Reconnecting Our Waterways and Being a Junior (Yikes!)

Hello again, readers!

As I approach the last fourth of my Junior year as a River Steward (oh my goodness, that's difficult to say and even think about!), I keep realizing just how far I've come since my first Orientation trip as a Sophomore. It's not just about teaching people of all ages about the assets our rivers are, or kayaking to experience the beauty of the rivers, or learning about the policy, science, engineering, business, culture, and education that governs our rivers - I've learned that pieces of all those disciplines come together to form a unique vision for every region. If there's water, you can bet there will be impassioned people.

I've come across a really cool initiative in Indianapolis called Reconnecting to Our Waterways, aka ROW): the science of a better city. The second I saw it, it reminded me a lot of what we do in River Stewards - they have elements to improve the quality of life, or vitality, of their region, just like we do. They have plans and measurement techniques to gauge their successes, like we do. They even have a pretty neat video with time lapse, like we do! I think that this kind of approach to city development - focusing on our natural assets, approaching the development from a holistic, vital viewpoint - is what cities in the United States need to be healthier, happier, and more successful. There's a certain imbalance if a city focuses solely on economic development, or just on its ecological vitality, or just the aesthetics of a region. Cities work better when everything works together. It's why I love the River Summit and why I love being a Steward: everyone comes together to learn and teach and help others see our region  as the amazing place we know it to be - to make life great. 

Check out their website, it's pretty neat!

http://reconnectingtoourwaterways.org/

P.S. In other news, I was so happy to discover that one of my favorite pop up shops from Activated Spaces has a permanent residence and a new name: TRADE. GO DAYTON!

River Love,

Liz

Junior League of Dayton

On February 23, 2013 Liz Morrison, Allie Rakowski and I had the opportunity to make a presentation at the Junior League of Dayton. We informed them of the great natural resources there are in Dayton and how amazing our water is as an asset.  I enjoyed informing the numerous women in the audience because they are all leaders in Dayton and can help to spread our knowledge of Dayton's water.  We also learned about other initiatives in Dayton such as; Peace on Fifth, Cutureworks, ThinkTV and Dayton Development Coalition.  The morning was very enjoyable.  Above is a picture of us with Jessica Saunders a former Fitz Center member.  

River Love,

Angela Brancatelli

Riverfront Development just Down Stream

Hello friends!

 
This past Saturday I had the opportunity to visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati.  Not only did I enjoy friends and rediscover the origins of slavery in America and the Civil Rights Movement, but I finally experience how our downstream neighbors along the Ohio are reinventing their riverfront.  Located between Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ballpark, I walked amongst the outdoor stage, Civil War Memorial and the Cincinnati bike center.  Knowing only a little bit about the Banks Project (the river development project), I was surprised at the progress they have already made and the impact it has had on the area.  My friends and I meditated while walking the labyrinth and learning about the Black Brigade defending Cincinnati from Confederate troops, all while bikers and runners enjoyed the perfect morning sun.  According to Wikipedia, $3.5 billion has been spent on the Banks and even more is yet to come.  

 
Just imagine what Dayton could do with only 10% of that...
 
Cheers,
Anthony 

Honeysuckle 0, Gaskins 1

Today, I had the opportunity to work with BW Greenway (BWG) volunteers at Anderson Fen in a fierce battle to eliminate the invasive Honeysuckle plant.  BWG is a group, similar to the River Stewards in some regards. Essentially, BWG has a vision and mission to protect and restore land and water resources between Beaver Creek and Wenrick Wetland by a cohesive community. Sound familiar? It should. Like the Stewards, this diverse group of volunteers recognize the value of Dayton’s watershed and they’ve identified that a strong interconnected community plays an essential part in protecting and promoting the water as an asset to everyone. All in all, I had a great time with this band of warriors who heroically demolish Honeysuckle in the name of conservation. The scrimmage was a test, but we can out on top.

Chalk that up as a win!

Alexander

Interested in volunteering: info@bwgreenway.org.

river poems

I just wanted to share two short river poems/poem bits that I wrote a while back. Enjoy!
-Katie (River Steward Alum '10)

like the polarity of H₂O molecules writ large

the magnetism of water draws people in to listen

and the river has many voices

            the soothing, quiet hush: asking you to find
                      peace inside yourself

            the babbling chatter: telling you of its passing news

            the loud, triumphant roar: demanding your respect
                      and attention

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before, I was like a sycamore seed

lost in the desert,

waiting,

but now that my thirst is awakened

and I've started to sprout

I'm left alone with the growing pains

still, one day I'll shade the banks of that Great River
           my heart calls home

but until then,

my roots will long for purchase

and every sound of water holds the promise of someday

"Hope on the Hill" ~ UD and the 1913 Flood

University of Dayton, Ohio

 

Hope on the Hill

 

01.24.2013 | Catholic, Campus and Community

 

When floodwaters struck Dayton in 1913, those who fled to high ground just south of where the

waters crested at Apple Street found shelter, food and welcome from the Marianists at St. Mary's

College, the school that became the University of Dayton.

 

During the Dayton community's commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the historic disaster,

treasures from the University's archives will be on display including photos, a roster of the

refugees written in their own hand, original film footage of the flood and a first-person oral history.

 

"The University rests on the foundation of the Society of Mary's commitment to serving the community," said Kathleen Webb, dean of University libraries. "Nowhere is that more evident than in these items that tell the story of how the St. Mary's College community opened wide its doors to take in and care for those who had been so terribly affected by the flood."

 

"Hope on the Hill: Marianists and the 1913 Dayton Flood" runs from Feb. 4 to June 17 on the second floor of Roesch Library on the University of Dayton campus. Because days and times vary, call 937-229-4094 or visit udayton.edu/libraries for a schedule and directions. The exhibit highlights events during and after the disaster and the college's significant role in providing relief. The Exponent, a student magazine, reported on the college's efforts and published perspectives by students.

 

St. Mary's College was uniquely situated and equipped to provide relief to flood victims. Because students had not returned to campus from Easter break, the college was amply stocked with food and other provisions. Due to its location on the hill, electric light and heating plants were not affected, a plentiful clean water supply was available and the college had other essential facilities such as a laundry and infirmary.

 

In addition to meals for the refugees, the college's kitchen provided meals to Miami Valley Hospital, whose own kitchen had been crippled by the flood. And the college provided 12,000 pounds of provisions to St. Elizabeth Hospital. The first night, 400 refugees took shelter at St. Mary's College; by the end of the week the number had grown to 600. All in all, the college assisted 800 refugees.

 

Accounts from The Exponent, photos, postcards and other memorabilia will be on display. Visitors can listen to an oral history from Marianist Brother AndyWeber describing what he saw from his window. Original flood footage from the University Archives' Glenn Walters Collection will also be on display.

 

Digitized materials from the collection will available online by visiting the 1913 Flood Collection at digital.udayton.edu (url:http://digital.udayton.edu/) .

 

The University's exhibit is part of a community-wide commemoration throughout the Miami Valley looking back at the flood and its lasting impact. For more on the commemorations, visit 1913flood.com (url: http://1913flood.com/) . For information, contact Katy Kelly, communications and outreach librarian, at 937-229-4274 or kkelly2@udayton.edu

UD Library Exhibit - "Hope on the Hill: Marianists and the 1913 Dayton Flood"

Check out this exhibit UD's library will be hosting February 4th through June 17th.  Just one of the many great events that will commemorate the 1913 Flood.

http://www.udayton.edu/libraries/#2