061224_GYS_2024_WEB

24 2O24–2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S ▲ At 2010 lunchtime at Yellow Springs High School, then-Principal John Gudgel was joined by a gaggle of students. Shown above are, first row: Zyna Bakari, Anne Weigand, Anna Kahring Khan and Stephanie Scott; middle row: Jacob Trumbull, Nicky Sontag, Mr. Gudgel, Brendan Moore, Elliot Cromer and Adam Zaremsky; and back row: Marion Cosey and Nerak Patterson. “Many of our members are up in age,” he said. “My worry is that, as an older organiza- tion, no one will step up to the plate to continue preserving the legacy of Blacks in Yellow Springs and The 365 Project.” Along with his work preserv- ing history through The 365 Project, Gudgel worked for years as a mediator for the Yellow Springs Village Mediation Program, serving as its coordi - nator between 2010 and 2021. “When I retired [from the school system] in 2010 for all of two weeks, I saw there was an opening for the Village Mediation Program,” Gudgel said. “I thought [becoming Village Mediation coordinator] would be a great way to con- tinue much of what I’ve done in the school system in terms of bringing people together to peacefully resolve conflicts in a non threatening way.” As the coordinator, Gudgel said he found that the first step was finding mediators that people going through the pro- cess could trust, but oftentimes, conflicts between adults were more difficult to resolve than conflicts between children. “Our cognitive ability is more developed as adults, but I believe kids are truly more forgiving,” Gudgel said. “But we are all mediators at our core. We all want to solve conflicts.” After a lifetime of living and working in the village, Gudgel said he has seen many changes. “The division that has impacted our country has, sadly, impacted our village as well. That’s not what Yellow Springs should represent,” Gudgel said. Citing needs for diversity, housing and updated school facilities, Gudgel said he hopes that the village can regain the close-knit community feel that he experienced as a child. “A community is vibrant and full of people with the ability to get along with one another, a group of people who are caring for, listening to, and valuing each other,” Gudgel said. “A place we can all be proud of.” ♦ P H O T O : D I A N E C H I D D I S T E R Unique, Handmade Arts & Crafts by Local Artists Village Artisans is a cooperative, artist-run gallery featuring the artwork of 20 local artists Open seven days a week! M–Th 11–5, F–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 100 Corry Street 937-767-1209 VillageArtisans.org And don’t miss Art on the Lawn Sat., Aug. 10, 2024 An outdoor fine arts and crafts fair, featuring food, fun, and 100 artists! NEW LOCATION: Just east of 118 East North College Street Art on the Lawn i e, H rts & Cr fts by Loc l Artists Village Artisans is a cooperative, artist-run gal ery featuring the art ork of 20 local artists Open seven days a week! –Th 1 –5, F–Sa 1 –6, Su 12–5 10 Cor y Stre t 937-767-1209 Vil age rtisans.org And don’t mis rt o t L t., A . 1 , 2 2 n outdo r fine arts and crafts fair, featuring food, fun, and 100 artists! E L C I : Just east of 1 8 East North College Street A t t i , and ade Arts & Crafts by L cal rtists Village Artisans is a cooperative, artist-run gallery featuring the artwork of 20 local artists Open seven days a week! M–Th 11–5, F–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 100 Corry Street 937-767-1209 VillageArtisans.org And don’t miss Art on the Lawn Sat., Aug. 10, 2024 An outdoor fine arts a d crafts fair, featuring food, fun, and 100 artists! NEW LOCATION: Just east of 118 East North College Street Art on the Lawn , aft l rtists illag rtisans is a cooperative, artist-run gallery featuring the art ork of 20 local artists Open seven days a week! –Th 11–5, F–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 100 Corry Street 937-767-1209 VillageArtisans.org And don’t iss Art on the La t., Aug. 10, 202 n outdoor fine rts a d crafts fair, featuring food, fun, and 100 artists! NE L C I : Just east of 118 East North College Street t the Unique, Handmade Arts & Crafts by Local Artists Village Artisans is a cooperative, artist-run gallery featuring the artwork of 20 local artists Open seven days a week! M–Th 11–5, F–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 100 Corry Street 937-767-1209 VillageArti ans.org And don’t miss Art on the Lawn Sat., Aug. 10, 2024 An outdoor fine arts and crafts fair, Art on the Unique, Handmade Arts & Crafts by Local Artists Village Artisans is a cooperative, artist-run gallery featuring he artwork f 20 local artists Open seven days a week! M–Th 11–5, F–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 100 Corry Street 937-767-1209 VillageArti ans.org And don’t miss Art on the Lawn Sat., Aug. 10, 2024 An outdoor rt t e