September 20, 2017 THE OAKWOOD REGISTER www.oakwoodregister.com Vol. 26, No. 37 September 20, 2017 2017 Oakwood Homecoming Court Public, private funds allocated for ‘pocket park,’ Lane Stadium Fast on the heels of the dedica- completion of the project. tion of Lane Stadium, the school The Rotary Foundation also will district’s new athletic facility fund- fund placement of two additional ed largely by private donations, flagpoles at Lane Stadium as part two more public improvements of an effort led by Oakwood busi- slated for Oakwood in the coming nessman Rob Stephens. Stephens, weeks are relying on private fund- who also sits on City Council, ing for completion. presented a plan to the Oakwood Work is expected to begin next Board of Education last week that month on construction of a new will see the Rotary Foundation neighborhood “pocket park” at contribute $9,400 toward erecting Schenck Avenue and Oakwood two 30- and 35-foot flagpoles at Avenue on the city’s north side. the stadium. The two new flag- A majority of funding for poles will be located adjacent to the $70,000 project will come an existing 25-foot flagpole at the from a $40,000 grant from the complex. Montgomery County Solid Waste Stephens hopes to dedicate District for utilizing recycled the site as a veterans’ memorial. materials in the park. The city will “There’s no place in our city, that pony up another $20,000 for the I know of, where we honor vet- park, while neighbors will con- erans,” Stephens told the school The 2017 Oakwood High School Homecoming Court will be presented at this week’s football game at Mack tribute $7,000, or 10 percent of board. Hummon Stadium. Vying for Homecoming Queen this year are, front row from left to right: Caroline Goeller, the expected cost, in private funds. A dedication ceremony is tenta- Bridget Vaughn, Emma Fisk, Lily Behnke, and Zoey Pittman-Jones. 2017 Homecoming King candidates The Oakwood Rotary Foundation tively planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, are, back row from left to right: Caden Sanford, Leo Deer, Jack Degenhart, Carston King, and Joey Caley. also is contributing funds toward Oct. 21, at Lane Stadium. With book release, Oakwood author espouses ‘less is more’ approach to home life An Oakwood entrepreneur has no longer enough. I had to learn to So we grow through all that by focusing on what turned her penchant for organizing let go of my excess possessions so I up thinking you need and love. By eliminating into a new book, Less. Minimalism, could feel some peace in my home.” those are the noise of consumerism, it allows For Real, which was released Sept. That, coupled with her move to the things you to focus on your true values 13 by Niche Pressworks. Oakwood more than a decade ago, to aspire to, - relationships, health, meaningful As the mother of triplets - prompted Lounsbury to adopt an that is what work. Smith School second graders almost philosophical approach to ‘success’ “Minimalism is a life philoso- Reese, Orlando, and Mercedes - domestic life. “Living in Oakwood looks like. phy,” she adds. “It has significantly Rose Lounsbury, a former teach- helped make me a minimalist, But those changed the way I live. On a daily er-turned-professional organizer because I have an older, smaller things basis, the most significant impact of who launched her company, Less home. The average home built in the don’t minimalism is that it reduces stress.” LLC, in 2015, says she honed her 1930s simply can’t accommodate bring us Clutter, says Lounsbury, ulti- organizational skills out of sheer the amount of possessions a newer happi- mately takes a physical, emotional necessity. home can. I’m grateful to live in a ally impact our daily lives, even ness. and financial toll on families. “Less “I’ve always been a relatively small house, because it helps keep our health, warns Lounsbury. “Our In fact, clutter just makes life easier. Less organized person, but having triplets my stuff in check.” society is focused on material pos- it’s clothes are easier to wash and put brought me to a whole new level,” The constant accumulation of sessions; overconsumption is the often quite away. Less tools are easier to store recalls Lounsbury. “Babies, espe- possessions has become a hallmark norm. I think the American dream is the opposite. The people and locate for that home improve- cially three at once, can generate a of American society, to the point heavily based on having things: new with the most things are often the ment project. Less paper piles most unhappy. Minimalism cuts lot of stuff! Being organized was that belongings and clutter eventu- cars, nice houses, fancy clothes. See Less on page 2 u 2 THE OAKWOOD REGISTER September 20, 2017 Tailgate, ‘Come Back Lumberjack’ Oakwood Schools Foundation announces events highlight Homecoming $50,000 matching gift for Alumni Plaza The Oakwood High School night on Friday, Sept. 22. The Oakwood Schools Foundation Athletic Boosters will host its annu- This year, attendees will be able has announced a $50,000 matching al Homecoming Tailgate on Friday, to pre-register prior to the event. gift program to fund construction Sept. 22. The tailgate will be held Alumni and community members of a proposed $100,000 “Alumni from 5:30-7 p.m. followed by the can preregister at: www.secure. Plaza” at the Oakwood High School homecoming game at 7 p.m. as the groundworkgroup.org/register/ and Oakwood Junior High. Oakwood Lumberjacks take on event/Lumberjacks2017 OSF officials said a member of Middletown Madison. The event features music, appe- the OHS Class of 1967 contacted The tailgate menu includes your tizers, a photo booth and cash bar. the foundation this spring in antic- Rendering by Ruetschle Architects and JACCYN Design Group choice of a cheeseburger, ham- Admission is free. Donations are ipation of that class’ upcoming 50th Hummon Stadium. The Schantz and an area for tailgate or athletic burger or two hot dogs, chips and welcome, and all funds raised will be OHS reunion this fall. In reviewing Avenue entrance is the most-used events. District officials said fund- a drink, all for $5. Special guests reinvested in students through grants the Oakwood Schools “wish list” of entrance to the complex, used not ing of the project would complement include the Oakwood High School and special projects. projects, the alum, representing a only by students, faculty and staff, upgrades completed in 2004 and Reunion classes of 1947, ’57, ’67, “Come Back Lumberjacks” private foundation, was intrigued by but also by visitors and sporting 2015. District officials anticipate ’72, ’77, ’82, ’87, ’97, ’02 and ’07. is sponsored by Jessup Wealth the proposal of an “Alumni Plaza” event attendees. the cost, when completed, would be All proceeds benefit the Oakwood Management of Oakwood. “Jessup to be installed in one of the most The proposed plan would trans- approximately $100,000, including Boosters efforts to raise money for Wealth Management wanted to be highly visible and traveled areas at form this outdoor space into a dura- teak benches and plantings. high school athletic programs. the lead sponsor of this event to OHS. Hundreds of students walking ble location serving many purposes The private foundation estab- Post-game festivities continue demonstrate our long-term com- to and from the junior and senior including: a venue for Oakwood lished a fund, providing $50,000 as with “Come Back Lumberjacks,” mitment to the Oakwood commu- high campus use daily the area students and community members, a matching gift challenge. For infor- funded through the Oakwood nity. We are pleased to partner directly to the east of the entrance an outdoor classroom for instruc- mation on supporting the Alumni Schools Foundation, at the Dayton with OSF to bolster this communi- to OJHS, between the school build- tion, a small gathering area for Plaza project, visit www.oakwood- Country Club from 9 p.m. to mid- ty-building event,” Matt Jessup said. ing and Schantz Avenue and Mack band and orchestra performances schoolsfoundation.org/donate. u Less from page 1 for guests. So we limited our towel and trying to find homes for all our malism. They are the IKEA genera- more” outlook on life. “Many peo- means you can find what you really collection to just nine towels. And stuff,” she says. “It’s easier for my tion. Contrast that with baby boom- ple have told me that they only got need,” she says of her organizational you know what? In five years, we kids to take responsibility for their ers, who tend to value stability. For halfway through the book because approach. “Clutter free homes are have never run out of towels. This possessions because they don’t have them, stability means a large home they stopped reading so they could calmer, more relaxing places to live showed me that we could live with a too many of them.” with lots of furniture and posses- start decluttering their closets,” she and work.” lot less than I thought. And it makes Lounsbury concedes that shed- sions. It’s just a difference in values says. She cites a hands-on example day-to-day life easier, because I no ding possessions can be a pain- and the way these two generations Less. Minimalism, For Real is from her own family’s linen closet. longer have a cupboard full of tow- ful process, especially for older were raised.” available in both paperback and as “When we minimized our towel col- els that threatens to spill out at me generations.