Fling in the Springs weekend full of art, music, education

Martin Harold Benedict Borchers made his public debut on Friday, September 17 with a show of prints and original pieces at 108 Dayton Street (upstairs by Yoga Springs Studio). Appointments can be made for weekday viewings by contacting Borchers at borchers.20@wright.edu






Joe Cook enticed guests with his guitar from the front patio of the new Yellow Springs Arts Gallery at 309 Xenia Avenue, while singer/songwriter Jordan Link entertained in the garden in back. Featured sculptor Sharon Mohler (pictured in red skirt) and fabric/repurposed-paper artist Karen Russell (print skirt) share a laugh with guests at the Opening Reception on Friday, September 17.


The "Shower of Stoles" exhibit at First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs is a collection of liturgical stoles celebrating those who serve God in countless ways yet have been excluded from their religious service because of sexual orientation. An Opening Reception was held at the church on Friday, September 17.

According to the exhibit's website, the Shower of Stoles collection is a culmination of over a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in thirty-two denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of a GLBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson. The collection bears witness to the huge loss of leadership that the church has brought upon itself because of its own unjust policies.

For more information about the traveling exhibit, go to
http://www.welcomingresources.org/sosp.htm

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 17, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- September 18, 2010

Urban Nights celebrates urban living

Urban Nights is a free event that showcases downtown Dayton's dining, nightlife, art, music, retail, and urban living options twice a year -- once in the spring and once in the fall. The all-inclusive street party and open house has something for everyone to enjoy.

This season's event featured four public pianos placed at outdoor locations, a drumming circle, tap dancers, street musicians, belly dancers, choral performances, art gallery openings, a karaoke contest, a zentangle public art participation piece, tours of a new "green" urban living option and more. For information on 2011 Urban Nights, contact Molly Eaton at (937) 224-1518 ext. 229.

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 10, 2010
courtesy Downtown Dayton Partnership

Local artist prepares for opening

Fabric and paper artist Karen Russell prepares her work to exhibit at the new Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery, 309 Xenia Avenue. Russell shares the exhibit, titled "By the Available Light," with featured sculptor Sharon Mohler. An Opening Reception took place Friday, Sept. 17, 6-9 p.m. as part of the downtown Third Friday Fling. Gallery hours and flower sculpture demos by Mohler will be Saturdays, 1-3 p.m., Sept. 18 and 25, and Oct. 2 and 9.

For more information, contact Sharon Mohler at smmart937@att.net.

photo by Susan Gartner -- September 15, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- September 17, 2010

Forecast calls for bubbles

Yesterday afternoon, Jim Metzger, from Lebanon, OH, brought his kids, Mason and Monet, to Yellow Springs to spend the day. He had visited the garden terrace behind 309 Xenia Avenue on a previous visit and remembered talking with the owner, Alan Macbeth, about the unique building that is "a work-of-art" and the magical outdoor space. As we chatted, bubbles suddenly appeared all around us, floating softly down from the balcony of the 2nd floor apartment.

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 11, 2010

A peaceful demonstration

On Saturday, following the weekly Yellow Springs Peace Vigil (corner of Xenia and Limestone, noon-1 p.m.), peace activist, YS Senior Center Board secretary, and my personal role model Mary M. Morgan celebrated her 85th birthday surrounded by her “family.”

“I don’t have much family,” Mary told the 20-plus friends and fellow activists who had gathered for the celebration. “I have nieces and a nephew who consider me ‘that crazy aunt in the attic.’ I’m not ‘that crazy aunt in the attic.’ I’m that crazy aunt that lives in Yellow Springs!” She went on to express her gratitude for the group’s friendship and for being her family.

“If you folks hadn’t come,” she said, genuinely surprised at the number of people who showed up, “it would have just been me and a cake.”

Afterwards, participants ate sandwiches and cake and sang anti-war songs.

In her characteristically playful yet resourceful way, Mary wore a t-shirt she refashioned from her 70th birthday that read: “It took me 85 years to look this good!”

photos by Susan Gartner -- Sept. 11, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- Sept. 12, 2010

Perfect evening for tea and conversation

The second "Tea in the Garden" event hosted by Asian Collection owner Chris Shaff (top photo, second from left) took place Saturday evening in the garden area behind the store at 309 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs. The quietly advertised event drew in a moderately-sized tea-friendly crowd -- just the right number for conversation and connection. The idea generated from Chris' admiration of the beautiful setting and his desire to let more people know about this quiet oasis in the heart of downtown Yellow Springs.

Watch the Blog for more info on upcoming "Tea in the Garden" events or contact Chris directly at the store at (937) 767-2965.

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 4, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- September 5, 2010

First Presby Church rings in 150 years

Friday evening, September 3, the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs threw a birthday party on their front lawn complete with cake, ice cream, and balloons, to celebrate 150 years of service to the community. Special guests included Pepito (attending with puppeteer Jim Rose and pictured with new friend Angelina Smith); Patti Dallas and Marianne MacQueen hosting a sing-along; and barbershop quintet, "The Buzzards," featuring (left to right) Carl Maneri, Bill Mullins, Byron Dann, David Westneat, and Ron Siemer.

An added treat to the evening was the ringing of the newly restored bell in the church's bell tower.

photos by Susan Gartner -- September 3, 2010
posted to A Yellow Springs Blog -- September 4, 2010

Teachers: Start collecting photos!

This is an example of the type of video I can make for teachers to give to their students at the end of the school year. Simply start taking and collecting photos and video clips of your students and classroom activities. At the end of the school year, give me your collection and I'll turn it into a cherished memory that will make the perfect year-end gift. Songs that have a special meaning to your students or the audio from a choral performance can also be added. For more information and rates, contact me at basedonatrueblog@gmail.com.