20211015_GYS2021-22_INSIDE_PAGES

72 GUIDE TO YELLOW SPR INGS | 2021– 2022 century Yellow Springs resident Wheeling Gaunt, a formerly enslaved man who bought his freedom, have inspired generations of villagers. Gaunt’s generosity also per- severes in a 126-year-old tra- dition of the delivery of flour to local widows, and recently widowers, at the holidays — a stipulation in Gaunt’s will when he bequeathed the land that is now Gaunt Park to the Village. The 2020 distribution took place at the end of Novem- ber. Village public works crew members purchased $3,000 of flour and sugar from Tom’s Market and staked out routes across town to deliver the baking supplies. That year, 125 widows and widowers were on the list, 54 of whom requested that their gift be passed on to the Yellow Springs Community Food Pantry. On her route, Village meter reader Rose Pelzl delivered flour and sugar to village resi - dent Terry Graham. Graham has received the delivery for 19 years, following the death of her husband, John Graham, a Yellow Springs school board member. “I’m very grateful,” Graham said of the annual gift. “It makes me feel supported by the village.” Graham passes her gift on too, by using the supplies to bake Christmas cookies with A version of this article was originally published in the December 24, 2020, issue of the News. WHEELING GAUNT’S LEGACY LIVES ON By MEGAN BACHMAN ‘I t is not what we have but what we share.” The words of 19th In 2020, Village worker and longtime resident Rose Pelzl delivered the traditional flour and sugar to Terry Graham, continuing a 126-year- old tradition stipulated in the will of philanthropist Wheeling Gaunt, former enslaved man who bought his freedom and moved to the village in the 1860s. | PHOTO BY MEGAN BACHMAN FLOUR & SUGAR Yoga Classes Daily Hot Power Vinyasa Restorative Full & New Moon The School of Wild Wisdom Nature Spirituality Women’s Circle Yoga Teacher Training Astrology Tarot Sign up at www.houseofaum.com @houseofaumcollective STRENGTHING COMMUNITY THROUGH PERMANENTLY-AFFORDABLE HOUSING  www.yshome.org  info@yshome.org | 937-767-2790 Contact us for membership, home buyer information, rentals, or to join our home buyer coaching program. G reene C ounty eye Care , inC . MORE THAN GREAT VISION Drs. Florkey & Associates 322 N. Detroit St. Xenia, OH 45385 937-376-4055 Ask us about our package pricing deals! Most major insurances accepted. www.GreeneCountyEyeCare.com