The Featured Articles

Equine Facilitated Wellness Programs

June 16, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Hoofprints mission is to transform lives through the unique relationship between horses and humans, fostering physical, emotional, and behavioral growth through equine assisted activities. Located in Miamisburg, offer programs for kids (8 years and up), teenagers, adults, couples, and families.

HoofPrints offers Equine Assisted Mental Wellness; this experiential learning goes beyond traditional ‘talk therapy.’ It gives support to traditional clinical counseling. Students will interact with the horses in their own environment around the farm. These non-riding activities allow true bonding between horses and humans. They understand that horses can unlock potential and give insight to ones self. Our Facilitators are Licensed Mental Health Professionals and hold several Equine Assisted Activities Certifications.

Thanks to a generous donor, they are lowering their program fees for the Summer of 2025! Rather than offering single scholarships, we decided to apply scholarship dollars to every family

Their Horsin’ Around program is for all kids ages 8+. The kids will be playing games with the horses and well, just Hangin’ Around with each other. It’s an excellent time to get them outside and get connected. It is also a perfect time to bring a friend who is curious about HoofPrints.

Horses Healing Humans will be facilitated by certified grief counselors from Life, Grief & Co. These grief specialists understand that each person uniquely experiences grief. We are offering two sessions: one for youth and one for adults. Regardless of where you are in your grief of a loved one, we hope that you will find some peace after sharing yourself with our horses.

For more info, check out the website.

Dayton Air Show Brings Air Force Thunderbirds, High-Flying Fun

June 15, 2025 By Guest Contributor

Get ready to look up, because one of the region’s most epic summer traditions is about to take flight! The annual CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, presented by Kroger, is set to return to the Dayton International Airport, June 21 & 22. Get ready to “take off” for top-flight fun as the spectacular U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headline the 51st-anniversary event.

Founded in 1975, the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show is one of North America’s premier air shows. It features world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family. It celebrates Dayton’s rich aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, National Aviation Hall of Fame, National Aviation Heritage Area, and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park.

In addition to the Thunderbirds, this year’s show features a jaw-dropping lineup of other featured performers, as well as an impressive lineup of aircraft for the ground displays. Grab your aviator sunglasses and flight jacket, as we give a brief preview of this year’s show!

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

America’s “Ambassadors in Blue,” the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, are back to wow the crowd with precision, power, and perfectly choreographed aerial stunts. These six F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots are more than just expert flyers — they’re ambassadors of excellence and a true symbol of American airpower.

💡 Did you know?

The Thunderbirds’ aircraft can be combat-ready in just 72 hours, and their brakes are made right here in Troy, Ohio!

U.S. Army Golden Knights

From heart-pounding skydives to precision landings that’ll leave your jaw on the ground, the U.S. Army Golden Knights are back to thrill Dayton! This elite team of paratroopers—originally formed in 1959—represents the absolute best in military parachuting. Based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the 16-member team travels in their signature Fokker C-31A Troopship, and when they jump, crowds can’t look away. Their canopy work and sky-high choreography are as inspiring as they are exhilarating.

💡 Dayton Connection:

Did you know that freefall parachuting has roots right here in Dayton? Army Lt. Harold R. Harris made the first successful emergency bailout using a parachute at Old McCook Field in 1922. And for decades, Wright Field (now part of Wright-Patt) was a hub for parachute tech research. So when you’re watching the Knights soar, remember—this airborne excellence has deep local roots!

Red Bull Team Performers

Red Bull Helicopter

Hold on tight! The Red Bull Air Force is coming to Dayton, and they’re bringing their signature adrenaline-pumping energy. Featuring the Red Bull helicopter piloted by Aaron Fitzgerald, skydivers (soon to be revealed!), and aerobatic ace Kevin Coleman, this team defies gravity and expectations. Their daring maneuvers and stunt flying aren’t just flashy—they’re a high-flying celebration of human potential and precision.

Third Strike Wingwalking

a person wingwalking on a red biplane while it is in flight

Get ready to meet a living legend in the sky. Carol Pilon, North America’s only professional female wingwalker, is returning to Dayton with her team, Third Strike. Since 2000, she’s been balancing high above the wings of vintage aircraft while they slice through the air at show-stopping speeds. From cold-weather wingwalks in Maine to jet-powered feats, Carol’s gravity-defying performances are a masterclass in courage, grace, and total fearlessness.

💡 Fun Fact

Carol’s not just a performer—she’s the first woman, Canadian, and wingwalker to fully own and operate her own air team. Talk about boss energy.

Goodyear Blimp

You’ll definitely want to “look up” for this one. The iconic Goodyear Blimp will be floating over the Dayton skies during the Air Show, celebrating an incredible 100 years of aviation history! This year, Wingfoot One—the modern version of the beloved blimp—makes a special appearance from its base near Akron.

💡 Fun Facts:

The Goodyear aviation legacy began in 1910, with its first balloon launched in 1912.
During WWII, Goodyear trained pilots and built 154 blimps to help protect ships from enemy submarines.
Blimps became pop culture icons, appearing at the Rose Bowl, the Super Bowl, and the Olympics.
The new semi-rigid “Wingfoot” series launched in 2014, bringing cutting-edge tech to an American classic.

Seeing it in the sky is more than nostalgia – it’s a floating tribute to Ohio’s aeronautical innovation.

This is just a small taste of the weekend’s featured performers – you can see the complete lineup of featured performers at the Dayton Air Show website.

Ground Displays

Aircraft Ground Displays

In addition to the performers, an extensive range of aircraft will be featured in the ground displays. A few of the scheduled aircraft include the C-17, KC-135, F-35A, T-6 Texan, DC-8 Samaritan’s Purse, and B-29 Superfortress “Doc”. The list of ground display aircraft is actively being updated as we write this, so visit the Air Show website for the latest updates.

🎟️ The Details You Need

🗓 When: June 21–22, 2025
🕘 Gates open: 9 AM | ✈️ Flying starts: 11:15 AM
🚪 Gates close: 6 PM

*Please note that the show is not releasing the specific flying times of each performer. All performers will fly both days of the show.

Get Your Tickets for the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show

A variety of ticket options are available for the Dayton Air Show. You can purchase advance tickets online (general admission, or popular specialty seating areas like the Pavilion or Blue Sky Chalet).

This is just a small taste of everything the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, presented by Kroger, has to offer! You can find full details and information at the Air Show’s website.

This post originally appeared on Destination Dayton‘s website.

Springboro Aldi Sets Opening Date

June 13, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

The grand opening for the new grocery store at 827 West Central Avenue in Springboro is June 27th. Aldi offers a limited selection of primarily store-brand products, which reduces costs associated with inventory, warehousing, and advertising. Additionally, Aldi operates smaller, more efficient stores, minimizes staff, and streamlines operations like bagging and stocking to further reduce expenses.

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony is at 8:45 a.m. The ceremony will take place about 30 minutes before the store opens. Customers will be allowed to enter the store immediately following the ceremony.

The first 100 customers on June 27th will receive a Golden Ticket that could be worth up to $100. An ALDI employee will hand out laminated numbered cards as well as receiving a bag of ALDI goodies. An ALDI employee will hand out a free eco-friendly bag stuffed with ALDI products!

You will also have a chance to win a $500 Gift Card! Look for the signs inside the store to scan the code and enter your details. No purchase is necessary.

If you’re not already an Aldi shopper, be sure and explore The “Aldi Aisle of Shame.” It’s a playfully curated section where shoppers can find weekly finds on a variety of items from home good and clothing to tools and seasonal items at very low prices. New items are usually introduced on Wednesday in the Ohio stores.

You can check their website for their weekly sales and specials.

Gem City Groundlings Reimagined Macbeth to Premiere at ‘Glass!’

June 12, 2025 By Joshua Stucky

Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy has been reimagined for a modern age in Dayton’s most thrilling venue, The Roger Glass Center for the Arts. The Gem City Groundlings, Dayton’s premier Shakespeare company, is proud to present a riveting new production of Macbeth, opening Thursday, June 19th and running through Saturday, June 27th at The Roger Glass Center for the Arts and The Levitt Pavilion.

This fierce 90 minute adaptation distills the essence of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy into a searing, suspenseful thrill ride of ambition, prophecy, and power. With a lean cast, minimalist design, and visceral performances (and oh yes, the fighting!), the Groundlings promise a Macbeth that is as haunting as it is unforgettable.

“Something wicked this way comes—fast, sharp, and dangerously close,” says Andrew Mitakides (Cofounder and Executive artistic director). “This production strips away the pomp to reveal the raw psychological terror beneath the crown.” Mitakides is also playing the lead role.

Featuring a cast of local and national talent—including performers from Washington, DC—this Macbeth reimagines the Scottish Play for a 21st-century audience while remaining faithful to the Bard’s original language.

This production is one of the first local theatre companies to play the ‘Glass’ with more to come in the future. The ‘Glass’ has shown great interest in presenting community and professional theatre projects that are produced in the area!

Don’t miss Macbeth!

Performance Dates:

Opening Night: Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 PM
Weekend Performances: Fridays & Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30 PM; Sundays at 2:00 PM
Levitt performances June 26th and 27th at 7pm. Closing June 28th

Tickets:

https://am.ticketmaster.com/rogerglass/buy/macbeth

General Admission: $25 | Students/military and first responders 20

Available now at www.gemcitygroundlings.com/tickets

More About the Groundlings can be found here:

Gem City Groundlings is Dayton’s newest and most innovative Shakespeare company, committed to producing bold, text-driven theatre that connects timeless stories with modern audiences. From visceral tragedies to raucous comedies, we bring the Bard to the heart of the Miami Valley with passion, wit, and purpose.

Contacts [email protected] or [email protected]

Ashley’s Pastry Shop turns 43

June 12, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Theresa and Greg Hammons

It really doesn’t seem possible that it’s been forty three years since they opened the doors of their bakery shop on Park Avenue in Oakwood.

Owner Theresa Hammons shares, “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 asked here what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the years?

“I would be to surround yourself with a great team of employees, vendors, accountants, bankers, insurance agents- all the pieces of the pie that will make your business successful. Form a partnership with each of these individuals and consider them part of your TEAM. Also, engage in the community ,not only the community that your business is in but DAYTON as a whole. Dayton is truly a GEM city and see how you can make an impact in the lives of others.

We asked her what sweet treat she celebrates with?

“We will always have our sand tarts, but a slice of our Fresh Strawberry Torte is a must have too!”

Finally we asked her to share advice with entrepreneurs that want to open their own business:

Owning your own business and wearing the entrepreneur hat is a BIG one! A role that after 43 YEARS we still really LOVE. Work for others to develop your skill sets and learn from others, your way of thinking isn’t the ONLY way of thinking and by seeing how others operate you will be in a better position when you begin your own journey. Be prepared for adaptability and the unexpected . Keep in mind, we can not also control our situation but we can control how we handle and react to what we face.We are so fortunate that our passion has afforded us this great business. As one of our customers said… we are not a bakery but we bake memories layered in sugar, flour, sweetness and deliciousness with love and care for the ones that grace our doors. We are serving our 4th generation of customers and we are so PROUD of that honor we have been given. We have many customers that come in daily..we NEVER take that for granted. Everyone has a choice and there are so many great choices in Dayton, we want to be sure they are happy with their experience and willing to share that with others.

Today through Saturday, when youvisit the store you can fill out a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of these prizes:

Ashley’s Pastry Shop

21 Park Ave,
Dayton, OH, 45419

(937) 293-1719

Tuesday – Friday 7am – 5pm

Saturday 7am – 4pm

Father’s Day Dining Deals 2025

June 11, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Father’s Day is about honoring the impact and influence of fathers. Dads often spend their time working or taking care of others. Treating him lets him relax and feel valued. Spending uninterrupted time together—over a meal creates memories and reinforces your connection.

Here are some of the deals we’ve seen around town:

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery: Dine in at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery and Dad will receive a FREE limited-edition pint glass (while supplies last). Plus if your dad is a loyalty member, he’ll score a VIP 20% discount he can use on future dine-in orders between June 17 – July 7. Offer valid once per day. You must give your serve your loyalty account number. The discount will be uploaded with 48 hours.
Buffalo Wild Wings: On Father’s Day, you can enjoy 20 traditional wings and fries for only $19.99 at Buffalo Wild Wings when you order online or in-app.
Burger King: Royal Perks members can celebrate their dads with a BOGO Whopper deal at Burger King on June 15.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Carrabba’s is offering three specials with their Father’s Day menu. You can select from:
- Spicy Palermo Wings $14.79, Tuscan-Grilled Lamb T-Bones $31.49, Tuscan Grilled Ribeye with Bourbon Butter $38.99
City Barbeque: From June 13 – 15, dads who are rewards members can score a free dessert at City Barbeque. Plus, on Father’s Day, reward members will earn double points on all orders.
Dave & Buster’s: On Father’s Day 2025, Dave & Buster’s is holding their “Dad Games” (dads and their family team up in an arcade showdown) where winners can win FREE D&B for a year.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: This year, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is offering 15% off a purchase of $75 or more when you use promo code LOVEDAD at checkout. Offer valid online, in-app, or in-store through June 15.
Fazoli’s: This year, Fazoli’s has a buy one entree and get a FREE regular Fettucine Alfredo or Spaghetti (with Meat Sauce or Marinara) deal for Father’s Day on June 15.
IHOP: Order pickup or delivery at IHOP this Father’s Day and save 20% on your first online order when you use promo code IHOP20 at checkout. Offer valid for a one-time use through June 30.
Long John Silver’s: Seacret Society members can celebrate Dad with an in-app exclusive Two Can Dine offer at Long John Silver’s from June 12 – 15. You can select from the following eight options. Note, grilled salmon, grilled shrimp, and cod availability vary by location. Meals include your choice of two individual-size sides and two hushpuppies.
- 2-Piece Fish Meal, Fish & Chicken Meal, 8-Piece Shrimp Meal, 2-Piece Battered Cod Meal, 3-Piece Fish Meal, 3-Piece Chicken Meal, Grilled Shrimp Meal, Grilled Salmon Meal
Raising Cane’s: Raising Cane’s is offering Caniac Club Rewards members an exclusive BOGO Box Combo deal.
Rita’s Italian Ice: Rita’s Italian Ice app users can score a $1 small Ice when you make an in-app purchase of $1 or more on Father’s Day (June 15).
Spaghetti Warehouse: Father’s Day is better with pasta — and it’s FREE for Dad on June 15! Bring the whole family and celebrate with our Original Recipe Spaghetti and all the fixings. Dine-in only.
The Root Beer Stande on Woodman- Free float for Day
Subway – BOGO for a $1 Footlong Subs for MVP Rewards members with the code BOGO1 thru June 30th
Twin Peaks: On June 15, Twin Peaks is offering a special Father’s Day $12 cheeseburger bundle (includes a non-alcoholic beverage).
White Castle: Father’s Day weekend, score 20% off any White Castle order when you use promo code WCDAD at checkout.

Other Father’s Day Deals:

Cincinnati Zoo – On Sunday, June 15, celebrate Father’s Day at the Zoo! Every dad that comes to the Zoo on Father’s Day will get in for FREE!

Land of Illusion – Every dad gets FREE entry with the purchase of a child ticket (or adult ticket if the child is aged 13-61). Purchase at the gate.

Know of other’s we’ve missed? Drop them in the comments below.

Dayton Dines by Design: Art, Design, and Philanthropy Unite

June 10, 2025 By LIbby Ballengee

Prepare to be inspired: the inaugural Dayton Dines by Design is set to take center stage on June 25–26, 2025, bringing dazzling design, culinary elegance, and creative spirit to the heart of Dayton. Hosted in support of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA), this two-day fundraising celebration invites guests into a world of breathtaking tablescapes, curated by some of the region’s most talented designers, florists, artists, and design boutiques.

Dayton Dines by Design supports the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. Photo of Keitaro Harada by the DPAA (Contributed)

Dayton Dines by Design will feature a stunning gallery of immersive tablescape installations, each a one-of-a-kind artistic vision, transforming traditional dining into a visual experience. This elegant affair begins with a festive Cocktail Reception on Wednesday, June 25, followed by an inspired Luncheon Event on Thursday, June 26. Tickets are sold separately for both events.

At the heart of the luncheon is keynote speaker Corey Damen Jenkins, a nationally acclaimed interior designer known for his bold, sophisticated work. Named to the prestigious AD100 and Elle Décor A-List, Jenkins has been featured in House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and his celebrated book Design Remix. His keynote promises to be as dynamic and stylish as his interiors.

Proceeds from Dayton Dines by Design will directly support DPAA’s education programs in ballet, opera, and orchestra—helping cultivate the next generation of performers and arts lovers throughout the region.

The Dayton Ballet & Dayton Opera are supported by Dayton Dines By Design proceeds.

“This event is about more than beautiful tables—it’s a celebration of creativity and community,” said Allyson Danis, Committee Chair “By supporting Dayton Dines by Design, you’re also supporting the young musicians, dancers, and vocalists who will shape our cultural future.”

Whether you’re a design enthusiast, a patron of the arts, or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, Dayton Dines by Design invites you to take a seat at the table—and be part of something beautiful.

HOW TO GO?
Cocktail Party & Tour of the Tables | Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 5pm to 7pm

Luncheon & Keynote Presentation | Thursday, June 26, 2025 | 10:30am to 2pm

Location for both events: Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409

Tickets & More Information: https://daytonperformingarts.org/dayton-dines/

Dayton at Work and Play: Dayton Humane & Co

June 9, 2025 By Bill Franz

Visit to Dayton Humane & Co. – A Resale Boutique (Crosspointe Shopping Center, Centerville).

Brian Weltge has been the Humane Society’s president for more than 20 years and I’ve enjoyed seeing all of the new things he’s done with the organization, things like opening a Veterinary Hospital or starting the MeowZa Cat Boutique at the Dayton Mall. I’ve been looking forward to checking out their new Resale Boutique.

Stephanie showed me around. She said they’ve been researching this move for more than a year. When they got this space – a former Marshall’s store – they saw they could create something unlike most thrift stores. With this layout you can see everything that’s currently available.

I asked one of the shoppers what she thought of the store. “I found a nice top for $4 and a word game for only $2. I’m hoping I can get my grandkids to try the game instead of doing everything on their phones. I like the way they’ve laid things out here so you can find everything. I’ll be back.”

I checked out their artwork and found a very broad range of price points – from a $20 framed print to a large piece for $500. I thought $500 was high for a thrift store until I checked out the artist online. Paintings by Michael Nisperos regularly sell for $2,000 and more.

I love the way they’re promoting the store “It’s more than just shopping – every purchase supports the lifesaving work of the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, a no-kill animal welfare organization.”

At my stage of life I’m donating a lot more items than I’m buying. I was glad to see that they offer a pickup service if you have large items to donate. Just email them at [email protected] The store is open 10 to 6 Wednesday through Friday, 11 to 7 Saturday and 12 to 4 Sunday.

River Trails History Tour by Bycycle

June 9, 2025 By Dayton937

Screenshot

CycleNuts Selfie Tours tie together fun, interesting, scenic, historic, tasty, and refreshing points of interest along a bikeway focused tour route where you ride at your pace and your pleasure. You are the tour boss. You pick the date and time – ticket is good for any day or time – dates/times listed only as a guideline to give you an idea of how long tour normally takes.

With these smart-guided bikeway cycling adventures you bring the bike and smart phone, and CycleNuts provides the Smart Guide. The Smart Guide gives you voice and visual turn-by-turn instructions along an expertly designed and tested tour route.

Do the tour solo or bring along your crew. 1 ticket = fun for all! Easily stop anywhere along the way to visit attractions or refreshments and the Smart Guide will continue the route from wherever you are when you are ready to roll.

The Miami Valley region that Dayton is located in has trails! 350 miles of bike trails – “the nations largest paved trail network“. This tour certainly is not going to try to cover all of it in one day, but will cover several miles of the best of it. Starting in the outlying countryside the tour route will follow alongside the Great Miami River into downtown Dayton’s Riverscape Metropark. Here, you can see one of the world’s largest water fountains, Five Rivers Fountain of Lights. There is also a concession stand and restrooms.

Next stop on the tour is the national monument to the Wright brothers – Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. The air conditioned museum and historical center, Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center, ties together the Wright brothers ingenious contributions to the world of transportation, from printing to bicycles to airplanes. “Visitors can view the park film, Wright Brothers On Great White Wings, in the auditorium. From there, guests can explore the interpretive exhibits and displays on the first floor which give more insight into the lives and aviation journey of Dayton’s most famous figures, Wilbur and Orville Wright“.

Last stop is the massive National Museum of the US Air Force – “the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space“.

Screenshot

Comprised mostly of river trails, the 37 mile tour route is moderately level except for one dam to cross over, several climbs out of shallow river beds, and across gently rolling terrain. The route is 92% bikeway, and comes with CycleNuts’ 50% downhill guarantee. If your bike has gears, you will probably use them to the full extent crossing over the dam and to a lesser degree in a couple of spots along the route. All bikes are appropriate for this smart-guided tour – even a single speed bike as long as you do not mind walking your bike up the spots mentioned. Bring yours or rent one in the Dayton area (see confirmation information for listings). Sweating is optional. The route is shaded about 75% of the way. You set your own pace, starting time and touring agenda with CycleNuts’ expert smart-guided cycle tour pattern.

Points of interest: Great Miami River Recreational Trail, Great Miami River, Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park (free admission)- dedicated to the birthplace of aviation and the brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright, Riverscape Park – Five Rivers Fountain of Lights, Mad River Trail, Mad River, downtown Dayton, and National Museum of the US Air Force (free admission). There is a food concession area inside of the National Museum of the US Air Force. Additional nearby points of interest: Wright Brothers National Museum, and America’s Packard Museum. Easily, anywhere along the way, the route can be detoured to nearby points of interest.

HERE’S THE PLAN: You bring the bike. CycleNuts provides the smart-tour guide! Via email you receive an expertly designed and tested tour route. Simply click on the emailed link and follow the expertly designed Selfie Tour route using your smart phone as your personal smart-tour guide for the Voice and Map guided turn-by-turn instructions.

From your location simply click on link 1 provided by CycleNuts (using your cell phone) and follow the Google Maps directions to the starting spot;
Unload your bike (if you transported it to the starting spot), or if you rode your bike to the starting spot then you are good to go;
and then click on link 2 provided by CycleNuts and begin the tour (for more complex tours there may also be a link 3 or 4 to click on along the way as well as additional instructions).

WHERE TO RENT A BIKE: See your ticket purchase confirmation information for local bike rental listings.

ARE YOU READY TO ROLL? GREAT… LET’S HIT THE TRAILS!

GET YOUR TICKET TODAY! – take note that the tour starting and ending times on the ticket are only a general guideline to give you an idea of how much time the tour may take at the minimum. Your time in the saddle, on the trail, and starting times are your call – it is your tour. One ticket equals fun for all! Bring as many people as you wish on your tour. Ticket purchase is for the CycleNuts Selfie Smart-guided route only and run $12.39 on eventbrite. Attractions, lodgings, food, bike rental, etcetera are not included in the ticket purchase. Tours are available Sat & Sun at 11am through September

Centerville Wingstop Now Open

June 9, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, Wingstop is a fast‑casual restaurant chain known for its focus on flavorful chicken wings and bold sauces. Today they open the third area Wingstop on Wilmington Pike in the Sugarcreek Plaza in Centerville.

How ordering works at Wingstop:

Choose your chicken type (bone‑in wings, boneless wings, tenders, sandwich, or thigh bites).
The Select your flavor(s) — mix and match up to 3 flavors in one order. Sauces span from mild to super‑spicy, including dry rubs and sauces.

- Garlic Parmesansto
- Teriyaki ( sweet & soy)
- Lemon Pepper (dry rub style)
- Texas Buffalo (crispy, spiced dry rub)
- Kecap Manis (Indonesia sweet soy)
- Hickory Smoked BBQ
- Louisiana Rub (dry rub)
- Mango Habanero (sweet heat)
- Inferno (hot! hot! hot!)

Then you have the option to add sides like seasoned fries, Cajun corn, veggie sticks, or baked rolls

Carl Loftis, a multi-unit manager for Wingstop, has said they are building new location in Kettering on Dorothy Lane near Hot Head Burritos, which he expects to open late summer with another location coming to Beavercreek later this year.

Miami Valley Wingstop Locations:

Wingstop Dayton Sugarcreek
6030 Wilmington Pike, Dayton, OH 454591:00 AM to Midnight

Wingstop Kettering Wilmington Pike

2811 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 4541910:30 AM to 12:30 AM

Wingstop Huber Heights Old Troy Pike

243 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424

10:30 AM to 12:30 AM

Wingstop Dayton Miamisburg Centerville Rd

2006 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH 45459

10:30 AM to 1:00 AM

Wingstop Dayton

4149 N. Main Street, Dayton, OH 45405

10:30 AM to 12:30 AM

There’s A New Brunch Downtown

June 8, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Hotel Ardent’s restaurant, Bistecca Tuscan Steakhouse, olls out brunch—now available on Sundays from 7 am. to 1 pm

Here’s the menu:

Seasonal Ricotta Pancakes Whipped lemon ricotta | seasonal syrup | fresh fruit 17

Arista Pork Benedicts English muffin | arista Pork | poached eggs | smoked onion confit Hollandaise 22

Grilled Melon & Prosciutto Cantaloupe | Honeydew | Whipped Lemon Ricotta | Micro Basil White Balsamic Glaze | Candied walnuts 17

Bistecca
137 N. Main Street,
Dayton, OH 45402

937.637.0465

Breakfast Hours

Weekday (Mon-Fri): 6:30am – 10:30am

Weekend (Sat & Sun): 7:00am – 11:00am

50% Off For Opening Day Today at Mi Ramen in Bellbrook

June 7, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Mi Ramen opens today on Franklin Street in Bellbrook. Husband and wife owners Dan Tran and Brianna Nguyen are thrilled to be able to serve authentic Japanese cuisine at their family owned eatery. They say they’ll be “serving up a taste of tradition and love with the rich flavors of each dish. Using time-honored recipes and fresh ingredients to bring comfort and flavor to every bite. Whether you’re craving a soul-warming bowl of ramen or the vibrant taste of Japanese classics, we can’t wait to welcome you in and share our passion for food with you,”Tran explains.

Their food does not contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), and are made from real ingredients, specially made by our own chef every day. Recipes that we cannot share,” says Tran.

Check out their menu:

Mi Ramen

4457 W Franklin St,
Bellbrook OH 45305

(937)-709-9005

Open Mon – Sat
10:30am – 8pm

Anticoli’s Famous Garlic Dressing Now Available!

June 6, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

1931 was an important year for the Anticoli family. It was on New Year’s Eve or 1931 that Antonio and Sarah Anticoli opened their first establishment, “The Rendezvous” in Dayton, Ohio. This would become the foundation of what would be an 87-year run of continuous restaurant operations for 3 generations of family owners.

After 20 years at this original spot on East Fifth Street in St Anne’s Hill (photo-above w/ Antonio behind the counter), the Anticoli family moved to Salem Avenue in North Dayton in 1951 and renamed the restaurant Anticoli’s. In the 1960s and 1970s, Leo oversaw the restaurant’s kitchen, while his brother, Tony, and sister, Gloria, ran the front of the restaurant.

After their parents died in the late 1970s, Leo, Gloria and Tony continued to run the eatery with help from the third generation of Anticolis. The Salem Ave restaurant closed in 2000. Leo then launched Caffe Anticoli, which operated on North Main Street in Clayton from 2000 to 2010. After it closed, Leo and his son Chris moved south to open Anticoli’s Giuliano Tavern in Miamisburg, adding the reference to Leo’s father’s hometown in Italy to the restaurant name. That business closed on June 7, 2015.

Leo’s son Michael opened La Piazza in Troy in 1992, and ran it quite successfully until he closed it in February of 2018. In discussing why he closed it Michael shared how he’d watched his whole family dedicate their lives to the business, working well into their old age as the restaurants daily. He decided he didn’t want to do that, and instead decided to create a balanced life for him and his family. Yet he couldn’t totally walk away from his families legacy.

If you dined at any of these Anticoli establishments, no doubt you remember their House Dressing. Michael Anticoli, who is the 3rd generation of this famed family of restaurateurs is now making the dressing available through Anticoli Specialty Foods website or this summer at the 2nd Street Market. He makes this dressing in small batches with no additives at a production facility in Troy.

Created so many years ago by Michael’ s grandparents and carried on today by him.

You can use as so much more than just salad dressing. Michael suggests using it on

chicken, shrimp, steak, meatballs, pasta, eggs even a simple turkey sandwich is blown away when you spread

The Dressing on your favorite bread or lettuce wrap.

A 16 oz. container is only $10.

It’s Gluten-free, Dairy-free and Sugar-Free.

Ingredients: Garlic, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Vinegar, Herbs, Spices

KFC’s $7 Fill Ups Return

June 6, 2025 By Dayton937

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KFC® is kicking off summer with a full-throttle menu, bringing back its iconic meal deal, Fill Ups, in partnership with F1® THE MOVIE—making KFC drive-thrus the most desired pit stop of summer. The fan-favorite Fill Ups return nationwide with KFC’s signature finger lickin’ good flavor, in four crave-worthy combos that deliver a bounty of food for an unbeatable value—a complete meal all in one satisfying box for just $7*.

Whether you’re a classic fried chicken-obsessed foodie, tender-thusiast or a Famous Bowl fan, there’s a Fill Up to fuel your appetite:

Three-Piece Tenders Fill Up: Three juicy Original Recipe® Tenders with your choice of dipping sauce, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, a buttery biscuit, two pie poppers and a medium drink.
One-Piece Fried Chicken Fill Up: One fried chicken breast, in your choice of Original Recipe® or Extra Crispy™, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, a buttery biscuit, two pie poppers and a medium drink.
Two-Piece Fried Chicken Fill Up: Two pieces of juicy fried chicken (drum and thigh), in your choice of Original Recipe® or Extra Crispy™, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, a buttery biscuit, two pie poppers and a medium drink.
Famous Bowl Fill Up: The iconic KFC Famous Bowl served with two pie poppers and a medium drink.

“It’s a really big deal that we’re bringing back our Fill Ups—with four varieties of finger lickin’ good meals that genuinely fill you up, for only $7,” said Catherine Tan-Gillespie, President, KFC U.S. “It’s box meals meets box office in our Kentucky Fried Collab with F1® THE MOVIE, so you can turn hunger for chicken into a victory lap this summer.”

KFC is also shaking up its beverages this summer with the launch of the new Mountain Dew® Sweet Lightning®** Peaches & Cream Soda. Leaning into the viral dirty soda trend popular among Gen Z and Millennials, this bold new flavor hits restaurants starting June 9. For an extra twist, customers can add a vanilla cream swirl to elevate every sip.

Fill Up Four Ways at KFC and See F1® THE MOVIE
KFC is in the fast lane with F1® THE MOVIE, in theatres nationwide on June 27, as the exclusive quick service restaurant partner—making it the most finger lickin’ good collab of the summer. “Box Box” TV creative celebrates KFC as a summer pit stop for fueling up with KFC Fill Ups.

Download the KFC app and keep an eye out for details on chances to win high-stakes fun this summer. Buckle up fried chicken fans, the race is on—fuel up with a KFC Fill Up starting today, and race to see F1® THE MOVIE in theatres starting June 27.

Three Birds Dayton Opening June 17th

June 6, 2025 By Lisa Grigsby

Big Bird, Larry Bird and Lady Bird Johnson, what do these 3 have in common?

They all appear on the walls of Dayton’s newest restaurant, Three Birds. It’s touches like these you’ll find all over the building that clue you in that the thought behind this restaurant is playful and fun.

The Idea Collective, a hospitality development company who have brought us Sueño and Tender Mercy downtown are currently in a soft opening previews for their new eatery in the former Carmel’s space on Shroyer Road. I was lucky enough to get an invitation to Thursday nights meal, which would be donating a percentage of the proceeds to The Ruib Girls.

Chris Dimmick

The 4000 sq foot restaurant, which was originally opened in the 50’s as the Parkmoor, has seen massive remodeling. After closing on the property in November of 2024, the Idea Collective started working with Moda4 envisioning how they could respect the building, but modernize it to their vision. Chris Dimmick , one of the owners explains “we stripped the building down to the studs, expanded the kitchen and restrooms and strived hard to honor the mid century feel of the building and feature the light brought in through the windows. The majority of our time so far has just been spent trying to make this concept fit into that building and honoring what’s there and protecting it.” “The original design for that building actually won architectural awards when it was built as the Parkmoor,” said co-owner David Kittredge said.

The Idea Collective tapped local chef Crystal Coppock to open the restaurant last fall. She’s been cooking in the area for about 20 years at Fleming’s, the sous chef at Meadowlark and most recently as the Chef du Cuisine at The Golden Lamb.

We’ve been impressed with her cooking and attention to detail since she advanced to the finals of our Chef Showdown (Dayton’s local version based on the Chopped TV show) in 2017.

Crystal Coppock

However not long into their discussions about Three Birds, Crystal had to make the call that she’d suffered an injury that would be career altering and would no longer to be able work up to par daily in the kitchen. It didn’t take the Idea Collective long to make a decision to offer Crystal the General Manager position for the new restaurant. Crystal shared, she takes on this challenge “with unbridled excitement. As a chef I’ve always felt connected to front of house and now I’m excited to use my lifetime of experience to move to the front of the house. As chef I was disconnected with guests and diners and now I’ll have the opportunity to really influence the guest experience we offer.”

Coppock explained that the restaurant will feature “New American Cuisine” that is family friendly with a selection of crafted cocktails, wine and beer and a menu that will change seasonally, allowing them to take advantage of local foods. Here’s the opening menu and some pictures of the dishes we enjoyed:

Opening Menu

The pimento cheese has a bit of a quick and is served with a sleeve of Ritz crackers, which takes you right back to childhood enjoyment of this treat.

Corndog Shrimp with a spicy mustard and mango jam were inspired by owners David Kittredge, and Ginger Roddick’s memories of the dish served in Austin Texas at the Moonshine Grill.

The Steak Frites was perfectly cooked and filling for even the largest appetite.

The Cacio e Pepe was rich and creamy.

Be sure and leave room for dessert as the Basque Cheesecake with poppyseed crumble, and the Chocolate Budino (our tables favorite) were rich and decadent.

For their second night of service I was impressed with how quickly food came out of the kitchen and the smiles and spot on service from the staff. I look forward to returning and spending many evenings enjoying cocktails on one of the 90 seats on the patio and making my way though the rest of the menu.

Three Birds

1025 Shroyer Road

Dayton, OH 45419

LUNCH + DINNER
Tue to Sat: 11 AM – 10 PM

Dayton’s Next Great Neighborhood Spot

Heartsiq’s Third Annual “Mixtape” Festival is this Saturday with Two Stages, Vendors, and Art at The Brightside

June 5, 2025 By Dayton937

Heartsiq is a queer focused arts and entertainment group based in Dayton, OH that presents monthly curated live music and visual arts events around town, monthly “Queeraoke” events at The Oregon Express, and other queer focused events throughout the year.

On June 7th, they’re presenting their 3rd Annual Mixtape Festival featuring queer artists, live musicians, DJs, MCs, vendors, and more on multiple stages at The Brightside Music and Events Venue.

“We’ve changed the game this year for Pride!” Kacie Clover, Heartsiq Partner said. “Get ready for a local vendors market, a DJ rave room with go-go dancers, a talk show, local acts, and so much more!”

Heartsiq has grown over the last three years from a monthly showcase to their third annual Mixtape Festival over Pride weekend with dozens of events at multiple venues every year.

“We need Pride now more than ever. Queer joy is important. Queer joy is necessary. Queer joy is revolutionary” Ky Heart, Founder and Partner said. “We’re here and we’re not going anywhere. This festival is going to be Heartsiq like you’ve never seen it before! ”

If you’re interested in attending Heartsiq’s Mixtape Festival or other events, organizers say these events are for everyone.

“The definition of queer people and queer identities is always growing,” Clover said. “Heartsiq is a home for every single person.” She continued “Hosting Heartsiq has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The opportunity to promote LGBTQ artists, as well as spread queer joy has been a dream,” Heart said.

Attendees can get more information and tickets at heartsiq.com