- Sideshow 17
Friday May 17th, 5pm-10pm
Saturday May 18th, 3pm-10pmLocation: Yellow Cab Building
700 East 4th Street, Dayton, OH 45402What to know: Dayton’s all volunteer, free, two day music and arts festival. Applications for artists and musicians due by April 1.
- Total Solar Eclipse
April 8th at 3:09pmLocation: The sky!
What to know: There are many watch parties organized for the eclipse! Check out Dayton Daily New’s list here!
- Hopping in the Heights Egg Eggstravaganza
Sunday, April 7, 5:30pm-7pmLocation: Huber Heights (location TBA)
What to know: Hopping in the Heights Eggstravaganza is a suicide prevention outreach to bring awareness to suicide prevention, and to focus our area youth, with a positive outreach approach that is spring boarded off Easter.
- 2024 Centerville Merchant Market
Sunday, May 19, 12pm-5pmLocation: The lawn outside St. Leonard Living Community
8100 Clyo Rd, Centerville, OH 45458What to know:Over 100 vendors, live music, food trucks, drinks, and family friendly activities.
- Kettering Community Garage Sale
April 27, 2024, 9am-2 pmLocation: Charles Lathrem Senior Center
2900 Glengarry Dr, Dayton, OH 45420What to Know: Gently used and new items from 40 vendors, including craft supplies, decorations, books, outdoor items, tools, games, and more.
Reminder of Upcoming Craft Fair Events
- Holiday Arts & Craft Show
2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering, OH 45420
11/11 from 9am-4pm - Craft Bazaar
Michael Solomon Pavilion
2917 Berkley Street, Kettering, OH 45409
11/18 from 9am-3pm - St. Luke’s Beavercreek Christmas Bazaar
St Luke School
1442 Fairfield Rd. Beavercreek, OH 45432
11/18 from 8am-5pm
11/19 from 9am-2pm
Mz Jade’s Soul Food becomes Local Hero in One Fell Scoop
“…A Student must have money on their account to purchase an ice cream. If a student has a negative balance they will not be able to purchase ice cream even if they bring their $1 for ice cream. Students are only allowed to purchase 1 ice cream and are not permitted to buy an ice cream for a friend…”
Naturally, the public was outraged. Children who have issues paying their lunch bill are singled out and have to watch their peers eat ice cream without them.
Mz Jade’s Soul Food in Middletown wasn’t going to let this happen. As soon as she saw the post, she called the school asking if she could pay the balance. Not only did she pay the balance, but she paid for all the children to eat ice cream on the first Ice Cream Friday.
Community support is so important, so let’s give Mz Jade’s Soul Food some support too! They are located at 1131 Central Ave, Middletown, OH 45044. Check them out on Facebook to see specials, hours, and menu options.
Upcoming Events for Sara
Sara is going to have a very busy fall – she will be giving author talks for both of her books, and presentations on Dayton Area cryptids and Urban Legends. All of these events are on our Events Calendar, but here is a consolidated list for you!
| Topic | Date | Time | Location |
| Dayton Area Cryptids | August 26th | 1pm | Dayton Metro Library Main Branch 215 East 3rd Street, Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Murder & Mayhem in Dayton and the Miami Valley | September 16th | 10:30am | Dayton Metro Library Burkhardt Branch 4704 Burkhardt Ave, Dayton, OH 45403 |
| The Research Process | September 18th | 6pm | Troy-Miami County Public Library 419 West Main Street, Troy, Ohio 45373 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | September 30th | 2pm | Dayton Metro Library Main Branch 215 East 3rd Street, Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 3rd | 6:30pm | Dayton Metro Library Miamisburg Branch 545 E Linden Ave, Miamisburg, OH 45342 |
| Urban Legends | October 5th | 7pm | Dayton Metro Library Huber Heights Branch 6243 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424 |
| First Friday Book Signing | October 6th | 6pm | Bonnett’s Books (Oregon District) 502 East Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402 |
| Urban Legends | October 7th | 11am | Dayton Metro Library Brookville Branch 120 Blue Pride Drive, Brookville, OH 45309 |
| Book Signing/Selling at Huber Heights Trunk or Treat | October 8th | 1pm | Thomas Cloud Park 4707 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights, OH 45424 |
| Urban Legends | October 12th | 4:30pm | Dayton Metro Library Burkhardt Branch 4704 Burkhardt Ave, Dayton, OH 45403 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 12th | 6:30pm | Dayton Metro Library Burkhardt Branch 4704 Burkhardt Ave, Dayton, OH 45403 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 15th | 2pm | Wright Memorial Public Library 1776 Far Hills Avenue, Dayton, OH 45419 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 16th | 7pm | Dayton Metro Library West Carrollton Branch 300 East Central Avenue, West Carrollton, OH, 45449 |
| Urban Legends | October 17th | 6pm | Dayton Metro Library Trotwood Branch 855 E Main Street, Trotwood, OH, 45426 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 18th | 6:30pm | Troy-Miami County Public Library 419 West Main Street, Troy, Ohio 45373 |
| Urban Legends | October 19th | 6pm | Dayton Metro Library Northmont Branch 700 West National Road, Englewood, OH, 45322 |
| Book Selling/Signing at Fairborn Halloween Festival | October 20-22 | TBD | Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork 17 West Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 23rd | 6:30pm | Brown Memorial Public Library 101 Commerce Street, Lewisburg, OH 45338 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 24th | 6pm | Dayton Metro Library Vandalia Branch 330 South Dixie Drive, Vandalia, OH, 45377 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | October 26th | 6pm | Dayton Metro Library Northmont Branch 700 West National Road, Englewood, OH 45322 |
| Hauntfest | October 28th | TBD | Details TBD |
| Urban Legends | October 30th | 6:30pm | Dayton Metro Library Kettering-Moraine Branch 3496 Far Hills Ave, Kettering, OH 45429 |
| Urban Legends | November 4th | 2pm | Dayton Metro Library Wilmington-Stroop Branch 3980 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429 |
| Dayton Ghosts & Legends | November 20th | 7pm | Miamisburg History Center 35 South 5th Street, Miamisburg, OH 45342 |
| Dayton Area Cryptids | February 17th, 2024 | 4pm | Miami Township Library 2718 Lyons Road, Miamisburg, OH 45342 |
The “Big Wind” in 1871
The storm, described as less than a tornado and more of a “big wind”, blew through “creating great havoc in property and destroying precious human lives. The storm, which was a furious one, lasted about 30 minutes. It began in the northwest with a sultry atmosphere and a temperature of 96 degrees. About 2 p.m. there were angry growlings and menacing streaks of lightning above the horizon. There were a few drops of rain, a sudden rush of wind and the storm came on furiously. Branches fluttered in the air, shade trees went down in the gutters, signs were flung about like flails, great steeples, by the wind, swung to and fro like the tops of tall pine trees. The thunder was terrific, the lightning vivid, the wind most furious and the rain poured down as though the flood-gates of heaven had opened for a deluge.”
Continue reading
Dayton Facts II
- Samuel Thompson, leader of the first party to arrive in Dayton on April 1, 1796, died of drowning in the Mad River in 1827.
- Dayton’s first fatality by accident was John Davis in 1799. He was chopping ice from around the water wheel of Daniel Cooper’s corn cracker mill when the wheel suddenly started, sucking him under and subsequently crushing him to death.
- George Newcom, one of the best-known members of the first families in Dayton, built the first tavern in Dayton, which was also the first two story house, the first “seat of justice” and the social center of town. Church services were sometimes held in the tavern. Newcom also served for five years as the first sheriff of Dayton then eight years in the Ohio Senate.
- George’s brother William Newcom (Sara’s several times great grandfather) served in the War of 1812 and died as a result of exposure to cold weather.
This Weekend’s Events
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few events!
- Dayton Sideshow 16
Friday May 19th, 5pm-2am
Saturday May 20th 4pm-2am
Yellow Cab Tavern
700 East 4th Street, Dayton Ohio 45402 - Holdfast Alpaca Farm Day
Saturday May 20th, 10am-7pm
Holdfast Hilty Family Farm
12026 Lower Valley Pike
Medway Ohio 45341 - Baker Benji’s Grand Opening
Saturday May 20th, 8am-2pm
700 Troy Street
Dayton Ohio 45404 - Fleurs de Fête
Sunday May 21st, 1pm-4pm
Carillon Park
1000 Carillon Boulevard
Dayton, Ohio 45409
Halfway to Halloween
Outside of Clash Dayton and Heart Mercantile, vendors will be set up, including Sara selling her book!
A few activities:
- Special Effects artist and Makeup Manager at Land of Illusion Jessica Hale
- Burlesque performances at Next Door Dayton at 9pm.
- Dark alternative dance party at Space Bar
- Themed drink specials at Lily’s Bistro, Blind Bob’s, Ned Peppers, Toxic Brew Company, and Trolley Stop
- Sushi special at Thai 9
Martin Gottlieb
His passion for Vallandigham’s life was clear as he spoke. During the question and answer session of his author talk, Gottlieb was asked why he thought Vallandigham wasn’t more well known in today’s world. His initial answer was simple, history is told by the victors. He expanded on this by surmising that perhaps Dayton would have wanted to disassociate itself with a man who:
- Wanted to keep slavery as-is
- Was known for being an adversary to Abraham Lincoln
- Accidentally shot and killed himself while demonstrating how he thinks a man shot and killed himself
Gottlieb retired from the Dayton Daily News in 2011 and has spent the time since researching Vallandigham for his book. Not all the time since 2011 was spent on research and writing however, as Gottlieb said he is good at being retired. Martin has also written a book called Campaigns Don’t Count. How the Media Get American Politics All Wrong. Gottlieb’s books can be bought from Amazon (linked above) or by contacting him directly at mgottlieb@woh.rr.com.
Even More Street and Bridge Honorary Designations
- Walter J. Hickman Sr. Avenue (Brooklyn Avenue) – Hickman was a respected neighborhood leader in the Westwood area, where Brooklyn Avenue is located.
- Pastor S. N. Winston Sr. Way (Siebenthaler Road) – Winston was a pastor at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for 46 years.
- Lloyd Lewis Jr. Way (Ludlow Street) – Lewis was a city of Dayton Assistant City Manager, City Commissioner, State Representative, an executive at Rike’s, and VP at DP&L.
- Willis “Bing” Davis Way (Diamond Avenue) – Davis is a renowned artist who grew up on Diamond Avenue.
- Peace Bridge (Third Street bridge) – Connects two sides of the Great Miami River
- Sergeant Edward Brooks Way (Elmhurst Drive) – Brooks was killed at age 25 by an IED in Iraq, on August 29, 2007.
- Ted Mills Way (Sears Street) – Mills had a baseball school location on Sears Street.
Dayton Unknown 