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

Joshua Stucky

Square One Salon and Spa Celebrates 25 Years

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Square One Salon and Spa, a cornerstone of beauty and wellness in Ohio communities, announces its 25th anniversary on November 15, 2024. Founded in 1999 in downtown Dayton, Square One has grown to serve six locations across Ohio while remaining firmly committed to local ownership and operation, exceptional client care, staff development, and community engagement.

Joshua Stucky, Brent Johnson and Doug Henderson

From its inception, Square One has been guided by its Four Corner Focus, a philosophy that remains at the heart of the company’s operations today. This focus encompasses:

  1. Clients: Providing undivided attention and total satisfaction, welcoming clients as permanent members of the Square One family.
  2. Community: Drawing strength from the community and actively contributing to its wellness and growth.
  3. Heart: Supporting those facing extraordinary challenges through dedicated charitable efforts.
  4. Team: Fostering a work environment that goes beyond business, emphasizing enjoyment and shared experiences.

“We’re honored to be celebrating 25 years of serving and celebrating our clients, every single day,” said Brent Johnson, co-founder of Square One Salon and Spa. “This milestone reflects the trust our community has placed in us, the ongoing dedication of our incredible team, and the enduring relevance of our Four Corner Focus.”

From its beginning, Square One has expanded its services to meet the evolving needs of clients, now offering a comprehensive range of beauty and wellness services, including hair styling, expert hair color, all types of hair texture services, rejuvenating massages, advanced skincare treatments, and professional nail services. The salon also proudly carries products from renowned brands such as Aveda and Smashbox Cosmetics, emphasizing its commitment to quality and self-care.

Doug Henderson, co-founder, emphasized the salon’s holistic approach: “Over the past 25 years, we’ve evolved from a hair salon to a complete beauty and wellness destination. Our focus has always been on enhancing not just our clients’ appearances, but their overall well-being and confidence, all while staying true to our original mission and values.”

Key Highlights of Square One’s 25-Year Journey:

  • Expansion from one Dayton location to six salons across Dayton, Columbus, New Albany, and Centerville
  • Continuous local ownership and operation, maintaining a strong connection to the communities we serve
  • Development of a comprehensive education program and career path for beauty and wellness professionals
  • Ongoing commitment to using and promoting sustainable, high-quality products
  • Industry-leading benefits package for team members, including health and dental insurance, matching 401(k), and additional perks rarely found in the beauty industry
  • Numerous community initiatives and charitable partnerships.

To mark this significant milestone, Square One is launching several initiatives:

  1. Two Days of Celebration: A special 25% discount on select products on November 15 and 16, 2024
  2. 25th Anniversary Team Appreciation Event: An exclusive team celebration on November 16, 2024, to honor staff and their contributions to our combined success

Josh Stucky, co-founder, reflected on the salon’s impact: “As we look back on 25 years of growth and change, one thing has remained constant – our commitment to our local communities, as embodied in our Four Corner Focus. We’re not just a business in these communities; we’re neighbors, friends, and active community members dedicated to bringing out the best in the people and the communities we are so privileged to serve.”

The public is invited to join in the celebration by sharing their Square One memories on social media using the hashtag #SquareOne25 and by visiting any Square One location during the anniversary month to say hello.

 

 

Four Nights of FREE TEDxDayton Talks

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For the first time, this year’s TEDxDayton will be a virtual event featuring four new talks on four nights in November — 16 talks in all — during live-stream events that can be viewed online for free.

The events will be live-streamed on YouTube and at TEDxDayton.com at 7 pm on Nov. 10, 12, 17 and 19 — each one an entirely different program with new talks and performers.

“This is both unusual and exciting for us. In past years when our Signature Event has been done live at the Victoria Theatre, we’ve never released the speaker lineup before the day of the show,” said Brenden Wynn, one of this year’s co-chairs of the event. “This year is different, of course. The pandemic made it necessary to make the event virtual, and this year we want our audience to know what to look forward to when they tune in.”

“It was very important to us to keep TEDxDayton going this year,” said co-chair Bridget S. Hutt. “So many events have been canceled or postponed; knowing how important the ideas and stories of TEDxDayton are to our audience, we wanted to present TEDxDayton 2020 as our gift to the community during this challenging year.”

“What is the same this year, despite the online format, is that our talks, hosts and performers have deep Dayton-area connections and each, in their own way, show anew how this is such a wonderful place to live and work. Our speakers have worked as hard as ever to give the talk of their lives, in the TED spirit of presenting us with Ideas Worth Spreading,” said Ron Rollins, the third co-chair for this year’s event.

The live-stream programs will also feature new performances by Dayton guitar master Jim McCutcheon, the popular longtime host of Discover Classical’s “The Intimate Guitar,” and Ted Yoder, a nationally renowned player of the hammered dulcimer who shares how this beloved folk instrument helped him meet a rock star.

Also on deck is a newly created dance by well-known local choreographer Rodney Veal — also a former TEDxDayton speaker — featuring Dayton Contemporary Dance Company member Brianna Rhodes and music by Josh Strange.

“We’re so proud of the entire group of speakers, volunteers, performers and partners and the great work they’ve put in during this unusual year,” Wynn said.

Here is the lineup for each night’s program:

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 7 pm

Host: Lisa Wagner
Speakers:
• Daj’za Demmings, discussing intergenerational mentorship.
• Anne Marie Romer and Conor Crippen, discussing Conor’s traumatic brain injury and giving up the burden of trauma.
• Subhashini Ganapathy, sharing how industrial systems engineering is actually fun and improves our world.
• Timothy Nevius, discussing the exploitation of college athletes.
• Performance by Ted Yoder.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Wagner and Demmings about her talk.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 pm

Host: Joshua Stucky
Speakers:
• Dr. Ronald Fletcher, former health director for the state of Ohio, on how the AIDS crisis taught us lessons about the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kathleen Wiant, discussing the dangers of hazing and bullying, and how it affected her family.
• Ann Puckett, sharing how DIY isn’t about doing it yourself and actually builds community.
• Amy Riegel, discussing affordable housing and how our zip codes define our opportunities.
• Performance by Rodney Veal and Brianna Rhodes.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Stucky and Fletcher about his talk.

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 pm

Host: Karen Townsend
Speakers:
• Jacquelyn Wright Palmer, discussing genealogy and her family’s history of enslavement.
• Shomari Payne, discussing the inheritance of poverty.
• Christopher Wyatt, discussing how opioids, overdoses and breathing are connected.
• TEDxYouth@Dayton speakers Dana Clark and Ryann Mescher talk about the non-profit they created to address “period poverty.”
The evening will include a Q&A session between Townsend and Palmer to discuss her talk.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 pm

Host: Neal Gittleman
Speakers:
• Jodie Mader, talking about how it feels to be a Luddite in a high-tech world.
• Elijah Muhammad, sharing his personal experience with labor trafficking.
• Joshua Montgomery, discussing how building “Star Wars” droids made him a better teacher. • Charlie Campbell, sharing his personal experience with downsizing and saying goodbye.
• Performance by Jim McCutcheon.
The evening will include a Q&A session between Gittleman and Mader about her talk.

Talks and performances were recorded before small, socially distanced and masked groups of family and friends in October at the Creative Arts Center at Wright State University, with the close partnership of staff and students from the College of Liberal Arts.

This year’s event is made possible with support from title partner Wright-Patt Credit Union and our creative partner, Wright State College of Liberal Arts with special thanks to the Theater, Dance, and Motion Pictures Department.

To learn more, visit TEDxDayton.com.

Giving a ‘Schitt!’ What are you Watching Part 2!

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First of all, thank you all for your feedback to the first installment of ‘What are you Watching!’ I have never received so many comments, ideas and criticisms…and I love them ALL! A few shout-outs to Kent (Time Team), Jan (West Wing Reruns), Kathy (Little Fires Everywhere) and the plethora of other suggestions for what to watch. I am checking out all I can! It’s been a week, and the way we are consuming tv, I know you are all on to something NEW! Here are my ‘few’ to ponder!

‘Making the Cut’ It’s Not THAT Runway Show.

I have always been a fan of Tim Gunn’s. He’s real, he’s direct, and he’s not afraid to show emotion. This may be his vehicle more than the perpetually peppy Heidi Klum. ‘Making the Cut’ took a different approach to fashion and its next big star. This time there are 12 established designers from everywhere in the world. (2 from Ohio!) The money is also a change…$1,000,000 to the big winner. What I find to be the best change, the locales! We have visited Paris for some incredible venues highlighting the designers’ fashion shows, and about to hit TOKYO! I have a group of friends who got me into ‘MTC’ and I’m glad they did. These designs, no sewing experience necessary, are more…well MORE! You see, these designers do multiple looks, more than one singular design…like a true fashion show! That helps us understand their vision. Unlike the stalwart ‘Project Runway,’ many people might hit the road after each presentation. Interestingly on ‘MTC’ people get to make the case for why they should stay! ‘MTC’ isn’t perfect, by any means. It wants us to like Heidi a lot….and relies heavily on cute little homestyle videos her, along with Gunn, doing cutesy local activities. UGH! At its core, it’s truly entertaining. It means well, even though you wouldn’t believe that when you experience the vicious and ruthless reviews of judge, Naomi Campbell. (I’m scared of her!)

‘Making the Cut’ score – 8.6/10. Fashion fanatics will love it!

 

‘Self-Made’ Oh, What Could Have Been!

As a former 4th grade teacher, and one who loved teaching the story of Madam C.J.Walker, I couldn’t wait for this one. You combine one of America’s most-beloved actresses, Octavia Spencer, with up-and-running Tiffany Haddish and add many other familiar faces and you just knew it was going to work. (Best laid plans) Self-made is giving you one of America’s most important African-American female success stories…actually just one of America’s most important success stories, period! You settle in for this mini-series hoping it will provide you with all the ingredients…comedy, drama and inspiration. It’s not long before you begin to realize that artistic liberties were taken in making this show that really diminish the story. It appears Seussical! Silly at times. Haddish almost seems in on the joke in a few scenes.  When the story is on track and Spencer is on the screen, it’s real, clean and highly watchable. As someone who owns hair salons, I wanted the ‘meat’ to the story, but it wraps itself in Disneyfied delusions and (I Understand what they tried to do here) hip-hop 1900’s music? ‘Self-Made’ more describes the writers and directors here, as they took an important story and made it about…well, themselves! By the end of the series, you really aren’t sure you even like those we should absolutely admire.

‘Self-Made’ score – 7/10. Thank God for Octavia!

 

‘Invisible Man’ You’ll See Right Through it.

 Ever watch those films you don’t hate, you don’t like, you don’t love….you get the point! I like Elisabeth Moss, and at times, I think in this film she saves its failures. She can’t, however, save a plot that is fraught with holes! ‘Invisible Man’ doesn’t take time enough to let us care about the characters. It’s rushing to scare us, intrigue us and confuse us….well, at least they confused us. Moss and her co-stars have some thrilling moments…the dinner scene is sure to be a talked about classic…the fight scene with Aldis Hodge and the ‘Man’…..and even the bloody nose of Storm Reid….give you some ‘wows’….but it’s flat. Just flat! I had read about the ending and heard I would be astounded….but I saw the ending coming in the first hour (which pissed off my co-watcher)! I’ve been online today reading through reviews of this film, they’ve been brutal. IT’s NOT that BAD….it’s just not so good. It’s a story we all know, and we all want to buy into. Wait a few weeks, and even the buying part will be easier to swallow!

 

‘Invisible Man’ score – 7/10. Boooooo, no really,  booooooo!

 

‘Schitt’s Creek’ Farewell Friends!

 In 2015, I wrote a review about some crazy show I had tuned into with the incredible Catherine O’Hara! Looking back at that review, I mentioned it felt like ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ in reverse. I stand by that! In the 5 years that would follow, millions of people would start to give a Schitt about this now iconic show. I literally had floodgates watching the end of the show…not so much the episode, but the farewell that followed. We have all been indoors, cooped up, cranky and antsy. There was something about waiting on ‘Schitt’ to show up on the screen, and the world would be rited for a bit. And now, you’re taking that away from us, too??? After listening to the cast and crew, I get it. Leave while it’s still beloved and fresh. Don’t wear it out. What made ‘Schitt’ special was the characters. You came to love them all….(David, Alexis, Moira, Stevie)….and even the not-so-main characters, held our hearts…(Jocelyn, Ted, Gwen, Ronnie)…because they became our ‘pretend’ family! ‘Schitt’s Creek’ could have taken the easy way out in their final episode, and I won’t spill any beans about it, but they held up their heads and gave you the ‘right’ kind of ending. It was fair, open and heartfelt. Not often, do I say, someone hurry and make a movie…but someone hurry and make a movie. 

‘Schitt’s Creek’ score – 9.7/10. Where everyone fits in!

 

Alright…see ya next week. Keep in touch with me! You help me with my material…and I need all the help I can get!!

 

AlphaTrips X & N….A TwoSome of Short-Excursions….

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After the popularity of Alpha-Trips, our quick trips in and around the area, I thought it was time to up the ante and give you a whiz-bang twosome.

Here are some ideas for the following areas, that you can do in a day:

Letter X: Xenia

For anyone that has lived in the Dayton area long-term, you may be thinking, there are things to do and see in Xenia? Seriously? And the surprising answer is yes. Known around the US as the city that begins with an ‘X’, is truly marks the spot for some unknown excitement and fun food.  Xenia has long been marked as the home of the tornado, a twister they can’t seem to shake. But there is much more to this little burg that awaits you!

Head over for the history, and there is plenty of it. Check out the Greene County Historical Society, which is basically comprised of three buildings.You will find an old cabin there, the Galloway, which was relocated to the city itself and answers many of the questions about the great chief Tecumseh and his friendship with the family.I have long been obsessed with Tecumseh and his desire to save his Native Families in the area. The guides in the cabin have a multitude of answers to your questions. Many artifacts and historical items await you at the Galloway.

Next, you will find the Victorian Town House, which is chock full of antiques and memorabilia from the best of days in Xenia. Preserved beautifully and presented well, its a fun trip down memory lane. Lastly, a brick building housing more Greene County historic items, as well as a slew of pictures of the infamous tornado completes the history lesson perfectly.

After getting your lesson, grab a bike, as Xenia’s bikeways (Greene Way Bike Trails)are considered by many the ‘best in Ohio.’ You can ride this mostly flat, gorgeous stretch for miles. Recommended is the trip from Spring Valley to Yellow Springs. Xenia’s stretch, is NOT to be missed as the trail follows tree covered spaces and a soft rolling stream (the Little Miami) that eventually forms Clifton Gorge and John Bryan.

So, now you are hungry….and I have to say it, go to Nick’s.

If you have read my articles previously, you know I aim for the fancy, but Nicks’s does the bar food thing perfectly. Grab a Menage’a’Trois (sandwich that is) or the Sexy Club (again a sandwich). Both are sure to please. Add in some wings (chick’s strippers) and fries….and since you’ve been biking, grab aan ice cold Great Lakes draft. It’s fun and it’s definitely satisfying. Overall: ‘X’tremely interesting history and great recreation in Xenia!

Letter N: New Carlisle

 

How many times have you seen the sign for New Carlisle on 70 and thought ‘wonder what’s up there?’ A lot actually! Head into town early and stop at the ‘World-Famous’ Mel-o-Dee restaurant. The Mel-O-Dee has been revived since its close encounter with a funnel cloud recently, but from the ashes, the same delicious food we all know and love. For breakfast, you will hear people oinking about the Mel-O-Dee Chops and Eggs, a center cut chop with two eggs. I have long though they have great coffee, and still am trying to figure out what brand it is.

They do lunch and dinner well too!
Off you go to find some bourbon. BOURBON? Yep, that’s right. New Carlisle is home to the Indian Creek Distillery.

The tiny family-owned business is perfect for touring, and taking in the beautiful setting. It’s literally like a postcard, it is so picturesque. There is a great history of the land, how the distillery got started and it’s ‘best kept secret’ status revealed. Great visit for all…check it out!

 

Stop in Penny Lane for a quick coffee. It’s a cute. quaint, quintessential coffee and tea shop.  They make a great latte, and the service is on-point!

Then what, you ask?

New Carlisle is home to MVG, Meadow View Growers, many put it at the top of the ‘Greenhouse’ lists in the area. Check out the big chair for photos, and make sure you say hi to the goats. MVG is more than just plants, its a destination at this point. For serious gardeners, you will find an extensive number of exotics…I bought 3 of the Flamingo plants!!


A little more food or beer maybe? Ok….571 Grill House is your spot! They have 17 beers on draft, or did at this writing, and some really yummy food. One thing that will floor you is the great atmosphere here. You certainly see why it’s a treasure for New Carlisle. We had a relaxing visit, sharing stories, beers and great wings. The service was sweet, and informative about the draft choices, and menu options. Overall: New Carlisle mixes it up for newbies to their town…it’s nice, new and nostalgic.

Next time, we visit H: Hocking Hills and Y: Yellow Springs.

Keep traveling folks…it’s fun around here!

Editor’s Note:

 

If you missed Josh’s earlier Alpha Trip check out U is for Urbana

 

New Salon & Gift Shop Now Open On Brown Street

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Dayton’s newest businesses opened their doors today at 1132 Brown Street.  The building, formerly home to The Flower Shoppe which moved to Oakwood, is now home to Dayton’s third location for  Square One Salon & Spa on the 2nd  floor.  Several stylists from the original salon on Third Street  have moved to the UD neigborhood salon, allowing both locations to add new clients, as the original salon was often booked solid. This also allows room for new stylists, which Square One will need as they’ve already got a lease on a 4th salon in Centerville, near Whole Foods.

On the main floor of the building you’ll find an upscale gift shop, Agnes & Orson. Joshua Stucky, co-owner of Square One Salon & Spa, has partnered with two Square One stylists, Canaan Good and Misty Wells to open a store that carries wonderfully eclectic gifts, candles, and small home goods. Named after Stucky’s two dogs, the store also has a small selection of gifts for pets, an array of leather goods, and a collection of b12248249_726914000773218_560907564259529845_oarware.

My first impression of the store- it’s little bit classy and a little bit sassy! I picked up a few small novelty gifts, perfect for the office holiday gift exchange, saw a handbag I may ask Santa for and picked up several great gift cards, the kind they don’t sell at Hallmark!

The exposed brick, and reclaimed wood in the boutique give the place a rustic charm, the varied selection of merchandise make sure there’s something for everyone.  And the parking behind the store make it easily accessible.

11429674_652281241569828_5592845356783699517_oVisit Agnes & Orson :

Mon- Thurs 11am -8pm

Fri 11am – 6pm

Sat  10am – 4pm

closed Sunday