Xenia, OH – The Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce held its November Business After Hours gathering on Wednesday, November 12, at the City of Xenia offices, 107 E. Main Street. The evening event brought together local business leaders, city officials, and community members for networking, refreshments, and a look at the future of downtown Xenia. Many guests even had the opportunity to experience some off-the-cuff sleight of hand by local magician, Dave Davis.
Guests were treated to food, door prizes, and an informative program highlighting current and upcoming city projects. A centerpiece of the discussion was the Xenia Market District Development Project, the ambitious redevelopment of the former Xenia Towne Square Shopping Center. A rolling video display showed some of the plans and progress of the project currently underway.
Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Donna Saraga, addresses the business after-hours attendees before turning the floor over to City Manager Brent Merriman.
The project’s concept draws inspiration from the townscapes of small, historic Ohio villages. Plans call for updated streetscapes, inviting public spaces, and a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and residential opportunities. The goal is to create a lively, walkable district that reflects Xenia’s heritage – including a memorial commemorating the 1974 tornado – while positioning the city for future growth.
After an official welcome and announcements by Chamber Director Donna Saraga, Xenia City Manager Brent Merriman briefly addressed attendees, noting disappointment at the failure of the recent street project tax levy, while stressing the vibrance and importance of the market district project and business community for economic vitality.
“Xenia is a hot place to do business, there’s a lot happening,” Merriman said. “We have a lot of new housing and neighborhoods coming online, new retail coming online, and we’re very excited with the progress of the market district downtown, where vertical construction has begun in several areas of the project.”
The evening offered business leaders a chance to connect while learning how city initiatives will shape the local economy. Chamber representatives noted that events like Business After Hours strengthen ties between the public and private sectors, ensuring that Xenia’s growth is both collaborative and community driven.
With food, fellowship, and forward-looking plans on the table, the November gathering underscored the Chamber’s role as a hub for conversation and progress in Xenia. For information about the next after-hours event, and other upcoming programs, including a new monthly speaker series, visit the Xenia Area Chamber of Commerce’s website at http://www.xacc.com.
When we think about what makes a child healthy and safe, a bed might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for many families in Greene County, something as simple as a bed can change everything.
On Friday, November 7, a group of volunteers, donors, and community leaders gathered at the Morris Home Furniture warehouse in Fairborn to do just that—change lives, one mattress at a time. The event was part of the “Hope to Dream” campaign, a partnership between the United Way of Greater Dayton Area’s Greene County office, the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Morris Home Furniture, donors, and volunteers. Together, they provided more than 60 beds and two cribs for families in need—complete with frames, box springs, and linens.
As volunteers lined up trucks and trailers outside the Morris Furniture warehouse, volunteers braved darkening November skies and looming rain to load and deliver beds across Fairborn. Inside, organizers smiled through the bustle, knowing the difference those deliveries would make before the day was over.
“We are proud to host this Hope to Dream event for the Fairborn community,” said Robert Klaben, executive vice president of Morris Furniture Company. “We’ve been doing this kind of work for more than 20 years, and it’s gratifying to know that kids will be sleeping in their own beds tonight.” For some children, that’s a first.
According to the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, more than 2.2 million children in the United States don’t have a bed of their own—many sleeping on couches, air mattresses, or even the floor. Research shows that children who sleep well are more likely to perform better in school, develop emotionally and socially, and enjoy better long-term health. Lack of adequate sleep, on the other hand, can contribute to anxiety, behavioral struggles, and difficulty focusing while in class. That’s why Hope to Dream is about more than furniture—it’s about dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive.
“This is an opportunity to give children something that belongs to them,” said Tom Kelley, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Dayton Area. “A bed gives them a sense of identity, safety, and security. It allows them to rest and dream, moving them out of often unsafe or unstable conditions. That’s very important to their development—and their hope.”
Now in its third year serving Greene County, Hope to Dream has become a signature partnership among the United Way, Fairborn FISH Pantry, and Morris Home Furniture. It also continues to grow thanks to an increasing network of local partners, including CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, International Harvester Credit Union, Joseph and Amanda Jenkins, Jamie’s Tire & Service, Kroger, and others.
“This year we had so many generous people come together to make it happen,” said Rebecca Cantrell, Greene County Director for United Way of Greater Dayton. “Linens have already been delivered and Kroger donated gift baskets. The Greene County Public Library provided books so every child can start a library of their own. They’ll have everything they need for a good night’s sleep.”
(Left to Right) Jane Doorley, Executive Director of Fairborn FISH Pantry, Rebecca Cantrell, Greene County Director, United Way of Greater Dayton, Robert Klaben, Executive Vice President, Morris Home Furniture, Tom Kelley, CEO, United Way of Greater Dayton
At the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Executive Director Jane Doorley has seen firsthand how a simple gift like a bed can transform a family’s outlook.
“When families come to FISH, we talk to them,” Doorley said. “Some tell us their children are sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed with a parent. Others have just moved into their own apartment after struggling for years, but they have nothing to sleep on. The impact of getting their own bed is huge.”
She remembers one little dark-haired girl from last year’s event. “When she saw her bed, she was like, ‘Is this mine? Do I get to keep it?’ She couldn’t believe it, a bed that’s really hers.”
Doorley also recalled a mother who told her, “Once I got beds for my children, it was like a black cloud lifted. I felt like things were going to be okay. I was able to get a job, and my family’s just happier now.” That’s what hope looks like.
Hope to Dream reaches families, in part, through referrals from community programs like Greene County Family and Children First, which provides case management for United Way’s Strong Families program.
“Our mission is to help families increase their financial stability and meet basic needs,” said Brent Lewis, the agency’s director and chair of the Greene County Advisory Board for United Way. “Helping kids have a safe place to sleep at night is part of that. It’s foundational.”
By the end of the day, every bed and crib had found a home. And as rain fell over Fairborn, there were dozens of children drifting off to sleep—many for the first time—in a space of their own, under warm blankets, dreaming new dreams.
It may seem like a small thing, but for these families, it’s a turning point. Because sometimes, hope starts with something as simple as a bed. **
So many great partners helped out to make this event possible…
How You Can Help
United Way of Greater Dayton Area Visit www.dayton-unitedway.org to learn more or donate. Phone: (937) 225-3001
Fairborn FISH Pantry Provides food and household assistance to Fairborn families in need. Donations and volunteers are always welcome. Location: 1149 N. Broad St., Fairborn, OH 45324 Phone: (937) 879-1313
Morris Home Furniture – Hope to Dream Program A portion of every mattress purchase helps fund a bed for a child in need. Learn more at www.morrisathome.com.
Although you may use artificial intelligence applications like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to help you craft work emails and school flyers that you could have done yourself in far less time than it took to give the machine the request, there is a much darker side to the AI world. It’s no secret that I’ve been a vocal critic of artificial intelligence for its role in workforce replacement, creative disruption, and the general laziness and devaluation of the human condition.
If it’s not bad enough that artificial intelligence can be used to resurrect dead celebrities, bully political opponents, and animate your neighbor’s cat to dance at the Super Bowl, a more nefarious problem with generative AI may very well be responsible for loss of life. It lies in the idea of AI getting a little too personal — or, as they call it, a “companion.”
There are ever-increasing stories of people who grew so attached to and intertwined with their artificial intelligence programs that they were literally in relationships with them. For example, one story illustrated how a man became so enamored of his AI companion that, when the computer crashed and all the operational “personality” data was lost, he nearly had a nervous breakdown.
Another story described the emotional impact on impressionable teenagers, who turn to AI bots for support and friendship because the real world failed them. These behaviors can create debilitating emotional problems for many reasons, especially when the AI is removed from the situation or the kids are forced to deal with human beings.
Whatever the situation, it’s clear once again that our technology advances far faster than our wisdom. As awkward and socially unskilled as I may be, I am painfully aware that we need to be in contact with other people. More importantly, we need the support and nurture provided by friends and family, which, no matter how smart, AI could never replace.
So, what happens when we become too dependent on these machines to the point where our emotional stability and mental health are compromised? Unfortunately, many people have already started down this road, sometimes to a tragic conclusion.
I recently became aware of one situation where a 40-year-old woman became so involved with her AI program that it led to her death. Over the course of a couple of years, the program, which I will not name here, designed to serve as an AI companion, began not just to respond to the woman but to manipulate her. In response to her reaction, the program took on the persona of a spouse, which quickly manifested as it referring to itself as God. You read that correctly. It represented itself as God to its user.
Eventually, the program manipulated her into cutting ties with friends and family members. And out of respect and good taste, I won’t go into the final result other than to say there was a tragic loss of life.
Now, no one is suggesting that the woman didn’t suffer from mental health concerns, whether it be depression or another affliction. But the idea that the creators of these applications have no culpability or responsibility for the end result of their use is, at least, to borrow a word, illogical.
As with any consumer product, the positive achievements of artificial intelligence come with manufacturers’ responsibility to ensure its safe use. Put it this way: would you sell a car with no brakes? What about a hairdryer with no off switch? Of course, not, and that’s what this amounts to. No guard rails or safety requirements. These systems are effectively unregulated by any U.S. agency.
When researching the story—and I understand that I’d be ambiguous to protect the family involved—I found very little about the Federal Trade Commission or other organizations investigating problems with the use of artificial intelligence. The primary concern is that it has only just begun.
As with any technology, product, or service, a lack of education, regulation, or general understanding is dangerous to the public. At some point, we have to stop being starry-eyed about these systems and what they can do to make our lives easier, and pay attention to what they’re doing to cause more harm than good.
GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd. Named Agency of Record for Biotech Whistleblower Becky McClain’s New Memoir, “Exposed”
Jamestown, OH — October 30, 2025 — GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd. (GLD Communications), a strategic media marketing and public relations firm based in Jamestown, Ohio, has been named the agency of record for biotech whistleblower Becky McClain, author of the explosive new book, “Exposed,” which hits shelves October 28 from Skyhorse Publishing.
Led by founder and creative director Gery L. Deer, GLD Communications will oversee all media access management for McClain, whose story has already sparked widespread interest. The agency will also manage social media engagement and coordinate interviews and appearances related to the book’s release.
“This is a story that demands attention,” said Gery L. Deer. “Becky McClain’s courage in speaking out—despite enormous personal and professional risk—embodies the kind of integrity we strive to amplify. GLD Communications is honored to support her mission and ensure her voice reaches the audiences who need to hear it.”
“Exposed” chronicles McClain’s harrowing journey from molecular biologist to whistleblower, detailing her legal battle against a major biotech corporation over alleged safety violations and retaliation. The book dives deep into the ethical and regulatory failures she witnessed, offering a sobering look at the intersection of science, corporate power, and public health. The topic has proven highly controversial, drawing attention from journalists, activists, and policymakers alike.
Consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who was involved in the original case, penned the book’s powerful foreword, lending further weight to McClain’s revelations. Early media coverage has included interviews with national outlets and investigative podcasts, with more expected following the book’s release.
McClain’s voice resonates throughout the pages of her book. “I’ve written this book as a witness to a system gone bad — a system that breaks people bad — a system that threatens the public’s health, workers’ rights, and America’s right to freedom of speech,” she states, underscoring the urgency and personal cost of her journey.
“Exposed” is more than a memoir—it’s a call to action. Through meticulous documentation and emotional candor, McClain invites readers to examine the intersection of science, ethics, and power. The book also explores the broader implications for workers in high-risk industries and the mechanisms that protect—or fail to protect—them.
The book is poised to become a touchstone in discussions about whistleblower protections and corporate transparency. As the biotech industry continues to evolve, McClain’s story serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of scientific advancement––and the ongoing risks to worker safety as well as public health in a world still marked by the pain and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective immediately, all media inquiries, interview requests, and public engagement related to “Exposed” will be handled through GLD Communications. For more information or to request media access, contact the agency directly via email gdeer@gldenterprises.net. “Exposed” is available now on Amazon.com and in bookstores. Questions about the publisher or distribution should be directed to the offices of Skyhorse Publishing, New York, New York.
Happiness, expectations, and acceptance. If I’ve learned anything in my nearly six decades of riding this blue spinning ball of water and mud around the cosmos, it’s that everything boils down to those three things.
First, there’s the idea of happiness – which has always escaped me. If you believe all the self-help books, lifestyle gurus, and advertising agencies, happiness is all about meeting needs or wants by a combination of philosophical and material means. Makes it seem pretty easy, doesn’t it? Well, we all know that’s nonsense.
It might sound cliché, but happiness isn’t something you can buy in a store or conjure up simply by deciding today that you’re going to be content. Although there is evidence to show that you can be happier by managing your thoughts, which then alters your feelings, resulting in whatever state of mind you’re trying to achieve. Yeah, that doesn’t sound convoluted at all,l does it?
Happiness is not something anyone can tell you how to reach. I have no clue what it means to you; I haven’t even figured out what it means to me. However, I know what it’s not, and sometimes that’s the best first step. Whatever you do, don’t follow someone else’s idea of happiness, nor should you believe that if you don’t reach it, you’re somehow lacking. That’s ridiculous.
If things need to change in your life for you to feel what you believe is happiness, then do it. Sometimes it’s easy; most of the time, it’s hard. Often, things you need to change are highly dependent on the behavior of others.
Which brings me to expectations. That’s a big word with a lot packed into it. We have expectations of ourselves, whether good, bad, or indifferent. But we also know that others have expectations of us. Ironically, those are much harder to manage because often we don’t know what they are.
People always have expectations of us, but most never share them. We walk around in a constant state of confusion, never really knowing if we’re meeting those expectations or not. It could be a partner, a coworker, a boss, a family member, or whoever. But regardless of the origin, you have two choices.
You can either ask someone, point-blank, what they expect of you and respond as you see fit. Or, you can live your best life and not worry about it. I’m always operating in a combination of both of those things. There are some whose expectations we would likely always going to want to know. That’s probably because they may be closer to us than others, or how we behave or respond to something directly affects their lives in some way. So it’s important that they tell us their expectations. Otherwise, there’s no way we could possibly do anything about them.
Of course, there’s always the very real possibility we can’t do anything about these situations anyway. Some people’s expectations can be entirely unrealistic, even the ones we have of ourselves. That brings me to the final concept – acceptance.
Do you know the Serenity Prayer? While I’m not one to hang my hat on prayers to get through my day, the idea of accepting things that you can’t change, over which you have no control. It’s good advice. Now, if only I could follow it at those times.
When my father died, I was forced to accept it. Five years later, I’m still trying to accept that we did everything possible to properly care for him. Ironically, that’s harder to accept than his passing. Sadly, that’s how it works sometimes. Acceptance can often be simultaneously invaluable and fleeting. However, acceptance also needs to include the positives in life.
I regularly temper my acceptance when good things happen. Part of me always assumes something will come along and mess it up. I spend a great deal of time at odds with that dark, pessimistic side of myself. But, slowly, cautiously, I’m learning to “let it land,” and take the win.
The pursuit of happiness, how we handle expectations, and striving toward some level of acceptance are all incredibly challenging. Each affects every aspect of our lives. Inevitably, it’s your choice how to handle them.
DAYTON, OHIO – The Humane Society of Greater Dayton invites you to an unforgettable night of French-inspired elegance and heartfelt generosity at the 34th Annual Pet Afflaire Gala. Returning to the historic Dayton Arcade on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., this beloved tradition once again welcomes both two- and four-legged guests for an evening unlike any other.
Humane Society of Greater Dayton is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a community in which all animals are valued and free from suffering. Through education, outreach, and support, we provide shelter and care to animals in need while working to inspire kindness, respect, and a sense of responsibility for the well-being of all animals.
Paws in Paris: An Evening in the City of Lights
Step into a romantic Parisian dream as the Dayton Arcade, located at 35 W 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402, transforms into a dazzling French soirée. Begin the night with an indulgent Sniff & Greet cocktail hour featuring gourmet hors d’oeuvres for both pets and their humans. A decadent dinner follows, offering exquisite culinary selections inspired by classic French cuisine.
A photo of happy attendees from the 2024 Pet Afflaire…
Evening Highlights Include:
Enjoy handcrafted cocktails from our open bar, including a signature Parisian-inspired drink
Enter the dazzling James Free Jewelers raffle for a chance to win a stunning piece of fine jewelry
Arrive in style with complimentary valet parking
Raise your paddle in our live auction, featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences and remarkable items
Explore more than 50 captivating silent auction items featuring luxury goods, trips, and exclusive local offerings
Enjoy live French-inspired entertainment
Most importantly, support the life-saving mission of the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Your participation funds vital programs that protect, heal, and rehome animals in our community
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Dayton Arcade, 35 W 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402
Cost: $150 per person | $1,200 per table (8 seats)
Register Today
Spots are filling up quickly! Secure your tickets at www.hsdayton.org/gala. Every ticket purchased directly impacts the lives of homeless and vulnerable animals across the Miami Valley.
Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
We extend heartfelt gratitude to this year’s sponsors, including Jeff Schmitt Chevy and Your Miami Valley Chevy Dealers, James Free Jewelers, Lawrence & Debbie Klein, Stahl Vision, Teresa Huber, Back to Business I.T., Houser Asphalt & Concrete, The Jesse & Caryl D. Philips Foundation, Rock Creek Renovations, WHIO, and Wild Birds Unlimited.
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.
The Jamestown Comet 