The Yellow Springs News • Page 2 of 1517 • An Independent source of community news in Yellow Springs, Ohio since 1880

Antioch College alumni gather on campus up to four times a year as part of the ongoing Volunteer Work Project, a gift of labor from alumni to the college that began in 1986. Pictured in the Coretta Scott King Center in March during the spring VWP meet-up were Louise Meller, Megan Trollander and Helen Welford, who were part of a crew of alumni followed by the News as they worked and talked about the history and meaning of the VWP. (Photo by Lauren "Chuck" Shows)

Antioch College alumni’s Volunteer Work Project turns 40

On a cold Monday morning in late March this year, a group of about a dozen alumni gathered in Antioch College’s Coretta Scott King Center. The space served as both breakfast buffet and planning and coordination forum for the spring Volunteer Work Project, in which alumni gather on campus to give back to the institution that helped shape them as young adults. This year marks the VWP’s 40th anniversary.

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Web Features

Fishin’ for poetry with Alice Miller

Some days rivers run; others, they dry up and go to bed. Rivers wind and meander, flood and flow. Rivers wash against and carry with them enough organisms to be alive themselves. Perhaps, then, a river isn’t so unlike poetry. Local poet and literary organizer Alice Miller sure thinks so: over the summer, Miller’s been hosting a suite of poetry-focused recitations and readings at Tesseract Books he’s dubbed “The Poem River Series.”
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YS Schools— First day of school remains on track; contingency calendar in place

Yellow Springs Schools students are expected to begin the upcoming school year as planned on Thursday, Aug. 20, inside both district buildings. Construction crews will still be at work putting the finishing touches on the updated facilities into November, but Superintendent Megan Winston said the administration and construction team remain optimistic that the buildings will be ready for the first day of school. The school board held a special meeting Tuesday, July 14, to discuss a proposed contingency calendar for the school year in the event that there are unexpected construction delays.
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‘An Evening of Julius Eastman’ with Neutrals and Friends— A lost voice returns at Emporium

Neutrals and Friends will perform several works by avant-garde composer and musician Julius Eastman Friday, July 24, 7 p.m, at the Emporium. Eastman died in 1990, and his work has experienced a resurgence over the last two decades following years of obscurity.
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Arts (archives)

‘Why not penguins?’ — Community Pottery mural turns 50
As the United States marks its semiquincentennial, Yellow Springs has another anniversary to observe: The days just before July 4 mark 50 years that the penguins adorning John Bryan Community Pottery have been staring into the middle distance.
Meet Your Nonprofits | John Bryan Community Pottery wheels into new era
John Bryan Community Pottery — tucked at 100 Dayton St. and known to regulars simply as JBCP — has been a cornerstone of Yellow Springs since 1962.
Buddhist film to enlighten Little Art
On Wednesday, July 8, filmmaker and Buddhist Edward A. Burger will bring to the Little Art his 2021 film “The Mountain Path,” a deeply personal story about his journey into the Zhongnan Mountains of China, in search of his lifelong teacher.

Village Schools (archives)

School facilities project enters final stretch
At its Wednesday, June 10, regular meeting, the YS Board of Education received an update on the district’s ongoing facilities project, which is entering its final summer stretch; the meeting was held at MVECA while both Mills Lawn and YS Middle and High School remain under construction.
Superintendent Terri Holden signs off, reflects on seven years
Terri Holden stepped into the superintendent role in August 2019 with nearly three decades as a teacher, principal and administrator behind her.
School board fetes outgoing Superintendent Holden
The YS Board of Education’s most recent meeting Wednesday, May 13, marked the near-end of the 2025–26 school year — and the near-end of Superintendent Terri Holden’s time at the helm of YS Schools, as she is set to retire May 31.

Economy (archives)

Lawson Place nets financial, social dividends
The Village of Yellow Springs has retained control of the Lawson Place apartment complex and has functioned as the de facto manager of the property — dealing with its occupancy and maintenance, rents and renovations, tenant complaints and unit improvements.
Shifts, expansions and evictions at Millworks Business Park
Of the 11 current businesses sited at the Millworks Business Center in the northern part of town, most are doing well, owner and landlord Allison Moody told the News last week. But some, she said, are poised to move elsewhere in the coming months and a couple left recently under less-than-favorable circumstances.
Big changes to small-town grocery
On Tuesday morning, June 16, when around 100 villagers crowded the shoulder of Xenia Avenue to watch the ceremonial ribbon cutting — an occasion that marked the end of Tom’s Market and the beginning of Springs Market, and what could one day become a community-owned grocery store.

Village Life (archives)

News from the Past: June 2026
85 YEARS AGO: 1941 --- Another well to be put down for water. “The Board of Public Affairs, after consulting with engineers, have ordered another well drilled to augment the village water supply. It will be drilled on the pump house grounds [now Ellis Park].”
The story of a storyteller
“When you tell the story with dignity, it makes an impact,” Merzius told the News, adding that, rather than arguing with people who have already decided what they believe, a storyteller can “commit to the excellence, commit to the truth.”
Four thought
Villagers didn’t let the oppressive heat reign over their parade on July 4. The lively train wound down Xenia Avenue by crowds that coalesced along the shadows of trees and awnings, waiting for the Sea Dogs’ Super Soakers — though kids were quick to dart out and nab tossed candy before it melted to the road.

Government (archives)

Lawson Place nets financial, social dividends
The Village of Yellow Springs has retained control of the Lawson Place apartment complex and has functioned as the de facto manager of the property — dealing with its occupancy and maintenance, rents and renovations, tenant complaints and unit improvements.
Village Council approves building permit fee hikes
At Village Council’s most recent regular meeting, Monday, July 6, the group approved two pieces of legislation to update the Village’s building permit fee schedule.
Village Council renews affordable housing efforts for Glass Farm
Owned by the Village since 1974 and located in the northwest reaches of Yellow Springs, the 42-acre Glass Farm has been the locus of conservation and housing-related discussions and debates for several decades.

Obituaries (archives)

Edward “Eddie” Wingard
Edward “Eddie” L. Wingard, Ph.D., 89, was born July 27, 1936, in Pike County, Alabama, to the late Jesse and Alice Wingard. He transitioned from this earthly life July 11, 2026, at Shawnee Estates Senior Living Center in Xenia, Ohio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jesse Roy Wingard.
Alan Greenberg
Alan Greenberg took his last breath on May 27, 2026, at the young age of 74.
Cori Christiansen
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Cori Christiansen.
Marjorie (Johnson) Anthony
Marjorie (Johnson) Anthony was born on April 1, 1933, to the late Noxie and Adelle (Cowan) Johnson in Murray, Kentucky.
Pat Simon
Patricia “Pat” Margaret (Hixson) Simon peacefully passed away on May 14, 2026, at her home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, at the age of 86 years.

Higher Education (archives)

Antiochiana archivist to talk ‘Antioch and the Civil War’
Antiochiana Archivist Scott Sanders presents a monthly series of one-hour talks exploring the history of Antioch College on the second Wednesday of each month, 12:30–1:30 p.m., in the Olive Kettering Library.
Antioch students question college governance
Three days before Antioch College’s June 20 commencement, graduating student Lark Orbe and first-year student Zion Villines entered President Jane Fernandes’ office hoping to persuade her to reconsider a decision.
Casselli, AAUP question Antioch’s handling of suspension
A longtime presence at Antioch College, Michael Casselli told the News that being suspended indefinitely with conditions, in his view, amounts to being fired without the due process historically afforded to, and expected by, tenured faculty — a concern also raised by the American Association of University Professors.

Sports (archives)

Perry League— In rain, T-ballers shift gears
While Ohio weather forecasts are known to change about a dozen times throughout the course of a single day, there was still concern leading up to Friday, June 26, that it could be our first rained-out game of the season. We’d been fortunate so far, with June’s previous three Fridays having near-perfect baseball conditions.
Perry League | T-ballers take the plate in style
What a lovely night for T-ball! The sun was shining on the bats, with kids having fun, and the sound of a bat hitting the ball was the only sound you would hear other than Obi’s fan club cheering. I saw lots of great hits to left field, right field and many to center field. But the biggest hit I saw was by River Brevik, 7, with a smashing hit to center field. — Thea Brevik, 10
Perry League— For T-ball, everyone plays a part
The third week of Perry League T-ball fell on a gorgeous Juneteenth evening, one of those early summer nights that seem custom-made for gathering outside. The air was warm but comfortable, the grass was green and Gaunt Park was ready for another Friday night of T-ball.