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 1950s Radio Station Got a Second Life Thanks to Dave Chappelle

• Hidden Gems: Honey Toast, Tuscany’s Italian Restaurant, Thai Smile

• Local Events: 4/14 – 4/21

• Computer Love: Grubhub Bets on Dayton Tech to Deliver Food by Drone

• Money: Money Moving In: New Factory Expansion Brings Jobs to Piqua

• Sports: Flyers vs. Raiders at Day Air Ballpark, NBA Playoffs Are Set, Dragons Split Opening Homestand

One year ago, we hit send on the very first issue of The Gem not knowing what to expect, just believing Dayton deserved something special in its inbox.

Today, thousands of you open, read, and support this newsletter every week… and that means everything.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re just getting started. 💎

— Tom

Did you know?

This 1950s Radio Station Got a Second Life Thanks to Dave Chappelle 📻

In Yellow Springs, something powerful just happened Dave Chappelle helped open a brand new studio for WYSO Public Radio, giving the longtime station a permanent home inside a restored 1800s schoolhouse.

The space has been transformed into a modern media hub with recording studios and community areas, all designed to keep local voices alive. WYSO has served the region since the 1950s, but like many local media outlets, it faced an uncertain future.

Chappelle stepped in with major funding to help preserve it without taking control ensuring the station stays independent. At the grand opening, hundreds showed up, proving that even in a digital world, local radio still matters.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Wright-Patt morning shortcut: Honey Toast croffles and boba in Fairborn 🧇

Brioche-sweet air and espresso steam greet the early crowd at Honey Toast, now anchored at 130 N. Broad St. in Fairborn. Chef-owner Suwapat Whitted transformed the former Tudor’s Biscuit World corner into a bright, fast-moving hangout for Wright-Patt crews and families.

Opened in March 2024, it keeps the old drive-thru footprint but swaps biscuits for sweetness. Expect honey toast, “croffles” (croissant-waffle hybrids), omelets, and boba drinks—fun, quick, and photo-ready without becoming a marathon brunch. Online ordering offers timed pickup when mornings are tight.

Check them out on Facebook

Tuscany’s Italian Restaurant — Centerville’s low-key comfort table 🍤

Centerville comfort lives at Tuscany’s Italian Restaurant, just east of Centerville High School at 881 E. Franklin St. Owner Meef Demnika opened this location in April 2020 and built it for the nights when nobody wants to cook. Thin-crust pizzas, baked ziti, chicken parmigiana, and cannoli keep things satisfyingly familiar, while the booths invite lingering longer than planned.

Takeout moves briskly, and online ordering helps you skip the phone call. The room stays low-key and welcoming—club meetups, family dinners, and quick solo pickups all blend into the same easy rhythm. Comfort, no fanfare, every time.

Check them out on Facebook

Thai Smile & Sushi Bar — a familiar space, freshly reintroduced 🐟

Near the Dayton Mall, a familiar dining room has a fresh sign: Thai Smile & Sushi Bar at 59 Fiesta Ln. in Miamisburg, in the former Ariake Sushi Bar space. New owner Penn (also behind Penn’s Thai Grille in Bellbrook) kept it relaxed—soft conversation, wok hiss, and a sushi counter worth watching.

Thai comfort anchors the choices—pad Thai, red curry, basil stir-fries—while neatly rolled sushi and simple Japanese favorites round out the table. Add sake or Thai iced tea, settle in, and let an ordinary Tuesday feel like a reset—for lunch or dinner.

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

SPOT THE SCAM WORKSHOP

• What: A security-awareness workshop on phishing, impersonation, and social engineering—practical tips, light breakfast, and zero shame.

• When: Apr. 14, 8:15–10 AM

• Where: Business Solutions Center, 1435 Cincinnati St Ste 300, Dayton

• How Much: $25+ 

CLOSE-TO-HOME BLACK HISTORY SITES

• What: Sinclair’s Michael Carter shares nearby African-American history tourism sites—perfect for planning meaningful day trips from Dayton.

• When: Apr. 14, 12 PM

• Where: Online (Zoom)

• How Much: Free (registration required)

CAREER FAIR POWER HOUR

• What: Meet 100+ employers for jobs, internships, and career leads—open to students, alumni, and the community.

• When: Apr. 15, 12–3 PM

• Where: Sinclair College (Bldg. 12, Great Hall), 444 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

LEVITT VOLUNTEER MIX & MINGLE

• What: Meet fellow music-lovers, learn volunteer roles, and help power Dayton’s free-concert season—good vibes guaranteed.

• When: Apr. 15, 5:30–7 PM

• Where: Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S Main St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

SCRABBLE & DOMINOES SOCIAL

• What: Low-key game night for word nerds and friendly competitors—Scrabble, Dominoes, and easy conversation, for the 40+ crowd.

• When: Apr. 16, 6–8 PM

• Where: Panera Bread, 8104 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights

• How Much: Free

MICHAEL BLAUSTEIN LIVE

• What: A big-night standup set at the Funny Bone—sharp jokes, loud laughs, and a packed room.

• When: Apr. 16–18, times vary

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St #200, Dayton

• How Much: $40+

DAYCON IX TABLETOP CONVENTION

• What: Two-day board game convention—miniatures, strategy, cards, RPGs, and a vendor hall that begs a lap.

• When: Apr. 17–18, times vary

• Where: Shelter Community Church, 1441 E Dorothy Lane, Kettering

• How Much: $15+

BARITONE HUE SPOKEN-WORD NIGHT

• What: A one-person spoken-word performance blending theatrical storytelling, lyrical verse, and visual atmosphere—plus an optional preshow gallery add-on.

• When: Apr. 17–18, times vary

• Where: PNC Arts Annex – Theatre, 46 W Second St, Dayton

• How Much: $20+

COMMUNITY WEALTH-BUILDING DAY

• What: A resource-packed afternoon on money, credit, and homeownership—community experts in one place, with plenty of take-home tools.

• When: Apr. 18, 10 AM – 2 PM

• Where: Goodwill EasterSeals Miami Valley West Campus, 735 E Main St, Trotwood

• How Much: Free (registration required)

SPRING INTO HEALTH 5K FOR GOOD

• What: A 5K run/walk benefiting Good Neighbor House—move your feet, support neighbors, feel great after.

• When: Apr. 19, 9 AM

• Where: Kettering College, 3737 Southern Blvd, Kettering

• How Much: $40+

DATE MY FRIEND LIVE PITCH

• What: Friends “sell” their single pals in funny, heartfelt mini-presentations—then the arcade-and-axes afterparty keeps the mingling going.

• When: Apr. 19, 7–9 PM

• Where: Two Social, 123 E 3rd St., Dayton

• How Much: $5

VISIBLE MENDING SKILLS LAB

• What: Learn visible mending—patches, stitches, and flair. Bring scraps if you’ve got ’em; materials provided either way.

• When: Apr. 20, 5:30–6:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library—Trotwood Branch, 855 E Main St, Trotwood

• How Much: Free (registration required)

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

Computer Love

Grubhub Bets on Dayton Tech to Deliver Food by Drone 🚁 

A Dayton connected company is helping bring the future of food delivery to life. Grubhub has partnered with drone company Dexa to test delivering meals by air, launching a pilot program where customers can get food dropped off by drone in just minutes.

The drones fly up to 40 mph and lower orders safely to the ground, often faster than traditional drivers. What’s big for Dayton is that Dexa builds much of its drone technology locally, putting the region at the center of a fast growing industry. If this rollout expands, drone delivery could cut costs, speed up service, and change how millions of people get their food powered in part by innovation coming out of Dayton.

Money

Money Moving In: New Factory Expansion Brings Jobs to Piqua 💰

A quiet industrial site near Dayton is turning into a money maker again. New Tech Plastics is expanding into Piqua, upgrading an older facility and bringing about 30 new jobs with it. Backed by a $250,000 JobsOhio grant, the company plans to boost production and grow its footprint in the plastic film industry.

This is the kind of move that matters locally new jobs, new investment, and an empty building put back to work. Instead of building from scratch, companies are pouring money into existing spaces, which helps cities like Piqua grow faster. Bottom line: more production, more paychecks, and more momentum for the Dayton-area economy.

Click here to learn more

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Flyers vs. Raiders Return to Day Air Ballpark ⚾

UD and Wright State bring their rivalry back to Day Air Ballpark on Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m.—the 138th all-time meeting between the programs. Gates open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $10, and students from both schools are admitted free.

Wright State fans are planning a pregame rally at The Dayton Beer Company, and the RTA Flyer will run free shuttles from UD’s campus.

NBA Playoffs Are Set

The 2026 NBA postseason tips off with the Play-In Tournament April 14–17, with the first round starting Saturday, April 18. In the East, Knicks–Hawks and Cavs–Raptors are locked in, while No. 1 Pistons and No. 2 Celtics await play-in winners.

Out West, Nuggets–Timberwolves and Lakers–Rockets are set; top-seeded Thunder and No. 2 Spurs also wait on play-in results.

Dragons Split Opening Homestand, Hit the Road

Dayton’s first homestand ended even: a 3–3 split with Lake County. The Captains spoiled Opening Night 6–2 and edged Dayton 4–3 in 10 innings Wednesday, but the Dragons bounced back with a 7–4 comeback (Yerlin Confidan 4 RBIs) and a 5–0 shutout Saturday.

Next up: six at Great Lakes (Apr. 14–19), then South Bend comes to town April 21.