From left, Vice President Jerry Williams, Board of Director Casey Astry, Fire Chief Bob Traber, Fireman Noah Hardy and Isaac Hardy from the South Dayton Fire Department.

SOUTH DAYTON — One never knows what will happen when community-minded gals gather at a picnic table on the Village Square in downtown South Dayton. This meeting occurred from many conversations about vacant storefronts’ window washing, storefronts need to be powered washed, and some need new paint.

Joanne Smith suggested curtains for the windows with Cindy Lauer using her materials and seamstress experience.

On of the first lines of conversation, will home power washers be enough to clean the storefronts? Cindy Lauer, member of Saturday mornings’ Farmers Market, suggested asking the South Dayton Fire Department if they would wash the storefronts since this is significant before the “Paint Up Project” can begin.

The South Dayton Fire District Commissioners approved the Department’s washing down the storefronts. The property owners endorsed the project and, one sunny morning, the firemen arrived at Park Street with their pumper and tanker trucks and the washing project was initiated. The firemen care about our community and support the “Paint Up Project”

They did a fantastic job washing the first floor storefronts and the Park Street sidewalk. Part of the firemen’s crew were member Noah Hardy, and his brother Isaac, who wanted to do their part helping prepare the storefronts for painting and washing down the sidewalk to improve the appearance of the downtown.

Encouraging young people to join is a goal of the South Dayton Fire Department helping make a better community when asked for their assistance and most of all, ready with their fire service skills in a time of need. The firemen’s washing left the storefronts ready for the planned colors of the paint project and the sidewalk was sparkling clean.

The paints, stains, and supplies, along with flowering plants were donated and the project began with window washing.

Since the painting was shared by volunteers, the project moved quickly along. Clyde Rodgers, Rodgers & Sons, who always supports local communities, donated their high lift for the project.

Shawn and Heidi Howard did clean up and repairs.

Painting storefronts along with window and door trims were Peg and Bill VanWormer, Karen Meyers, Christine Rupp, Kathy Pagett, Bri Ruzzo, Joe Kortz, Arthur Peters, Karen Strickland, while Karen Senn painted used Rodgers and Sons’ high lift.

Gary Crispen, local professional painter, stained the wooden porch that was part of the old Rough Kutts.

Melanie Zollinger and Cindy Lauer donated flowering plants for the old bank planters.

These colorful accents were planted by Zollinger with help from Karen Meyers. The finishing touch was Kenny and Tina Armstrong attaching cornstalks and artificial Fall flowers to the vacant store posts and to the gazebo posts welcoming everyone with Fall colors.

Since daffodil is the Village flower, Bri Ruzzo is preparing to paint daffodils in strategic areas throughout the downtown.

Currently, “The Downtown Gals” are discussing 2026 downtown events for people from all walks of life.