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: Secret Genius: Joseph Desch the Code-Breaker

• Hidden Gems: Natural Foods Plus, The Blue Berry Café, Dayton Street Snacks Pop-up

• Local Events: 5/13 – 5/20

• Computer Love: Dayton Dynamic Languages

• Money: Hilton Garden in Dayton Arcade, Real Estate

• Sports: Fairmont Hoops to WNBA, UD’s Haywood is Track Performer of the Year

— Tom

Did you know?

Secret Genius: How Joseph Desch Helped Win WWII from Dayton, Ohio 🕵️‍♂️

Joseph Desch became a World War II code-breaking hero by leading a top-secret mission from his hometown of Dayton, Ohio. As an expert in electronics at the National Cash Register Company (NCR), Desch was chosen by the U.S. Navy to help crack the Enigma code—a machine the Germans used to send secret messages. It was nearly impossible to decode, but Desch had a solution.

Using his deep knowledge of electronics, he and his small team designed and built the bombe, a machine that could quickly test millions of possible code combinations. This allowed the Allies to read German messages in real time and stop deadly U-boat attacks in the Atlantic Ocean.

Though he couldn’t speak about it for years, Desch’s behind-the-scenes work saved thousands of lives and helped bring the war to an end. He didn’t carry a weapon—but his mind and machines made him one of America’s quiet heroes.

Hidden Gems

NATURAL FOODS PLUS BRINGS THE GREEN TO YOUR ROUTINE 🍏

Natural Foods Plus, known locally as the “Juice Caboose”, has been fueling Dayton’s wellness movement for nearly three decades with its plant-powered smoothies, cold-pressed juices, vitamins, and whole-food remedies. Located at 2901 Philadelphia Drive, the shop triples-filters it’s ice to remove any impurities and blends each beverage with 2–2.5 pounds of organic produce, ensuring every sip delivers peak nutrition without added sugars, dairy, gluten, or artificial flavors.

Founder Rick Poole — a veteran of juice bars for over 25 years— hand picks top-tier superfoods and herbal supplements from brands like Mother Earth Labs and Premier Research Labs, making Natural Foods Plus the only Southwest Ohio carrier of many premium lines. With storefront hours running Monday thru Sunday, the friendly team greets each visitor “like a neighbor,” offering personalized health tips alongside every order. Whether you’re craving a detoxifying green blend, the “SuperTonic” everyone’s recommending as a cold remedy, or a curated vitamin regimen, Natural Foods Plus delivers local pride in every cup—one neighborly pour at a time.

THE BLUE BERRY CAFE: DAYTON’S BRUNCH GEM 

Family-founded Blue Berry Cafe first welcomed guests on April 24, 2004, in Bellbrook and celebrated its newest location in Kettering in February of 2024. Owned by Kelley Andary—whose family has served Dayton diners for 50 years—the cafe now sits at 129 W Franklin St, Bellbrook, OH 45305 and 2932 S Dixie Dr, Kettering, OH 45409.

Open daily until 2 PM, The Blue Berry Cafe crafts each dish fresh to order, from fluffy omelets and golden waffles to stacked pancakes, hearty skillets and plant-based vegan options. Guests rave about the generous portions, friendly “Muffin Man” specials and homey atmosphere that makes every visit feel like gathering with family. For celebrations or small meetings, a private room accommodates up to 20 guests, adding another layer of community-centered hospitality to this Dayton-area favorite.  

DAYTON STREET SNACKS POP-UP RESTAURANT AT DAYTON ARCADE

Dayton Street Snacks—known for cheddar bae burger sliders and deviled eggs—teams up with Gather by Ghostlight for a limited-run pop-up restaurant inside The Hub at Dayton Arcade (31 S. Main St., Dayton).

Starting May 15 and running every Thursday–Saturday through May 31, diners can order a rotating menu of globally inspired small plates and cocktails from 4 PM to 10 PM. Special “Cocktail Party” nights on May 23 feature 25+ tasting bites over two hours. Admission is free; just drop in for shareable plates and craft drinks in the restored Arcade’s vaulted-ceiling atrium.

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 700+ Daytonians?

Local Events

COMMUNITY FITNESS – TAI CHI & QIGONG AT THE RIVER

• What: Find your flow with gentle breathing, warm-ups, and fluid movement led by Immortal Tree Qigong, perfect for all ages and fitness levels.

• When: May 13, 6 PM – 7 PM (Every Tuesday through summer)

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark, Festival Plaza, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

MUSIC BINGO BY THE RIVER

• What: Gather by the RiverScape Café for an upbeat night of food, drinks, and Music Bingo under the stars.

• When: May 13, 7 PM – 9 PM

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

LAUNCHPAD: MASTER YOUR MONEY

• What: Learn to secure funding and build a rock-solid financial foundation with expert talks, founder panels, and actionable takeaways.

• When: May 15, 9 AM – 5 PM

• Where: The Hub at The Arcade, 31 S. Main St, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

SELFIE: THE POWER WITHIN

• What: Explore mental health through interactive selfie stations, mirror installations, inspirational prompts, and a community art wall for messages of hope.

• When: May 1–31, Various Times

• Where: Dayton Metro Library, Main Library, 215 E. Third St, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

DAYTON BLACK WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL

• What: Celebrate Black women’s storytelling with documentary “Seeds,” shorts lineup, workshops, panels, and a 25th-anniversary “Love & Basketball” screening.

• When: May 15–18, Various Times

• Where: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: $12 per screening; $45 full pass

FIRST FRIDAY MONTHLY COFFEE NETWORKING

• What: Sip coffee and pastries while connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and community builders in a relaxed, drop-in setting.

• When: May 16, 8 AM – 9 AM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Vandalia Branch, 330 S. Dixie Dr, Vandalia, OH 45377

• How Much: Free

SPRING FEST IN THE BURG

• What: Enjoy live music, carnival rides, a lively parade, Maker’s Mart crafts, and local eats at Miamisburg’s new Riverfront Park festival.

• When: May 16–18, Various Times

• Where: Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Avenue, Miamisburg, OH 45342

• How Much: Free

DAYTON HOME EXPO

• What: Explore hundreds of exhibitor booths featuring remodeling pros, décor trends, smart-home demos, and outdoor-living solutions—all under one roof.

• When: May 16–18, Various Times

• Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Rd, Dayton, OH 45417

• How Much: Free admission

TAKE KIDS FISHING DAY AT LAKESIDE

• What: Introduce kids to fishing with free rods to keep and hands-on guidance—first 150 young anglers welcome.

• When: May 17, 9:30 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Lakeside Lake, 3500 Lakeside Dr, Dayton, OH 45417

• How Much: Free

CHILDREN’S FREE BOOK FAIR

• What: Hosted by Rabbit Hole Books, this free fair lets kids pick five books to keep, and the first 100 attendees receive a special canvas tote to carry their new treasures.

• When: May 17–18, 12 PM – 7 PM

• Where: Rabbit Hole Books, 29 W. First St, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

SPRING VEGAN MARKET AT COURTHOUSE SQUARE

• What: Nosh on plant-based bites, shop handmade goods, and vibe with community at this family-friendly festival.

• When: May 18, 12 PM – 4 PM

• Where: Courthouse Square, Third & Main Streets, Dayton, OH 45402

• How Much: Free

FLEURS DE FÊTE WINE & FOOD FEST

• What: Sip over 400 wine varieties and savor gourmet bites from local chefs at Dayton’s original “Party in the Park.”

• When: May 18, 1 PM – 4 PM

• Where: Carillon Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd, Dayton, OH 45409

• How Much: $80 in advance; $85 at the door

Computer Love

Dayton’s Tech Community Shines at Dynamic Languages Event—Here’s Why You Should Go 🤓  

Imagine a room buzzing with coders, innovators, and tech newbies all swapping ideas over pizza. That’s the vibe at the Dayton Dynamic Languages Meetup, returning May 14, 2025. Whether you’re a Python pro or just curious about coding, this event promises to turn “tech talk” into real connections.

Hosted at The Hub Dayton (a downtown hotspot for creatives), the free event runs from 6–9 PM. Think quickfire demos, beginner-friendly workshops, and stories from folks who’ve used languages like JavaScript or Ruby to build apps, games, and even robots.

More info

Money

Hilton Garden Inn Opens in Dayton Arcade, Capping Off $100M Revitalization 🏨

After nearly eight years of transformative revitalization, the crown jewel of Dayton’s North Arcade—the Hilton Garden Inn—will officially open its doors on May 19, just in time to host guests for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session.

This brand-new 93-room hotel anchors the historic complex, offering modern amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art fitness center featuring Peloton and Precor equipment, a convenient lobby shop, and access to 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.

Developed by Century Hotel Group, Cross Street Partners, Witness Investments, and Model Group, the hotel marks the final phase in the Arcade’s ambitious rebirth—solidifying downtown Dayton as a vibrant and welcoming hub for business, leisure, and global gatherings alike.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

FAIRMONT’S WESTBELD LANDS WNBA ROSTER SPOT 🏀

Dayton’s own Maddy Westbeld punched her ticket to the WNBA when the Chicago Sky trimmed their training camp roster on May 12, securing the 16th overall pick’s spot among 12 players. At Notre Dame, Westbeld amassed 1,710 points and 940 rebounds — ranking 13^th and 7^th in program history — in over 141 games from 2020 to 2025.

She opened her Irish career as the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year, then earned three All-ACC selections and 2024 ACC All-Tournament First Team honors after helping Notre Dame capture its first conference title under coach Ivey. Westbeld bounced back from foot surgery that sidelined her for 13 midseason games to finish with career averages of 12.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Drafted April 14, she now brings her work ethic and hometown grit to the Sky’s season opener May 17 in Indianapolis. 

UD'S HAYWOOD IS TOP A-10 TRACK PERFORMER

Dayton junior Jadyn Haywood claimed top honors as the Atlantic 10’s Outdoor Track Performer of the Year after sweeping both the 100m (11.52 seconds) and 200m (23.83 seconds) titles at the conference meet. She shattered Notre Dame school records in both sprint events during the season, showcasing her speed and consistency on the track.

Earlier in the year, Haywood anchored the Flyers’ 4×100 relay to its fastest finish ever, a feat she’d help repeat in multiple meets. Her standout performances make her just the third Dayton Flyer to earn this top award, joining two other all-time greats.

Haywood also guided the 4×100 relay to a silver medal at the conference championships and is poised to represent Dayton at the upcoming NCAA Regionals in Jacksonville later this month. With her hometown grit and record-setting pace, Haywood continues to raise Dayton’s profile on the national track stage.