When my four siblings and I were pictured in the Dayton Daily News in 1987 as one of the first families in the area to embark upon the adventure of home education, I had no idea that the choices my parents had made would have such a major impact on my life.

Looking back on what just seemed “normal” to me at the time, I can say that learning at home opened up a whole new world or creative adventures and friendships with my brothers and sisters that have lasted my lifetime.

When I entered 6^th grade at Troy Christian, and then on to Tipp City High school…I was prepared both academically and emotionally to tackle those tricky years.My junior and senior year of high school I attended Sinclair Community College through the PSEO program, and then went onto earn my BS at Middle Tennessee State University, earning straight A’s throughout my entire journey.

I had some wonderful experiences in every level of my education, and I always just figured I would probably do the same kind of thing with my kids when they reach the school-aged years.However, as my oldest son reached the age for Kindergarten…I felt completely overwhelmed when looking into all the curriculum and choices before me regarding his education.

Unlike when my parents ventured into the unknown territory of educating at home…now there is an overwhelming amount of resources available to those who choose to teach their kids at home.I found myself stressing out about what math program to use…which history curriculum is best, etc.The more I researched and looked into everything available to me, the more I questioned if I could really do this, and the more I realized that even though I experienced the whole spectrum of education options and was able to spit back the info on the tests to get A’s…I didn’t retain a lot of the information I learned.

I feel ignorant when things happen in other countries and I have to Google it to find out where it is.Why do I have to think so hard to do a simple addition or multiplication problem in my head?If my life depended on it, I couldn’t tell you most significant dates in my own country’s history, let alone the world.When I read old documents like the Declaration of Independence, I struggle to understand the meaning, as if it is a foreign language!I’m a fast learner.I generally consider myself smart…but I feel incredibly stupid sometimes.

I wanted more for my kids.Something is failing in many forms of our current education system, and it has nothing to do with whether a child is homeschooled, privately schooled, or publicly schooled.As a culture, we seem to be getting dumber…and that just shouldn’t happen.

So, when I came across this thing called “Classical” education….something resonated in me.“Classical” refers to time-tested, something that has worked for hundreds of years….something based on the basics of humanity and human development….not just the “flavor of the month”.Why we ever came away from this style of education, I can’t figure out, but it is no wonder that the Classical Education movement is growing so quickly among homeschoolers and private institutions.

In a nutshell….here is the basics of what Classical Education is.It is based on how we learn in different stages.It is broken down into 3 stages, often referred to as the “Trivium”:The Grammar Stage, The Dialectic Stage, and the Rheteric Stage.If you are thinking of it in terms of our technical age, the 3 stages correlate with Input, Processing, and Output.Whole books are written on this concept and putting it into practice, so I’m not going to attempt to expand a whole lot on this, but this is an easy concept to see without looking to deep.

Anyone who has kids between the ages of 0-12 understand that they are little sponges.They have the ability to memorize and retain a TON of information and they are constantly learning and taking in new facts.This is the knowledge stage, the input stage, the “Grammar” stage.(grammar referring to facts, data, etc).This is the age where it makes sense to pack them full of useful information.Not necessarily information they understand or is useful to them at the time, but just taking advantage of the fact that they can memorize and retain quickly at this age.This is when you can learn all the history dates, times tables, world geography, etc, and it just becomes part of who you are and what you know.

As they enter the middle school years, that is when they are no longer satisfied with just the “who, what, when, and where,”, they want to know the “how and why”.And they don’t just want to be told, they want to discover it for themselves.In fact, if you tell them the answers, they will not take your word for it anymore!This is the Dialectic Stage, or the processing, or understanding stage….whatever you choose to call it.

“What appears to be a tendency in students to argue, or even to talk back, is really a desire to systematize their thoughts and to achieve understanding of the facts they have accumulated in the grammar years.Instead of squelching the desire to argue, the classical model complements their natural tendencies by teaching them formal logic and debate so that students learn to reason and argue clearly, respectfully, and persuasively.” (Jennifer Courtney, Classical Conversations catalog)

Can an elementary child learn the how’s and why’s?Of course they can to some degree.But taking too much time to try to use reason and logic with a younger child is not a good use of their strengths and the time devoted to their education. They will be much more capable of this when they are older, and much less capable of memorization and retention.

The last stage of a Classical education is the Rheteric stage (the Output…the Wisdom).It’s this stage that you find missing the most in our educational system…even through college.This is where a student truly masters a subject.They not only know have a firm grasp on the facts and an understanding of their applications, but they can now use this information to impact society.This is the poetic and creative stage, the eloquent, inspirational and persuasive stage where you are applying the skills you have learned to make something meaningful or to say something insightful.You have potential to reach this stage in your later high school years, but we rarely see this kind of mastery of knowledge even after 4 years of college.

Like I said, whole books have been written on the classical model of education and implementation, etc, so I will not even attempt to do that, but in order to explain my reasons for deciding to keep my kids at home…I needed to explain the basics of it.

Before, my main reasons for homeschooling were to be able to spend more time with my kids in their formidable years, free their time up a bit to be able to pursue their interests, and help create that childhood bond that I experienced with my siblings.Those are still part of the reason I am continuing on in this journey, but now that I have come across the classical model of education, I am finding that another reason I am committing to homeschool (maybe even through high school! Ahhhh!), is because I believe it will provide them with a better education.

I believe they will be more equipped to tackle any subject, to learn any new skill they may need in their future. I believe that as they enter junior high age, they will have this huge base of knowledge from which to start to really understand and navigate our world.And I am believing that as they grow into that last stage of learning, they will have the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom to be able to positively effect and impact our world and our culture.

With all of these wonderful reasons I have for wanting to educate my kids at home…I am not the great adventurer my parents were.I don’t want to, and have no intention of doing this alone.I want a community!I need support!And I found this all in the group called Classical Conversations, who I have been a part of this past year in Springfield.After my experience there, I know I want this for the Tipp City area.

Classical Conversations provides the programs and community that is needed to support an excellent classical education at home.

Column News

In the three years since I started this column, my focus has grown more toward observing what’s going on around me, and less on reporting on what’s coming up in Tipp City. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been trying out a new column style, focusing more on single topics and humorous incidents in my life. I’ve talked about not having to mow the lawn this summer, the new iPhone, a writer’s conference I attended, and Downton Abby. The column’s been all over the place … but then, so has my life!

Well, starting soon, I’m spinning off a column! It’s like when “Grey’s Anatomy” begat “Private Practice.” One column, called “What to Do in Tippecanoe,” will highlight upcoming local events here in Tipp. My current column, focused on the humor and randomness of day-to-day life, will get a new name but remain right here on the opinion page.
Big question: I need a new title for the column. Any ideas?

Goodbye, Old Friend

Here at the house, we’re getting ready to say goodbye to an old, dear friend. He’s been sitting on our kitchen counter lo these many years, providing faithful service day after day. But lately, he hasn’t been doing so well.

I’m talking about our coffee maker.

This Senseo looks like it was designed by Iron Man. And, by the way, this is not my kitchen. My kitchen is not this calm - or tidy.

As you probably know, I’m a writer, and my wife runs her own editing and writing company, both from our home, so coffee and caffeine pretty much power everything that happens around here. I’m sipping a cup of coffee now, as I write this, but I’m also sad. Lately, the coffee just doesn’t taste as good as it used to, and it’s been harder and harder to find supplies.
Why? Well, because we have a Senseo single-cup coffee maker, similar to the K-Cup makers that have gotten popular over the last two years. We’ve had this Senseo for seven years—it was one of the first single-cup coffee makers on the market. I bought it at Target, along with several boxes of the “pods” that are inserted into the machine to make coffee, and we’ve been in love with it ever since.

But the brand never really took off, and last year I noticed that Target stopped carrying the Senseo coffee maker. They dropped it to make room for more Keurig brewers, and at the same time cut back on the Senseo pods they carried.  I’m sure there are folks out there that like the Keurig, but those don’t provide that heady, cappuccino-style froth on top of the coffee that Samantha and I both prefer. We got a K-cup maker last year and tried it out, and it just wasn’t as good. The coffee was excellent, but without the froth on top, it just wasn’t the same.

So last year, Target stopped carrying the maker. And now, with their recent update, the Target in Huber Heights has stopped carrying the pods altogether. And Food Town and Kroger and Wal-Mart don’t carry them either.

I know what you’re thinking—“oh, what a whiner. Boo boo boo.” It’s true—it doesn’t really matter what kind of coffee I drink. But when your day revolves around sitting at a computer and pounding out words by the score, you need a little fuel, and a steaming mug of coffee from my Senseo always keeps me on course. But right now, I don’t have time to write any more—I have to get on Amazon and order more coffee pods before they stop carrying them too.

Around Town

• We’re having a blast over at the Get Social Radio show—we broadcast live on the Internet every Friday at noon. Tune in—this past week was mostly about the Tipp City Council, but we also covered other local news and weather. It’s like a real show! You can listen live or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes. We’re actively looking for guests if you have something you want to cover! Check us out at www.getsocialradio.com.

Check In With Me

Hear something interesting for “Tipp Talk?” Visit my website at www.gregenslen.com to contact me, or email me at greg@gregenslen.com. And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

An iPhone—from the Future?

I read the other day that the new iPhone, which is supposed to come out later this year, might be made partly of a new substance called “liquid metal.” I have no idea if this metal is some kind of breakthrough in materials design or just a clever marketing ploy, but the name certainly evokes a certain “science-fictiony” quality.

Liquid metal has been around a long time in the form of mercury, a.k.a. “quicksilver.” It’s used in thermometers and barometers—and these days, that’s about it. Why? Well, because it’s poisonous.

Hat makers in the 1800s used a mercury compound to make felt hats, rinsing animal skins in the solution. That didn’t work out too well. The symptoms of their prolonged exposure to mercury led to the term “mad as a hatter,” and possibly inspired Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter.

For me, the concept of liquid metal is most tied to the shape-shifting, practically unstoppable T-1000 robot from “Terminator 2.” This James Cameron-directed sequel (he had directed the original some seven years earlier) featured a villain in the form of a liquid metal robot that could transform its shape and appendages at will. In some of the earliest advanced computer special effects, the villain chased our heroes through buildings and streets, morphing his arms into swords or hammers and using his ability to repeatedly elude capture.

In one memorable scene, the Arnold Schwarzenegger character (who, in the second movie, plays a good version of the evil robot he played in the first) is protecting Sarah and John Connor and shoots the T-1000 at point-blank range, blowing several large holes in the robot. As our heroes run away, the holes in the T-1000 begin to shrink as the liquid metal fills in and repairs the damage.

At the end, the T-1000 is caught in an explosion of liquid nitrogen, which causes the robot to freeze and shatter into a thousand small pieces. I distinctly remember sitting in the theater and watching as those small blocks of metal melted and then slowly moved toward each other, pooling and rising into the air, forming a man’s shape.

So when I heard that the iPhone 5 would be made out of liquid metal, my first thought was, “will I be able to throw it on the ground, have it shatter, and then watch as the puddles of metal ooze together and reform my phone?”

If so, that would be cool.

Around Town

• The always-fabulous “What a Girl Wants” Fashion Show for a Cure was held on May 5 to overflow crowds. My informants tell me it was the best one yet!
• The family and I got some great deals during the Tipp Community-Wide Garage Sale, held Saturday, May 5. Anna picked up some books, I found a DVD copy of “Live Free or Die Hard” for $3, and Xander scored a huge box of Nerf guns and Nerf bullets.

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, or email me at genslen@yahoo.com. 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

The Mouse that Saved My Summer

I hate mowing.  I know, it’s not very manly to admit that, but I’ve never liked doing yard work, or mowing, or planting flowers, or mulching, or the hundred billion other projects people do to keep their yards looking trim and proper.  Some men have this gene, but I’ve been tested, and it’s missing.  Anyone who has seen my yard can attest to this.

But fortune smiled upon me this winter, delivering me from one of my most hated chores—mowing the lawn.

You may not know this, but I’m married to a woman, something I thank my lucky stars for every day.  I’ll never forget that happy day when Samantha hit her head on a low-hanging branch and foolishly said “yes” to my marriage proposal—nothing else could possibly explain my good fortune.  And I have to say that, for me, my strong preference was to marry a female, so things worked out.

But being a female, she has a few quirks.  I use the word “quirks” because using a stronger and more descriptive word might very well come back to haunt me.  She eats my ice cream and Zone bars, parks her car in such a way as to take up the whole driveway, hates it when I take her to “Hooters,” and is wary of my unhealthy obsession with bacon.  And, she hates dead animals.

I don’t really have an opinion one way or another about dead animals—they just are.  Sorta like Spain and Red Lobster and knitting—they exist, but have no real bearing on my life.

One day this winter, one of our cats decided to “do us a favor” by killing a mouse and leaving it on our porch.  It was dead—actually, extra dead, because it had been ripped open.  I didn’t care that much; to me, it was just a dead animal.

But Sam cared a lot, to say the least, and my name was called.  Loudly.  She held the children back as I swept in like a good husband, called whenever something gross needs to be done or something heavy needs to be lifted.  I began the mouse cleanup when she announced (in front of several witnesses) that if I got rid of the mouse, she would mow the yard all summer.  I was happy to take her up on her offer—one dead mouse is certainly worth a summer of putting my feet up and sipping mint juleps while she schleps the lawn mower around the yard.

Thank you, cat.  Whichever one of you delivered the mouse carcass to our front porch, I owe you one.

Around Town

• The always-fabulous “What a Girl Wants” Fashion Show for a Cure will be held at Harrisons on May 5
• The Tipp Roller Mill Children’s Theater will perform “The Glass Slipper” on May 4 and 5 at 7 pm and May 6 at 2:00pm.
• The Tipp Community-Wide Garage Sale is coming up on Saturday, May 5 from 9am to 4pm.
• Ginghamsburg Church will have a truck at Tipp Plaza to accept donations, including any unsold garage sale items. The truck will be available Saturday from 3 to 7 and Sunday from 1 to 4. Tax receipts will be available, and they’ll be accepting gently used furniture, working appliances and miscellaneous items.

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, or email me at genslen@yahoo.com.  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

Erma Bombeck Workshop

Last week I attended the Erma Bombeck Workshop, a writer’s conference held every other year at the University of Dayton.  I’ve always been a fan of Bombeck’s work and enjoyed her books, such as If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?  However, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the conference—especially as it focused on humor writing.

It began Thursday evening at the Marriott near Welcome Stadium, where the Dayton Flyers play, with a large dinner for all of the participants.  I arrived late (I’m not used to having to be places on time anymore, and I didn’t account for traffic and an accident on I-75) and found an empty seat at table full of women.  Being surrounded by hordes of women was to be something of a theme at this conference, I soon discovered.  Apparently, male writers should be watching their backs—evidently, women are the rising tide in new fiction.  Dinner was good and the speakers were interesting—up first was Erma Bombeck’s husband, who read his favorite column, a poignant piece about children tearing up a father’s yard.

The keynote speaker was Alan Zweibel, a screenwriter and one of the original writers on Saturday Night Live (SNL).  He described his early career writing jokes for comedians in the Catskills at $7 a joke, to getting discovered by Lorne Michaels, creator of SNL, and joining the fledgling cast, which included John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, and Garrett Morris.  The most moving story revolved around his friendship with Radner, whom he knew from when they met on SNL until she passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989.

Friday and Saturday were taken up with coursework, broken up by lunches and dinners.  All the classes were at least 90–95% women. The downside was that I heard lots of talk about the foibles of “menfolk.”  The upside of that was that there were never any lines at the bathroom.

The courses fell into two distinct areas—working on the “craft” of writing, and marketing and publicizing the work.  I ended up doing about half and half—the “craft” courses were more interesting by far, but the marketing courses had me scribbling down notes on how to improve my website and increase the chances of getting “discovered” by a publisher.

Now I’ve got 50 pages of notes to go through and review.  First on the agenda?  A full redo/update of my website and social media presence. I’ll keep you updated on how it goes.

Around Town

• Fun Fair returns to Broadway this Friday, April 29, from 5 to 9 pm.  The Fun Fair is sponsored by PALS, Broadway’s parent volunteer organization.  See you there!
• “Growing Native Plants” course at the Tipp City Public Library, April 28 at noon.
• Tickets are selling fast for the “What a Girl Wants” Fashion Show for a Cure at Harrisons on May 5 … Kelly says only 40 tickets are left!
• The Tipp Roller Mill Children’s Theater will perform “The Glass Slipper” on May 4 and 5 at 7 pm and May 6 at 2:00pm.
• The Tipp Community-Wide Garage Sale is coming up on Saturday, May 5 from 9am to 4pm.
• The graffiti “artists” who recently decorated our downtown have been caught and charged.  They turned out to be two local kids and another from Troy.  I hope they make them clean up the mess or sweep the streets downtown all summer.
• My kids are still talking about the performance of “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” they attended at the high school last weekend. Bravo to all the musicians and singers who made this performance a success!

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, or email me at genslen@yahoo.com.  And don’t worry—I won’t quote you unless you want me to!

At the April 18th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) meeting we had a sad event that I’m sure was even worse at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. STEM was formed by Dr. English, Dr. Davidson, and me in 2006. Since then it has been a marginally successful organization with never more then twenty to twenty-four members.

Thanks largely to the efforts of Dr. English in using his contacts among area businesses, industries, and organizations, STEM has funded a variety of projects including Science Fairs, Smart Boards, and field trips that our schools couldn’t afford.

However, Wednesday’s meeting really brought into focus for me why our community has shown so little interest in helping promote STEM subjects in Tipp Schools K-12.

Three parents visited our meeting. Two were parents of gifted high school students. They were very disturbed that rumors were circulating that the high school was going to drop AP Physics and that AP Biology’s popular teacher’s contract wasn’t renewed.

During the remarks time at our meeting these parents politely, but forcefully, vented their frustration on Dr. Kumpf, our assistant superintendent in charge of curriculum. Gretta could only answer these parents concerns that these issues wouldn’t be resolved until Monday’s school board meeting.

It saddened me to hear these parents, who believed they were battling Tipp’s administration that they believed was willing to sacrifice the high end educational experience of some of its best students in order to save money.

I can appreciate the effort these parents were expending fighting for their children’s future. My three children (and I) went through Tipp’s schools. Today they all have multiple degrees, happy marriages, good jobs, and a combined six children. As for me, during my whole life in Tipp, I have been involved in helping our school one way or another.

So here’s why I was so sad listening to these parents. They didn’t realize that they were focused on the wrong “enemy” of STEM based academics. It’s not superintendent John Kronour and Gretta Kumpf that don’t want to make the focus of Tipp’s schools on academics. It’s the sports-based culture of Tipp City and the huge majority of the parents that promote this culture.

John and Gretta represent the wishes of the school board that represents the wishes of Tipp’s Citizens. They have little “wiggle room”. An AP level teacher makes $44,000 and in the case of physics, only teaches seven students. This, while a standard class might have twenty-five to twenty-eight students at the same cost. I had talked to one of these seven physics students on Monday before the STEM meeting and she said that there were at least seven more students who have the ability to take this course, but their parents either actively discouraged, or at least were neutral about their child taking AP physics, the most difficult class at Tipp. They were afraid their child wouldn’t get an A – or even a lower grade and this would lower their Grade Point Average and reduce their chances of getting into a “good” university. This student’s observation was confirmed by Brian Honeycutt, the high school Vice Principal at our meeting.

So here’s the point that these two parents were missing – they were too late to make a significant difference. The third parent, who remained quiet through most of the meeting, has children in the second and fourth grades. She graduated from Tipp and works in Tipp.

We talked for quite a while after the meeting. I could double the size of this letter giving example after example of the emphasis on sports and Tipp’s athletes compared to the community’s recognition of the achievements of our most gifted students – and the less gifted but still very successful students that will have good careers in trades.

At our meeting, this parent understood. She realized that if parents want our schools to focus on academics that it’s the majority in our community who must value and support academics at least as much as sports. For this to happen, parents who want to focus their children on academics need to stand up to help STEM create a new balance between sports and academics. They can help STEM, over time, support our school board and administration to make the tough economic choices that will lead to the future academic successes of our children.

At our meeting I personally apologized to the STEM board. I’ve been in charge of membership recruitment since we were formed. I tried everything I could think of and we haven’t had a new member in over six months. For example, I arranged a meeting at LT Ball to discuss ideas on making STEM subjects exciting, fun, and challenging for their children. I was received thoughtfully by the fifteen to twenty parents in attendance. After the meeting, I walked out in the parking lot and saw over two hundred parents on a very cool evening filling the bleachers to cheer on an athletic event for the same age group.

Tipp City’s parents can make a difference through years of sustained effort. The problem that led to the frustration of those two parents was that almost all their focus was on their children and they think academics is the schools board’s and administration’s responsibility, not theirs!

Happily, at the Monday evening school board meeting, both courses are going to be offered. The effort of the two high school parents generated enough interest to get the attention of the board to make sure these positions were saved. However, given Ohio’s economic problems, these situations will only become more serious.

The third parent is going to join Tipp’s STEM. She realizes that if she focuses her free time and interest just on her children beginning while they are in elementary school, when they get to high school, we will have created a balance where the newspapers, radio/TV stations, and even the atmosphere in the school will value the best academic students as much as our best athletes. This parent plans to talk to her friends about not only joining STEM but also partnering with our board and administration to put a balance between sports and academics.

Think of STEM subjects like a second language. The younger the child and the more this second language is spoken at home, the better and more comfortable the child will be using it.

Parents are beginning to understand that if their children are going to have happy, successful lives in the new world that’s rapidly developing around us, that the parents will lead the way in our community, and then, as the day follows the night, the schools will follow the lead of the parents. Study after study shows that academic achievement is the major determinate of success in developing a lifetime challenging, fulfilling career that creates greatly improved economic success and this significantly improves their marriages.

Parents, now is the time to join Tipp’s STEM and create an academic culture in Tipp – our children deserve to have a valued place in this new world. Contact us: Dr. Charles C. Smith, DDS, 667-2417, http://www.tippecanoesteamboosters.com

Sincerely,

Dr. Charles Smith

I’m a very mild mannered individual, who strives to treat everyone with kindness and respect. My reputation is important to me, yet I was willing to disregard it, all in a fight for some money.
To protect myself from being accused…again, of launching a personal attack, I won’t name the individual responsible for my anger. Instead, I’ll call him President, in this case it’s not Obama. The President was part owner of the Tipp City Independent Voice, of which I was an employee, and am owed the final six months of pay dating approximately from February to July of 2009.

You might ask yourself, and rightfully so, why now? Why after three years are you seeking the money? Truth be told, it’s because I was being nice. I don’t like confrontation or placing hardships onto others. Yes, it makes me an idiot, and I’m fully aware that most people would not ignore the fact that they worked six months for nothing. I’m not most people. I’m too nice.
I knew that the President didn’t have the money, if so he’d pay me. He promised that he would. I believed him. I saw no sense in squeezing a rock, when I’d get nothing in return.

To further explain my idiocy, I continued working for those six months, without pay, because I really loved what I was doing. The pleasure of looking forward to going to work each day and the value of hearing from satisfied readers was worth more to me than any dollar amount on a paycheck. People often say, ‘I love my job so much that I’d do it for nothing’, I’m willing to bet (I probably should and make some money) that very few actually would, I did. It was the best years of my life, I was living a dream. It was never about the money, I didn’t make much anyway, but it was the joy of having a newspaper in which I wrote 90% of the content and was well received. I believed the tide would turn and the Independent Voice would be able to stay afloat, but I didn’t know how deep the debt really was.

Fast forward now to the present, it’s three years later, and as a writer I still haven’t found financial success. The lost wages from the six month period has drained my savings account. I try to plug it, but the hole is to deep. The money owed wouldn’t make me rich, or even middle class, but would make things a little easier. Now, I’m not asking for a pity party or anything, just stating that like the majority of all other Americans I’ve been having some hard times.
And it’s with such frustrations that I approached the President over the money at City Council. I didn’t want to be evil, but what has being nice gotten me? Nothing.

After the President was elected, and I heard accusations that he hadn’t paid all his taxes, I decided it was time to come out of hiding. If he was up to the responsibility of preceding over the cities finances that settling things with me would be child’s play. I figured it was worth being known that the President owes his employees money from three years ago. Guess I was wrong.
I no more than got the opening line out of my presentation before I was silenced by the President and Law Officer.

All of a sudden, after rambling through a number of proclamations, ordinances and resolutions the Council was concerned about time. They didn’t have time to hear from me, on an issue that doesn’t involve them. I surrendered quickly under the pressure of being faced with a line of politicians, my verbal ferocity can’t scare a cat away so I should have known better than to think I could stand up to Council. However, after giving the President more than three years of freedom from my debt, I hoped he could grant me just two minutes. Probably even less than that. Don’t pay someone else for six months work and see how much peace they give you. I’ve given him a free ride, literally.

To be fair, and honest, the Council had a somewhat valid point that it was a personal issue, rather than one that concerned them. They are right, in that my argument isn’t something Council needs to vote on, but I feel it represents a small piece in a larger puzzle of deceit that the President weaves. Indirectly, everything the President does reflects upon the Council as a whole.

I did feel a little evil for airing my grievances, and some sympathy for the President, as I truly don’t like to hurt anyone’s feelings. However, I feel this is a fight worth fighting and I’m willing to get a little down and dirty if I have to.

Like with everything else, applying for jobs is largely done online now. It at least keeps my bad handwriting from being seen. Nor is dressing up required to try and impress the potential employer as I can fill-out the application from home in the comfort of my pajamas. However, many businesses require the completion of a survey, which resembles a psychological analysis.
Rather than to be a cashier at a chain store, I felt like I was trying to get hired as a Federal Agent.
I didn’t know a minimum wage job required such a high degree of mental testing.

The questions include a series of hypothetical questions, such as; If a supervisor rudely yells at another employee, would you…A) Tell another supervisor, B) Get in the middle, C) Comfort the employee, D) Nothing….Really, it doesn’t matter as it’s been my experience that the employee would just quit anyway and find another menial job. Plus it depends on if the employee is my friend or is taking my hours.

Several of the questions also require some deep personal analysis…Are you happy with your place in life? Ummm, I’m nearing middle age and applying to be a shelf stocker, because my English degree is good for nothing and my cupboards are full of Roman Noodles. Yes, I’m on top of the world!!!

It also causes you to doubt whether or not, honesty is always the best policy. You don’t want to lie, but sometimes the truth isn’t always the most appealing answer. Is it easy for you to start a conversation with strangers? Do you like being the center of attention at social gatherings? Well, anyone who knows me at all, describes me as quiet, I am not Mr. Personality, but that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of asking people, ‘Would you like fries with that?’ I want to be true to myself, but also not cost myself a job by admitting that I don’t talk a lot.

I applied this week to be a dishwasher for an area restaurant, that’s part of a national chain, and I had to fill our 12 pages. Yes, 12 pages of such questions. I was once a dishwasher at Frisch’s for 9 years, and can honestly say that it’s a position that doesn’t require such a degree of mental aptitude. It makes no difference if I strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat agree, agree or strongly agree that it’s best to consider all possible long term affects while solving a problem.
All that’s important is that I’ll get the dishes clean to the best of my ability, except those stained with egg, and will show up on-time every day I’m scheduled.

Well, I must not be answering the questions right because I haven’t been called for any interviews, or maybe I’ll just apply now with the C.I.A. I’m prepared for their application.

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

Abbot Labs Breaks Ground on New Facility in Tipp City, Ohio

Smiles and warm handshakes greeted representatives from Abbot Labs , Governor Kasich, and U.S. Representative and House Speaker John Boehner Monday morning for the ground-breaking ceremony for the new $270 million Abbot Labs production facility here in Tipp City.  The only clouds on the horizon were literal ones, as winds and rain lashed the huge tent erected over the location for the ceremonial ground-breaking.  I was there and covered the story—to read the rest, see the full article on page 1.

Downtown “Decorator” Strikes

Lots of folks woke up on Saturday morning to find an unwelcome sight—someone with way too much time on their hands had gone around Friday night and “decorated” various walls and buildings with their handiwork.  In one case, a van owner awoke to find his vehicle had been sprayed with the words “Free Candy” on the side.  Police are looking into the situation, and hopefully they catch the person responsible.  I’ve got a suggestion—“Zeek” needs to get a job.  I’m up late every night working, and I just don’t have the energy to run out and spray paint people’s businesses and homes.  I’m too tired.

Community Wide Garage Sale

It’s time to clear out those garages and start putting price stickers on all of your random pieces of furniture and knick knacks: Tipp-Monroe Community Services will be holding its Annual Community Wide Garage Sale on Saturday May 5, 2012 from 9am to 4pm.  Registrations to participate in this event will be taken at 3 E. Main Street, Tipp City.  Remember, if you want to be included in the printed location guide, your garage sale must register by April 27th, 5pm.  The cost to be listed is $5.00, which helps offset the cost of holding the event.  Location guides and maps will be available one week before the sale starting May 2nd.  For more information or to register, please contact TMCS at 667-8631.

Ham-It-Up Productions Presents “The Glass Slipper”

Harriet Bergman and Ham-It-Up Productions are putting together a presentation of “The Glass Slipper,” a twisted take on the Cinderella fairy tale.  Rehearsals are in progress on Monday nights from 6 to 7:30pm through April 30.  The show opens on May 4 with performances being held on May 4 & 5 at 7:00pm and on May 6th at 2:00pm.  For more information, check out their website at www.hamitup.org.

Native Plants Class at the Library

The Tipp City Public Library will be presenting a class on “Growing Native Plants in Your Garden” on Saturday, April 28 at noon.  Hosted by Ron Corbett, the owner of Native Ohio Plants in Tipp City, Ohio, the class will explain how you can grow native plants in your own yard.

Ron’s passion is finding native plants (trees, shrubs and wildflowers) and propagating them to maintain a diverse natural habitat for native wildlife and replace non-native invasive species. The program will be held in the John K. Senseman Meeting Room. No registration is necessary.

Downton Abby

I know this has nothing to do with Tipp City, but if you’ve tried to call the house at night lately and we don’t pick up, it’s because we’ve become completely obsessed with “Downton Abby,” a stunningly-well-produced show on PBS.  Brought across the pond from the BBC, this glittering portrait of life on an English estate follows the lives of the Crawley family and the extensive staff that keeps the huge estate running.  Similar to “Upstairs/Downstairs,” the lives of the embattled family and mostly-loyal staff at “Downton” are intricately intertwined, leading to drama, happiness and heartache.  As a writer, I can appreciate the effort it takes to maintain upwards of fifteen separate plotlines, all weaving together.

We watched the first season on Netflix Instant, and liked it so much I was dispatched to the store to find Season Two.  I was not to return until I found it.  Thankfully, the Target in Huber Heights carried both seasons-the third season is being filmed now and will be broadcast in England first this year before making it to our shores either late this year or early next year.  Unless someone is interested in flying to England and taping it for their favorite columnist!

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!

This study has received much national attention, even though there was no way to statistically validate what people thought they remembered over their lifetime. No dental records were checked to compare people and memories. Can you remember even 5 years ago how many dental x-rays you had? They were asked to remember how many x-rays they had between the ages of 10-50.

Unfortunately, several of HealthPark’s patients have not allowed us to take dental x-rays believing the old adage “Where there is smoke, there is fire!”.

If you are concerned about dental x-ray radiation, don’t be. Recent advances in dental radiology have made x-rays very safe. Here are the facts:

Understanding that radiation comes from:
1.Cosmic rays
2.Radioactive materials in the ground
3.Microwaves
4.Television
5.Food

Steps we take to limit even this amount of radiation:
1.Long cone x‑ray parallels the radiation beam and reduces scatter radiation. The old pointed head cones throw off great amounts of scatter radiation. They are no longer sold.
2.Lead shielding (including thyroid shield)
3.We only take necessary X-rays
4.Rinn x-ray holders make the x-rays more accurate
5.Digital X-rays reduce radiation by 60% – we have used digital for almost 10 years

Why do we take dental x-rays? To see:
1.Decay between the teeth
2.Bone loss around the teeth
3.Bone support for drifting teeth
4.Abscessed teeth
5.Reference for the future
6.Extra teeth, wisdom teeth
7.Tumors

Every member of our staff that takes x-rays has passed a state board exam on dental radiology.

In our office, these situations require X-rays:
1.Emergencies – a PA x-ray and/or decay x-rays as needed
2.Recall checkups – The healthier the client, the fewer decay x-rays are needed. A healthy client will only need 1 pair of x-rays every 2 years. If you suspect decay or there has been decay within one year, then we take 4 decay X-rays.
3.Thorough new client exam – one set of periapicals and decay X-rays
4.5 year review – Clients who have been in the office at least five years will be offered a “review” new client exam. At this time, you would take a panoramic film and decay X-rays or a full series of x-rays.

For our New patient Children
1.By age 4 – We take upper and lower occlusal x-rays by age four to rule out supernumerary (extra) teeth, growth and development defects, and congenitally missing teeth.
2.By age 5 1.Decay X-rays
2.Check decay (pulp aberrations)
3.Growth and development of 6 year molars
4. Thickness of enamel in primary dentition
5. Enamel discolorations
6.More than 6 years old, or younger with decay – 2 decay X-rays (largest size possible) and a panoramic X-ray to check growth/any abnormalities

Finally, other researchers are responding to this article with comments including
1.“very flawed study”
2.“biologically impossible”

If you have further questions, please ask us. For our patients in the Tipp City, Troy and the entire Dayton Ohio area, we understand that this topic has raised a level of concern. We are happy to be a resource for you as you seek to understand this study and make the right health care choices for your family.