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: Dayton Is Hosting a 500 Drone Light Show This Week

• Hidden Gems: New York Pizzeria, Nick's, Gyro Palace

• Local Events: 6/23 – 6/30

• Computer Love: The Pentagon's New Strategy Could Be a Big Win for Dayton

• Money: $7.8 Million Headed to Montgomery County Projects

• Sports: An NFL Draft in Cincy, All-Ohio Baseball Stars, Flyer Gets a Combine Nod, HS Football Shakeup, Dragons Update

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton Is Hosting a 500 Drone Light Show This Week ✈️

If you've never seen 500 drones paint pictures across the night sky, this is your chance. On Friday, June 26, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will host "Lights Over Dayton: A Celebration of Flight," one of the region's largest drone light shows.

The free event will feature a massive aerial display celebrating Ohio's aviation history, along with food trucks, hands on STEM activities, community exhibits, and extended museum hours. Guests are encouraged to arrive before 7 p.m. and stick around for the 10 p.m. show.

If the weather doesn't cooperate, the rain date is June 27.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Trotwood pizza night: New York Pizzeria on E Main 🍕

Phones ring, ovens roar, and pizza boxes slide across the rail at New York Pizzeria Restaurant, the neighborhood counter at 498 E. Main St. in Trotwood. Online ordering and delivery keep things simple, but the draw is bigger than convenience: hot-oven oregano, steady specials, and a shop that feels tuned to the block.

New York-style pies lead the way, joined by jumbo calzones, stromboli, wings, subs, pasta, burgers, fried chicken, and cheesecake. It’s the kind of reliable comfort that doesn’t need ceremony—just a hungry family, a game on TV, and one more box for the table.

Check them out on Facebook

Nick’s Restaurant — wings, patio laughs, Xenia institution 🍗

Xenia knows the sound of a table settling in: patio laughter, bar chatter, and sauce-sweet heat drifting from Nick’s Restaurant at 1443 N. Detroit St. Family-friendly since 1949, the local favorite has turned wings into a calling card while still leaving room for steaks, pizza, sandwiches, hand-battered fried veggies, and the legendary Big Nick burger.

The updated patio stretches the season with enclosed seating when the weather turns. Casual, lively, and crowded in the best way, Nick’s is built for birthdays, wing runs, and dinners that happily become stories.

Check them out on Facebook

Gyro Palace — Miamisburg’s family-run Mediterranean standby 🥙

Since 1998, Gyro Palace has kept Miamisburg wrapped in garlic, lemon, and grilled-meat warmth. The family-run spot at 57 S. Springboro Pike keeps the room unfussy—counter chatter, call-ahead pickups, and plates cooked fresh to order rather than rushed through a line.

Gyros are the anchor, with chicken shawarma, kabobs, falafel, hummus, Greek salads, homemade sauces, and baklava rounding out the spread. Catering helps offices and gatherings scale up the comfort. Simple space, generous portions, and years of Miami Valley loyalty make it a near-Dayton-Mall favorite with real neighborhood pull.

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 4800+ Daytonians?

Local Events

FLYERS BASKETBALL CAMP

• What: Young hoopers build skills, confidence, and Flyer spirit during a multi-day University of Dayton basketball camp.

• When: Jun. 22–25, 9 AM

• Where: University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton

• How Much: $325

DINOSAURS AT WEST CARROLLTON

• What: Boonshoft Museum brings fossils, dinosaur life cycles, and junior paleontology fun to families at the library.

• When: Jun. 23, 5–6 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library West Carrollton Branch, 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton

• How Much: Free

STORY SLAM SEASON SHOWDOWN

• What: Dayton storytellers take the mic for the season finale, sharing five-minute tales around the theme “viewing the future.”

• When: Jun. 24, 7–8:30 PM

• Where: The Brightside, 905 E. 3rd St., Dayton

• How Much: $5 advance / $10 day-of

TRUST PLANNING MADE FRIENDLY

• What: Neighbors can learn trust basics, estate-planning choices, and practical ways to protect family decisions.

• When: Jun. 24, 10–11:30 AM

• Where: West Carrollton Senior Center, 10 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton

• How Much: Free

CINEPHILE CLUB: THE HELP

• What: Film lovers watch and discuss The Help, part of Wright Library’s America 250 Ohio-related film lineup.

• When: Jun. 25, 12–2:30 PM

• Where: Wright Memorial Public Library, 1776 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood

• How Much: Free

ONE-MILE CASH DASH

• What: Runners chase a fast one-mile finish, age-group pride, and a lively local racing tradition.

• When: Jun. 25, 7 PM

• Where: Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton

• How Much: $10; ages 14 & under free

DRONES LIGHT DAYTON’S SKY

• What: A 500-drone show celebrates flight, Ohio aviation heritage, STEM fun, food trucks, and community partners at the museum.

• When: Jun. 26, 3–10 PM; drone show at 10 PM

• Where: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton

• How Much: Free admission and parking

CASINO NIGHT FOR A CAUSE

• What: Casino-style games, appetizers, raffles, prizes, and friendly sparkle support SWOHF’s work with local families.

• When: Jun. 26, 7–10:30 PM

• Where: The Dayton Woman’s Club, 225 N. Ludlow St., Dayton

• How Much: $60

NEW DANCE FINDS LIGHT

• What: Dayton Dance Initiative premieres new works shaped by collaboration, movement, attention, and moments of partial illumination.

• When: Jun. 26–27, 7:30 PM

• Where: PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton

• How Much: $36+

NATALIE BARNEY PATIO CELEBRATION

• What: Raise a glass to Dayton-born writer Natalie Clifford Barney with snacks, celebratory drinks, patio conversation, and LGBTQ+ literary pride.

• When: Jun. 27, 6–8 PM

• Where: Wayne & Clover, 1201 Wayne Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

PORSCHE MEETS PACKARD PRIDE

• What: Packards and Porsches share the pavement with food trucks and museum wandering for car-loving neighbors.

• When: Jun. 28, 12–4 PM

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

• How Much: Regular museum admission; free for show-car owners

BIG BAND AT NORTH PARK

• What: Kim Kelly Orchestra fills North Park with brassy big-band swing and summer lawn-chair charm.

• When: Jun. 28, 7 PM

• Where: North Park, 195 Tamarack Trail, Springboro

• How Much: Free

TEENS COOK SMART

• What: Teens learn simple nutrition, food safety, and budgeting basics with OSU Extension educators.

• When: Jun. 29, 3:30–4:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library Electra C. Doren Branch, 701 Troy St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

DRONES AND CIRCUITS TAKE FLIGHT

• What: Young engineers explore drones, microelectronics, simulators, and circuits in a hands-on aviation STEM day.

• When: Jun. 30, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: $149

TECH TALKS CONNECT THE DOTS

• What: Innovators explore AI, digital engineering, cybersecurity, and data tools over lunch and rapid-fire local tech talks.

• When: Jun. 30, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM

• Where: Digital Transformation Center, 1520 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

WYNONNA AND MELISSA UNITE

• What: Two powerhouse voices share an outdoor stage with Maggie Rose for country, rock, and singalong favorites.

• When: Jun. 30, Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM

• Where: Rose Music Center at The Heights, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights

• How Much: $74+

Computer Love

The Pentagon's New Strategy Could Be a Big Win for Dayton 🤖 

A major shift in defense technology could bring new opportunities to Dayton. The Pentagon is increasing its use of "digital twins" virtual versions of aircraft and equipment that can be tested on a computer before they're built in the real world. The goal is to reduce costs, find problems faster, and speed up development.

That matters because Dayton is already a leader in aerospace research and digital engineering thanks to its close ties to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. As demand for digital twin technology grows, local companies could see more contracts, investment, and high paying tech jobs headed their way.

Money

$7.8 Million Headed to Montgomery County Projects 💰

More money is flowing into Montgomery County. Ohio lawmakers recently approved a capital budget that includes more than $7.8 million for local projects across the county. The funding will support everything from childcare centers and neighborhood revitalization efforts to park improvements, shelter upgrades, and infrastructure projects.

Some of the biggest allocations include $1 million for Gateway Men's Shelter, $600,000 for the Westwood Early Learning and Childcare Center, and more than $500,000 for West Carrollton dam safety improvements. While these projects may not grab headlines like a new factory or corporate relocation, they represent millions of dollars being invested directly back into the Dayton region and could help drive local economic growth for years to come.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

An NFL Draft in Cincinnati? 🏈

Cincinnati’s NFL spotlight might get bigger. Bengals ownership publicly said the team wants to bring a future NFL Draft to the city, with Katie Blackburn saying the club will continue conversations with the league and spotlight Cincinnati’s riverfront, hotel access and deep football roots.

The club pointed to 2029 or 2030 after Minneapolis landed the 2028 event.

Dayton-Area Baseball Stars Go All-Ohio
Southwest Ohio baseball got a bright postseason bow when the OHSBCA All-Ohio teams dropped June 16.

Centerville’s Jason Whited was named Division I Coach of the Year, while Lucas Clark (Centerville), Mason Hurst (Lebanon), Ben Veletean and Nick Hutchinson (Springboro), plus Easton Grimm and Andrew Oppenheimer (Beavercreek), all earned First Team honors.

Flyer Baseball Gets a Combine Nod
Flyer baseball got a national-stage nod as Michael Smith Jr. earned an invite to the MLB Draft Combine in Phoenix. The rising senior set UD’s single-season stolen-base record with 38, ranked second in walks with 47, and led the team with a .502 on-base percentage.

The combine runs June 23–26 at Chase Field, with the draft July 11–12.

High School Football Region Shakeup
Dayton-area playoff maps got a jolt as eight schools opted up to OHSAA Division I football. Northmont joins Region 2, while Lebanon, Middletown and Springboro were reassigned from Region 3 to Region 4.

Division I now grows to 80 schools, and the 2026 season opens the week of Aug. 17.

Dragons Heat Up June Slate

The Dragons charged through mid-June, beating Peoria 8–2 on June 16, sweeping a June 18 doubleheader 3–1 and 18–1, and clinching the Midwest League East first-half crown.

After a 7–3 win and 6–0 setback at Peoria, Dayton returns home June 23–28 vs. West Michigan before opening a June 30 set with Lansing at Day Air Ballpark.