“It is a tremendous honor,” Day said. “I look forward to the ceremony, and the opportunity to celebrate my career with my wife, Donna, my family, and my many friends.”
Day, who is 71, began his broadcasting career on radio, and his first position in Dayton was at WHIO radio. He later anchored news coverage at WKEF-TV News and WDTN-TV News. In addition to a large number of public service awards, Day has won seven television Emmy awards, four of them as a top Dayton television anchor.
Day has even been in walk-on parts in some Hollywood movies, as an airplane pilot, and a race car and boat enthusiast.
On four occasions he has fought — and defeated — leukemia.
Day joins four other Dayton luminaries being added to the Walk of Fame, which is located in the Wright-Dunbar historic and business district just west of downtown Dayton, mainly along West Third Street:
• Inductee Laverne Kenon Sci, born in 1940, is the longtime site manager of the Paul Laurence Dunbar home, a national historic landmark at 219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar Ave. According to the committee that selected her, “Sci’s love of Paul Laurence Dunbar and his literature and poetry led her to years of service dedicated to elevating the appreciation of the poet and his works. She has been a tireless advocate for the preservation, growth and expansion of the memorial. She took over a building in a state of disrepair and shepherded it through revitalization and restoration.”
• Lucinda W. Adams, born in 1937, is a Dayton Olympic gold medal winner and an educator. She was a member of the U.S. Olympic teams in 1956 and in 1960, and won a gold medal in 1960 for the women’s 4-by-100 meter relay team in Rome, Italy. During her professional career as an educator and coach in the Dayton City Schools, she worked for equality in women’s athletics.
• Vincent G. Apple, who was born in 1874 and died in 1932, was a prolific inventor and businessman who received more than 350 patents in his lifetime. His work was primarily in the automotive field, and he originated the lighting and ignition systems used in cars, planes and boats. He is recognized as one of the nation’s top engineers of his time. He was among the original members to join the Engineers Club of Dayton, and counted Henry Ford and Thomas Edison among his friends.
• The Rev. DeSoto Bass, who was born in 1867 and died in 1928, was pastor of First Wesleyan Methodist church. He was known by some as the “community’s pastor,” according to the Walk of Fame committee. They said, “Rev. Bass was devoted to his church, his race and all the people of the community. Each Sunday afternoon for 27 years he led singing parties, bringing groups to sing spirituals in the hallways of Dayton hospitals. He was instrumental in the works of the Dayton International Ministerial Alliance.” A public housing complex was named in Bass’ honor.
The Walk of Fame was established in 1996. Approximately 125 outstanding Daytonians have been honored since the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, were the first to be inducted.
It was my honor to be inducted as a member in 2008, and I will be on hand, along with several other honorees from years past, for the public induction ceremony for the Class of 2009. It will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 24 at the Center for Regional Cooperation, 1100 W. Third St.
Tickets for a celebration luncheon following the induction ceremony will go on sale in late August. For more information about the Walk of Fame, call Wright Dunbar Inc. at (937) 443-0249.
Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.
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