National City loan officers earn CMPS designation

Kim Strong-Dybvad, Joanna McCord, Dona Niswonger, and Cheryl Mathis, loan officers with National City Mortgage Company, have earned their Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS) designation at CMPS, Institute.  The CMPS, Institute is a joint effort by leaders in the mortgage and financial planning industries to raise professional standards among mortgage professionals and integrate sound financial planning advice into the mortgage process.  Less than 1 percent of the mortgage lenders in the United States have received this designation.

Kim Strong-Dybvad	Cheryl Mathis
Dona Niswonger	Joanna McCord

The CMPS curriculum incorporates five essential skill sets including:  Financial market and interest rate analysis, cash flow and debt analysis, Real Estate Equity Management, Real Estate Investment Analysis and Mortgage and Real Estate Taxation Concepts.

Pierce honored by two organizations

Oakwood resident David Pierce has been honored by two local organizations for his professional and civic contributions.

The Dayton Bar Association recognized his service as president of the Carl D. Kessler Inn of Court. The Inn of Court is an organization comprised of over 130 judges and lawyers dedicated to improving the skills, professionalism and legal ethics of the bench and bar. Pierce, a shareholder at Coolidge Wall Co., L.P.A., received a plaque acknowledging his two years as president of the organization.

Additionally, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton presented Pierce with the Allan L. Wasserman Young Leadership Award recognizing his service to the Federation and the area’s Jewish community. Pierce is a board member of the Jewish Federation, chairs the Community Division of the annual campaign drive and is a member of the Finance Committee at Temple Israel.

Whispers Home nominated Best Shop by Intima 

For the fourth consecutive year, Whispers Home has been nominated for the Best Shop Awards from The Best of Intima, an Italian fashion magazine.  

Whispers has enjoyed being nominated each year since 2004, when Best of Intima began the Best Shop Awards in the United States to honor independent specialty stores across the country and to promote networking and visibility worldwide.  Nominations are submitted by the brands that jury the awards, which include exclusive names such as Argentovivo, Chantelle, Claire Pettibone, Cosabella, Hanky Panky, LeMystere, Natori, Panache, La Perla, Princesse Tam-Tam, Vera Wang and Wacoal – all of which are represented in Whispers’ product line.  

Whispers Home storefront.

In addition to the four consecutive Best Shop nominations, Whispers was named among five U.S. finalists in the Personal Touch category in both 2004 and 2006.
Whispers opened in November of 2001 in the Shops of Oakwood and prides itself on offering the finest lingerie, linens, and gift items from the U.S. and around the globe. Judy Wyatt’s concept in opening the store was to offer unparalleled service with a uniquely high-quality product; Whispers’ services include bra fittings, bridal and gift registry, shipping, and complimentary gift wrapping.  When Whispers moved from Triangle Avenue to its current location at 2426 Far Hills Avenue in October 2006, Ms. Wyatt expanded the product line to include fine linens for the home from Natori and Yves Delorme – and thus the store’s name evolved to Whispers Home.

Ms. Wyatt is delighted with this national recognition for her five-and-a-half-year-old boutique.  “Our goal at Whispers is to create the ultimate shopping experience for our customers.  When they are happy, we are happy.  My dedicated, well-trained and personable staff helps make it all happen,” says Wyatt.  “I’m fortunate to have great customers and a great team to help fulfill my vision, and this industry acknowledgement is an added honor.”

Finalists for this year’s Best Shop Awards will be notified in late July, and winners will be announced on Aug. 5 in a ceremony in New York.

Krueger publishes book on U-Haul company

By Dr. Jim Uphoff

It was just eleven years ago when Luke Krueger graduated from Oakwood High School in 1996 a few years ahead of his sisters Marla in 1998 and Kristi in 2000 both of whom are now in Washington, D.C.  Their parents, Bill and Marlene Krueger, live on East Schantz in Oakwood. Luke’s preparation in Creative Writing at Miami University (‘00) and then his MFA in Creative Writing from Arizona State (‘03) have led him to the publication of his first book, A Noble Function:  How U-Haul Moved America.          

Tom Prefling, U-Haul Company spokesperson, said that their CEO, E.J. “Joe” Shoen very much wanted to capture the firsthand, eyewitness history of the company from the pioneer employees.  It was not feasible for the company to use in-house staff, so they looked to the universities in Arizona near their own headquarters.  Twelve journalism and creative writing graduate students were interviewed and submitted writing samples.      

Why did they select Luke to take on this task of capturing the history and impact of U-Haul?  Prefling said, “The quality of Luke’s writing, his genuine interest in history and his ability to write in different genres made him the obvious choice to write this book.”  He continued, “Our objective …was to tell the story of how U-Haul developed from an idea to an industry…and to tell the story in an entertaining and compelling way through the personal insights and firsthand knowledge of the people who…helped develop the company from 1945-1964.”

I asked Luke to look back at his years at OHS and to reflect on     what may have contributed to this ‘career plus’ of authoring such a book.  He smiled as he recalled that , “I was not one of the academic super stars at OHS.  Yes, I was on the Academic Quiz team, but that was because of my love of literature and history, not due to super grades. I had wonderful teachers who encouraged and stimulated me-yes even pushed me to grow and perform to my best.”

Any U.S. history book talks of a great American Diaspora post-World War II.  None of these books ever talk about how families were able to packup and move their things.  Those without wealth were left behind too often.  This was where Sam and Anna Mary Shoen found themselves-unsuccessfully trying to rent a trailer in San Diego to get back to Portland with their new family.  But as they somehow made their way north, the idea for U-Haul was born.

A Noble Function is the product of over a year of research with unprecedented access to the archives of U-Haul history.  Add in over 30 interviews with key players who knew the Shoens as the innovators in the industry.  This couple “grew” the company as they moved America BUT without ever accruing any debt!  This is the story that Oakwood’s own Luke Krueger tells us via his new book.

It was when Luke was in sixth grade at Smith School with Mr. Walls that we first met.  I was there sharing my slides and experiences of having been in Iraq in 1989. Later when he was on the Academic Quiz Team at OHS and I was the Judge for the first six years of WHIO-TV’s  program,  “Hi-Q”, we became better acquainted and have remained friends ever since.  When he is in Oakwood, we often get together for a meal and visit.

In describing his “Oakwood experience” Luke emailed the following for me:
“I had teachers who really believed in me…Mrs. Leigh…saw great things for me…made me go academic team…introduced me to Mr. Grigsby.”  He added, “Mr. Folkerth personally enrolled me in Honors English.  Mrs. Pees took a very shy kid and made him much more outgoing.  I worked for Mr. Furguson and was in awe of his command of the English language.”  These are just samples of what Luke shared with me.

I know that I speak for the leadership team and faculty of Oakwood when I offer our congratulations to Luke Krueger on his many accomplishments.  He has honored himself, his family, and his school system by his actions!

Jessica's ponytail one of 275

On Monday, May 21st, over 200 students, alumni, faculty and friends gathered at Seton High School in Cincinnati.  They all participated in the largest single simultaneous cutting for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.  Among them was 6 year old Jessica, an Oakwood resident who attends Lange School for kindergarten.  Jessica donated her ponytail which measured over 12 inches. The American Cancer Society states that 58 percent of women consider hair loss the worst side effect when undergoing chemotherapy and 8 percent risk avoiding potentially life-saving treatment altogether because of their fear of hair loss.  Pantene Beautiful Lengths is a partnership between Proctor & Gamble and the Entertainment Industry Foundation.  Their goal is to encourage and support women who have lost thier hair to cancer treatments.   Through this program, women can receive free real-hair wigs.  While the goal is to help as many women as possible, ultimately that depends on how many ponytails are donated.  It takes 6-8 ponytails to make one wig.  The ponytails are given to a company called HairUWear and turned into wigs that are then distributed through a collaboration with the American Cancer Society. By the end of the day, Jessica’s ponytail was one of 275 collected at Seton, which will result in approximately 40-50 real-hair wigs for women with cancer.

First use of CodeRED a success

On May 30 at 10:15 a.m., the Oakwood Public Safety Department issued a CodeRED alert. An older gentleman with Alzheimer’s wandered from Sunrise Assisted Living in Oakwood. The Oakwood Public Safety Department used all of its resources, mobilizing their officers to search throughout the neighborhood and informing local news media. But it was the gentleman’s description and situation delivered by CodeRED via telephone to Oakwood residents in the area, which prompted Dorothy Atkinson to call the Oakwood Saafety Department.  She was at the CVS on Stroop Road and when she returned home listened to the message from the CODE RED system.  She immediately called and stated that she just saw this individual at CVS.  She called and officers were dispatched to that location.  Dispatcher Shockey called the CVS and asked them to talk to the gentleman until they arrived.  CVS also contacted Kettering Police.  Upon arrival Oakwood officers met a Kettering unit talking to the subject they were looking for.   The elderly male was returned safely back to Sunrise.

Fifteen minutes elapsed from the time the CodeRED alert went out until the gentleman was found. This is Oakwood’s first use of the CodeRED system. Other cities have used CodeRED in similar situations with great success.

The CodeRED service has also been used to call firefighters to their stations so they can respond to structure fires, for road closings, boil water and weather advisories and to alert residents to evacuate due to a natural gas leak. This emergency notification service was made available to these communities throughout the greater Miami Valley area through the efforts of the Miami Valley Communications Council.

The Miami Valley Communications Council (MVCC) exists to support local government cooperation and enhance communication within and between local governments. MVCC operates with funding provided by Centerville, Germantown, Kettering, Miamisburg, Moraine, Oakwood, Springboro and West Carrollton cable franchise fees. Residents of these cities benefit everyday from CodeRED and other joint purchases and cooperative programs provided by MVCC. Franchise fees make the funding possible for these joint efforts.

For more information about MVCC or CodeRED, please contact Jan Berger at (937) 424-1664 or jberger@mvcc.net.

Patience is a virtue with landscaping

That statement has never been more true than this Spring.  Seasonal temperatures have approached record highs and lows over the last two months, and not necessarily in the correct order. The 20 degree temperatures that hit in April would not have been so bad, if they weren’t preceded by such balmy temperatures in March that encouraged plants to leaf out pre-maturely.  This was not a spring for great color from flowering trees and shrubs.  Many crabapples are lucky to just have leaves on this year, and many of the flowering pear trees around town are still showing some off-color leaves.  

By now, most of the waiting should be over, but now we are waiting for some much needed precipitation.  That coupled with the temperature extremes can be extremely tough on young plants. Moisture levels should be monitored, and supplemental watering may be in order for plants and trees that have been installed in the last two or three years.  At this point, do not take any chances on your plants overall health.
If any dead wood remains on flowering trees and shrubs, it is probably safe to go ahead and prune that out at this point.  Once the living tissue has been killed back by such extremely cold temperatures, it will not come back again.  Most trees that were just beginning to leaf out when the cold snap hit, have by now sent out a second flush of growth, or they were damaged to a point that they will not make it at all.  

Many of the Japanese maples were hit the hardest.  This is certainly a testament to proper site location to protect these delicate trees from harsh west winds and be prepared for the worst in some cases.  When these specimen trees are nestled up to a building, it creates somewhat of a micro-climate where temperatures may not fluctuate as much, but when it’s 20 degrees, it’s 20 degrees, whether they are protected or not!  Fortunately there are some hardier cultivars that are becoming more and more available.  

A lot of flowering shrubs were hit extremely hard as well, but with a little selective and maintenance type of pruning, they should be fine.  It seems like the double-file viburnums (Viburnum plicatum)were one of the hardest hit species, but many around town are sending out a second set of leaves, however, don’t expect much flowering this season.  Shrub roses were also greatly affected by the cold temperatures.  Even the famed Knock-out Rose took a beating.  The good thing about the Knock-out Rose, is that it is grown on its own root stock.  This means that it can be cut back almost to the ground if needed and will re-grow from the roots if they are still viable.  

The plant may not be as prolific or large this season, but most of the plants should recover quite nicely.

Again, patience during the month of May was the key. Waiting to see what was still alive, and now pruning back to live tissue, or removing plants that may not have made it at all.  Hopefully the summer will return to a bit more typical weather pattern for the Miami Valley!

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June 5, 2007
Volume 16, No. 23

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