DOVER
NEW ALSACE
September 2018 THE BEACON Page 5B
O ur
Communities
The Johnson family reunion was held at the home of Roger and Susan Johnson .
DOVER
By Ray Johnson
Community Correspondent
dover @ goBEACONnews . com
Believe it or not , summer will soon be coming to an end , and fall is in our near future . Students have headed back to school as the weather is slowly beginning to change with some cooler mornings and less humid days . My parents ’ garden is yielding pumpkins , and pumpkinspice-everything is nearly here . Change is inevitable , so we might as well embrace its beauty .
On June 9 , our family gathered for the wedding ceremony of my youngest brother , Roy and his wife , Lisa . The beautiful evening was shared with many friends and family . The couple honeymooned in Ireland and Scotland and had a wonderful time . May their life together be filled with great love and joy .
On July 7 , the Johnson family gathered at the home of Roger and Susan Johnson in Dover for their annual reunion . Nearly eighty members enjoyed the day filled with good food and conversation . One family traveled the furthest from Georgia , and I believe I traveled the shortest distance , about 500 feet . Looking forward to next year .
Joan Brewer has owned the Brewer House , formerly Oscar Graf ’ s house for thirtyfive years- the white house on the corner of State Road 1 and Sawmill Road- with two front porches and a picket fence . The first time she painted her home many years ago , she thought about trying a new color for the trim but ended up settling on a fresh coat of white . Joan still liked the idea of updating the color , and while traveling the tristate , she always looked at painted houses for color combinations . After three tours of painting her house and a recent knee replacement , Joan decided the time had come to take a serious look at siding . Her son shared his opinion ,
Joan Brewer ’ s newly remodeled home in Dover .
“ If the house has been white since 1883 , why would anyone mess with success ?” Her granddaughter said , “ I won ’ t know where you live if you change the color , and I will just keep going down the road .”
To help end the family dispute , Joan asked a local realtor for his opinion . And how good of a sales rep he was . He shared that he was a traditionalist and thought white was a more sellable color . He recommended that , at her age , she choose whatever color she liked .
She knew that Trossman Bros . would be hired to side the house , and asked Tony if he had a color portfolio to help choose a color scheme . She explained that she wanted something “ dramatic ,” but not purple and yellow . Tony said he didn ’ t care about the color she chose , only that she liked the work he provided . Tony suggested utilizing the website of the siding manufacturer to help with color combinations .
Joan ’ s daughter-in-law came from Nashville to spend time helping Joan prepare for her knee replacement . They spent several hours on the website choosing a similar house and using the app that allowed them to change colors of siding , trim , gutters , downspouts , shutters and roof . Joan narrowed it down to two choices . One choice was eliminated because the color was too close to other houses in the neighborhood . Having considered homes from Greendale to St . Leon , Joan settled on red .
As the work began , Joan heard all kinds of comments such as ,“ What are you thinking , red ?!??” “ I hate that you are getting rid of the old trim ,” and “ I think I
A stone representing her devotion to Dover .
like it .” Joan ’ s response was , “ Wait , there ’ s more .” Joan wasn ’ t sure she made a good choice until the night she came home , and the halfrounds were up in the eaves . As Matt Trossman told his brother Tony , “ Joan is going to like this .” The color combination was just as she had imagined . It turned out better than the computer pictures !
Joan has heard all kinds of compliments from the community . She has been thrilled watching the color-reveal and hearing the comments from the community . She still has some prep work on the front porches and some painting to do . Joan continues … “ Wait , there is more .”
To add icing to the cake , Joan got home from work one day and found a beautiful engraved stone with these words- ” One Devoted Gal Lives Here , Mayor Joan of Dover .” People in our small community always kid around with Joan because we know of her love and devotion for our small town and it ’ s residents .
As we interact with others and experience this life ’ s journey , may we be open to the possibility of change . As we can learn from Joan Brewer ’ s example , change has a way of turning out beautifully , even though there is some doubt along the way .
All Saints vacation bible school attendees
Boy Scout Troop 646 spent one week at Camp Maumee .
NEW ALSACE
By Laura Keller
Community Correspondent
new alsace @ goBEACONnews . com
Summertime is a time for children to enjoy a break from school and participate in activities such as sports , sleepovers , vacations , hanging out with friends , and attending summer camp .
Fifteen boys and two leaders from Boy Scout Troop 646 spent the week at Camp Maumee working on their merit badge advancement to help them work toward their Eagle Scout . Merit badge classes include , but aren ’ t limited to camping , fishing , swimming , kayaking , life-saving , rifle shooting , basketry , handicraft , shotgun shooting . In addition , the scouts had swim tests to verify swim levels and provide water safety education .
After classes , time was spent enjoying activities such as swimming , throwing frisbee and playing cards . The younger scouts used pocket knives to whittle fire chips and make fires . Family night allowed families to visit with their sons during dinner time . It was a fun , hot and adventurous week ! All Saints Parish ’ s annual vacation bible school held the week of July 8 , provided children an opportunity to learn about the lives of saints by participating in skits , crafts , and games . The children decorated baptismal candles and swords in addition to painting wooden hearts . Scroll papers were also decorated for the elderly and given to a nursing home in Batesville and the All Saints Kitchen Mission team . The week ended with the children performing a skit in which they dressed up as their favorite saint .
Congratulations to Larry Gutzwiller , who was recently sworn in as the new commander for the New Alsace American Legion Post 452 . If you have news in the New Alsace area you ’ d like me to share , please contact me at Newalsace @ goBEACONnews . com .
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