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Active Living

Sign Up For The First Ever Tour de Link

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Link: Dayton Bike Share is getting into spirit the world’s greatest bicycle race with the inaugural year of Tour de Link. Participants can compete in three different challenges to earn the sleek activewear that pays homage to the jerseys of the Tour de France. The tour runs July 1st – July 23rd.

“Tour de Link mimics the challenges built into the Tour de France. For example, the polka dot jersey goes to the best climber in the Tour de France. Our polka dot shirt will go to the rider who completes the most trips at our Grafton Hill Station, which sits at the highest elevation,” says Chris Buck, Business Development Manager for Bike Miami Valley.

 

In fact, there are multiple ways to win this unique challenge. The rider who spends the most time on the bike, will win the Yellow Link shirt, the rider who takes the most trips will win the Green Link shirt and the rider who ends the most trips at the Grafton Hill station will ride away with the Polka-Dot Link shirt.

 

Any individual may register for the competition. “The beauty of this challenge is that other than registration, we do all of the counting for you. You don’t need to sign into an app or log your trips individually, you just need to ride a Link Bike,” says Buck.

 

Link: Dayton Bike Share is a popular program run by Bike Miami Valley and Greater Dayton RTA. Since its launch on May 5, 2015, Link riders have totaled more than 70,000 trips and have attracted more than 9,000 unique users to the system.

 

 

FAST FACTS

What: Tour de Link

When: July 1, 2017 to July 23, 2017

How: Register at https://linkdayton.org/top-nav-pages/community/tour-de-link

More Info: https://linkdayton.org/

Questions: Chris Buck, [email protected], 937-496-3826

Luminaries of Dayton: The 4th of July in Dayton

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Simeon Broadwell

The 4th of July in Dayton

The first Independence Day celebration in Dayton was held in 1809. The townspeople assembled on the riverbank, marched to the courthouse, sang together, listened to speeches and heard artillery salutes, and then marched again, meeting at the home of Henry Disbrow for dinner. Activities included wrestling and shooting matches, foot and horse races and dancing into the evening.

In 1810, there were 17 toasts made to mark the occasion including these memorable ones:

Toast No. 3: To “The Constitution of the United States – May its duration be as lasting as the solar system.”

Toast No. 10: To “Agriculture – May our plowshares never rust, and may hungry of nations be fed with our superabundance.”

Toast No. 11: To “Manufacturers – May our exports exceed our imports.”

At the 1815 Fourth of July celebration, Dayton women were finally welcomed to join the parade march.

In 1816, one hundred guests had dinner together, enjoyed a vocal concert at the home of William Bomberger and attended a ball at Col. David Reid’s inn.

In 1822 at dawn, Dayton awoke to the sound of church bells and cannon fire. During the parade, four Revolutionary War soldiers carried the flag – Col. Robert Patterson, Simeon Broadwell, Richard Bacon and Isaac Spining. Nineteen patriotic toasts were given that day. Six more from fellow soldiers. Isaac Spining’s toast was “May the cause that first inspired the heroes of ’76 to shake off

Isaac Spining

the chains of slavery be very dear and supported by all Americans.” And the final toast of the day was to “The heroes of the Revolution that fell to secure the blessings of this day to us: may their children so maintain them that America may be a republic on the last day of time.”

The 1837 Fourth of July celebration was dubbed the celebration that wasn’t. Billed as a grand affair, the opening of the Miami Canal at Piqua was slated for the 4th of July. More than 1,000 people waited patiently for the arrival of Gen. William Henry Harrison in the first canal boat. Neither Harrison nor the boat arrived that day as there was not enough water in the canal.

The ladies of Dayton, determined to establish an orphan asylum, held an Independence Day picnic to raise funds in 1843.

This glimpse back at these early celebrations show that they were about community, sharing and remembering the sacrifices that others made during the birth of our nation.

The Washington Monument – 1986

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail: “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Of course, the Declaration of Independence was debated in Congress and the wording revised and was finally approved two days later on July 4.

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!
Your friends at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

Great Miami Riverway Coordinator Begins Job Today

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Elizabeth Connor begins today in the newly created position of Great Miami Riverway coordinator.

 

A partnership of 18 cities and agencies is working to promote the Great Miami Riverway from Sidney to Hamilton as a single destination. The Great Miami Riverway is more than just the river or the bike trail, it includes a rich diversity of unique river towns, abundant land and water recreation, arts, culture, historic destinations, programs, fun events and festivals.

This new position will focus on marketing, communication and placemaking to attract visitors to the Great Miami Riverway while actively pursuing diverse funding opportunities and additional partners. The partners believe these efforts will support economic development and strengthen river corridor neighborhoods.

Connor will be responsible for:

  • Developing a marketing and communication plan to attract visitors to the Riverway.
  • Promoting the cities, parks, events, places and attractions along the Riverway.
  • Facilitating a regional partnership to support placemaking in the Riverway.

 

Previously, Connor was owner and president of EWC Media, LLC. She also served as executive director of Lake County (Ohio) Historical Society and worked with the Lake County (Ohio) Visitors Bureau.

 

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Arts management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

“We are excited by the experience and expertise that Elizabeth brings to MCD and are looking forward to promoting the Riverway with her guidance and enthusiasm,” says Janet Bly, MCD general manager.

 

As Riverway coordinator, Connor is an employee of the Miami Conservancy District (MCD). MCD is facilitating the Riverway effort on behalf of the partners.

 

Link & Drink: Dayton’s Newest Obsession!

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Those green Link bikes are everywhere you look these days…and so are Dayton’s watering holes! Why not combine the two and hop onto Dayton’s newest summer sensation: LINK and DRINK. The fun starts when you and your friends join the link system, and make your way across town, from UD to DAI, through South Park, Oregon and St. Anne’s! There are 27 stations throughout the downtown area to dock, discover and do Dayton!

Interestingly, many of those docks are strategically placed near some of Dayton’s favorite hang-outs – 5th Street BrewPub, Tumbleweed, DublinPub and many more.
‘We actually followed a map,’ says Alexis Larsen, who Link and Drink is attributed to. (Some people also refer to the excursion as Tour D’Alexis in her honor.) ‘By creating a map, we were able to pinpoint how to get around to EVERY station, and of course refresh ourselves along the way!’

The idea is to see the city using public transportation and appreciating all areas of the metro area. The original Tour D’Alexis began at the station located outside of McPhersonTown.

From there, the route went in a somewhat concentric-circular fashion, ending at Riverscape.
‘What made the trip special was posting on Facebook and having friends invite us in to their homes along the way for a refreshment! It was like a community project!’ says Brent Johnson, one of the LinkDrinkers.

Here are some things the LinkDrinkers want you to know before embarking on your own special tour of the city!

*Download the BCYCLE APP. This helps you know how many bikes await at each station. Also, if there is room to drop off a bike.

*Pay attention to all traffic laws, and do not imbibe until completing trip…have water, juice, pop or a beer or two along the route. BE CAREFUL!

*Take some money for breakfast and lunch. Eating is essential in the Dayton Metro area!

*Take a camera. Pictures of the event are essential!

*Check out what there is to see along the way….DAI, Wright Brothers Museum, Oregon District…etc.

*Have a navigator to ensure you hit all stations…nothing worse than missing out on one!

*Plan the day. You can do the map quickly, but take your time!

*See attached map for food suggestions! Take a bottled water for the longer stretches.

*Figure out where you will celebrate the end of your adventure.
Certainly, there are some great festivals and events coming to downtown this summer, but to be frank, the idea of friends, bikes, food, drinks, a wonderful city and exercise all in one has to be an option that excites all Daytonians.

Rest assured, two-wheels and 10 friends is the best way to see our town!

World’s Largest FREE Swimming Lesson This Thursday

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Three Dayton recreation centers will host the 2017 World’s Largest Swimming Lesson on Thursday, June 22. The annual event is held in 20 countries, with a mission of teaching basic water safety and reminding everyone that learning to swim helps prevent drowning.
The Greater Dayton, Lohrey and Northwest Recreation Centers are official host locations, and admission is free. The lesson begins at 10 a.m.; participants are asked to arrive by 9:45 a.m. All ages are welcome; children (accompanied by guardians) are especially encouraged. Learn more about the event by visiting WLSL.org.
Since its inception, more than 195,000 children and adults have participated in World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, learning the vital importance of basic swimming skills. Drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury-related death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children ages 1 to 4, yet many children do not receive formal swimming or water safety training.

Dayton’s Department of Recreation and Youth Services offers swimming lessons year ’round. During the summer, the Pay You Back Stroke program reimburses lesson fees. Stop by any recreation center for details or go to daytonohio.gov/backstroke.
Recreation center locations:
Greater Dayton, 2021 W. Third St.
Northwest, 1600 Princeton Dr.
Lohrey, 2366 Glenarm Ave.

The Glo Run 5K

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The Glo Run is a night time 5K thru a Neon Luau themed glowing wonderworld of a course. You will be taking selfies galore in front of huge glowing pin

Bike the Handle

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The City of Springboro is partnering once again with friends at Crooked Handle Brewing Company for the third Bike the Handle ride on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 2-4pm. The fun will start and end at the brewery located 760 North Main Street in the Marketplace at Settlers Walk Shopping Center in Springboro with a pre-ride orientation followed by a bike ride on the streets of Springboro then return to the brewery for a tour and $1.00 off pints for riders. All ride participants will be entered into a drawing for Crooked Handle merchandise.

The ride will take place on City streets at a moderate pace. There will be hills. Participants are responsible for making their own evaluation of traffic, roads and safety. All participants need to be 18 years of age or older. All riders will need to have a helmet, front and rear bike lights and reflective clothing. If you need a rear bike light please contact the City of Springboro at 937-748-6183.

Try Mountain Biking For Free

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Is not owning a mountain bike keeping you from trying it? If so, then come out to MoMBA and borrow one of our bikes to ride, free, for a lap or two. Bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Toddler to adult sizes available.

Youth younger than 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. Helmets are mandatory and proivided with bike.

Luminaries of Dayton: Father and Son Soldiers

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Col. John Grimes and Alexander Grimes

Col. John Grimes was born April 27, 1755, a son of Samuel Grimes of Pennsylvania. John later served with distinction in the Revolutionary War. In 1808, John ran a tavern on the east side of Main Street near Monument and First streets. It was a log building, one and one half stories high with a log barn and feed yard located near the back alley. The large living room of the house became the popular place for many of the socializing events of that day. The bell in the belfry rang twice for meals as was the custom at taverns in those days. When the town meeting was called to discuss building a free-bridge across the Mad River, the meeting was held at Col. Grimes tavern on January 27, 1816. At that time, the town’s people were crossing the river by ferry boats. The building of the bridge was a major advancement in early Dayton history. Col. John Grimes died on June 13, 1836 at the age of 81. Col. Grimes was originally buried in the old 5th St. burial grounds and later was re-interred at Woodland Cemetery on June 12, 1855. His final resting place is in Section 77 Lot 135.

This industrious son of Col. John Grimes, Alexander Grimes, served in the War of 1812. Alexander was a Dayton merchant who worked in close association with Steel and Peirce under the name of Grimes & Company. In 1828, Alexander was one of Dayton’s fire wardens and formed the fire-guards to provide protection and security around fire areas. Mr. Grimes was elected to the State Legislature in 1827 and 1830 and was cashier from 1831 to 1843 of Dayton’s first bank. He also served as the Auditor of Montgomery Country. Mr. Grimes was married twice. His second wife was the sister of Charles Russell Greene, Marie Antoinette Greene. Alexander Grimes died January 12, 1860 at the age of 69. He is located in Section 77 Lot 136.

On one side of the Grimes monument you will find the ancestors of Col. John Grimes who served in the U.S. Military and their honors.

P.F.C. Charles Greene Grimes – Ohio Militia Civil War
Capt. Charles Greene Grimes, II – U.S. Navy: WWI, WWII
Lt. Burleson Grimes – U. S. Navy: WWII
Lt. Burleson Grimes, II – U. S. Navy: Vietnam
Capt. Edward Burleson Castle – U. S. Air Force: Vietnam
Col. Richard Grimes Castle – U. S. Army: Vietnam

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.