Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Guest Contributor

Cake, Hope & Love & Giovanni’s Stepping Up, After High Schooler Has Heart Attack

By

This Stebbins high school senior, Ebonie, was at track practice and started to not feel good and went to see the trainers. She passed out and with the quick thinking of the trainers, they started CPR. They had to use a defibrillator to try to restart her heart. She was then transported to Dayton Children’s and had to be shocked a total of 7x by the time she got there. Upon arriving at Children’s, it was determined she needed to be transferred to Cincinnati Children’s.
Ebonie was Careflighted down to Cincinnati where she received a heart cath and was found to have 2 blockages in her heart. Ebonie was then transferred to UC Medical where they specialize in treating blockages of the LAD. Doctors were able to clear one of the blockages in her heart, but there was still a second they could not clear. The second blockage was in place for at least 30 hours before it was discovered. It is unclear what damage if any, Ebonies heart sustained.
Ebonie had what is called a Widowmaker heart attack, a heart attack in which you have a full blockage of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). She is currently on ECMO to try and give her heart and lungs some much-needed rest. The next few days will determine if she improves on her own or if an internal heart pump will be needed. They are anticipating being in the hospital for the next at least 4 weeks.
According to The Teague’s, who own Cake, Hope & Love in Beavercreek, and are friends of the family,  “she’s a sassy ray of sunshine with dimples. She’s smart, driven, athletic, and a pure joy to be around. She’s been a football teammate for my son, a player for my husband to coach, our dog sitter, and a sweet friend to our family. I even have her basketball picture magnet on my oven here at the bakery!”
To help offset the cost of the bills and for her mom Beverly be with her at the hospital Cake, Hope and Love are donating proceeds of their sales yesterday and today, as well as from St. Patrick’s Day Cookie Boxes you can order this his week.  You can pre-order your cookies online for pick up next Friday or Saturday.
Also joining the fundraising for Ebonie, Giovanni’s Fairborn has stepped up and will be opening for business this “Tuesday from 4-7pm,  and doing what will likely be their last soup event of the winter. They will also be selling pizzas, salads, desserts, and a feature dinner that we will announce soon. A portion of our sales this Tuesday will be going to this young lady and her family. Her mother is currently staying at a hotel across the street and as you can imagine the ICU stay and the hotel are costing the family an astronomical amount. We want to help. As a mother I could not imagine my high school age daughter fighting for her life after a heart attack. As a daughter who’s father had heart issues I know how delicate the situation can be. Please please come out and get a pizza and one of our homemade soups or even just a slice of tiramisu. I know our Giovanni’s family always shows up when it’s important and we really hope to see you Tuesday from 4-7. We will post the full menu soon.”
Until then the soups they will be selling by quart and half gallon are:
  • Cream of Wild Mushroom Soup
  • Creamy Chicken & Tortellini Soup
  • Minestrone
  • Spicy Garlic Chicken
  • Shrimp & Corn Chowder
  • Tomato Basil Bisque

There has also been a Go Fund Me set up if you’d like to help support the family.

 

The ARTery Gallery March Openings

By

The ARTery is a large Co-Op Gallery located in the Frontstreet Building #100 in downtown Dayton. They are excited to announce Bonnie Kuntz is their Highlighted Member Artist of the Month for March.  Kuntz is a painter at the ARTery Gallery who uses a variety of mediums to capture her images including watercolor, acrylics, mixed media, and occasionally pastels. 

The Gallery’s Visiting Artist of the Month is Sarah Wrona who is no stranger to Front Street having her own studio located in building 200 called the Glass Station. Wrona is not only a multi-talented artist who works in glass and alcohol inks, but she also creates jewelry, welded metal sculptures, found object sculptures and crocheted items. Sarah will have a selection of her fused glass dishes, jewelry, and crocheted scarves on display and for sale at the gallery this month.  Come meet both artists and see their finely executed body of work 1st Friday, March 3rd from 5-9pm, or 3rd Sunday, March 19th from 12-4pm.

Bonnie Kuntz is an accomplished artist who also enjoys teaching painting classes at both the Rosewood Arts Center and the Miamisburg Community Center – in conjunction with Sinclair Community College.  Kuntz’ work is not only on display at The Artery Gallery, but her work is accepted into a variety of local juried shows throughout the year.  The artist is very active in the Miami Valley’s art community, The Contemporary, the Women’s Tri Art Society, and others who help promote art and artists in the area.

Years of raising horses have provided Kuntz with a common subject in many of her works, and her deep love for all animals, flowers and landscapes become the subject of most of her paintings.  The artist has enjoyed a successful artistic career over the years having won many awards in juried art shows. And, when not painting, the artist keeps herself strong and healthy pursuing her interest in eastern practices such as teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Lel Qigong. She has a brown belt in Astarte Kempo Karate and is also a Healing Touch Practitioner and has completed a 30-month Shaman apprenticeship program. 

The Co-Op ARTery Gallery currently has 16 Artists and Artisans with work on display including Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil Painting, Encaustic, Fine Art Photography, Photography, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Ceramics, Custom Jewelry, Hand Made Textiles and Sculpture with styles ranging from traditional to Contemporary. 

Article written by:  Melanie Morrett 

The ARTery at Front Street

Bldg. 100, Door B/C, 3rd Floor, Studio #3480

Hours:

First Friday, 5 pm – 9 pm
Third Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm

And Daily by Appointment.

*Current ARTery Artists include:  Fabienne Bee, Alison Bour, Rosalie Campbell, Samantha Farkas, Bob Farley, Charlene Fox, Jim Hayes, Mikee Huber, Bonnie Kuntz, Sarah Maxwell, Melanie Morrett, Ashley Simons, Ryan Taylor, Jo Anne Vincent, Leonard Williams, and David Zawisa.

Experience March Madness in Dayton

By

Fun Fact: UD Arena has hosted more NCAA® Tournaments than any other venue in the nation!

There’s no denying it, Dayton is a basketball mecca! March is almost here and that means basketball madness returns to Dayton. In 2023, Dayton will proudly welcome and host the NCAA® First Four® Tournament (March 14 & 15), and the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls (March 9-11) and Boys (March 17-19) Basketball State Tournaments, as well as community events, coordinated by The Big Hoopla, surrounding the NCAA® First Four® games.

Read on to learn more about all these exciting events and how you can be part of the Madness!

NCAA®​ First Four®

The NCAA®​ First Four®

The Dayton region is the Epicenter of College Basketball, and fans from around the country know that THE ROAD STARTS HERE™! March Madness is alive and well in Dayton – we look forward to welcoming the NCAA® First Four® Tournament back to UD Arena this year AND to hosting the tournament through 2026!

There will be two games in each session (night), on March 14 & 15, and the winners of each game will advance on the road to the Final Four®. We won’t know the schedule of who’s playing in the First Four® Tournament until NCAA® Selection Sunday, on March 12, but we can guarantee the games will played in front of packed houses at UD Arena, where the energy is always electric!

Get your game tickets now, because the First Four® will sell out!

Check out the latest 2023 NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKETOLOGY at espn.com

The Big Hoopla

hoopla

In Dayton, college basketball holds a special place in our hearts; get ready for the The Big Hoopla to return to Dayton in 2023. Since 2012, The Big Hoopla has showcased Dayton’s collaborative spirit, basketball unity and affinity for our military heroes serving locally and around the world. The First Four® NCAA® Basketball Tournament presents a tremendous opportunity to come together as a community, and as a country, to celebrate the great things that can be accomplished with teamwork, dedication, and a shared goal.  Join in on the fun by participating in one or all three of these planned community activities.

1. Hoopla 4 Miler

Hoopla 4 Miler

Here in Dayton, it’s about more than just basketball, it’s four full days of activities and the first of all those events is the Big Hoopla 4 Miler. On Selection Sunday, March 12, the day begins with a 4-mile run that starts and finishes at the heart of basketball, UD Arena. The course offers skyline views, crosses the Great Miami River, and loops past Carillon Historical Park.

All participants receive a long-sleeve tech tee, a custom finisher medal, free race photos, tons of post-race food. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m. The top three overall male and female runners will receive a CASH PRIZE, and the top three overall male and female masters (40+), as well as the top three finishers in each age group, receive two (2) tickets to the NCAA First Four® at UD Arena on March 14 & 15, 2023. Follow this link to register online for the race.

2. Hoopla STEM Challenge

Hoopla STEM Challenge

Ready to learn and have fun – all for free?!  Do your kids wanna shoot some hoops? On Sunday, March 12, bring your family to participate in a FREE basketball ‘hot shot’ and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education contest with prizes awarded for each shot made! The event is open to boys and girls grades K–8 and will take place at the Dayton Convention Center.

The event ties together the excitement and passion for college basketball to the power of STEM education. Regional and national partners will be on-site to engage students with hands-on science, technology, engineering and math demonstrations, as well as two fun, one-hour shows with award-winning science entertainer Eric Energy at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Registration is free, and more information will be posted on the event site.

OHSAA Basketball State Tournaments

OHSAA

As if the NCAA® First Four® Tournament Tournament wasn’t exciting enough, Dayton and UD Arena will also be hosting the Ohio High School Athletic Association Girls and Boys Basketball State Tournaments in March! The state’s high school basketball elite will battle it out on the hallowed floor of UD Arena to see who will be named OHSAA Girls & Boys State Basketball Champion! Don’t miss the action.

1. 2022 OHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament March 9-11, University of Dayton Arena

Thursday, March 9 (State Semifinals): DII – 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., DIV – 6 & 8 p.m.
Friday, March 10 (State Semifinals): DIII – 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., DI – 6 & 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 11 (State Championships): DII – 10:45 a.m., DIV – 2 p.m., DIII – 5:15 p.m., DI – 8:30 p.m.
Girls state tournament all-session tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at the OHSAA ticketing website.

Girls basketball all-session reserved tickets are $112 each, while premium seat tickets are $144 each. Single-session tickets for the girls basketball state tournament go on sale at noon on Sunday, March 5, Single-session general admission tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for students and $20 for premium seats.

2. 2022 OHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament March 17-19, University of Dayton Arena

Friday, March 17 (State Semifinals): DII – 10:45 a.m. & 2 p.m., DIV – 5:15 & 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 (State Semifinals): DIII – 10:45 a.m. & 2 p.m., DI – 5:15 & 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 19 (State Championships): DII – 10:45 a.m., DIV – 2 p.m., DII – 5:15 p.m., DI – 8:30 p.m.
Boys state tournament all-session tickets are already on sale and may be purchased at the OHSAA ticketing website.

Boys basketball all-session reserved tickets are $168 each, while premium all-session tickets are $216 each. Tickets for the Center Court Club, which include lounge access between games, concession vouchers and seats very near the court are $500 each. Single-session tickets for the Boys Basketball State Tournament go on sale at noon on Sunday, March 12. Single-session adult tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for students and $20 for premium seats.

All ticket prices include parking fees. The University of Dayton Arena is a cashless facility. Tailgating and overnight parking are not permitted.

The Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau encourages you to get out and enjoy March Madness in person – there’s nothing like the energy and excitement of a live sporting event! Check back here and on the First Four® page of our website for additional information and updates.If you’re traveling to Dayton from out of town for the tournaments, you can find hotel and restaurant listings on our website to help plan your stay. Be sure to also check out the calendar of events, attractions and things to do sections of our website, so that you can explore and make the most of your time in Dayton! You can also download our FREE Visit Dayton App and Destination Dayton Visitors Guide, to have all this information right at your fingertips! Feel free to call us at 937-226-8211 (Monday-Friday) if you have questions about planning your March Madness visit.

This post originally appeared on the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau website and is reprinted here with permission.

A First Visit to Crafted & Cured

By

Sidney resident Roger Garber shared his experience at the newly opened Crafted & Cured, located at 8 S. Market Street in Troy.
So after waiting for years for them to reopen Wednesday February 8th was the day. If you know me I love a good charcuterie board and that’s what this place is all about.
Ribbon ceremony was at 4:30 and we got there shortly after 5:00. I didn’t know what to expect or if there would even be room for us to be seated. Well my worries were at ease when we walked in. There is no hostess stand. You walk in and the bar area greets you with 63 beers on tap. You can start your tab there and use it throughout your visit.
We placed our drink order and I proceeded to ask all the important questions that I do. So they explain the whole building is open for exploration while your there or waiting on your board. We proceeded to the back of the restaurant where the charcuterie boards are ordered. There is a bar area there so you can sit there and watch them or go find a seat elsewhere.
We decided to go upstairs and watch from above. The space is an old bank and I was surprised by the height. The ceiling is a good 30+ ft high with intricate woodwork.
Later in our visit we found the original build receipt for $179,000 in 1930. I couldn’t imagine the cost to rebuild in 2023.
We found a small table for two by the overlook and waited for food. There are multiple tables and seating that accommodates multiple size parties.
Back to the boards, they offer numerous boards with different price ranges. They come with two meats and two cheeses with all the goodies.
There is a Cajun theme, seafood theme, regular board and the Best of the Best. You know I had to order that one.
You can buy items individually to a certain point. I forgot to ask but all the boards had fresh bread sliced. Not sure if that is made in house or from a local vendor. We waited about 15-20 minutes for our board to arrive. The ingredients are served on a slate board and it’s full edge to edge with goodness. Boards are made to serve 2-4 but that is all relevant to if your hungry or not.
We decided to get the dessert board but I told her I was in no hurry so take time making it while we explored more. I knew the bank vault was in the basement so we headed there.
The whole basement is open to explore and there are also restrooms down there. They haven’t figured it out yet but there is going to be a safe deposit program where you rent a box by the year. For the larger boxes they are going to have specially made barrels of bourbon and you buy a bottle and store it there. That program is still in the works so I’m not going to speculate all the details.
At that time I realized I didn’t have my table marker 24 in my hand. They give you markers when you order so they know where to take your food when it’s ready. I figured I must have left it up at the table so we went back upstairs and our other board was there waiting. That was an oops on my behalf but know one had bothered it or ate it all. They also have a huge wine selection that they sell at state minimum so you can take it to go or drink there. If you decide to drink it there they charge $8 bottle fee to open.
There are also self serve fresh water stations on the first and second floor. They also have 4 meads on tap and a few Strong ports. I talked to both owners and they answered all of my questions that I had for the night. I almost forgot to mention they are adding a bourbon bar upstairs. The one lady I talked to said they were starting that very soon. You can go upstairs and see the template and design for that. It was definitely a good date night for the wife and I and we will be back sooner than later. I would allow 90 minutes for a good experience. We stayed around 3 hours but we were just enjoying each others company and the atmosphere. Definitely two thumbs up and I’m grateful to this addition to downtown Troy. Can’t wait till the new pizza place opens. I’ll definitely be there to support them and enjoy that.

Jurassic Quest Brings Dinosaurs to Dayton!

By

You’re gonna need a bigger weekend! The world-famous, life-size dinosaurs of Jurassic Quest–billed as the world’s largest, most-realistic dinosaur event–return to the Dayton Convention Center the weekend of February 3-5.

Jurassic Quest features more than 100 life-size animatronic dinosaurs that are meticulously painted and animated to be “realer-than-real.” Guests walk through the Cretaceous, Jurassic and Triassic periods, experiencing for themselves what it was like to be among living, breathing dinosaurs. Whether you’re 3 or 103, this is a one-of-a-kind experience you won’t soon forget!

Enter to Win Tickets!

We’ve got an exclusive chance for you to win a family four-pack of tickets to visit Jurassic Quest!

Simply follow this link and complete the form to be entered

We’ll pick and notify the winner on January 31. The deadline to enter is noon on January 31.

About Jurassic Quest

Jurassic Quest offers unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. There’s no better place to make pter-iffic memories, playing with adorable baby dinos, excavating fossils, and even training a raptor, while surrounded by behemoths like sky-scraping Spinosaurus, Apatosaurus, an incredible 50-foot-long Megalodon, and the king of the dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex! A few of the show’s highlights include:

Ride a Dino
Jump on a dino’s back and hang on tight! Some of the shows animatronic dinosaurs are ridable and kids always find their favorite.

Explore Bounce Houses
The show’s dinosaur-themed bounce houses are full of roars … of laughter. Jurassic Quest also includes bounce houses designated specifically for small children. (Note: socks are required and sold at the event.)

Create a Dino Craft
Create a paper dinosaur, color a dino, or choose from other exciting crafts at the free crafts table.

Dig for Fossils
Paleontologists of all ages are welcome – uncover ancient secrets like triceratops and T-rex “fossils” and more at the science tables.

Meet Baby Dinos

Jurassic Quest features more than 100 animatronic dinosaurs
If you think the huge dinos are awesome … just wait until you meet the baby Triceratops, Camarasaurus and more! A guest favorite, the baby dinos are amazingly life-like and cute.

Walk with Dinosaurs
Adolescent dinosaurs like to run around and play with the audience! You can take photos and hang out with the dinos while exploring the show.

Discover Ancient Oceans
Discover the secrets of underwater sea dwellers like the enormous prehistoric sea turtle, the earliest discovered dolphins and, of course, the 50-foot megalodon!

Get Tickets to Jurassic Quest

You’ll want to get your tickets for Jurassic Quest before they go EXTINCT!

Kids Unlimited Tickets are $36 (includes admission, plus unlimited access to stationery and walking dinosaur rides, fossil dig, and dinosaur themed inflatable attractions);  (Note: maximum weight for rides is 140lbs.); Kids Standard Admission is $22 (includes live shows, arts and crafts activities, dinosaur and marine exhibits. Tickets for other individual activities available on-site; Adult Standard Admission is $22; Senior Standard Admission is $19; and admission is free for children under 2.

Follow this link to buy tickets now

Show hours are Friday, February 3, 1-8 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, February 5, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

This post first appeared on the Dayton CVB blog.

Known as the Birthplace of Aviation, Dayton/Montgomery County is located at one of the busiest Crossroads of America, where the I-75 north/south meets the I-70 east/west. Visit daytoncvb.com to request a Destination Dayton Visitors Guide!

Trader Joe’s 14th Customer Choice Award Winners

By

Today, Trader Joe’s announced their 14th Customer Choice Award winners—these are the best products according to customers like you and me. Here are the winners by category:

P.S. You may be surprised that certain beloved Trader Joe’s products didn’t make the cut this year—namely Mandarin Orange Chicken, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Unexpected Cheddar, Soy Chorizo, and Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets. That’s because these recurring winners were inducted to Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame and are no longer eligible to win.

Trader Joe's Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Overall Winner: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips

The Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are the overall winner and favorite in the snack category too. At least twice a month I get pitches from writers that want to share their love of these chips with the world. That’s how popular these are. I suspect these snacks are going to fly off the shelves now that the word is officially out about their awesomeness. Grab a bag or four while you can!

Trader Joe's honey crisp apple juice
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Trader Joe’s Beverage: Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage

Of all the 2022 winners, this is the only product I’ve never tried because it’s seasonal—it typically shows up around the end of October through December. According to a friend, these taste just like honeycrisp apples and are amazing with apple bourbon and ice. At $3.99 for a pack of four cans, I’d say they are a pretty good deal, too.

Trader Joe's cheddar cheese
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Best Trader Joe’s Cheese: Cheddar with Caramelized Onions

What a genius combination! There are so many ways this creamy cheddar with caramelized onions can elevate any recipe:

  • Shred it over pita bread and bake it until melty for the best cheesy bread.
  • Make grilled cheese with it.
  • Shred and sprinkle it over scalloped potatoes.
  • Stuff a burger for the most delightful gooey surprise when you bit into it.
Trader Joe's hold the cone
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Trader Joe’s Dessert: Hold the Cone!

Writer Stephanie Ganz introduced me to these mini ice cream cones that come in three standard flavors—vanilla (my favorite), chocolate, and chocolate chip—plus the occasional seasonal flavors like peppermint, coffee, and pumpkin ginger. What. a. delight! Not only are they delicious, as a parent of three boys, I’m grateful that they are small enough to curb a sugar rush yet big enough to scratch an itchy craving for something sweet.

Trader Joe's butter chicken
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

The Best Trader Joe’s Entree: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

Trader Joe’s does frozen Indian meals very well, and the butter chicken is no exception. Stock up on them for quick desk lunches for work. From a scale of zero to five (zero being not spicy and five burning your mouth), this one is a zero point five. Trader Joe’s Fiery Chicken Curry is spicier, and in my opinion, better. I would recommend buying one of each, the butter chicken, the chicken tikka masala, the fiery chicken curry, and all other vegetarian options, to find your favorite.

Trader Joe's banana
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Most Loved Trader Joe’s Produce: Bananas

19 cents for one conventional banana is half the point of going to Trader Joes. (Organic ones are a quarter each—still a steal.) You might think, a banana is a banana is a banana, so what’s so special about TJ’s bananas? It’s cheaper, and unlike bananas sold at other grocery stores, you can buy them by the unit—yes, you can walk out of the store with one banana—rather than pre-packaged bunches. ICYMI, we love bananas here at Simply Recipes, so we are fans are buying more than you’ll need to snack on, because overripe bananas mean banana bread.

Trader Joe's kale, cashew, basil pesto
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

The Best Vegan or Vegetarian Product: Kale Cashew Pesto

Last year, writer Micah Siva shared her secret to easy weeknight dinners using this vegan pesto. She says, “When it first came out, I was skeptical. Did I really need more kale in my diet on top of the kale gnocchi, kale chips, kale salads, and kale smoothies? Well, of course! I can’t do without this stuff. It’s fresh, flavorful, and my secret ingredient to quick and easy weeknight dinners.”

Trader Joe's scented candles
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Non-Food Product: Scented Candles

If you fall in love with a fragrance, buy them in bulk and stock up. The scents are seasonal, so if you run out you’ll have to wait another year for it to hit the shelves again. I love the sweet smell of mango tangerine, but I did notice that the coconut-soy wax blend does melt quickly and the candle doesn’t burn as long as other brands.

This article originally appeared on the Simply Recipes website and was written by  MYO QUINN.

Ryan Tripp, Dayton’s Donut Entrepreneur

By

Congrats Ryan Tripp…hard to believe that it was 5 years ago today that he purchased The Donut Haus Bakery from me after a 33 year Run.
For Ryan, it all started at age 14. I had spoken at a Career Day at Springboro Junior High. My talk was on how to properly fill out an Application, we did a mock interview with the kids and emphasized the importance of how to set yourself apart from your competition.
Ryan was hired within a week at age 14 and eventually became a Baker, Mgr. He stayed with me on a part time basis when he entered Wright State University full time and earned a Neuro Science Degree. Just out of college he was hired as a Gastroenterologist/ Diabetes Specialist from 2015- 2016. Kind of ironic right, being in the “sweets business” for many years.
After a year, he switched gears and approached me about starting his own Donut Shop. He opened Bear Creek Donuts/ Miamisburg a few short months later in April, 2016. That shop was successful as soon as he opened the doors.
In 2017, he was was interested in opening a second one. I said “where are we going now Ryan” He wanted a location in West Carrollton and I knew that market was underserved. Instead of going that way, we began talks of Ryan purchasing the D Haus and me hanging up my rolling pin. We put a Succession Plan together and on 1-16- 2018 he took over.
I could not be more proud of his accomplishments during these 5 years to bring fresh ideas, additional products, donut birthday cakes, tours and many things to keep his customers engaged. He started giving back right away to the communities he does business in.
During the past 2 years what really makes me proud of him…he became the mentor to 2 men that have opened their own donut shops.
One of his friends from HS, Clay Fillinger, a full time firefighter in Xenia approached him about his desire to start a shop there. For 6 months, Clay shadowed at the D Haus to learn the business and opened up Glazed Donut Eatery/ in Xenia in 2021.
Fast forward to October of 2021 and Ryan mentored a young man at the D Haus who also started there at age 14. Luke Lawrence then opened his own Shop in the W Carrollton/ Moraine area at age 19 that Ryan had talked about a site at one time. Hence, Hole N One Donuts was born and has also been successful and well received from these communities.
Ryan, Kudos to you and Emily and continued Best Wishes.

This post written by Mike Hemmert, the original owner of Springboro’s Donut Haus

13 Superstitions for Friday the 13th

By

Today is Friday the 13th – many of us are going to be avoiding various breaks in concrete and moving out of any paths that may or may not be crossed by black felines. Although they observe superstitious customs regularly, most people have no idea how or where their favorite superstitions originated. So allow us to share:

  1. “Ringing a bell will drive away spirits”

Bell

Origin: Bells were actually used to signify the times of gathering and worship in many different religions. This goes for Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, and Islamic tradition to be called to prayer multiple times a day. The superstition about them driving away evil actually came from pagan winter celebrations where the ringing of bells was believed to drive away negative energy and spirits. 

  1. “It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder”

Ladders

Origin: It’s all about symbolism with ladders. In medieval times, it was seen as bad luck because ladders symbolized the gallows where they hung people. In Egypt, a ladder leaning against a wall made a triangle, which symbolized a pyramid. If you walked under the ladder, the power of the sacred pyramid was broken, causing bad luck.

  1. “If a black cat crosses your path it is bad luck”

Cat

Origin: If a black cat crossed your path you would lose your connection with God and perish. Contrary to that, black cats were seen as both valued and good luck in ancient Egypt, England, and Ireland. (Note: due to this superstition, black cats are often surrendered to animal shelters and have difficulty finding homes. Give yourself some good karma if you’re thinking of adopting a furry friend and take one of these beauties home.)

  1. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back”

Crack

Origin: This one has a few different meanings. In the early 20th century, the phrase was actually “step on a crack and make your baby black” – a racist sentiment. As for the belief about mothers, one part of the superstition was that the number of cracks would indicate the number of broken bones. It was also thought that cracks were a way to hell, and if you stepped on them you would release demons.

  1. “If you spill the salt you will have bad luck”

Salt

Origin: This superstition goes all the way back to ancient times when salt was used in many rituals and believed to harbor powerful magic. It is also connected to Christianity through DaVinci’s painting, “The Last Supper,” in which you can see Judas spilling the salt. This ties in to the tradition of throwing spilled salt over your left shoulder with your right hand because the “spirit” is believed to reside on the right side of God and the Devil resides on the left. Throwing the salt over your left shoulder is meant to keep the Devil in his place.

  1. “If your ears are burning someone is gossiping about you” or “If your ears are itching someone is talking about you”

Ear

Origin: The superstition of burning or itching ears traces back to Roman times when your body was thought to predict actions or events beyond your knowledge. Whether it was your left or right ear stems back to the belief of positive spirits residing on your right and negative spirits or demons residing on your left.

  1. Mirrors

Mirror

Origin: Mirrors hold a long history of superstition, tracing back to ancient times when any reflective surface was seen as a portal directly to the gods or the afterlife. To break such a precious commodity was seen as a bad omen and a harbinger of sure death. Or, if you did not cover mirrors after someone had passed, it was believed that their spirits could get stuck inside of the mirror.

  1. “It’s bad luck to open an umbrella indoors”

Umbrella

Origin: Going back to ancient Egypt, using an umbrella outside was to protect you from the powerful rays of the sun. If you opened your umbrella indoors, you would anger the Sun God and bad luck and despair would rain down on you.

  1. “If a ladybug lands on you, count the spots and that is how long you will have good luck”

Ladybug

Origin: Ladybugs have long been a symbol of good fortune. In the Middle Ages, if a ladybug landed on you it could symbolize protection, marriage for an unmarried woman, and even good luck for babies.

  1. “Knock on wood”

Knocker

Origin: This saying finds its roots in German folklore, where one would “knock on wood” to gain the protection of the mystical tree fairies or Dryads.

  1. Blowing out Birthday candles

Candles

Origin: In ancient Greece, candles on a cake were a tribute to the goddess Artemis. The cakes were round and the candles were placed in a circle. In Germany, candles on a cake signified the “light of life” and well-being of the person for the year to come. It was also thought that the smoke from the candles would carry your wishes to the gods.

  1. “Cross your fingers”

Fingers Crossed

Origin: This dates back to early Christianity. The cross has been a symbol of hope, strength, and unity, as well as a way to ward off evil from your spirit and home. Crossing your fingers began as a pact between two people; one would make a wish and the other would help solidify the wish by placing their index finger over the other person’s index finger.

  1. Fear of Friday the 13th: Triskaidekaphobia

13

Origin: The fear of Friday the 13th stems from the fear of the number 13. Throughout history, the number 13 has been connected with multiple negative events. Loki (although I love him in the Marvel movies) was the 13th God. Judas was the 13th to sit at the table at The Last Supper. Apollo 13 launched at 13:13:00 and on April 13th suffered an oxygen tank explosion but did return safely to earth afterward.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Visit Dayton’s Vegan Ice Cream Parlor

By

Cerenity Miller began exploring vegan ice creams when her children were diagnosed with food allergies. Today, VeganMeltz is the region’s first fully plant-based ice cream parlor, located at 4636 Salem Ave in Trotwood.

Launch Dayton  recently caught up with Cerenity to learn more about her company and her entrepreneurial journey.

LAUNCH DAYTON: HOW DID YOUR COMPANY START?

Cerenity: My children were born with food allergies, so I transitioned our diets to being vegan. Whenever we would go to birthday parties, they couldn’t eat anything, so I decided to make ice cream for them. After that, it transpired into a whole business.

WHY THIS IDEA?

We could have gone to any vegan area — we didn’t have to do ice cream. I tasted a few vegan ice creams, and I wasn’t a fan of them. When I decided to make my own, I realized I could make so many different flavors. That’s when I chose to go with ice cream. There are places in Dayton that serve vegan options, but I haven’t seen a whole vegan ice cream parlor.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Yes. I knew that I wanted to do this. I wanted to be a full-time entrepreneur by the time I was 30, and I’m 29. I made it just in time!

WHAT IDENTITIES DO YOU BRING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP THAT HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR THIS LIFESTYLE?

I graduated from Wright State University with my bachelor’s degree in business marketing. That allowed me to wrap my mind around why marketing is important and who the target market is. I have friends and family members who have been entrepreneurs their entire lives. I’ve had that momentum going, so that went into knowing what I wanted to do.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER YOU’VE FACED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Reaching my target niche market. Often, when people hear “vegan ice cream,” their first reaction is “ew!” I had to think about my experience with trying vegan ice creams to know where their minds were going. It was hard at first to know how to reach people who are lactose intolerant or have Celiac disease. Finding those people who think they can’t have ice cream and telling them they can was the hardest thing.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT DO YOU?

I get to be as creative as I want to. I can come in everyday and make a new ice cream flavor if I wanted to. I’m always interested in taking my favorite desserts and seeing how they taste as ice cream. It’s so fun to think of new flavors and ways to create those flavors. It’s also fun to pull people out of their norm.

HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED TO THE DAYTON BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

In May of 2020, I had my first pop-up event at Wright Dunbar Day. It was in the Wright Dunbar area at Tae Winston’s event. Before that I was doing deliveries. As I grew, I was able to do pop-ups, and that was my first time immersing myself into the Dayton business community.

ARE THERE ANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED YOU ON YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY?

There are so many pop-up events in Dayton that I have attended that I can’t name them all, but those helped so much. Dayton business accelerator programs. I’ve been in the Dayton Retail Lab; I’m in another accelerator program called Aventi Enterprises out of central Ohio. I have been involved the most with those.

HOW CAN THE LAUNCH DAYTON COMMUNITY SUPPORT YOU?

Visit the store! We are located at 4636 Salem Ave, Trotwood. Share my posts and stay up to date with our page. And recommend new flavors! I am always open to suggestions because my favorite flavors of ice cream aren’t everyone’s favorite flavors. We do Flavor-of-the-Week, so we can try the recommendations, and if they’re a fan favorite, we’ll put them on the permanent menu!

Connect with VeganMeltz online here.

This story originally appeared on Launch Dayton’s Website.

Launch Dayton is a collaborative effort to connect entrepreneurs to peers, resources, and supporters, and to tell the stories of our region’s thriving startup community.

Curious if the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab might be a fit for your business?
Learn more and apply here.

 

5 Can’t-Miss Arts Events in October

By

We’ve heard it time and again from both Dayton residents and those visiting the region–Dayton has an absolutely amazing arts scene, rivaling many larger markets! Both the performing and visual arts are well represented, including Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Art Institute and The Contemporary, to name just a few. In addition, Dayton Live, which manages the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre, Metropolitan Arts Center and PNC Arts Annex, brings touring Broadway and a diverse variety of other performances to those venues.

The fall arts season is in full swing across the Dayton region, and we’ve compiled a short list of five “can’t-miss” events taking place over just the next couple of weeks!

1. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Philharmonster

Date & Time: Sunday, October 23, 3 p.m.
Location: Schuster Center

This image shows two jack-o-lanterns with candles lit inside them.

Autumn wouldn’t be complete without a family trip downtown for PhilharMonster. This year’s Halloween-themed concert. Gasps, giggles, and costumes abound during this afternoon when everyone prepares for the hauntingly hilarious Halloween season. Before the concert, the Dayton Philharmonic will provide activities and treats in the Schuster Center Wintergarden.  Tickets are $26 and may be purchased here.

2. The Human Race Theatre Company: Deadline

Dates & Times: October 27–November 13, performances times vary
Location: The Loft Theatre

Promotional poster for the Human Race Theatre Company production of Deadline

The Human Race Theatre has a long tradition of premiering new works in Dayton, and their latest offering, Deadline, is a world premiere comedy thriller that is described as a bit of Clue, a bit of Knives Out, and a lot of fun! When playwrights Don and Mara are hired to finish a famous mystery writer’s last play following his mysterious death, they find themselves literally sucked into the play, trapped in the very world they are trying to complete, where solving the mystery becomes a matter of life and death. Tickets range from $10-$53; click here for more information about performance dates, times and tickets.

3. Dayton Art Institute: The Art of David Levinthal & Joe Fig

Dates & Times: Currently on view through January 15, 2023
Location: Dayton Art Institute
Museum Hours: Wed./Fri./Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun., 12–5 p.m.

An artwork by Joe Fig that recreates Jackson Pollock's art studio in miniature.

The museum recently opened two new exhibitions, both of which are on view through January 15, 2023. American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs is a traveling exhibition organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Using toys as his subjects, Levinthal looks at and recreates quintessential American subjects. Joe Fig: Other Artists is a DAI-exclusive exhibition presenting the painstakingly detailed miniature models of American author and artist Joe Fig, as he recreates the studios of famous artists such as Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman. Museum general admission, which includes access to all exhibitions and the collection galleries, is $15 adults, $10 seniors, active military and groups, $5 college students and youth, free for children under 7 and museum members. Visit their website for more information.

Image: Joe Fig, Jackson Pollock 1951 (interior), 2002, mixed media. Courtesy Joe Fig and Dayton Art Institute.

4. Dayton Ballet: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Dates & Times: October 28 & 29, 7:30 p.m.; October 30, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre

Promotional image for Dayton Ballet's production of Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Dayton Ballet–the second-oldest ballet company in the United States–celebrates its 85th anniversary this season. It kicks off that celebration in spooky fashion with a brand-new production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The haunting story of the Headless Horseman comes to life with all the characters of this familiar tale; Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and the full ensemble of Dayton Ballet take the stage to bring to life Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke’s fresh approach on the timeless classic. Composer Austin Jaquith provides a brand-new original score, performed live by musicians from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra! Tickets range from $5 – $86 and may be purchased here.

5. Dayton Live: Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni

Date & Time: Thursday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre

An image of Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni

Honestly, we could probably do a separate post of the top five can’t-miss Dayton Live events … they have so much happening in the coming weeks! But since it’s Spooky Season, we have to go with Life With The Afterlife: A Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni. Paranormal investigator, author, podcaster and star of Kindred Spirits and Ghost Hunters, Bruni shares hair-raising tales from her countless hours hunting ghosts at America’s most haunted locations. By the end of the night, you will likely question everything you thought you knew about the spirit world, and life after death! Tickets range from $35 – $85 and can be found by clicking here.

Bonus Pick! Taking a quick look ahead to November, Dayton Live kicks off its 2022–2023 Premier Health Broadway in Dayton series with Pretty Woman, November 1–6 at the Schuster Center! Get a peek at the series here:

 

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so we encourage you to explore and seek out the many other arts happenings taking place through the end of 2022. Check out the Things to Do in Dayton section of the Dayton CVB website and sign up for their monthly email newsletter to learn more!

This blog post by Eric Brockman originally appeared on the Dayton CVB’s Website and we share it with permission.


For more information on things to do in Dayton, contact the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 937-226-8211 (Monday-Friday) or download the free Visit Dayton App from Google Play or the Apple Store. Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County

By

Let’s go antiquing through Miami County! Antiquing is an art form for many people and tells a story of times gone by. Around here, we are all about preserving the past while looking forward to the future.

Antiquing is a fun way to find new things, create new projects, and add a little character to your home. Many people spend hours crafting their antiquing strategies and mapping out the best plans, but we did the leg work for you! We rounded up a few of the most unique spots in Miami County for antiquing.

While all unique in their own right, some focus on preserving the historical meaning of the items while others are focused on giving the old things a new life and purpose.

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County, Ohio

The 3 Weird Sisters Studio

If you are looking for unique, chic art, and antiques, The 3 Weird Sisters Studio is for you! Centered in the heart of downtown Troy,  you can’t miss this unique spot!

Inside, you will find plenty of weird finds for unique minds. The shop features a collection of unusual trinkets, vintage items, handmade and local art, and clothing for men, women, and children.

This unique shop also features various reimagined home and garden decor. It’s a different experience every time you visit!

Location: 15 South Market Street | Troy, Ohio

Photo of The 3 Weird Sisters Studio - Troy, OH, United States

Midwest Memories Antiques

Midwest Memories Antiques is a vintage-inspired store, located in downtown Tipp City. With more than 100 dealers, this is the jackpot for design inspiration and unique finds!

The store offers a wide variety of furniture, collectibles, and locally crafted merchandise, such as apparel, home decor items, gifts, and more.

In addition to all the fantastic merchandise, visit the salvage area for reclaimed windows, doors, shutters, and hardware to add a little vintage flare to your home. Don’t forget to pick up your favorite shade of Annie Sloan Chalk paint to transform your project into your own.

If you are looking for guidance and inspiration, Midwest Memories Antiques also offers paint services, color mixing, and design assistance.

If you get thirsty during your shopping adventures, grab a refreshment from the in-store coffee bar.

Location: 24 W Main Street | Tipp City, Ohio

Patriot Antique Shoppe

Patriot Antique Shoppe is unlike any other antique shop in Miami County. This shop specializes in 18th and 19th-century American antiques, featuring portraits, quilts, trunks, and many other unique finds you won’t see anywhere else.

This shop is ideal for those who love preserving history and appreciating times gone-by. Aside from the usual antique items, you might also find farming and household tools, like a candle mold, burl bowl, or a tea cupboard.

Location: 15 N. 2nd Street | Tipp City, Ohio

Photo of Patriot Antique Shoppe - Tipp City, OH, United States. Exterior

The Mercantile

Filled with primitives and vintage finds, The Mercantile is a unique antique store located in Piqua, Ohio.

Here, you can find a mix of old and new items with a selection of home decor items, collector items, figurines, and so much more! The items in the shop have been sourced from local collectors, auctions, and area estate sales.

As the inventory is never the same, you might find treasures like Carnival and Fenton Glass, vintage mixing bowls, cast iron cooking pieces, repurposed lighting fixtures, and antique furniture.

Location: 415 N Main Street | Piqua, Ohio

Apple Tree Gallery

Specializing in vintage holiday decor, the Apple Tree Gallery is located in the heart of historic downtown Piqua. Year-round you will find antique items to fill your home with glad tidings of the Christmas season, or the spooky chills of Halloween!

If you want something special, this is the place for you!

Location: 405 N. Main St. | Piqua, Ohio

 

This post originally appeared on the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau blog.

Ashley’s Pastries -40 Years in Business: Recipe for Success

By

40 Years in Business

Theresa and Greg Hammons

It really doesn’t seem possible that it’s been four decades since we opened the doors of our bakery shop on Park Avenue in Oakwood. Back then, when we got the keys and started to see things take shape, it was a dream finally come to life. Little did we know, the following 40 years would be the real dream: creating a thriving business in a community we love so dearly.

We are forever grateful for your continued support. Without you, none of this would be possible.

We took a little time away, as we always do every summer, to recharge and reconnect with our family. As some may know, a baker’s hours aren’t always the easiest, but we love what we do and we cherish being able to have a business that we love, and we are thankful to be able to take some time off each summer to spend uninterrupted time with those we love.

We’ve been asked before “What’s your secret?” “How do you do it?” There isn’t a magic ingredient, but we believe there are some common things that we believe are absolutely necessary in any recipe for success.

 

1. Loyalty. One of our favorite things about this business is our customers. Our customers come back year after year, celebration after celebration, holiday after holiday, choosing Ashley’s to help celebrate life deliciously. Customers here become family. We see them bring their kids in on a Saturday morning, often in pajamas, sometimes with messy bedheads, to pick out donuts. Those same families come back to Ashley’s again and again, and before we know it, we’re baking cakes for those same children as they reach life milestones like First Communion, graduation, and oftentimes, marriage. The loyalty of our customers has made this possible. The loyalty of our staff has made it possible, too. We are lucky to have employees that come to work here and stay here. They learn the routines and the recipes, and they stick with us through high times and low points. Our employees are dedicated, kind, loyal and they understand a key component of our bakery business – customer service. We want to make our customers happy – it’s what keeps them coming back – and this wouldn’t be possible without the loyalty of our employees, too.

2. Adaptability. A lot happens in 40 years. Trends come and go. The economy endures different cycles. Technology advances rapidly. And sometimes, pandemics hit. Being adaptable is crucial when you’re running a business, and you must be nimble as years pass. We’ve been able to adjust when necessary, especially during times like the COVID-19 pandemic. During unprecedented times, we knew we had to do things differently – we had to adjust. We started accepting Venmo and PayPal for seamless payments so folks could place orders over the phone, we offered curbside delivery so we could pass our pastries to customers with little contact, but still get them what they needed.

3. Relevant. Similar to being adaptable, we know how vital it is to stay relevant. In today’s fast, ultra-busy world, we know there is a lot of competition out there, not just competing for our time, but for our attention, our energy, our time. We know we have to stay relevant to stay open. We keep our customers’ needs at top of mind, so we are able to make adjustments to help meet their needs. Over the years, we’ve modified the offerings in our cases to meet the needs of customers. Today you’ll find a wide range of delicious sweet treats, breads, rolls, pastries – we have something for everyone – and we’ve added gluten free options to our menu to be more inclusive for customers with food sensitivities. We stay on top of bakery trends, especially in the wedding industry, so we can offer brides and grooms advice on what’s in, and to be able to offer what they need (A donut buffet instead of a classic cake? Absolutely! Towers of cupcakes instead of one towering cake? Sure!) By staying relevant to the needs of customers today, we’ve been able to serve customers for decades.

4. Community. It’s hard to build and maintain a business all by yourself. We are forever grateful for the Miami Valley community and their continued support of us. All of this wouldn’t be possible if we were going at it alone. We treasure the partnerships we have with local restaurants, businesses, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations. We truly believe we are better together, and it’s an honor and a privilege for us to provide the pastries at annual fundraising events in town, or to know our rolls are served in the bread baskets at some of the finest restaurants in the Dayton area. We love being able to work with others in this great community, and we know how vital these relationships and partnerships are to our business.

5. Passion. Our passion for this business is one reason the doors at the bakery have remained open for 40 years. We absolutely love what we do. We love the basic mechanics of baking – following the recipes, kneading the dough, icing the cakes. We love the basics of business – networking with others in the community, brainstorming ideas, marketing and promoting our products. But what we love the most is you, our customers and friends who have become family to us over the years. You keep us coming back again and again. You inspire us to be creative in our baking. You make this enjoyable job even better. Our passion for Ashley’s Pastry Shop is really a passion for you.

This post originally appeared on Ashley’s Pastry website and was written by owner Theresa Hammon and is reprinted with her permission.

Ashley’s Pastry Shop

21 Park Ave,
Dayton, OH, 45419
(937) 293-1719
Tuesday – Friday 7am – 5pm
Saturday 7am – 4pm 

Yellow Spring Vegan Restaurant To Close

By

“Four years ago, we bubbled with anticipation of what 134 Dayton Street would become. We had just signed our lease and we were crafting our name and fine-tuning our vision for The Greene Canteen. We have always been passionate about health & wellness and sustainability. We invested in our community and sought out local partnerships and collaborations which often put us in contact with other small business owners, artisans, farmers and interesting people in general.
Reflecting on these last four years, I’ve come to the realization that our lives have been much like those of farmers. A farmer clears land, plants seeds, nourishes the seeds, and if things go right, the farmer has a bountiful harvest. Additionally, farmers must also plan for unexpected situations and must troubleshoot challenges (drought, floods, infestations, etc.) every year. The moment the farmer plants a seed, there is no guarantee.
Our lives have felt much like that. We’ve built a beautiful space, made all the necessary upgrades to make the space function, crafted an evolving menu based off customers’ desires, and hired and trained a team. We planned for unexpected situations…what if it rains/snows so much that if affects foot traffic? What if the price of avocados triples? What if _________?
We never planned for a pandemic. Covid-19 has changed all of our lives and has changed the food industry forever. Since 2020, we have built and rebuilt this business a handful of times. We have hired & trained, hired & trained, hired & trained, etc. constantly. We have lost suppliers and faced shortages (where are we going to get our to go boxes? Where are we going to get our frozen berries? No more XL gloves? Avocados, again?). The costs have skyrocketed. Not just labor, but every single item. The costs of gloves quadrupled. On top of all that, add in the actual health threat of Covid-19. When numbers spike, that means more disruptions (more employees who cannot work due to illness and more customers are staying home). Now, multiply all of this by 2. We have two “farms” and our other “farm” in located 55 miles away.
After reflecting over a very long winter, we realized that this “new normal” is not sustainable for us. We were so busy focusing on the health & wellness of our businesses, employees and customers, that we neglected our own personal health (pretty ironic when you consider the intention of The Greene Canteen.). So, we’ve decided to change that.
We’ve decided to sell The Greene Canteen so we can focus on our personal health and happiness (and only tend to one “farm”). Local restauranteur, Miguel Espinosa has purchased The Greene Canteen. While his vision will be a little different, you will see some similar menu items and familiar faces; Miguel intends to keep all team members of The Greene Canteen.
The next couple of weeks are going to be busy; we’re trying to expand our hours and see as many friendly faces as possible before our final goodbye. Our last day of operation will be June 30th. If you have a chance, please stop in grab that last Dirty Banana or Spicy Chicky Sandwich. If you have gift cards, please make sure you use them before July 1st. Please check our social media for expanded hours as well as any retail sales.
If you don’t get to say your “goodbye”, don’t worry. You will see us bopping around town when we’re not at Brezel. In fact, you might see us out and about more often.
Thank you for all your support – without you, we wouldn’t be here today. Life takes you on some interesting paths. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
XO,
Brittany & Tim

Farmer Matthew Keener Starts A Nonprofit To Donate Beef To The Needy

By

The rich, honeyed strains of Bach’s Mass in B minor greet visitors when they walk into his farmhouse in rural western Ohio. Along North Lutheran Church Road in Trotwood, beef cattle munch on the slowly emerging shoots of grass in early spring.

Welcome to the world of Matthew Keener, a former Wright State University music student who took a 10-year detour to ranch in northern Montana before returning to Ohio to raise cattle and now start a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the needy.

Funds from Keener’s nonprofit will be allocated to six different regions of Ohio and used to buy cows from local farmers, turn it into hamburger and donate it to food banks, church pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Ohio will be the test market, with a goal of eventually expanding to three or four other states.

The idea was born when Keener realized that several local golf courses had been decommissioned but the grass still needed to be cut. So he volunteered to mow the grass at the former Madden Golf Course in Dayton for free, turn it into hay to feed his cows and donate beef from some of the animals to food pantries, starting with The Foodbank of Dayton.

“Fresh meat is really an item that we don’t see a lot of,” said Lee Lauren Truesdale, chief development officer at The Foodbank. “Not only is this meat going to feed families in the area, but the program is going sustain farmers and their operations and what they do every day.”

Keener called the hunger problem “absolutely huge.”

“By changing the way we manage the grassland areas that aren’t being used, we can turn that into protein and feed people in the communities that definitely need it,” he said.

Keener’s farmhouse began as a log cabin built by his great grandfather in 1837 on 160 acres just northwest of Dayton. Keener grew up next to it and spent much of his waking hours there as a boy, mowing grass and maintaining the barns.

Matthew Keener, a farmer and former Wright State music student, has launched a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the hungry, starting with the Foodbank of Dayton. (Photos by Erin Pence)

His interest in music began at a young age. He sang in church choirs, an opera children’s chorus and later with the Dayton Bach Society.

His father, a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, taught music at New Lebanon schools and later at Wright State. Keener had his father as a music teacher all through high school and at Wright State.

The opera-singing, French horn-playing Keener currently sings in the choir at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oakwood.

Keener enrolled at Wright State to study music after graduating from Dixie High School in 1995. During that time, he would go to Montana in the summers to work on harvest crews.

“I absolutely fell in love with Montana and one year I didn’t come home,” he said. “I stayed in Montana for 10 years, working on cattle ranches and riding horses.”

Keener said the experience changed him drastically, teaching him to appreciate the solitude and the quiet. He later got rid of his television and rarely listens to the radio so he can concentrate on his own thoughts.

When he returned to Ohio, Keener decided to take over the family farm and start a beef cattle herd. It was tough sledding at first.

“For a long time, we didn’t know if we were going to make it,” he said.

Then Keener discovered Polyface Farm, which is run by Joel Salatin and his family in rural Swoope, Virginia, and is known for using unconventional methods to emotionally, economically and environmentally enhance agriculture. The methods include direct marketing of meats and produce to consumers, pastured poultry, grass-fed beef and a rotation method that creates an ecological system.

After Keener saw a video about Polyface, he had an “epiphanal moment” and jumped on board the farm-to-table movement.

“That is going to save this farm,” he recalled thinking. “I knew that was exactly what it was going to take. So we started rotating cattle. We took row crops out. We stopped using the chemical fertilizers. We started composting.”

Keener said people want to know where their food comes from and that it is raised in a good fashion.

“The consumer is now driving the ship in a different direction,” he said. “They are asking for a better-quality product from farming. It creates more opportunities for people to do what I’m doing.”

Keener supplies about 15 restaurants with meat, most of it wagyu beef, among the most sought-after meats in the world because of its buttery tenderness. And once a month, needy families can pick up discounted beef, pork and chicken from Kenner’s butcher shop in Dayton.

The 43-year-old Keener and his farm have been featured in a documentary film called “Farmers for America,” which highlights the nation’s younger farmers. It was produced by Graham Meriwether and narrated by Mike Rowe, known for his work on the Discovery Channel series “Dirty Jobs.”

Keener said his six years at Wright State combined with ranching in Montana have enabled him to bridge the gap between farmers and city dwellers.

“It allowed me to speak a different language,” he said. “You just have to learn how to navigate different fields.”

How Troni’s Found New Owners

By

If you have visited Troni Brothers Pizza in Kettering, OH, then you know that with every visit you will enjoy a taste of Italy as well as customer service that has been handed down generations. They have built their businesses on Family, Community and Authentic food.

In early 2020 Labinot (Labi) Troni planned to open a pizza shop in Springboro OH. They decided to add a Point of Sale (POS) system to allow for easier order taking and creating an online ordering system for the pizza shop. Roma’s Pizza worked with Dave Keen the owner of Roxstar Payments. As we all are aware 2020 was a difficult year for many people and for small businesses everywhere. Roma’s had a difficult decision to make with Covid changing everything; do they give up or do they GO FOR IT! And as the strong team they are, they went for it!

During the set up and training period of the POS system, Labi Troni asked Dave to help on the first evening because they were very busy from the minute they opened the doors! Labi knew Dave could operate the POS system better than anyone since he is the one who set up the menu, he would know where every button was. Dave was answering phones, taking orders, checking people out and having fun! When the rush was over Labi asked Dave to return the next night to help. That relationship grew quickly along with mutual respect.

Dave worked side by side with the Roma’s Team and started to bring his son Riley with him to help out. Dave volunteered happily because he enjoyed the time at the restaurant, helping great people do what they love and meeting the customers who make it all possible. As he continued volunteering his time with the Troni’s, he developed deeply rooted relationships of family and friends. And as he helped the Troni’s other restaurants, their friends and family’s restaurants, he began to take the pizza business in as a whole. Dave, along with his wife Gina and son’s Dylan and Riley found a family extension with the Troni family.

Dave and Gina are Kettering natives. They met and graduated from Kettering Schools, so the sense of community is instilled in them. They later married and had two boys. Dylan is the oldest and on the Autism Spectrum. He has overcome many challenges in his life and is now married to Emily. Dylan has worked in the mobile phone industry for over 4 years and has built a reputation for customer service. Riley graduated in 2020 and had similar learning disabilities. He worked for Roma’s Pizza for a several months and then in late 2020 found a permanent home working at Labi’s brother Besnik’s restaurant, Troni’s Italian Restaurant on Dorothy Lane.

The more time Dave spent with Labi and the Troni’s, the more he understood the business and saw an opportunity for an outreach program. Dave spoke with Labi about his idea to create an environment for young adults with intellectual disabilities to be able to come to work and learn as Riley did. He presented the idea with safety first by using the right equipment all while still delivering the quality of food everyone expects.

As the last few years allowed Dave to grow stronger relationships with the Troni family, Labi’s uncle approached Dave to ask if he would consider buying Troni Brothers Pizza as Hisni (Junior) Troni was ready to start slowing down and maybe retire. Dave sat down with Junior and shared the idea he had a few years ago with Labi. Junior loved it! Junior always ran his restaurant as a place for family and community. They have volunteered for various events as well as provided the food for said events. The Troni Family gives back to the community twice a year by providing all First Responders, Military, Medical staff and Teachers with a FREE PIZZA DAY. For Junior to know that Dave would continue to impact the community as the Troni Family has, that made the decision easy for everyone. Dave has initiated and started working with Kettering Schools and their Special Education Department to put his vision in place knowing that the long term goal was to implement an outreach program.

Troni Brothers Pizza may change technology and faces over the years, but the quality in their history and flavors never will. In May 2022 Dave and Gina Keen are taking ownership of Troni Brothers Pizza. They are honored and proud to step into Juniors shoes, sauce drips and all. They plan on remodeling the dining area for a different dining environment and experience, but the recipes will never change. Gina, Dylan and Riley will run the day-to-day operations of the restaurant while Dave continues with the Merchant Services & Point of Sale business, helping out at the restaurant, and starting the Young Adult Outreach program with the community. 

Riley

The Keen family  hope you bring your family to meet their family, Dave, Gina, Dylan, Riley and Emily, where Family and Community always come first, and the authentic food will still be here for you.

Reprinted from Troni’s Brother’s Pizza website.

Troni Brothers Pizza

Family Owned and Operated

4654 Wilmington Pike
Kettering OH 45440

937-259-8877

Sleep in a tent on the Great Miami River!

By

Guest blog by Deanna Bechtol, Miami County Visitor’s Bureau

Ready for an adventure that combines camping and floating on the Great Miami River? Look no further than Float Troy. It’s the only public floating tent experience in Ohio!

Float Troy is a series of floating tents anchored on the Great Miami River at Treasure Island Park. Guests sleep on the river inside of their own inflatable floating tent! This unique camping experience is perfect for those who want to take outdoor adventures to another level.

Troy, Ohio is an excellent destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities, but this is a unique experience altogether. Float Troy is the nation’s (and possibly the world’s) only public floating tent experience.

About the Experience

Before your imagination is carried away by thoughts of stray tents and daring rapids, Float Troy has employed several fail-safes to ensure your evening is a safe, memorable, and relaxing experience.

Your rental includes a raft to travel to and from the tent, oars, and life vests. While the space is tight, tents can accommodate two adults comfortably – or a maximum of four adults or two adults and two children.

Each tent has been securely tethered and anchored several times, so there’s no need to worry about floating away! Plus, the river levels are extremely shallow around the tents – only about 3 feet deep.

Be sure to pack lightly with plenty of sunscreen, water, bug spray, and flashlights. Guests should wear comfortable clothing and something they don’t mind getting wet or muddy.

Additionally, floating fire pits are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests can reserve an additional kayak or raft for exploring the area.

When you’re not hanging out in your tent or around the grill, explore the paved trails at Treasure Island and enjoy a brisk walk or a bike ride. Also located at Treasure Island, Smith’s Boathouse has a delightful menu of high-quality seafood, steak, and other seasonal options to satisfy those tastebuds.

With limited availability, tents rent from late June through early September. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information and rental availability.

The post The Float Troy Experience appeared first on Home Grown Great.