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"Cabin Fever Cure: Parks, Food & Weekend Fun!"

"Cabin Fever Cure: Parks, Food & Weekend Fun!"
Discover upcoming Dayton events, our featured event, and park of the week. Plus, a delicious recipe and handy home tips! 🌟 Newsletter sponsored by The Renaissance Men.

Alan Vandergrift

Feb 27, 2026

Trivia Question❓

What Dayton cemetery contains the graves of Wilbur and Orville Wright?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Dayton Events

Dayton Area Events

Feb 27 – Mar 6, 2026 • All times Eastern

 

Friday, February 27

All day (multi-day event begins)
Don Sellman Invite (DSI) — USA Gymnastics Sanctioned Competition (Day 1) Sports
Dayton Convention Center • 22 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
A full weekend of gymnastics showcasing men’s Levels 3–10 (plus tech sequence & GymACT) and women’s Levels 2–10 plus XCel Bronze–Sapphire—great spectator event for all ages.
Admission (cash only): 17 & under FREE • 18+ $20 • Weekend pass $30.

 
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
2nd Street Market Market
2nd Street Market • 600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Free entry
Indoor public market with local food vendors and artisan goods—easy lunch stop and great for browsing local makers.

 

Saturday, February 28

 
8:30 AM–4:00 PM (program begins 9:00 AM)
Getting Started With Native Plants: Creating a Thriving Habitat Workshop / Nature
Marianist Environmental Education Center • 4435 E Patterson Rd, Dayton, OH 45430
A full-day, fun and practical program on native plants and building healthy habitat, featuring local experts plus a screening of The Extraordinary Caterpillar (60-minute documentary).
Doors open 8:30 AM for light breakfast and registration.

 
9:00 AM–3:00 PM
2nd Street Market Market
2nd Street Market • 600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Free entry
Saturday market hours—go early for the widest selection of baked goods, prepared foods, and local gifts.

 
11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Saturday Morning Community Tour Museum Tour
Dayton Art Institute • 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH 45405 • Free with admission
Guided tour of the museum’s permanent collection—ideal if you want highlights and context without needing to plan your own route.

 
3:00–4:30 PM
Family Open Studio Family / Art
Dayton Art Institute • 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton, OH 45405 • Free with admission
Drop-in art making with rotating materials and open-ended creativity—great for kids, teens, and grownups who want a hands-on museum visit.

 
7:30 PM
Black By Popular Demand (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company) Dance
Victoria Theatre • 138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Ticketed
A celebrated DCDC program featuring multiple works that spotlight emotional range, musicality, and breathtaking athletic movement.

 
8:00–9:00 PM
Night Sky Laser Tour with the Park Naturalist Nature / Astronomy
Caesar Creek State Park • 4006 Pioneer Village Rd, Waynesville, OH 45068
Explore constellations and galaxies with a laser-guided sky tour—come and go anytime during the program. Dress warm; you’ll be outside.
Bring a red-light flashlight; binoculars/telescopes welcome (some may be available to borrow).

 

Sunday, March 1

All day (final day)
Don Sellman Invite (DSI) — USA Gymnastics Sanctioned Competition (Final Day) Sports
Dayton Convention Center • 22 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402
Final day of a region-wide gymnastics weekend featuring athletes across multiple levels—an exciting way to support youth sports and see impressive routines.
Admission (cash only): 17 & under FREE • 18+ $20 • Weekend pass $30.

 
10:30 AM (service) • 12:30–2:00 PM (drum circle)
Douglas Blue Feather (Guest Musician) + Healing Rhythms Drum Circle Music / Community
Center for Spiritual Living Greater Dayton • 4100 Benfield Dr, Kettering, OH 45429
Internationally known recording artist Douglas Blue Feather is guest speaker/musician at the 10:30 service. Registered participants can join a community drum circle (bring your own drum or use one provided).
Suggested donation $15 • Registered drum circle participants receive pizza lunch before the session.

 
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
2nd Street Market Market
2nd Street Market • 600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Free entry
Sunday market hours—grab lunch, shop small, and stock up on local favorites at a slower pace than Saturday.

 
12:00–3:00 PM
Shop Small Sunday (Makers Pop-Up) Market / Makers
Eudora Brewing Company • 3022 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429
Spend your Sunday shopping small with local makers, handmade goods, and cozy brewery vibes—easy to pair with lunch and a pint.

 
3:00 PM
Ohio Valley British Brass Band — Epiphany Concert Series Concert
Epiphany Lutheran Church (Far Hills Campus) • 6430 Far Hills Ave, Centerville, OH 45459
Free, public concert featuring a 40+ member brass and percussion ensemble performing British brass band repertoire in the Far Hills sanctuary.

 
4:00 PM
Black By Popular Demand (DCDC) — Matinee Performance Dance
Victoria Theatre • 138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Ticketed
Second performance of DCDC’s program—an excellent option if you prefer an earlier showtime or missed Saturday night.

 

Wednesday, March 4

5:30–6:30 PM
What Should a Yard Look Like Today? Native Plants + “Cues-to-Care” Design Talk / Gardening
Washington-Centerville Public Library — Woodbourne Library • (Woodbourne branch), Centerville, OH
Patrick Higgins (Patrick Goes Native) shares practical design principles that help native plantings look intentional and maintained—plus ways to add habitat features that fit neighborhood expectations.
Registration required via the event link.

 

Thursday, March 5

7:30 PM
The Ten Tenors: 30th Anniversary World Tour Concert
Victoria Theatre • 138 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Ticketed
A touring vocal concert blending pop and classical favorites with big harmonies and high-energy staging—great for a weeknight treat.

 

Friday, March 6 (First Friday)

11:00 AM–3:00 PM
2nd Street Market Market
2nd Street Market • 600 E 2nd St, Dayton, OH 45402 • Free entry
Start First Friday with lunch and shopping at the market, then head downtown for evening galleries and pop-ups.

 
5:00–10:00 PM
First Friday Downtown Dayton Art Hop
Downtown Dayton • Multiple locations • Free
Monthly arts and culture crawl featuring galleries, independent retailers, pop-ups, and special programming across downtown.

 

Featured Event

🤸 Don Sellman Invite Returns to Downtown Dayton

A weekend of high-energy gymnastics at the Dayton Convention Center

The Don Sellman Invite (DSI) is back in Dayton for an exciting weekend of competitive gymnastics. Hosted by Gymnastics Training Center of Ohio (GTCO), this annual event brings together athletes from across the region to showcase their skills, strength, and dedication.

📍 Event Details

  • Where: Dayton Convention Center
  • When: Friday through Sunday
  • Who Competes: Men’s Levels 3–10, Tech Sequence, GymACT Indy-Hio Hyenas, and Women’s Levels 2–10 & XCel Bronze–Sapphire
  • Admission: 17 & under – Free | 18+ – $20 | Weekend Pass – $30 (Cash Only)

🤸 What to Expect

Spectators can expect fast-paced routines across floor, vault, bars, beam, and rings. The Don Sellman Invite is a USA Gymnastics sanctioned competition, making it a significant event for young athletes working toward higher levels of achievement.

The atmosphere inside the convention center is electric — families cheering, teammates supporting one another, and athletes giving it their all. It’s a great opportunity to see the dedication and discipline that go into the sport.

👨‍👩‍👧 A Family-Friendly Weekend

Whether you have a gymnast in your family or just want to support local youth athletics, this event offers a fun and inspiring way to spend part of your weekend downtown. With multiple sessions across three days, there’s plenty of opportunity to catch the action.

Tip: Arrive early for seating and bring cash for admission and concessions.

The Don Sellman Invite continues to be one of Dayton’s premier youth sporting events — celebrating hard work, athleticism, and community spirit.

This newsletter sponsored by The Renaissance Men

Veteran-owned Construction Co. focused on rebuilding homes, restoring hope, and reviving community!

The Renaissance Men

813-500-9788

 

Featured Park

🌳 Featured Park: Grant Park

Wooded trails, scenic overlooks, and peaceful nature in the heart of Centerville

If you’re looking for a peaceful place to stretch your legs this week, Grant Park in Centerville is a fantastic option. With wooded trails, rolling terrain, and scenic overlooks, it offers a refreshing outdoor escape without leaving the Dayton area.

🥾 Trails & Terrain

Grant Park features several miles of hiking trails that wind through mature woods and gentle ravines. The paths are well-marked and range from easy strolls to slightly more challenging hills, making it a great choice for families, casual walkers, or those looking for a bit of elevation.

🌄 Scenic Overlooks

One of the highlights of Grant Park is its scenic overlook areas, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Even in late winter, the bare trees open up views you don’t always see during peak foliage season.

🌿 Nature & Wildlife

The wooded setting makes it a great place to spot birds and local wildlife. It’s also a quiet spot for reflection, photography, or simply enjoying fresh air.

📍 Park Details

  • Location: Centerville, Ohio
  • Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk
  • Cost: Free admission
  • Best For: Hiking, nature walks, scenic views, peaceful outings
Pro Tip: Wear sturdy shoes if trails are damp — wooded paths can stay muddy after snow or rain.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet afternoon walk or a weekend family outing, Grant Park offers a scenic and relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors this week.

Recipe of the Week

🥣 Recipe of the Week: Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

Hearty, comforting, and perfect after a chilly day outdoors

After a walk through Grant Park’s wooded trails, warm up with a bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup. It’s rich, satisfying, and makes fantastic leftovers for the week ahead.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1 cup uncooked wild rice (or wild rice blend)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup milk or half-and-half
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • Salt, pepper, and thyme to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, sauté onion, carrots, and celery in butter until softened (5–7 minutes).
  2. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute to form a roux.
  4. Slowly add chicken broth, stirring until smooth.
  5. Add wild rice and simmer 35–45 minutes (until rice is tender).
  6. Stir in shredded chicken and milk. Simmer 5–10 minutes more.
  7. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
Shortcut: Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Serve With: Crusty bread or a simple side salad.

Cozy, filling, and perfect for late winter in Dayton.

Home Tips

🏠 Home Tips of the Week: Get Ready for Spring (Before Everyone Else)

Simple things to do now that make March and April easier

We’re still in winter, but now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the warmer months ahead. A little early action can prevent problems and save you money once spring storms arrive.

🌧️ 1. Check Gutters & Downspouts

Snow melt and spring rain can cause water damage if gutters are clogged. Clear debris and make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation.

🌬️ 2. Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Before temperatures climb, schedule your air conditioning checkup. Technicians book quickly once the first warm days hit.

🌿 3. Inspect Outdoor Faucets

Turn on outdoor spigots briefly to check for leaks or freeze damage. Catching problems early prevents bigger repairs later.

🧹 4. Declutter One Room

Pick one area — garage, pantry, or closet — and do a quick refresh. Spring cleaning feels much easier when you start small.

🌱 5. Plan Your Yard Projects

Make a simple list of mulch, plants, or outdoor repairs you want to tackle. Ordering early can save money and avoid the rush.

Bonus Tip: Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors while you’re in maintenance mode.

A little preparation now means a smoother transition when Dayton’s spring weather finally arrives.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, established in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural cemeteries and serves as the final resting place for many notable Daytonians, including the Wright brothers and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar; its rolling hills, historic monuments, and scenic views make it both a place of remembrance and a significant piece of the city’s heritage.

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