Latest news with #WittenbergUniversity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iconic Champaign County native receiving posthumous award in Nashville
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A woman originally from the Miami Valley is receiving a posthumous award in Nashville, Tennessee for her contributions to Christian and country music. During the 43rd Annual Sunday Mornin' Country at the Grand Ole Opry on June 8, Margo Smith will be posthumously inducted into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame. At the event, her daughter, Holly Watson, will accept on behalf of her mother. Smith was born in Mutual, Champaign County, as Bette Lou Miller in 1939. While in the area, she spent time as a kindergarten teacher and obtained a degree from Wittenberg University. Watson told that music came naturally to her mother. 'She always loved music and always sang in high school,' said Watson. 'She was in a little music group with a friend of hers and called themselves Corey and Sadie, the Apple Sisters, and they would wear like burlap sacks.' Smith believed she had more potential with singing after singing to her students. 'She would sing to her students, her little kids,' Watson said. 'When they would get really unruly, she would take out her ukulele and start singing and yodeling, and it just captured their attention and she kind of got them to behave and listen.' One of the places Smith started out with showing her talent professionally was at the Crystal Pistol on North Broad Street in Fairborn. When Smith was in her 30s, she headed to Nashville to try and make it as a singer-songwriter. She knocked on some of the agency doors, and eventually landed a recording contract. The artist had her name legally changed from Bette Lou to Margo when she signed her record deal, as she was told she couldn't use her own name in the country music world. 'Don't Break the Heart That Loves You,' 'It Only Hurts For a Little While' and 'Little Things That Mean a Lot' are some songs Smith was best-known for, according to Spotify. Smith has been featured on a number of national broadcasts of shows like 'Hollywood Squares,' 'Larry's Country Diner,' 'Pop! Goes the Country,' 'The Porter Wagoner Show' and others. In the 1990s, Watson joined her mother to become a Christian Country Duo called 'Margo Smith and Holly.' In 1994, they received Vocal Duo of the Year from the Christian Country Music Association. 'They didn't quite know what to do with our music because Christian country, it was a thing, but it hadn't become really popular,' said Watson. 'And so we were marketed in the Southern gospel sector.' Smith earned the name 'The Tennessee Yodeler' during her career, as she helped pave the way for music, especially yodeling. On Jan. 23, 2024, Smith passed away. Watson said she believes the award she is accepting for her mother would mean the world to her, as she adored her Ohio heritage. 'I think it would mean a tremendous amount to her just to be recognized by the people of Ohio, her home state, because, you know, we're all a product of we we are a product of our upbringing and and the places that we've lived and the experiences that we've had,' said Watson. According to Watson, receiving the award on behalf of her mother is something she is grateful to do to honor her mother's legacy. 'I'm just thrilled to be able to accept it on her behalf. And anything I can do to honor my mama and has people remember her,' said Watson. You can share memories of listening or even interacting with Smith here. To find various videos of Smith's performances, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We want to encompass the whole community': Building Block Play Studio owner says business continues to evolve
May 11—Valerie Block, a Wittenberg University alumna, always had aspirations to work with children. Her passion was sparked during her student teaching with Snowhill Elementary in 2012, eventually leading to a full-time teaching role until 2022. Block knew early on that she wasn't going to be teaching forever, but working with kids in another capacity. In the spring of 2022, Block left teaching to finish the business model plan for the Building Block Play Studio located at 137 E. Main St. in the Tuttle Brothers Building. The idea came to life through a collaboration with former business partner Trena Courey. "I had her daughter in class, and we were talking at a park one day about how we both had a similar idea," Block recalled. "I asked, hey, do you want to do this idea? ' and we just took off from there." Courey remained an integral part of the business until May of 2024, when she relocated to Michigan to be closer to family. The play studio is nestled in a quiet corner of downtown Springfield. Block emphasized the importance of this location, "When looking for spaces, I wanted to be as close to Downtown as possible because I saw the growth there," she said. "There wasn't anything you could take your kids to, and also something important to me was being a part of that growth downtown." Block felt strongly that her studio could contribute to Springfield's identity. "What we have is so special, I would love to give people a reason to stop in Springfield," she said. When considering the spaces for her business, Block realized Springfield lacked indoor spaces where young children could socialize and play. "There was no place besides sometimes a park where you could have friends for your young children," she said. Creating this community for Springfield, she wanted to explore the possibilities: "This space is just a community within our community." Transforming the studio was no small feat. Block wanted to create a calming and welcoming environment, carefully selecting design elements and toys to help support this vision. "When I walked in the place, it was not aesthetically pleasing for children," she said. "My business partner and I at the time wanted to go with calm, clean colors," she said. One of the earliest design inspirations came from a set of muted rainbow stack cups, which became the color palette for the whole studio. "I chose the rainbow scheme kind of in a child-friendly way and also in a personal way." Block wanted to make every child welcome in her space, and tailored many of her toys and floor designs to allow children to be comfortable in the space. She focused on meaningful toys for the children for imaginative play, a stimming area for building and creating, and also implemented things like a climbing castle to help children get their energy out. She intentionally curated toys and furnishings to reflect a variety of backgrounds and sensory needs. "I am offering something for everyone and their unique way of playing. "We want to encompass the whole community," Block said. "Everyone is welcome in our space and can come use it for what you need it for." Block continues to upgrade the studio space with the help of her husband, Jeremy Block. Together, they've been constructing imaginative play buildings along the back wall of the studio. "I draw and design the buildings, Jeremy does the measuring and framing, and then I paint them." The couple takes turns nightly when working on the construction of these buildings. "Starting again this week, it would be a total of 8 buildings." Looking ahead, Block hopes the studio will grow alongside the community, "My vision is that it grows as I see what the community still needs," she said. "I would love to offer more events and to expand more into the special needs community and just offer more things in our county." Reflecting on her journey, Block shares what she would tell her past self. "Step outside your comfort zone more than you are comfortable doing," she said. "Being okay with doing things that make you uncomfortable, be assertive don't be so hard on yourself when things are hard."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local university names University of Kentucky dean as new president
A local university has selected its next president. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Dr. Christian M. M. Brady was named as Wittenberg University's 16th president. Brady is currently the dean of the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky. TRENDING STORIES: High school senior shot, killed during possible prank before graduation 'Troubling social media trend' has students forcing objects into Chromebooks New rules say kids can't play in local city street after driver complaints 'I am deeply honored to join the Wittenberg University community,' Brady said. 'Wittenberg's mission as a liberal arts university that is committed to developing the whole person, intellectually, physically, and spiritually, is more relevant today than ever before. I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to build upon these strong foundations. Together, we will stoke the flame of Wittenberg so that its light will shine brighter than ever before.' He will succeed President Mike Frandsen, who has been in that position since July 1, 2017. Brady will assume the role on June 1. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kamyia's Wish honors memory of teacher at Frederick Douglass Elementary
Students at Frederick Douglass Elementary School received books and other materials in a memorial event for a former kindergarten teacher at their school. Kamyia Fletcher grew up with a fierce curiosity, an open heart, and a passion for art, books, traveling and service. Her family says she was passionate about her education and graduated from Mount Notre Dame High School, Wittenberg University. where she earned her undergrad degree, and Miami University, where she received her master's degree in education. The 29-year-old died last year, leaving friends and family wondering how they could honor her dedication to her students. "Whether through her career as a teacher, her dedication to children and animals, or simply her warm, loving presence, she touched the lives of many and made the world a better place," they said in her obituary in November. At her services in November, her aunt, Aisha Nurredin, said her niece poured love and passion into her work, touching the lives of many young people. "She was more than a teacher," Nurredin said. "She was a role model, a cheerleader and a source of inspiration. She believed in her students even on days when they didn't believe in themselves." Nurredin said her niece was a blessing to everyone she met. Sisters from her Cincinnati Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority chapter partnered with Target for a memorial event, Kamyia's Wish, to donate books, hygiene supplies and $500 as a service project in her honor at the school where she taught before her death in November. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Kamyia's Wish honors memory of Frederick Douglass Elementary teacher
