison County Courthouse, Anderson, Indiana, as Darin Lee Jolliffe-Haas. My siblings were no longer Jolliff but legally declared as Dena Linn Haas and Destin Lang Haas.
Upon the death of our birth father, Danny Jolliff, the previous December, our new stepfather, David L. Haas, only having married our mother, Diana Jolliff, two days prior to our birth father’s tragic death, agreed to adopt us.
When the gavel had ceased banging upon Judge Carroll reciting each of our new adoptive names, my new older sister, Autumn Haas, leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Now, you’re officially a Haas’ ass!”
As each of my five sons’ adoptions was finalized, I whispered in their ears the command given by Autumn as my finalization. Little did she know she was beginning a new Haas family tradition.
While my physical birthday is September 25, 1964, which makes me 57 years old, my legal birthday of June 20, 1984, makes me 38 years old.
Whatever your physical, legal, mental, or spiritual age, make it a great day!
Photo: Judge Dennis Carroll, Madison County Court, Madison County, Indiana
Another fun adventure day at the park with some delightful Guests.
I returned home to collapse for an hour of sleep, cramming in the four to five hours of lost sleep from Thursday night. I woke refreshed, fed the pooches, and hurried downtown to the Levitt Pavilion for an Irish bluegrass concert. Amy and Katie Kress joined me for a fun time. I met Katie for lessons when she was about five years old; she’s now nineteen and will begin her sophomore year at Denison University this fall.
The weather was fantastic and the performance so enjoyable.
My body came to a screeching halt at 10:45 PM and I removed myself from about ninety minutes of work on the deck to my bed. Sleep is now a must.
The photo was taken from the Reibold Building parking garage looking down on the Levitt Pavilion.
The Barcode made it’s debut in Troy 48 years ago this month!
The Marsh Supermarket in the Sherwood Centre at 982 N Market St was the test site for the new retail technology. Collaborators included NCR (which had a scanning research facility near Troy), Hobart Industries (a leader in the development of meat and produce scales that produced labels to scan) and Spectra Physics of Springfield (developer of the scanner ray).
On June 26th 1974 at 8:01AM Marsh cashier Sharon Buchanan made history when she sold a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit gum by scanning its barcode. The gum was sold to Marsh executive Clyde Dawson. When Buchanan showed up for work early that morning she noticed a larger-than-normal group of people she thought were patrons. “Our customers didn’t know what was going on,” she said. “And we didn’t either.” Throughout the previous night, technicians and engineers had installed a barcode scanner prototype in her checkout lane. The group stuck around to give her some cursory training and to see if the barcode scanner system would work.
The barcoded package of gum, which cost 67 cents, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
NCR’s Model 255 cash register included a scanner and a master computer that stored product information. Labels with UPC codes were printed and attached to products. This technology enabled stores to increase accuracy in the checkout process, control inventory and print a detailed receipt with a product description and price.
Marsh employee Laura Myers, who was 17 at the time working her first job as a cashier at Marsh in 1974, recalls the experience of introducing scanning technology as both exciting and a bit stressful.
“It was really nerve-wracking at the time,” she recalled of the training and efforts to help customers understand how the new technology worked. “I don’t think anyone realized how big a deal it truly was. No one knew we were making history”
Anxiety and fear dissipate quickly when countered with conscious breathing.
The signals our bodies use to tell us we need to cleanse ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally are multifaceted and often mirror symptoms we associate with illness. If we heed these signs, we not only feel better quickly but also stave off poor health before it can start. These quick fixes for common ailments can get you started.
1. Applying pressure to the acupressure point between the thumb and forefinger can release blockages causing pain, tension, and fatigue. You can relieve a headache naturally by squeezing for 20 seconds and releasing for 10 seconds, without letting go, four times.
2. To breathe freely, irrigate your nasal passages with a neti pot and warm salt water. As you clear and soothe the sinuses, congestion associated with allergies or infection will gradually disappear.
3. Apple cider vinegar is a powerful purifying and detoxifying agent. Soaking for 20 minutes in a warm bath infused with two cups of apple cider vinegar pulls toxins from the body and can clear blocked energy.
4. The foods you eat can have a profound impact on your outlook and mood. Eating a small yet satisfying meal rich in complex carbohydrates can lift your spirit and help you let go of feelings of anger, irritability, and depression.
5. Anxiety and fear dissipate quickly when countered with conscious breathing because concentrating on the breath enables you to refocus your attention inward. You can ground yourself and regain your usual calm by taking a series of deep belly breaths as you visualize your feet growing roots that stretch miles down into the earth.
6. Though tuning out can seem counterproductive, a few minutes spent lost in daydreams or listening to soothing music can help you see your circumstances from a new angle when you feel frustrated.
7. If you feel ill health coming on, brew a wellness elixir. Simmer three sliced lemons, one teaspoon freshly grated ginger, one clove freshly minced garlic, and one quarter teaspoon cayenne pepper in five cups water until the lemons are soft and pale. Strain a portion into a mug and add honey by tablespoons until you can tolerate the taste. Drinking this potent mixture of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal ingredients three times each day can ensure your symptoms never progress into a full-blown illness.
Even at 80 degrees, it’s a beautiful morning on the deck with cooler air, a strong breeze, and the typical deck chorus from all around. It’s a fine setting for working on projects.
The big debate, this morning, is what to do later, once I have accomplished what is on my day’s agenda: A fun adventure? Attending a concert at The Levitt Pavillion this evening? Just hang at The Haasienda? We shall see. There is a movie at The Neon about the making of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, but it falls at an awkward time when I need to feed the pooches.
In the meantime, I will prep for research to commence at 9:00 AM by spending time with Chief and Erma who, unlike Harrigan and Bailey, do not sleep in bed with me.
Today is expected to repeat Tuesday’s wickedly hot weather. At 7:50 AM, the misery is already begun.
Sleeping was not comfortable, but manageable. Although I kept a majority of our fans aimed at the bedroom, The Seniors elected to sleep on the other side of the airflow. I could turn on the A/C but it has never been capable of fulfilling its command of keeping the house truly cool. In previous years, even on regular warm days, it has never been able to stay below 80-degree. It does need a new outside until but that would be astronomical.
So, The Quartet and I keep hydrated and keep the fans running. I have three large containers filled with water while I am strolling through the park for four hours. They’ve been fairly good about drinking their water and I am hopeful their anxiety with me being away from them will not overpower their minds from getting drinks as needed.
Now, it’s time to brush my teeth, fill my water bottles, and head off to the bus stop across the street.
Before I know it, six hours of the park life, a sixty-minute nap, dinner on the deck, and three hours of research, and it is nearing half-past nine o’clock.
The stroll through the park was enjoyable and I got to spend time with Deanna, Deborah, and Mike. Several volunteers with whom I normally work were in different parts of the park. The day was busy with several school groups and lots of out-of-state visitors. I am always amazed and impressed with how many find their way to the park from all parts of the country. Today we had visitors from Alamba, Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Texas, and Michigan.
I wore a different shirt in and out of the park so I’d not soak my park shirt but not once did I perspire while waiting on the buses and connections. The Atrium and buses were nicely air-conditioned and comfortable.
Nap time was warm but not unbearable. I brought a fan to the deck and it has kept it just fine for working. I had soup for supper and it actually seemed to cool me off more than my ice water.
Right now, I am listening to THE JEFFERSONS on Pluto and a bit later will switch over to THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW and ALL IN THE FAMILY. I am always impressed with the writing, the topic tackled, the directing, and of course, the performances. Just incredible.
I am trying to decide if I should go on a Thursday adventure since I work this Friday. It’s not supposed to break 90 degrees but will still be warm in the upper 80s.
When asked how Dayton, Ohio was dubbed, “The Gem City,” very few can retrieve the origins. Some believe it was based on a well-known racehorse named, Gem. However, after digging through old articles and piecing things together, I am hoping I have come to a possible conclusion.
On August 18th, 1845, a reporter, simply known as “T,” offered a tribute to Dayton, Ohio in the CINCINNATI DAILY CHRONICLE. Reprinted in THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS, August 23rd, 2015, Cassidy Boyer shared the CHRONICLE’s description of Dayton:
“The most indifferent observer will not fail to notice Dayton. The wide streets, kept in excellent order, the noble blocks of stores filled with choice, and of course, cheap goods, and more than all, the exceeding beauty and neatness of the dwellings, you at once mark with a ‘white stone,’ in a small bend of the Great Miami River, with canals on the east and south, it may be fairly said that Dayton is the gem of all our interior towns, it possesses wealth, refinement, enterprise, and a beautiful country.”
CINCINNATI DAILY CHRONICLE, August 23, 1845
Later in the decade, Major William D. Beckham of THE DAYTON DAILY JOURNAL began a campaign to nickname Dayton “The Gem City.” So far, I’ve not discovered any research acknowledging Beckham’s choice for the nickname but Dayton’s Board of Trade commission voted in favor of the nickname a few years later.
Some have believed “The Gem City” was crowned by Dayton’s own poet laureate, Paul Laurence Dunbar in his poem, “Toast to Dayton.”
“She shall ever claim our duty, For she shines – the brightest gem That has ever decked with beauty, Dear Ohio’s diadem.”
Paul Laurence Dunbar died in 1906, and “Toast of Dayton” was not published until 1917; therefore, we’re still drawn back to the 1845 CINCINNATI DAILY CHONRINCLE article and Major Beckham’s appeal to nickname Dayton a few years later.
While Dayton has been titled “The Birthplace of Aviation,” and “Little Detroit” during its heyday in automobile manufacturing, “Gem City” has been a long-lived and appropriate title for a city and region that has given so much to the world.
I grew up in Elwood, Indiana where glass was a major and popular commodity. Several blocks away was the glassblowing factory of the St. Clair family who had a rich history in our hometown.
The paperweight I’ve included in this post was a graduation gift from Paula Simmons, my band and choir director from 7th through 12th grades.
My classmate, Jodi Dauenhauer, lived beside St. Clair’s glass factory and I remember gathering up broken colored glass near her yard. In fact, Jodi loved the name St. Clair, so much, that she added it in place of her maiden name and is now Jodi St. Clair!
I’m excited that Jeff is collecting something that is near and dear to my heart, and something that is a part of my life in Elwood, Indiana.
Muggy. The strong breeze adds some refreshment but the sticky, moisture-filled air is upon us with 90% humidity that will lower to 53% as the temperature rises from its current 75-degrees to 94-degrees.
It’s Taco Tuesday. Normally, I am not as excited as my eldest son about this event, but when I join Mama Kay and Ann this afternoon, it will be a nice break from The Haasienda.
Last night’s storms did relieve The Miami Valley of its oven, clearing the way for cool and refreshing sleep. In fact, I needed to pull up my blanket, and turn off the fan facing in from the hall but kept my window fan on since Harrigan and Bailey put off enough warmth to keep me needing to be cooled off.
I was up at 7:00 AM to prep my coffee and Zoom with my son and his partner, but by 7:40 AM, after feeding the dogs, I returned to bed until 8:45 AM. I slept well, but my body was prompting me to grab a bit more rest. Two loads of laundry are completed, on the line, and in the dryer. That’s out of the way.
The heat wave is the only thing that seems to be the only exciting thing for the day. So, I shall end the ramblings of an older gentleman and attend to my projects.
We’ve a heat wave coming these next three days and I cannot relieve myself of hearing in my head Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell singing their rendition of Irving Berlin’s “Heat Wave” for their movie, GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Mr. Berlin originally wrote “Heat Wave” for the 1933 musical, AS THOUSANDS CHEER which also included the title song for a later movie, “Easter Parade” with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland.
While the 72-degree weather is currently comfortable, the sense of impending heat coming through is heralded by the 96% humidity. I am not physically bothered by the humidity at the moment but the little signs of stickiness are with us.
The morning routine with the pooches is typical of most days but I believe they are also feeling something is coming. Harrigan continues to attempt dominance over a very complacent Erma and becomes agitated when the older dog offers no response. Harrigan has moved away from Erma and is no pestering Chief who has never really taken a complete liking to Harrigan. He’s always been protective of Harrigan and treats her no differently than the others, but I’ve always sensed a distance between these two. Bailey adores her Chief and regularly uses him as her pillow. Bailey also uses me as her snuggling fixture throughout the night’s sleep, often resting her head next to mine on the pillow.
Since beginning this blog post at 8:10 AM, the humidity has begun to empty its uncomfortableness within twenty minutes. Here it comes…
But, while I am fussing about my own discomfort, I am terribly mindful of those whose work will not allow them to escape the weather conditions, as well as those who’ve no security of a home, or homes without a cooling system. My little piece of the world is more ideal than some who’ve struggled.
There’s nothing more refreshing than listening to the sounds that provide the soundtrack for The Haasienda in the mornings. The birds always offer a chorus, especially the resident cardinal who blasts away each morning and throughout most of the day. However, the cardinal has taken leave of his post this morning. The busyness of traffic swishes on the Shroyer Road side of the house that collects all the morning’s sunshine until about 10:00 AM when the strays of light begin to invade the deck. Naturally, the umbrella and sun are positioned in such ways that I end up in the direct path of the sunshine and heat.
And, the perspiration has begun…
This is not promising for continued work from my deck table. I had also hoped to at least more the backyard, today, given the previous days’ rains have forced it to ankle-length. Mowing may be a pipe dream for today, but if I can just focus on the backyard, the front yard could hold off until later this week.
Well. It’s moving in on 9:00 AM and I’ve completed a run of dishes in the dishwasher, attended to a few business items, and now, it is time to turn my attention to some projects.
I spent the majority of the morning seated on the deck at the table and beneath the hunter-green umbrella, working on research for several projects. There was little discomfort from the soaring humidity.
At Noon, I decided to mow the backyard so I’d not have grass up to my lower calves by Thursday. It was comfortably completed within fifteen minutes and then I attacked some weed patches. The Quartet rested on the deck, watching me with little interest.
Teaching commenced at 3:00 PM with a mix of Zoomed lessons and a number of students on vacation or at camps. I had an hour’s break and went to eat supper on the deck as darkened skies moved quickly overhead. After two bites, I was returning to my study to avoid getting drenched.
Teaching resumed on Zoom with my students in Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada. I kept one eye on the weather reports after reading some comments on Facebook about the second wave of storms. So far, we’ve not been seized by any of the northwestern storms shelling out large hail.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, as well as Wednesday, are predicted to be in the mid to upper 90s, and Thursday is expected to hang in the lower to mid-90s. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday keep us in the 80s with a Monday return to the 90s.
As a kid, I remember summers with days in the 90s and lower 100s but we didn’t really mind or didn’t place that much emphasis on the higher numbers. It was pretty much, “well, it’s gonna be a scorcher, today,” and we went about life. I remember when my grandparents’ air conditioner went out during a heat wave. They put ice in bowls and sat with the ice bowls in front of fans. Our house did not have air conditioning and I believe we eventually had a window unit.
Wednesday morning will find me at the park for four hours and I may head downtown to watch a movie at The Neon later in the day.
Until then, it is sleep and hopefully without any stormy disturbances. Remember to be cool and keep cool.
Saturday was absolutely delightful at the park with so many interesting and kind Guests moving through. From 1:00 PM until about 4:45 PM, it was non-stop. At 5:20 PM, I caught the No. 11 bus that took me to Town & Country Shopping Center in Kettering where Mama Kay was waiting for me, having just gotten out of her 4:30 Mass down the road. We went to Geez restaurant in Centerville for supper with Libby and Mama Kay’s cousin, Sue.
Beginning Friday morning, I was noticing stiffness and achiness in my legs. I went to dinner with Laura Parker and when I mentioned it to her she wondered if the rapidly changing weather and impending rain could be playing a role. I had recalled reading other MS patients discussing how weather did affect their mobility and comfort. There were a few previous times I believed weather to have an impact on my own body, besides my aggravated sinuses before a weather system arrives.
During my shift in the park, I felt fine but once I sat down to dinner an overwhelming exhaustion set in and shrouded me in a physical fog. I am afraid my lack of energy placed a pall on those with whom I was dining. Once I returned home, I removed my blue park shirt, opened the door and secured it so the pooches could come and go, and fell into my bed at 7:15 PM. I first remember seeing the clock again at 4:35 AM this morning. At some point, I do recall hearing heavy rain at some point and apparently rose to shut the screened storm door. I rose for a bathroom break and returned to bed, sleeping until 7:45 AM, sadly missing a ZoomFest with Joshua and David in England, and Dave’s parents in Boston. However, I feel much rested and quite refreshed.
Today at 3:00 PM I begin teaching and go until 11:15 PM.
I plan to take it easy the next several hours, filling the time with reading and researching until it’s time to get ready and sweep the hall and study area.
While taking it easy, I do intend on making it a great day!
One thing I love about the park is being asked questions to which I do not have an immediate answer. One young air force gentleman came through with his parents from Texas, and his college-aged brother living in Kansas City. The local gentleman asked about the incredible beer stein collection in the WinSupply gallery before entering The Atrium where the animatronic Mrs. Deeds and I reside during shifts. As with other Guests who inquire about things with which I am not familiar I assured them that given enough time, I would try my best to have an answer before they returned to The Atrium to leave the park.
I quickly checked out the exhibit but since I was keeping watch for arriving Guests toward The Atrium, it was a quick search yielding little information. I was focused on finding information regarding the steins and failed to notice familiar photos on the wall. The steins belonged to Roger Glass, the owner of Marion’s Piazza, and the gallery was dedicated to him. The photographs on the wall were from the displays at several of the local Marion’s Piazza eateries that I have viewed countless times throughout the past thirty-one years of living in Dayton.
Between 1940 and 1996, a theatrical producer, John Kenley, offered an equity summer stock theatre company that produced hundreds of shows featuring Broadway, film, and television stars throughout the midwest. Kenley is sometimes credited with laying the groundwork for Broadway touring companies. During its heyday, Dayton was one of the key venues and brought in familiar names like Tallulah Bankhead, Cyd Charise, Rosemary Clooney, Olivia de Havilland, Gypsy Rose Lee, Arthur Godfrey, Rudy Vallee, Tommy Tune, Ethel Merman, Burt Reynolds, Barbara Eden, Billy Crystal, Betty White, Mae West, William Shatner, Florence Henderson, Mickey Rooney, Roddy McDowell, Marlene Dietrich, Jayne Mansfield, Rock Hudson, Gloria Swanson, and many, many more. Some performers appeared in more than five productions: Edie Adams, Ed Ames, Vivian Blaine, Mitzi Gaynor, Vincent Price, Genevieve, Robert Goulet, Lois Hunt, Van Johnson, Carol Lawrence, Paul Lynde, Gordon MacRae, Ann Miller, Karen Morrow, John Raitt, Martha Raye, Alexis Smith, Betty White, and Barry Williams.
During summer stock tours, THE PHIL DONAHUE SHOW then broadcast in Dayton, showcased performances giving Kenley Players a national spotlight.
From 1966 through 1995, John Kenley brought his Kenley Players to Dayton and to Marion’s Piazza. Marion’s Piazza. Today, diners can visit walls on either end of each of the local venues that hold many autographed photos of the stars who passed through Dayton.
If you live in Dayton or just passing through, be sure to visit Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park and enjoy the Roger C. Glass exhibit. Then, head on over to one of eight local Marion’s Piazza for a bite to eat and see all the hall of fame photographs of Kenley Players’ stars who performed in Dayton.
The morning has not even reached 60-degrees and currently rests at 58-degrees; however, I still find it quite comfortable on the deck. The Quartet shifts from high alert to could-care-less attitudes as the world continues to wake within and beyond our borders. The Haasminster cardinal cantor has been bellowing since 5:30 AM and shows no signs of ceasing.
It’s a day entirely free of teaching and strolling through the park, thus my only day assigned just to me.
I woke around 5:00 AM, wrestling with sleep over an ongoing issue that is not appearing to abate any time soon. I finally got to Zoom with my son in England, an attorney, and he advised me of some options and suggested how I might consider proceeding.
Ironically, a student contacted me, asking for advice on handling a bullying situation for which he is also the target. I could clearly recognize the frustration, aggravation, and seeming sense of “what am I doing to invite this aggressive behavior from someone with whom I have little contact?” I happen to know both parties and am not ignorant that my student’s confidence and exuberant personality are in direct contrast to the other individual’s lack of confidence and oft catty behavior. It is very simple. The other young adult is threatened and perhaps, a bit jealous of my student who is always rewarded lead roles and solos for his hard work and consistent fine efforts.
The performing arts are not immune from such critical behaviors but they do seem to collect their fair share of individuals that “toss shade” at others when threatened for whatever reason. One of the most collaborative fields knows a share of divisiveness due to the reasons experienced by my student.
Waving an olive branch or striking up a conversation to soothe the frustrated opposition does not always work. I am always an optimist but I fear this time, I am struggling with this received treatment. I am accustomed to acknowledging it in the performing arts and this scenario is perplexing. Perhaps this, too, shall pass; however, I am fifty-seven and just not into the uninvited games imposed by others. Politely standing my ground and refusing to be antagonized or bullied has permitted the other individual to turn the table so they might wear the mantle of being the victim. Alas, I must make a decision as to which steps to take. A sheer waste of my time and energies yet it must be addressed.
I am hoping the deck will be my primary station throughout the morning and afternoon as I research, plot, and maybe even write.
Yesterday at the park, two grandparents, their adult daughter, and two grade school-aged grandsons came to The Atrium, excited for their Dayton history adventure. The eldest grandson, a 5th grader, had come to the park several weeks back with his classroom. His mother said he had not stopped talking about all the neat things he had seen and experienced during his class visit. Since his Myrtle Beach, South Carolina grandparents were visiting, he was excited and determined to share his newfound enthusiasm with them and the rest of his family. After they stepped away, the grandmother returned and asked how she might purchase a membership for her daughter’s family. “We are just blown away by his enthusiasm with this place and he’s already begging his mom to come back when they can bring his dad.”
Yes! Yes! Yes! What an uplifting, invigorating moment to experience. I recognized my own enthusiasm and passion for history in the young fellow. Like him, I was so lucky to have parents and grandparents who never threw any cold water on my passions. Even well into adulthood, they supported and cheered me onward and upward with everything.
Stay strong of mind and heart, and wish no person ill-will, even when they exasperate the hell out of your peace-filled world. Each of us is not free of a struggle or two, and it is vital we keep in mind that less agreeable folks are, perhaps, struggling a bit more with life. We should always make it a great day and if we have the ability, we should also demonstrate to others how they can also make their own day great.
Whenever I served as a volunteer coordinator for BOA (Bands of America) marching band competitions at Rousch Stadium, Kettering Fairmont High School’s marching band invitationals, as well as the school’s winter guard and indoor percussion competitions at Trent Arena, or MEPA’s (Mid-Eastern Performance Association) winter guard and indoor percussion contests at Nutter Center, I always had this sign by the sign-in table:
“The Titanic was built by professionals, while The Ark was built by Volunteers.” (This quote is attributed to First Lady Barbara Bush)
I’ve volunteered for various events throughout my career and understand the need for volunteers, as well as the passion so many volunteers exude.
What is a Volunteer?
Volunteering is an act by an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community or other services. Many volunteers are specifically trained in areas they work in, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve on various boards of directors, athletics, church, scouts, nursing homes, community or social needs, and parent volunteers, and the list continues. The field of volunteering is a vast smorgasbord of opportunities. During her husband’s administration, Patricia Nixon promoted “volunteerism” and established many programs to foster the art and gift of being a volunteer.
There are many reasons I love working at Carillon Historical Park, but one of the major draws is getting to know and work with some wonderful volunteers. They’re an outstanding collection of individuals who are fun, interesting, energetic, and just all-around fantastic folks. There are several who’ve become bonus moms and dads, or bonus uncles and aunts. I love not only what they bring to the park itself, but what they also bring to my life.
Each time there is a free moment, which is seldom, I will ask them questions about where they are from, where they grew up, their families, their careers (since the majority are retired), their interests and hobbies, and their life experiences. Regardless of their vast array of experiences, their stories are often unique and of such great interest to me.
The Carillon Historical Park Volunteers are wonderful in how they share the story of Dayton’s rich history as they each add their own little impression, some of which are the result of them having worked for NCR, McCalls, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Frigidaire, Standard Register, Ohmer Cash Register, Delco (Dayton Electronics Company), Esther Price, and this list continues. A good number of our volunteers have also served in education, the military, and owned private businesses. We also have Volunteers who knew Orville Wright, Ermal Fraze, Edward Deeds, and my newest Volunteer friend, Chuck Johnson, who worked with the legendary inventor, Charles Kettering.
In short, I have a front-row seat to much of Dayton’s history during the latter half of The Twentieth Century, plus the history the Volunteers share of their parents and grandparents who also contributed to the success of Dayton’s rich manufacturing story, the wonderful era of visionaries and innovation, and our community’s culture.
It’s no wonder that Dayton still holds the record for claiming more US Patents per capita than any other city.
From day to day, or shift to shift, I never always know which Volunteers will be at the park. Several have only certain days they work while others bounce about as needed. On top of this, they’re trained to work in various areas throughout the park. One volunteer might work in The Heritage Center on Monday morning, the Transportation Center on Wednesday afternoon, and The Wright Brothers’ National Museum on Friday afternoon. This means our park’s Volunteers are trained and prepared with the history and knowledge of numerous areas throughout. Not only is that a gift, but it is also their gift to each of us who come in contact with them as Guests or staff.
In order to build this company of Volunteers at Carillon Historical Park, it requires the steadfast determination, tireless effort, and talented abilities of the Volunteer Coordinator, Kay Locher, a fellow Hoosier and lover of music and musical theatre. Having served as a volunteer coordinator, mostly for music parent-related organizations and generally for seasonal events, I can appreciate the service and ongoing duties Kay brings to this position as the park’s coordinator.
Volunteering is not just about offering your time and talents to organizations. There are many ways a person can volunteer, serve, and make a difference. I raised my sons to embrace the spirit of being of service to others no matter the offering. One of my favorite unique volunteer-led efforts was during the pandemic’s quarantine when my neighbor, and mother of several private piano students, Jennifer Stamper, invited neighboring school-aged children and their families to share in reciting The Pledge of Allegiance each morning in the middle of Lewiston Road, here in Kettering, before online school began. The pandemic did yield many wonderfully designed volunteer opportunities by Jennifer and so many other loving and giving individuals like her.
If we each stop for a moment to consider our own talents and gifts, I am betting we could each reach out in a number of unique ways to be of service to others. My neighbor lady, Mama Kay, is the master at being of service to others, whether it’s her service with the choir, sacristy, or delivering weekly bulletins for St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, plus driving friends to appointments, staying overnight with friends released from the hospital, or being my bonus-mom. She, too, is an example of how we can each be of service to others through various offerings.
I am grateful to all the volunteers with whom I’ve come in contact or with whom I have worked. Through volunteering efforts or leadership, I’ve gained some wonderful friends, especially through the Kettering Fairmont High School music programs. I even work with a fellow band parent at the park!
If you are interested in volunteering, I encourage you to seriously consider sharing your time and talents with Carillon Historical Park by contacting our coordinator, Kay Locher, at (937) 293-2841 ext. 102 or email: klocher@daytonhistory.org.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to be retired to be a volunteer. Parents can be great models for their younger and older children by finding something to which they can volunteer a few hours a month or week. Teenagers are also another valuable age group to be of service to others to explore their passions and interests.
Don’t just make it a great day for yourself; examine your gifts and passions to help make it a great day for others.
It’s damp from yesterday’s downpours and the sky has alternated between some pokes of sunshine through the clouds and a gray overcast. Now it is 61-degrees with an expectation of gaining ten more notches to the warmth. A pleasant day, nonetheless.
It was a restful sleep and I feel more refreshed than when I awakened Wednesday morning after much less sleep. Gone are the days when I easily lived on 4-5 hours of sleep per night. Many thought I pushed myself with less sleep but I had been that way since infanthood. Mother also required less sleep and rather than leave me in my baby bed to bat around my non-musical mobile, she’d keep me up with her until I was ready to sleep. This was pretty much our lives until I went off to Ball State University. Mother taught me how to write and read during those additional nighttime hours, and I grew up watching Johnny Carson and his parade of guests, many of which were Broadway and motion picture legends. As I began working with Mr. Joshua Logan, I would meet some of these wonderful performers of the golden era.
I was busy with some projects and the relaunching of in-person lessons that I completely missed recognizing the 18th anniversary of my grandfather’s passing on June 3rd. Leroy Barmes was the constant father figure in my life, even after David Haas adopted me and my siblings. There are still many things I carry with me, today, because of Grandpa Leroy.
Wednesday, June 8th, was a full day of anniversaries that I elected not to address. My cousin, Debbie Riser Fox, the daughter of my great-aunt, Joyce Clary Riser, celebrated her birthday, as did my nephew, Parker Leroy Haas, the eldest son of my late brother, Destin, turned 17. On a heavier note, June 8th is the anniversary of my Uncle Ron Barmes’ death in 1987. His tragic demise ended at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel in Norfolk, Virginia; ironically, a student’s family left NYC on a cruise ship and passed by the US Navy base.
Mother always loathed June as she always mentioned, “I lost my family in June.” Her father, Leroy Barmes, on June 3rd, her brother, Ron Barmes, on June 8th, and her mother, Donna Clary Barmes, on June 27th.
Somehow, we learn to live with the sadder anniversaries. Some years, the anniversaries arrive with a bit more heaviness, while for me, some years they pass unnoticed. I don’t feel guilty when I miss an anniversary of a loved one’s death as I honestly believe they’d rather me remember their birthday and not the time we parted.
There are some social media memes asking, “If you could sit for one hour with a lost loved one, who would it be?” Well, my answer is, “no one close to me.” I don’t want to say “goodbye” all over again. I would rather chat with a favorite historical character who has fascinated me.
This post may appear a tad morbid but I am in no way wading through that frame of mind. I am merely recognizing important dates that are etched into the journey of my own life. We all have those anniversaries. I just sent off a note to my friend, Jeff Carter, in St. Louis, and shared my appreciation for his own attention to his ancestry and commemorations. In this, he is a kindred spirit. Jeffrey had a much-beloved great-aunt, Esther, and I had my own great aunt, Joyce. I wonder if, when he and I step into the next life, our two great aunts will be our first visits. I am, however, confident our great aunts, and other family members, are still somehow with us.
And, I hear my resident cardinal beginning to bellow… I guess I received the answer to my last statement above!
Go in peace. Cherish your family and friends, on earth and above, and take time to remember them on special anniversaries.
Now, it is time for me to get ready for a stroll through the park in an awkward shift placement of 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Earlier today I wrote about CAVU, an acronym used by the United States Air Force meaning, “ceiling and visibility unlimited.”
Today was certainly a CAVU day in several ways. There were several reasons CAVU felt applicable to this day. It was a feeling of accomplishment by completing one portion of a project and being able to attend to other projects that have been placed on the back burner due to this major project.
When I began researching Charles Kettering, Col. Edward Deeds, William “Bill” Chryst, and The Barn Gang, Alex Heckman of Carillon Historical Park said, “You need to meet Charlie or Chuck. He worked directly with Charles Kettering.” I learned Charlie or Chuck had been away from the park for awhile due to Covid and would soon return to volunteering.
At 12:30 PM, a volunteer arrived and we struck up not only a great conversation, but an immediate connection. At 1:00 PM, he moved out to the replica of Deeds Barn and I went to the south portico where I love to sit and eat my lunch to enjoy the view of the bowling green before me with the pioneer section of the park and other wonderful historic structures. And, I love to see the Guests moving from one building to another, or simply enjoying a nice walk. We have many members who come to the park just to walk and enjoy the atmosphere. I like that!
I finished my lunch rather quickly and decided to go for a walk around the carillon tower. I passed through the Museum Store and as I began chatting with one of the associates, I noticed she had a business card with Charles Kettering’s image on it. I learned that it was a business card belonging to Chuck who had worked for Charles Kettering. It finally occured to me that the gentleman with whom I had been chatting was the same Charlie or Chuck Alex wanted me to meet!
I don’t move as quickly as I once did, but let me tell you, Flash Gordon would have choked on my dust as I bee-lined it to the Deeds Barn in the park. I don’t feel I am at liberty to go into details at this time, but within ten minutes, Chuck and I formed a collaboration team. I have been on Cloud Nine ever since.
Again, CAVU!
On top of all this, I got to meet some of the most remarkable Guests from The Miami Valley, Louisiana, quite a few from Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and students from overseas. I love hearing how they found Carillon Park and today, I heard, “This is the most remarkable place. It’s world class!” and “I have been to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village but this is even more exceptional because this is history from one area of the country and not collected from all over.” With each compliment, I looked over to my work wife, the animatronic Edith Deeds, and winked.
I stepped from the bus in front of my house to the tune of tornado sirens. The dogs were crying but soon relaxed into happiness upon seeing me enter.
Supper is completed and now it is time to tackle some projects. Despite receiving less hours of sleep last night, I am pumped and ready to work on my own items while listening to an audiobook or THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.
What a terrific day… a day of continued CAVU!
PHOTOS: Charles Kettering on the business card and Me with Edith Deeds, my work wife.
In a way, I am so glad I am not at the park today as I would be missing this brilliant morning on the deck surrounded by The Quartet, a healthy breeze that keeps the wind chimes bouncing, the very loud cardinal, and the morning echoes of traffic and folks moving about. It truly is a pleasant sound and environment.
But, I do miss my Work Wife, the animatronic figure of Edith Deeds that stands about thirty feet away from my tall desk in The Atrium. Visitors love to “push” Edith’s buttons… the buttons encourage Mrs. Deeds to share her story of the carillon tower, her love for Carillon Park, and her passionate devotion to Dayton, Ohio.
There are four windchimes about the deck and each has a slightly different timbre (color) in their tone. Their combined animated sound is quite extraordinary to me. The breeze is so busy it don’t miss a chime! It’s 73-degrees and is expected to only get to 79-degrees by 3:00 PM, just before the rain arrives by 4:30 PM.
I have several projects on which I am working and while I would love to share more about my morning at The Haasienda, that shall need to wait until a good chunk of my research and exploration of items is completed.
Enjoy the world about you and be sure to make it a great day!
We can still feel the presence of the rain showers from yesterday afternoon and evening as the world surrounding The Haasienda still feels heavy with moisture. The sky is grey with overcast and a slight breeze bounces the limbs and leaves. The cardinal has been belching out a loud aria, however, due to all the leaves in the trees, I no longer have a clear view of Big Red.
I have never been fond of squirrels. To me, they’re big rats with fluffy tails. When we moved into The Haasienda nineteen years ago, a battle between myself and several squirrels began. Their orneriness was not so cute when the one would sit on the branch above my deck table and drop things into my coffee cup each morning. No matter where I moved my cup, the pesky little furry-tailed rat would move to position himself above my cup.
There are several squirrels who love to torment Bailey and Harrigan. Sometimes, Chief will react to their nearby presence, but it’s mostly my two Elmira Fuddettes who go on the mad chase. This morning, one squirrel is really teasing the hell out of them.
As I work from the deck, this morning, I am listening to David McCullough’s JOHN ADAMS. I so wish this audiobook was narrated by its author as Mr. McCullough’s voice is pleasant and lyrical. Sometimes, I listen to YouTube videos that feature him in an interview. David McCullough is riveting and fascinating.
The Quartet has been enjoying the return of in-person lessons. They’ve gotten to see familiar faces as well as new faces. In the later evenings when I am Zooming lessons with students from the western side of the country, The Quartet seems to drop to the floor in an exhausted state and sleep until I am finished teaching. They rouse themselves for the last potty session of the night and then find their places around the bedroom.
It is 9:35 AM and I feel as though I’ve wasted my morning despite having completed a load of laundry, attended to the dogs, fed myself, swept the deck from yesterday’s storm debris, and taken care of my emails and social media needs.
It’s Taco Tuesday and I will join Mama Kay and her Mass-folks for lunch before returning home to teach. Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday will find me strolling through the park.
Just as I was wrapping up this blog post, the cardinal appeared high up in the tree.
It was a super productive, busy day, from start to, well, I hope I am finished. I’m tired but still riding that wave of energy. My alarm will sound at 6:40 AM, six hours from now.
I accomplished a bit on a major project on which I’ve been working, finished a load of laundry and placed it on the clothes line across the deck, completed a load of dishes, hit some yard areas with the weed trimmer, showered, and met Mama Kay in her driveway at 12:45 PM.
After she and I dined at El Toro for Taco Tuesday, we ventured to grab The Dollar Tree abs Aldi’s before returning to our little corner on Shroyer Road. I took a short nap before beginning the afternoon into the late evening with teaching. I had two new students and three students who’ve been with me between two years and eleven months that I had never met in person.
After teaching, I spent two hours on the special project and I believe it is wrapped up and ready to be delivered.
Now, I’m ready for sleep and hoping it shall be sound.
The photo is of a small bird that was standing on a stone in Mama Kay’s yard. I couldn’t tell if it was injured but it’s beak looked twisted. It allowed me to get up close as I talked to it.
From 3:00 PM until 11:45 PM, I eleven in-person lessons and six Zoom lessons. It was a great mix for the full return to in-person lessons. There were two students I had never met in person, four that I had met but had not worked with in person, and a number that I had pre-Covid and finally got to see again, in person. Ahhhh… There was something liberating.
And the dogs were so excited to greet with barks, embrace with tons of sniffing, and a great amount of appreciation with tail wags from all the petting and love they received. I am so grateful for everyone who loves The Quartet.
Cleaning the front (living) room was a huge challenge as I had allowed it to slide during the pandemic and quarantine since it was not in use. It was picked up and neat, but the dust… Oh… my… I used the vacuum with the brush attachment, first, and then dusted using a cloth. But, the front room is clean (as much as I desire it to be).
The piano hands were not as rusty as I feared. It was, as they say, “like riding a bike.” I did take some Ibuprofen around 8:00 PM and that eased some of the stiffness and achiness.
After Zooming with my last students from Wyoming, I came out onto the deck to enjoy some quiet time and fresh air. The Quartet did not join me but took their places in the bedroom. They are tuckered out from their big day!
I do not return to the park until Wednesday so I can relax a bit, tomorrow morning and early afternoon. But, for now, I must sleep so I can wake up and make it another great day!
Photos: Bailey was looking so cute during Patrick’s lesson. She even showed him how she could smile with her teeth! This was Patrick’s first time to actually meet The Quartet.
I’ve packed my lunch bag, attended the pooches, and now it’s nearly time to get ready for the day. The sun was blasting through the kitchen windows and the temperature is perfect this morning. It promises to be a gorgeous day.
There’s really nothing more to report except to encourage everyone to make it a great day! And, if you can, make a difference!
The Haasienda on Shroyer... 