That Yellow Springs would attract visitors to arts, wellness and eco-tourism activities didn’t surprise the organizers of the Yellow Springs Experience. But the nearly 20 local organizations that put together the 10-day educational event in mid-July did learn ways to improve upon its first effort.

This summer the Yellow Springs Tree Committee is scouring the community for the next state champion tree. Several weeks ago, committee members Kathy Beverly and Macy Reynolds measured a 37-inch-circumference shagbark hickory at Mills Lawn School and a 55-inch-circumference oak tree on the Antioch campus, the largest yet.

It’s no a surprise that Yellow Springs has an abundance of large trees. This summer the Yellow Springs Tree Committee seeks the largest in their update to a 1972 report, “The big trees of Yellow Springs.” See a 1972 map of the largest trees in Yellow Springs here.

Before rural farming and land trust crusader Shirley Miller Sherrod was thrust into the national spotlight when she was forced to resign last week from her position at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), she studied at Antioch University Midwest. The Obama Administration, admitting it was wrong, quickly offered to rehire her.

Helping villagers stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter is the aim of a new business in town, Southtown Heating and Cooling. From its new office in Yellow Springs, the 22-year-old Greater Dayton company will install and service heating and cooling equipment as well as do plumbing, electrical work and building maintenance for residential and commercial customers.

For an hour every Saturday, a small group of Yellow Springs residents takes to a street corner near downtown with a message of peace. Waving flags and holding signs with such sayings as “War is terrorism” and “Schools not bombs,” the peace activists get honks and hollers from passing motorists, along with the satisfaction that they are standing up for what’s right.

Visitors and residents alike can walk right-off-the-street into an oasis of health and rejuvenation at Eden World Center for Wellness and Discovery at 253 Xenia Avenue.

Before rural farming and land trust crusader Shirley Miller Sherrod was thrust into the national spotlight when she was forced to resign this week from her position at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), she studied at Antioch University Midwest in Yellow Springs.

In troubled economic times, the Yellow Springs Community Food Pantry continues to offer free food and household goods to local families.

Dedicated local volunteers who serve on Village commissions do much of the work to preserve and enhance the community. With vacancies on three key commissions, others have the opportunity to step up.