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 Massive Train Show Is Turning 50 This Weekend

• Hidden Gems: Alfio’s Buon Cibo, Lumpia Queen, La Fiesta

• Local Events: 11/3 – 11/10

• Computer Love: Dayton Drone Company Wants Delivery Robots to Think Together

• Money: $25M Expansion Is Bringing Major Growth to the Dayton Region

• Sports: Burrow’s Big Day, Flyers Open, Sold-Out Nutter Center, Miami Valley’s HS Top 10

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton’s Massive Train Show Is Turning 50 This Weekend 🚂

One of Dayton’s longest-running hobby events is celebrating a major milestone this weekend.

The Dayton Train Show returns November 7–8 for its 50th edition, filling the Montgomery County Fairgrounds with 20+ operating railroad displays, hundreds of dealer tables, LEGO trains, historical exhibits and model trains of nearly every size.

There’s even a ride on train for kids, weather permitting.

The show runs Saturday from 11 a.m – 5 p.m and Sunday from 11 a.m – 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, while kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult.

The Gem Tip: Even if you’re not a train collector, 50 years of miniature railroads is worth seeing at least once.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Where Italy and Argentina Share a Table 🍝

Low lighting, brick partitions and a barrel-vaulted ceiling give Alfio’s Buon Cibo an intimate setting on Cincinnati’s Hyde Park Square. Chef Alfio Gulisano opened the restaurant at 2724 Erie Ave. in 2012, drawing on his Italian heritage and Argentine upbringing. Private dining rooms accommodate celebrations with family and friends.

Gulisano credits his mother and grandmothers with teaching him to care for people through cooking. The pasta is still rolled by hand. Veal short rib ravioli comes in white truffle, cremini mushroom and Marsala cream sauce. Empanadas Quatro offers four fillings, including spiced beef and Korean barbecue.

Check them out on Facebook

How Lumpia Queen Got Its Name 🍗

Catherine and Damon Roberts grew Lumpia Queen from home catering into a downtown Dayton restaurant. After operating a booth at W. Social Tap & Table, their Filipino kitchen now occupies the ground floor of the Stratacache Tower at 38 E. Second St.

Crisp, hand-rolled lumpia come with beef, pork, chicken or vegetable fillings. Stix-N-Bed serves chicken or pork barbecue over jasmine rice. The lumpia recipe came from Catherine’s mother. The name started as a joke: Damon recalls a drive past Burger King that prompted a call to his wife. He suggested Lumpia Queen. The name stuck.

Check them out on Facebook

La Fiesta Makes Room for Family 🌮

Family meals were part of Arturo Fuentes’ vision when he brought La Fiesta to Clayton. His Troy restaurant had opened in 2001; the Randolph Plaza location at 8331 N. Main St. carried that emphasis on a fun, welcoming atmosphere into another community.

The kitchen prepares Mexican dishes fresh daily. Chimichanga rolls fill crisp tortillas with avocado, rice, black beans and corn, with avocado dressing alongside. Pollo Cozumel serves grilled chicken, chorizo and pineapple over rice beneath cheese sauce. Dine-in service and online ordering accommodate a meal together or dinner to take home after a busy day.

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 5000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

LITTLE FEET, AUTUMN DISCOVERIES

• What: Children ages 0–5 and their adults explore seasonal changes on a guided Bill Yeck Park hike. Register by Nov. 1.

• When: Nov. 3, 6–7 PM

• Where: Bill Yeck Park, Smith House entrance, 2230 E. Centerville Station Rd., Centerville

• How Much: Free for park-district residents; $4 nonresidents. 

PUT YOUR TECH SKILLS TO WORK

• What: Join Code for Dayton’s monthly gathering to share ideas and collaborate on projects that serve the local community.

• When: Nov. 3, 6–8 PM

• Where: Arcade Innovation Hub, 31 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

MEET YOUR NEXT TECH TEAM

• What: Connect with engineering and technology employers. Roles target U.S. citizens with a relevant degree and two years’ experience; preregister.

• When: Nov. 4, 2–5 PM

• Where: Wandering Griffin Brewery & Restaurant, 3725 Presidential Drive, Beavercreek

• How Much: Free 

DAYTON DANCE VOICES, LIVE

• What: Join Rodney Veal’s live podcast conversation with Dayton dance leaders Debbie Blunden-Diggs and Qarrianne Blayr, followed by audience questions.

• When: Nov. 4, 6–8 PM

• Where: Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

BUILD BRICKS, MAKE FRIENDS

• What: Bring a LEGO project, share free pizza, and connect with fellow adult builders at Dayton Brick Shop’s monthly gathering.

• When: Nov. 5, 6–8 PM

• Where: Dayton Brick Shop, 5519 Bigger Road, Kettering

• How Much: Free; bring a project or purchase one separately. 

TRAE CROWDER BRINGS THE LAUGHS

• What: Catch Trae Crowder’s stand-up and share a night of laughs with fellow comedy fans. Ages 21+.

• When: Nov. 5, 7:30 PM

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

• How Much: $32+ 

MEET LITERARY PEACE PRIZE WINNER WACHMAN

• What: Join author Sam Wachman for a conversation about The Sunflower Boys and a book signing. Arrive early; seating is limited.

• When: Nov. 6, 5–6:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

HOMEGROWN IDEAS AT THE HOME EXPO

• What: Meet home improvement professionals, gather remodeling ideas, and explore products for your next project. Reserve a free ticket.

• When: Nov. 6–8, times vary

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

BRUNCH, BUBBLY, BOUTIQUES & BELLY LAUGHS

• What: Browse vendors, enjoy brunch, and laugh with headliner Nykki Savage, host Mike J, Miss Kim G, and Jammie J.

• When: Nov. 7, 2–5 PM; shopping starts at 2 PM, brunch and comedy at 3 PM

• Where: The Palmer’s Space, 4821 Salem Avenue, Dayton

• How Much: $25+ 

ALL ABOARD THE DAYTON TRAIN SHOW

• What: Explore model railroads, operating layouts, LEGO trains, and vendors at the 50th Dayton Train Show.

• When: Nov. 7–8, times vary

• Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds & Event Center, 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton

• How Much: $10; free ages 12 and under with a paid adult. 

SMALL MAKERS, BIG HOLIDAY CHEER

• What: Shop crafts, baked goods, and jewelry created by young entrepreneurs at Funk Lab’s Creative Kids Holiday Market.

• When: Nov. 8, 10 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Funk Lab Dance Center, 1226 E. Stroop Road, Kettering

• How Much: Free admission 

CAREGIVERS, FIND YOUR CIRCLE

• What: Join AARP for practical ideas on building a caregiving team, finding community resources, and caring for yourself. Register ahead.

• When: Nov. 9, 5:30–6:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library, Main Library, 215 E. Third Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

TURN FOOD DREAMS INTO BUSINESS

• What: Meet fellow food entrepreneurs, hear from local experts, and tour 6888 Kitchen during this free informational evening. RSVP required.

• When: Nov. 9, 6–8 PM

• Where: The Hub powered by PNC, 31 S. Main Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

CHAMPIONS FOR DAYTON’S YOUNG PEOPLE

• What: Gather for Daybreak’s annual Champions for Youth fundraiser, featuring food and stories supporting young people experiencing homelessness. Register ahead.

• When: Nov. 10, 11:30 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Top of the Market Catering & Events, 32 Webster Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

SILVER RINGS, MADE BY YOU

• What: Learn introductory silversmithing with Caysee and create three sterling silver rings. Ages 18+; advance registration required.

• When: Nov. 10, 5–7 PM

• Where: Artisans at Harrington House, 3930 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek

• How Much: $110

Computer Love

Dayton Drone Company Wants Delivery Robots to Think Together 🚁

Dayton based Dexa is moving beyond simply delivering food by drone.

The company is building what it calls “physical AI” for last mile delivery a network designed to let drones and delivery robots share jobs, charging locations and infrastructure, instead of each operating inside separate systems.

Dexa already builds and operates autonomous delivery aircraft from its downtown Dayton headquarters, with customers and partners including Kroger, Papa Johns and Grubhub. Its newest drone can carry up to 15 pounds and reach speeds of 70 mph.

The bigger vision: a future where autonomous delivery machines work together to get products from local businesses to customers in minutes.

Money

$25M Expansion Is Bringing Major Growth to the Dayton Region💰

Primary Health Solutions is planning roughly $25 million in new investments as it expands across the Dayton region.

The growth includes major projects in Eaton and Hamilton, with new facilities designed to serve more patients and expand the organization’s reach.

Primary Health Solutions expects its total patient visits to nearly double by 2027 as the expansion rolls out.

The investment adds another major development project to the region and signals continued growth across the local healthcare economy.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Burrow’s Big Day Ends With Overtime Heroics 🏈

Joe Burrow did it all in Cincinnati’s 43–36 overtime win over Tennessee November 1. He threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns, then scored on a 9-yard run in overtime at Paycor Stadium.

Tee Higgins caught 10 passes for 155 yards and two scores, while Ja’Marr Chase added 141 receiving yards. A fourth-down defensive stop sealed the victory, lifting Cincinnati to 5–2.

Flyers Open Big as Basketball Season Takes Flight

Dayton’s men opened the season November 2 with an 89–58 rout of NJIT. Freshman Aiden Derkack delivered 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Amaël L’Etang added 20 and 11. The men host Northern Illinois November 7 and Siena November 10.

The women tip off November 5 against Illinois State, then welcome Penn State November 9. All four upcoming games start at 7 p.m. at UD Arena.

Raiders Light Up a Sold-Out Nutter Center

Wright State opened its men’s basketball season with a 102–71 victory over Air Force November 2 before a sellout crowd of 10,500. Dominic Pangonis scored 30 points, making six of seven three-point attempts, while Andrea Holden added 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The Raiders built a 60–31 halftime lead and shot 59.4% from the field. 

Miami Valley’s Top 10: Three Wins, Seven Byes

Springboro blanked Little Miami 31–0 in its October 30 playoff opener, while Middletown defeated Lebanon 33–15 on the road. St. Henry added a 42–0 road shutout of Madison-Plains.

Trotwood-Madison, Springfield, Marion Local, London, Bellbrook, Tippecanoe and Wayne received first-round byes. All of the Dayton-area’s top 10 remain in the championship chase, with regional quarterfinals scheduled for November 6.