7 amazing people we met last month in Rick McCrabb’s inspiring columns

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

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Updated Feb 7, 2018
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We’re only in the second month of 2018, and already this has been a memorable year. All because of the people I’ve met, or at least written about.

My Sunday columns have been about three Middletown longtime barbers, a mother whose life changed all because she went to a dinner, a closed bike shop and the POW who opened a photo shop.

READ MORE: These 10 people were the most intriguing in the area in 2017 — and their stories are amazing

Here’s a look at the inspiring people we’ve met in the past month:

Pete Kurtz, Bob Youtsler, and Ishmael “Charlie” DeBord, L to R, stand in their barber shop on Jackson Lane Wednesday, Jan. 10 in Middletown. The three have worked together at Squire Barber Service in Middletown for 50 years. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

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1. The three barbers

If you got a minute — OK, more like an hour, even if you don’t need a haircut — stop by Squire Barber Service on Roosevelt Boulevard in Middletown. After talking and listening to Bob Youtsler, Pete Kurtz and Ishmael “Charlie” DeBord, you will leave feeling better about this world.

READ MORE: Barbers more like brothers than co-workers — for 50 years

Bill Davidson, then 20, enlisted in the Army Air Corps on March 9, 1942. After several months of training, he was assigned to the 2nd Air Force, and in April, 1943 found himself in England, ready to fly B-17 bombing missions over Germany.

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2. A Purple Heart winner who made Middletown his home

Middletown historian Sam Ashworth sent me an email about the passing of Bill Davidson. I only knew Davidson as the owner of Davidson Photo Shop.

But after talking to Ashworth and interviewing one of Davidson’s six children, Michael Davidson, I learned that Davidson was a prisoner of war during World War II.

READ MORE: This Purple Heart-awarded American hero was a POW in Poland before thriving in Middletown

A view of the Middletown Schwinn shop during its heyday.

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3. The lost shop

I knew there was a story to tell after Middletown Schwinn, which opened in 1969 and was sold in 1991, was demolished. Thanks to Jerry Gillespie and his sister, Alice Root, who shared some stories about the family-owned bike shop, readers were able to reminisce about some of their favorite childhood memories

READ MORE: If you grew up in Middletown, you went to this shop

Cyndi Newton, 49, of Middletown will attend her second Ladies Night Out on Jan. 27 at Windamere Event Center. She says the night is more than a chance for ladies to receive a dress, makeup and dinner. RICK McCRABB/STAFF

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4. All they need is a chance to feel pampered

For Cyndi Newton, she came out of her shell after attending Ladies Night Out last year.

Before that, she was a “homebody,” someone who rarely left her Middletown residence because she was too consumed with babysitting her eight grandchildren and caring for her daughter who has autism. Newton, like many women, put others — children, grandchildren, everyone — before herself.

Then Newton, 49, read something on Facebook about Ladies Night Out, an annual event that provides women an opportunity to be pampered.

“It was a way to get away from the kids and grandkids for a night,” Newton said.

READ MORE: This Ladies Night Out isn’t just about a good time. It changes lives

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