John

Since I'm not going to be here the weekend you come up, You and Candi can stay at my place. If you want. It'll save you money on a hotel. Also there are a couple of places around here that are for rent. And depending on when you decide to move up here, you could rent my place. I start a new job in Hamilton Aug 4, So I would be spending most of my time down there and until we find out what's going on with Michael, I'll still be paying for my apt. Just a thought.......

FUN THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU'RE IN DAYTON!!!

I know I've often said there's nothing to do in Dayton. However, in an attempt to be fair and unbiased, I will admit that perhaps my view is colored by my intense dislike of this area (and my yearning to leave and never return) and therefore, I offer these suggestions to anyone who might be planning a visit soon. For instance, during the weekend of July 26th (and I'm just throwing that date out there) here are some FUN! and EXCITING! and DIFFERENT! things to do:

1. Flip your kilt at the Dayton Celtic Festival. There's a bunch of people there who look like us (because their ancestors came from the same place ours did, not because they're related to us or anything) who like to, as the kids say, party on down! There's celtic music (actually quite good and where do you think bluegrass came from, anyway?), men in kilts (my fav!), the food and drinks of the motherland, jewelery (i picked up some cool earrings there several years ago) and of course, the obligatory crowd of people, kids and pets milling around. Did I mention men in kilts? It's free and sure to please!!

2. Bring your tie dyed shirts, peace signs and reefer madness (or herbal cigarettes, if you prefer) and like the kids say, party hardy with the old hippies at the Fraze. That's right, groove to the music of the Animals, one guy from Cream (and it ain't Eric Clapton), Melanie (???), the Turtles and some other people from back in the day. It's sure to be a zoo (i'm guessing from the name of the bands) of music and fun, fun, fun!! It's NOT free but if this is your bag, man, then umm, you know, go.

3. Feeling old? The Ordovician Beach Party will put things in perspective for you! It starts at 1pm on Saturday and includes hourly fossil collecting walks, a sandy fossil shell play area, a tiki bar (serving non-alcoholic drinks) and lively entertainment by the Grateful Parrot band. This IS not your parent's beach party, for sure.......more like your greatgreatgreatgreat(x10)grandparents party!! We like to, as the kids say, "kick it" in Dayton. It's free! and they won't charge you extra if you catch a glimpse of (or get bitten by) a bobcat.

4. If you've ever wanted to send your family "down the river", then the Family Canoe Float may be just what you're looking for!
It's not free but can you really put a price on this kind of fun? I don't think so!!

5. Last, but not least, is a must see!! There's a colorful cast of characters hanging around the Downtown area so bring your camera for some fun! photo/posing opportunities. Make sure you take Doug as your tour guide for more fun! as he likes to trick you with random black people who just happen to be standing/sitting/walking on the streets of downtown Dayton. Warning: those with wheat allergies should take care as someone has been vandalizing these statues with white flour and.....hey! wait a minute, i need to check that description of the vandalizing rascal again. These are free! to check out and pose with. They really are cool, as the kids say, so take a walk on the bronze side.
(an added plus is they are scattered around downtown and can be combined with the celtic festival for hours of fun!)


Of course, these are just suggestions for anyone who might be visiting that weekend and looking for fun! and exciting! things to do. I hope to visit the Celtic festival myself that Saturday, it depends on how hot it is and whether I feel like it (another thing that prevents me from partaking in the fun! and exciting! and different! things to do around here).

If anyone else knows of other fun! activities that weekend, please post them, although I defy you to describe them in the witty, yet informative manner in which I have. And now, I leave you with yet another charming photo of Dayton...