TROY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL 2013
Troy Strawberry Festival 2013
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION
OF THE TROY
DAILY NEWS
AND
PIQUA DAILY CALL
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 2 • May 26, 2013
ABOUT
THIS EDITION
Welcome to the 2013 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 pie eating contest is a festival highlight.
WRITERS David Fong Melody Vallieu Melanie Yingst Natalie Knoth Colin Foster
PHOTOGRAPHERS Anthony Weber Melanie Yingst
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
EDITION EDITOR David Fong
The annual Diaper Derby is a Strawberry Festival staple.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3 .....................................Back to the levy
The Best Strawberry Margaritas North Of The Border!
Page 4......................................Friday night fun Page 4 .................Dankworth named chairman Page 5................................Schedule of events Page 6..........................Festival parade returns Page 7 .......................................Arts and crafts Pages 8, 9 ................................................Food
STOP IN AND SEE US BEFORE OR AFTER THE FESTIVAL
Page 10 ...............................................Security Page 11......................................Adopt-A-Berry Page 11 ..................................Strawberry facts Pages 12, 13..............................................Map Page 15 ....................................Festival history Pages 16, 17 ..........................................Sports Page 18 .........Former queen Logan Rathmann
A Family Mexican Restaurant
Page 19 .........................Queen Rachel Zelnick
1700 N. Co. Rd. 25A 1274 E. Ash St. Troy • 339-2100 Piqua • 778-2100
Page 20 ......................................Entertainment 2391033
Page 21 ....................................Golden Couple Page 22 ..........................Little Miss and Mister Page 23 ................‘Other’ Strawberry Festivals
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 3 • May 26, 2013
Festival headed back to levee BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@civitasmedia.com The Strawberry Festival is headed home. One year ago, the Troy Strawberry Festival — which had been held on the levee along the Miami River in Troy every year since its inception in 1977 — made an unprecedented move. With the reconstruction of the Adams Street Bridge negating the possibility of hosting the festival on the levee, festival organizers and city officials decided to host the two-day festival in downtown Troy. Opinions on the matter were split. Some felt the Troy Strawberry Festival’s move downtown would be a good one, while others felt it should have been moved to a different location, such as the Miami County Fairgrounds. Ultimately, the festival was held in downtown Troy and — with near perfect weather — was wellattended and generally a hit amongst festival-goers. This year, the festival will move back to its traditional home along the levee — and once again, opinions are split between moving back to the levee and making downtown Troy its permanent home. “It’s been mixed,” Troy Stawberry Festival manager Heather Dorsten said of opinions surrounding the move back to the levee. “The die-hards are excited because the festival is going back to its ‘home base,’ but a lot of the crafters and organizations liked having it downtown because with the wider streets, it allowed more people to come in and see what they were selling. Plus, they were able to
year. There were some people who actually came out Saturday morning and set up for the parade because they didn’t realize or hadn’t heard we weren’t having a parade last year. I was helping set something up Saturday morning and when I went around the corner, I saw people setting up chairs for the parade. “People are very excited the parade is coming back this year. We’ve had a lot of people calling and asking if they could turn in their application late — they didn’t realize the parade would be coming back this year.” Aside from the return of the parade, it’s mostly going to be business as usual on the levee, Dorsten said. She said fesSTAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER tival attendees can expect After being held in downtown Troy last year, the Strawberry Festival returns to the levee this year. the return of the staples to the levee, as well. First that have made the Troy It wasn’t just the festi- Last year, Main Street — pull in people from the Strawberry Festival one of and foremost, with the val itself that had to shell on which the Miami side streets.” the biggest events in the downtown area free and County Courthouse is out extra money to have While the festival in region for the past three located — was essentially clear, the festival will be downtown Troy may have the festival downtown, either. The majority of the shut down Friday to set up able to host its traditional decades. been a popular success, “It’s going to be busiparade on Saturday mornfor the festival. non-profit organizations however, it wasn’t neces“The county had to shut ing. Last year was the first ness as usual,” Dorsten that set up tents and sarily a financial one for said. “We really appreciate down for a day last year so year in Strawberry booths at the festival had the Strawberry Festival the hard work that went Festival history a parade to buy or rent tents for the we could get ready,” itself. into hosting the festival Dorsten said. “That affect- was not held. downtown festival — on “That was one of the downtown. A lot of people “We are so happy to ed a lot of people — hunthe levee, they were able biggest concerns,” Dorsten worked very hard to make have the parade back dreds of people. That was said. “We didn’t lose money to drive tents stakes into that happen. the ground. They were not kind of an issue for elected again — and we know a — but we were only able “But we’re excited to be lot of people are as well,” officials.” able to do so on the to break even because of back on the levee and have Dorsten said. “People were There are a number of asphalt streets of downsome pretty generous all of our nomal events very disappointed we positives in moving the town Troy. sponsorships. Frontier again.” didn’t have a parade last Strawberry Festival back “A lot of our clubs and Communications stepped organizations had to pay up late and made a very generous contribution. We extra money for their tents last year,” Dorsten said. had to spend a lot of money hosting the festival “Our main goal is always Miami County’s to help the nonprofits, so downtown that we going back to the levee is a wouldn’t have had to Home spend if we had hosted the really good thing for them.” festival on the levee. We Improvement Finally, Dorsten said, had to rent generators and Warehouse moving the festival back to pay for the gas that goes 2390947 into that — that was a big the levee means Miami 937-332-3763 • restore@hfhmco.org cost. With the levee being County won’t have to shut down its offices within the wired for electricity, we 150 E. Race St., Troy courthouse for a day, don’t have to pay for OPEN: Wed. 12-8, Thurs. & Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-4 which happened last year. those.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 4 • May 26, 2013
Dankworth ready to chair festival
The fun begins Friday BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@civitasmedia.com The Public Square will once again be home to the Strawberry Festival kickoff activities, after a rainy showing on the levee last year. Opening ceremonies kick off at 6:15 p.m. Friday, May 31, with Chairman Jon Dankworth dyeing the fountain red, as is customary for the festival. Time-honored traditions will remain in place as well, which of course include the bed races and more. The bed races have long been a Friday night staple, and this year will be broadcast live by Troy Public Access Television.
“Everything is back on the square where it has been in years past. There’ll be the same
• RESTORATIONS
• WHITENING
• EXTRACTIONS
• SEALANTS
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Zavior Cline, left, competes against Kayden Hoagland in a 2- to 3-year-old heat of the big wheel races at the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival.
• CROWNS & BRIDGES
• COSMETIC DENTISTRY
• ROOT CANALS
• RIGID STERILIZATION
• DENTURES & PARTIALS
• PREVENTIVE CARE • IMPLANTS
ed a logo featuring a strawberry resting in an antique crest, adorned with a strawberry-laden crown. Upcoming festival As an employee of chairs typically shadow Perry Protech, their predecessor, but Dankworth said he feels Jon Dankworth was tapped for the position a fortunate that his workyear earlier than expect- place was so accommoed,when 2013 chair Jim dating with his busy schedule in preparing for Weaver stepped down the festival. due to personal reasons Dankworth works as in September 2012. But the director of with several managed servicyears of es for IT/netStrawberry working. Festival experi“That’s what ence, really attracted Dankworth said me to the comhe’s looking forpany,” ward to yet Dankworth another successsaid. “They’re ful festival. very been very “The biggest supportive of challenge for me DANKWORTH blessing my was that I didn’t have time to shad- involvement in the community.” ow a chairperson,” Dankworth said. “But I Dankworth has lived think everything is in Troy his entire life, pulling together very with the exception of his nicely and we’re going to time at Ohio State have a great year.” University. Slated for June 1-2 on He gradated from the levee, the 37th annu- Troy High School in 1984 al festival is themed “A and now lives in Troy Magical Place,” and as is with his wife Susan and customary, the chairper- children Jonathan, Olivia son designed a correand Taylor. sponding logo. Since 2008, “The chairperson has Dankworth has particithe privilege of bringing pated in the Strawberry their own life experiFestival, including being ences into the festival,” chair of clubs and organiDankworth said. “I’ve zations. been in technology for “I’ve enjoyed working almost 25 years, and I’m with all the people in the a big reader of fantasy past and have had a novels. I tried to marry great time, especially those two ideas, but I helping with clubs and had a difficult time at orgs (organizations), first, bridging the two. because that’s what the But then it just dawned festival is really about — on me on me that I was being a fundraiser,” said making it too difficult.” Dankworth, who is also a With the help of local part of the executive artist Allan Benson and board for the Troy Area others, Dankworth creat- Chamber of Commerce. BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@civitasmedia.com
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activities — bed races, children’s parade, vendors,” said Kelli Hahn, chairwoman of clubs and organizations for Friday night. “I think it will be well-received because everything will be closer in proximity. Everything is basically back to the way it was in 2011.” The children’s parade — consisting of a brief procession — will take place immediately following opening ceremonies. Bed races will follow at 7 p.m., and vendors also will be available. “We’ll have all our food vendors there to support the local nonprofits, and also one of our nonprofits will have the jumpy things where kids can crawl inside,” Hahn said. Nonprofits will be selling hot dogs, Italian ice, Culver’s ice cream, Boston Stoker coffee and barbecue items. Of
course, “strawberry items will be abundant,” she said. Organizations represented at the kickoff include Miami County Special Olympics, Troy Church of the Brethren, Friends at Riverside, Boy Scout Troop 294, Brukner Nature Center, Altrusa, Koinos Christian Fellowship and the Improved Order of Red Men. Opening night activities tend to draw a diverse crowd, she said. “You get a lot more business, people you get the companies competing in the bed races, plus the people who come down and want to visit the local businesses and establishments and people who are going out to dinner, plus families too,” Hahn said, adding, “I’m excited that it’s back downtown because everything is closer together.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 5 • May 26, 2013
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
The car show is one of the festival’s most popular events.
2013 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Troy, 9 a.m. Softball Tournament — Duke Park, 8 a.m. Berry Special Olympics — Duke Park, 9 a.m. Tennis Shootout — Troy Community Park, 11 a.m. Free Entertainment — Levee (three stages), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Strawberry Pie Eating Contest Registration — Lower Levee, 12:30-1:20 p.m. Strawberry Pie Eating Contest — Lower Levee, 1:30 p.m. Strawberry Kid’s Crawl — Great Miami River Flood Plain, 3:30 p.m. Free Saturday Night Concert — Troy Memorial Stadium, 8 p.m. Sunday, June 2 Festival Site Hours —
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Berry Bike Tour — Parking Lot Behind Troy High School, 7:30 a.m. Classic 10k Run — Troy Memorial Stadium, 7:30 a.m. Shortcake Special Run (2,000 meters) — Troy Memorial Stadium, 7:35 a.m. Car Show — Troy Community Park, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Awards at 4 p.m. Worship Service — Lower Levee Dining Tent, 8:30 a.m. Free Entertainment — Levee (three stages), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Softball Tournament (Coed) — Duke Park, 11 a.m. Diaper Derby — Center Stage, noon
Troy: (937) 335-6564 Piqua: (937) 773-3333 Sidney: (937) 497-1111 40065429
Friday, May 31 Opening Ceremonies — Market Street/Troy Public Square, 6 p.m. Fountain Changes to Strawberry Red — Market Street/Troy Public Square, 6:15 p.m. Children’s Parade — Franklin Street/Market Street, 6:15 p.m. Food, Crafts and Games — Troy Public Square, 6-9 p.m. Friday Night Cruise-In — 100 Block of East Main Street, 6-9 p.m. Big Wheel Race — North Market Street, 6:30 p.m. Bed Races — Troy Public Square, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 Festival Site Hours — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parade — Downtown
Comfort Keepers Miami Valley
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 6 • May 26, 2013
Parade to make triumphant return this year BY MELODY VALLIEU Staff Writer mvallieu@civitasmedia.com It’s back. The annual parade that kicks off the Saturday of the Troy Strawberry Festival is back on route for 2013. Doug Stone, who is chairing the parade committee for the third straight year, said about 130 units should fill the streets of downtown Troy for the 9 a.m. Saturday parade. He said the parade will begin at Walgreens, continue down Market Street to Main Street and turn onto Monroe Street to finish. He said the route is about 1 mile long and will last for several hours. WHIO Channel 7 is not televising the event this year, however, Troy Public Broadcasting TV-5 will be providing live coverage of the parade. But, Stone suggests community members come out and enjoy the parade. “A lot of people stay home and watch it, but they can come out and see the parade and interact with others in the community this year,” said Stone, who will be the 2015 festival chairman. Robert and Ann Baird, have been choosen as this year’s grand marshalls.
STAFF FILE PHOTO
In 1982, former Troy High School football player Bob Ferguson, shown here at a 1998 Troy game, served as a Troy Strawberry Festival parade grand marshall alongside Tommy Myers and Tommy Vaughn. All three earned All-America honors in college.
Past grand marshalls
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
The Ron Libbee Train passes through downtown Troy during the 2011 Troy Strawberry Festival Parade. There was no parade held for the Troy Strawberry Festival last year, but it will return again this year. The parade will be held Saturday morning. The mayor of Troy’s sister city, Takahashi City, Japan, and other dignitaries, will be flying in to be a part of the weekend’s festivities, including the parade, said Stone, who has volunteered with the festival for 24 years. He said they last came three years ago. “They had such a good time last time they came, they wanted to come
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back,” he said. While lots of parade staples from past years — such as Conagra, F & P America, Frisch’s, high school bands and cheerleaders are on tap — several new units have joined the parade. Stone said Forest Elementary School’s student council will have a float in this year’s parade. Motorcycle groups, including the Railroad Rascals and Lostcreek Chrome Divas, also will roll through the crowds of onlookers. A Greenville fire prevention group, the Dalmatian Duo Fire Prevention Team made up of Dalmatians Rage and Rocko also will walk in the parade. The Troy Kroger also will be bringing Heater the Dayton Dragons mascot to the parade, said
Stone, who said mascots are always a favorite for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, Stone said, the Shriners will not be participating this year. He said he believes the units may be down slightly because of the lack of parade last year when the festival was held downtown due to the construction of the Adams Street Bridge. But, he said there will be plenty of participants for the community to enjoy. “I hope everyone comes out and supports the parade participants and the festival,” Stone said. “The parade is kind of a kick off of the rest of the weekend, so come on out and enjoy it and then head over to the levee for some of the best food, entertainment and arts and crafts you’ll find this summer.”
• Steve Hamilton (1980) • Troy All Americans (1981) • 12 essay contest winners (1982) • Robert Cramlet (1983) • John Slonaker (1984) • William Hobart (1985) • Earl Good (1986) • Charles Hormel Jr. (1987) • Frank Bazler (1988) • Helen Meeker (1989 Troy Foundation) • Richard Fraas (1989 Troy Foundation) • Joe Reardon (1989 Troy Foundation) • Dorie Blackmore (1989 Troy Foundation) • Murray Dalton (1989 Troy Foundation) • Harold Willis (1989 Troy Foundation) • O.S. “Jack” Metcalf (1990) • Mr. and Mrs. William Fulton (1991) • Mr. and Mrs, Tom Fulton (1991) • Mr. and Mrs. Paul Klein (1992) • Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Yaggi, deceased (1993) • Joseph Patten (1994) • John Patten (1994) • Mr. and Mrs. Rex Bigelow (1995) • Mr. and Mrs. Robert Russell (1996) • Stan Phillips (1997) • Donald L. Meek (1998) • The Rev. Edward Sensenbrenner (1999) • Richard W. Klockner (2000) • Mary Catherine Rozell (2001) • Miami County World War II veterans (2002) • Mayor Peter Jenkins (2003) • Ruben Pelayo, El Sombrero (2004) • Vietnam veterans (2005) • Arthur David “Ozzie” Haddad (2006) • Dr. Mark Hess (2007) • Bill Lohrer (2008) • Thom and Pat Robinson (2009) • Korean War veterans (2010) • Operation Cloverleaf (2011) • No parade (2012)
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 7 • May 26, 2013
Arts, crafts abound this year at festival BY MELODY VALLIEU Staff Writer vallieu@civitasmedia.com
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Festival-goers admire handmade decorative iron work at the Troy Strawberry Festival. your own jewelry,” she said, including a booth where a name is written on a grain of rice and turned into a piece of wearable jewelry. Wood crafters also will offer several booths during the event, and Crockett and Burrows Wood Turning — longtime participants — will again offer their items, such as yard art and signs. “They are local and they do really great wood crafts,” said Littlejohn, who is in charge of the arts and crafts for the first year. “They do tend to stand out.”
More pottery and fine arts offerings will be available this year as well. “There are going to be a lot of pottery and fine art booths this year. We’re excited to get more
fine art and pottery,” she said. Waymire Cornhole also will return with its handmade corn hole boards and bags. “They are a huge hit,” Littlejohn said.
Several prepackaged food booths also will be a part of the annual festival, such as Ben’s Mustards, Our Daily Bread and Uncle Jester’s Hot Sauces out of Dayton.
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There will be no shortage of arts and crafts booths for festival-goers to browse this year, according to chairwoman Heather Littlejohn. Littlejohn said about 155-160 booths will line the levee and below, offering everything from jewelry to carved mushrooms. “Just the diversity of the things available is great,” Littlejohn said. “From their dog to their kids, there’s just something for everybody. There are a lot of unique things.” She said some new vendors, along with many longtime participants, will sell their wares at the annual festival, scheduled for June 1-2 back on the levee. Jewelry and pet items are popular booths, said Littlejohn, who is working as a volunteer with the Troy Strawberry Festival for the second year. She said booths for children also are an important staple each year. This year, Littlejohn said sand art, face painting and more will be offered to children. Tipp City residents Kari and Kim Dillman, who have been with the festival since its inception, will again be on the levee. “They do really great face paintings and they’ve been with us since the beginning,” she said. Everything from hair bows and tu-tus also will be offered to parents. “There will even be booths where you make
“They have a menu of just tons of different sauces,” she said of the Uncle Jester’s participants. “We’re really excited about the prepackaged foods.” A new booth Littlejohn also is excited about is Alex Babich’s Mushroom Gear. She said Babich makes items centered around the elusive morel mushroom, including carvings, Tshirts, mugs and even mushroom-shaped wine bottle stoppers. While the food booths all are nonprofit organizations, Littlejohn said the arts and crafts booths are generally forprofit and pay to be located on the festival grounds. “We have a lot of local artisans, but lots from out of town, too,” said Littlejohn, who said vendors come from the surrounding states, including Michigan and Pennsylvania. Littlejohn said she hopes that festival attendees will stop and support the arts and crafts vendors, which in turn supports the festival. “Come on out and experience all of the different crafts,” Littlejohn said. “There is just so much to chose from, something for everybody.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 8 • May 26, 2013
Chocolate-covered strawberries are back BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia.com Back by popular demand, a popular Strawberry Festival treat took a year vacation, yet patrons searched the festival high and low for the berry dipped in sweet chocolate. The Fletcher United Methodist Church will be the place to go for the strawberry treats, after another organization was unable to offer them in 2012. “Chocolate-covered strawberries are back!” said Heather Dorsten, festival manager. “People kept asking us ‘Where’s the chocolate covered strawberries?’ last year so we were sending them to Winan’s.” The coffee shop was swarmed by folks seeking the best of both the candy and berry world when the festival was held downtown in 2012. The coveted chocolate covered strawberries will once again be found in abundance on the Great Miami River Levee during the festivities along with other berry-infused delights. Dorsten’s favorite strawberry festival food was last year’s debut of the “Holy Strawberry Cannoli” offered by the Day of Caring organization. Strawberries have been creatively whipped in to salsa, butter and deep-fried. Strawberries will appear in every shape and size by the bucket full to the famous doughnuts to sucked through a straw by way of shake-ups and daiquiris during the festival. • All American Mission Deep-fried Strawberries, frozen lemonade, hamburg-
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
David Mulvaine pastor with Troy Baptist Temple prepares battered and filled deep-fried strawberries during last year’s Troy Strawberry Festival. ers, hot dogs • Arc of Miami County Strawberry burritos, strawberry suckers • Bethel Athletic Boosters Hawaiin shaved ice, fruit smoothies, frozen custard • Boy Scout Troop 544 Strawberry pizza, strawberry smoothies, sweet corn, pizza
• CASA/GAL Funnel cakes, shake-ups, corn dogs • Community Grace Brethren Youth Strawberry lemonade, lemon shakeups, bottled water • Day of Caring Strawberry cannolis (Italian dessert) • DREAM Strawberry and root beer floats, ice
cream, sundaes, floats and flurries, • Fletcher United Methodist Church Chocolate-covered strawberries • First Lutheran Church Strawberry cupcakes, pop • First Presbyterian Church Breakfast Club Fruishi • Fort Rowdy Gathering
Pulled pork sandwiches, potato chips • Future Begins Today 8 ounce strawberry salsa, 8 ounce strawberry preserves • Hospice Philly steaks/Chicken Philly, ham, drinks • Improved Order of Redmen Strawberry empanadas, fresh strawberries, hot dogs, garlic franks,
pop/water • Kiwanis Club of Troy Strawberry pie (whole or slice), strawberry milkshakes, funnel sticks • Knights of Columbus Troy Chapter Homemade balsamic strawberry jam, Al’s Pizza, Bob Evans bratwursts and polish sausage • See FOOD on Page 9
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 9 • May 26, 2013
Food • Continued from Page 8 • Ladies Auxiliary Miami No. 971 FOE Strawberry pizza, shredded chicken sandwiches, pop/water, coffee • Miami County Sheriffs Patrol Cinnamon almonds, pecans, salted cashews, honey cashews, water • Miami County Special Olympics Italian Ice, chocolate frozen cheesecake, chocolate frozen banana • Miami County YMCA Judo Club Texas tenderloins • Miami East High School Cheerleaders Grilled pork chops, lemon shake-ups, fruit smoothies • Miami Valley Beekeepers Association Honey, beeswax • Newton Music Boosters Fulton Farm’s whole strawberries • Ohio Valley Arabian Horse Association Pulled pork, sandwiches, strawberry shake-ups • OSKD DOSHI KAI Texas tenderloins, fries, steakburgers, pop • Piqua Amateur Radio Club Hot dogs/corn dogs, soft pretzels with cheese, chips, pop/water • 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 Barbecue pork sandwiches, barbecue chicken sandwiches, cookies, chips • St. Patrick Home and School Association Summer cheesecake, fresh cut strawberries • Tipp City Independent Order of Odd Fellows Strawberry popcorn, soft pretzels, strawberry cotton candy
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Troy residents Janice and Andy Tymoszenko enjoy a piece of homemade pie together purchased from Boy Scout Troop 294 on the square at the 2009 Troy Strawberry Festival. • Troy American Legion Baseball Post No. 43 Funnel cakes, strawberry toppings, hot dogs/sausage, water/pop • Troy Apostolic Temple Strawberry popcorn, Hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, snow cones, water/pop • Troy Area Chamber of Commerce Pepsi, water • Troy Astra Club Dippin’ Dots, fruit crisps, root beer floats, beverages • Troy Baseball Parent Boosters Kettle corn • Troy Chapter No. 256 Strawberry cheesecake, icees, nachos, pretzels, pop • Troy Cheerleading
Boosters Wings • Troy High School Parents Soccer Association Popcorn, lemon shake ups • Troy High School Hockey Boosters Brats/Italian sausage, funnel cakes, strawberry ice tea • Troy Junior Hockey Boosters Association Spicy smoked sausages, bratwursts, jumbo cream puffs, jumbo frankfurter, cotton candy • Troy Lions Club Glazed doughnut holes, dipping sauce, pop/water • Troy Music Boosters
Inc. Strawberry doughnuts • Troy Noon Optimists Strawberry butter, strawberry BBQ sauce, strawberry preserves • Troy Rotary Club Strawberry lemon shakeups, 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 Blooming onion/fried foods,
lemon shakes, water/pop • Vietnam Veterans Chapter 97 Jambalaya, red beans and rice, blackened chicken, crawfish etouffee Mon.-Fri. 8am - 7pm Sat. 8am - 5pm
• Young Life (Miami Shelby) Texas tenderloins, blooming onion/fried foods, chicken tenders, cheese stick Owned by Brittney Tyler
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 10 • May 26, 2013
Security critical to festival’s success and regulations. Throughout the festival, Troy Police Department Capt. Joe Long said police will not tolerate any open Last year when the container issues with alcoTroy Police Department’s hol — either from festivalradios were quiet during Strawberry Festival week- goers or the establishend the lack of radio traf- ments that sell them. Dogs also are prohibited from fic was a concern. the festival site during the When the Troy weekend. Strawberry Festival was In the middle of the held downtown, Troy Police Department officials levee near the gazebo, a medical and security tent said injuries and general complaints were virtually is available. “Normally our concern nonexistent. is we average a handful of In 2013, the festival misplaced adults and chilmoves back to the Great dren during the festival. Miami River Levee, and Kids wander off and they officials want to remind can’t find their parents the public of a few rules BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia.com
and vice versa so we try to get them back together as soon as possible,” Long said. “We also use our radios to our officers to be on the lookout for the family members if they become separated.” It is encouraged for parents and guardians to point the security tent out to their child if they were to become lost or separated from the group. The security tent also features a P.A. system to announce lost and found items during the festival. Long said the police department has a routine and order to the festival weekend and generally the
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Large crowds make security a challenge for Troy Strawberry Festival officials.
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event goes off without a hitch. According to festival manager Heather Dorsten, a volunteer security team from the UTC Aerospace also will be on hand to help with general security issues. Eric Roetter, chairman of security, said up to 50
UTC employees will be volunteering at the festival site to keep parking issues at bay as well as helping the public out with general concerns. “There are three entrances to the festival and we’ll have volunteers at each one,” Roetter said. “We’ll be making sure the
flow of people with traffic is kept going on the festival grounds.” Using the provided shuttle buses also is encouraged to keep parking issues at a minimum. As always, dogs are not permitted on the levee on the festival grounds unless they are service animals.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 11 • May 26, 2013
Adopt-A-Berry program helps CISV participants festival ends, we would which inlcudes repaints. We go back and do a lot of come out. In fact, in a lot repaints — we have regu- of cases, that actually lars who call on us every year to come out and paint their strawberry.” Conner handles much of the painting duties herself, but also incorporates the talents of children who participate in CISV. She said sales have been slow so far this year, but hopes to see it increase as the festival nears — and even after the festival ends. “This year has been kind of slow,” Conner said. “We’ve only had seven so far — which is too bad, because we’ve had some great weather for painting. But I’m optimistic it will pick up as the festival gets closer. And absolutely, if people want to get a strawberry painted for next year after this year’s
works better for us, since we get so busy with other things around the festival.
ed during the months of September and October. Strawberry plants are handpicked after every three days. This is the time required for a strawberry to change its color from white to red. On picking, they are cooled and delivered to the markets in refrigeration. • Strawberry is the only berry that has seeds on its external surface. The other berries have seeds inside. A single strawberry has 200 tiny seeds. They are also the first ones to ripen in spring. • Strawberries are low in fat content and calorie. They are rich in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid as well as potassium. They can reduce the risk of cancers and heart attacks. Strawberry intake helps in the reduction of systolic blood pressure. Fresh juice from strawberry pulp helps in recovering from fever. Strawberry juice,
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STRAWBERRY SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE A few random facts about Troy’s most beloved fruit: • How did a strawberry get its name? Some believe that the name hailed from the practice of placing straws around the growing strawberry plants. Other say that the name evolved around 1,000 years ago from the word, “strew” that means “spread,” applicable to runners that spread outwards from the strawberry plants. • Strawberries belong to order Rosales, family Rosaceae and genus Fragaria. The word, 'fragaria' comes from the Latin word meaning fragrant. Italians call strawberries by the name 'Fragola'. Interestingly, strawberries are not fruits. They are enlarged receptacles of the flowers and are hence known as a secondary fruit. • Strawberries are plant-
I’d come out into late August if someone wanted us to.”
if combined with honey can reduce inflammation. It has a curative effect on sunburns. • Originally, strawberries were known as heart-seed berries and eaten with cornmeal bread. The English and the French used strawberries to landscape their gardens. In the 14th century, Charles V of France had ordered 1,200 strawberry plants to be grown in the Royal Gardens. It is said that Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII had a strawberry birthmark on her neck. It is believed that Madame Tallien, an important person in Emperor Napoleon's Court, used to bathe with the juice of fresh strawberries. • Strawberries have since long been associated with love. Some consider strawberries as a symbol of Venus, the Goddess of Love.
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said Adopt-A-Berry coordinator Jules Conner. “It’s a chance for people to show their pride, while at the same time helping out a A strawberry painting great program. A lot of at the end of your drivechildren in the area beneway could help send a fit from this prochild around the gram.” world. Conner said Each year, the strawberries area residents are $15, plus an can get a comextra $5 to get memorative the strawberry strawberry paintpersonalized. ed on their driveAlso, patrons way to honor the who have had a Troy Strawberry strawberry Festival. Propainted in previceeds from the CONNER ous years can get sale of the strawtheir painting touched up berry paintings benefit for $10. Troy’s Children’s “People can start getInternational Summer ting their strawberries Village, a program that painted as soon as the allows students to both flyer goes out in the Troy travel to other countries Daily News (in April),” and host students from Conner said. “We usually abroad. “It’s a great fundraiser,” do about 100 strawberries, BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com
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erry Festival Map
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 15 • May 26, 2013 TROY STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL HISTORY 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. 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 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” Dee Mahan — General Chairman Jim & Naomi Hall —
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Strawberries always play a key role in the festival. Parade Chairman 1992 “Taste Of Strawberry Country” Rick Riechert — General Chairman Mike & Kay McKelvey — Parade Chairman 1993 “Strawberry Fields Forever” Jim Hall — General Chairman Mike & Kay McKelvey — Parade Chairman 1994 “Pig Out On Strawberries” Joe Mahan — General Chairman Mike McKelvey — Parade Chairman
1995 “Race For The Berries” Bill Myers — General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 1996 “Berried Treasure” Diana Thompson — General Chairwoman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 1997 “Berry Christmas” Chuck Lobaugh — General Chairman Jody Davis — Parade 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 Chairman Tom Cooney — Parade Chairman 2002 “All A Buzzzz ... About Strawberries” Sally Riechert — General Chairwoman Tom Cooney and Jody Davis — Parade Chairmen 2003 “Spotlight on Strawberries” Roberta Jacobs — General Chairwoman Jody Davis — Parade Chairman 2004 “Heavenly Strawberries” Susan Fogt — General Chairwoman Jody Davis — Parade 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 2013 “A Magical Place” Jon Dankworth — General Chairwoman Doug Stone — Parade Chairman
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 16 • May 26, 2013
There are sports of all sorts at festival BY COLIN FOSTER Associate Sports Editor colinfoster@civitasmedia.com
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Jason Ordway of Bellbrook led the pack of runners through the Troy Community Park during the Troy Strawberry Festival 10k Classic at the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival. Ordway won the race. Crown. “We worked together and came up with some
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It’s the beginning of Triple Crown season. Not just in horse racing, but in the area 10k circuit. Troy alum and former state cross country champion Levi Fox, now in his second year as director of the Strawberry Classic 10k Run, got together with the directors from the Minster Oktoberfest 10K and the Wapakoneta Run To The Moon race and came up with a fresh, new idea. “There aren’t a lot of 10k’s in the area, not many at all, really,” Fox said. “There are a lot of 5k’s. One of the biggest 10k’s in the state is the Minster Oktoberfest. They usually have anywhere from 1,200 to 1,500 runners competing. Last year, I got in touch with the race director. I sent out an email to him. He emailed me back and we talked about how we could make the race better.” What they came up with was an outside-thebox idea that will help promote all three of the races. The Strawberry Classic 10k Run, which will be held on June 2 at 7:30 a.m., is the opening leg of what Fox and company are calling the 10K Triple
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all three races. They’ll be saving $5 to $10 for Strawberry Festival race and $20 for other races, as well. So they will be saving some money, and every one who enters all three races will get a Triple Crown award. “Hopefully the Triple Crown will bring people from up north down to Troy,” Fox said. “And hopefully people from the Dayton area, like Beavercreek, will go up north to those races.”
At the completion of all three races, the race directors will add times from all three events and announce a male and female winner. After that, prizes will be divided amongst the top performers in each age group. In the Strawberry Festival 10k, the top three finishers in each division will receive cash awards. The age group divisions include 14-and-under, 1519, 20-24, 25-29, 30-25, 35• See Sports on Page 17
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 17 • May 26, 2013
Sports To register, send the form and entry fee to Troy Strawberry Festival Bike Time Trial, 147 Hadley Ave., Dayton, OH 45419. Checks must be made payable to Speedy Feet. • Bike Tour Early registration for the 2013 Strawberry Festival Bike Tour, which will take place June 2 at 8:30 a.m., will be cut off today. After that, the cost will go up $5 more per rider. Same day registration also will be available, but there is a 600 rider limit. Event-day registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the north side of the Troy High School Ferguson Drive. Riders will have the option of doing the 25k, 50k or 100k courses. • Softball Tournament The 2013 Troy Strawberry Festival Softball Tournament will be held on June 1 and June 2 at Duke Park in Troy. The double elimination tournament costs $300 per team. The first 12 teams to register are guaranteed spots. First and second place teams will receive trophies. The entry deadline was May 24. For more information, contact Lisa Smiley at (937) 671-0046 or by email at
lsmiley417@gmail.com. Additional information is also available at www.leagueline.com/troystrawberryfestivalsoftball. • Tennis Shootout The Tennis Shootout will take place at 11 a.m. June 1 at Troy Community Park. The tournament has several different age groups for boys and girls, including 18, 16, 14, 12, 10 and under (singles or doubles). The cost is $16 for singles players and $10 for doubles players. Trophies will be awarded to the champions and runner-up in each division. Entry deadline is May 29. For additional information, contact chairman Bud Schroeder at (937) 669-5552 or the festival phone at (937) 3397714. • Berry Special Olympics The Berry Special Olympics will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. June 1 at Duke Park in Troy. (Editor’s Note: Several sporting events, including the soccer tournament, the Bob Rubert Memorial, the Troy Strawberry Festival Invitational Soccer Tournament and the junior golf tournament, took place early as part of the pre-festival events.)
Proud to be part of the STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Caleb Karnehm with the Miami County Magic team controls the ball during the Berry Special Olympics soccer game at Duke Park. Karnehm scored at least three goals for Miami County Magic at the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival. 30 at the Casstown Fire Department. People can register early either online or by mail. With advance registration, people can request their own start
time. The cost is $12, but race-day registration, which begins at 6 p.m. on the day of the event, is $20. The field limit is 100 riders. Helmets must be worn by all riders.
Prizes will be awarded to the fastest overall finisher, the first place tandem, the first place mountain biker and first and second place in each age group.
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• Continued from Page 16 39, 40-44, 45-59, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70-and-over. The firstplace finisher in each group will receive $300, while second gets $200, third earns $100 and fourth and fifth win $50. The cost to race is $25, but the fee goes up to $30 after May 25. Those who signed up after May 25 were not guaranteed a free t-shirt. “Another big selling point for us is we have switched over from the generic cotton shirt,” Fox said. “This year people will be getting a Nike brand fit shirt. The regular cost of those shirt is $25 if you were to go buy it at the store. So for the $25 entry, they will get to run and get the shirt. “I think people have responded well to that. We have gotten a lot of positive feedback for having a high-quality shirt.” There were 591 finishers at the race last year. Fox said his goal is to reach 600 this year. Fox is still seeking volunteers for the race. To find out more on how to volunteer, visit the Facebook page “Troy Strawberry Festival 10k Run.” For additional information on how to signup for the race, visit www.gostrawberries.com. • Shortcake Fun Run The Shortcake Fun Run has a $4 registration fee with race-day registration only. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. June 2 inside Troy Memorial Stadium. The race starts at 7:35 a.m. • 12 Mile Bicycle Time Trial The 2013 Strawberry Festival 12 Mile Bicycle Time Trial will take place at 6:30 p.m. May
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 18 • May 26, 2013
It was quite a year for 2012 festival queen BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com Logan Rathmann’s scrapbook got a whole lot thicker in 2012. In fact, 2012 may get its own volume. “It really was an awesome year — probably the best year of my life,” the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen said. In fact, it may have been just about the best year of anyone’s life. It started for Rathmann in April 2012 when she was named Strawberry Festival queen. While that in itself would have been a crowning achievement — literally speaking — of the year for most teenage girls, it was just the beginning for Rathmann. Later that spring she was named to Troy High School’s prom court and had a leading role in the school drama department’s production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Just weeks after that, Rathmann not only sang the national anthem to open the 2012 Miami County Relay for Life, she also was named honorary chairperson. She spent her summer performing duties as the Troy Strawberry Festival Queen — presiding over the festival itself in early June and visiting numerous other festivals throughout the area. After the summer was over, Rathmann left for The Ohio State University to begin her freshman year. Four days after arriving on campus, she was cast in the eponymous role of the OSU’s theater department’s production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” “After four days on campus, I get picked to play Edwin Drood — so I got to play a boy, which was definitely a new challenge for me,” Rathmann said. Again, though, Rathmann wasn’t finished adding to her already incredible resume. In February of this year, Rathmann was picked by the Columbus theater company CATCO to play the lead role of
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
Logan Rathmann, left, the 2012 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen, sings the national anthem at the 2012 festival along with court members Alison Kolber, center, and Elizabeth Reed. Tracy in the musical “Hairspray.” “That was my dream role,” Rathmann said. “That’s the role I always wanted to play.” It’s hard to blame Rathmann if she didn’t want her year to come to an end. It finally did last month, however, when she turned the crown over to 2013 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen Rachel Zelnick. “I got a little sad when I had to do my last little walk as queen,” she said. “But it’s OK, you can’t hold onto the crown forever. And it was fun giving it to someone else, because you know she’s about to experience
all the same things you’ve experienced and how much fun she is going to have.” And make no mistake, while Rathmann accomplished much in the past year both as queen and on stage, being Strawberry Festival Queen was definitely a highlight. “It was incredible,” Rathmann said of her time as queen. “I really loved everything about it. I loved being at the festival and meeting so many new people. I really did love everything about the entire weekend. Then, after the festival, I got to go to other festivals and be in other parades as well. I got to do
the Air Show parade, a parade in Englewood, the Mum Festival Parade — and I got to do the Troy Christmas parade and actually got to ride the Strawberry Festival float for the first time.” Being Strawberry Festival Queen also served as an excellent ice breaker once Rathmann arrived on Ohio State’s campus of 50,000-plus students. “At one of the things we had to do as freshmen, we all had to go around the room and say something interesting about ourselves — and I told everyone I was the Strawberry Festival Queen. I had little pictures of
myself as queen on my desk and people would see them — everyone thought it was really neat.” And around Troy, Rathmann remained a celebrity as well. “One day I was walking along the bike path and someone stopped me and said, ‘Hey, you’re the Strawberry Festival Queen!’ — that was pretty neat.” Now that her time as queen is over, Rathmann has one piece of advice for the new queen. “I would just tell her to be herself,” Rathmann said. “Let her true self shine through. Do all the things she’s already doing and contiunue to be a good role model.”
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 19 • May 26, 2013
Pageant a family tradition for 2013 queen BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor fong@tdnpublishing.com Last year, Rachel Zelnick was in it to win it. This year, the Troy High School junior was just looking to have a little fun and make some new friends. Turns out, though, that when she wasn’t trying so hard to win the Troy Strawberry Festival Queen tiara, Zelnick did just that. “Last year I was so driven to win the crown,” said Zelnick, who was crowned the 2013 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen in April. “This year, I just wanted to make friends. I actually was planning for next year and what I was going to do — that’s how big of a surprise it was for me to win it.” So much of a surprise that Zelnick barely knew how to react. By Monday morning when she returned to school three days after the pageant, it still hadn’t fully sunk in what had happened. “It really was a dream come true for me,” Zelnick said. “Right after it happened, I had so many people coming up and congratulating me — I don’t think it really sunk in what had happened. Then when I went into school for show choir class on Monday, everyone was congratulating me. I got very flustered — I’m really not used to all the attention. It just started to dawn on me what had happened.” While being a Strawberry Festival Queen is breaking new ground for Zelnick, growing up in the Strawberry Festival pageant scene is
STAFF PHOTO/MELANIE YINGST
Troy High School junior Rachel Zelnick, center, was crowned the 2013 Troy Strawberry Festival Queen last month. First runner-up was awarded to Troy High School senior Kirsten Coleman, pictured on the right. At left, second runner-up was awarded to Troy High School senior Alison Kolber. familiar territory for Zenick. Her two older sisters competed in the pageant, with sister Karen taking runner-up honors in 2002. “My sisters both encouraged me to do it,” Zelnick said. “I think my parents were thinking, ‘Another hot pageant.’ It does get hot in the (Troy High School) auditorium the night of the pageant. But everyone in my family was really supportive. Some people told me, ‘You can rub it in your sisters’ faces since you won,’ but I would never do that.” In fact, her sister
Karen gave her some simple advice last year when she competed in the pageant for the first time. “She told me to just have fun, be myself and smile,” Zelnick said. Although she’s only held the crown for a few weeks now, Zelnick said she’s already looking forward to the festival. “I’ve always gone to the Strawberry Festival ever since I was born,” she said. “I love the Strawberry Festival. I’m really looking forward to it. I think my favorite part is the parade. I’ve always enjoyed going to
the parade — now I get to be in it.” Unlike many Strawberry Festival queens, Zelnick will not be heading off to college once her term is finished.
She still has another year of high school to finish — and after that, she’s not entire sure what her future holds. “I know it sounds really weird, but I either
want to be a wedding planner or a kindergarten or choir teacher — and I know those things are totally opposite of one another,” she said.
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First United Church Of Christ 120 S. Market St., Troy Saturday, June 1st - 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
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Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 20 • May 26, 2013
No shortage of entertainment at festival BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@civitasmedia.com The list of performers isn’t complete yet, but the Strawberry Festival is already teeming with musical acts, pie eating, dancing, martial arts, juggling and more. While only one stage was set up last year, as space was limited due to the location change, this year’s promises three stages of live music. Entertainment chairs Jan Bigelow and Roberta Jacobs have been fielding calls and booking acts, as well as contacting previous performers. “I go back through years before, generally the year previous to the one we’re doing,” said outdoor levee entertainment chair Bigelow. “Then I referred back to two years ago to get a start to this year’s list. And of course there are always new people who contact the office or contact me and we try to fit them in.” Jacobs coordinated the Saturday night entertainment, booking McGuffey Lane to perform at 8 p.m. June 1 for a two-hour-concert at Troy Memorial Stadium. Troy Strawberry Festival manager Heather Dorsten said the fun, get-up-and-dance vibe of the band is exactly what festival chairman Jon Dankworth was looking for. “Roberta Jacobs has known them for a long time, and they were here for her year as chair in 2003,” Dorsten said. “She talked with Jon about how popular they were with the crowd. They’re a rock/country band with a bar feel.” Time slots are still available for about 10 more performers. Other performers and activities already booked for the weekend include: Tammy Bellamy School of Dance — Dancing Emmanuel’s Vein — Christian Alternative Music Group
STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
The Troy Strawberry Festival Community Choir performs songs including “God Bless America” under the direction of Maureen Joines and John Streb at the 2011 Troy Strawberry Festival. Lauren Kelly — Singer Dayton Babes — Dance Team Gem City Chorus — Acapella Singing Rum River Blend — Folk Music David Cain — Juggler Best for Last — Acoustic Music Group
Kids Helping Kids — Music Ministry Group Center Stage Dance Company — Dancing Troy Strawberry Festival Choir — Singing Mayfly — Hard Rock Band Not That Band — Classic Rock Band Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate
Clog Dancing Dojo — Martial Arts Bolted Down — Music Pie Eating Contest Group Thunder — Native Denise Mychele — American Flute Music Inspirational Music Singing Cherry Lee and The Hot Diaper Derby Rod Hounds — Rock-a-Billy Megan Osman — Country band Brown Street Breakdown — Folk Singer Songwriter The Greasers — Rock n’ Blues Rock Band Roll Band Foot Stompin’ Fusion —
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 21 • May 26, 2013
Millers named festival’s 2013 Golden Couple BY NATALIE KNOTH Staff Writer nknoth@civitasmedia.com
PROVIDED PHOTO
Connie and Bill Miller were named the 2013 Troy Strawberry Festival Golden Couple last month. use in front of people?” to which her husband Joe chuckled. The Millers claimed the victory with 75 points, while Grover and Rose Strawsburg were named the runner-up and Bill and Ruth Ann Shafer won the spirit award, their win bolstered by the support of the Strawberry Queen court. In an interview after the event, Bill Miller said he was expecting to garner only 20 points (they actually earned 75) after he missed the first few questions. Yet they
persevered. The same strategy works in their marriage, both Bill and Connie acknowledged, half kidding. “He puts up with me, and I put up with him,” Connie quipped. Bill and Connie were set up on a blind date by her sister and his college friend, who were dating at the time. Both were reluctant to follow through. “Neither one of us wanted to go. We were supposed to go before but had both made up excuses, and we couldn’t come
up with another reason, so we just went,” Bill recalled. The chemistry was instant for Bill, they said, but it took Connie a little longer to realize he was “the one.” Bill proposed after 11 months of dating. “We were on I-75 going to a Reds game and she was in the passenger’s seat and couldn’t get out — and I told her to take a look in the glove compartment,” Bill said with a smile, referring to an engagement ring. He added, “The Reds played the
Braves that night, I think.” Connie shrugged. “I have no idea who played. It was just another game for me.” They both grinned.
Other contestants included Paul and Betty Schaffner, Bill and Ruth Ann Shafer, Grover and Rose Strawsburg, Roger and Alice Yount and Charles and Becky Riley.
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Married for nearly 51 years, Bill and Connie Miller’s courtship began after a surprisingly successful blind date — one they had both been dreading. And last month at the Hayner Center, the Troy couple experienced yet another pleasant surprise: winning the Strawberry Festival Golden Couple Contest after starting off in last place. “If you can recall way back at the beginning of the contest, how were the Millers faring?” joked master of ceremonies Mayor Michael Beamish after they were named the winners. Russ Thayer also helped announce the event, which featured seven Troy-area couples. In the annual pre-festival event, couples had to guess their spouse’s response to several questions — many of them humorous. For wives, questions included, “How would you describe your husband’s snore? a) a buzz-saw b) a chirping bird or c) does not snore” while husbands were faced with, “When your wife becomes angry, does she become: a) sour like a strawberry tart b) cold like strawberry ice cream or c) silent like strawberries growing in a field?” In the bonus round, husbands answered a fill-in-the-blank style question of “My wife is a natural-born …” — a question that elicited lots of laughter from the audience. In guessing her spouse’s response, contestant Gerry Hoosech joked, “It’s a word I can
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 22 • May 26, 2013
Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry have spirit BY MELANIE YINGST Staff Writer myingst@civitasmedia.com The Troy Strawberry Festival’s littlest members of its royal court behaved more like court jesters than regal royalty during the festival’s annual Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry last month. The sweet Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry contest turned the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center’s ballroom into a comedy club as Connor Haywood, 6, and Willow Miller, 5, both of Troy, were crowned as the Troy Strawberry Festival’s Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry. Little Miss Strawberry Willow Miller tried to coax her grandmother on the stage during her interview, which captured the hearts of the judges as 30 children sang, danced and told jokes during the pageant Saturday afternoon. “My favorite thing is right now — because I got a trophy, that’s why,” Willow said. The 6-year-old is the daughter of Dennis and Tina Miller. Willow proudly showed off her sweet strawberry dress as she clutched her trophy. Willow said she plans to start a trophy collection with her first-ever award. “This is my first one (trophy),” she said. “I’m going to put it on the top.” Little Mr. Strawberry Connor Haywood, 5, of Troy, said he liked his trophy, too. “This is my second trophy,” Connor said. “I like when you get trophies when you win.” The pair both agreed that their favorite strawberry treat is the berries all by themselves. “The red strawberries are my favorite — with nothing on them,” Connor said. “I like when the strawberries get all squishy and you squeeze the juice out of them like grapes,” Willow shared.
STAFF PHOTO/ANTHONY WEBER
The Troy Strawberry Festival committee awarded Connor Haywood and Willow Isabella Miller 2013 Little Mr. and Miss Strawberry last month during the pageant that took place in the ballroom at the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center. Willow is the daughter of Tina and Dennis Miller and Connor is the son of Rebecca and Tim Haywood. Festival queen Rachel Marie Zelnick, left, junior miss Tabitha Sexton, center, and committe chairman Sally Riechert stand in the background. The Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry contest is sponsored by Main Street Market. Main Street Market provided each child who participated with a special, light-up medallion as a keepsake for them to take home. Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry committee chairwoman and the pageant’s emcee, Sally Riechert, said
she enjoyed each child’s effort and participation, and this year had one of the largest audience turnouts in the contest’s history. “The kids are just awesome — some are real talkers,” Riechert said. “We had an overwhelming turnout this year.” The 2013 Strawberry Festival Queen Rachel Zelnick
said she remembers participating in the Little Miss and Mr. Strawberry Contest as a child. “I did this when I was little — I didn’t win, but it was a good experience,” she said. “I think it’s super that these kids come out and get on stage. It’s fun to see them go up there and be themselves.” First runners-up were Josie
Line, daughter of Brenten and Jennifer Line of Troy and Gavin Miller, son of Robert and Valerie Miller of Casstown; second runners-up were Norah Rocke, daughter of Scott and Michelle Rocke of Troy and Tristan Tidwell, son of Aimee Allen of Troy. Best costume went to Kamryn Clint, daughter of Ryan and Meghan Clint of Troy.
Troy Strawberry Festival Edition • Page 23 • May 26, 2013
A look at ‘other’ Strawberry Festivals BY DAVID FONG Executive Editor dfong@civitasmedia.com To folks in and around Troy, the Troy Strawberry Festival may be the biggest and the best. But it’s certainly not the only game around. Nearly every state has its own Strawberry Festival — and you’d be hard-pressed to convince them their Strawberry Festival isn’t the cream of the strawberry crop. So, in the interest of equal time, here’s another look at some of the “other” Strawberry Festivals and what makes each and every one unique: • Garden Grove Strawberry Festival • Where: Garden Grove, Calif. • When: May 24-27 • Highlights: If you want to do a little star gazing, this festival is the place to be. Past celebrities who have appeared at the festival include: Hillary Duff, Phyllis Diller, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ben Vereen and Olympians Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner, just to name a few. The event also features big-time rides, including several full-sized roller coasters. • Strawberry Music Festival • Where: Jamestown, Calif. • When: May 23-27 and Aug. 29-Sept. 2 • Highlights: This festival takes place every year during both Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. The event features a number of musical acts, including bluegrass, swing, rock, blues and gospel. The event takes place at Yosemite National Park and patrons often camp out for the duration of the festival.
• Pungo Strawberry Festival • Where: Virginia Beach, Va. • When: May 25-26 • Highlights: Troy may have a festival on the banks of the Miami River — but it may be hard to compete with a festival along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The Pungo Strawberry Festival was first held in 1983 and drew 50,000 people. Last year’s festival drew approximately 120,000. The festival features pie eating contest, strawberry bake-off, continuous entertainment on three stages, a parade, one of the largest carnivals on the east coast, livestock show and sale, a multi-million dollar military display, pig races, youth art show and arts and craft booths. • Historic Cedarburg Strawberry Festival • Where: Cedarburg, Wisc. • When: June 22-23 • Highlights: More than 100,000 people will descend on Cedarburg this year for the 24th annual festival. Much like the Troy Strawberry Festival, the Cedarburg Strawberry Festival focuses heavily on food. While Troy is famous for its strawberry doughnuts, Cedarburg’s festival is best-known for its allyou-can-eat strawberry pancake breakfast, held the Sunday morning of the festival. • Marysville Strawberry Festival • Where: Marysville, Wash. • When: June 13-15 • Highlights: This Strawberry Festival offers one thing Troy’s never could — legalized gambling. The Marysville Strawberry Festival is headquartered in the Tulalip Resort and
Casino. If gambling isn’t your thing, the festival also offers a number of more “traditional” events, such as pageants, games and a 10K run. • Copper County Strawberry Festival • Where: Chassell, Mich. • When: July 6-7 • Highlights: The Copper County Lions Club hosts one of the smallerscale Strawberry Festivals. In addition to crowning a Strawberry Festival queen, a “Citizen of the Year” also is named. • London Strawberry Festival • Where: London • When: June 20-22 • Highlights: If you don’t get enough of a strawberry fix during Troy’s festival, you don’t have to go far to find another. This festival — located not far from Columbus — features many of the same things as Troy’s festival, including a Mr. and Miss Shortcake competition. One feature London’s festival has that Troy’s PROVIDED PHOTO does not is a contest to see Music plays a central part in the Strawberry Music Festival, which is held twice who can grow the largest a year in Jamestown, Calif. strawberry.
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