Presented by GYG
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026
Good morning! Welcome to The Tradesman, a 5-minute newsletter tailored just for America’s tradesmen.
Today’s Tradesman is all about saving money and having fun this summer.
Plus, there’s an interesting debate about government surveillance happening in Ohio right now. Read about the details below.
How to Get a Beach Vacation Without the Flight
Can we be honest for a second? We here at the Tradesman love the beach. The sound of the ocean waves, the warm sand beneath our feet, and even the seagulls (when they’re not trying to steal your food).
Now that it’s summer, we’re itching to go. The problem is, flights are too damn expensive to justify the trip, and the nicest beaches are 11+ hours away. Or are they?
Rehoboth Beach in Delaware is only an 8-hour 15-minute drive from Columbus, and is often praised for being a small, clean, family-friendly town with great food and plenty of activities.
Ocean City, New Jersey, often called “America's Greatest Family Resort”, is another great option and is even slightly closer at only a 7-hour 50-minute drive.
Still not feeling the drive? We get it. Click here for a list of Ohio towns that give coastal without the coast.
The Best Holidays Are The Ones That Save You Money
Mark your calendars, Gov. Mike DeWine has finally announced the dates for this year’s Sales Tax Holiday.
From midnight on Friday, Aug. 7, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, certain items can be bought without an added sales tax.
These items include clothing, school supplies, and school instructional materials.
However, there are a few restrictions. Click here to read the full parameters of this tax holiday.
Morning Meme
We Live In a Surveillance State. But Should We?
Flock cameras. Chances are you’ve seen them even if you’ve never heard of them.
Flock cameras are stationary, AI-powered Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) typically mounted on roads, intersections, and private neighborhoods. Currently, there are give or take 5,000 cameras in Ohio alone, with over 100,000 in use nationwide.
Recently, the cameras have become a controversial topic when it was found that police stations were using the cameras to identify local immigrants, as well as store people’s license plate information and occasionally falsely accuse drivers of traffic violations.
Those in support of the cameras argue that while it does mean keeping public areas under surveillance, the cameras help stop auto thefts, kidnappings, and other violent incidents.
On May 1st, Dayton suspended its Flock Camera program, citing privacy violations, while cities like Toledo continue to maintain them.
Teach A Kid To Fish, and They Can Win a Prize
If you have a kid or niece/nephew under the age of 15, we have found the perfect bonding opportunity.
On June 20th, Summit Metro Parks will hold its annual Kids' Fishing Derby and its Special Needs Fishing Derby on June 23rd.
Each kid will receive a $1 prize if they catch a fish, and there will be trophies for the three largest fish caught.
POLL
Previous Results
Do you like non-alcoholic beer?
Yes - 20%
No - 40%
I've never had it - 40%
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