1+ week, 5+ day ago (404+ words) Tim Denning, the owner of Sourmugs Tavern in West Milton, has opened a second location in Piqua. Sourmugs Wings & BBQ is one of six vendors inside The Social at Piqua Center. "We were doing well over in West Milton," Denning said. "I was looking to expand, but without investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into another brick-and-mortar location." RCS Construction and Brait Capital purchased the former Miami Valley Centre Mall, located at 987 E. Ash St., in 2023. They have since turned the food court into a dining and entertainment destination. Sourmugs Wings & BBQ offers a limited menu compared to its tavern at 101 N. Miami St. Customers in Piqua can expect the restaurant's wings, chunks, fried portobello mushrooms and hot pepper cheeseballs, in addition to smoked brisket, pulled pork, sausage and turkey. "The smoked items are available only at this location," Denning said. "The…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (655+ words) A bargain bins business will open this month in Enon to bring "excitement and enjoyment" to the community. Nifty Thrifties Bargain Bins will soon open in the shopping center at 6845 Dayton-Springfield Road in Enon. It will be a family-operated business with owner Cody Penwell, his wife, Jessica Hamilton, and their seven children. The couple has had a dream of starting a business, and with backgrounds in retail and management, they began seeing an opportunity in bin stores as they've visited other locations throughout the years and noticed the joy they bring. "We went through quite a bit of brainstorming to come up with something that we enjoy and would be a good legacy for the kids and our futures," Penwell said. "(Bin stores) create an energy that is not only enjoyable but exciting as it can be compared to the…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (843+ words) Kate Hamill's entertaining and enlightening "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really" receives a dynamic local premiere courtesy of the Human Race Theatre Company at the Loft Theatre. Fluidly directed by Human Race Artistic Director Emily N. Wells with an expert command of eerie atmospherics and tone, "Dracula," inspired by Bram Stoker's classic vampire novel, delivers a clever balance of dark drama and humorous adventure. Along the way, Van Helsing dishes insightful food for thought about vampires and more present dangers in an indelible moment of reflection with Mina and uptight Dr. George Seward (versatile Rico Romalus Parker). "The dangerous misconception," Van Helsing says, "is that they're fanged or pale or deformed. That you could identify one at a glance. But the monsters look just like us." Hamill's empowering gender-bending of Stoker's sexist novel also includes a refreshing take on Renfield, a…...

2+ week, 10+ hour ago (459+ words) Lately, as the world feels heavier and everything seems just a little bit broken, I've been thinking about what it really means to find your balance in the midst of it all. I've been trying to take a breath and notice the small, ordinary things that are still good. The warmth of a mug between my hands, the quiet hum of a house settling at night, the way a friend checks in on me just because. I've been thinking maybe gratitude isn't about big gestures right now but more about finding peace in the small places that still work. And it turns out, there's science behind that. A 2015 study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that writing in a gratitude journal for just 15 minutes a day significantly lowered depressive symptoms and stress levels after only three weeks. Proof that…...

3+ week, 2+ day ago (720+ words) When your father dies at 73, and your mother dies at 66, you don't expect to live long enough to have an entire community celebrate your every birthday. But that's what happens around Westover Retirement Community in Hamilton because its most famous resident is about to turn 106 years old. Vera Keck doesn't understand why she outlived her parents, and why her husband died 40 years ago, nearly as long as they were married. As Keck sat in her apartment, with her daughter-in-law, Barbara Keck, nearby, she wondered about living so long without her parents and husband. Sure, she eats a green banana and a sugary cinnamon doughnut daily as a way to stay healthy. "Actually," she said, "any doughnut." It's more than her diet. "I think the Lord forgot me," she said with a smile. "And here I am." And what a story…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (655+ words) A new exhibit honoring the late James M. Cox, whose influential imprint of entrepreneurship and leadership encompassed journalism and politics, will open at Carillon Historical Park in 2026. The park has received a $1.5 million grant from the James M. Cox Foundation to help fund the exhibit honoring its namesake, James Middleton Cox (1870-1957). In addition to rising to prominence as a newspaper publisher, Cox served as a U.S. congressman, Ohio's first three-term governor and the 1920 presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket alongside Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The gift completes the funding needed to begin construction of the new building, which will stand across from the Wright Brothers National Museum and next to Gem City Letterpress " the nation's only working 1930s letterpress job shop in a museum. Along with support from the Eichelberger Foundation, the Dayton Legal Heritage Foundation and an anonymous couple, this contribution positions the project…...

2+ day, 9+ hour ago (364+ words) It's that time of year to soak up the holiday magic in the Dayton region. Consider this your curated family weekend guide: We have a handpicked lineup of the best festive events, family-friendly experiences, and can't-miss spots to eat, all wrapped up in one easy plan. Downtown Dayton officially flips the switch on the holiday season this Friday! The annual Grande Illumination brings thousands together for the lighting of the Christmas tree on Courthouse Square at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following the tree lighting, the parade will start at the corner of W. Fourth and Ludlow St. and round the corner onto Main Street on its route through downtown. Come early for a full lineup of festive fun: live holiday music on the Main Stage, a gingerbread contest display, the Candy Cane Clubhouse for kids, and the Junior League's Holiday Adventure where young explorers…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (277+ words) Looking for a little inspiration for your next family weekend? From festive lights and fun adventures to cozy local meals, we've mapped out a weekend full of easy family fun right here in the Gem City region. Friday evening: The Greene Town Center Tree Lighting Tip: Arrive early and grab dinner and a prime spot to catch the parade and all the performances. Saturday afternoon: The Great Turkey Trek, Centerville Saturday evening: Dinner at Old Scratch Pizza, Centerville After your Turkey Trek adventure, enjoy a casual, family-friendly dinner at Old Scratch Pizza in Centerville. Enjoy their creative pizzas, fresh ingredients, and a welcoming vibe, it's a great spot to refuel after a busy day of activities. Kids and adults alike will love the variety of toppings and cozy atmosphere. Tip: Pair your pizza with one of their fresh salads, you…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (687+ words) This weekend, there will be many events taking place across the Dayton area including festivals, conventions and bazaars. Here's a look at what's happening: When: 8 a.m.-11 Nov. 7-8, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 9 Location: 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton Description: RPG Academy's annual ArcadeCon is a multi-day event dedicated to Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop role playing games. This year, the event will focus on horror-themed games. Dayton Woman's Club Holiday Bazaar When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 7 and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 8 Location: 225 N. Ludlow St., Dayton Description: Featuring homemade meals, crafts and other items, The Dayton Woman's Club has hosted its holiday bazaar each year for more than a decade. This event is open to the public. 55th annual Dayton Book Fair When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Nov. 7 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 8-9 Location: 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton Description: Approximately 300,000 items are set to be offered at this weekend's Dayton Book Fair, including records, puzzles, games and books. Most items will be…...

2+ week, 9+ hour ago (875+ words) Pastor Lamar Ferrell shock his head in disbelief when he thought about how his life spiraled out of control in 2015. Ten years ago, Ferrell, pastor at Berachah Church in Middletown and longtime chaplain of the Middletown police and fire departments, was so depressed, so distraught, that he remembers crawling on his hands and knees in his Middletown home. "Life caught me," he said recently while sitting in his church office. "It surprised me. It shocked me. The man that I was never would have dreamed I'd go to such depth of despair. "There was absolute horror and darkness in my life. My battery was absolutely done, spent. I had nothing else to give." Then the lead pastor, the one who shoulders the concerns of his congregation, firefighters and police officers, dropped this bomb: "Just begging for life to end." Ferrell,…...