iN75 06192013

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Summer Spectacular!

Your guide to fun, sun in the region

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

The Sculptures on the Square will be featured in downtown Troy all summer.

What to do this summer ...

IN75 STAFF

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Miami and Shelby counties this summer are chock full of events for residents — young and old.

From celebrating the delicious red fruit of summer at the Troy Strawberry Festival in June through the hardy

fall plants honored at the Mum Festival in Tipp City — and everything in between, there will be something for everyone before residents again find themselves stuck indoors.

This year, however, also will bring with it some special highlights, including the two-day

Mumford & Sons Gentlemen of the Road Stopover on Aug. 30-31 in Troy and the newly announced Harvest Moon and Balloon Fest on Oct. 4-6 at the Miami County Fairgrounds.

Diana Thompson, executive director of the Miami County Visitors and Convention Bureau

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/CAITLIN STEWART

Liberty Couchot, 6, gets her face painted at a stand during the Kids Around the Square program last year.

Seward Johnson is an American artist widely recognized for his life-size statues, which are castings of living people of all ages depicting them engaged in day-to-day activities. The realism of the textures and details is the hallmark of Johnson’s art, and this detailing is achieved with hours of intense labor.

Their routine poses make them a novel yet natural selection for a public art display in a setting such as the sidewalks of historic downtown Troy.

For more information, call (937) 339-5455 or

visit www.TroyMainStreet.org or www.SewardJohnson.com • Theatre On Ice — June 20-23 Location: Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy Admission: Ticket prices are $15 per day (6 years of age and under free), or an all event ticket at $35. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event — no prior sales.

All tickets are general admission.

The Troy Skating Club will be hosting the 2013 National Theatre on Ice

Competition. Theatre on Ice is a creation using all aspects of figure skating, incorporating a theme, emotion or story, enhanced by music. It is a

package that includes five dimensions: theme, music/sound, choreography/skating movements, performance/the rapport between the skaters

Troy Civic Theatre Presents

ROCKET CLEANERS “CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS”

329 N. Main • 773-4054

By Derek Dunavent

June 21, 22, 23, 28 & 29 Curtain: Fri. & Sat. 8pm • Sun. 4pm Call 339-7700 For Ticket Reservations

TCT at the Barn in the Park Across from Hobart Arena

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Location: Downtown Troy Admission: free The summer of 2013 promises to be a vibrant one for downtown Troy.

Not only will the streets be teeming with visitors for several special events, but 20 life-like statues will be on display throughout the district from May 3 through Aug. 30. Troy Main Street Inc. will present the sixth installment of Sculptures on the Square, featuring the internationally acclaimed Seward Johnson’s “Man on the Street” bronze statues.

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Miami County Fair Board — said the fair board has been tossing the idea of a new event around for a while.

“We decided, let’s not just limit it to hot air balloons, let’s make it a fall weekend of family activities,” she said. “We hope that people will save the date of Oct. 4-6 and support our balloon fest and enjoy many additional free activities we have planned for the weekend,” Thompson said.

The Harvest Moon and Balloon Fest will include 10 hot air balloons launching to and from the infield and also will glow Friday and Saturday evening. Tethered balloon rides will be available for $10 per person.

Children’s activities, including horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, straw maze, obstacle course and rock climbing wall, among other things. Children also will be able to build — and fly — kites, with the help of WACO Air Museum representatives.

Families will even be able to sign up for a scarecrow decorating contest.

For adults, an apple pie baking contest, puttputt golf and a beer garden will be on tap.

Musical entertainment will be available throughout the weekend as well as a car show with the Piqua Antique Car Klub.

And in true fair board style, lots of food vendors will be on hand to temp guests’ taste buds.

For more information, visit the Miami County Visitors and Convention Bureau at http://www.visitmiamicounty.org or the Sidney Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitsidneyshelby.com.

• Sculptures on the Square 2013 — Through Sept. 2

Shirts ..........$1.85 / 5 for $8.75 Suits.....................................$9.50 Dresses ...............................$9.50 Blouses ...............................$5.50 Pants....................................$5.75 Sweaters............................$5.75

Pick-up and Delivery Available Professional Alterations Available

PAGE 4 and/or scenery. For more information, call (937) 339-8521 or visit www.TroySkatingClub.or g • American Youth Basketball Tournament — June 21-23 Locations: Sidney High and Middle schools, Christian Academy, Lehman Catholic High School, Fairlawn High School and Botkins Middle and High schools.

The American Youth Basketball Tournament is a summer, grade-based, youth basketball event.

The tournament hosts 5on-5 basketball throughout the Midwest and East Coast.

Website: www.aybtour.com • Tipp City’s Antique and Artisan Show — June 22 Location: Downtown Tipp City, Main Street The 10th annual Antique & Artisan Show will be held on Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate more than 80 participating merchants and artisans, who will be displaying unique and collectible primitives, glassware, garden architectural items, furniture, vintage clothing and jewelry and other collectibles. Many local artists also will be participating, bringing their watercolors, oils, pottery, weaving, metal and wood forms, photog-

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

Sidney’s Applefest is one of the biggest annual festivals in the region. raphy, “papers,” handembroidered items and jewelry. Other merchants will be doing ongoing, live demonstrations of their work techniques. Some

BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT WITH CANDY BOUQUETS SURE TO PLEASE EVERYONE! THEM TO US!

*Remember the Summer Vase 409 Kirk Lane, Troy Exchange is going on now!

Bring in your old vases.

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art will be in the form of music and dance throughout the day at a stage located at the corner of Third and Main streets.

For more information, see www.downtowntippcity.or g, info@dtcp.org or call (9370667-0883.

• Kids Around the Square — June 29 Location: On the Courtsquare in downtown Sidney This free festival is designed specifically for children. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and features various activities for children. Contact: (937) 492-9122, info3@sid-

neyshelbychamber.com or visit www.downtownsidney.com • Fourth of July Celebration — July 4 Location: Sidney High School Sidney’s 2013 Independence Day fireworks had not been confirmed at press time because sources of twothirds of the required funding had not yet been identified. If funding is found, the fireworks will take place at 10 p.m.

• Fort Loramie Liberty Days — July 46 Location: Fort Loramie

Youth Park This annual two-day event features the Miss Independence and Little Miss pageants, fireworks, live musical entertainment, 5K race and fun run, concessions and bingo. There are also many other activities for children throughout both days.

Website: www.fortloramie.com • Fourth of July Fest — July 5-6 Location: New Knoxville Community Park An all-American celebration with music,

games, plenty of food and a pie-baking contest.

Fireworks will be July 6 at 10 p.m. Contact: Village of New Knoxville office (419) 753-2160 • Country Concert — July 11-13 Location: Hickory Hills Campground, between Fort Loramie and Newport This annual event attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country to see and hear some of the top country music stars. The threeday weekend (Thursday through Saturday) features almost constant

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Paisley, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler and many more. Website: www.countryconcert.com • Native Life in Early Ohio on the Johnston Farm — July 13-14 Location: Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, 9845 North Hardin Rd. Piqua, Ohio Admission: OSH Members are free, Adults $8, Children 6-12 $4, Children 5 and under free Have you ever wondered what life was like for the Native American who called this valley home? Experience the time before the Johnston family established their home in the upper Miami Valley. Visit the Johnston Farm & Indian Agency and learn more about the lives of the first residents of the Miami valley.

For more information, call (800) 752-2619 or (937) 773-2522 of visit www.JohnstonFarmOhio.c om • Troy Summer Skating Competition — July 12-14 Location: Hobart Arena, 255 Adams St., Troy This figure and freestyle competitions is part of the Future Champions Series and will host more than 300 participants from all over the U.S. For more information, call (937) 339-8521 or

visit www.TroySkatingClub.or g • Kettlersville/Van Buren Fire Department Festival Location: Firehouse in Kettlersville — July 20 This annual event celebrates more than three decades of fundraising for the Kettlersville/Van Buren Fire Department.

The event offers a variety of concessions, including chicken dinners, hamburgers, hot dogs and french fries. There are free pony rides and kids games all day long. A raffle offers a chance at 100 various prizes.

• Boat Parade — July 21 at 1 p.m.

Location: Lake Loramie Boaters decorate their pontoon boats and parade them on Lake Loramie.

The 2013 theme is “A Day at the White House.”

Cash prizes go to winners of first, second, third and fourth places. The parade will be followed by the Lake Loramie Improvement Association membership picnic at 2 p.m. Website: www.meccainc.org/LLIA/specialevents.php.

• Shelby County Fair — July 21-27 Location: Shelby County Fairgrounds This weeklong event showcases the work of local 4-H members and open class participants in areas ranging from live-

Bob & Rosie’s Dance Studio

Come join us for our 3 Week Summer Session… starting Wednesday, July 10, 2013: 6:30 pm – Slow Dance 7:30 pm – Country 2-Step 8:30 pm – West Coast Swing

Gift Certificates Available

Bob & Rosie McCrady 937-409-1465 • rmccrady@bnrdance.com CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/ERIC CASTLE

Patricia Nickels, left, and Katrina Wells, get to work painting a clay train at the 2012 Shelby County Fair.

Troy-Hayner Cultural Center 456 Woodman Dr. 301 W. Main St. Dayton, OH 45431 (located in St. Mark’s Social Center) Troy, OH 45373

www.bnrdance.com

PAGE 6 working. In addition, a number of bands perform throughout the week at the free entertainment tent and there is a demolition derby at the grandstand. Special value days offer unlimited rides for one price. Games and concessions line the midway, and many local businesses display their products at indoor booths. Website: www.shelbycountyfair.co m.

• Lake Loramie Christmas in July — July 26-28 Location: Lake Loramie State Park Campground, 4401 Fort Loramie Swanders Road, Minster This event is for campers at Lake Loramie State Park only. It includes a campsite decorating contest, tree lighting, caroling, nature programs, holiday movies and children’s activities.

Contact: (937) 295-2011 or visit www.ohiostateparks.org • New Bremen Firemen’s Picnic — July 27 Location: Jaycee Park, New Bremen An annual fundraiser for local firefighters for more than 80 years.

Activities include 5K run,

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER

David and Annette Bair swing their son, Michael, 5, while on their way to purchase milkshakes at the 2012 Miami County Fair.

Wouldn’t You Like To Get Away?

BUCKEYE CHARTER SERVICES 1st Time Visitors Get To Spin The Wheel For A Chance To Win

$5 - $1,000 July 2, July 18, August 6 For Information & Reservations

877-864-9608

games for all ages, firefighter competition, chicken barbecu, music, dancing and food. Contact: Southwestern Auglaize Chamber of Commerce, (419) 629-0313 • American Cancer Society Relay for Life Shelby County Location: Shelby County Fairgrounds — Aug. 2 at 6 p.m.

This event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Team members take turns walking laps for 18 hours. Cancer survivor laps are featured. Teams sell items and celebrate

each other during the event. Website: www.relayforlife.org/Shel byCounty • Miami County Fair — Aug. 9-15 Location: Miami County Fairgrounds, 650 N. County Road 25-A, Troy Admission: 9 years of age and older — daily ticket, $5 ; season ticket, $20 Celebrating Miami County’s rich agricultural heritage, the Miami County Fair is a timeless tradition and a great family favorite. This week long event consists of

competitions, entertainment, harness racing, tractor pulls, art exhibits, games and rides and food.

Cows, goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, pigs and sheep, all on display and waiting for that first blue ribbon or to be labeled the grand champion at the auction. The midway will offer new thrill rides, games of chance and more of that great fair food. This year’s main grandstand concert is Hinder at 8 p.m. Aug. 10.

Tickets can be purchased by calling (937) 335-7492 or by going to the website at

www.MiamiCountyOhioF air.com.

For more information, call (937) 335-7492 or visit the website.

• Miami Valley Music Fest — Aug. 9-11 Location: Troy-Eagles Campground, 2252 TroyUrbana Road, Troy The 2013 Miami Valley Music Fest will offer attendees a full weekend of music, camping, and fun to raise funds for local charities. Live music from more than 12 bands will provide an eclectic mix of rock, country, funk, blues, bluegrass and reggae from the region’s best

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/LUKE GRONNEBERG

Ann Frieders, 18, of Quincy, tries to stay focused as she balances an egg on a spoon as she is asked to make her horse trot, canter and walk at the 2012 Shelby County Fair. The balancing contest is called egg and spoon and is a fun group activity. weekend can be purchased online at www.MiamiValleyMusicF est.com for $15. Tickets will be $25 at the door for both days and $15 for Saturday only. A limited supply of early bird presale tickets are available for $10 for both days of the festival. Primitive camping will be available for $5 per night through the Troy Eagles

Campgrounds, and coolers are permitted in the festival area.

For a complete set list, to make a charitable donation, or to find more information on the Miami Valley Music Fest at Lost Creek, visit www.MiamiValleyMusicF est.com • Bremenfest — Aug. 9-11 Location: Downtown

New Bremen Three days of food, free entertainment, rides, tournaments and contests along the banks of the historic Miami and Erie Canal. Live bands perform every evening.

Guests may stroll down the streets and see the renovated buildings that date back to the 1800s while visiting the festival.

Contact: Southwestern

Auglaize Chamber of Commerce, (419) 6290313 or visit www.bremenfest.com • Family Fun Day — Aug. 10 Location: Jackson Center pool and park Free admission to the swimming pool and family-friendly activities in the park. Website: www.jacksoncenter.com • An Evening of

Feasting and Canawling — Aug. 17 Location: Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, 9845 N. Hardin Road, Piqua Admission: $35 for adults, $30 for children 612; $30 and $25 for Johnston Farm Friends Council and Ohio Historical Society members.

Enjoy a relaxing din-

ner in the Historic Indian and Canal Museum.

Guests will then continue their evening with a twilight ride on the replica canal boat General Harrison of Piqua as it plies the entire length of our restored stretch of the Miami and Erie Canal. Passengers will be entertained with music and stories as they experience the canal from an

PAGE 8 once each season and is a reservation only event by calling (800) 752-2619 or (937) 7732522 to make a reservation.

Visit www.JohnstonFarmOhio.c om for more information.

• Festival of Nations — Aug. 17 The annual Festival of Nations event will be held on the Troy levee beginning at 2 p.m.

The featured country for this year’s event will be Germany and will include German bands and polka lessons.

The event also will include entertainment, demonstrations, food and more.

• Lockington Canal Festival — Aug. 24 Location: Lockington Park To celebrate the village’s historic canal locks on the Miami and Erie Canal, the festival features food, beer, live entertainment, children’s games and a parade.

Contact: Tracy Johnson (937) 773-8128, lockingtoncitizenleague@live.com • Piqua Heritage Festival — Aug. 31Sept. 2 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Location: Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, 9845 N. Hardin Road, Piqua Admission: $3 for adults — under 18 is free When America was young, Ohio was the link to the early frontier.

This favorite event takes you back in time where traveling frontiersmen sold their handmade wares and enjoyed oldfashioned games such as knife throwing and archery. Located at the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency, just north of Piqua, The Piqua

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 Heritage Festival celebrates early American activities including apple butter making, broom making, candle dipping, butter churning, tin punch and much more.

The smells of home cooking permeates the air as visitors explore the 1870s encampment, participate in traditional crafts and skills demonstrations and laugh at the old melodrama performances.

Lots of room to explore and do not forget to take a ride on the General Harrison mule-drawn canal boat.

For more information, call (937) 773-2522 or (800) 752-2619 or visit www.PiquaHeritageFestiv al.com.

• Catfish Derby Location: Lake Loramie — Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to noon at beach parking lot off State Route 362 Lake Loramie State Park and the Ohio Division of Wildlife host a Catfish Derby. An enclosed channel will be stocked with 750 catfish.

Open to the public ages 17 and under. Parents are invited to help their youngsters fish. Poles and a limited supply of bait will be available. Contact: Lake Loramie State Park, 295-2011 • St. Remy Russia Homecoming Festival — Aug. 31-Sept. 1 Location: St. Remy Hall, 101 St. Remy St., Russia This festival goes on all day Saturday and Sunday with chicken dinners and beer, as well as many other attractions.

Outdoor Mass at the Grotto will kick off everything Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Food vendors will be open after Mass and on Sunday from noon to 11:30 p.m. Contact: St. Remy Church, (937) 526-

CIVITAS MEDIA PHOTO/MIKE ULLERY

Blacksmith Dustin Baker of Troy creates a piece of artwork from iron at the 2012 Heritage Festival.

3437 • Shelby County Applefest — Sept. 6-8 Location: Downtown

Sidney Applefest is a community celebration of American life including

musical performances, woodcarvers show, quilt show, craft show, farmer’s market, parade, queen

contest, car show, laser light show, Grown in Shelby County contest and more. Contact: (937)

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Now showing ‘The Bling Ring’ • “The Bling Ring” — Given that the film currently ruling the box office is about Americans encouraged by their government to indulge their homicidal urges one night a year — we’re talking about “The Purge” — it’s tempting to hail the clueless young burglars in “The Bling Ring” as veritable humanitarians. After all, they’re not out to kill or even hurt anyone. All they want is your designer shoes, your cute tops, your Rolex watches, your cash. And if you’re not a hot young celebrity they’ll leave you alone anyway. Not that Sofia Coppola’s latest film, based on a true story, isn’t chilling. It is, and not only because it displays the soulless nature of our fame-obsessed youth culture. It’s also that Coppola doesn’t judge these kids. It’s intentional, but it makes the whole enterprise a little depressing. Coppola bases her movie on a 2010 Vanity Fair article about the so-called Bling Ring, a group of mostly 19-year-olds who stole some $3 million in jewelry and designer goods from Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan and others. It’s obvious that Coppola knows this milieu, what these kids wear and how they speak. Coppola has chosen newcomers for leads, and gives her most famous cast member, Emma Watson, a supporting role. She’s by far the most fun to watch.

Rated R for teen drug and alcohol use, and language including brief sexual references. 90 minutes. Three stars out of four.

‘Man of Steel’

CATCH A

• “Man of Steel” — It has been a black eye for Hollywood that throughout this, the unending and increasingly repetitive age of the superhero blockbuster, the most iconic son of the comics has eluded its grasp like a bird or, if you will, a plane. New hopes of box-office riches and franchise serials rest on Zac Snyder’s latest attempt to put Superman back into flight.

But Snyder’s joyless film, leaden as if composed of the stuff of its hero’s metallic nickname, has nothing soaring about it. Flying men in capes is grave business in Snyder’s solemn Superman, an origin tale of the DC Comics hero that goes more than two hours before the slightest joke or smirk. This is not your Superman of red tights, phone booth changes, or fortresses of solitude, but one of Christ imagery, Krypton politics and spaceships. Beefy Brit Henry Cavill inherits the cape, with Russell Crowe and Ayelet Zurer serving as his Krypton parents, and Kevin Costner (back among the corn stalks) and Diane Lane as his earthly ones. When General Zod (Michael Shannon) comes to Earth, Clark Kent must embrace his previously hidden away powers. Snyder (“300”) doesn’t have the ‘Man of Steel’ is in theaters now. material or inclination to make his grim film as thought-provoking as “The Dark Knight” by Christopher Nolan (a producer here). The gravity that cloaks this Superman is merely an en vogue costume. PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence, action and destruction, and for some language. 144 minutes. Two stars out of four.

‘Fast & Furious 6’ • “Fast & Furious 6” — Clearly, nobody ever told the makers of the “Fast & Furious” franchise that less is more. More is ALWAYS more and so regular fans will be delighted with this latest installment, which again ups the ante with the cars, the crazy stunts, the crashes and the fights. Vin Diesel’s Dom, now wealthy and living the good life, is lured back into action by his erstwhile nemesis, the federal agent Hobbs (the absurdly buff Dwayne Johnson). It seems a villain named Shaw has amassed a huge military arsenal including a big tank and a cargo jet and is one component short of wreaking total havoc. Even more important for Dom, he has Letty working for him she’s Dom’s former paramour, and seems to be suffering from amnesia. A welcome indeed, crucial element of all this is the film’s sense of humor. Especially funny are Tyrese Gibson as Roman and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges as Tej, Dom’s partners in crime. Not everyone gets out alive. As for the lucrative franchise, though, it’s clearly alive and kicking; there’s even a post-credits teaser here for the seventh film. PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action and mayhem throughout, some sexuality and language. 130 minutes. Two stars out of four.

‘Much Ado About Nothing’

• “Much Ado About Nothing” — Joss Whedon’s bare-bones contemporary adaptation is the cinematic equivalent of Shakespeare in the parking lot and proof, again, that it doesn’t take much doing to bring Shakespeare to life. Whedon shot his “Much Ado” at his Los Angeles home over just 12 days immediately after production for a slightly larger film he directed: “The Avengers.” It’s almost surely the only time the Bard has been performed with a suburban golf course in the background. The verbal duel of “Much Ado” pits the proud bachelor Benedick (Alexis Denisof) against the quick-tongued Beatrice (Amy Acker), as they sling clever put-downs back and forth, even as they’re drawn together by their scheming friends. Most of the cast (including, memorably, Nathan Fillion as the bumbling Constable Dogberry and Clark Gregg as the governor Leonato) are long-time Whedonites, veterans from his TV shows (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) and films. One would expect Whedon, given his knack for wordplay, to highlight the verbal joisting and really chew the play’s choice lines. But much of the acting doesn’t make the language pop (Denisof is particularly without snap) and the wan black-and-white photography bleaches the play of its snappiness. Acker gives a likable and lithe performance, even if its lacks the commanding presence Beatrice deserves. More effort, it feels, went into making the play feel natural than making it sing. This “Much Ado” (for which Whedon also composed the music) is best consid-

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Home and Away with Dana Wolfe Plantains can help make your culinary life much better tains and found out that they are of the banana family. They are a starchy, low-in-sugar variety that has to be cooked before serving. In most cases they are somewhat like a potato, and can be used like that in dishes, and are referred to as the pasta and potatoes of the Caribbean.

Ripe plantains can be fried in oil, baked in a honey or a sugar-based sauce or put in soups.

Green (unripe) plantains can be boiled in soups or can be sliced, fried, smashed and then refried to make “patacones” Costa Rican food is generally not spicy, but if you ask for “chileros” with your meal you will sweat!

It is a compote made with vinegar, carrots, onions and habanero peppers. We Plantains resemble overly have been trying them about every couple of tain (your way) and let me weeks in a different way, know how you like them. and all recipes have been Happy Cooking! delicious. dwolfe@civitasmedia.com We may have somePlantain Tarts thing here … try a plan2 unbaked prepared pie crust sheets (or pie dough for top and bottom crust) Troy and Miami County’s Landmark Restaurant 2 small, very ripe planThe BEST lunch deal anywhere! Our 11 item buffet changes tains (peel should be mostly or all black) every day and is made from scratch each morning! Daily ¼ cup brown sugar buffet menus posted on our website... www.lapiazzatroy.com ¼ tsp. Nutmeg ¼ tsp. cinnamon • Sundays - Kid's Eat Free! • Wednesdays - Half Price Appetizers!

1/8 tsp. salt • Thursdays - Live Music with Scott Oglesbee!

1 egg, beaten • Happy Hour - Monday through Friday 4:30-6:00.

Sugar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll or roll out pie dough. Using a 4-5-inch cutter cut 8 round circles from the dough. Peel and mash plantains until very Troy and Miami County’s Landmark Restaurant smooth. Stir in brown sugar, On The Square Downtown Troy nutmeg, cinnamon and salt.

Place 2 tablespoons of 937-339-5553 • www.lapiazzatroy.com plantain filling in the center 40138659

Plantains? What are they?

For years you have probably been like me roaming around in the produce department at your local grocery wondering, “What are these little bananas?”

Are they for kids? Have they just not grown up to be big bananas yet? What in the world are they?

They are called plantains.

So, on a recent trip to South Carolina I saw them as an appetizer on a menu at a local Costa Rican restaurant and decided it was time for a try.

They were delicious.

We were very surprised at their taste.

In the dish that they served us, they didn’t at all taste like a banana. The were split in half, breaded and deep fried, then served on a bed of refried black beans with sour cream and salsa. Needless to say, I could have eaten another order.

When I got home I did a little research on plan-

SHNS PHOTO

ripe bananas. of each round. Fold the rounds in half and crimp edges with fingers or a fork.

Lightly brush tops with egg and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the pastry looks golden brown. Cool before serving as the filling will be very hot Tip: For extra sweetness, add ¼ cup raisins, chopped dates or other dried fruit with the plantains.

Plantain and Shrimp Hash 4 cup water 1 cup white wine, beer or additional water 2 tsp Cayenne pepper 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 pound medium shrimp, tail off, peeled and deveined 2 green plantains, peeled and cut in ½-inch cubes 2 T. olive oil, divided ½ sweet white onion, diced

1 green pepper, seeded and diced 2 bay leaves ¼ tsp. black peppercorns 2 Serrano peppers, seeded and minced, optional ½ tsp. thyme Non-stick cooking spray 8 eggs Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a deep pan bring water to a boil with wine, by leaves, peppercorns, cayenne pepper and celery. Add shrimp, return to boil and boil for 3 minutes.

Skim shrimp from boiling broth; set aside. Add plantains to broth and boil for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat half of the oil in a large oven-proof skillet. Saute onions, peppers and thyme in oil.

Remove from heat when

vegetables are soft. Skim plantains from broth; add to skillet with vegetables along with remaining oil. Cook until the plantains are golden with crusty edges.

Remove from heat. Stir shrimp into the hash. Make 8 wells in the hash and spray the bottom of each well with non-stick cooking spray.

Crack an egg into each well; sprinkle with salt and pepper if desired. Place skillet in oven and cook until eggs are done to taste (about 5-6 minutes for firm whites with runny yolks).

Remove skillet from oven and serve.

Plantain Chips 6-7 green plantains Garlic powder Oil for frying Peel and finely slice the plantains, deep frying until golden and crispy.

Remove from skillet and drain while the plantain is hot. Sprinkle with garlic powder and a little salt to taste.

Note: Can be served accompanied by ketchup or your favorite dip.

Dessert Plantains 12 ripe plantains ¼ cup coconut oil 1 pound butter Juice of 4 lemons Sugar Peel the plantain with a small, sharp knife. Slice the plantain lengthwise into 4 pieces.

Place butter and oil together in a heavy skillet.

Heat until very hot.

Place plantain pieces, one by one, in the skillet and fry them for about 4 minutes on each side, turning only once. Drain on paper towels. Place in a serving dish and sprinkle

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Wednesday, June 19, 2013

GET UP & GO Rhythm Bluegrass Music Festival BRADFORD — The Bluegrass Music Festival in Bradford is slated for 5-11 p.m. June 28 at Iddings Park, sponsored by the Bradford Public Library. This is the 12th year the library has sponsored this free event for the community.

Bands playing this year include Rum River Blend, Leisa Hinkle and Willow-Creek, Berachah Valley, Rock Island Plow Co and Nightflyer. There will be a raffle and food available to purchase.

Chairs and blankets may be brought into the park.

Lucky Lemonade Music Series TROY — The TroyHayner Cultural Center will host the new Lucky Lemonade Music series Tuesdays in July this summer. Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. with regional musicians playing a variety of music from jazz to folk. Acts include the breezy harmonies of Sweet Betsy July 9, the warm country sounds of Higgins Madewell July 16, the folksy sounds of Anna and Milovan and jazz guitarist Jimmy Felts.

Doyle Brothers TROY — Coming straight from Manhattan, the Doyle Brothers will be kicking around the stage for the Downtown Troy Summer Music series at 7:30 p.m. June 28. Ryan and Todd Doyle bring their beat-box style with a hybrid of original music as well as some great recognizable traditions such as Run Around Sue and Earth Angel. The Doyle Brothers’ sound has been compared to

Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble and Bruno Mars while maintaining their own unique style.

The Nightflyer Band TROY — The Nightflyer band will rock the square at 7:30 p.m.

July 19 for the Downtown Troy Summer Music on the Square series. The newly formed group of experienced professionals from Southwestern Ohio plays a hard driving mix of contemporary and traditional bluegrass. The band’s lead singer and guitarist is Richard Propps, most recently from the group Blue Storm.

Rick Hayes is on mandolin and the stand-up bassist is Tony Kakaris, who also lends his baritone to the vocals. Tim Jackson adds spice to the mix with his fiery dobro performances.

Rounding out the sound is Ronnie Stewart contributing killer banjo and sweet lyrical tenor and lead vocals.

These musicians promise to bring the sweet seasoned sounds of traditional bluegrass as well as a hard driving mix of contemporary country music.

The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra TROY — The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m. July 26 at Prouty Plaza. The concert is free and open to the public. Started in 1938, the 16-piece orchestra is complete with saxophone harmonies, growling trumpets and oo -ah trumpets, too. There will be a dance floor for the public and dance demonstrations.

Eye candy Art Show

WEST MILTON — Hoffman United Methodist Church is looking for applicants to take part in the seventh annual art show to be hosted July 12-14 in the activity center at 201 S. Main St., West Milton. The deadline for entering is June 24.

The purpose of the show is to share area talent with the public. The show is non-juried. Some pieces may be available for purchase, with transactions handled directly between the artist and the interested party. A generous gift from local arts patron Bill Netzley, of Bill Netzley Roofing, has enabled the church to greatly increase the prize money being awarded again this year. Awards to be given are $500 for first place, $400 for second place and $300 for third place. Eight additional awards of $100 each also will be presented.

Application forms may be picked up at the church office and Really Cool Stuff in Milton; Art Vault Gallery in Troy; The Hotel Gallery and Studio 14 (Benkin’s Antiques) in Tipp City; and Cannery Art and Design in Dayton. Forms are also available for download from the church website at www.hoffmanumc.org to be mailed to the church office.

For further information, call Cheryl at (937) 698-7030.

Family fun PIQUA — The Friends of the Piqua Library, 116 W. High St., is hosting another Library Lounge Series this summer starting Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Piqua

Public Library. This program will feature gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars from around the world. Lucas Schlumpf, owner of the Olive Oasis in Troy, will provide tastings and descriptions of olive oils and vinegars paired with breads and wines. Learn the many health benefits of olive oil and vinegar as an antioxidant, preserving vitality and youthfulness and a natural pain reliever. Other programs in the series will include a bluegrass social in August and “Take me out to the ballgame” with Tom Nichols and Todd Benzinger in September.

The Friends of the Library will present another very popular holiday event in December.

More information will be coming soon about these programs. If interested in becoming a Friend of the Piqua Library, call for more information. The event is free. Call (937) 773-6753 for more information.

Car show RUSSIA — Cruizer’s, 115 North St., will host the third annual Cruisers for a Cure car, truck, bike and race car show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 29. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation Ohio Kentucky Indiana Chapter. The first 50 registrants will receive dash plaques and goody bags.

Awards will be presented by the judges at 4 p.m.

They will name the top 20 vehicles and give five specialty awards. Country music singer Wyatt McCubbin will perform at 1 p.m. and sign autographs after the perform-

ance. There will be an auction, a 50/50 drawing and door prizes. Local children who have recently had wishes granted by the foundation will be in attendance to talk about their experiences.

Children’s shirts will be on sale for $1 each.

Webkinz will be sold for $2 each. Food and beverages will be available inside the air-conditioned Cruizer’s. The cost to enter is $10. For information, call Tim Osborne at 295-3973.

Art Camps TROY — Forest and Kyle elementary schools art teacher Gabbie Braun will be teaching art camps this summer for

ages 5-9 and 10-14 at the Mayflower Arts Center, 11 W. Main St. The camps are imagination-driven with fine arts exploration.

For more information, visit mayflowerartscenter.com.

Upcoming events Cemetery walk WEST MILTON — Every tombstone has a story; come hear five of them in Riverside Cemetery in West Milton on Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery, during a cemetery walk. These will be five new characters, different from last year. The rain date is June 30.

Local people will portray these stories. Shelley

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GET UP & GO Garland. Bob Menker will portray Robert Ewing Jennings, whose family founded Patterson’s Florist.

Barbara Cecil will be Mary Gordon, a well known figure in the West Milton community.

David Nickol will portray Dr. Ephraim Spitler, a local doctor and grandfather of Joanne Cox Iddings.

Tom Kinsey will portray his grandfather Clarence “Pappy” Kinsey and family, whose farmhouse was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Each of these people will be portrayed at the site of their respective graves.

Stroll from site to site at your leisure and feel

free to ask questions and add additional facts and stories. The rain date is June 30. For more information, call (937) 6986610 or (937) 698-4171.

Annual card party SIDNEY — The Shelby County Memorial VFW Post 4239 Ladies Auxiliary will host its annual card party June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. This event is open to the public and a variety of games can be played, among them euchre, bridge, pinochle and poker.

Punch, coffee, cookies and snacks will be provided.

There will also be raffles, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing.

Cemetery tour

SIDNEY — Shelby County Historical Society will host its annual Graceland Cemetery tour on June 20 at 7 p.m.

The tour will highlight the contribution of the men and women of Shelby County during the Civil War. With an approximate population in the county of just a little more than 5,000, Shelby County sent more than 1,300 men to serve in the Civil War. More than 25 percent of those men never returned home.

With such a large number of men away from their families, the community mobilized and women, including Julia Lamb and Mary Van Fossen, organized the

Ladies Aid Society to send clothing, bandages and other supplies to the Shelby County soldiers on the front lines.

Participants should meet at the Ross Historical Center, 201 N. Main Ave., by 6:45 p.m. to travel by bus past the Monumental Building, past Schultz’s Battery Monument, to Graceland Cemetery.

Participants will also be entertained by several living history characters throughout the tour.

Tickets can be purchased at the Ross Historical Center, 201 N. Main Ave., or by calling 498-1653.

The cost of the tour for historical society members is $10; and $12 for

Local ‘ham’ radio convention set TIPP CITY — Despite the Internet, cell phones, email and modern communications, every year whole regions find themselves in the dark. Tornadoes, fires, storms, ice and even the occasional cutting of fiber optic cables leave people without the means to communicate. In these cases, the one consistent service that has never failed has been Amateur Radio. These radio operators, often called “hams,” provide backup communications for everything from the American Red Cross to FEMA and even for the International Space Station.

Tipp City “hams” will join with thousands of other Amateur Radio operators

across the country, showing their emergency capabilities over the fourth weekend in June, Saturday June 22 through June 23 (Field Day weekend).

Over the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing critical communications during unexpected emergencies in towns across America including the California wildfires, winter storms, the Oklahoma tornadoes and other events worldwide. When trouble is brewing, Amateur Radio’s people are often the first to provide rescuers with critical information and communications.

During Field Day weekend, the public will have a chance to meet and talk with

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