Fairborn, OH – TCN Behavioral Health is celebrating 35 years of caring for our communities, and we want you to be part of the celebration! Join us for a Community Fun Day & Free Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, July 12, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at TCN’s headquarters, 1825 Commerce Center Blvd, Fairborn.
The morning will kick off with a free pancake breakfast featuring “We Flip ‘Em and You Catch ‘Em” with Katie’s Pancakes, followed by a variety of fun and family-friendly activities including:
• Bounce houses
• Sidewalk chalk art
• Face painting
• A live “Division Feud” game show
• Kids’ coloring contest
• Art drive
• “Fill the Bus” school supply donation drive
• And much more!
This event is open to everyone, and we invite the entire community to come out and celebrate this milestone with us. Whether you’ve been part of our journey or are just getting to know us, we’re excited to share this special day with you.
TCN CARES—and this celebration is just one way we’re showing our gratitude for 35 years of support, growth, and improving lives by providing clinically excellent and accessible behavioral health services to adults and youth service across our region.
For more information about supporting us through sponsorship, donation or volunteering please call (937)376-8700 or visit www.tcn.org.
It takes a special kind of bravery to step onto a stage, armed with nothing but your talent and a willingness to bare your soul to strangers. Open mic nights embody this raw courage, where artists of all kinds—musicians, poets, comedians—challenge themselves not only to be heard but to connect. To say they are anything less than extraordinary would be missing the heart of the matter entirely.
As I write this, I’m sitting with my brother and cousin after just stepping off the stage at Plain Folk Café in Pleasant Plain, Ohio. My family group, The Brothers & Co., which now consists of my older brother and our cousin, has been performing together for over 30 years. We’ve played at casinos, festivals, theaters, just about everywhere – as professional entertainment. But I’d never experienced an open mic event until my cousin invited us to go as a group. He was a regular here, receiving a very “Cheers” like welcome from fellow performers when we arrived.
Every Thursday night since 2012, performers and patrons alike enjoy good food and entertainment, and the stage isn’t just a platform; it’s a crucible where artistry takes shape. The sign-in sheet, held aloft by a sombrero-wearing ceramic frog, sets the tone: quirky, welcoming, and uniquely communal. Each participant scribbles their name with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, knowing they’re stepping into an unfiltered arena. Some are regulars, others are first-timers, all are committed.
The pull of an open mic is multifaceted. For some, it’s a chance to test new material, an incubator for ideas that might someday grow into greatness. Writers spend hours pouring their souls into words; musicians craft melodies that echo with personal truths. They arrive not knowing whether their work will elicit applause, laughter, or silence—but they come anyway, driven by the need to express and improve.
Then there’s the process itself—learning not just to perfect the art, but to perform it before a living, breathing audience. Open mic performers are incredibly brave, hoping their work connects with even one person in the crowd. That’s where the beauty lies: that vulnerability becomes their strength. It’s almost a superpower, one which, for all my professional experience, can’t comprehend.
Gary Deer Jr and Gery Deer, two of the trio, The Brothers & Co., watch other performers on stage at Plain Folk Cafe.
The first time I was on stage, I was in first grade, doing a ventriloquist act in my elementary school talent show. I had studied the art for a year or so, and my mom thought I might like to show people. I agreed, and the next thing I knew, I was smack in the spotlight of the ultimate open mic set — me, a ventriloquist dummy, 250 schoolmates, teachers, and parents.
One joke, a laugh; another, some applause, and, at the end, I won first prize for my grade. That moment led to a lifetime of performing in front of audiences, from lecturing and emcee work to appearances at hometown festivals and on national TV. Yet, with all that, I can’t fathom getting up there alone, week after week, in front of a cafe full of patrons and performers. It requires a very different kind of courage.
Open mic nights strip away the barriers between artist and audience. Whether it’s a musician pouring their soul into an original ballad or a comic braving the silence between punchlines, the essence of their art is laid bare. Every strum of a guitar or carefully penned word reveals hours of effort, doubt, and hope. It’s humanity, distilled.
Most importantly, these evenings foster connection. In the glow of the stage lights, an unspoken camaraderie develops among performers and listeners alike. The applause isn’t just polite acknowledgment; it’s a collective celebration of effort and heart. That shared experience is what makes open mic nights so much more than casual entertainment—they’re gatherings where creativity finds its voice and its audience.
If you’ve never been to an open mic event, I urge you to go, not as a critic, but as a witness to the raw courage and artistry on display. You may not love every performance, but you will leave with a renewed appreciation for the grit it takes to share oneself so openly, and for all the creative souls who fearlessly challenge themselves week after week.
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To learn more about The Brothers & Co. Entertainers or Plain Folk Cafe, visit them on Facebook at:
The Brothers & Co. Bus served the group when it was a quartet traveling around the region to perform variety and music shows at festivals, theatres, and resorts. It has since been retired.
XENIA—Volunteers of the Greene County Parks and Trails Trail Sentinel program were available Saturday, May 24th, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors from as far away as South Carolina stopped by the table for suggestions on food stops and other resources along their ride. One cyclist who visited the table was on a long ride along the Erie to Ohio trail. He was documenting his journey with a YouTube channel.
Trail Sentinels are a volunteer group of experienced cyclists who support and assist on Greene County bike trails. They help with minor repairs, give directions, and contact officials in case of a problem on the trails, such as downed trees or emergencies.
Sentinels ride the trails regularly and will be on hand at the bike hub monthly. They also lead weekly Saturday rides, mornings, and evenings. Complete information available online at https://www.gcparkstrails.com/calendar/
An update from the Dayton Hamvention officials on May 28th reads as follows: The 2025 Hamvention set a new high attendance record with 36,814 attendees. The general chair, Brian Markland, said he felt fabulous about watching large crowds of amateur radio enthusiasts from all over the world enjoying exhibits, forums, and the flea market.
XENIA — Before cell phones or the internet, there was amateur, or “ham,” radio.
Once a year, thousands of enthusiasts descend on the Greene County Fairground and Expo Center in Xenia for the largest amateur radio convention in the world – Dayton Hamvention. Although final numbers will not be tallied for some time, organizers estimate that this year’s turnout exceeded the 35,000 attendees of 2024.
During Dayton Hamvention, participants from as many as 30 countries had the opportunity to see and buy the latest technology, attend educational and informational forums, sit for radio license exams, and take part in youth activities. This year’s event also included groups of young radio enthusiasts, organizations from all over the country made up of young people interested in both the analog and digital nature of amateur radio.
Jim Gifford, call sign N8KET, is the chairman of the media committee for Dayton Hamvention. He shared this year’s theme – Radio Independence – noting that what makes this event so important and impactful to the amateur radio community is the people. One of his favorite moments of this year’s event happened on Friday. “We had 73 students of the Community STEAM Academy (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) in Xenia here,” he said. “They were really excited to learn how amateur radio relates to science and even space communication.”
With some 800,000 licensed ham radio operators in the United States alone, there is a remarkable sense of community among radio operators, regardless of geography. “It’s so nice for all of us in the local area to be able to come to Hamvention, but then you have to stop and think, this is a big ham fest,” said Glenn Rodgers, WI80, assistant chairman of the event’s media committee. “This is the biggest ham gathering in the world, and we’re so fortunate to be able to come to something like this in this area and it’s an honor to work here.”
Amateur radio enthusiasts, vendors, and organizations from around the world converged at the Dayton Hamvention. Here’s a promotional booth for Tokyo Hamfair.
With such widespread interest, one might expect the world’s current geopolitical tension would hamper those relationships. According to Gifford, it does not. “We have a multitude of political views here,” he said. “But we’re ham operators, we take care of each other.”
“Because you meet people,” Gifford continued. “We talk to people all over the world. Just the other day, I spoke to somebody from Norway, and somebody from Italy, and it crosses barriers. It really does.”
Most amateur radio enthusiasts are known on the air, and to each other, only by their call sign, an alphanumeric identification given to each license holder by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Jesse Walker, N8XC, is U.S. Navy Veteran, and business development manager with Aegis Protective Services in Eaton. He’s been involved in amateur radio since the age of 15. He explained that, although the call signs are assigned, they become part of your identity.
“Many of us only know each other by our call sign,” Walker explained, who is a member of the Preble Amateur Radio Association in Preble County. “Coming here, we get to meet face-to-face often for the first time.”
Both Rodgers and Gifford also noted that, apart from being a hobby for some, ham operators play an important role in the community during emergencies. “Amateur radio groups work as sky spotters during severe weather, they work with and support our area first responders, providing backup communications and volunteers during local emergencies,” Gifford said.
“Essentially, the Preble Amateur Radio Association is involved in public service,” said Jesse Walker. “We work with the Preble County emergency management agency. Our motto in amateur radio emergency service is, ‘when all else fails.’”
Other amateur radio convention organizers also attend to promote their own events. Huntsville Hamfest, held annually in Huntsville, Alabama, is one such organization. Mark Brown, N4BCD, is the chairperson for the Huntsville Hamfest Association. “Ours is the third largest Ham radio convention in the country, behind Dayton and Orlando, Florida,” Brown said. “We all cooperate and help support each other’s events.”
Mark Brown, N4BCD, and Kelley Johns, W4VPZ, (pictured) provided information about the Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama.
Brown suggested the consistent growth of these events and interest in amateur radio is due in part to younger people learning about its technical diversity. “I think to attract kids, we’ve got to show different aspects of the hobby, like the satellite communications, the youth on the air, and the parks on the air,” he said. “Get youth involved in it. That’s one thing these events do is bring all ages together.”
Planning for next year’s Dayton Hamvention is already underway. For more information visit hamvention.org.
Glenn Rodgers and Jim Gifford, media committeeJesse Walker, N8XC, is U.S. Navy Veteran, and business development manager with Aegis Protective Services in Eaton.Flea market area had booth after booth of high tech and vintage technology.“Handiham” program provides connection for radio enthusiasts of limited physical ability.
WASHINGTON (AP) — May 18, 2025 – Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his office said Sunday.
Biden was seen by doctors last week after urinary symptoms and a prostate nodule were found. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said. “The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
Prostate cancers are given a score called a Gleason score that measures, on a scale of 1 to 10, how the cancerous cells look compared with normal cells. Biden’s office said his score was 9, suggesting his cancer is among the most aggressive.
When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it often spreads to the bones. Metastasized cancer is much harder to treat than localized cancer because it can be hard for drugs to reach all the tumors and completely root out the disease.
However, when prostate cancers need hormones to grow, as in Biden’s case, they can be susceptible to treatment that deprives the tumors of hormones.
Many political leaders sent Biden their wishes for his recovery.
President Donald Trump, a longtime political opponent, posted on social media that he was saddened by the news and “we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, said on social media that she was keeping him in her family’s “hearts and prayers during this time.”
“Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,” Harris wrote.
The health of Biden, 82, was a dominant concern among voters during his time as president. After a calamitous debate performance in June while seeking reelection, Biden abandoned his bid for a second term. Harris became the nominee and lost to Trump, a Republican who returned to the White House after a four-year hiatus.
But in recent days, Biden rejected concerns about his age despite reporting in the new book “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson that aides had shielded the public from the extent of his decline while serving as president.
In February 2023, Biden had a skin lesion removed from his chest that was a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer. And in November 2021, he had a polyp removed from his colon that was a benign, but potentially pre-cancerous lesion.
In 2022, Biden made a “cancer moonshot” one of his administration’s priorities with the goal of halving the cancer death rate over the next 25 years. The initiative was a continuation of his work as vice president to address a disease that had killed his older son, Beau, who died from brain cancer in 2015.
His father, when announcing the goal to halve the cancer death rate, said this could be an “American moment to prove to ourselves and, quite frankly, the world that we can do really big things.”
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Associated Press writer Jon Fahey in New York contributed to this report.
XENIA — The Greene County FISH Pantry hosted the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce after-hours event Wednesday.
The monthly networking program offered participants an opportunity to learn more about the food pantry’s mission and meet Mike Reeves, the new executive Director and operations manager.
After-Hours visitors were given tours of the pantry facility and its newest addition, a food storage warehouse they call “the barn.”
Each month, the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce presents the event at different member locations throughout the city. The after-hours event allows other chamber members, residents, and civic leaders to learn more about the host organization and their contributions to the region.
Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce President Donna Saraga opened the event by introducing Reeves and sharing why they chose to have the event at the pantry.
“We know many people have never been in the building or haven’t been for a long time, and we thought it was a great opportunity to learn more about the facility and meet Mike,” Saraga said.
Discussion topics included the continuing need for food security in Greene County through food and monetary contributions from residents and businesses. Members of the board of directors and the executive director provided guests with tours of the facility, including the newly constructed food storage warehouse, recently named in honor of the previous executive director of the pantry, Gail Matson.
Reeves provided some history about the pantry and the facility, then spoke of the people involved with the organization such as their clients and volunteers.
“It absolutely warms your heart to see these people, and the volunteers are what makes this place work,” Reeves said. “I really appreciate everyone coming to see the building and learn more about what we do, and thanks to Donna and the Xenia Chamber for having this here today.”
He also noted that the pantry serves more than 100 clients during each day’s distribution, up to 90 on those days reserved for veterans and active military service families. More information on the Greene County FISH Pantry is available online at http://www. gcfp.org.
The next Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce After Hours will be on June 11, hosted at Toward Independence in Xenia.
For more information about the chamber, visit its website at xacc.org, and for more information on the FISH pantry, visit its website at gcfp.org.
(Editor’s note: This edition also appears in other publications under the title “Checked Out.”)
As a kid, the local branch of the public library was in the old opera house near the center of our small farm town. It was cramped and dimly lit, and the reference desk was under the boarded-up grand staircase, giving it a sort of cubby-hole feel. I spent a good bit of time there. After school, I’d do my homework and wait for my mom to get off work. In the decades before the Internet, our library was the window to the world. But now, that window may be closing.
Ohio public libraries are funded, in part, by the Public Library Fund (PLF), which provides 1.7% of the state’s General Revenue Fund (GRF) as of this writing. However, the Republican-sponsored Ohio House Bill 96, proposed in early April of this year, would cut library funding by more than $100 million across the state. Why?
Governments have historically manipulated populations by controlling education and the media. They ban books that don’t align with their values, use defunding threats to force public and school libraries to cultivate materials for their purposes, and limit access to information. That way, voters remain ignorant, subjugated, out of touch, and pliable.
And before anyone says, “you just hate republicans,” they’re not the only ones to try this. Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, a democrat, proposed the same budget cuts a dozen years ago, and the republicans cried foul. Remember, the liberal left still regularly tries to “rewrite” some books to remove language and ideas they find offensive. So, it has gone both ways. This time, however, the danger is more palpable.
Over the last decade, public libraries have become frequent targets for budget cuts, with some policymakers arguing that digital access negates their necessity. But here’s the truth: libraries remain vital to the well-being of communities, and continued funding by federal and state governments is not just important—it’s essential. Without it, we risk depriving countless individuals of educational opportunities, civic engagement, and economic mobility.
Public libraries provide free access to knowledge for everyone (so long as their contents are not censored), regardless of socioeconomic status. Whether it’s a student researching for school, a small business owner seeking resources, or a job seeker brushing up on interview skills, libraries level the playing field in ways no digital paywall ever could. Eliminate government funding, and these services vanish, disproportionately affecting low-income communities. Instead of fostering informed citizens, we create a deeper knowledge divide, where only those who can afford education can access it.
A democratic society thrives when its citizens are informed, and libraries serve as safe spaces where people can access unbiased, factual information. They offer literacy programs, historical archives, and meeting spaces for community discussions—all of which help create engaged and empowered citizens. Where do people go for credible information when libraries close because of defunding? Unfortunately, they turn to the Internet and social media – the global misinformation machines. That’s a terrifying thought.
Libraries don’t just provide books—many offer essential services that help individuals improve their financial stability. They provide free internet access for job searches, resume-building workshops, business mentorship programs, and resources to help entrepreneurs. Government officials profess at nauseum about supporting small businesses and the workforce. Then they gut library funding and undermine those initiatives directly. If libraries disappear, so do these essential services, making it much harder for people to improve their situations.
Defunding libraries erodes the foundation of an educated, informed, and economically mobile society, which is exactly what this administration hopes to achieve. Without them, misinformation flourishes, the digital divide widens, and people lose access to critical resources for success. Libraries are not relics of the past—they are the lifeblood of communities, supporting everything from literacy to local economies.
So, before cutting another dollar from public libraries, policymakers should ask themselves: Do they really want a future where only the privileged have access to knowledge? Without funding, that’s exactly where we’re headed.
Good people on both sides of the aisle must speak out against this kind of censorship and ignorance. In Ohio, you can contact your state representative or State Representative Matt Huffman, currently Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives: email rep78@ohiohouse.gov or call 614-466-6344.
“The Great Gatsby,” F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tale of a tragic Long Island millionaire, was published 100 years ago to tepid reviews and disappointing sales. Since then, especially in the decades since World War II, it has become a staple of English classes and a fixture in popular culture. The novel has been memed, mocked, tweaked and reimagined countless times, a multifarious afterlife that I wrote about recently in The Times.
In my article, I explored some of the reasons for this longevity. But I didn’t focus on the most obvious one. In spite of what many critics of the 1920s thought, it’s a good book!
Let me be clear: I don’t mean a Great Book, though “Gatsby” may also be that. We tend to approach literary masterpieces in a spirit of deference and duty. They’re assigned in school or placed on authoritative lists of what we have to read before we die, which can be more off-putting than enticing. “The Great Gatsby” is profound and important, but it’s also all kinds of fun. Here are some of the kinds.
It’s a short, quick read.
At under 200 pages, “Gatsby” can be finished in the course of a rainy afternoon or a long plane ride. There’s a bit of wheel-spinning at the beginning, as our narrator, Nick Carraway, indulges in some philosophizing, but as soon as he mentions Jay Gatsby, whose name arrives in a cloud of mystery, glamour and foreboding, our interest is piqued. And Fitzgerald teases that interest, keeping the title character shrouded in an enigmatic aura until the very end of the book, revealing him — through Nick’s eyes — by means of a series of riddles, glimmerings and sideways glances.
It’s romantic.
Or at least Gatsby himself is. Nick describes him in the opening pages as possessing “some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life.” But modern life — crass, dishonest and materialistic — betrays those promises and destroys Gatsby’s life. Even though he’s a rich man with underworld connections, his motives remain pure. Above all, he’s driven by his love for Daisy, his former sweetheart, now married to the repellent Tom Buchanan. The tension between Gatsby’s noble spirit and the tawdry decadence of his surroundings brings the book to life. If Fitzgerald’s social criticism were less astute, the love story might seem corny; if the romance didn’t sing, the satire would collapse into cynicism.
It’s funny.
The Jazz Age reviewers who liked the book admired it as an acid-etched portrait of the times. Fitzgerald’s eye for hypocrisy and buffoonery and his ear for puffed-up speech remain sharp. Tom Buchanan, whose awfulness has a serious, violent side, is at the same time a brutally comic takedown of a certain kind of know-it-all blowhard, still familiar a century later:
“I read somewhere that the sun’s getting hotter every year,” Tom said genially. “It seems that pretty soon the earth’s going to fall into the sun — or wait a minute — it’s just the opposite — the sun’s getting cooler every year.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald could write.
Almost too well! “Gatsby” often shifts from brisk comedy to swooning lyricism to philosophical rumination within the space of a single page, somehow keeping a steady, conversational, modern tone. Fitzgerald knows when to accelerate the narrative with clipped, telegraphic sentences and when to draw it out in flights of elaborate description. The last sentence (“And so we beat on, boats against the current, borne ceaselessly back into the past”) is justly famous, but it follows a score of others that are at least as evocative, or even more so.
It has so many great characters …
Meyer Wolfsheim, the gangster who fixed the 1919 World Series. Jordan Baker, Nick’s feline sort-of girlfriend. Old Mr. Gatz, who shows up at the end to clear up the mystery of Gatsby (but really to deepen it). And of course the central triangle of Daisy, Tom and Jay.
… and so much to talk about.
There’s a reason English teachers love this book. But even if you only read it in school — or never did — there is endless fodder for discussion and debate, much of it still remarkably current. The state of the American dream, the bedazzling and corrupting power of money, the green light at the end of the dock.
Good morning, I’m Jayakumar Madala, filling in for Sarah Naffa.
In the news today: The Kilmar Abergo Garcia case pulls Democrats into the immigration debate Trump wants to have; a deep staff cut at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is the latest step in an extraordinary reshaping of the federal government; and survivors talk about the lessons of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Also, scientists find possible chemical signs of life on a faraway planet. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Thursday. (Press Office Senator Van Hollen, via AP)POLITICSThe Abrego Garcia case pulls Democrats into the immigration debate Trump wants to haveFor Democrats, the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case is about fundamental American ideals — due process, following court orders, preventing government overreach. For the Trump administration and Republicans, it’s about foreigners and gang threats and danger in American towns and cities. Read more.
Recent developments:This dichotomy is playing out as Democrats double down on their defense of Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported and imprisoned without communication. On Thursday evening, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen posted photos of himself meeting in El Salvador with Abrego Garcia. The lawmaker did not provide an update on the status of Abrego Garcia, whose attorneys are fighting to force the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the U.S.
In defending his administration’s position, Trump says he is doing what he was elected to do and justifying the need to deport millions. “I was elected to get rid of those criminals — get them out of our country or to put them away, but to get them out of our country. And I don’t see how judges can take that authority away from the president,” Trump said Thursday.
BELLBROOK, Ohio, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This year marks a significant milestone for Parrot Promo Essentials and its sister and origin company, Parrot Sports Gear, as they celebrate 30 years of innovation, growth, and community impact. Founded in Bellbrook, Ohio, by Kim Massie, she and twin daughters, Holly Beard and Krista Guiliano, have grown these family-owned businesses into staples in the promotional products and sports gear industries.
Parrot Promo Essentials and Parrot Sports Gear owners Krista Guiliano, Kim Massie, and Holly Beard are celebrating 30 years.
Massie’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a desire to channel her creativity into something meaningful. Having started her career in the pharmacy business, Kim spent years in the healthcare industry before the entrepreneurial opportunity arose. “I was constantly seeking ways to fulfill my creative side, which wasn’t possible in my previous career,” Kim recalls. “Starting Parrot Sports Gear part-time allowed me to explore that passion while supporting my family.”
Motivated by her daughter Holly’s involvement in competitive swimming, Massie started by selling goggles and swim caps. “I remember setting up at swim meets to sell supplies,” Massie explained. “It was a labor of love, and seeing my daughter’s enthusiasm for the sport inspired me to keep going.” Later, Parrot Sports Gear expanded to branded apparel and promotional items, particularly those for swim teams.
In 2013, Parrot Promo Essentials became a full-time venture that quickly gained a reputation for its personalized approach and wide range of products. Their partnership with Proforma Albrecht & Co. provided access to high-quality vendor relationships and buying power, further solidifying their position in the market. Meanwhile, Parrot Sports Gear continued to thrive. They opened brick-and-mortar space and expanded swimwear and activewear lines for teams and individuals.
Holly Beard, now co-owner of both businesses, fondly remembers those early days. “My mom’s dedication was incredible,” she said. Her sister, Krista Guiliano, co-owner of Parrot Promo Essentials, came aboard a while later. “What I love about this job is connecting with people, learning about their businesses, and educating them on ways they can use products to promote their businesses.”
Parrot Promo Essentials 30th Anniversary open house at Proforma Albrecht near Cincinnati.
Holly also emphasized the importance of adaptability. “The business landscape has changed so much over the years, but our ability to evolve while staying true to our core values has been key to our success,” she said.
“We are very different people. But we each bring different strengths to the table, and that diversity has been our greatest asset,” Krista noted. “It’s what allows us to provide the best possible service to our clients.”
What do the next three decades have in store for the business? “We’re constantly exploring new ways to innovate and serve our customers,” Massie said. “The next chapter will be just as exciting as the last 30 years.”
“We’re grateful for the support of our community and clients,” Holly said. “They’ve been with us every step of the way, and we’re committed to continuing to exceed their expectations.”
Krista believes that the future will be met with the same passion and dedication that has carried them thus far. “This anniversary is not just about looking back, but how to serve our customers moving forward,” she said. “We want to maintain the same personalized service but on a larger scale.”
The 30th anniversary of Parrot Promo Essentials and Parrot Sports Gear is a celebration of family, perseverance, and the impact of small businesses on their communities. The company continues to expand its reach, serving clients across the country. As Kim, Holly, and Krista forge ahead with heart and vision, their story inspires entrepreneurs everywhere.
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador, El Salvador, on Thursday. (Press Office Senator Van Hollen, via AP)POLITICSThe Abrego Garcia case pulls Democrats into the immigration debate Trump wants to haveFor Democrats, the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case is about fundamental American ideals — due process, following court orders, preventing government overreach. For the Trump administration and Republicans, it’s about foreigners and gang threats and danger in American towns and cities. 
The Jamestown Comet 