XENIA — On Wednesday, October 15, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce will host a timely and practical lunch and learn workshop titled Organizational Marketing in the 21st Century, aimed at helping service clubs, nonprofits, and small businesses attract new members, customers, and volunteers. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Chamber’s conference room, located at 334 W. Market Street. Admission is $15 and includes lunch.
Leading the session is Gery L. Deer, founder and creative director of GLD Communications in Jamestown, who brings decades of experience in public relations, media production, and strategic messaging. Deer will share actionable insights on how organizations can modernize their outreach, refine their messaging, and better connect with younger audiences and potential volunteers.
“Too many organizations rely on outdated methods that no longer resonate,” Deer said. “This workshop is about helping groups like Rotary and Kiwanis, as well as small businesses and not-for-profit groups, evolve their approach—because when you speak the language of your audience, you invite them into your mission.”
Participants will learn how to identify and communicate their organization’s unique value, leverage low and no-cost marketing tools, and determine when and where to invest in paid outreach. For service clubs and nonprofits facing dwindling membership and board vacancies, the workshop offers a fresh perspective on building community engagement and sustaining growth. Whether you’re a club leader, nonprofit director, or small business owner, this event promises practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Attendees are invited to use the rear entrance and enjoy a complimentary taco bar lunch beginning promptly at 11:30 a.m., with the presentation starting at noon. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce at 937-372-3591, or visit www.xacc.com.
The Greene County Engineer’s Office announces that Bay Crane Midwest LLC/Capital City Group will be moving an electric transformer and Crane for AES Ohio from Moraine to the AES substation site on Murdock Road on Friday, October 10, 2025, weather and equipment permitting.
The transformer weighs 91,000 lbs. The vehicle loaded will be 80’ long, 9’ 6” wide, 14’ 3” high and weigh 145,000 lbs. The transformer and 50’ length crane will be escorted by law enforcement.
This will be a moving road closure in Greene County, at approximately 9 am Friday, October 10, 2025, on the following roads:
North on SR 72 from US 35 to Federal Road
West on Federal Road to Wilmington Road
North on Wilmington Road to Murdock Road
West on Murdock Road to AES Substation
It is anticipated that the load will take 1 hour to reach the AES site once on OH 72 near Jamestown. Loads are not permitted to be moved during times that conflict with school bus traffic.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this important move and apologize for any inconvenience. If you are traveling along these routes, we strongly encourage you to seek alternative routes.
I have been a freelance journalist since 1988, and the level at which we are losing our right to speak fact to power is deeply concerning. I don’t care what side of politics you happen to be on, but if you can’t see that free speech is under attack in our country right now, you must be living under a rock or so brainwashed by the status quo that you don’t care. Well, you should care. Our founding fathers put our guarantee, free speech, a free press, and freedom of, and from, religion – all right there in the First Amendment of our Constitution.
The current political machine grinds out endless column inches, social media posts, and lawless proclamations to spew freedom at every possible moment. And yet, the first things they did when they took over was restrict the freedoms of anyone “he” didn’t like – and now it’s extending to those who speak out against their “cause.” Supposedly, that cause was freedom at all costs, with the caveat that you must go along with everything they say or do.
We’ve heard all of this before, in other countries, from communists, fascists, dictatorships, you name it. So here we are, in arguably the most powerful country on the planet, now controlled by people who have simply decided that free speech is fine, so long as it’s state-approved. Don’t get me wrong, our country is not perfect; we’ve got blemishes on our history all the way back to day one. However, I’d like to think we’ve improved some things since then.
Now I’m not so sure. The people in power want to eliminate any shred of evidence that the United States of America is not as star-spangled awesome as they’d like you to believe. They are all hard at work scrubbing books, museum exhibitions, and historical data of any references to the horrors of slavery, government corruption, and anything else that doesn’t serve their crazy idea of democracy. Let’s be clear, it’s not democracy they want, but totalitarianism.
Every move they make implies a state-sanctioned religion, a theocracy, and brainwashed ideology that is not only bigoted and corrupt, but downright criminal. This administration has violated the Constitution so many times that even the press has begun to normalize its behavior. Are you kidding me? That’s what we’re supposed to do now?
Why else would massive corporations like CBS Paramount, or ABC, which Disney owns, suddenly drop some of the most influential and award-winning television hosts? Sure, companies have regulations within their business, and they’re allowed to set the tone by which employees are expected to behave. However, when the government threatens a broadcaster with revocation of their broadcast license over a freedom of speech issue, rather than a regulation or violation of the airways, we’ve reached a point of ridiculousness and danger.
Can you imagine if the other side of the aisle had done any of this? The same people who are doing it now would have literally lost their minds. They would have been breaking their arms to wave flags and scream about trampling on the Constitution. But now, so long as you say what they like, you’re good to go.
Book bans, an attempt to force the “free press” to report only what the administration approves, and a laundry list of other incomprehensible and subjugating tactics are all part of their method of operation. The country’s second in command recently issued warnings to the public not to say anything against the recently assassinated vocalist of this right-wing banana factory – or else.
No government official in the United States of America has the right to restrict the free speech or opinions of any citizen – or any non-citizen, for that matter. If our laws don’t apply to everyone, if our freedoms and civil liberties don’t extend to all, then they’re complete nonsense. Americans on both sides of the aisle are feeling the strangle hold on their rights, but virtually no one on the right will speak out for fear of “his” wrath.
I say this again – free speech is under attack. But the more we all speak up, the less they will be able to suppress our voices.
Beavercreek, OH – On Friday, June 6, 2025, the 8th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing welcomed golfers, sponsors, and supporters for a day of purpose-driven play at Beavercreek Golf Club. Despite a rainy start in the morning, the skies soon cleared, making way for an event that ran seamlessly. With 116 players participating, this year’s outing proved to be a resounding success, according to founder, Col. Rafi Rodriguez, USAF (Ret.) and Dr. Jesse Steiner, director of Air Camp.
Rodriguez is the owner of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC, in Beavercreek, Ohio and his annual event raises funds to send Junior U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets from the Greater Dayton area to an exclusive one-day AirCamp. The program is designed to introduce the cadets to aviation-focused STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through hands-on experiences—including a flight with an instructor pilot. Rodriguez has made it his mission to provide cadets with opportunities he wishes he had at that age.
USAF JROTC Cadets from Bellbrook, Beavercreek, and Fairborn attended the one-day AirCamp session on September 19 at the Lewis A Jackson Airport in Xenia.
“This outing is more than just a golf tournament—it’s about helping our JROTC cadets access experiences that can shape their futures,” Rodriguez explained. “Through AirCamp, these young men and women are introduced to the fascinating world of aviation, leadership, and teamwork. Seeing them leave inspired is the ultimate reward.”
AirCamp, co-founded by Lt. Gen. Dick Reynolds, USAF (Ret.), has earned a reputation for its unique approach to STEM education, leveraging the thrill of aviation to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving. “Every time a cadet walks away excited about science and technology, we know we’ve made a lasting impact,” Reynolds said. “This program is about more than flying—it’s about opening doors to new opportunities.”
The outing is funded by presenting sponsor White-Allen Auto Group: Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and European—alongside Dixon Golf, GLD Communications. Dr. Jesse Steiner is the executive director of AirCamp. “About $16K will go to send 40 Junior ROTC cadets comprised from the Bellbrook, Fairborn, and Beavercreek Hich Schools to attend the exclusive 1-Day Air Camp,” he said. “The event took place on September 19th, 2025, at the MacAir Aviation facilities at the Greene County Airport.”
“A total of $6K will be allocated ($1K each) for two Junior ROTC selected from each participating High School to attend the 1-week AirCamp. This is an increase from $3K last year,” Steiner reported. “A total of $5,000 will go to purchasing new equipment (drones, raft, etc.) for AirCamp training modules.”
Other reported figures from the event included $750 towards supporting the “Girls in STEM” 1-Day AirCamp on September 20th. Residual funds have been allocated for administrative and other supporting expenses.
Rodriguez expressed his gratitude to all who participated and contributed to this year’s success. “We had an amazing turnout and raised significant funds to send these young cadets to AirCamp,” he said. “This program is about investing in their future, and we couldn’t do it without our sponsors, golfers, and the support of our community.”
The 9th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing is already scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026, Beavercreek Golf Club. Registration details to be announced in January at www.askrafi.com/events.
XENIA, OH — For many Greene County families, the annual Thanksgiving meal distribution hosted by the FISH Pantry has become a cherished tradition. However, this year, due to federal and state budget cuts, the Pantry is shifting its focus.
Instead of the large-scale Saturday giveaway that typically draws hundreds of families and requires a massive volunteer effort, the Greene County FISH Pantry will offer a more flexible alternative: a “Thanksgiving Corner” available during regular shopping hours for the four weeks leading up to the holiday.
“While it is only September, we at the Greene County FISH Pantry are already looking forward to helping you serve a great Thanksgiving Day meal in your home to celebrate with family,” said Mike Reeves, Executive Director. “With Federal and State budget cuts, we have made the decision to do something a little different this year.”
The Thanksgiving Corner will allow eligible shoppers—those who have visited the Pantry at least four times in the past twelve months—to receive traditional holiday meal items during their regular visits. This change aims to reduce logistical strain while still providing meaningful support.
Thanks to donors and sponsors, the Pantry plans to offer mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, biscuit mix, and a choice of small turkey, turkey breast, roasting chicken, or small ham.
Reeves emphasized the importance of community support: “Any donations of these items would be greatly appreciated.” Contributions can be dropped off at 774 Cincinnati Ave., Xenia, OH 45385, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For drop-offs outside those hours, donors are encouraged to call Reeves directly at 937-372-8441.
Financial donations from private and corporate sources are always welcome. Contact Reeves or visit www.gcfp.org/donate for more information. Though the format has changed, the mission remains the same: ensuring Greene County families can gather around a warm, festive meal this Thanksgiving.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is developing a multi-modal, long-range transportation plan that will shape the state’s transportation policies and investments over the next 25 years. Access Ohio 2050 outlines 10 objectives designed to achieve four key goals: safety, preservation, efficiency, and mobility.
ODOT oversees projects on major roadways, including highways and interstates across the state and here locally of 675, 68, 235, 35 , 444, 4, 70, 73, 42, 380, and 725.
Now is your opportunity to share your input with ODOT at locations we hear concerns about from you on ODOT owned/maintained roads, like I 675 at Wilmington Pike, I 675 at Grange Hall, I 675 at WPAFB Gate, US 35 Superstreet in Beavercreek, US 68 at Hyde Road, SR 235 at Trebein Road, SR 235 at Bryon Road, SR 235 at Hilltop Road, US 68 at Brush Road, Spring Valley Paintersville Rd at SR 380, etc This is your opportunity to share input on future projects in the Greater Miami Valley and across the state!
These concerns can be intersection safety related, corridor safety related, traffic congestion related, pedestrian safety related, bike crossing safety related, road condition related, etc.
Note : Comments posted on this post are NOT collected as part of the survey so please go to their page and complete the survey and submit your feedback there, attend the open house and/or email them directly.
Join us this Friday & Saturday, September 19th & 20th for the 2025 Annual Jamestown Lions Club Fall Festival!
👉 Opening Ceremony kicks off Friday at 5pm! Here’s a quick weekend rundown (full schedule available below):
FRIDAY: 🕔 5pm – Opening Ceremony & Crowning of the Fall Festival Queen & Court 🕕 6pm – The Great Lion’s Auction (Stage 2) 🕖 7pm – Big Lion BINGO @ St. Augustine 🎶 7–10pm – Killin’ Time (Main Stage) 🍔 Food & retail vendors open at 5pm!
SATURDAY: 🥞 7–11am – Silvercreek Pancake Breakfast (Fire House) 🚶 9am – Jamestown Cancer Families Annual Walk & Raffle 🚗 10am–2pm – Lions Club Car Show 🌽 1pm – Cornhole Tournament 🎵 3:30/4pm – Greeneview High School Band (Main Stage) 🎉 6pm – Great Lions Parade 🧩 6:30pm – Big Lion BINGO @ St. Augustine 🚜 6:30pm – Kiddie Tractor Pulls (In honor of Mark Campbell) 🎁 7pm – Ham & Blanket Wheel 🎶 7–10pm – LedFoot (Main Stage) 🎟️ 10pm – Lions Club Big Raffle Drawing (Main Stage)
✨ Bring your family, enjoy the fun, and help us celebrate our amazing community!
In a unique blend of community engagement and historical appreciation, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Business After Hours event on Wednesday, September 10, at one of the city’s most storied landmarks—Woodland Cemetery.
From 4:30 to 6:00 PM, around 30 local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members gathered at the caretaker’s cottage — now serving as the cemetery’s administrative office — to connect, collaborate, and commemorate. Executive Director Donna Saraga welcomed attendees with warmth and enthusiasm, setting the tone for an evening that was as reflective as it was productive.
Neil Fogarty (left) of Dodds Memorials and Donna Saraga, Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce executive director, welcome guests to the September Business After Hours at Woodland Cemetery. (Photo by Gery Deer)
The event was presented by the cemetery and Dodds Memorials, a cornerstone of the region’s heritage, now celebrating an impressive 180 years in business. Neil Fogarty, president of Dodds, and representing the Woodland Cemetery Board of Directors, offered a heartfelt introduction, highlighting their longstanding commitment to honoring lives and preserving memory.
Shortly after, guests were treated to a guided walking tour led by Catherine Wilson, Executive Director of the Greene County Historical Society. Beginning at the caretaker’s cottage, the tour wound its way to the mausoleum and back, revealing stories etched not just in stone, but in the fabric of Xenia and Greene County’s past.
Wilson captivated the crowd with tales of Woodland Cemetery’s notable residents, architectural features, and the evolution of burial practices over the decades. Her narration brought to life the cemetery’s role as both a resting place and a dynamic archive of the county’s history.
First chartered in 1845, Woodland Cemetery is more than a final resting place—it’s a testament to Xenia’s resilience, artistry, and civic pride. With its serene landscape and historic monuments, it offers a contemplative space for remembrance and education. The cemetery is managed by a dedicated board and supported by a variety of community partners.
The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role in fostering economic growth and community connection. Its Business After Hours series, held on the second Wednesday of each month, provides a relaxed setting for professionals to network, share ideas, and support local enterprises. Events are open to members and non-members alike, reflecting the Chamber’s inclusive mission.
Greene County Historical Society Executive Director, Catherine Wilsom, led a walking tour of the cemetery, which included the museum.
As the sun dipped behind the trees and conversations lingered in the old caretaker’s cottage, attendees left with more than just business cards—they carried a deeper appreciation for the legacy of Xenia, and the people and organizations working to preserve it. For details on upcoming events and membership opportunities, visit www.xacc.com.
Here’s video from the introduction for the event provided by Donna Saraga and Neil Fogarty.
Jamestown, OH — On Thursday, September 4th, acclaimed feature writer and columnist Gery L. Deer was honored with the 2025 Appalachian Writers Conference Journalism Award, recognizing his exceptional three-part feature series, “Just My Type.” The articles, which spotlighted a family-run typewriter repair shop, were published in October 2024 across the Xenia Daily Gazette, Fairborn Daily Herald, Beavercreek News-Current, and online at TheJamestownComet.com. The series resonated widely, drawing thousands of views, and even generating new business for the shop.
Writer, Creative Director, Gery Deer – winner of the Journalism Award at the 2025 Appalachian Writers Conference in Berea, Kentucky.
The Appalachian Writers Conference (AWC) was established in 2023 by Dr. Melissa Newman, President and CEO of Martin Sisters Publishing. The conference supports writers through immersive and genre-inclusive programming, offering workshops on craft, contracts, publishing, and marketing, along with opportunities to pitch to agents. The AWC has quickly become a nationally respected event. The Journalism Award was one of several included in the annual “Appy Inkwell Awards” series as well as the “Dr. Pam Parry Lifetime Learning Award” which honors a valued friend and faculty member of the conference.
“This year, we introduced the journalism award category that we hope to continue,” said Newman, who is also a journalist and former professor of communication. “It recognizes recipients for their steadfast commitment to journalism that celebrates our shared humanity.”
Deer’s award-winning series captivated readers with its heartfelt portrayal of a young entrepreneurial family reviving a business many considered obsolete. “The piece was originally supposed to be a single feature article about an unusual local business,” Deer explained. “I wanted to highlight this young entrepreneurial family who chose an enterprise likely seen as arcane by others, and with a limited future—but I saw so much more. I wanted to share that. I’m incredibly honored that even more people will read it now and learn their story.”
(Photo by Kasey Ogle) Appalachian Writers Conference founder Dr. Melissa Newman (left) and Mary Ryan Wineberg (right), Appy Inkwell Awards coordinator, present the 2025 Journalism Award to Gery Deer, September 4th in Berea, KY.
With a most unusual and diverse career background which includes stage performance and voiceover, Deer’s journey to this recognition is rooted in decades of storytelling. Growing up on his family’s small cattle farm, he learned the fundamentals of business early on. In college, he studied engineering and computer science but was drawn to writing and funded his education by working as a staff writer and editor for the campus newspaper. (Watch Gery Deer’s video interview about the award below.)
Deer spent several years in the engineering and technology sectors before he founded GLD Communications in 1998—an IT firm turned advertising and public relations media agency that has served clients nationwide and in the United Kingdom for more than 25 years.
Despite his technical career, Deer never stopped writing and has been published in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and digital outlets. His long-running op-ed column, Deer In Headlines, has earned national editorial award nominations, and his copywriting and creative direction have garnered multiple advertising awards. In 2010, another feature series Deer wrote was even nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.
DAYTON, OH — On Saturday, September 20, and Sunday, September 21, from 10 AM to 4 PM, the Davis-Linden Building will host the C2 Market. This vibrant weekend event blends Dayton’s legacy of innovation with its modern creative spirit, and it is open to the public.
Located at the corner of Davis and Linden Avenues, just north of U.S. 35, the Davis-Linden Building is more than just a venue—it’s a landmark of Dayton’s industrial past. Originally home to the Davis Sewing Machine Factory, the site later became the birthplace of the iconic Huffy Bicycle, a brand that pedaled its way into American homes for generations. Today, the building has been reimagined as a hub for creativity and commerce through the “C2 Initiative.”
This will be the first of what the C2 organizers hope is many regularly scheduled events. (AI-generated rendering pictured here.)
The C2 Market will feature a variety of member tenants showcasing their work, from wood crafting and glass creations to specialty photography. Visitors will have the chance to meet the creators, explore a portion of the historic building, and learn how its legacy continues to inspire new ventures.
“The C2 Initiative is an effort to create a community of creativity and commerce,” said Becca Brumfield, Operations Manager. “Our goal is to help enlighten Dayton and encourage the innovative spirit that thrives in our city.”
What sets the Davis-Linden Building and the C2 program apart from other creative spaces like the Hub at the Dayton Arcade or the Front Street art district is versatility and room for growth. “We are an exclusive facility that provides not only office and artistic space, but also light manufacturing, storage, and studio space as well,” Brumfield explained. “And there’s room to expand. We want our member tenants to grow with us. Their success is tied to ours.”
Looking ahead, the C2 Initiative plans to launch community-focused projects that give back to Dayton through mentorship, education, and collaborative outreach—ensuring that the building’s future is as impactful as its past.
Parking is available at 15 Davis Ave and 115 Davis Ave, with entry through Door 1 (corner of Davis and Linden, up the long, cement staircase) or Door 4 (across from 115 Davis Ave). For more information, visit www.davislindenbuilding.com.
The Jamestown Comet 