Happy Tuesday Daytonians!

Thanks for spending another week with The Gem, where good times aren’t hard to find. Let’s take a look at what we’ll be covering in this edition…

• Did You Know: This Southern Chicken Giant Is Finally Coming to Dayton

• Hidden Gems: KD’s Kettering BBQ, The Golden Lamb, Hummus

• Local Events: 4/21 – 4/28

• Computer Love: $19M Defense Deal Lands in Dayton—Fueling the Future of Military Tech

• Money: A $40 Million Power Move Is About to Transform Dayton’s Healthcare Economy

• Sports: Bengals land Dexter Lawrence, Dragons’ HS Baseball Showcase, Buckeyes spring game, Dragons split Great Lakes set

— Tom

Did you know?

This Southern Chicken Giant Is Finally Coming to Dayton 🍗

Zaxby’s, a popular Southern chicken chain known for its wings, fingers, and signature sauces, is officially heading to Ohio for the first time and Dayton is included. The company has signed a deal to open 10 locations across the state, targeting cities like Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati.

With more than 900 locations nationwide, mostly in the South, this move signals a big push into the Midwest. For Dayton, it’s another sign national brands are eyeing the region bringing new food spots, jobs, and fresh energy to the local scene.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Before Ohio Was a State: The Golden Lamb in Lebanon Since 1803 🥩

Before Ohio was a state, travelers were already pulling up a chair at The Golden Lamb. Inside the creaky 27 S. Broadway inn in Lebanon, wide-plank floors, antique lamps, and a porch over the sidewalk make history feel close enough to touch.

It opened in 1803 as Jonas Seaman’s licensed “house of Public Entertainment,” named for the golden-lamb sign that helped early guests who couldn’t read. Today the Jones/Portman family preserves museum rooms and Shaker artifacts upstairs—plus stories of 12 presidents who slept here. Downstairs, yeast rolls with apple butter and old-fashioned cocktails keep the tradition delicious.

Check them out on Facebook

KD’s Kettering BBQ — smoke-sweet comfort with a few surprises 🍗

KD’s Kettering BBQ feels like a weeknight refuge—sweet smoke in the air, wood paneling, and servers who know the regulars. In the Stroop-Mar Plaza at 3911 Marshall Rd., Jimmy and Marianne Keady opened the doors in 2001, bringing CIA-trained know-how and family recipes that still anchor the place.

Jimmy may be gone, but the comfort remains: broasted chicken, ribs, homemade cabbage rolls, and the occasional curveball like oysters. Dessert comes in rotating pie slices that rarely linger in the case. Seating is cozy; curbside pickup keeps it easy for busy evenings when you want dinner without drama.

Check them out on Facebook

Hummus Mediterranean Food — a fast line, bright flavors on Main 🌯

Springboro’s North Main gets a little sunnier at Hummus Mediterranean Food, where a fast, build-your-own line keeps lunch moving at 75 N Main St. Pick a bowl or pita, then layer in shawarma, gyro, or crisp falafel, finished with hummus, tzatziki, and bright garlic-lemon sauces.

Owner-operator Humzeh Hodeh isn’t new to the scene—local coverage notes he previously ran Yaffa Grill—so the flavors arrive confident and familiar. There’s a small dining room plus a patio for warm nights, and online ordering for grab-and-go afternoons. The counter smiles make first-timers feel like quick regulars.

Check them out on Facebook

THE BULLETIN 📌

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 4500+ Daytonians?

Local Events

NAAM AUTO MUSEUM CONFERENCE

• What: A multi-day gathering at America’s Packard Museum focused on collaboration and innovation across the auto-museum world.

• When: Apr. 20–23, times vary

• Where: America’s Packard Museum, 420 S Ludlow St, Dayton

• How Much: $179

DAYTON MINI RESOURCE FAIR

• What: Meet community orgs offering support for housing, jobs, legal aid, mental health, childcare, and more—one room, lots of helpers.

• When: Apr. 21, 12–2 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library—Main Library, 215 E Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

MINI GRANT MONEY BOOTCAMP

• What: Learn how to apply for City of Dayton mini-grants—walkthrough, tips, and Q&A to help neighborhood ideas get funded.

• When: Apr. 22, 5:30–7:30 PM

• Where: Employment Opportunity Center, 21 Watervliet Ave, Dayton

• How Much: Free

EVENING FOR JUSTICE: TRUE STORIES

• What: A two-act benefit featuring wrongful-conviction stories and conversation—supporting the Ohio Innocence Project.

• When: Apr. 22, 7–8:30 PM

• Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: $40+

LAUNCHPAD AT THE ARCADE HUB

• What: Full-day entrepreneur meetup with learning sessions and networking—Dayton’s small-business scene, all in one buzzing space.

• When: Apr. 23, 9 AM – 5 PM

• Where: The Hub at The Arcade, 31 S Main St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

POETRY CONTEST SHOWCASE NIGHT

• What: Celebrate local voices as winners read and perform—sweet, bold, and very Dayton.

• When: Apr. 23, 6–7:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library (Main Library), 215 E Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

SOMMORE BRINGS THE LAUGHS

• What: Comedy headliner Sommore hits the Funny Bone—grown-up laughs, big energy, and a perfect “Friday night, done right.”

• When: Apr. 24–25, times vary

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St Suite 200, Beavercreek

• How Much: $42+

SWEET WEEKEND: SUGAR MAPLE FEST

• What: Bellbrook’s downtown festival with music, vendors, beer garden, and maple magic—small-town charm turned all the way up.

• When: Apr. 24–26, times vary

• Where: Downtown Bellbrook, W Franklin St, Bellbrook

• How Much: Free

DAYTON HOME EXPO WEEKEND

• What: Home improvement inspiration in one place—vendors, demos, and remodel ideas (plus plenty of “we could totally do that” dreaming).

• When: Apr. 24–26, times vary

• Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Rd, Dayton

• How Much: Free

GLOBAL ARTISAN MARKET AT 2ND STREET

• What: Twice-a-year marketplace spotlighting global makers—shop, browse, and celebrate Dayton’s many cultures in one lively hall.

• When: Apr. 26, 11 AM – 3 PM

• Where: 2nd Street Market, 600 E 2nd St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

TV DRUG-AD BREAKDOWN

• What: Watch and decode prescription drug TV ads—how they persuade, what the fine print means, and how to spot the strategy.

• When: Apr. 27, 9:30–11:30 AM

• Where: Daniel J. Curran Place (UDOLLI), 1700 S Patterson Blvd, Dayton

• How Much: Free

NETS 2026: SPACE NUCLEAR CONFERENCE

• What: Four days of space-power brainpower—talks, tech, and the future of nuclear & emerging technologies for space.

• When: Apr. 27–30, times vary

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E 5th St., Dayton

• How Much: $675+

DUNBAR’S DAYTON LEGACY

• What: Karen D. Brame explores Paul Laurence Dunbar’s friendships, life, and legacy in a hometown literary spotlight.

• When: Apr. 28, 6–7:30 PM

• Where: Northwest Branch Library, 2410 Philadelphia Dr., Dayton

• How Much: Free

Computer Love

$19M Defense Deal Lands in Dayton—Fueling the Future of Military Tech 👨‍🔧

Dayton’s role in cutting edge defense tech just got another boost. BlueHalo has landed a contract worth up to $19 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop advanced ceramic materials at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. These aren’t ordinary materials they’re built to handle extreme heat and stress inside next generation aircraft and weapons systems.

But the real innovation goes deeper: the project also focuses on new ways to design and manufacture these materials using advanced modeling and production techniques. For Dayton, it’s another sign the region is becoming a magnet for high tech defense work bringing in funding, talent and long term growth tied to the future of military innovation.

Money

A $40 Million Power Move Is About to Transform Dayton’s Healthcare Economy 💰

Dayton Children’s Hospital just landed a massive $40 million donation one of the largest in its history and it’s set to reshape healthcare in the region. The gift, from billionaire philanthropist Tom Golisano, will fund expanded services, earlier intervention, and better access to care for families.

As part of the deal, the main campus will be renamed the Golisano Comprehensive Care Campus. But the real story is the money: this investment helps Dayton Children’s scale faster, improve outcomes, and plug into a national network of pediatric innovation bringing more resources, talent, and long term economic impact to the area.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Bengals land Dexter Lawrence 🏈

Cincinnati made a draft-week splash, acquiring Pro Bowl DT Dexter Lawrence II from the Giants in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Bengals then signed Lawrence to a one-year $28 million contract extension, giving their defensive front a new centerpiece heading into the April 23 draft in Pittsburgh.

High School Showcase Returns to Day Air Ballpark

The Dragons’ High School Baseball Showcase rolls on at Day Air Ballpark with Hagerstown vs. Centerville taking the field Tuesday, April 28 at 7 PM in the heart of the Water Street District.

The showcase is open to the public and doubles as a fundraiser for participating programs—big-stadium lights, loud dugouts, and a spring-night spotlight for local talent. 

Buckeyes spring game: Gray wins
Ohio State wrapped spring with Team Gray beating Team Scarlet 35–26 in Ohio Stadium. QB Tavien St. Clair threw for 166 yards and a TD, including a 40-yard score to freshman WR Chris Henry Jr. Julian Sayin went 8-of-15 for 82 yards and added a 4-yard rushing TD. Announced attendance: 40,240.

Dragons Split Great Lakes Set, Welcome South Bend

Dayton went 3–3 at Great Lakes (Apr. 14–19), capped by Sunday’s 6–5 ninth-inning rally to split the series—Yerlin Confidan drove in four as the Dragons moved to 7–7.

Next, the South Bend Cubs visit Day Air Ballpark Apr. 21–26, before Dayton heads to Lansing starting Apr. 28.