Seventeen neighbors turned out for the Annual McPherson Town Neighborhood Clean-up on Saturday May 13. Together with four City of Dayton workers (two drivers and two assistants), we collected 5.07 tons (10,170 pounds) of debris from our streets and alleys. A crew thoroughly cleaned the flower beds in the park; they started first and ended last and so deserve special recognition. It was, however, a neighborhood-wide effort. Thanks to all who contributed!

We are lucky to have a Louisiana native among the McPeeps! He and his family generously prepared a large batch of Gumbo for neighbors to enjoy along with carried-in side dishes and a Cajun, old time string music, Appalachian, old country jam session. The weather cooperated beautifully and good time was had by all. We’re already hungry for our next helping in 2023!

The annual summer picnic was held in August at the McPherson Town park. Nearly 75 residents were in attendance. All enjoyed carry in dishes made by McPeeps, as well as hamburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers provided by the neighborhood. Fun games were held to get new neighbors connected to old, and valuable prizes were won! Thanks to all the organizers – what a fun event!

On the evening of July 3rd, neighbors gathered on the eastern edge of the neighborhood to watch this year’s City of Dayton fireworks show. Everyone remarked what a terrific show it was – especially with the added bonus of being steps from home and without the hassle of parking and finding a spot among the crowds. Happy Birthday, America!

Launched in November 2017, Battle of the Breakfasts pits two Dayton food trucks against each other in a no holds bar battle for who has the best breakfast! This year, the Battle has been moved to McPherson Town, hosted at White Allen Chevrolet at 429 N. Main St.

Each 4th Sunday of the month through Oct. 2018, come out between 10am-2pm to eat some breakfast, cast your vote and grab a coffee from the Ghostlight Coffee truck! The breakfast truck with the most sales will carry on to the next round against a new competitor the following month.

The sites and sounds of the season were alive in McPherson Town Thanksgiving weekend as the neighborhood hosted the bi-annual holiday historic home tour. Guests enjoyed touring the interiors of 10 historic homes all fancied up for the holidays, as well as fresh-baked treats and cider. We hope you’ll mark your calendars for Thanksgiving weekend 2018 when the holiday home tour returns.

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Photos by the talented Lisa Powell

Twenty crockpots and a record number of neighbors filled the Stewart-Powell garage for the 10^th Annual McPherson Town Chili Cook-off in October.

Competition was fierce this year. The top winners were each separated by a single vote.

• First place went to “Betty White Sweet and Spicy.”
• The silver ladle was awarded to “Chili So Good It Will Make You Build a Wall and Pay For It. ”
• Our Gold winner from 2015 took home the bronze with her concoction, “Thai Did the Chicken Cross the Road?
• The green ladle went to the vegetarian entry, “Red Lentil-Coconut Chili.”

And during the course of the night, the Buckeyes pulled off an overtime victory over Wisconsin to stay undefeated, dispelling any superstition to avoid the neighborhood during game days.

For our monthly dining out gathering in June, neighbors hosted a progressive brunch in the neighborhood. With 4 stops, attendees enjoyed yogurt parfaits, bacon-wrapped pineapple, french toast casserole, mimosas and more!

McPherson Town residents participated in Five Rivers MetroParks’ Adopt-A-Park event on April 18 to clean up the northern banks of the Great Miami River bordering the neighborhood. About 20 neighbors joined forces to pick up debris and litter along the river from Main Street to I-75.

In addition to supporting Adopt-a-Park, the effort also supported an experiment with the Miami Conservancy District to see whether letting grass grow along the river’s edge reduces the goose droppings on the adjacent Great Miami Bikeway. 2014’s trial seemed to be effective. We’re looking for more success in 2015!

Thanks everyone for another unbelievable McPherson Town Chili Cook-off!. We had a super field of 15 entries.

Thai Fusion Chili took the gold this year. The not-now-secret ingredients were peanut butter and chocolate. Who can go wrong with that? So close to the top overall voting was an exquisite Turkish 7 Spice Chili that took the silver ladle and Bison and Beer Chili took the bronze. A Lentil and Sweet Potato Chili won the first green ladle ever presented in the new vegetarian category.

Congratulations winners! And thanks again to everyone who came to share another great evening with friends and neighbors. Already looking forward to next year!