In Lost December you will find many references to the story of the Prodigal Son from The Bible, including the passage from Luke quoted at the beginning of the book.  The story of Crisp’s Copy Centers and the father-son relationship is the heart of this story.

Luke Crisp is set to inherit the family business, Crisp’s Copy Centers, from his father.  He has worked as a manager of the copy centers since he was able.  Finishing college, he is ready to take over when his father tells him he should get his MBA and not have any regrets.  Not really wanting to get his MBA, he does as his father asks and heads off to The Wharton School of Business.  Throughout Luke’s time at Wharton, the father-son relationship is strained.  Additionally, during this time, Crisp Copy Centers is taken public and “family” business changes.

After receiving his MBA, Luke is talked into a trip with his friends instead of returning to take over the family business.  His father is devastated but seems to accept this.  Luke and his friends travel the world spending lavishly and using all of Luke’s trust fund.  Luke finds himself in Vegas without the funds needed to cover expenses.  His girlfriend leaves him and his becomes homeless.  When he reaches out to his father through his financial manager, Luke learns that his father has no interest in helping him and has describe Luke as being “dead to me”.

Just when you think things can’t get any worse for Luke, a mugging occurs taking what very little he had left…but then things turn around…a “good Samaritan” finds him.  The story of Luke’s return from failure is wonderful.  I don’t want to spoil the ending but you only need to know the story of The Prodigal Son to understand what happens.

Enjoy!

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Tipp City Area Community Foundations    

The Distribution Committee of the Tipp Area Community Foundations held their quarterly meeting in December and awarded over $24,000 in grants to six different local and area organizations. Since 1943, the Foundation has been awarding grants to local and area organizations.

Groups that received grants last quarter included:

• the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, in support of their efforts to bring music into Tipp City schools, including classroom lessons and concerts;
• Tipp Monroe Community Services, in support of their Band Instruments Program, which provides instruments for students who  might otherwise not be able to afford to play’;
• Tipp City Area Arts Council, in support of their program to bring more music to the downtown with their Canal Music Festival; and
• We Care Arts, which funds two separate programs for students with disabilities “with the goal of alleviating the isolation and boredom that some of these students feel.”

Other groups that received smaller grants included Bethel Local Schools, the Indian Creek 4-H Club, Miami County Recovery Council, and Tipp City Exempted Village Schools.

Thanks to the foundation, its board members, and its donors for continuing to make such a positive and important contribution to our community.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show?  At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City. I uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos and other segments.  I’ve also included some old movies and TV shows, and added pages for up-to-date news and weather.

Speaking of TV

There is some really good TV coming back in mid-January, including a few shows that I’m very excited about:

• 30 Rock (January 12) – Back for season six, Liz Lemon has a secret.  She’s relaxed and happy, so naturally everyone on the set of the fictional “Girlie Show with Tracy Jordan” is worried about her.  Hey, it’s New York – happy is just unnatural, right? Oh, and Jenna signs up to judge an American-Idol style show.  Sign me up.
• Undercover Boss (January 15) – I love this show, if only to see CEOs of major corporations picking lettuce or trying to learn how to drive forklifts.  A classic fish-out-of-water exercise.
• Justified (January 17) – you do not want to be a criminal around U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens.  He thinks he’s a cowboy, but he also thinks he’s personally in charge of making the world a better place, so criminals and deadbeats and anyone he doesn’t like would be best served by moving to another state.  Returning to his home town after serving for years in other parts of the country, Raylan has reconnected with family and friends but found an interesting foil in childhood friend .  And last year’s stunning cliffhanger, with a long moment where Raylan shared a drink with a criminal and we waited to find out which glass had been poisoned, highlighted the amazing writing on this show.  If you like good writing—I’m talking to you, Breaking Bad/Sopranos/Deadwood fans—you will love this show and end up going back and ordering all of the old episodes from NetFlix.
• Royal Pains (January 18) – this show about a concierge doctor and his practice in the sunny Hamptons is the perfect anti-dote for cold weather.  Hank Lawson and his brother Evan run the kind of doctor’s practice that used to be common—he makes housecalls! Of course, his clients can afford it, but Hank still manages to run into some crazy diagnoses.  Check out the show for the gorgeous locations shots and stay for the characters, especially Divia, Hank’s physician assistant.
• American Idol (January 18) – Last year was interesting, with Simon gone and two new faces in Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joining Randy Jackson in the “let’s find a star” juggernaut show.  This is the 11^th season, so it will be interesting to see if they can keep the audience that tuned in last year, expecting a train wreck, only to find a panel of judges that jelled surprisingly fast.  Now if they could only find an actual American Idol – it’s been a long time since they found an outstanding singer.  And isn’t that what the show is supposed to be about?
• Smash (February 6) – starring Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee, this tune-filled drama explores the harried launch of a Broadway show and the players involved, each fighting for a moment in the spotlight.  I don’t usually enjoy musicals but this looks good—I love behind-the-scenes shows.
• The River (February 7) – ABC is taking a crack at the horror/suspense crowd with this thriller about a famous explorer who goes missing in the Amazon.  His wife and son set out with a documentary crew to find the explorer, but everything is not as it seems along the dark river.  It’s supposed to be scary and suspenseful, which I like, as opposed to gory and bloody (I’m talking to you, Walking Dead – come on!), which I do not like.  Check out the trailer on ABC.com and get some sleep now…while you still can.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Events, activities and other hometown items going on in and around Tipp City, Ohio by Greg Enslen

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas was great at the Enslens—we had Sam’s aunt and uncle in from New York City and enjoyed several days of decadent meals, gift exchanges, and just hanging out. I was the happy recipient of both a copy of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 and a sweet blue lava lamp for my office. Sam got books and one of those make-your-own charm bracelets they carry at Hapinstance. Xander got Hex Bugs, and Anna and Katie got Zoobles, so all was right with the world.

New Year’s was a blast as we partied at my friend Diana’s house to celebrate the New Year. I made chili, which seemed to be a big hit, and we all hung out and played with kids and swapped stories while we waited for the big ball to drop. Thanks to our gracious hosts for having us over—it was a privilege, counting down the New Year with you.

We also made a conscious decision this year to put the Christmas decorations up early and leave them up late, so the tree and all of our Santas and pine trees are still out and about. I’m not in any hurry to pack away all our decorations just yet—it seems that the Christmas season comes and goes so fast already. Why hurry it along?

Sam decided this year that her business, Dragonfly Editorial, would give a donation to a worthwhile charity in lieu of gifts to staff and clients. They donated to Mira’s Movement, a nonprofit that supports families of children who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Two years ago, our good friends Chris and Christine Brouwer lost their four-year-old daughter Mira to pediatric ependymoma, a form of cancer that arises in the central nervous system. They created Mira’s Movement to help other families facing the same crisis. If you’d like to learn more about this organization or make a donation yourself, visit www.mirasmovement.org.

Resolutions

Anyone have any good resolutions so far this year? I know most people are going to go with the standard ones, like “lose some weight” or “promote world peace.” I’m shooting a little lower this year: I want to go for more walks and finish reading all the books on my bedside table. And I’d like to write and publish at least two books.

Display Gardens Filled with Roses?

Last year, Garden’s Alive/Springhill Nurseries bought a California company named Weeks Roses. Weeks is a wholesale grower of roses and has been doing so in their Wasco, California, location since 1938. “In addition to their rose lines, Weeks also offers a premium selection of edible fruit and ornamental trees,” their catalog says.

Why do I mention an acquisition that took place last May? Well, I don’t know if anyone will remember me mentioning last fall that Springhill had removed their massive test gardens that stretched along South Hyatt. I was seriously bummed to see them ripping out all those plants, shrubs, and trees.

Well, I have it on good authority that the space was cleared to make room for a Weeks Roses test garden. That’s right, soon there could be a massive rose garden planted along Hyatt Street featuring tens of thousands of roses. Wow.

Tipp City TV

Every wish you could watch TV shows dedicated to Tipp City, or enjoy old episodes of the Get Social Show, which starred me and my friend and City Councilman Mike McDermott? Well, over the Christmas break, I was trying to figure out how to upload our Get Social videos to the Internet where everyone could enjoy them. Unfortunately, YouTube limits their uploads to 15-minute segments, so I was going to have to chop up all of the shows into smaller pieces, making for a lot more work.

I finally found a solution that lets me upload entire episodes and, even better, puts the shows and other videos in rotation on a website that anyone can access. At TippCityTV.com, I’ve created what is essentially a 24-hour TV station dedicated to Tipp City.

In addition to old Get Social episodes, I also uploaded a smattering of Tipp City videos, including Matt Spangler’s narrated Opera House tour, the Tipp City Resume video created by the city in 2004 to encourage businesses to relocate here, Bucher’s Beat appearances at Winter’s Gatherings past, and a story that Fox 45 ran on the opening of the Big Robot Game Café.

I’m looking for more videos and for suggestion—what would you like to see on the channel? I’m also hoping people will send me videos or upload them and let me know about it.

In addition to the 24-hour channel, all of the clips and shows are available in a Video Library on the same page. If you’re hankering to hear Mike and I talk about the time Touchdown Jesus caught fire and burned down, just go to “Get Social Episodes,” find the right show, and hit “Play.” It will replace the live station with your selection—and go back to the live channel when it’s finished.

Ginghamsburg Church Hosts Family Flick

The folks out at Ginghamsburg Church are hosting a Family Flick Night on January 20, when they’ll be presenting the family animated movie “Rio.” Admission is free, but they ask that you help support their New Path Food Pantry by bringing along a canned food item as a donation for each person in your group.

And they’re inviting everyone to show up in the PJs! “Bring a blanket, pillow and your camera, as this promises to be a night you’ll never forget!” They will also be selling pizza at a nominal cost. If you have questions, please see the church website at www.ginghamsburg.org or call Kelly Flora at 667-1069, extension 260.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

Our friends over at Disney wanted to share this Christmas activity book with our readers. Since Tipp Schools has let out for the rest of the year and TCEP’s last day is tomorrow, we thought it would be great to share this FREE download with hurried Moms and Dads for their kids to work on over break. Enjoy the holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Click to Download and Print the Muppet’s Holiday Activity Book

As years go by and I get older the reasons for being excited over Christmas change. I used to not be able to sleep the night before Christmas because I was so anxious to open the gifts and now I require my 8 hours before unwrapping my new pair of socks. The thrill of a snow covered ground is now replaced by the dtead a sore back from shoveling. And the luster of decorating the tree is dimmed by the struggle of untangling all the lights.

Now don’t misunderstand, I’m not a Scrooge. I still take delight in the many good tidings of comfort and joy during the Christmas season, they have just been altered. For the past two years I have not counted down the days until the annual airing of Rudolph (or even the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, which interestingly was on right after), but instead my anxiety reserved for getting to hear Dustin Farris sing “O’ Holy Night” at La Comedia.

A highlight of my holiday season, has become hearing the soul stirring rendition of the classic hymn sang by Farris. Every note is hit to perfection, creating a most blessed sound that resonates within your entire being. It’s such a splendid gift that by the end I felt the same as when I was 10 years old and got my first bike without training wheels!!!

It was last Christmas when I first heard Farris sing “O’ Holy Night’ and by around June I started looking forward to this years holiday show, in hopes that he would be back. There are certain moments in music history that stand out above all others; such as when Michael Jackson first did the Moonwalk, The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and of course, mmmmbob by Hanson. For me, hearing Farris sing my favorite carol is now atop that list.

Furthermore, the singing of “O’ Holy Night,” is just a bonus, added on after the performance of a full length stage production. The show is ‘A Christmas Carol,’ and it’s a top notch production, but in my mind it’s just the opening act for the main event. It made no difference what was on the playbill, I was going for the sole purpose to hear Farris, and for the sweet potato soufflé, plus the papaya chutney salad dressing and the Norwegian Cod and…well, for the food AND to hear Farris.

Truth be told, as great as ‘A Christmas Carol,” is, “O’ Holy Night” sang by Dustin Farris is worth the price of admission alone. I guarantee that you will leave La Comedia with a thankfulness for having come and heard his rendition. And don’t just take my word for it, just the other day a woman who lives down the street went and her exact words were, “The guy who sings ‘Holy Night,’ is worth the price of admission.” You’ll be saying the same thing.

Give yourself a present of some extra Christmas excitement and visit La Comedia. ‘A Christmas Carol,’ featuring “O’ Holy Night,’ by Dustin Fariss will continue through December 31.

LEO Weekly’s Sara Havens Compiles a Four-Year Journey in Newly Released Book

Writer Sara Havens, lovingly known for her Bar Belle column in LEO Weekly, has released a new book appropriately titled, The Bar Belle. The book features 100 of her most choice columns from 2006-2010, and covers everything from Louisville nightlife and hangover cures to the latest in bars, cocktails and watered-down American swill.

Havens will be signing and selling her books at select locations throughout Louisville in November and December. She promises this is prose that tastes great and is less filling.

Sara is a Tipp City native who graduated from Scripps School of Journalism in 1999 with a focus on Magazine Journalism from Ohio University. She currently serves as the arts and entertainment editor and columnist for an alt-weekly, The LEO Weekly, in Louisville, Ky. Her first book, entitled The Bar Belle is a compilation of her columns.  She has her finger on the pulse of Louisville’s nightlife and filters her stories and experiences through comedy, personality and a dedicated quest for cheap beer. You may spot her behind the bar from time-to-time at a Waterfront Wednesday event, but most likely you’ll find her enjoying a sidecar on a barstool near you. She enjoys bourbon, puppies and short walks to the bar.

Book Readings/Signings:

Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m.

The Back Door, 1250 Bardstown Road, Louisville, Ky.

 Nov 16, 7 p.m.

Carmichael’s Bookstore, 2720 Frankfort Ave., Louisville, Ky.

 Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m.

Rich O’s/New Albanian Brewing Company, 3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Ind.

Dec. 21, 5-8p.m.

Regalo, 982 Barret Ave., Louisville, Ky.

Checkout The Bar Belle’s daily reasons to drink on her blog at barbelle.leoweekly.com, or follow her on Twitter (@TheBarBelle).

The Bar Belle ($17.99) is also available for purchase at Amazon.com, LuLu.com, at Carmichael’s, ear X-tacy, Regalo and Destinations Booksellers, or by contacting the Bar Belle directly @TheBarBelle or facebook.com/TheBarBelle.

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Events, activities and other hometown items going on in Tipp City, Ohio, by Greg Enslen

“The 9/11 Machine” is Done!

It’s been a lot of work over the past six months, but I’m happy to say that my fourth book is finished.  And, as with my other two fiction books, the title changed right at the very end!  This book has been called “Rewind” for as long as I can remember, but near the end I changed it to something more “science fictiony.” Thus, “The  9/11 Machine” was born. A big box of books is on its way to my house and I’m taking pre-orders now, so if you want one, let me know by the “Contact Me” page on my website at www.gregenslen.com.

Here’s the back cover blurb:  “Dr. Donald Ellis lost everything on 9/11. He lost his wife and daughter in the south tower of the World Trade Center. But while others grieved, or plotted revenge, Dr. Ellis threw himself into a long-dormant research project. He traded his lab at the University of New York for an ugly riverfront warehouse in Brooklyn. What is he working on? And why does he spend every free moment at the warehouse standing by the river, staring across the water at Ground Zero? Because Dr. Ellis has a plan: he’s going to make 9/11 “unhappen.”

I wrote much of this book last year during November’s NaNoWriMo 2010 event—if anyone followed along with that in the column last year, you’ll know what I’m talking about.  And I’ve been working like a maniac, trying to get this one done before November and NaNoWriMo 2011 kicked in.

NaNoWriMo Starting!

Speaking of NaNoWriMo, I’m doing it again and need a group of Tipp City folks to help. If you’re interested in the challenge, visit NaNoWriMo.org and sign up, then get me your information ASAP. Starting next week, I’ll update everyone on the participants’ progress, and mine!  This year I’m tackling a long-simmering mystery I’ve wanted to pen, hopefully the first of a series of books based in Tipp City and Dayton.  Wish me luck, and follow my progress on my website, www.gregenslen.com and click on NaNoWriMo 2011.

Dark Underbelly of Tipp City

Even though Officer Mauro reminds us every week of the mischievous goings-on in Tipp City, sometimes it’s easy to forget that we don’t live in a mini Candy Land here in Tipp.

Sam had a few experiences recently that reminded her that even our quaint ‘lil Tipp City has a dark—or at least taupe—underbelly.

First, she was sitting in the drive-through at Fifth Third Bank, minding her own business, when she saw a car grind to a bumping halt on 25A in front of her. The car was being towed by a tow truck and had fallen off the hitch. Sam watched the car slowing to a stop and couldn’t help but notice that it had been “decorated” with what can only be described as a distinctive part of the male anatomy. The image had been drawn on the car in glorious black spray paint.

The gentleman towing the car, presumably abashed, parked his truck and raced back to push the car to the side of the road. Sam could only shake her head as she observed the unique scene.

The next week, she walked the kids up to Broadway after school to enjoy the playground. Nine-year-old Xander raced ahead on his bike, only to come racing back with a report that “there were teenagers on the playground and they asked me if I wanted to ‘join them for a smoke.’”

Sam investigated, only to find a gaggle of grungy teens hanging out on the playground, alternatively swearing, smoking, leaping about on the playsets, and urinating. Classy, huh? Luckily, our kids did not notice this “alternate” use of the play equipment.

Sam was too nervous to say anything to the teens, so she simply glared at them disapprovingly from across the concrete. What’s next, Tipp City? Citizens refusing to smile at one another as they walk down the street?

Out of curiosity I drove by the school again a week later, on Thursday, Oct. 27, around 4 p.m. and saw a gaggle of kids again—they looked much too old to be playing on the elementary school play equipment. I ran some errands and drove back by at 5:30 and the kids were still there.  Hey, isn’t Menards hiring? Stop smoking and get a job!

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com and drop me a line using the “Contact Me” page. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

For more than three decades, he’s haunted millions of moviegoers, most notably as ‘Jason Voorhees’ in four of the ‘Friday the 13th’ films. Now a softer side of the famed actor/stuntman Kane Hodder is being revealed in the book ‘Unmasked’, in which author Michael Aloisi pulls of the hockey mask and delves deeply into the word’s most prolific cinematic killer.

Their national book tour stops in Dayton on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bonnett’s Bookstore; 502 E. Fifth St. for a book signing. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Hodder and Aloisi. ‘Unmasked,’ as well as ‘The Killer & I,’ a journal about the making of ‘Unmasked’ will be available.

Though a massive individual with ‘Kill’ tattooed on his bottom lip, Hodder is far from the villainous person he typically portrays. Aloisi admits to being a little intimated by his presence initially but soon learned of his gentle nature. “Kane is a really nice guy, readers will see a different side and grow to feel for him,” said Aloisi.

‘Unmasked’ documents the heart wrenching story of when Hodder was severely burned during a stunt accident which almost turned deadly early in his career. He fought back from the physical and mental damages caused by the accident to have made over 200 movie and television appearances.

The opportunity to form such a partnership with Hodder is like a dream come true for Aloisi, an avid fan of horror movies. While on a break from working at his self started publishing company, Aloisi wastched one of Hodder’s films and began to wonder if the legendary actor had a biography. “I learned he’d been contacted by a lot of publishing companies, but was afraid that he’d be censored and not allowed to tell the stories in his words,” said Aloisi, who Hodder trusted to accurately share his life story.

In addition to the books, the pair is also developing two reality shows. One is a web series for fearnet.com which follows Hodder and Aliosi on the book tour, including riding a segway through Salem, Mass and attending horror conventions. The second series will follow them on investigations of some places reported to be haunted.

To meet an iconic actor, visit Bonnet’s Book Store on Oct. 25 in downtown Dayton from 6 to 8 p.m.

“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our ancestors who, in their grueling travels across trackless lands in prehistoric times, looked enviously on the birds soaring freely through space, at full speed, above all obstacles, on the infinite highway of the air.”
- Wilbur Wright

Reality Television is the new kid on the block and he’s a bit of a bully. Remember when television used to be about entertainment? Whether it was humorous, informative or dramatic, television shows left the general public with a feeling like the grass might indeed be “greener on the other side.” Even soap operas painted a glamorous, always-land-on-your-feet lifestyle, albeit riddled with angst. 

Somewhere along the line, television viewing became less about entertainment and more about hype. ‘Trash television’ shows like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich began creeping in and titillating our senses. Soon after that, ‘big mouth television’ began gaining ground with shows like The View and The Talk. (Does America really need tips on mothering from Sharon Osbourne?) We are now scraping the bottom of the barrel with a new animal called Reality Television. Here’s a small sampling of the shows we can eradicate our brain cells with:

 Out-of-Touch with Reality

• Sister Wives: Kody Brown has four wives and 16 children. Superman or idiot?
• Wife Swap: Twice the nagging without any fun.
• 19 Kids and Counting: Time for husband Jim Bob to get a hobby.

 On the Cusp of Reality

• My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding: Male chauvinism with a twist.
• Bridezilla: Girls you’d never want to bring home to mother, let alone marry.
• Cake Boss: Eat the desserts or sleep with the fishes.

Lost All Sense of Reality

• Mob Wives: Bridezilla meets the Godfather.
• Swamp People: Where the humans are more frightening than the gators.
• Toddlers & Tiaras: Narcissism in the making.

Those of the viewing public who haven’t had their fill of nasty, back-stabbing, politically incorrect behavior on Reality TV shows thus far will be interested to hear that Roseanne Barr (yes, she is using her maiden name again) will be debuting her own brand of reality with a new, 16-episode show called “Roseanne’s Nuts.” (Is this something we didn’t already know?) Roseanne has purchased a macadamia nut farm in Hawaii and she – along with appearances from her children, grandchildren and boyfriend – portrays the life of a comedian turned (nut) farmer. 

Reality Television begs the question: at what point does a no-holds-barred airing of one’s dirty laundry cross the line from entertainment to sensationalism? Why do we watch situations on television that we’d cringe to see in public? Imagine trying to eat dinner at a restaurant with a Tiara Toddler at the next table or serving on the PTA with a group of Mob Wives. 

I’ll admit I was enamored with Deadliest Catch when it first aired. The men who made a living out of danger, daring and skill blew my mind. Still, a few marathon weekends of raspy-throated sea captains profaning everything from half-empty crab pots to “lazy” crewmen (who haven’t slept in four days) eventually grew wearisome. Personally it was annoying to hear more “bleeping” than dialogue.

Whether from boredom or blood-thirstiness, Reality TV peaks our morbid interest and shocks our senses. Whether we shake our heads in amazement or roll our eyes in exasperation, the “realistic” scenes that play out are like train wrecks that we can’t – or won’t – look away from. It’s a point I could ponder for a while, but it’s almost time for Cupcake Wars.

(Photo used with permission: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)