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’s Biggest Summer Kickoff Is Turning Downtown Into An Outdoor Playground

• Hidden Gems: Engineers Club, Haren’s Market, Big Sky Bread Co.

• Local Events: 5/26 – 6/2

• Computer Love: Why Dayton Could Become America’s Next AI Powerhouse

• Money: Dayton Tech Giant Sells Major Property in $18 Million Shake Up

• Sports: Knicks Sweep Cavs, End Cleveland’s Run

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton’s Biggest Summer Kickoff Is Turning Downtown Into An Outdoor Playground 🎟️

Dayton families can kick off summer at Passport to MetroParks on May 29 at RiverScape MetroPark. The free event turns downtown into a giant outdoor playground with live music, food trucks, climbing walls, games, and hands on activities from across the Five Rivers MetroParks system.

Visitors can collect stamps in a special “passport” while exploring different attractions and even win prizes along the way. Local cultural festivals will also give guests a sneak peek at some of Dayton’s biggest summer celebrations, making it one of the city’s most unique family friendly events of the season.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Lunch where Dayton’s inventors gathered: Engineers Club 🐟

Blueprints and lunch plates share the room at Engineers Club of Dayton, where the dining room at 110 E. Monument Ave. turns a midday break into a small history lesson. Founded in 1914 by Charles F. Kettering and Col. Edward A. Deeds, the club still carries Dayton’s invention-era polish: woodwork, quiet conversation, and downtown calm.

The public secret is lunch no membership needed with plated, boxed, and buffet options, soups, sandwiches, and a noted salad bar. It’s a power-lunch address with civic soul, the kind of place where Dayton’s past pulls up a chair.

Check them out on Facebook

Haren’s Market | old bank bones, butcher-shop heart 🍗

Old bank bones give Haren’s Market a little downtown grandeur at 2 E. Main St. in Troy: high ceilings, market chatter, and butcher case savor in the air. Connor Haren bought the business then Troy Meat Shop at age 20; Hannah Haren later helped expand it into a full butcher, grocer, and deli rooted in agriculture and local service.

Cases run from fresh cut meats and seafood to Ohio cheeses, produce, deli salads, sandwiches, and dinners to go. More than a stop for supper, it’s a neighborhood translator between farms, cooks, and the tables waiting at home.

Check them out on Facebook

Big Sky Bread Company — Far Hills before the day begins 🥧

Before Kettering fully wakes, Big Sky Bread Company is already working the ovens at 3070 Far Hills Ave., Suite C. Phillip and Mari Gallenstein have baked here since 1996, leaning into a promise that feels delightfully old fashioned: fresh American and European breads, cookies, muffins, and rolls, with Montana whole wheat flour in the mix.

The space is simple and flour dusted racks cooling, counter chatter, pretzel knots disappearing into bags. Daily breads range from cinnamon swirl and challah to sourdough; the case stretches into muffins, coffee cakes, soups, sandwiches, and take and bake pizzas. Honest craft, warm handed and local.

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

BINGO FOR BOOKS

• What: Play bingo, win books or swag, and enjoy a cheerful morning with fellow readers.

• When: May 26, 10 AM – 11 AM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering

• How Much: Free

DAYTON HEALTHCARE JOB FAIR

• What: Healthcare job seekers can meet employers virtually and explore new opportunities across the Dayton area.

• When: May 26, 11 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Virtual event, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

FUTUREFEST AUDITIONS OPEN

• What: Dayton Playhouse invites actors to try out for its new-play festival, a beloved launchpad for fresh theatre.

• When: May 26–27, 7 PM

• Where: Dayton Playhouse, 1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

WEST SIDE SPELLING SHOWDOWN

• What: Students in grades 3–9 compete in West Branch’s inaugural spelling bee, with neighborhood pride on the line.

• When: May 27, 4–5 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – West Branch, 300 Abbey Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

PLAY YOUR WAY FEST

• What: Kettering’s parks, arts, and summer fun gather for games, activities, and a cheerful kickoff at Fraze.

• When: May 27, 6–8:30 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: Free

GENERATION DAYTON ROOFTOP HELLOS

• What: Young professionals connect over downtown views, friendly conversation, and easy after-work networking.

• When: May 28, 4–6 PM

• Where: The Foundry, 124 Madison St., Dayton

• How Much: Free for members; $15 nonmembers

MAYOR’S TOWN HALL

• What: Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss brings City Hall closer to neighbors for questions, listening, and civic conversation.

• When: May 28, 6 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Burkhardt Branch, 4704 Burkhardt Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

BREAKFAST WITH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

• What: Start the morning learning how Ronald McDonald House supports families during medical stays.

• When: May 29, 8–9:30 AM

• Where: Ronald McDonald House Charities, 555 Valley St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

MIAMI VALLEY QUILT SHOW

• What: Quilters share color, craft, and community tradition across two days of stitched artistry and vendor browsing.

• When: May 29–30, 10 AM – 4 PM

• Where: Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Road, Xenia

• How Much: $5

DAYTON CHEESE FEST

• What: Austin Landing gets delightfully cheesy with food vendors, music, and plenty of community snacking.

• When: May 30, 4–10 PM

• Where: The Park at Austin Landing, 10050 Innovation Drive, Miamisburg

• How Much: Free admission

JEWISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL

• What: A family-friendly Jewish cultural festival with music, food, crafts, tours, kids’ activities, raffles, and community learning.

• When: May 31, 11 AM – 6 PM

• Where: Temple Israel, 130 Riverside Drive, Dayton

• How Much: Free admission

YOUTH FISHING DERBY

• What: Young anglers cast lines, learn outdoor skills, and enjoy a family-friendly afternoon by the water.

• When: May 31, 1–4 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College Centerville Campus, 5800 Clyo Road, Centerville

• How Much: $5 – $10

TEENS LEARN FOOD SMARTS

• What: Teens explore nutrition, food safety, budgeting, and practical cooking know-how with OSU Extension.

• When: June 1, 3:30–4:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free

JUNIOR FLYER BASKETBALL CAMP

• What: Young hoopers build skills, confidence, and teamwork with the University of Dayton basketball program.

• When: June 1–2

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

• How Much: $140

LIVING IN THE FLOW

• What: A Law of Attraction discussion circle invites reflection, intention-setting, and neighborly encouragement.

• When: June 2, 7–8:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Towers, 425 Dayton Towers Drive, Dayton

• How Much: Free

MARIAH THE SCIENTIST LIVE

• What: R&B fans head to Fraze for Mariah the Scientist with Laila on a summer concert night.

• When: June 2, 8 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: $42+

Computer Love

Why Dayton Could Become America’s Next AI Powerhouse 🤖

Ohio may be quietly becoming one of America’s biggest AI powerhouses and Dayton is right in the center of it. Business leaders say the state’s mix of manufacturing, aerospace, engineering talent, and lower operating costs could give it a major advantage as artificial intelligence moves into the real world.

Dayton already has major assets like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and a growing network of tech companies focused on AI innovation. Experts believe the next wave of AI won’t just be built in Silicon Valley it will be powered by cities that can apply the technology to industries like defense, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing. For Dayton, that could mean a massive economic opportunity in the years ahead.

Money

Dayton Tech Giant Sells Major Property in $18 Million Shake Up 💰

Dayton based STRATACACHE just sold its large Trotwood distribution and assembly center for $18 million, marking another major shift for one of the region’s biggest tech companies. The facility once helped power the company’s nationwide digital display business, building technology used in restaurants and retail stores across America.

The sale adds to growing signs that STRATACACHE is pulling back from local real estate after years of aggressive expansion around Dayton. For the region, the move is significant the company has long been viewed as a hometown tech success story that helped fuel redevelopment and investment across the area.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Knicks Sweep Cavs, End Cleveland’s Run 🏀

Cleveland’s season ended last night in a 130–93 Game 4 loss as New York swept the Eastern Conference Finals and reached its first NBA Finals since 1999.

The Knicks controlled the night early, turning transition chances and a 20–0 run into a 68–49 halftime lead. Donovan Mitchell scored 31 for the Cavs, while New York now awaits the West winner.

Dragons Split in Fort Wayne, Welcome Great Lakes

Dayton split its six-game trip to Fort Wayne, winning 11–2, 22–8 and 5–0 while dropping 5–4, 3–2 and 6–3.

After a loud offensive week on the road, the Dragons return to Day Air Ballpark for six games against Great Lakes from May 26–31, then head back out June 2 at West Michigan.

Raidergang Piles Up Horizon Honors

Wright State baseball collected a league-high 14 Horizon League awards on May 19. Keegan Holmstrom earned Freshman of the Year, Patrick Fultz received the Sportsmanship Award, and Alex Sogard was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Raiders to an eighth straight regular-season crown.

WSU also placed five players on the All-League First Team.