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Celebrating the heart and soul of a small town: Donation to Dayton

Artist Melissa Dorzweiler exhibits attention to detail.

By VICKI NOTARO

Lifestyles Assistant

DAYTON — Some people paint with art materials, others with words. Melissa Byrk Dorzweiler does both.

Dorzweiler captured the essence of small towns in a fascinating mural that she donated to the Master’s Plan Cafe in Dayton. She currently resides in the small town of Plattsmouth, Nebraska. She returns as often as possible to reconnect and continue relationships established long ago.

In Dorzweiler’s own words:

“Since before my birth, the town of Dayton, New York has been in my heart, so when I was presented with the opportunity to paint a mural representing this town, I was honored and elated.

My fondest childhood memories are here, beginning with trips every year or so to visit our Grandpa, Casey Byrk. Memories that include traditions long since past; such as trips to the local dairy. Or outings to buy our favorite treats that include smoked fish from the shop in Dunkirk and “squeaky cheese” made by the Amish community.

Memories of adventures shared throughout the years with family and those friends living in nearby houses. Adventures such as swinging on the vines in the woods, taking our picnic lunch and sitting of top of a friend’s chicken coop and buying candy at the local five and dime. Then there is the old school house where we would go to play on the playground. On our way there, we had to stop for our ‘traditional’ tossing of the helicopter seeds off of the bridge.

Now, when I return to Dayton as an adult, the hills we struggled to conquer and the long treks along the railroad tracks seem so much smaller and shorter than I remember. The local businesses are now simply vacant buildings. Our childhood friends are grown with families of their own. Grandpa Casey’s house belongs to someone else. Memories of curtained doorways, the kitchen where we made and savored tomato sauce from tomatoes canned the previous year and hot chocolate made with the fresh cows’ milk purchased from the dairy. Then there is the basement. We had to brave the dark, cool spider-filled cellar in order to get to the seemingly bottomless box of fudgesicles. These shared experiences will live on in my heart and mind.

These and many other memories were possible through a boy and his dreams. Jimmy Byrk grew up in and around Dayton. He and my mom, Gerry Byrk, raised myself and my siblings to take pride in our roots and value what is important. I have been fortunate in being able to pass these memories down to my children and grandchildren.”

About the artist:

Melissa Dorzweiler has painted in the fine arts for the past 10 years. She also has an associate’s degree in studio art. At this point, most of her art is sold through word of mouth. She has done two murals in the past couple of years. In addition to her art, she works a full time job.

Any person looking for more information or photos of works of art completed as a sampling of what Melissa can create can contact her directly at medlidorz@gmail.com/.

About the Master’s Plan

The mural was donated the third week of August, 2017 to the Master’s Plan Ministry. It hangs in the Cafe, located at 9586 Railroad Ave., one of the buildings which houses the Master’s Plan’s multiple outreach programs.

Activities there include church services, senior citizens’ gatherings, holiday celebrations and benefit events. Other ministries include the “Love to Spare” outreach, which has provided clothes, furniture, household items and appliances; the “Little Foot Prints” program, which provides children and adults with NEW shoes, boots and sneakers as supplies permit and Family Boxes of Love.

Two new programs are held on Friday evenings at 7 p.m., a Clean, Sober Saved addiction education and support group which is Bible-based and taught in videotape sessions by Tracy Strawberry; and also a Clean, Sober, Saved family and friends support group, where participants can hope for a powerful life free from co-dependency. For details, call 725-9229.

In addition, emergency shelter is available. Also, the Food Pantry provides over 3,400 meals a month for those in need from Dayton and surrounding areas.

Asked for public reaction to the mural, Angie Mardino-Miller, Master’s Plan Founder, stated enthusiastically, “There has been a great response from people.”

The Master’s Plan Cafe is indeed the perfect setting for a gift that celebrates the importance of a special small town and its residents.

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