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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

spirits

Tiki Cocktail Class at Whisperz Speakeasy

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Dive into the vibrant world of tiki and impress your friends with newfound cocktail skills that bring a touch of paradise to any gathering. Escape to island night at Whisperz Speakeasy’s Tiki Cocktail Class — an immersive, hands-on dive into the bold flavors and playful techniques of tiki mixology. From rum blends and tropical syrups to layered finishes, our expert mixologists guide you through classic and contemporary tiki recipes while sharing tips for crafting balanced, crowd-pleasing cocktails.

Each ticket includes your own handcrafted cocktails, expertly paired small plates that highlight bright, tropical flavors, and gratuity — all for $80 per person.

  • Learn to craft three sophisticated tiki cocktails with expert guidance.
  • Enjoy tropical food pairings in an elegant speakeasy setting.
  • Includes small plates and gratuity, enhancing your tiki experience.

Bring your aloha spirit: tiki attire is highly recommended. Doors open at 7:00 PM; the experience runs through 9:00 PM. Limited seats — secure yours and learn how to make island magic in every glass at Whisperz Speakeasy!

FREE Live Music from Classical Guitarist Danny Voris

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Classical guitarist Danny Voris joins us on Tuesday, May 19th and 26th, from 7-10 pm. Danny is a local musician, performer, and educator of over 40 years who specializes in instrumental solo music and is sure to knock your socks off with his talent! Join us for an evening of original compositions, classical guitar sensations, small plates, cocktails, and more. He’ll perform alongside our Tuesday weekly wine specials! Every Tuesday, we offer 10% off bottles and 50% off glasses of our eclectic, unique boutique wine selection.

Please remember, we do not accept reservations. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-serve basis. We require appropriate attire— meaning business casual through evening elegance or period-appropriate attire, if you wish (jeans are acceptable but must be well-kempt). We are 25 & up and require a valid ID for entry!

Please remember, there is no cover charge for FREE LIVE MUSIC at Whisperz Speakeasy, but the password is required for entry and can be found on our website! www.thedrinkerys.com

Route 66: A Celebration of the Mother Road

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Wright Library welcomes the Victor Samalot Duo performing “The Mother Road: A Celebration of Route 66” to kick off the Summer Reading Challenge and honor both the America 250 and the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Get your kicks through essential road music, visuals and backstories of one of America’s most iconic highways – Route 66. Learn the rich history, cultural impact, the kitschy cool nostalgia, plus must-do travel tips along the way. This performance is sure to entertain and inspire reading lists, play-lists and perhaps spark your “bucket list” road trip!

Victor Samalot, Cleveland-born guitarist, fuses Latin grooves, jazz sophistication, and a rock edge into a vibrant world-fusion sound. His work has earned radio airplay locally and worldwide, along with press coverage from All About Jazz, JazzReviews.com, 20th Century Guitar, Progression Magazine, and more.

Bobbi Holt is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Cleveland Ohio. She is returning to the stage with her long-time collaborator adding bass guitar to Victor’s organic rhythmic vibe.

This free event is appropriate for all ages and made possible by the Wright Library Foundation.

Live Music from Tori Lee Solo

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Taking the stage solo this time from 7-11pm on Thursday, May 14th, Tori Lee will enchant with an evening of elegantly reimagined hits and a selection of classic tunes. Tori is the present-day embodiment of a 1920s speakeasy entertainer- dressed for the part and sure to impress with her vocal range, song choices, and lovable banter! Join us early for a night to remember! She’ll perform alongside our $10 Tini Time, where martinis are just ten dollars all night on Thursday!

Please remember, we do not accept reservations. Guests are seated on a first come, first serve basis. We require guests dress in appropriate attire meaning business casual through evening elegance or period appropriate attire, if you wish (jeans are acceptable but must be well-kempt). We are 25 & up and require valid ID for entry!

Don’t forget there’s no cover charge but the password is required for entry and can be found on our website!

HEADLINERS: Waynesville History, Mystery & Scandals Tour

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Headlines. Scandals. Secrets. Not ghost tales, but real events that once shocked a small Ohio town. Join P3 on a daytime walking tour through Waynesville, uncovering documented stories beneath historic homes and storefronts—printed headlines of ambition, heartbreak, justice, rebellion, and mystery.

Join P3 for a brand-new daytime walking tour through the heart of Waynesville, where we dig beneath the surface of charming storefronts and historic homes to uncover the stories that once made the newspapers.

Most every stop on this tour connects back to documented headlines

What You’ll Discover:

📰 True Crime & Headline History

Stories pulled straight from archived newspapers — from shocking crimes to whispered scandals.

🚂 Underground Railroad Connections

Learn how Waynesville became an important hub in the fight for freedom, with deep ties to Quaker abolitionists and courageous community members.

👩‍⚕️ A Pioneer Woman in Medicine

Home to one of the area’s first female doctors — breaking barriers in a time when women rarely held such roles.

💔 Socialites, Divorce & Murder

From prominent families to short-lived lives and unexpected tragedies, these are the human stories behind the historic facades.

👻 A Few Favorite Ghost Stops

We’ll revisit a couple of our most talked-about paranormal locations — because history and hauntings sometimes walk hand in hand.

This is not just a ghost tour.

This is a walk through documented drama, resilience, scandal, and mystery — the stories that shaped Waynesville.

If you love true crime, fascinating small-town history, and uncovering what lies beneath the headlines… this tour is for you.

 

Join P3 and step into the stories Waynesville once printed for the world to read.

  🚶‍♀️ Approx 1 Mile Walking Tour (Sidewalk & Downtown Route)

☀️ Daytime Experience

⏳ Approx. Duration: 90 minutes

🎟️ Event Pass Purchased in Advance

Important Tour Information

👟 Dress for the Weather

This is an outdoor walking tour. Please dress appropriately for the day’s forecast and wear comfortable walking shoes.

⏸️ Standing Periods

We will stop at various locations along Main Street and stand for short periods while stories are shared. There are a few benches along the route for brief seated breaks.

♿ Accessibility

The Main Street route is wheelchair accessible.

🔞 Age Requirement

Ages 16+ only.

Some stories include mature themes related to true crime, scandal, and historical events.

Where to Park & Meet: (There’s a white Gazebo back here that we will start at.)

Walking Tour Disclaimer: Tours are rain or shine, so please dress accordingly and be prepared for varying weather conditions. The tour covers approximately 1 mile of walking with periods of standing, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Please be aware that some areas may involve uneven surfaces, so proceed with caution. We ask that all participants respect the historical sites and fellow guests during the tour. For your safety, children must be accompanied by an adult. Photography is encouraged but recording is not permitted.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check-in and ensure a timely start.

 

Event Access Terms & Conditions: https://www.p3paranormal.com/event-access-terms-conditions

All Sales Are Final. This is a Live, Scheduled Event. Failure to Attend Does Not Qualify as Non-Delivery of Services.

Spooks & Spirits: A Spirited Stroll On Main St.

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Join P3 – Paula’s Paranormal Project for a spirited stroll through historic downtown Miamisburg. Enjoy the spirits with SPIRITS in the DORA District. Explore haunted locations along Main Street while hearing untold stories, local history, and documented paranormal activity.

Spooks & Spirits: A SPIRITED Stroll on Main St.

 

A spirited stroll down Main Street…

 

Where you can enjoy the spirits while enjoying the Spirits of historic downtown Miamisburg. ⚜️👻

For years, there have been stories I haven’t been able to fully share.

Now we can connect the pieces.

 

Now we can reveal the full picture of the hauntings along Main Street.

We’ll stop at some of my favorite haunted locations in downtown Miamisburg —

layered history, documented activity, and firsthand accounts.


📍 Starting Location:

Back patio at Jayne on Main

90 S. Main St., Miamisburg, OH 45342

This tour takes place within the DORA District, so guests 21+ may carry approved beverages during the walk (alcohol is NOT required to participate).

 

🎟 What’s Included:

• Guided haunted walking tour

• Storytelling & local history

• Paranormal case details & investigative insights

• Historic photos & documented accounts

• Interactive moments & Q&A

• Exclusive stories not shared on regular tours

Led by local historian & paranormal investigator

 

It’s a layered look at the spirits, the stories, and the secrets of Main Street.

Come stroll.

Come sip (if you choose).

Come experience historic Miamisburg in a whole new way. 👻✨

 

Walking Tour Disclaimer: Tours are rain or shine, so please dress accordingly and be prepared for varying weather conditions. The tour covers approximately 1 mile of walking with periods of standing, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Please be aware that some areas may involve uneven surfaces, so proceed with caution. We ask that all participants respect the historical sites and fellow guests during the tour. For your safety, children must be accompanied by an adult. Photography is encouraged but recording is not permitted.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to check-in and ensure a timely start.

 

Event Access Terms & Conditions: https://www.p3paranormal.com/event-access-terms-conditions

All Sales Are Final. This is a Live, Scheduled Event. Failure to Attend Does Not Qualify as Non-Delivery of Services.

Destressing About Delisting

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Ohio Liquor Control LogoMuch ado has been made about the news that the state of Ohio is getting rid of over 700 liquors and spirits from the state liquor list. The state has the power to do so since they control liquor sales in the state through the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.  The state having a say on what can and cannot be sold has a long tradition. It was not until 2016, four decades into the growth of craft beer, that we lifted the archaic 12% ABV limit placed on beer brewed and sold in the Buckeye State. In 2016, the state identified over 1,000 items that were just not selling or were no longer produced. In fact, according to the report, they accounted for less than 4% of the liquor sales.

This was happening at the same time they were looking to condense the number of warehouses in the state from four to two. These stores over the years have begun to look like the end scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark, with stacks and stacks of liquor awaiting shipment. Instead of moving vast amounts of slow-selling product, they decided they were going to get rid of it. 

A high number of the liquors on this massive list are a product of the flavoring craze that hit the industry in the last decade. Some of those flavors are no longer available, like Pinnacle King Cake or Three Olives Dude. There are vodkas with really odd flavors, too. When did you last reach for UV Salty Watermelon? These flavors, while briefly popular, were not in high demand after their fleeting glory waned.

Sailor Jerry Rum

This will still be on the shelves!

In addition to the ephemeral flavors, there are well-known names delisted in this effort. Those listings, however, are specific sizes of the liquor in question. Disaronno was on the list, but only the smaller 375 mL size. The more substantial sizes will still be available for purchase in your favorite store. For Sailor Jerry, it was the 200 mL a half pint removed from the list. To make room for more bottles in their warehouses, they are getting rid of the merchandise that is not selling.

Over the last year, the state has been doing some heavy lifting to update the system they use to get the product to restaurants and liquor stores. In the beginning, it was a severe issue for distillers and bars, with shipments being delayed or missing for weeks on end. They have worked out all of the kinks, and are even advocating for the opening of more stores in the state to quench our thirst.

This purge is one of the last updates that will help improve what is being offered to Ohioans on the shelves of their local liquor store and help ease the rate at which they can purchase it. This is the best Ohio can hope for until they dismantle the antiquated control system. That will be a while since JobsOhio relies on the incredibly profitable liquor business in to fund their program. In 2016, liquor sales soared over $1 billion. That is a considerable amount of funding for a state program. There is still twenty years on the deal they signed with the state. Any efforts to break up that happy partnership would require a way to replace that income.

It remains to be seen what the state will do with all of the freed up shelf space they will have. Bringing in more delightful whiskeys from around the world would be lovely. Or enhancing the number of other spirits the bar community in this state are starting to enjoy, like mezcal and amari, would be fantastic. This is an opportunity for liquor control to listen to advocates and experts in the hospitality industry to bring in the product that will boost Ohio’s economy. Let’s hope they make the best of it for a new year.

 

Spirits – The Boonshoft Museum’s New Halloween Party **Ticket Giveaway**

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11935087_1038219279531002_7326166653493677608_nThe Boonshoft Museum of Discovery Dayton is hosting a new Halloween-themed event, Spirits: Halloween at the Boonshoft Museum, on Friday, October 23 from 8:00 – 11:00 pm. Providing adults (21+) an evening out, Spirits gives guests full access to the Museum’s popular exhibitions, in addition to aged-up activities that introduce the science behind some of pop-culture’s spooky favorites. You can count on experiencing a grown-up twist on things you loved as a kid, from an Alien Autopsy and explosive experiments to buzzy beer floats! Be sure to get a Coney Island Root Beer severed up with a dollop of vanilla ice cream at Spirits.

 

Sponsored by Goose Island Beer Co., Heidelberg Distributing, and Copp Integrated Systems, Spirits also offers guests themed-cocktails, test tube shots, “buzzy” root beer floats, and drinks, along with delicious bites from some of Dayton’s most popular eateries, including Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Dayton Racquet Club, Mikesell’s, Milano’s, Bullwinkles, Lucky’s, and many more.

Admission to Spirits: Halloween at the Boonshoft Museum is $40 online and $50 at the door, which includes access to the Museum, one drink ticket, food, Monster Mash, and activities like a hands-on alien autopsy, a close-up peek of the Museum’s oddities from their 1.7 million-piece collection, mummy talks, roaming live-animals, explosive mad scientist shows, and the kitsch movie classic, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, playing in the Museum’s Planetarium.12080014_1060546257298304_676379204257559996_o

The evening will culminate with the master of macabre and local celebrity,  Baron Von Porkchop has seen some amazing Halloween costumes in his day, which is why he will be judging our costume contest! Guests are encouraged to wear a costume if they are so inclined.

 

All proceeds go towards the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s public education programming.

MostMetro.com wants to send a few of our friends to the party!

And our winners are: Mikee Michelle, Debbie O’Brien Pierce, Andrew Adams & Christine Burns!

If you’d like to enter our drawing for a pair of tickets, fill out the form below and leave us a comment below telling us about your favorite Halloween trick or treat. Drawing will be held Thurs night and winners posted here.[form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Hot House! Local Chef Heats Things Up With New Sriracha Sauce

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Hot stuff in Dayton

Dayton Chef LeeAnne House, with her Housemade Sriracha Sauce !

We’ve got the boss with the hot sauce right here!  Want to heat up your Food Adventures at home?  Then look no further.

Local chef, our own LeeAnne House has made her mark in the kitchens of upscale area restaurants. Now she is out on her own, with a new company called Housemade.  Her first bottled product is a popular one, called Housemade Sriracha Sauce. She started experimenting with new sauces in her apartment kitchen and the batches grew, and so did the demand.  Now she has taken her saucy self corporate.

Believe it or not, sriracha is a style of sauce, and not a brand name.  We are all familiar with that plastic bottle with the rooster and green spout.  This gives that sauce a kick in the pants.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— LeeAnne grew up in the food industry.  Her parents at one time owned various restaurants like Lincoln Park Grille, Oregon Express, and others.  LeeAnne worked her way up from bussing tables to chief hottie.

bottling plant

Bottles of Housemade Sriracha, Ready to be Labeled

— The sauce took a year and a half to perfect.  Originally home cooked and home produced, she is now off  to the big time with the same, natural recipe.  Food Adventures have been trying her home batch sriracha sauces for months, so we are especially happy to see her recent success.

— This sauce won 1st prize in the 2014 Louisiana Cajun Hot Sauce Festival, for the best specialty chili sauce, and is being blogged about nationally from California to Nashville.  Foodies and Food Adventurers agree, it’s fantastic!

— A bottle of this sauce goes a long way, good thing there is a 2 year shelf life.

 

WHY IS THIS SAUCE A MUST EAT?

— FLAVOR:  That is the most important thing, right?  Not just heat for the sake of heat, but good flavor is what a sauce is all about.  Housemade Sriracha is sweeter, hotter and meaner than the sriracha you are used to.   There is a good amount of tang and zing to get your tastebuds rolling.

 — ALL PEPPERS in this sauce are Thai Chili Peppers, and the sauce has NO STEMS.  This is huge, because most mass produced sauces have stems ground into them, thereby changing the flavor of the sauce.  Housemade keeps the flavor truer to the pepper itself with the tedious process of stem removal.

— NATURAL INGREDIENTS:  We wont give away the recipe, just read the side of the label for the natural ingredients.  Did we mention it is vegan and gluten-free ?

— LOCALLY MADE – Whenever possible local ingredients are used, local farmers, and the sauce is assembled from Dayton to Chillicothe.  Hello, support local, buy local.  Expect different sauces from Housemade in the future !

 

The Big Ragu knows you can get Housemade Sriracha at Foremost Seafood

The Big Ragu knows where to get Housemade Sriracha, and now, you do too !

The Big Ragu loves the sauce on chili, shrimp, wings and anything mexican (nachos, tacos, tortas, burritos and sopes).

LITE BITES: Try the sriracha on egg white omelettes, roasted veggies, homemade vegetable soups, and quinoa.

 

Housemade Sriracha Sauce has made its way into local restaurants and has been appearing on specials at Lily’s Bistro, and pizzas at  Oregon Express to name a couple.  We expect more locally owned restaurants to follow this trend.  In fact, the demand has been so good, that a second batch has already gone into production.

 

WHERE CAN YOU BUY THE BOTTLES OF HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA?

— Arrow Wine & Spirits

— Clash Consignments

— Eclectic Essentials

— Foremost Seafood

— Healthy Alternative Markets

— The Spice Rack

— Yankee Street Market

 

In more ways than one, it is the hottest product in Dayton.  Housemade Sriracha, we love you, you hot thang you ….

Speaking of hotness, check out Food Adventures on Facebook  and “like” them HERE

Also, see more of LeeAnne and her hot sauce in the photo gallery below!

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New Menu, New Staff at Bella Vino! **Win a $20 Gift Certificate**

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Hello Baked Brie

Up close look at the Baked Brie

Bella Vino in Springboro, isn’t your average wine store.  Sure, they have all the chardonnays, merlots, and syrahs one could dream of.  But now, they have kicked it up a notch.

Under new management, Bella Vino brought in Chef Jen Anticoli, who has introduced some dishes that are fabulous when paired with wine, or even just dining on the patio.  The Big Ragu & Crew are all about good eats outdoors.  If you are the same way, then Bella Vino will quickly become one of your favorite spots for a Food Adventure

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Bella Vino Wine Merchants is open Mon 4-10pm Tues-Thurs 11:30am -10pm, Fri and Sat 11:30am-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.  They even have a location in West Chester.

— Perfect place for patio drinks and dining.  The spacious, outside dining area is a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere.  The inside dining room is sleek and contemporary, with a capacity of 80 people.

— Up and coming chef, Jen Anticoli has revamped the menu and added her personal spin on some Italian dishes and more.

— Bella Vino has over 1400 wines to choose from, and is frequently running specials on various brands.

— Summer is bringing new events to Bella Vino, such as “Party on the Patio Nights”, with the kitchen setting up a grill outside.

— Look for more menu expansions like “Strawberry Muscato Lemonade” and Gourmet Subs

Chef Jen Anticoli

Chef Jen Anticoli of Bella Vino

 

We were impressed by the food, and it definitely satisfied our Food Adventure instincts.   Of all the menu items, The Big Ragu did have some favorites.   So let us present, without further adoo, our infamous “must eats!”

 

MUST EATS:

— GOAT CHEESE CRUSTINI:  Creamy, sweet and full of flavor, the fresh tomatoes and goat cheese combine amazingly.  The Big Ragu will go on record, that this is his favorite crustini of all-time !  The sauces and spices added make this a definite ‘must eat,’ and perfect with any wine.  The secret ingredient?   Pistachio Crumbles for the finishing touch.

— CARMEL NUT BAKED BRIE:  Served freshly baked and still steaming, this brie is a delicious starter.  Garnished with berries and nuts, drizzled with honey, and served with bread and crackers, it is a great segway for any vino ! We think you will be hard pressed to share this killer appetizer.

— BAKED POTATO PIZZA:  Flaky crust with toppings that perfectly mimics a good potato skin, this pie is filling for even the big appetites.   Made with chopped garlic, mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, onions and a sour cream drizzle, we bet you can’t eat just one square.

— BLT PIZZA:  This white sauce pizza is a good twist on an old favorite using spinach instead of lettuce.  Bacon is all the rage, right?  Get your fix on this pie.  Toppings include and tomato, bacon, cheddar-jack cheese and garlic mayo.  We don’t know what kind of wine goes, with a BLT, we just eat the damn thing…..

Delicious

The BLT Pizza at Bella Vino. Click to Enlarge

We were pleasantly surprised at the food offerings at Bella Vino and look for more great things to some.  Chef Jen is starting to carve a name for herself with a style all her own.  Her unique flavors and ingredients make her a diamond in the rough of the Miami Valley’s culinary landscape.

Make sure you check out this little known secret located at 495 N. Main Street in Springboro.  Bella Vino may mean “Good Wine” in Italian, but now it can be known for its good food as well.

 

Want to learn about more good food and ‘secret’ dining spots from Food Adventures with The Big Ragu and Crew?  Then  like them on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Follow us on TWITTER here …

*** WIN A $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO BELLA VINO ***

To be entered, just comment below on the story, and tell us why you want the gift certificate.  One winner will be chosen at random.

Don’t forget to check out our incredible photo gallery below from our visits to Bella Vino !!
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Food Adventures does “Dinner and a Ghost!”

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Is Snow Hill Country Club Haunted ? Have dinner and decide yourself

Ever had dinner with a ghost?   Well here is your chance, Ghost Hunters!   Snow Hill Country Club is haunted, and had been serving up “Dinner and a Ghost” nights on Fridays in October for the past 12 years.    In fact, the place is so legendary, that it was featured on an episode of the Biography channel’s “My Ghost Story.”  The country club is located just outside of Wilmington, on State Route 73.  The “Dinner and a Ghost” nights feature food, fear and even an overnight stay.

The Food Adventures Crew have eaten in many scary places, but this was our first “Haunted Food Adventure.”   The food is pretty straight forward.  On our two trips to the country club, buffet items included turkey and ham, while another night they featured ribs and salmon.   The meal is rounded out with salad, a couple of sides and a dessert plate shared by the table, or possibly some cake.

But we weren’t here for the food, we were here for the ghosts.  And Snow Hill delivered….

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— “Dinner and a Ghost” features appetizers in the bar and a buffet style dinner.    The menu has improved since the 1820’s and they wont be serving  rabbit, steamed onions, venison and beef tongue anymore. 

One of our dinners featured Ribs and Salmon

— After dinner, the hosts take you on a guided tour complete with historical information, sound recordings of unexplained voices, and even a couple of photos believed to be “supernatural.”  Tour gurus include historian Kathleen Madison and Ghost expert/Paranormal Investigator Shelly Suittor.   Supporting cast includes Ghost Hunters Kat Powell and Alicia Soich.

— After the tour, guests are encouraged to look around for about an hour and explore for themselves.  During this time a few notable unexplained “phenomenon” have been known to occur.

— Attendees may purchase alcohol at a full service bar on the main level.

— There are 6 guest rooms, and groups may make reservations to stay the night for about 100 bucks per room.   Included in the stay is “ghost hunting” all night, if you have the guts to roam the halls late at night.   Even golf may be arranged during good weather.

— Snow Hill Country Club is located in New Vienna, Ohio at 11093 New Vienna Rd (Daytonians know this as State Route 73).  Famous visitors have included Henry Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and legendary 1920’s golfer, Walter Hagen.

— Minimum groups for ‘dinner and a ghost’ are 12 people.  Cost of dinner and tour is $45 per person.

Click to enlarge: What you think of the “orb” in this photo. Is it the sign of a spirit ?

 

MUST SCREAMS:

— Snow Hill was built and owned by the Harris family in 1820.  It was a popular Inn and tavern up through the 1900’s.  One of the oldest running businesses in Ohio, the country club is said to be haunted by spirits of past owners, family members and past guests.

— Many stories abound from the 70’s and 80’s like a man whom believed he hit a pedestrian in the road, but noone was found.   Or records of police and firefighters responding to alarms and seeing unexplained light and movements throughout the house.

— The Food Adventures Crew had a few unexplained happenings during our two tours:

Big Ragu was taking photographs in the dark, damp cellar thought to be a passage for the underground railroad.   In some of the photos, some circular orbs appeared, one very prominently.  We were told that many ghost hunters believe these are tell tale signs of “spirits” in the room.   To be honest, we do not know what to think, other than the orbs were strange and not in photos taken of the same place seconds earlier.  The prominent orb in the photo had a distinct outline and almost looked to have “veins” running through it.  Odd indeed.  Is it a spirit?  You decide.

The Big Ragu was in the storage area of the basement, when the door next to him opened about an inch and then slammed quickly.  He looked around the room at the handful of people near him and they had that “oh crap” look on their face.  Ragu opened the door and saw a dark empty hall with a staircase, there was nobody there.  There was also a moment where the Big Ragu felt something grab his back pocket.  He was unsure if this was a  fan who liked his behind or a ghost.

Elegant, yet Spooky: Stay the night… if you dare

— During our 2nd visit to Snow Hill, one of our fellow guests took a photo of what appears to be an apparition in one of the bedrooms.   Again, unexplained and just plain weird.

— Employees tell stories of glasses shattering, chandeliers swinging violently, and various apparition sightings.

— Recordings of various unexplained voices gave us goosebumps, especially one particular ghost that whispered the word “Becky” as clear as day on the recording.  The voice was creepy like Golem from Lord of the Rings movies, or like someone who ate too much at Golden Corral.

— An 1880’s portrait photo of an man was found in a cupboard, and when locked away, would keep appearing in various open areas of the country club.  One of the tour guests recognized the photo as her ancestor Thomas Wilson, a Civil War vet.   Since being identified, it was found out that he was a former owner of the country club, purchasing it at auction in 1898.  Since being identified, his photo has ceased moving inexplicably.

— A candlemaker tool levitated and slammed to the ground on a couple of occasions in front of various dinner party guests a few years back.   The theory is that the ghost of the original owner, Mrs Harris, might not be keen on a “peasant tool” being allowed in her formal dining room as decor.

 

With Halloween around the corner, this is the perfect time for “Dinner and a Ghost” at Snow Hill Country Club.  We were skeptical going in, and realized after 2 visits, some things happened that we couldn’t explain.  Were they spirits from lives past?   Look at our photos, listen to the recordings in person.  Is the place haunted?  Did we see “ghosts?”  You decide…. and check it out for yourself,  but we suggest you don’t go alone.

Click to enlarge: On our 2nd trip to Snow Hill a fellow guest took this pic. Is is a ghost?

So you want to get spooked?  Want a frightening Food Adventure ??

Then contact Snow Hill Country Club and ask for a private Dinner and a Ghost Group (minimum 12 people).  Tell them Food Adventures sent you!

Don’t forget, you can book an overnight stay and/or a round of golf !

For reservations contact General Manager Katie Gephardt at [email protected] or call her at 937-987-2491.

The  Dinner and a Ghost website can be found HERE –>http://www.snowhillcountryclub.com/dinner-and-a-ghost/

For scary images, haunting plates and funny faces, “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY BELOW FOR UNEXPLAINED AND DELICIOUS PHENOMENA !

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Keep the Rum Coming

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Portrait of George Washington

Yes, I would love to have a glass of rum. Thank you for asking!

George Washington is remembered as being one of the most respected individuals in American history. He was the General of the Army that defeated the British, he was the first President, and he was one of the great provocateurs before the American Revolution. He was a distiller, making his own beer and whiskey. He also knew quite well what spirits the people of colonial America liked to drink. He ordered 28 gallons of a particular spirit to distribute while he was running for the House of Burgess in Virginia. He also demanded it as a ration for his troops during the brutal winter they spent at Valley Forge and made sure that the fighting men got it before the officers did. When the war was over and Washington attended his inauguration, he (illegally) had a barrel of the finest imported. Whiskey was not a major American drink until after the war.  The spirit that Washington, and all colonists were so fond of, was rum.

Rum was rough when it was first made. It was called kill-devil by most, but also referred to by several British slang words like rumbustion or rumbullion, both of which were terms referring to an upheaval. As it started to rise through the gentry, it became more refined with very basic distilling technology. It also became more popular as a drink to take on long voyages. Most ships of the era were outfitted with large supplies of beer and water. Rum did not go bad like the beer eventually did, nor did it suffer the same contamination that water was suspect to. Moreover, it was discovered that the long trips to Britain and America in oak barrels mellowed the rum and made it a much better quality liquor. It became a staple not only in the British navy, but on the pirate ships that were attracted to the Caribbean area for its developing wealth. The British were not prepared for the strength of the new spirit over beer. Rum started to be mixed with water, brown sugar, and lime. This had two effects: it stopped the sailors from being dead drunk and it gave them enough vitamin C to prevent scurvy. This gave the British a distinct advantage in sea combat. It remained a staple until 1970, when having buzzed sailors and modern weapons seemed to be a bad idea.

Barrels of rum stacked on each other

Barrels of rum aging.

America loved it as well. Rhode Island created rum that was as good, if not better, than rums coming from the tropics. The colonies were awash with it. Rum was in punches and any other drink you could ask for while traveling. It was also part of the slave trade, with people selling molasses to the colonies to get money to buy slaves. On average, colonists were drinking about four gallons per person per year. England took note of that, and imposed the Molasses Act in 1733 and Sugar Act in 1764, taxing the ingredients that helped to make rum. In 1775, the American Revolution began, and the rum started to flow out of America. Molasses became harder to come by. Not long after the revolution, as Americans moved west, whiskey started to be made in larger quantities in Ohio and Kentucky. Rum fell out of favor for a very long time, making a brief reappearance during Prohibition, then again after World War Two during the Tiki drink craze that swept the fifties and sixties.

Rum is distilled from one of two sources, either of which must come from sugar: molasses or sugar cane juice. Sugar cane juice is a little rarer (and known as rhum), so the bulk of the rum we all drink is made from molasses. It makes sense; the original rums were distilled from molasses, which was no more than a sticky, hard to dispose of byproduct when people were making sugar. There was just enough sugar left in it, with the help of some yeast, to turn it into something that was drinkable. Since rum was originally distilled among the many islands of the Caribbean, there is no one way for any particular rum to be created. Different yeast strains, stills, and methods are all employed by the various companies, making no two rums alike. It is hard to categorize all of the rum that is available in the market, but these are some common distinctions:

  • Light (silver) rum – They are milder and sweeter in general than most rums. The bulk of silver rum comes from Puerto Rico or Brazil (called cachaca). These are the ones you will find in most cocktails.
  • Gold rum – They usually have been aged in charred oak barrels, which gives them a little more color than the younger silvers. These barrels usually come from bourbon, which adds richness to the flavor.
  • Dark rum – Deep brown or red in color, these are more often used in cooking. They are aged longer, adding richer molasses and caramel tones to them. Dark rums usually come from Jamaica, Haiti, or Martinique.
  • Overproof rum – Gold colored rum with a very high ABV (Alcohol by Volume), usually around 151 proof.
  • Spiced rum – Spices are added, usually to gold rums, to enhance the natural flavor of the rum. They can also be darkened with caramel color.
  • Flavored rum – Usually silver in color and lower in ABV, they make up for it with added flavors. The flavors selected, usually tropical in nature, blend well with the natural sweetness of the rum. They are usually added to a mixer as an enhancement.
Fish House Punch in nice glassware

Fish House Punch, a staple of the Founding Fathers. This may explain some of the government.

Some places still offer gunpowder rum (exactly as it sound: run mixed with gunpowder), and there are many fine sipping rums as well that are made in pot stills and very small batches.

Rum is starting to make a comeback from a very long hiatus. The craft cocktail movement, with its love of the classics, has brought this spirit back. The first cocktails were made of rum, littering the early years of America with recipes. Fish House Punch, flips, shrubs, and daiquiris (who have their own day on July 19th) all are cocktails that have a strong rum base. Mojitos are a wonderful summer cocktail, and the mai tai is considered a classic of the tiki era. Everything about rum invites fresh and tropical, perfect summer sipping. The complexity of rum offers an excellent base for cocktails.

From pirates to presidents, rum has been a spirit that has stayed close to the hands of people who enjoy a cocktail or two. Bourbon is considered the “spirit of America”, but the people who built America were fonder of their rum than whiskey of any sort. In recognition of the spirit and the day, find a restaurant with a patio that will make you a classic daiquiri. Summer is only going to last for so long, so enjoy!