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Dayton at Work and Play: Chef Cece

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Conversation with Chef Cece of The Burger Bistro, one of the four restaurants at The Silos (801 East First). I asked Chef Cece about her food background.

“It seems like I’ve always been cooking” she told me. “My mother tells people that at age 7 I’d come home from school, open the refrigerator door, and then cook something creative out of whatever ingredients I found. But I didn’t think about cooking as a career. I worked for a large company in customer service. Sometimes at work we’d bring in food to share and people raved about my food. They said I should be selling it.”
“With that encouragement, I decided to start doing some catering on the side. Soon I was making more from catering than on my regular job. So 4 years ago I quit and started cooking full time. I call my business Cece’s Kitchen
The last 4 years have been crazy busy. In addition to our catering we now have a food truck that’s been very popular. I keep getting calls from people wondering when we’ll start it up again for the season. They especially miss our Taco Tuesday. And now we have a brick and mortar location – The Burger Bistro at the Silos. Business has been really good here at the Silos. I’m so glad my husband Antonio decided to jump on board. I really needed the help.”
What’s your most popular dish here at the Silos?
“Our Hot Honey Fried Chicken Deviled Eggs are our biggest seller. Our top burger is called Triple B. It’s a double smash burger with bacon, cheddar and provolone cheese, jalapeno, fried onions and maple bacon sauce.”
The last time I ate at the Burger Bistro I tried your glazed salmon sliders. They were so good I’ll have trouble ordering anything else.
“Those are a favorite for a lot of people, but before you get stuck in a rut you’ve got to try those eggs I told you about. And in May we’ll have some new menu items that might also tempt you.”

The Debut of Taco Bell’s Toasted Cheddar Chalupas

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Inspired by the vibrant culture of street tacos, Taco Bell’s Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupas revive the fan-favorite street chalupas with a bold new edge: a crispy new exterior and craveable sauce. Street food is all about bold flavors, bright ingredients and a touch of creativity and this next evolution in Taco Bell’s ode to street food culture infuses the best of traditional street tacos – simple ingredients like onions and cilantro – into a crispy toasted cheddar shell and a new Chile Lime Crema Sauce. This new menu item provides a new flavor experience that’s craveable from the outside in.

Building on a legacy of bold chalupa innovations, Taco Bell is merging two fan-favorite menu creations from the past – the Toasted Cheddar Chalupa from 2019 and last year’s Cheesy Street Chalupas – to deliver the ultimate mashup of crispy, cheesy and street-inspired indulgence. The new menu item is now available nationwide for $5.49 a la carte starting March 27, for a limited time while supplies last.

“The street taco is a cultural staple built on bold flavor and quality ingredients, and the Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupas honors that tradition while bringing in a unique Taco Bell touch that packs even more flavor into every bite,” said Luis Restrepo, Taco Bell’s Vice President, Product Innovation. “Fans immediately fell in love with the crispy, cheesy bite of the Toasted Cheddar Chalupa in 2019, and now we’re elevating that street-inspired flavor experience and that’s exactly the kind of comeback our fans have been waiting for.”

Unique Tasting Experience with Flavors That Hit from the Outside In
The Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupas deliver a striking first impression with layers of flavor inside and out. Here’s the breakdown:

  • Toasted Cheesy Shell: A chalupa shell with a layer of mild cheddar, baked directly into the dough, and toasted to perfection for a crispy, cheesy, and savory bite.
  • Premium ingredients: Packed with fresh onions and cilantro – an ode to the street taco – and a choice of slow-roasted Cantina chicken or grilled, marinated steak.
  • Saucy surprise: Chile Lime Crema Sauce – a bold and zesty fusion of lime, fiery chile peppers, garlic, parmesan, and Romano cheeses, bringing all the flavors together in harmony.

Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupas are available for a limited time at participating Taco Bell locations nationwide, starting at $5.49 for two chalupas (same protein per order).

3 New Piada Pockets

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Piada Italian Street Food recently announced the launch of its new Piada Pockets in three crave-worthy flavors: Spinach & Artichoke, Meatball Marinara, and Spicy Sausage. Baked to perfection in Piada’s signature dough and packed with bold Italian flavors, Piada Pockets will be available at all locations.

“Our Piada Pockets capture everything guests love about Italian food—rich flavors, high-quality ingredients, and a warm, satisfying bite—all in a portable format,” said Matt Harding, Chief Concept Officer at Piada Italian Street Food. “Whether you’re craving the classic comfort of meatballs and marinara, the indulgence of creamy spinach and artichoke, or the bold heat of spicy sausage and peppers, there’s a Piada Pocket for every taste.”

Piada Pockets aren’t just delicious—they’re also a way to give back. From March 24th – March 30th, Piada will donate $1 from every Piada Pocket sold to Pelotonia, supporting life-saving cancer research, with a commitment of up to $10,000. Additionally, anyone who orders a Piada Pocket online during this week will be entered to win one of five exciting prizes, including a $500 Piada gift card + an exclusive influencer pack or one of four $100 gift cards.

“Our goal was to take our signature Piada dough and create something truly irresistible,” said Dawn McClung, Research and Development Chef at Piada Italian Street Food. “After three years in the making, these pockets are a perfect balance of crisp, golden-baked dough and indulgent, high-quality fillings. They’re easy to eat on the go, but still bring that comforting, made-from-scratch Italian experience.”

Piada Pockets will be available at all Piada Italian Street Food locations nationwide. For more information and to order, visit mypiada.com or download the Piada One app.

Piada Italian Street Food
1047 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd
Dayton, OH 45459

4397 Far Hills Ave
Kettering, OH 45429

3286-B Pentagon Blvd
Beavercreek, OH 45431

Bill Franz’s Hidden Figures: Miguel

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This series was inspired by words – President Trump’s lies about the Haitian immigrants in Springfield.    I’ve decided that I should try to include words in the images I’m creating.  I should use my words to combat those of the president.

 

Lies and slander are part of the president’s schtick, the comedic style he uses to entertain his followers.  Wikipedia lists more than 80 of his derogatory nicknames, like calling his predecessor “Crooked Joe.”   The president uses those nicknames to demean other powerful people.  It’s different when his slurs are directed at the most vulnerable.

When powerful people direct hate speech against the vulnerable I hear echoes of some of history’s worst events. Calling Haitians criminals who eat people’s dogs and cats makes me think of the Tutsis who were called cockroaches before the killings in Rwanda, or the Jews who were called vermin before their German citizenship was stripped away. Words aimed at dehumanizing the vulnerable can be a first step towards abuse. When we hear those words we need to shout them down.

Miguel’s parents brought him here to escape the violence in his native country.  He has no documentation, so the president labels him a criminal. We cannot let that label stand.  It can be used to justify abuses, claiming they were acceptable because they were directed only against criminals.

If the president wants to label some people as criminals, we should insist that he use the word accurately.  A criminal is a person who has been found guilty in a court of law of committing a crime.  The president is a criminal.  Miguel is not.

8 Things To Do for The Anniversary of the 1913 Great Flood

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During March 1913, the citizens of the Miami Valley experienced a natural disaster unparalleled in the region’s history. Within a three-day period, nine to 11 inches of rain fell throughout the Great Miami River Watershed. The ground was already saturated from the melting of snow and ice of a hard winter. The ground could absorb little of the rain. The water ran off into streams and rivers, causing the Great Miami River and other rivers to overflow. Every city along the river was overrun with floodwater. Altogether, nearly four trillion gallons of water, an amount equivalent to about thirty days of discharge of water over Niagara Falls, flowed through the Miami Valley during the ensuing flood.

Many residents climbed to the second floor and into attics of their homes to escape death from the floodwaters that raced and swirled uncontrollably in the freezing temperatures of March. In the pitch black of night, cries for help and the eerie groaning of houses being ripped off of their foundations filled the sky as the waters continued to rise. With no functional telegraph lines, the flood survivors were completely cut off from the outside world.

Rushing torrentially, the waters swept away bridges, dwellings, and commercial buildings — and anyone who was in them. It precipitated fires at broken gas mains, which spread when fed by spilled gasoline. In Dayton, a fire erupted at a drug store, consuming nearly two blocks of business buildings (now named the “Fireblocks”). At Hamilton, within two hours the flood swept away three of the four bridges, and destroyed the fourth a few hours later.

During those long hours waiting for the waters to recede, residents made a promise to one another: Never Again.

In the Miami Valley, more than 360 people lost their lives. Property damage exceeded $100 million (that’s more than $3.2 billion in today’s economy). Despite the tragedy, the citizens of the Miami Valley, who had lost virtually everything, rallied to raise money for a plan to stop flooding once and for all. Some 23,000 citizens contributed their own money – adding up to more than 2 million dollars – to begin a comprehensive flood protection program on a valley-wide basis.

Today, reminders of how our communities overcame live on. Read below to discover eight ideas for exploring (and tasting?) Great Flood history along the Great Miami Riverway. 

1. Visit Miami Conservancy District Historic Headquarters

The three-story building, including basement, is built of Indiana (Bedford) limestone. Colonel Edward Deeds announced in July of 1915 that he would gift a headquarters building to the Miami Conservancy District. The building was designed and constructed in about six months, with staff moving in at the beginning of 1916. The lobby features original light fixtures, staircase and moldings. The first-floor ceilings are coffered and feature larger replicas of the original lighting fixtures.

In his letter to the Board of Directors, Edward Deeds wrote that “engineers from all quarters will be coming to the Miami Valley to study our work. We owe it to the people of the flood stricken valleys of the world to make this data complete and permanently available”.

While you are free to explore the exterior of the building (we recommend enjoying lunch in our pocket park), we recommend scheduling private tours of the interior. This is for the safety and comfort of our staff, who still use the building to this day. Please contact Sarah Hippensteel Hall via our contact form to request a tour!

More about our Headquarter Building

About the art exhibit displayed inside Headquarters

2. Admire ‘Fractal Rain’ at the Dayton Metro Library Main Campus
The impressive sculpture by Terry Welker is named“Fractal Rain”. It is is fashioned of 3,500 six-inch prisms on nearly five miles of stainless-steel wire. The dramatic piece, which hangs from the third floor under a skylight and cascades down to the floors below, changes as it catches the light at different times of day. One in every six of the prisms has been optically dyed in studio in Monet colors — lavender, green, blue, yellow, and pink.

The piece, according to Welker, references the Great Dayton Flood of 1913 and our city’s love/hate relationship with rain.

The 1,000-pound piece was selected by the internationally known Collaboration of Design and Art as one of the “top 100 most successful design projects that integrate commissioned art into an interior, architectural or public space” (From Dayton Daily News)

3. Explore the Great 1913 Flood Exhibit at Carillon Historical Park
The Great 1913 Flood Exhibit features stories of disaster, perseverance, and heroism. By bringing together numerous flood-related artifacts, the exhibit tells the story of a grief-stricken city banding together to rise above adversity.

4. Taste a Piece of History at the Hamburger Wagon
The famous little Hamburger Wagon in Miamisburg has some unique flood history. After the flood waters receded and disaster relief was in dire need, Miamisburg resident Sherman “Cocky” Porter used a family recipe to serve up delicious hamburgers to flood refugees for many days. When life finally returned to normal, Miamisburg residents loved the little “Porter Burgers” so much that Porter agreed to start selling them on Saturdays. The business grew from there, and ever since it has been a community staple, ranked one of the top 100 hamburgers in the United States by Hamburger America.

5. Search for Flood Depth Markers
In many riverfront cities along the Great Miami River evidence of the 1913 flood depth can be found at various flood depth markers. While you are enjoying local restaurants or retail stores in one of the historic downtowns, keep your eyes peeled for these markers and statues.

Many communities along the Great Miami River such as Troy, Dayton, West Carrollton, Miamisburg, Middletown, and Hamilton have done an excellent job maintaining flood markers to showcase the height of the flood. Markers can be found as stand-alone statues, on buildings or bridges as stone or metal plaques, or can be found wrapped on light poles and fixtures. See how many you can find!

Statue in Hamilton near the Great Miami Rowing Center

High water mark at Riverscape MetroPark in Dayton

High water mark on the Market Square Building in Miamisburg

6. Follow the remnants of the Miami-Erie Canal Along the Great Miami River
The Miami and Erie Canal was 274 miles long, connecting Cincinnati to Toledo – the Ohio River to Lake Erie. Construction began in 1825 at a cost of $8 million. In today’s money? That’s $177 million. At its peak, the canal had 103 locks and featured feeder canals, man-made reservoirs, and guard stations.

As railroad systems were introduced and found to be a more reliable and cheaper mode of transporting goods, the Ohio canals saw less and less use. Various attempts at canal revival were made between 1904 and 1910, however, the Great Flood of 1913 caused the reservoirs to spill over into the canals, destroying aqueducts, washing out banks, and devastating most of the locks.

Luckily, history lives on. Throughout the Great Miami Riverway, you can find pieces of the original canal and many other places that celebrate its history. Here is a guide to view pieces of the canal today along the river. In Piqua, you can even ride the canal in a canal boat called General Harrison.

7.  Take a walk through the beautiful Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
Many flood heroes are buried like John Henry Patterson, who shut down his cash register factory to build rescue boats and provide housing and shelter to flood victims, or James M. Cox, whose leadership helped secure state aid for flood victims and establish the Miami Conservancy District. The land of the cemetery itself was a refuge for many escaping the flood waters in Dayton due to its higher elevation.

8. Visit the 5 dry dams that continue to protect the region from flooding to this day. 

Within weeks of the Great Flood of 1913, community leaders hired engineer Arthur Morgan to develop a regional flood protection system, which was awarded the 1922 Engineering Record’s distinguished “Project of the Year,” placing it in a category with other international engineering design feats like the Brooklyn Bridge (1883), Eiffel Tower (1889), Empire State Building (1931), Golden Gate Bridge (1937), Gateway Arch (1965) and the Channel Tunnel (1994).

The flood protection system is designed to manage a storm the size of the Great Flood of 1913 plus an additional 40 percent. The drainage patterns of the entire Great Miami River Watershed are incorporated into its design. The 5 dry dams and 55 miles of levees operate without human intervention and have no moving parts, except floodgates on storm sewers along the levees. They are called dry because the dams are used only to store floodwaters after heavy rainfall. The remainder of the time, the storage land upstream of each dam – 35,650 acres – is used predominantly for parkland and farmland. The Miami Conservancy District partners with many park districts to enable outdoor recreation opportunities on these flood protection lands. Learn more about the system and visiting the dams with the links below:

Dry Dams
Germantown
Taylorsville
Englewood
Huffman
Lockington

Storage Basins
Levees
Operations & Maintenance

Hydrologic monitoring

Table 33 Presents 4 Course Wine Dinner

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Chef Keith Taylor

Table 33 is hosting an exclusive wine dinner with a special menu created by Executive Chef, Keith Taylor, and Sous Chef, Justin Gall, paired with Titus Wines on Wed, May 7th.  There will be two seatings, 5:30pm or 7:30pm. Joining them for the wine pairing will be Dinner with Napa Valley Winemaker & Owner of Titus Wines, Eric Titus.

From a young age, Eric Titus worked in the family vineyard in Napa Valley with his brothers and father, continuing the tradition until he left for college to earn his doctorate degree in Biology, where he was drawn to the dynamics of marine science and toxicology. Following this path, he worked around the world as a researcher and environmental consultant throughout the 1990’s. In 1997, he returned to St. Helena to help with the harvest at Titus Vineyards. The family business was growing, and, in 2002, Eric decided to devote himself to the winery full time to help with management of the burgeoning business. Today he is General Manager and Vineyard Operations Manager of the winery.
In the vineyard, Eric has adopted green practices that support sustainable farming. His aim is to farm with techniques that ensure minimum impact on the local environment, seeking to have as light a footprint as possible in the vineyard. Nearly all vineyard work is done by hand, row by row. He collaborates with Winemaker Stephen Cruzan to ensure that vineyard practices deliver expressive and focused fruit from their two estate vineyards. An estate-based winery allows for harvesting each row at the right moment for each wine.
Eric has served as President of the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association and is active with both the St. Helena Viticultural Society and Appellation St. Helena. He is committed to preserving agricultural land and the local ecosystem in Napa Valley. Eric works along with the local viticultural community to promote the Napa Valley as a world-class wine-growing region.
Tickets for this event run $195 and can be reserved online.

Miami Valley Meals Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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Miami Valley Meals (MVM) marks its 5th anniversary today, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, honoring five years of transforming donated and rescued food into nutritious meals for those experiencing food insecurity. What began as a small group of furloughed culinary and hospitality professionals responding to the pandemic has grown into an impactful nonprofit that now serves over 4,000 meals weekly across the Miami Valley.

Since its founding in 2020, MVM has provided over 1 million meals, collaborating with more than 129 nonprofit partners to ensure access to high-quality, chef-prepared meals. By sourcing over 90% of its ingredients from rescued and donated food, MVM not only nourishes the community but also plays a critical role in reducing food waste. The meals additionally serve as a connection to additional wrap-around services through their network of nonprofit partners.

Amanda DeLotelle

“Our journey started with a simple question—‘How can we help?’—and five years later, that same spirit of service and collaboration continues to drive us,” said Amanda DeLotelle, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Miami Valley Meals. “The need in our community has only grown, but so has the support. We are grateful for our volunteers, partners, and donors who make it possible to serve nutritious meals with dignity and love.”

As MVM celebrates this milestone, the organization remains committed to expanding its impact. Hunger persists in the Miami Valley, with 1 in 7 people facing food insecurity and a growing waitlist for their meals. MVM invites the community to get involved—through volunteerism, donations, or partnerships—to help sustain this mission for years to come.

To learn more about Miami Valley Meals or to support its work, visit miamivalleymeals.org.

Dayton at Work and Play: Kait Gilcher- Heart Co-Owner

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Several people have suggested I post about Heart Mercantile because they’ve done so many good things for Dayton, so I stopped by recently and met Kait. I asked her how long the business has been in operation.
“Brittany Smith started the business in 2015” she told me. “It wasn’t in this location but it’s always been in the Oregon District. That’s worked out well for us. People visit the area often so there are always folks walking by. People also bring out of town guests to the Oregon District, because it’s one of the areas that make our city special. While they are here they can stop in for a souvenir of their visit to Dayton.”
I see that many of your products relate to Dayton. “Our shop offers a wide variety of gifts, but we specialize in items that relate to Dayton. We say we’re Dayton-centric. All of the Dayton themed items are designed by us and to the extent possible they’re also made in Dayton.”
A lot has happened during your 10 years of operation – the day 14 tornadoes hit the city, the mass shooting on this street, the pandemic. I understand your business has done a lot to help people through those troubles.
“That’s something we’re passionate about. We try to give back as much as we can, and we have a donation center to make it easy for others to support the causes we care about. You mentioned the Oregon District shootings. Just two days after that terrible event we designed a new shirt to honor the vic

tims and the #DaytonStrong movement and donated all of the profits to a fund created by the Dayton Foundation.”
Is anything happening soon that you’d like to mention?
“Derby Day will be here soon, with a fashion show and wiener dog races. That’s always fun. And we do monthly block parties. The Oregon District is a great part of Dayton and we try to contribute in our own way to keeping the area interesting. “

Heart Mercantile

In the Oregon District
601 E. 5th Street,
Dayton, OH 45402
Open daily 11am – 8pm

Elsa’s Springboro Adds Brunch on the Weekends

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Starting tomorrow, March 22nd Elsa’s Boro Cantina will be offering  new brunch items every Saturday & Sunday from 11am-2pm! Check out the menu:
ON Sundays they’ll be offering  a Bloody Mary Bar set up during brunch! Stuffed olives, celery seeds, hot sauces, and so much more- come find out for yourself!
The breakfast tacos:

Elsa’s Springboro Cantina

774 N. Main Street
Springboro, OH, 45066
+1 937-790-1800

Upcoming NATO Parliamentary Assembly Causing Disruption to Downtown Dayton Businesses

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Downtown Dayton was supposed to be buzzing with promise and progress on the afternoon of March 20th, but instead, the Small Business Social at The Contemporary Dayton revealed deep divisions between city planners and the very community they hoped to serve.

A Promising Venue, A Troubled Agenda

In a venue usually celebrated for its art and culture, the event—organized by the Downtown Dayton Partnership—was intended to showcase how the upcoming NATO Assembly might bring opportunities for downtown businesses. But as the night unfolded, small business owners voiced their mounting frustration. The galleries, typically filled with creative energy, became an impromptu forum for grievances about decisions that could jeopardize local livelihoods.

Mixed Messages from the Top

The afternoon opened on an upbeat note. Gallery host and curator Heather Jones welcomed the crowd, highlighting current exhibitions and a raffle that momentarily lifted spirits. Yet that optimism quickly faded as Syron Townsend, Community Partnership Manager for the Downtown Dayton Partnership, thanked small business owners for their ongoing support before turning the stage over to Jason Galanes.

Galanes, Chief of Staff for Republican Congressman Mike Turner and one of the lead planners of the NATO Assembly, delivered a message that many found dissonant. “The opportunity for downtown businesses to welcome delegates and constituents to patronize shops and restaurants,” he declared. But he soon undercut his own message with a remark that struck a sour chord: “The event begins on Memorial Day weekend, many people already out on vacation…” The suggestion that local businesses might simply “take advantage” of a national holiday to close shop was met with audible grumbles—a reaction that underscored the economic pressures these businesses are already facing.

Adding insult to injury, Galanes extolled the virtues of lasting public art and beautification efforts—projects funded by state and local tax dollars. Yet he offered little reassurance that these improvements would compensate for the financial strain that a week-long shutdown could impose on struggling downtown shops and restaurants.

Updated Secure Zone Map for Downtown Dayton NATO Assembly 2025

Security and the Specter of Exclusion

The tone grew even more contentious when Major Christopher Malson of the Dayton Police Department took the floor. Tasked with explaining the design and purpose of the NATO Village Secure Zone, Malson’s presentation was a mix of policy details and offhand humor that did little to assuage the concerns of those present. “When the City Manager met with me over a year ago, she gave me the edict of ‘We will not be shutting down businesses…’” he recalled—yet the absence of City Manager Shelley Dickstein was conspicuous by itself.

Malson outlined a security plan that included designated entrances, foot-traffic only policies, and even a “Designated Protest Area” for what he insisted would be “peaceful” and “lawful” demonstrations. However, his warning that any protests outside that area might be branded as “riots” did not sit well with business owners who already feel marginalized in the planning process.

 

 

Parking Woes and a Clamor for Accountability

Questions about the logistical impact of the NATO event, particularly regarding parking, further fueled the discontent. One business owner’s query about whether the city would subsidize monthly parking costs for employees—an essential lifeline for local commerce—was summarily dismissed by Major Malson with a curt, “The city will not be providing any financial assistance to private businesses.” The response was met with growing frustration, as many pointed out that the downtown community was being expected to shoulder the burdens of an event from which they would reap little benefit.

A moment of further disruption came when an unannounced voice from the back of the room, later identified as Kristina Scott, Vice President of Strategy for The Downtown Dayton Partnership, abruptly attempted to cut off the ongoing questions. “I think this is enough, I believe we have what we need to bring this back to the broader group,” she interjected, prompting a bewildered business owner to ask, “Who are you?”—a question that underscored the disconnect between event organizers and the community they were meant to support.

Aftermath: More Questions Than Answers

By the end of the evening, many small business owners left The Contemporary Dayton not with a sense of possibility, but with more questions and a deep-seated mistrust of the process. The event, meant to highlight opportunities for downtown Dayton, instead exposed a glaring imbalance: local tax dollars were being spent to host an event that many feared would inflict financial harm on the very businesses that form the backbone of the city.

In an economic climate where every dollar counts, the promise of future benefits from beautification projects and enhanced public spaces feels hollow to a community that sees itself as an afterthought. As downtown Dayton prepares for the NATO Assembly, one thing is clear—without genuine support and transparent dialogue, the promise of a thriving, inclusive business community may remain just that: a promise unfulfilled.

If you are a small business owner who needs your voice heard regarding NATO, reach out to DowntownDayton.com and we will include your story in our next NATO Assembly update.

HBA’s Parade of Home Tours Is Back!

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The Home Builders Association (HBA) of Dayton is thrilled to announce the return of the Parade of Homes Tour, coming to the Dayton, Ohio region on March 21-23 and March 28-30, 2025. This highly anticipated event will be open daily from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, offering attendees the chance to explore a stunning collection of homes across multiple sites in Sugarcreek Township, Beavercreek Township, Huber Heights, Miamisburg, and Washington Township.

The Parade of Homes Tour is the ultimate event for anyone on the journey to finding their dream home. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, planning your forever home, or searching for the perfect place to retire, this tour offers something for everyone. Discover the best in innovative design, exceptional craftsmanship, and state of the art technology that will elevate your vision of home.

– Dates: March 21-23 and March 28-30

– Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM daily  

– Location: Multiple sites throughout the Dayton region (Map of sites) 

– Admission: FREE

 

This year’s tour will feature an impressive lineup of homes built by some of Dayton’s most renowned builders, including M/I Homes, Charles Simms Development, Artisan and Oberer Homes. Each home will showcase unique floor plans, luxurious finishes, and the latest in energy-efficient and smart home technology.

 

The Parade of Homes is a signature event hosted by the Home Builders Association of Dayton, showcasing the region’s top builders, designers, and industry professionals. This event celebrates innovation, quality craftsmanship, and the art of homebuilding, offering inspiration for homeowners and enthusiasts alike. The 2025 Parade of Homes Tour is proudly sponsored by Centerpoint Energy, a trusted partner in providing energy solutions that power the homes and communities we love. Their support helps make this event possible, bringing together the best in homebuilding and design for the Dayton community.

 

M/I Homes: 682 W Spring Valley Pike Dayton, OH 45458

 

 

Charles Simms Development: 2010 Cedar Lake Drive, Huber Heights, OH 45424

 

Artisan Communities, LLC: 464 Triple Crown Way. Beavercreek Township/Xenia, OH 45385

Oberer Homes: 1001 Belfast Drive Dayton, OH 45440

 

Air Supply Returns to The Rose

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Today, Air Supply announces their return to Huber Heights, OH for a special 50thAnniversary Celebration at Rose Music Center at The Heights on Sunday, August 3.

If it’s true that practice makes perfect, then Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock – beloved by their millions of fans across the planet as Air Supply – have had nearly half a century to hone their skills, harness their passion and unleash the beautifully intimate yet rockin’ romantic energy of those instantly identifiable 80s hits that made them global superstars.

As they close in on 50 years (exact date, May 12, 1975) since they met in the chorus of the Australian touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar, the duo is ever-present on the road in North America and overseas to the tune of 130 dates a year – and look forward to a milestone 5500th live show in fall 2024. This run includes being the first Western group to tour China and several other countries who prior to their breakthrough would not allow pop music across their borders, as well as performing for a record 175,000 people in Cuba in 2005.

Air Supply’s overall sales and airplay stats are equally astounding, equaling their heroes The Beatles’ run of five consecutive Top Five Singles (“Lost in Love,” “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World,” “The One That You Love,” “Here I Am”); selling a collective total of 20 million copies of their first three albums (Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever) and the 1983 Greatest Hits collection; achieving multi-million radio plays for five of their hits (including “Sweet Dreams” and the Jim Steinman-penned “Making Love Out of Nothing At All”); and having Graham honored with a BMI Million-Air Certificate recognizing three million performances of “All Out Of Love.”

2025 will bring more seemingly nonstop rousing performances of the smash hits by their powerhouse band. Under musical direction of lead guitarist Aaron McLain, the ensemble includes Mirko Tessandori (piano/keyboards/vocals), Pavel Valdman (drums) and Doug Gild (bass). Graham and Russell will mark their milestone with exciting projects in a variety of media. These include a biopic titled All Out of Love: The Air Supply Story, a Broadway comedy-drama musical featuring their songs (Lost in Love) and a yet to be titled autobiography by Graham and Russell. The duo will also be releasing their 18th studio album A Matter of Time, produced by Brian Howes, along with a very special vinyl compilation.

Tickets will go on sale to the public beginning at 10AM on Friday, March 21 at Ticketmaster.com and the Rose Music Center Box Office.

Reserved Seating: $41.50* – $88.50*

Click here to view ticket prices.

Jollity’s Spring Menu Starts Today

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Spring Menu 2025

Veg

Meat

Seafood

KFC Debuts New “Dunk It Bucket”

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KFC® is dropping an all-new “Dunk It Bucket”* – the brand’s first new bucket in nearly a decade – featuring also-new Mashed Potato Poppers, available nationwide starting today, while supplies last. The quadruple-threat Dunk It Bucket is packed with KFC’s hand-breaded Original Recipe® Tenders, Secret Recipe Fries and crispy Mashed Potato Poppers with your choice of craveable sauces – because more dunking and more sauce means more deliciousness.

“Our new Mashed Potato Poppers transform a legendary KFC classic into a crunchy can’t-resist bite of perfection,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “And the Dunk It Bucket? Oh, it’s a dream come true for sauce lovers—dip it, dunk it, drench it, do your thing. It’s our first brand-new bucket in nearly a decade, and trust me, it was so worth the wait!”

Snag a solo Dunk It Bucket for $7* or feed family, friends or teammates for $25 with a Double Dunk It Bucket**, creating your ultimate dunk combination with juicy hand-breaded tenders, perfectly seasoned fries, crunchy Mashed Potato Poppers, with choices in the sauce squad lineup including:

  • Warm Gravy: A KFC all-star legend…gravy is officially a dipping sauce.
  • Comeback Sauce: The MVP – it’s creamy, zesty and craveable.
  • Honey BBQ: Sweet, smoky and tangy – you can’t go wrong with this fan favorite.
  • Honey Mustard: A blend of sweetness and tangy mustard, and an iconic tenders teammate.
  • Sticky Chicky Sweet and Sour Sauce: A balanced combination of sweet and tangy flavors including pineapple, garlic, vinegar and chili. If you love sweet and sour, you’re going to love this.
  • Classic Ranch: Our signature ranch…need we say more?
  • Buffalo Ranch: A perfect pairing of the classic kick of Buffalo sauce smoothed out with a creamy ranch, blended peppers, buttermilk, herbs and spices.

The new menu items are here just in time for college basketball’s ultimate tournament, so fried chicken fans can flaunt their sauce bracket and make a slam dunk pairing. Take the love for dunking beyond the KFC bucket with exclusive, limited-edition “KFC Dunk It” merch, available now on KFCShop.com. The KFC Dunk It Collection features a mini basketball hoop and ball, fun stickers, and stylish apparel such as a T-shirt and hoodie—each designed to bring the playful spirit of dunking to life. Whether you’re a chicken lover or a basketball fan, the collection is the perfect way to show off your KFC pride and join in on the dunking fun.

Before the buzzer sounds, order the Dunk It Bucket in-store, and on KFC.com, or on the KFC app for delivery or Quick Pick-Up. KFC Rewards*** customers will earn double points on Dunk It Bucket orders.****

 

Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich and New Pineapple Dragonfruit Beverages at Chick-fil-A

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Chick-fil-A® is celebrating the start of spring with vibrant new flavors to kick-start the warmer days. Starting March 17, the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich returns to menus nationwide, this time featuring three options for Guests to create their own customized smoky twist. Also making its debut – and a perfectly sweet pairing – are the new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages, also available at participating restaurants nationwide for a limited time.

A Bold Twist on Backyard Flavors: Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich
This spring, the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich is back – this time with three filet options for Guests to customize their sandwich – original and spicy, alongside the classic grilled filet. The juicy chicken is paired with crispy bacon hand-tossed in a brown sugar and black pepper blend, topped with Colby Jack cheese, green leaf lettuce and a smoky BBQ sauce, served on a toasted, buttery, sweet yeast bun.

 

FPO

Spring’s Sweet Escape: Pineapple Dragonfruit Beverages

Chick-fil-A’s new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages combine sweet and juicy pineapple flavors, along with a unique, tropical dragonfruit twist, featuring a line-up of four refreshing options:

  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Frosted Lemonade
    • This treat combines Chick-fil-A® Lemonade (or Diet Lemonade) and our signature Icedream® dessert, mixed with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Lemonade
    • This combination is a mix of classic Chick-fil-A® Lemonade (or Diet Lemonade) and natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Iced Tea
    • Freshly-brewed daily from a blend of tea leaves, the Pineapple Dragonfruit Iced Tea mixes classic Iced Tea with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.
  • Pineapple Dragonfruit Sunjoy®
    • This beverage combines Chick-fil-A’s Sunjoy® beverage (Chick-fil-A® Lemonade and freshly-brewed Sweetened Iced Tea) with natural pineapple and dragonfruit flavors.

“As warmer weather approaches, our Guests are craving flavors that are reminiscent of longer, brighter days and time spent outside with family and friends,” said Allison Duncan, director of menu & packaging at Chick-fil-A. “We’re thrilled to bring back the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich, with an expanded lineup of options for our Guests, alongside our new Pineapple Dragonfruit beverages which offer a deliciously sweet and refreshing balance to the smoky BBQ flavors.”

Testing a New Take on a Classic Treat
Chick-fil-A is also introducing two new ways to enjoy its signature Icedream® dessert with a playful twist on a classic – the Icedream Spin and Icedream® Float, testing exclusively in participating restaurants in Chicago, Salt Lake City, San Diego and Tampa, Fla.  

  • Icedream Spin
    • This new spin on a classic treat features our signature Icedream dessert hand-spun with your choice of fountain beverage for a creamy texture and delicious taste.
  • Icedream® Float
    • A classic float, with your choice of fountain beverage, made special with a swirl of our signature Icedream dessert.

Both options are available now for a limited time at participating locations in test markets.

Customers can check the Chick-fil-A® App or contact their local restaurant for availability of these menu items. To read about Chick-fil-A’s menu, innovations and more, visit chick-fil-a.com/press-room.

Bill Franz’s Hidden Figures: Elon

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I’ve always assumed that undocumented immigrants were wage earners. I was wrong. Hundreds of thousands of them have built businesses here. Those businesses tend to be small because it takes capital to grow a business, and raising capital can draw unwanted attention. That’s what happened to Elon, according to an October, 2024 article in the Washington Post. The Post interviewed Elon’s business associates, reviewed court records and got copies of company contracts to tell the following:
In 1995 Elon and his brother went to California to start a business, but the two Canadians did not have legal work status. Like most undocumented immigrants they had little capital so they slept in their office to save money. They worked hard and by 1996 the business was taking off. Investors were ready to put in money, but when they learned that Elon and his brother were undocumented they protected themselves with an unusual funding agreement. If the brothers did not get legal work status in 45 days the investors could reclaim their money. “We don’t want our founder being deported” one director was quoted as saying.
We don’t know if Elon met that 45 day deadline. People tell me getting legal work status is a long, slow process that takes years. We do know that he wasn’t deported, and in 2002 the business was sold for $300 million. Elon became a U.S. citizen that same year.
Elon denies the Post’s account but has given little detail about his journey from being Canadian to becoming a U.S. citizen. Elon’s brother is more candid. In 2013 he told interviewers that when the two brothers started their first business in the U.S. “We were illegal immigrants.”
The Post article tells us that the world’s richest man started his business career as an undocumented immigrant. What an inspiration to the hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who have built businesses here. I wish Elon would share details of his immigration journey. I’m sure that his fellow entrepreneurs would like to know how to get legal status in 45 days. Then, with the threat of deportation removed, those small businesses might grow and bring benefits to us all.