STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL 2012
Troy Strawberry Festival 2012 A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TROY DAILY NEWS AND PIQUA DAILY CALL
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 2 • May 27, 2012
ABOUT THIS EDITION Welcome to the 2012 Strawberry Festival Preview Edition, a joint publication of the Troy Daily News and Piqua Daily Call.
ON THE COVER Cover photo by Anthony Weber The Troy Strawberry Festival offers a variety of food, including freshpicked strawberries.
WRITERS David Fong Melody Vallieu Melanie Yingst Natalie Knoth Katie Yantis Jim Davis Kathy Ording Colin Foster PHOTOGRAPHER Anthony Weber
EDITION EDITOR Sun Moon & Stars team member Cherryl Blevins powers through a jump rope obstacle during the bed races at the 2011 festival.
David Fong
TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages 3, 4 .............................................................................................Changes
The Best Strawberry Margaritas North Of The Border!
Page 5...................................................................................................Schedule Page 6 .......................................................Schweser takes over as chairwoman Page 7 .........................................................................................Friday night fun Page 8 ............................................................Festival needs increased security Page 9 ..................................................................................................Car show Page 10 .........................................................................................Entertainment
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 3 • May 27, 2012
A festival unlike any other new bridge fully operational, the festival will return to its rightful place on the levee. “I knew when I took over as festival manager BY DAVID FONG (in 2011) the bridge would Executive Editor be out, but I was told we fong@tdnpublishing.com would do our best to keep it on the levee,” Dorsten Where others saw said. “Once we figured out catastrophe, Heather that wouldn’t really be an Dorsten saw a challenge; option, we had to start where others saw obstalooking at other opportunicles, Dorsten saw opportu- ties.” nities. One idea that continu“This is going to be a ally came up in the public fun year,” said Dorsten, was moving the festival to the Troy Strawberry the fairgrounds. Dorsten Festival manager said. said moving the festival “It’s a really unique oppor- outside the city limits — tunity. I know the fairgrounds myself and (Troy are not within Strawberry the city of Troy Festival — was someChairman) Corie thing she and Schweser are her staff were excited.” not willing to do. Last year, fol“We wanted to lowing the 2011 keep it within Troy Strawberry the city limits,” Festival, the Dorsten said. DORSTEN Adams Street “The festival will Bridge was closed still be in Troy for repairs. The bridge will — just right acoss the not be open again until river. We can easily move later this year. Since the it right back to the levee first festival in 1977, the next year. Logistically Troy Strawberry Festival speaking, we’ve had a lot had been held on the levee of people from the city who between the North Market have donated their time to Street and Adams Street the festival for many bridges. With the closing of years. Our facilities guys the Adams Street Bridge, are all from the city and holding the festival at its know the festival like the traditional home no longer back of their hand. We was an option. wanted them to be able to continue to help us out A number of other with the festival — some options were explored — including moving the festi- of them have been with us since the very beginning.” val to the Miami County Moving the festival Fairgrounds for one year and not having a 2012 fes- downtown has meant festival organizers have had to tival at all — but eventudeal with a number of ally, Dorsten and the rest challenges in preparing for of the festival organizers this year’s festival. decided to host the Troy “The biggest thing has Strawberry Festival in been the logistics and downtown Troy for 2012 learning about what you only. Next year, with the
Events move downtown this year only
can and can’t do on the city streets,” Dorsten said. “There are more rules and regulations that you have to follow. It’s been interesting, to say the least. The levee was upgraded for electrical and water usage five to 10 years ago. With the festival moving downtown, we’ve had to worry about getting electrical generators and making use of hydrants. All of our biggest electric users have been moved to the side streets, closer to the generators. “There is so much more security that you need having the festival downtown. We need at least 15 more volunteers than we’ve needed in previous years.” Parking, too, will be a challenge unlike any previous festival has faced, Dorsten said. She is encouraging anyone wishing to attend the festival to take advantage of the free shuttle services located at: WACO Airfield, the Club 55/The Crystal Room parking lot, the Meijer parking lot and the fairgrounds. “We’ve added another shuttle location at the fairgrounds,” Dorsten said. “Plus, we are going to have our car show there this year, so it will be an oppor- For the first time in more than three decades, the Strawberry Festival will not be tunity for people to take held on the levee in Troy. The festival will be held in downtown Troy this year. the shuttle to the festival and check out the car show. We are strongly encouraging people to take the shuttle to the festival Miami County’s this year.” Home Dorsten said while this year’s festival won’t look Improvement exactly like past festivals, Warehouse every effort has been made to include as many tradi2283350 tional festival events as 937-332-3763 • restore@hfhmco.org
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 4 • May 27, 2012
Festival • Continued from Page 3 possible. A number of events traditionally held during festival weekend — including the Golden Couple and Little Mister and Miss Strawberry competitions — were held prior to the festival. Because of the downtown location, Dorsten said some events did have to be canceled for one year. “A lot of (Troy Memorial) Stadium events, like the Backseat Driver competition, we aren’t able to have this year,” Dorsten said. “But we’re still having all the little kid events, like the Diaper Derby and Big Wheel Races. We’re still having the pie eating competition. We’re still having the bed races, but we’re not having them downtown; we’re having them in the Hobart Arena parking lot.” One major event that could not be salvaged this year was the annual Strawberry Festival parade. The parade, which
Many events, such as the pie eating competition, will go on as planned this year. for years has kicked off the festival on Saturday, is broadcast live throughout the Miami Valley and has become one of the
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promise the parade will be back next year.” Dorsten said the majority of food and craft vendors — staples of the
annual event — have been generally supportive of the move downtown. “Most of them didn’t back out,” Dorsten said.
Warm spring aids in bridge construction
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biggest parades throughout the region. “Obviously we were genuinely sad about that,” Dorsten said. “But we
“There will still be most of the food and crafts people are used to. There hasn’t been a lot of panic.” While the move downtown has presented a wide assortment of challenges, Dorsten said, there also have been some benefits the levee couldn’t provide. “First and foremost, it gives people the opportunity to see our beautiful downtown,” she said. “Also, if it rains, there are a lot more places to duck into — and we don’t have to worry about mud on the city streets. It also gives people the chance to duck inside a building and get out of the heat if it’s a warm weekend. For example, our emergency services will be located in the Hayner Cultural Center, which has air conditioning — I know our emergency services people will be happy about that.” Plus, Dorsten said, it’s only for one year. “We’ll be back on the levee next year,” she said.
replace the ailing two-lane pedestrians. The bike path bridge, which was erected and sidekwalk will be in 1923 and utilized by raised about a half foot more than 10,000 vehicles above the roadway for Mother Nature was cer- a day. Construction kicked added safety. tainly cooperative for con- off in mid-June “At this point, struction of the Adams 2011 and is I think the public Street Bridge. But Miami expected to be perception is complete by good,” County Engineer Paul Huelskamp said it’s too Huelskamp said, November. adding that consoon to tell if the The new revamped bridge will in bridge will struction has fact be completed early. include both utilprovided a learn“They have been able to itarian and aesing opportunity work more now that the for the communithetic enhanceweather’s been decent,” ments. ty to see how a Motorists, Huelskamp said in a bridge is built. HUELSKAMP March 29 interview with byclists and Two pairs of ornate markers will be the Troy Daily News. “But pedestrians alike are attached on the bridge, the weather could go bad expected to enjoy the and put us back a month. design’s two 24-foot-wide with one pair describing We don’t want to get vehicular lanes, a 12-foot- the bridge’s historical sigwide bike path and a 5everyone’s hopes up.” nificance and another listPlans began in 2007 to foot-wide sidewalk for ing the city of Troy’s
mayor, council members, county commissioners, design consultant, general contractor and county engineer at the time of completion. A third marker dedicating the new bridge may be included. The project is expected to cost $9 million, which was offset by $7.1 million in federal grants and a $988,000 Ohio Public Works Commission grant. A $10 per license fee for Troy residents was orginally instated, but city council eliminated the fee effective Dec. 31. The Troy Strawberry Festival will take place on West Main Street this year because of bridge construction.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 5 • May 27, 2012
Pru Schaefer puts the finishing touches on a tray of white cupcakes with butter cream strawberry icing and a strawberry on top at the 2011 festival.
2012 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Thursday, May 31 Bike Tour Time Trials — Casstown Fire Department, 6 p.m. Friday, June 1 Opening Ceremonies — Hobart Arena parking lot, 6 p.m. Food, crafts and games — Levee, 6-9 p.m, Children’s Parade — Hobart Arena parking lot, 6 p.m. Big Wheel Races— Lower Levee Next to Troy Memorial Stadium, 6:30 p.m. Bed Races — Hobart Arena parking lot, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 2 Festival Site Opens — Downtown Troy, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Softball Tournament —
Duke Park, 8 a.m. Berry Special Olympics — Duke Park, 9 a.m. Opening Ceremony — Downtown Main Street, 9:30 a.m. Tennis Shootout — Troy Community Park, 10 a.m. Free Entertainment — Downtown Troy, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pie Eating Contest — West Stage, 12:30 p.m. registration; event starts at 1 p.m. Strawberry Kids Crawl — West Stage, 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3 Festival Site Opens — Downtown Troy, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Berry Bike Tour — Behind Troy High School, 7:30 a.m.
Car Show — Miami County Fairgrounds, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10k Classic Run — Troy High School Stadium, 7:30 a.m. Shortcake Special Run — Troy High School Stadium, 7:35 a.m. Free Entertainment — Downtown Troy, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Softball Tournament (coed) — Duke Park, 11 a.m. Diaper Derby — West Stage, noon Strawberry Idol Winner performs — Main Stage, 2:45 p.m. Saturday, June 9 Strawberry Stroll — Hobart Institute-Welding Technology, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 6 • May 27, 2012
Chairwoman feels blessed to head festival BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@tdnpublishing.com Strawberry Festival general chairwoman Corie Schweser faced a challenge unlike that of any of her predecessors — moving the event downtown while preserving all the vitality of previous years. “Will people brave the minor adjustment? I think they will, just to see what it’s like downtown,” Schweser said. “Because it’ll never happen again, they’ll want to see how it works out.” With the change in location, Schweser, whose husband, Troy council member John Schweser, was chairman in 2006, said she would guess this year required “more diligence, more patience, more meetings.” Schweser is no stranger to holding leadership positions within the Troy community. In addition to being a festival committee chair, over the last 20 years she has held positions with the Troy Area Chamber of Commerce board, American Red Cross of Miami County, Child Care Choices, Kiwanis, Relay for Life, Leadership Troy, Blue Star Mothers of America Inc. and Troy Soccer Club. “You have to be organized and be willing to accept everything that
How the Strawberry Festival chairman is selected Each chairman is selected two years in advance. The two most recent past and two future chairmen conduct the first round of selection and then the executive board makes the final decision. The 2013 chairman is Jim Weaver, followed by Jon Dankworth in 2014.
comes at you with a deep breath,” she said. The city of Troy has been an enormous support, she added, as have her 40 committee chairs and the thousands of people who help make the Troy Strawberry Festival possible. Choosing the theme of Mardi Gras Berries, Schweser said, was fitting, as Troy is going its own period of reconstruction with the Adama Street Bridge. “First of all, I love New Orleans and love Mardi Gras,” Schweser said. “For me, it’s about rebuilding the bridge. It’s a party; it’s fun. When you hear Mardi Gras, you think party.” Participants in the bed races and children’s parade are thinking outside the box in terms of integrating the theme, she added. Beads, hats and umbrellas also will be
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Corie and John Schweser parade through downtown during a Troy Strawberry Festival kickoff several years ago. Corie Schweser faces a challenge unlike that of any of her predecessors — moving the event downtown. passed out. Still, she admits that moving a now 36-year-old event that attracts 250,000 to a new location is no small feat. Traffic patterns proved to be a major issue in planning the festival. The parade had to be canceled because if an accident were to occur on I-75, traffic could not be rerouted with Market Street and Main Street closed. Also, shutting down both streets would impede the ability of fire and police vehicles to respond
to incidents. Schweser said misinformation and a lack of information initially led some people to be concerned that the festivities will be diminished this year. While some events, such as the parade and stadium events, had to be taken off the schedule, the vast majority of happenings are still the same, she said. “People ask if I feel robbed as a chairman for not getting to have a parade and other things, but I feel blessed,” Schweser said. “This year
goes down in history.” The usual Friday events are untouched, she added. Downtown businesses have the potential for increased business, and LeDoux’s Restaurant will be hosting live entertainment. Robin Lacy and DeZydeco are slated to perform. Schweser stressed that easily accessible, free shuttles will be provided at four locations: Exit 69 — WACO Airfield, Exit 73 — Club 55/The Crystal Room, Exit 74 — Meijer in Troy
and Exit 74 — Miami County Fairgrounds. “We’re encouraging walking, biking and taking the shuttle,” she said. With just a couple weeks to go, Schweser said the vast majority of planning and executing has already been complete. “Now it’s just a matter of getting the word out and doing as much TV, radio and newspaper publicity as we can and doing last-minute decisions,” she said. “We’re really ready to go. The only thing left is the summer.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 7 • May 27, 2012
In twist, Friday night events move to levee While the location will be much different, the Friday night events at the Troy Strawberry Festival will go on much the same as always — with some new twists. To kick off the day with a little color, festival chairman Corie Schweser, Troy Mayor Mike Beamish, the festival queen’s court and Junior Miss Strawberry will dye the fountain on Public Square red during a live broadcast with WPTW from Bakehouse Breads. At 6 p.m. Friday, the 2012 Strawberry Festival will officially open with ceremonies in the Hobart Arena parking lot, near the grassy area. Non-profit organizations will sell food and other items on the levee from 6-9 p.m. Kelli Hahn, Friday night clubs and organizations chair, said 15 nonprofit groups — including the Boy Scouts, Troy Rec, Miami County Special Olympics and local churches — will sell items. Drinks, barbecue, cotton candy, strawberry shortcake and “walkable” foods such as walking tacos will be for sale for attendees to purchase. She said face painting also will be offered and Jumpy’s Fun Zone of Troy will have inflatables for children to enjoy. The Troy Senior Citizens Center also will be open and selling its famous strawberry shortcake, Hahn said. The Troy Music Boosters will begin strawberry doughnut sales at Troy Memorial Stadium on Friday, and sales will then continue at the downtown
No parade, but a processional Although there will be no official parade on Saturday, a Mardi Gras-style processional from the old Clark’s Pharmacy through the festival site to Prouty Plaza will begin at 9:30 a.m. She said dignitaries and festival planners — about 50 people — will walk the route and pass out beads to watchers. Festival chairwman Corie Schweser encourages viewers to wear bright colors and join in the morning’s festivities. festival throughout the weekend. Hahn, who has volunteered with the festival for two years, said she encourages to the public to come out Friday night to kick off the festival and support the community. “Come out and support your local non-profits,” Hahn said. “The location is new and exciting and different. We are planning a really nice evening for everyone.” Other events usually held on Friday night also will continue this year, according to Schweser. “Anything that typically happened on a Friday night is going to be on the levee,” Schweser said. Schweser said the children’s parade will line up in the area of the scoreboard outside Troy Memorial Stadium and continue to the parking lot of the Troy Aquatic Park. The big wheel races will follow at 6:30 p.m. on the lower levee next to the stadium. The bed races will then
This year, the bed races will be held in the Hobart Arena parking lot. begin at 7 p.m., as in past years, in the parking lot area closer to the stadium. Schweser said while the activity teams have to accomplish during the race is usually a surprise, this
year the whole event has been kept under wraps. “The chairman is also keeping the route a secret,” Schweser said. “She’s very creative.” Parking will mostly be
available at the junior high, high school and in front of the stadium, Schweser said. “It’s the same fun, it’s the same Troy flavor,” Schweser said of the one-
year location. “It’s the usual quiet before when the parade would be the next morning. It’s kind of a Troy event. The bed races will still be exciting, even more so.”
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 8 • May 27, 2012
Even more festival volunteers needed Security need doubles for downtown event BY MELODY VALLIEU Staff Writer vallieu@tdnpublishing.com Among some of the challenges this year’s Troy Strawberry Festival poses being downtown is the need for twice as much security to pull off a safe event. According to event security co-chairs Charles Strawser and Flint Bundenthal, more than double the amount of volunteers — from 30 to 60-70 — are needed this year to fulfill the security outposts throughout the weekend. Bundenthal said around eight people per day for security would be appropriate at a festival on the levee, this year at least 16 — or more — will be needed each day. He said he currently has 45 volunteers signed up, but needs quite a few more, specifically for the Sunday shifts. He said the festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Sunday, and shifts are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2-6 p.m., and those interested in helping can call the Strawberry Festival office at (937) 339-7714. “Or if they are feeling courageous, the can work both,” Bundenthal said with a chuckle. Strawser said the Strawberry Festival Facebook site has been helpful in recruiting volunteers, and he also has asked former classmates, along with those who have helped previously. Security volunteers are supplied with radios that have the ability to call into the security manager, or even the police if necessary, according to Strawser. Strawser, who was the event security and stage crew chair for the 2011 festival,
said because of the layout of the downtown event, many more entrances will be available to festival-goers, requiring more security volunteers at each of the crossroads on Main Street from Prouty Plaza to where the festival begins at Tim Horton’s. Volunteers will make sure visitors do not drive around barricades to park illegally within festival grounds. Bundenthal said a security volunteer also will be placed one block back on each of the crossroads making sure area residents are able to access their homes properly and vendors can get through to restock their booths. “We’ll probably have only one person at each post, but we would love to have two,” Strawser said. Entertainment also will be in the downtown area. “Being right downtown where concerts are going to be on on Prouty Plaza, but the Public Square will be open, so we will need to be able to monitor that appropriately,” Bundenthal said. Other security volunteers will patrol the festival grounds, making sure visitors comply with the rules, which includes no pets. “It’s a terrible environment to bring a pet. It’s hot, and loud and crowded, and dogs get agitated,” Strawser said. “There have been previous instances where it has led to biting.” Volunteers also are placed at the barricades for the bus turnarounds, which will be located near Tim Horton’s, to make sure people do no attempt to drive past the barricades and park where it isn’t allowed, Strawser said. Strawser said another important aspect of security is
Police department has plan in place for event BY MELODY VALLIEU Staff Writer vallieu@tdnpublishing.com
Rose Compton tries a strawberry crisper at the 2010 Troy Strawberry Festival. having a crew on the festival grounds when the festival is closed, making sure people are not breaking into tents. In previous years, on the levee, Bundenthal said a team of two security volunteers could drive a golf cart up and down the levee, checking on the booths. “Overnight security was a lot easier to monitor on the levy because it was a straight shot down,” said Bundenthal, a seven-year volunteer who is chairing for the first time. The downtown festival will not be as easy, he said.
“Overnight there will be a lot more monitoring to be done, we will need to be a little more thorough now,” Bundenthal said. Bundenthal said the threat of those who have been drinking at downtown establishments also looms for the security team. “You can’t exactly tell what a person’s going to do after they’ve been drinking,” he said. “And, it’s going to be in the middle of the night. It’s never been a problem before, but now it has a possibility to be a problem.”
Troy Police Department Captain Joe Long said the police department has its plans in place for the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival. “We hope that we have everything set on our end,” Long said. Long said between full-time and auxiliary officers, anywhere between 12-16 officers will be on the festival grounds during open hours Saturday and Sunday. He said that would be two to three officers per block between Adams Street and Prouty Plaza. Three officers also will be placed north of the river to deal with parking or any other issues. Long said police are concerned with the Adams Street Bridge, as the decking has been placed, however, it is not open to be walked on. Long said an officer will be standing near the bridge, assuring that no one attempts to cross the incomplete structure. “It can’t be walked on. They will be charged with trespassing,” Long said. For the time after the festival closes, Long said officers also will be patroling the festival grounds and third shift officers will be making extra checks. He said volunteer festival security staff are being told not to try to intervene with any issues in the after hours, but to call police immediately. “It’s just the unknown, we just don’t know what’s going to happen with this locaton,” Long said. “We’re going to do what we have to do.” Throughout the festival, Long said police will not tolerate any open container issues with alcohol — either from festival-goers or the establishments that sell them. Long said the North Cherry Street lot, owned by the city, will close Tuesday evening for tents to begin to be constructed. He said at 6 p.m. Wednesday, barricades will go up on Main Street from Adams Street to Prouty Plaza, and will be in place until Monday afternoon.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 9 • May 27, 2012
Festival car show moving to Sunday “Car enthusiasts like to come out and enjoy the festival, show off their cars and enjoy time with friends,” said Weaver, who is in her fourth year chairing the car show and 20th overall with the festival. “We’ll have a lot of your typical antique vehicles, there usually are a couple of Model T’s that come … and we’ll have some ‘rat rods’ — which are typically 1930s or ’40s vehicles
that are in primer that have not been completely restored. “Also, we’re inviting motorcycles to come this year, too.” While Weaver said the event offers a chance for car enthusiasts to peruse a wide variety of vehicles, show entrants have a chance to win some neat prizes, too. In addition to sponsor choices, she said several vehicles will receive special recognition for their fancy rides. “We have Top 50 awards that will be handed out, the mayor (Michael Beamish) will be handing out his top pick … the Strawberry Festival Queen will come and pick her favorite, and then Corie
Schweser, this year’s chairperson, will come by and pick out her favorite,” Weaver said. Additionally, Weaver said Affordable Roofing will present a special award “focusing on someone 25 or under that has restored and done most of the work on their vehicle,” she said. “It’s going to be a handmade award made out of a crescent wrench, a Holley carburetor and open-ended wrenches. And we’re also going to include a strawberry that is made out of stainless steel made by the Upper Valley Career Center welding class.” Car clubs with the most participants can get in on the action, too. “We give out $50 to the
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Festival-goers attend the cruise-in car show during the kick-off of the Troy Strawberry Festival in 2011 in downtown Troy. This year it moves to the fairgrounds.
club that has the most cars there for participation,” Weaver said, adding that she’s expecting another large group of entrants. “If it doesn’t rain, we usually have a really nice turnout. We hope to have between 350 and 400 entrants.” Weaver said several food vendors will be on site, while a “ladies purse contest” with awards presented by Trojan Florists is planned. Although a shuttle service will be available to and from the festival area downtown, car show participants and visitors are asked to use the Harrison Street entrance off County Road 25-A at the south end of the fairgrounds by the horse barns.
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temporary relocation downtown, the event will get rolling early Sunday morning. Registration starts at 7:30 p.m. and Once you’re done sampling all sorts of strawber- lasts until 1 p.m., with an awards ceremony set to ry confections downtown, cap the day at 4 p.m. 2012 Troy Strawberry In-between, auto enthuFestival visitors can rev up siasts will have all sorts of their curiosity for all things cars Sunday at the things — on both two wheels and four — to annual car show. check out at the show, said Moved to the Miami chairperson Jennifer County Fairgrounds this Weaver. year due to the festival’s BY JIM DAVIS Staff Writer davis@tdnpublishing.com
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 10 • May 27, 2012
Festival still will be packed with entertainment ment seekers. BY KATIE YANTIS “I have two different Staff Writer kyantis@tdnpublishing.com groups that are coming back that were here previously,” she said. “One is The festival has moved, but the strawber- Jenny and Ashley, they are two girls from ry tunes will still resNashville who performed onate through Troy as last year and they are festival-goers have a berry good time through- very good. They are going to perform both Saturday out the 2012 festival. Outdoor entertainment and Sunday.” Also coming back to chair Jan Bigelow said fill a spot for the weekthe new location has end is solo act Lauren changed the entertainKelly. ment schedule a bit, but “She is from is still packed full with Springfield and she has something for everyone. been coming for many “We have only one stage which is going to be many years. She was only on Prouty Plaza,” Bigelow 12 when she started coming,” Bigelow said. said. Other acts Bigelow She said despite the reduction of two stages to said will be performing include the Rick Frazier one, she has a lot of Band — a soft rock band returning acts to fill the out of Sidney, the festival schedule for entertain-
choir and the Strawberry Idol winner. In addition to those act, Bigelow said she has a few slots that are still going to be filled — something she said still needs to be decided from a pool of “talented applicants.” With have less space and acts, Bigelow said the quality will remain the same and the normal schedule will return next year when the bridge is complete. “I think it will be OK. I think they are going to hear it and it will draw them to the stage,” Bigelow said. “Everyone has been fairly understanding that it is something beyond our control that we don’t have the bridge. We are doing the best we can and the
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The Troy Strawberry Festival Choir will again be performing at this year’s Strawberry Festival. entertainment we have coming will be just fine.” For Saturday night’s entertainment, the location has been moved to LeDoux’s and the music will run from 6-8 p.m. “I’m optimistic, everything has been changed but the quality of the festival is still there,” Saturday entertainment chair Roberta Jacobs said. “We started this in 1977 to help the non-profits and we haven’t lost our mission. Our passion is still there we just are in a different location and made some changes.” As for the music,
Jacobs said those heading to LeDoux’s to capture even more of the Mardi Gras theme for the 2012 festival will be entertained by a jazzy, cajun sound by Robin Lacy and Dezydeco (gotta check spellings). “They are out of the Cincinnati area and when we started looking for that genre they came highly recommended to us multiple times,” Jacobs said. Jacobs agreed with Bigelow and said despite the changes of going from two stages and a concert to one stage and
LeDoux’s the entertainment will still be quality for everyone. “It’s going to be different but we are going to have fun,” Jacobs said. “Everyone has just come together and come up with solutions and we are moving forward. “Even though we are not having the concert we have extended the entertainment, it will be continuous and it will be fun.” For more information on the entertainment during the festival and other events, visit gostrawberries.com.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 11 • May 27, 2012
Crafts will be front and center this year BY KATHY ORDING a new sand art booth for kids,” Staff Writer she added. kording@tdnpublishing.com “A returning favorite from last year is The Velvet Box. They Jewelry, yard art, pet have glass beads, specifically treats and home decor strawberry beads and chocolateitems are among the items dipped strawberry beads,” awaiting shoppers at the Roetter said. “Another favorite is 2012 Troy Strawberry Pieces of the Past. They sell jewFestival, and vendors will elry made from vintage buttons. be hard to miss. Another favorite is the Window “The arts and craft Guy, he paints on old windows booths will be front and and creates decorations for your center on West Main home.” Street,” said Kathi Roetter, Roetter’s job as chairman includes choosing the vendors for in her second year as the festival. chairman of the arts and “As chairman, I work with a crafts committee. The number of vendors committee to look through the applications and photos and is down a bit this year determine which are the best because of the festival’s crafters to select for our festival. relocation from the Great I work closely with the festival Miami River levee to manager during this process,” downtown streets, but she said. Roetter said the impact Throughout festival weekend, was minimal. she is on hand at the festival site “Many of our crafters were excited to be part of the show regardless of the location. They love Troy and our festival,” Roetter said. “We did have a few that decided they would sit a year out and wait for us to return to the levee.” Roetter still promises something for everyone, with 29 new vendors and many returning favorites among the 124 participating merchants. “New vendors this year include Nectar on the Vine, selling wine slushie mix. They will have non-alcoholic samples available for festival goers,” Roetter said. “Also new this year are Heritage Photography, selling nature photographs; Pacific Beach Peanut Butter LLC, selling homemade natural peanut butter; and Wood N More, selling handmade wood novelties made from oak, cherry, ash and walnut. “Other new items are NFL necklaces, OSU items, walking sticks and
to assist the vendors. “During the festival, I check-in the crafters and am available to them throughout the weekend for whatever might come up. I will be at the festival site from 7 a.m. on Friday through close on Sunday night,” said Roetter, whose husband, Eric, is chairman of the strawberry raffle committee. Their sons, Zachary, 17, and Matthew, 15, also volunteer at the festival. Also as part of their duties, Roetter and other arts and crafts committee members inspect booths throughout the weekend to verify that vendors are selling the products that they promoted on their applications, she said. The arts and crafts booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. “As soon as the festival is over, we will start working on next year’s festival,” Roetter said.
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 15 • May 27, 2012 TROY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL HISTORY 1984 “Go For The Berries” Earl Burley — General Chairman Tim Lanahan — Parade Chairman 1985 “Volunteers Are The Berries” Steve Kalmar — General Chairman Kim & Dave Wortman — Parade Chairman 1986 “A Decade of Strawberries Magic” Tim Lanahan — General Chairman Rob & Jeanne Black — Parade Chairman 1987 “A Picnic Of Strawberries” Jan Manning — General Chairman Mike & Gail Merlo — Parade Chairman 1988 “The Time Is Ripe” Mike Beamish — General Chairman Mike & Gail Merlo — Parade Chairman 1989 “Hats Off To The Berries” Mike Beamish — General Chairman Mike & Gail Merlo — Parade Chairman 1990 “The Great Strawberry Shake” Dan Plow — General Chairman Jim and Naomi Hall — Parade Chairman 1991 “Straw’bear’y Delight”
Chairman 1998 “It’s A Berry Big World” Tim Kendall — General Chairman Charlie Olso — Parade Chairman 1999 “Remembering Berry Days” Doug Black — General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 2000 “Troy, The Berry Heart of it All” Stan Kegley — General Chairman Doug Black — Parade Chairman 2001 “25 Berry Good Years” Phil Trentine — General The 2010 Little Mister and Miss Strawberry, Whitney Chairman Welch and P.J. Glover, pose for a picture. Tom Cooney — Parade Chairman Dee Mahan — General Joe Mahan — General 2002 Chairman Chairman “All A Buzzzz ... About Jim & Naomi Hall — Mike McKelvey — Strawberries” Parade Chairman Parade Chairman Sally Riechert — 1992 1995 General Chairwoman “Taste Of Strawberry “Race For The Berries” Tom Cooney and Jody Country” Bill Myers — General Davis — Parade Chairmen Rick Riechert — General Chairman 2003 Chairman Jody Davis — Parade “Spotlight on Mike & Kay McKelvey — Chairman Strawberries” Parade Chairman 1996 Roberta Jacobs — 1993 “Berried Treasure” General Chairwoman “Strawberry Fields Diana Thompson — Jody Davis — Parade Forever” General Chairwoman Chairman Jim Hall — General Jody Davis — Parade 2004 Chairman Chairman “Heavenly Strawberries” Mike & Kay McKelvey — 1997 Parade Chairman “Berry Christmas” Susan Fogt — General 1994 Chuck Lobaugh — Chairwoman “Pig Out On General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade Jody Davis — Parade Strawberries” Chairman
2005 “Cruisin’ the Berry 60s” Steve Emmel — General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 2006 “All American Berries” John Schweser — General Chairman Matt Watkins — Parade Chairman 2007 “StrawBerryville” Tom Cooney — General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 2008 “Let’s Talk Berries” Fred Daffner — General Chairman Tom Cooney — Parade Chairman 2009 “Dance to the Music” Becky Pappas — General Chairwoman Tom Cooney — Parade Chairman 2010 “Volunteers, Changing the World” Dave Pappas — General Chairman Doug Stone — Parade Chairman 2011 “Berry Thankful Hearts” David Geiger — General Chairman Doug Stone — Parade Chairman 2012 “Mardi Gras Berries” Corie Schweser — General Chairwoman No parade
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There was no stated theme for the Troy Strawberry Festival from 1977-1978. In 1979, there is only a reference to the Festival as “A Family Affair.” Beginning in 1980 when the parade became a feature of the festival, a theme was created for the Strawberry festival parade. Somewhere along the way, the parade theme became the overall theme of the Troy Strawberry Festival. Official Strawberry Festival theme logos with artwork did not appear until 1984 with “Go for the Berries.” 1980 “A Family Affair” Tom Thokey — General Chairman Earl Burley — Parade Chairman 1981 “As American As …” Charlene Walther — General Chairman Earl Burley — Parade Chairman 1982 “Kids Are The Berries” Max Stubbs — General Chairman Susan Jackson — Parade Chairman 1983 “The World According to Strawberries” Malvern Timm — General Chairman Tim Lanahan — Parade Chairman
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 16 • May 27, 2012
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RedmenStrawberry empanadas, hot dogs, garlic franks, pop/water • Kiwanis Club of Troy Strawberry pie, water/pop, strawberry soft serve yogurt, strawberry milkshakes • Knights of Columbus Troy Chapter Jalapeno cheddar cheese dogs, Bob Evans bratwursts, strawberry dill pickles, strawberry popcorn • Ladies Auxillary Miami No. 971 FOE Strawberry pizza, shredded chicken sandwiches, pop/water, coffee • Miami County Right to Life Society Fish pond game • Miami County Sheriffs Patrol Roasted nuts, water • Miami County Special Olympics Italian Ice, chocolate frozen cheesecake, choc0late frozen banana • Miami County YMCA Judo Club Texas tenderloins • Miami East High School Cheerleaders Grilled Pork Chops, lemon shake-ups • Mu Epsilon Society Hot Dogs, hamburgers, nachos, sloppy joe, pop • Newton Music Boosters Whole strawberries • Ohio Valley Arabian Horse Association Pulled pork, sandwiches,
• See FOOD on Page 17 Strawberry salsa is a crowd favorite every year.
STRAWBERRY SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE
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The strawberry glazed BY MELANIE YINGST barbecue sandwiches can Staff Writer myingst@tdnpublishing.com be found at the Shoes for the Shoeless organization Plain. Sugar on top. booth for an award winDipped in chocolate. ning sandwich strawberry Jammed. Preserved. With style. whipped cream. Without. Below is a listing of There are a million non-profit organizations ways to enjoy a strawber- seeling food items at this ry. Over the years, festival year’s Troy Strawberry organizations always rise Festival: to the challenge to find a • All American Mission Deep Fried new way to manipulate Strawberries, steakburgers, the festival fruit. This year, the strawber- hot dogs • Arc of Miami County ry takes an Italian twist Strawberry burritos — Holy Cannoli! • Boy Scout Troop 544 The organization Day of Sweet corn, pizza, strawCaring, will makes its berry pizza, pop/water debut with the favorite • CASA/GAL Funnel Italian dessert done up Cakes, shake-ups, corn strawberry-style. The Italian stuffed pas- dogs • Community Grace try will be sure to treat festival-goers as a dessert Brethren Youth Strawberry lemonade, lemon shake“you cannot refuse.” ups, bottled water Strawberry Festival • Day of Caring manager Heather Dorsten said the organization trav- Strawberry cannolis (Italian dessert), Pepsi/water els to various festivals, • DREAM Ice cream, modifying its “Holy floats and Flurries, sunCannoli” at each festival and fair to raise money for daes, pop/water • First Lutheran Church its charity. “I’m looking forward to Cupcakes with strawberry trying the newest addition icing, pop • Fort Rowdy Gathering to our festival as well as Pulled pork sandwiches, going back to old potato chips favorites,” she said. • Future Begins Today Dorsten also said she 8 oz. strawberry salsa, enjoys the strawberry 8 oz. strawberry preseves glaze barbecue sandwich, • Hospice Philly which was selected as the steaks/Chicken Philly, festival’s culinary award last year during its debut ham, drinks • Improved Order of year as well.
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• Strawberries are grown in every state in the United States and every province of Canada. • If all the strawberries produced in California in one year were laid berry to berry, they would go around the world 15 times. • California produces an amazing 1 billion
pounds of strawberries each year. • 23,000 acres of strawberries are planted in California each year. • On average, there are 200 seeds in a strawberry. • Ninety-four percent of United States households consume strawberries.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 17 • May 27, 2012
Food • Continued from Page 16
Lindsay Shepherd of Englewood and Wendy Sues of Columbus walk through the levee after purchasing chocolate covered strawberries from the Troy Lions Club at last year’s Troy Strawberry Festival. nel cakes, strawberry ice tea • Troy Junior Hockey Boosters Association Spicy smoked sausages, bratwursts, jumbo cream puffs, jumbo frankfurter • Troy Lions Club Glazed donut holes, dipping sauce, pop/water • Troy Music Boosters Inc. Strawberry donuts • Troy Noon Optimists Strawberry butter, straw-
berry BBQ sauce • Troy Rotary Club Strawberry lemon, shakeup, coffee • Troy Senior Citizen Center Strawberry shortcake, strawberry punch, coffee/tea, milk • Troy View Church of God Strawberry shortcake, water/pop • Troy Wrestling Parents Hot dogs, brats, metworsts, pop
• VFW Post No. 4874 Deep fried strawberries, blooming onion/fried foods, lemon shakes, water/pop • Vietnam Veterns Chapter 97 Jambalaya, red beans and rice, blackened chicken, crawfish etouffee • Young Life (Miami Shelby) Texas tenderloins, blooming onion/fried foods, chicken tenders,
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strawberry shake-ups • OSKD DOSHI KAI Texas Tenderloins, fries, steakburgers, pop • Parents of T-544 (Boy Scouts) Strawberry smoothies, lollipops • Piqua Amatuer Radio Club Lemon shakeups • Piqua Girls High School Softball Association Philly Steaks/chicken Greek gyros, fries and burgers, lemon shake-ups • Pleasant Hill Church of God Youth Strawberry coolers, nachos and cheese • Rainbow Gymnastics Strawberry shortcake • Shoes for the Shoeless BBQ pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken sandwiches, cookies, chips • St. Patrick Church High School Youth Ministry Face Painting • St. Patrick Church Junior High Youth Ministry Face painting • St. Patrick Home and School Association Summer cheesecake, fresh cut strawberries • Troy American Legion Baseball Post No. 43 Funnel cakes, strawberry toppings, hot dogs/sausage, water/pop • Troy Apostolic Temple Hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, snow cones, water/pop • Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Pepsi, water • Troy Astra Club Dippin’ Dots, chocolate strawberries, baked goods, beverages • Troy Chapter No. 256 Icees, nachos, pretzels, pop • Troy High School Hockey Boosters Brats/Italian sausage, fun-
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 18 • May 27, 2012
Festival queen having quite a month Rathmann honored at prom, Relay BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com Logan Rathmann already figured she was having the best night of her life — little did the Troy High School senior know, however, as she was being crowned 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen, that was just the precusor to what has been probably the best month of her life. “It’s been so crazy,” Rathmann said. “It’s been such a crazy month. I don’t even believe it. After the pageant, I won prom queen, we had the high school musical and then I was named honorary chairperson for the (Miami County) Relay for Life. It really has been the best month of my life. I’ve been so blessed.” And the fun is just getting started. Rathmann — who plans to attend The Ohio State University in the fall — graduated this past weekend. This coming weekend Rathmann— along with her court, Troy High School junior Alison Kolber and fellow senior Elizabeth Reed — will preside over Troy’s annual Strawberry Festival. She’s already participated in a number of the pre-festival activities and is looking forward to being a part of the main event. “I’ve already attended some of the events,” she said. “I’m looking forward to everything involved with festival weekend. I’m looking forward to dyeing the fountain, I’m looking forward to the bed races. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone I know at the festival — and I’m looking forward to the food, of course.” That Rathmann won Strawberry Festival Queen honors should come as a surprise to
Troy Strawberry Festival Queen Logan Rathmann performs at the 2012 Miami County Relay for Life. few — after all, “royalty” does run in her family. “My grandmother (the late Wilma Willoughby) was (Tipp City) Mum Festival Queen when she was my age,” Rathmann said last month moments after being crowned by 2011 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen Emily Henry. “I did this in honor of her since she passed away five years ago. Troy is my hometown and the Strawberry Festival is our festival so I took a chance — I can’t believe it.”’ Rathmann said a month
removed from being named queen, the shock still hasn’t quite worn off. “I did it for fun, to meet people and to have a good time — I wasn’t really expecting to win,” she said. “When they called my name, I was like, ‘Whoa!’ I couldn’t believe it.” What soon followed was a flood of phone calls and text messages from friends and family. “My family was all calling me,” Rathmann said. “I don’t even know how they found out. I guess good news travels fast.”
Rathmann followed the pageant that Friday night with a celebratory meal at Outback Steakhouse in Troy. She may have enjoyed the momentous weekend just a little too long, however, as she ended up being late to school the following Monday. School officials, however, were more than understanding. When she walked into the attendance office to report herself tardy, she received a standing ovation from the attendance staff. “When I walked in the atten-
dance office to fill out my tardy slip, Mr. (Jeff) Schultz drew a little strawberry on the tardy slip and everyone stood up and started clapping,” Rathmann said. “It was pretty amazing.” Heading into perhaps the biggest weekend of her young life, Rathmann said she’s already received some advice from last year’s queen. “She just told me to enjoy it — that’s the main thing,” Rathmann said. “She said to enjoy it while I can, because the past year for her has just flown by.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 19 • May 27, 2012
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Henry learns once a queen, always a queen Former queen had quite a year BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com Last fall, when Emily Henry packed up and headed off to Mount Saint Joseph College in Cincinnati for her freshman year of college, she figured it would be about the last she would hear about her time as the 2011 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen. Social media ensured it wouldn’t be the final time, however. “I really hadn’t planned on telling anyone, but one of my friends saw some pictures on Facebook and said, ‘My mom was the Strawberry Queen back in the ’80s,” the Covington High School graduate said. “Even though I didn’t tell anyone, a lot of people would find out for themselves. “They thought it was awesome. They said they wished the festival hadn’t been earlier in the summer, because they would have liked to come.” As it turns out, once a Strawberry Festival Queen, always a Strawberry Festival Queen. Henry quickly learned that her duties as the Troy Strawberry Festival Queen didn’t just begin and end the first weekend in June. After she was crowned queen last year, Henry participated in a number of the festival’s pre-events, then followed up representing the festival at a number of other festivals throughout the region. “Being queen really is year-round,” Henry said. “There are plenty of other festivals you get to go to and be in their parades. There are things you get to attend throughout the year.” Henry — whose time as
the reigning queen came to an end last month when she crowned 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen Logan Rathmann — said she wouldn’t trade the year she spent as festival queen for anything in the world. “It was such a wonderful time,” she said. “I got to do so many different things I had never done before. I got to spend time with (queen pageant representatives) Dee Mahan and Linda Dunfee and all the other girls on the court. It was such a fun time to be able to spend with a group of amazing girls.” While Henry said she enjoyed her entire time as the 2011 queen, several moments in particular stand out. “I got to be in the Strawberry Festival parade — then after we were done, we went up into the news stand and I got to sit up there with the court and watch the parade,” Henry said. “I got to ride around in a golf cart with Mayor (Michael) Beamish and (2011 Troy Strawberry Festival Chairman) David Geiger and judge the floats in the parade. Judging the Diaper Derby was so much fun, seeing all those cute little babies.” Henry said she enjoyed her time as festival queen so much that when it came time to abdicate her throne last month, it was a moment tinged with sadness. “It was definitely tough,” she said. “It was a bittersweet moment because it was hard to say goodbye, but I got to pass down the crown to someone new who will experience it all as well.” Henry said she has one piece of advice for the new queen. “Just enjoy it is the main thing,” she said. “I would like for her to enjoy it as much as possible — because for me, Emily Henry, 2011 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen, appears at the 2012 Queen’s Pageant. the past year flew by.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 21 • May 27, 2012
Heffners named Golden Couple Couple beats out six others BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@tdnpublishing.com
Troy residents Shirley and Jake Heffner won the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Golden Couple Competition at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center Saturday. and the husband chooses answers ranging from bull dog or Labrador retriever. They must answer wisely, both for points and to stay on their loved one’s good side. The Heffners rolled away from the rest of the couples by scoring 80 points out of the possible 85 to be crowned the 2012 Golden Couple. The Heffners said they like to be active in the community and enjoy the simple things, such
as playing cards on Friday nights, going to church and going out to eat. “She’s put up with a lot of stuff,” Jack said with a laugh. “We like to go out to eat together.” “We try not to argue with one another and if we don’t agree, we just talk it out,” said Shirley of the couple’s philosophy on marriage. Neighbors Alan and Treva Dohner cheered and supported the Heffners, earning the
couple the Queen’s choice Dick and Jean Phillips of Lois Scott of Piqua and Troy, Charles and Becky Robert and Mabel for the Golden Couple Supinger of Troy. Riley of Troy, Fred and Spirit Award as well. “Jack would give you the shirt off his back and Shirley would be right behind him — they are great friends and neighbors,” Alan said. “They spend a lot of their time giving back to others.” The other couples who participated in the Golden Couple event include: Kenneth and Lucille Kaufmann of 810 S. Market St., Troy West Milton, Bruce and Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10am-11:30pm • Sun. 10am-10:00pm Joyce Myers of Tipp City,
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Shirley and Jake Heffner skated off with the Strawberry Festival’s Golden Couple award last week, rolling over the six other seasoned married couples in a friendly competition held at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. The Heffners have been married for more than 51 years and will celebrate anniversary number 52 on Sept. 10. “We met at the roller skating rink up in Piqua and he asked me out,” said Shirley, a retiree from U.S. Bank. “Anything to have a good time,”said Jack, a retired city of Troy worker and current Concord Township employee. The seven couples played “The Not So Newlywed Game,” which was formatted in much the same way as the Newlywed Game — which aired for the first time in 1966. City of Troy Mayor Mike Beamish hosts the “Not So Newlywed Game” and quizzes couples that have been married for more than 50 years. Each contestant tries to match their partner’s answers to questions. Husbands have to rely on their spouses to answer a variety of questions, such as “What kind of dog does your wife mostly resemble?”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 22 • May 27, 2012
Youngsters win Little Miss, Mister Strawberry BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@tdnpublishing.com The “King of the Carnival” met his “Princess of the Processional” as the royalty for the 2012 Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry were crowned on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Hayner “castle.” Isabel Eichhorn, 4, of Troy, dazzled the judges with her strawberryadorned gown and her “piggie tales” of living on a farm with her parents, Russell and Rebecca Eichhorn of Troy, along with her siblings. “I helped with the strawberries on my dress,” Isabel said after she was crowned Little Miss Strawberry. “My grandma did the rest of it.” Isabel shared her Bible with the audience “because I wanted to” in the garden at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. Isabel said she loves strawberries and going to the Strawberry Festival. “I like to put sugar on top of them,” she said. Because of the Adams Street bridge closing, the littlest royalty will not be in a parade. The duo will, however, be part of opening ceremonies and a “processional” to kick off the festival at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Every princess needs a prince and Isabel’s escort is 4 year-old Evan Couch, a big race car fan who goes to school at Troy Christian. “I like the part where I got to talk the best,” Evan said about sharing with the audience. “I’m a race fan of Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon.” Couch said he liked the “berry” big strawberry crown his mother helped make for the contest. “I got to help make the crown,” Evan said. “Mom said if I wore it she’d let me go get ice cream afterwards.” Couch is the son of Michael and Kimberly Couch of Troy. Best Costume award was presented to Annaliese Erdahl, daughter of Dathan and Natalie Erdahl of Troy. Mainstreet Market sponsored the event and has been the main sponsor of the crowd-pleasing event for the last 25 years, according to Sally Riechert. Riechert has helped quiz the kids at the event since 1992. “I like this age,” she said. “They are just so honest with their responses.”
STRAWBERRY SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE
• Americans eat 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries each year plus another 1.8 pounds frozen per capita. Although strawberries are available in many forms — frozen, jam and jelly, and ice cream — nothing compares to the taste of a fresh vine ripened strawberry. • Strawberries are delicate, requiring gentle handling to prevent bruising. With today’s shipping technology, strawberries are available year round, but at a cost. Commercial growers have produced resilient hybrid berries known for their shipping quality. • Florida is second in production. The Florida season runs from December to May and peaks during March and April. To meet the demand, winter strawberries are usually imported between November and May. • California produces 75 percent of the nation’s strawberry crops. According to the California Strawberry Advisory Board, California strawberries are available January through November, with peak quality and supply from March to May. • Each acre of land in California in strawberry production produces an average of 21 tons of strawberries annually. • Lebanon, Oregon’s annual strawberry festival is home to the world’s largest strawberry shortcake. • According to the United States Department The Troy Strawberry Festival committee awarded Evan Couch, 4, and Isabel Eichhorn, 4, 2012 Little of Agriculture, the annual Mr. and Miss Strawberry last week during the pageant that took place at the Troy-Hayner Cultural per capita consumption of Center. Isabel is the daughter of Russell and Rebecca Eichhorn and Evan Couch is the son of fresh and frozen strawberMichael and Kimberly Couch. ries is 4.85 pounds.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 23 • May 27, 2012
Festival offers plenty of sporting events
weeks before the festival.
find the funds. So the proceeds go toward helping kids get tennis lessons." The entry fee is $16 for singles or $10 per person for doubles. Matches will consist of an eight game pro-set. Trophies will be awarded to winners and runner-ups in each division. For more information, contact the Schroeder Tennis Center at (937) 669-5552. Troy Strawberry Festival Softball Tournament What better way to launch the summer season than with a little softball? Now you can get some excitement in your life by electing to play in the the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Softball Tournament, which will be played at Duke Park in Troy on June 2-3. Since the park is so far away from the festival, the tournament pro-
trawberryfestivalsoftball to register. Strawberry Festival Bike Tour Come get your bike on at the 2012 Strawberry Festival Bike Tour, which will take place on June 3. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and start time is slated for 8:30 a.m. There are rides available at distances ranging from 25K, 50K and 100K, with the ride limit being 600. Parking and registration is on the north side of Troy High School. Strawberry Classic 10K Run The 2012 Strawberry Classic 10K run will be held at 7:30 p.m. on June 3. The course starts in front of Troy Memorial
Stadium, then runners will travel through the city, on back roads, through Duke Park, before finishing back at the track in the stadium. There are cash prizes for the top five male and female finishers. Awards will be given to the top three placers in each of the 15 divisions. To register online, visit www.speedy-feet.com. (Editor’s Note: Several sporting events, including the soccer tournament, the Bob Rubert Memorial bowling tournament, the 10 mile bicycle time trial, the Troy Strawberry Festival Invitational Soccer Tournament and the junior golf tournament, took place early as part of the pre-festival events.)
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vides shuttle service to and from Duke Park. This time around, though, the tournament comes with a twist, as it is now a co-ed only format. "This year’s event has been slated as a co-ed only event," Lisa Smiley said. "The tournament no longer includes the men's tournament on Sunday as it has in the past. This is bringing families and a nice mix of teams to our wonderful city." Rebuilding has been the task of Smiley since she took over as chairman. And now, she hopes that she can revamp it, and make the new and improved softball tournament a primary stop on the Strawberry Festival circuit. "When I was asked to chair this event, I was given a very large task to rebuild it," Smiley said. "The event will hopefully be a premiere early stop, now and in the future, for some of the teams we have coming. “I have made sure to improve upon what had been done in the past, including the structure of the tournament itself, from the two ASA umpires per game, trophy winning, money winning, and especially the communications aspect with teams. I have a great group of co-chairs assisting with the event that know the ropes and they've helped get this tournament ramped." The tournament is played in a double-elimination format, with a blind draw to determine the bracket. The entry fee is $300 a team. For more information, contact Smiley at (937) 671-0046 or by email at lsmiley417@gmail.com. Visit The Troy Strawberry Festival Invitational Soccer Tournament takes place two www.leagueline.com/troysdown and enjoy the festival." Schroeder, who has ran the tournament for 10 years, is familiar with a lot With the boys tennis of area tennis players who season just ending, local will be playing in the tourplayers can still get their tennis fix on June 2 at the nament having worked with several of them at the Troy Strawberry Festival Schroeder Tennis Center, Tennis Shootout. The tournament begins which will sponsor the event. at 11 a.m. at Troy "It's nice for me to be Community Park. There able to run it because most are five age groups for of these kids play here (at both girls and boys, with Schroeder Tennis Center). the option of playing singles or doubles. Age groups So it's pretty easy for me to get in touch with most include 18 and under, 16 of them." and under, 14 and under, And to top things off, 12 and under, along with the proceeds go to a good 10 and under. cause. "This tournament is "The proceeds actually mainly for kids in Miami go to support under priviCounty," Bud Schroeder leged youth in Troy, who said. want to play tennis all "Kids come from Troy, year around," Schroeder Tipp, West Milton and Piqua. It's nice because it's said. "Some kids don't get all in one day and after it the chance to be able to concludes, the kids can go play because they can't BY COLIN FOSTER Sports Writer cfoster@tdnpublishing.com
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