The Featured Articles

Dayton at Work and Play: Tracy McElfresh of Tracy’s Sewing Studio LLC

October 2, 2023 By Bill Franz

After a long time off, I’ve decided to restart publishing my blog “Studio Photos.” I’ll post the text of Tracy McelFresh – Dressmaker here today and tomorrow, but if you want to see all my photos you’ll need to go to https://billfranz17.com/

I visited Tracy McElfresh of Tracy’s Sewing Studio LLC recently. I know Tracy spends a lot of time teaching people to sew. I asked her how she learned.

“My grandmother came from Puerto Rico to New York City and sewed in the garment district there. She would bring fabric remnants from work and use them to make all of my mother’s clothes. So as I was growing up my mother didn’t want to just go to a store and buy clothes. She taught me how to make clothes by deconstructing old clothes. I would go to thrift stores and buy things that were very inexpensive, take them apart, and reassemble them into clothes that I loved.”

“So I grew up sewing, and I then I taught other people to sew while also working at all kinds of other jobs. I worked in a daycare and in a library and as a nanny, but when the nanny job ended I decided that from now on I was only going to work at the thing I love the most – sewing.”

“In 2012 Jesy Anderson and I wrote a business plan and opened a shop in Dayton’s Oregon District called Sew Dayton. We sold fabrics and sewing supplies and we gave group classes. That was a great experience but in 2016 we decided to split up and we now each have our own sewing businesses. Jesy runs Needle Ink and Thread and I’ve opened Tracy’s Sewing Studio”

The CurderBurger Is Back at Culver’s

October 2, 2023 By Dayton937

The CurderBurger started out as an April Fool’s Day joke and became a reality for one-day-only on October 15, 2021 when Culver’s launched the CurderBurger in honor of National Cheese Curd Day. The burger also returned for a limited time last fall.

You can find the CurderBurger at all Culver’s locations nationwide from October 2 through October 31, 2023 or while supplies last.

The CurderBurger features the Culver’s Deluxe ButterBurger topped with a crown of golden-fried cheese, offering a warm, buttery crunch and gooey cheddar in every bite. The cheese crown is made of a blend of yellow and white cheddar cheese curds, all surrounded by crispy seasoned breadcrumbs.

Additionally, this year fans will also have the opportunity to win Culver’s swag when they share a photo of themselves enjoying the CurderBurger on social media. To participate, simply post a photo along with #ReturnoftheCurderBurger from October 4 through October 18, 2023 for a chance to win.

Culver’s

6425 Miller Lane
Vandalia, OH 45414

2100 W Main St
Troy, OH 45373

1301 State Hwy 63
Monroe, OH 45050

El Asadero Mexican Grill Offers Modern Mexican with Flair

October 1, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Rancheros Cocina Mexicana in the Cross Pointe Center is merging with El Asadero Mexican Grill and will make the official change on Monday, October 2nd.

The new concept will put a bigger emphasis on an entertaining dining experience with a wide variety of over the top cocktails. The varied menu includes chips with nine kinds of dip, street food like tortas and tacos, soup, salads, burritos, enchiladas and over a dozen seafood dishes. They use a wood grill and pick out woods that impart different flavors into their meats, according to owner Omar who spoke with us.

El Asadero has locations in Cincinnati and Lexington with plans for a Columbus location as well.

Here’s a peak at their most popular items, for the entire menu click here.

They have a vegetarian section on the menu as well as a kids menu. Look for daily specials like Margarita Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wed they’ll feature Margrita Towers, Thurs is ladies night with 50% of hot fries, house margaritas and draft beer from 6-9pm.

When ordering flights they’ll be delivered on a flying airplane and be sure and look for their dancing robot.

El Asadero Mexican Grill

101 E Alex Bell Rd #134
Centerville, OH, 45459

937-262-7505

Sun – Thurs 11am -10pm

Fri & Sat 11am – 12pm

Twist Cupcakery Announces Closing

October 1, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Downtown Dayton’s Twist Cupcakery owner Kate River shared some bittersweet news on her Facebook page this morning:

“After an incredible journey filled with delicious memories and sweet moments, we have decided to close our bakery to make way for exciting new life adventures.

Over the past 8.5 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving you, and it has been an incredible journey. We want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and patronage, it has meant the world to us.”

Your smiles, celebrations, and shared moments with our cupcakes and cakes have been the highlight of our bakery’s story. We’ve been honored to be a part of your lives and special occasions.

I personally want to extend my deepest appreciation to my amazing team,who have weathered the storm through sunshine and cloudy days. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and crafting the most amazing quality products have been the backbone of our success. Each member of the team has poured their heart and soul into creating desserts that not only tasted delightful but were crafted with love.”

The Bakery has received national accolades over the years. In 2018, Delish.com named Twist Cupcakery “The Best Cupcake Shop in Every State.” In 2021 the foodie web site, Eat This, Not That!, raved about Twist Cupcakery:

“You would be hard-pressed to find anything less than a five-star review on Twist Cupcakery’s Yelp page, and for good reason. Located in downtown Dayton, this unassuming joint churns out unique flavors like peanut butter Oreo and the popular apple pie cupcake,” the Eat This, Not That! web site said.

Kate opened the brick-and-mortar business 2015, after a 3 year run operating as a home based bakery. SHe participated in the Downtown Dayton’s Activated Spaces’ Pop-Up Project with the hep of a kickstarter. The bakery earned a reputation for amazing sweet treats and during the pandemic their line of cupcakes in a jar became a big hit, allowing folks to send “Happiness in a jar, wherever you are.” Each jar included 2 full size cupcakes and all the toppings packaged in a re-usable half pint glass jar.

Kate announced in that Facebook post “They will begin the liquidation of our equipment, furniture, and bakeware starting next week, if you have you eye on anything in particular, please reach out via email immediately as all items will be first come first serve and we will not be able to hold any items. This is a chance for you to own a piece of Twist Cupcakery history. Come by and browse through our collection; you may find a cherished item to keep. Our last day open with cupcakes will be Saturday October 14th and we will continue our regular business hours until them. With that being said,we will unfortunately not be able to accommodate any further cake orders and will be limited in the cupcake orders that we will be able to accept.”

Twist Cupcakery

25 S St Clair Street
Dayton Ohio 45402

937-771-4099

Thurs & Fr 11:3oam – 6pm
Sat 11:30am – 3pm

Chuckee’s Ice Cream – Not Your Usual Flavors!

October 1, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

So I discovered a new spot for ice cream a couple months ago in the Drug Mart Plaza on Lyons Road. I’ve now tried enough flavors that I can report back that I’ve found some great flavors I never new existed. Located inside the Shree-G Grocers , Chukee’s Ice Cream serves up ice cream in an authentic India style. That means the ice cream is eggless and made with local cream and without artificial coloring or flavoring. Many of their flavors are also gluten free. You can get your ice cream in a regular cone, waffle cone, cup or even a sundae. You can also get milkshakes at Chukee’s and make them even more indulgent with their huge variety of mithai. Mithai is often made with jaggery (unrefined sugar), mawa (milk solids), besan flour (gram or chickpea flour), and ghee (clarified butter).

For example here’s the KESAR PISTA
A premium must have Indian flavor! It’s packed with crunchy pistachios in a smooth saffron ice cream, with a touch of cardamom.

GULAB JAMUN
A sweet flavor well loved in the Indian community ….now as an ice cream! fresh gulab jamun pieces swirled into a velvety soft ice cream.

KADAK CHAI
A creamy masala chai ice cream loaded with the classic Parle G cookie

NUTTY MADRAS FILTER COFFEE

A rich coffee ice cream mixed with walnuts for the perfect crunch

KADAK CHAI
A creamy masala chai ice cream loaded with the classic Parle G cookie we all love! An afternoon treat that’s sure to be the pick me up you need

ROSE PISTA FALOODA – A fragrant rose ice cream swirled with pistachios, basil seeds, vermicelli noodles, and cardamom.

GREEN CHILI – A flavor with a kick!! Our green chili ice cream is the perfect swirl of spicy & sweet.

BANGELORE’S BUTTERSCOTCH – A chunks of cashew praline folded into a silky smooth butterscotch ice cream.

TUTTI FRUTTI a refreshing blend of sweet orange ice cream and candied papaya for a tropical burst of flavor

KRUNCHY KAJU ANJEER – toasted cashews swirled into a fig infused ice cream, making for the perfect bite.

RAJBHOG- A lush saffron ice cream packed with pistachios, cashews and almonds.

MAGIC MANGO – A mango lovers dream! Juicy mangos transformed into a lush ice cream swirled with mango tidbits.

While they have have unique flavors, they also have classics like CHOCO DREAM – a lush and creamy chocolate ice cream packed with a rich Cadbury cocoa and COORGI VANILLA- made with the best vanillas and is a perfect base for milkshakes & sundaes!!

They are happy to let you taste some flavors before you choose which ice cream to purchase. Single dips are $3.99, double dips are $5.99 and triple dips run $7.99. Tell them DaytonDining sent you!

Chukee’s Ice Cream

located inside Shree-G Grocers

1569 Lyons Rd.
Dayton, OH 45458

Mon, Wed & Thurs 11am – 8pm

Tues 3-8pm
Fri, Sat & Sun 11am -8:30pm

2nd Round of ArtWraps Now Around Town

October 1, 2023 By DowntownPartnership

The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) and The Contemporary Dayton (The Co) have teamed together to enliven downtown streetscapes with ArtWraps, a project to “wrap” utility boxes with original designs by local artists of all ages.

ArtWraps takes commonplace objects, such as the “ugly” utility boxes on downtown streets, and transforms them into pieces of art by wrapping them with artistic designs printed on vinyl wraps.

The program debuted in 2022 with the first phase of ArtWraps, consisting of 15 utility boxes throughout downtown.

An additional 15 boxes were wrapped during the project’s second phase in 2023. See the map below for locations. The designs were chosen from more than 200 entries submitted by a diverse range of people from the Dayton area.

ArtWraps is an extension of the DDP’s Urban Art Intersections program, which seeks to use public art to enliven downtown and connect artists with the community while engaging downtown Dayton residents, workers and visitors. It is also a project from Place Lab, the DDP’s approach to prioritizing and implementing placemaking projects, making downtown locations more vibrant, inclusive, engaging and connected.

The Ugly Duckling Now Serving Up Breakfast

September 30, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

There’s a new spot in East Dayton for breakfast. The Ugly Duckling offers pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage patties, vegan sausage, tater tots and grilled cheese sandwiches.

The eatery, which was formerly Joe Mamma’s Taste of Dayton, and before that Grip’s Grill, has been opened in partnership between Mason Schindler, who owns Blazin’ Dayton Uncle Boof (Dexter Clay) owner of Uncle Boof’s World Famous Pancake Mix and Zach Keckering. The owners said they’ll be open Friday – Sunday for now and have plans to expand the hours later in October.

The Ugly Duckling, a collaboration between Blazin’ Dayton and Uncle Boof’s World Famous Pancake Mix, is now open for breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Ugly Duckling

115 Springfield St.
Dayton, OH 45403

Fri – Sun 8am – 2pm

The Yellow Springs Sunflower Field is in Full Bloom

September 30, 2023 By Dayton937

The Yellow Springs Sunflower Field will be in full bloom for abut the next 10 days. Come out and enjoy the delightful natural beauty of these flowers while you can!

The Sunflower Field is located just north of Yellow Springs at 4627 U.S. Route 68. Parking for this event is located at the Tecumseh Land Trust. There are two grass lots available. We ask that our patrons do not park along the State Route.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Saturday, September 30: 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, October 1: 10 am – 7 pm
Friday, : 4 pm – 7 pm
Saturday, September 30: 10 am – 7 pm
Sunday, October 1: 10 am – 7 pm

CALLING VOLUNTEERS!
But that’s not all – we need your support! The Yellow Springs Chamber is calling on all nature enthusiasts, volunteers, and kind-hearted souls to lend a helping hand. Your donations and time will make this event truly unforgettable. Let’s come together to make a difference in our community and create wonderful memories amidst the golden sea of sunflowers.

Yellow Springs Sunflower Field

4627 US Route 68,
Yellow Springs, OH, 45387

The Sunflower Field is located just north of Yellow Springs on US Route 68. Parking for this event is located at the Tecumseh Land Trust. There are two grass lots available. We ask that our patrons do not park along the State Route.

Bonefish Grill 2 Dine for $45.90

September 30, 2023 By Dayton937

Bonefish Grill has brought back their 2 dine for $45.90 dinner promotion.

It includes a choice fo 2 salads:

Bonefish house salad
Clasic Caesar salad

Choose two entrees:

Small Atlantic Salmon
Linguine & Clams
Pork Tenderloin

Lily’s Chicken

Rainbow Trout
The Angler Sirloin

Mahi Mahi

Tuna Poke Bowl

Enjoy a slice of key lime cake to share

Bonefish Grill Dayton
2818 Miamisburg Centerville Rd
Dayton, OH 45459-3748

937-428-0082

Beer Lovers- Ohio Craft Brewer Freedom Act Needs Your Support

September 29, 2023 By Dayton937

The Ohio Craft Brewer Freedom Act got a first hearing in the Ohio Senate this week. Now is the time to let your state lawmakers know that you support reform of the 50-year-old franchise law that locks small breweries into unfair, virtually unbreakable contracts with powerful beer wholesalers. Franchise laws can inhibit the growth of craft producers, limit consumer choice and lead to higher prices in the market.

Ohio is home to more than 430 independently owned craft breweries. These small business owners are forced to comply with the Ohio Alcoholic Beverages Franchise Act of 1974: legislation that was built to check the power of large corporations but now locks small brewers into unfair, effectively unbreakable contracts with large, powerful wholesalers (the businesses that deliver Ohio craft beers to market).

“Very few people in Ohio right now know that franchise law exists or how it impacts craft brewers. Because of this outdated law, we have no negotiating power, no recourse and no way out of unfair contracts. Our Brewers Freedom Alliance is working to change that,” says Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “We are appreciative that Senator Brenner and other Ohio lawmakers have heard our pleas for relief and are now taking action.”

TheBrewers Freedom Alliance urges Ohio lawmakers to support small Ohio business owners with this legislation.“This bill is about small business owners having the freedom and flexibility to make the best decisions for their employees, brewery and customers,” said Senator Brenner, R-Delaware. “I’m proud to carry this legislation that I know will make Ohio an even better place to live and do business.”
Please take a moment to ask your state legislators to help the small and independent breweries in their districts by supporting franchise law reform. Let’s send a message that craft breweries are important parts of our communities that we’ll fight to protect. 🍻

Sign Up Now for MetroParks Make A Difference Day

September 28, 2023 By Dayton937

Five Rivers MetroParks will host its annual fall service day, Make a Difference Day, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 28. Register online by Friday, Oct. 27, at metroparks.org/make-a-difference.

People of all ages will work at more than 20 projects across 14 sites throughout the Dayton area and assist with many important projects, from invasive species removal to planting trees. Register your family, friends or work group, and get everyone outside to make a difference.

Make a Difference Day projects help beautify the parks and prepare them for the winter season.

“Our volunteers are so integral in supporting MetroParks to protect the region’s natural heritage,” said human resources and volunteer manager Jenny Hymans. “Make a Difference Day is the perfect opportunity to get together with friends, family or coworkers and give back to your favorite MetroPark. In just a few hours on a beautiful fall morning, you can make a difference.”

Registration is required via MetroParks’ volunteer site, Get Connected. Learn more and sign up at www.metroparks.org/volunteer.

Participants should dress for the weather and the activity in which they will participate. Supplies will be provided depending on the project, but individuals may want to bring gloves and a refillable water bottle.

MetroParks hosts two large annual days of service: Adopt-A-Park in April to celebrate Earth Day and Make a Difference Day in October. This fall, MetroParks hopes to register approximately 200 volunteers for Make a Difference Day.

MetroParks volunteers are needed year-round for a variety of tasks. Learn more about becoming a volunteer for other projects and more at metroparks.org/volunteer.

Dayton at Work: “Jobs from A to Z”

September 27, 2023 By Bill Franz

Yesterday my wife helped me hang “Jobs from A to Z” which will be in the 2nd floor gallery at @DaytonMetroLibrary until November 5th.

I started this series because the memory loss of my father-in-law Wally Willaman was making our time together difficult. I hoped that we could avoid discussions of the past by having fun working on a project in the present. It worked. We had a ball.

I told Wally that when we finished our art would be in an exhibition, thinking that would keep him interested in the project. But I knew it was likely that we never would make it to the end. Wally is 101, and I knew the project would take at least six months.

Well six months later we’ve made it all the way to “Z is for Zookeeper” and Wally’s still going strong. And the work will be exhibited twice. Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor has an active arts in healthcare program. They will display “Jobs from A to Z” from March 11 to May 31, 2024 in a gallery where thousands of people will walk by it each day.

But Ann Arbor is too far for Wally to travel, so Jayne Klose, the library’s Community Engagement Manager, helped us out. She invited us to exhibit at Dayton Metro Library.

Wally and I hope people have as much fun viewing this art as we did making it.

Beyond Van Gogh Returns to Dayton

September 27, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Immerse yourself in Van Gogh’s artwork like you’ve never seen it before. Beyond Van Gogh — a beautiful and moving art experience — returns to the Dayton Convention Center Nov. 11 for a 2 month run.

The traveling exhibit featureS more than 300 of Van Gogh’s works including “The Starry Night”, “Sunflowers” and “Café Terrace at Night.”

Beyond Van Gogh is a new truly immersive experience. While other shows use virtual reality or still images, our show breaks barriers by incorporating both still and moving art. Masterpieces, now freed from frames, come alive, appear, and disappear, flow across multi-surfaces, the minutia of details titillating our heightened senses. The show is projected on every surface around you, this makes you feel as though you have stepped directly into a Van Gogh painting. We accompany the show with a beautiful score and include many other surprises!

“Through the use of cutting-edge projection technology and an original score, Beyond Van Gogh breathes new life into over 300 of Van Gogh’s artworks,” the website says.

Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Dayton Convention Center, Hall A,
22 E. Fifth Street, Dayton 45402

Nov. 11, 2023-Jan. 7, 2024
Tues-Thurs: 11 am-8 pm
Fri & Sat 11 am-9 pm
Sun 11 am-7 pm

Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, NYE : 11Am. – 5 pm. (last entry 4:00 pm
Christmas Day: Closed

The visit will take around one hour with the final entry one hour before close.

Tickets $33.99 for adults, $19.99 for children (ages 5-15)
Family 4 Pack: $23.99 (per ticket)

Exhibit runs from Nov. 11 through Jan. 7, 2024

Limited Return of Arby’s $1, $2, $3 Menu

September 26, 2023 By Dayton937

Available exclusively through the Arby’s app and arbys.com, the $1, $2, $3 Classics menu includes:

$1: Curly Fries: Potatoes sliced up curly and fried until golden and crispy.
$2: Mozzarella Sticks: Stretchy, cheesy, melty mozzarella that’s battered and fried, and served with a marinara sauce for dipping.
$2: Jamocha Shake: A shake that combines the flavors of chocolate and coffee.
$2: Classic Roast Beef: Classic roast beef is thinly sliced and piled on a toasted sesame seed bun.
$3: Classic French Dip & Swiss: Roast beef and Swiss cheese on a sub roll served with a side of French au jus sauce.

Just keep in mind that there is a limit of five items per order.

A reminding this offer is not available for delivery or in-restaurant orders and is only available through the Arby’s app.

Special Edition Trotwood Lager Can: Triangle Park Movie!

September 26, 2023 By Dayton937

Warped Wing Brewing Company, headquartered in the heart of Downtown Dayton, Ohio, is excited to announce the launch of a Special Edition Trotwood Lager can in collaboration with PalMar Studios, producers of the upcoming Triangle Park Movie! Allen Farst, director of the film and founder of PalMar Studios, will be on-site at the Dayton Taproom for the official launch of the Triangle Park Trotwood Lager 6pks on Thursday, September 28th, beginning at 4pm for a meet & greet and autograph signing. Event attendees can also enter to win a pair of tickets to special movie preview night at the Neon in November. The tickets include a Q&A with Allen following the showing.

“We’re all about celebrating Dayton’s rich history,” said Nick Bowman, Co-Founder and VP of Sales &

Marketing at Warped Wing. “The narrative of Triangle Park hosting the inaugural NFL game in Dayton has always been something our team has wanted to commemorate, but the timing was never right until the Triangle Park Film team approached us with the idea of a collaboration. It’s a great honor that we have the opportunity to pay homage to the Dayton Triangles with this special edition Trotwood Lager can!”

The film is scheduled to be released in theaters this November and on Amazon Prime Thanksgiving Day – and will feature several stars from the football world including Troy Aikman, Ben Roethlisberger, Larry Fitzgerald, Tony Dungy, Sean McVay, Joe Buck, Kirk Herbstreit and Cris Collinsworth. Additional details & a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie can be found at www.triangleparkmovie.com.

Copy on the can reads: “Sunday. October 3rd. 1920. Triangle Park. Dayton, O. The first-ever NFL game. 1 of 14 original professional football teams – The Dayton Triangles. Many interesting storylines existed with prohibition. An innovative town that had just risen back from a major flood. Women could vote. Professional football is born. Triangle Park celebrates an American football legacy. Relive the glory.”

Triangle Park Special Edition cans will hit distribution the week following the Taproom launch and will be available at select retailers while supplies last.

Warped Wing Brewing Co. is a Dayton craft brewery inspired by Ohio’s rich history of innovation and invention. We are committed to carrying that spirit forward by brewing new proprietary beer styles along with original “warped” interpretations.

Manna Offers Tour of Italy Tasting

September 25, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Centerville’s upscale eatery Manna is offering a food and wine tour of Italy this Wed night at 6pm. Michael Schiaparelli of Skurnik Wines will lead guest through a 6 wine tasting accompanied by small bites that include Prosciutto & Melon Slices, an Heirloom Tomato Salad, Sausage Frittata, Ricotta Gnudi and Chicken Piccata.

THE WINE LIST:

Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco di Sorbara Fondatore

Iovine Falanghina IGT Campania

Zenato Pinot Grigio

Giacomo Mori Chianti

Cosimo Salento Notarpanaro

Sottimano Barbera d’Alba Superiore Pairolero

Tickets run $59 and can be purchased online.

Manna

61 W Franklin St.
Centerville OH 45459

937-972-1215

HOURS

Sunday – Thursday 11am-9pm

Friday – Saturday 11am-10pm

Lunch served from 11am-2pm

Happy Hour 2pm-6pm

Dinner served beginning at 4pm

The Featured Articles

Culver’s

Twist Cupcakery

THE WINE LIST:

HOURS

Mon 2

Tue 3

Wed 4

Thu 5

Fri 6

Sat 7

Sun 8

Vampire Ball

Vampire Ball

Vampire Ball

Discover Steampunk- A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure

Scottish Country Dance Lessons

Community Quilting

Boot Camp with The Unit

Comical Cons presented by Mayhem & Mystery

“Case of the Mondays” – Breathwork Experience

Karaoke w/ J.O.E

Discover Steampunk- A Fantastical Hands-On Adventure

Read Between the Wines – Trivia Night

Free Mamma Mia 2: Sing-A-Long

Open Mic

Blues Jam