Engagement_______________________________

Evans - Holmes

Patricia and Frank Evans of Cincinnati and Nancy and David Holmes of Naples, Florida (formerly of Oakwood) happily announce the engagement of their children, Ann Catherine Evans and Jeffrey Alan Holmes.

Ms. Evans is a graduate of Xavier University (cum laude) and received an MBA from Thomas More College (magna cum laude).  She is the center manager for NovaCare Rehabilitation in Wilder, Kentucky and performs contract services as Head Athletic Trainer for USA Rugby.

Dr. Holmes graduated from Oakwood High School (class of 1994), Colgate University (magna cum laude) and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He is currently finishing his residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Cincinnati Hospital.

A September wedding in Cincinnati is planned.

Historical Society loses cheerleader

There will be an obituary in this issue of the Oakwood Register for Harry Oxrider. But birth and death dates, etc., are so matter of fact when you lose a good friend that you’ve come to know over a period of years. As time passes and new people come on Board at the Oakwood Historical Society, I realize that I’m alone in memories of a really nice guy, who with his wife Joanne, gave a us a lot of time and effort to our small effort to preserve Oakwood’s history. Some of our Board members share these with me.

Harry served two terms as President and Joanne served one term, each participating as Board members, doing these grungy tasks that are entailed in any organization. We had a lot of good times together, coupled with some hard physical work, and afterwards always had a laugh. I will miss our Sunday after church visits we’ve had in the past year and a half since his stroke. He was always interested in the activities of the Society, and anxious to share the successes and lives of his children. The week after Easter he beat me in Chinese Checkers. Those are good times to remember!

Harry Ebeling

Daniel Weckstein selected as new OJHS Principal

At the May 14, 2007 meeting of the Oakwood Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo will recommend Daniel K. Weckstein for the position of Oakwood Junior High Principal, effective July 1, 2007.  

This recommendation comes as a result of an intensive selection process that began with written applications from 50 candidates and culminated in site visits to school districts. The search included the direct participation of 49 stakeholders representing staff, students, parents, and administrators, and involved more than 55 hours of interviews.  

Mr. Weckstein, a Centerville High School graduate, earned his B.S. in Elementary Education (Mathematics) from Indiana University and his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Xavier University.  He comes to Oakwood from the Lakota School District where he has served as the Assistant Principal at Hopewell Junior School for the past seven years. Prior to this, he was an eighth grade Language Arts, Computer Skills, and Math Lab teacher in the Kings Local School District where he also coached the women’s and men’s varsity tennis teams.    

“We could not be more pleased to welcome Mr. Weckstein to Oakwood’s leadership team,” said Dr. Scalzo.  “ He emerged from a strong applicant pool as an individual who will embrace our district’s vision, mission, and core values.”  

At Hopewell, Mr. Weckstein has supervised instructional, extracurricular, and facility initiatives. He provides oversight to the Gifted & Talented and ESL Programs, athletics, and building maintenance. He also serves as the school’s Special Education Coordinator and Chair of the Intervention Assistance Teams.
Additionally, Mr. Weckstein developed the Hopewell Junior School Strategic Plan, established a Testing and Learning Committee that focused on best practices for assessment, and created the master schedule incorporating multiple core-teaching teams among 75 faculty members.      

Mr. Weckstein is credited with developing numerous student recognition programs including a chartered chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, Star Student Program, and quarterly Success Breakfasts for selected students and their parents.  

“I would like to begin making connections with staff, students, and parents. I am excited about the future of Oakwood Junior High School and look forward to working with the faculty, students, and parents in the coming months to help ease the transition process for all stakeholders.”  

In the coming weeks, faculty, students, and parents will be apprised of opportunities to meet Mr. Weckstein.  The May 14 Board meeting at which he will be recommended for employment will be held at the Board Office at 20 Rubicon and begin at 7:30 p.m.

Gantt turns GOP Toastmasters to new purpose

Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Gregory Gantt called on the newly-formed United Republican Toastmasters Club to provide a forum for party candidates to help them master the art of effective communication and advance their leadership skills.  He believes that developing the skills to listen effectively, think clearly, and speak persuasively and with clarity, are vital keys to success in the political arena.
“Last year, when I observed incumbent office holders and first-time candidates out on the campaign trail, I learned that everyone, speaking from the novice to the experienced, could benefit from the communication skills and techniques taught by the Toastmasters Club.” said Gantt.

When he sought out a Toastmasters Club to help meet his goals, Gantt decided on the newly
formed United Republican Toastmasters Club, the first of its kind in the Montgomery County.  
Gantt’s plan is threefold: to start the plan, each candidate will attend at least one Republican Toastmasters session as part of the screening and endorsement process to learn how the club operates and about the benefits to be gained.  

Later, during “Candidate’s Night,” Toastmaster members will be on hand to critique individual speeches and performances and to make recommendations on how each candidate can improve their communication skills and presentation styles.
And, finally, debate training is planned to ensure candidates are prepared with effective impromptu speaking techniques and knowledge on issues to win debates with their opponents.
“This club will be the most fundamental talent pool available to launch the new generation of Republican leaders. Greg Gantt has been extremely cooperative, supportive and objective in using the club as the instrument to broaden and heighten impromptu and formal communication skills and leadership abilities in the development of incumbents and first-time Republican party candidates,” said Jim Smith, former director of Toastmasters International.

Spring MOMS Makeover

Patty O’Connor-Gross of Kettering is pictured in the Pink Daisy fashion store wearing a complete wardrobe consisting of a Tori Burch tunic, White Union jeans and Izod bag which she will keep gratis. She was nominated and voted to be the recipient of a head-to-toe makeover last Thursday by the MOMS of Oakwood group. In addition, Patty received a three-hour cut, color, style and manicure (with a gift certificate for a massage thrown in) from stylist Emily at Tudor Day Spa and a makeup session from skin boutique Preen.  Patty is truly deserving of all the attention – she is a stay-at-home Mom with five-month-old twins and a two year-old keeping her busy.
“All Moms deserve a day like this!”  she said.

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