The Featured Articles

Where To Dine With Santa This Season

December 4, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Santa is coming! If you want to meet him in person, make reservations now to dine with the big guy in red at a holiday brunch, lunch or dinner happening in the suburbs over the next couple of weeks.

Many of the events will include Santa Claus hearing your children’s Christmas wishes and posing for photos. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture those special moments, so don’t forget to bring your cameras!

Book now to secure your spot as these events fill up fast and make Christmas memories that will last a lifetime!

Santa Claus is coming to Old Scratch Pizza:

Centerville Location:
12/12 | 6:00pm-7:30pm
Downtown Dayton Location:
12/13| 6:00pm-7:30pm
Beavercreek Location:
12/14 | 6:00pm-7:30pm

Purchase a regular 12-inch pizza &
unwrap a FREE Kid’s Shorty pizza!

Dec 17 10am – 1pm

Breakfast with Santa

Butter Cafe

1106 Brown St, Dayton

Enjoy holiday menu specials, cookie decorating kits, and free visits with Santa

Dec 15 & 16, 22 & 23

Young’s Jersey Dairy Store

6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs

937-325-0629

SANTA!! willbe here at the Dairy Store Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8 p.m. leading up to Christmas.

December 16, & 17; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

UNO’S PIZZA WITH SANTA

Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St.

Have a special lunch with Santa. Reservations required. Call for reservations at (937)910-8000 Just make a reservation at 11 am on the weekend you want. Enjoy some food with your kiddo and take all the pictures you’d like. Included with your food purchase

Sunday December 17 from 3pm-6pm

Pizza Party with Santa

New York Pizzeria
498 E. Main St, Trotwood

Pizza with Santa

take a picture with Santa

and get a free slice of pizza

Nimbus comic cafe will have chocolate available We will be playing games for prizes

Arby’s New $4 or Less Menu

December 4, 2023 By Dayton937

Arby’s celebrates the season of giving with the launch of its new $4 or under Classics menu where you can score a selection of Classics for $4 or less each on the Arby’s app through December 24, 2023.

Arby’s Puts Together $4 Or Less Classics Menu Through December 24, 2023

$4: Double Roast Beef: Arby’s classic roast beef sandwich with two times the amount of signature roast beef on it than the Roast Beef Classic.
$3: Classic Beef ‘N Cheddar: Roast beef, topped with Cheddar cheese sauce and zesty Red Ranch on a toasted onion roll.
$2: Mozzarella Sticks: Stretchy, cheesy, melty mozzarella that’s battered and fried, served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
$1: Curly Fries: Potatoes sliced up curly and fried until golden.
$1: Drink: A small fountain drink for a buck.

Just be aware that there is a limit of five items per order.

Dayton Dinner Theater presents Holiday Movie Classics

December 2, 2023 By LIbby Ballengee

Are you looking for fun holiday events to do this month? Dayton Dinner Theater is presenting three Christmas themed movie parties that are great for date nights, or small groups of friends & family: Elf, A Christmas Story, and Christmas Vacation. See these classic holiday fils on the big screen in a fun group, interactive setting at The Brightside Music & Event Venue.

Before the movie starts enjoy live music and food that is directly inspired by the movie. The Brightside bar is open, and features themed drinks as well! During the movie, Dayton Dinner Theater features their famous interactive quote contest, fun facts, theme spotting, and a trivia contest during intermission. Although the movie parties are geared more towards adults, they are family-friendly. Costumes are encouraged!

Schedule: Doors open at 5:45pm. Food and live music are available from 6-7pm, the movie starts at 7pm, a short intermission for dessert and trivia will start at 8pm. The movie ends around 9 pm.

When: Elf – Sunday, Dec 3, 2023

A Christmas Story – Sunday, Dec 17, 2023

Christmas Vacation – Friday, Dec 22, 2023

Where? The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402

Note: Table reservations only for parties of 6 or more, otherwise, we have open seating.

Cost: $35 tickets available at daytondinnertheater.com. Advance tickets are required.

Say Yes Cakes Reopens in New Location

December 1, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Jennifer Coyle and her daughter Alyson opened the original Say Yes Cakes in July of 2020 on Wayne Avenue in Belmont. But after a few years there, they decided to relocate since many of their customers complained about the lack of parking. So they’ve reopened the shop on Shroyer Road in a spot that previously housed Moore Dessert Please and La Puf Sweets. You’ll find lots of goodies on their counter. Yesterday when I stopped by there were brownies, magic bars, cupcakes, cookies, cake pops and something new they are doing – cakes ready to be picked up, they’ll even add a quick happy birthday message to the cake, or whatever else you’re celebrating.

Jennifer shared they are also looking for a part time baker’s assistant to help at the shop, so reach out to them via their facebook page if you are interested. They are having some issues with their phone service. She’s been baking to order for the past month, but now that the shop is open and the holidays are creeping up, she expects to be very busy.

The chalkboard in the shop serves as a menu for all the other goodies Say Yes Cakes makes beside cakes. Pre-orders are appreciated, but they’ll do their best to keep the cases filled with goodies all years long.

They are incredibly proud of their cannoli, a true Sicilian style preparation. They dry their ricotta for days to resemble ricotta impastata. They use REAL ricotta impastata and the difference is astounding. Try the cannoli for an out of this world “old world Italian” tasting cannoli!

Say Yes Cakes

1003 Shroyer Road, Dayton, OH 45419

Current Hours:

Thurs & Fri noon – 6pm
Sat noon – 4pm

Fleming’s Open for Friday Lunch in December

November 30, 2023 By Dayton937

Tis the season to say thanks, toast to your successes, or simply catch up over a leisurely lunch. This December, Fleming’s will be open for lunch every Friday at 11AM. Enjoy their exclusive 2-course menu or order your favorites from the Dinner Menu.

2 Course Lunch Menu:

SALAD

choice of

FLEMING’S SALAD**
walnuts, tomatoes, dried cranberries, red onion, lemon balsamic vinaigrette 300 cal

CAESAR SALAD
romaine, parmesan, fried capers, crispy prosciutto 310 cal

ENTRÉE

choice of

PETITE FILET MIGNON* | 52
8 OZ 440cal

DOUBLE BREAST OF CHICKEN | 39
all natural, roasted, white wine, mushrooms, leek & thyme sauce 670 cal

BARBECUE SALMON FILLET* | 48
mushrooms, barbecue glaze 580 cal

ROASTED PORTOBELLO & CAULIFLOWER STEAK | 41
crispy potato marrow with chimichurri & farro, asparagus and picked onions with mushroom demi-glace 1060 cal

Celebrating at the office? Place an order for pickup or we’ll gladly deliver.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

4432 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
937-320-9548

HOURS

Main Dining Room
& Outdoor Dining
Mon–Thurs & Sat: 4PM–10PM
Fri: 11AM–10PM
Sun: 4PM–9PM

Breakfast Santa’s Strike Again!

November 30, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

For the third year in a row a group of Daytonians gather for breakfast at a locally owned eatery and gift their server with an over the top tip. This morning a small group that call themselves the ” Breakfast Santa’s”had breakfast at Hasty Tasty and after the meal handed their server Heather a gift bag with a $1200 gift.

Jack Omer, Brian Sharp, Server Heather and Vicki Giambrone.

While not everyone that contributed was able to make the breakfast, they all felt the sheer joy and holiday spirit of surprising a deserving waitress. The Breakfast Santa’s shared they have one more breakfast scheduled this year.

Company 7 BBQ Donating % of Gift Card Sales to Police Officer Shot On Duty

November 29, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Company 7 BBQ has alway been dedicated to helping the first responder community and has decided to donate 10% of our gift card sales from now until December 31^st to Officer Cody Cecil, who was shot in the arm while serving a warrant on Hacker Road Thursday. He underwent surgery and is still off duty recovering. By donating these proceeds, we will be helping Officer Cecil and his young family, says JackReilly, Customer Communications manager at Company 7 BBQ. He shared, “you can give a delicious gift AND do good. We hope you will all consider this offer as part of your holiday gift planning. We are honored to do our small part to help, with your help.”

The gift cards can be purchased at the Drive Through, at your Table, or at our Fire Engine Bar.

Important Offer Limitation:
The Gift Card (which we will make a 10% donation on) cannot be used on the day of purchase to pay for your meal as that would mean we would be offering a 10% discount to everyone buying any food.

Company 7 BBQ

1001 S Main St (St Rt 48),
Englewood, OH, 45322

937-836-2777

Hours:
Mon – Sat 11am – 10pm

Sun noon – 8pm

It’s Prime Rib Week at Lily’s Dayton

November 29, 2023 By Dayton937

As part of the celebration of the return of Chef Don Warfe as Lily’s Executive Chef Lily’s presents Prime Rib Week!

As Lily’s Dayton owner Emily Mendenhall explained in a Facebook post, “When Don called me a cold day in January 2022, I knew he was going to be leaving. He and his partner had just had a third addition to their family that summer, and she had just finished her masters degree, and I knew he was feeling the burnout common to our industry that was amplified during peak Covid where it seemed like everything we had learned in decades in the industry & all best practices were out the window. I took the news in stride over the phone, but cried heavily that afternoon.

I had tapped Don late 2019 after knowing him casually and thinking him to be “good people” and respecting his work in the industry, knowing he’d be great to help usher in a more casual, eclectic, and budget friendly version of Lilys that was designed around tropical and tiki inspired bar offerings.

And in the time we worked together, we had been able to realize that vision in fits and starts and he saw me and the team through some of the most trying periods I’ve ever experienced. I knew it was a hard decision for him to make, but I was still immensely sad and nervous. I was sad to lose his energy, his passion, his sense of humor, his taste in music, his camaraderie, and the feeling of both getting to work and collaborate not only with a well-respected peer, but a true friend.

I realized we didn’t have to lose all of that—so we stayed friends. We texted and sent memes & gifs & dumb jokes and occasionally talked shop. Over time, I realized that while Don was loving being the primary care giver in his family, that he was itching to get back into a kitchen. Things had starting shifting at Lily’s and in the end, it turned out that him returning made sense for a lot of people and for the business. And best of all, he and his family thought it was a good fit too!

I am just over the moon to have him back in a role teaching, mentoring, leading, & collaborating.”

Here’s the menu for Prime Rib Week:

Starters:

•French Onion Soup with crouton and toasted provolone $9

•Wedge Salad with house made blue cheese dressing, topped with bacon crumbles, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese and green onion curls $11

Entrée:

•12oz. Slow roasted Garlic & Herb encrusted Prime Rib, with your choice of two steakhouse sides $39.95

Sides:

• Loaded steakhouse baked potato

• Creamed Artichoke Spinach

• Jumbo Onion Rings

• Mac and Cheese

• Stewed Tomatoes

• Grilled Asparagus

Add ons:

•Sautéed mushrooms $4

•Béarnaise $3

•Cajun Compound butter $2

Reservations are suggested and can be made online at https://www.exploretock.com/lilys or by calling 937-723-7637 during business hours!

Annual Release of Whiskey Rebellion is This Saturday

November 28, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Warped Wing Brewing Company, headquartered in the heart of Downtown Dayton, Ohio, invites you to celebrate the annual release of their signature barrel aged beer – Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels! This Saturday, December 2nd, the festivities kick off at 11am at the Downtown Dayton Taproom located at 26 Wyandot Street. The bottle release queue will form at the rear of the brewery, close to the loading dock entry. Alongside the bottle releases and hourly tappings, guests can also enjoy live original music by Pete Price from 11am-1pm and Scott Houchens from 2pm-4pm!

2023 Bottle Selections & Limits (Dayton Taproom only on 12/2)

◆ 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (no bottle limit) – $9.99 per bottle

◆ 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels – 7 Year Reserve (2 bottle limit) – $19.99 per bottle

◆ 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels – Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch (4 bottle limit) – $11.99 per bottle

◆ 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels – Amaretto Coffee (4 bottle limit) – $11.99 per bottle

Hourly Tapping Schedule (Dayton Taproom only on 12/2)

◆ 11am – 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

◆ 12pm – 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Amaretto Coffee

◆ 1pm – 2023 Whiskey Rebellion Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch

◆ 2pm – 2023 Whiskey Rebellion 7 Year Reserve

◆ 3pm – 2021 Vintage Whiskey Rebellion Special Reserve aged in Bissell Maple Syrup Barrels

◆ 4pm – 2018 Vintage Whiskey Rebellion Peach Vanilla Caramel

Food Specials

◆ Whiskey Smash Burger – two smash burger patties topped with Whiskey Rebellion BBQ sauce, applewood smoked bacon, crispy onion straws, and cheddar cheese

◆ Peanut Butter Crunch Bar – a crispy peanut butter treat topped with chocolate ganache and peanut butter drizzle

Live Music Schedule

Pete Price from 11am-1pm

Scott Houchens from 2pm-4pm

2023 Whiskey Rebellion + 2023 Whiskey Rebellion variants will launch on tap the following day (Sunday, December 3rd) at the Springboro, Mason, & Huber Heights Taprooms. Bottles will be available based on availability (regular bottles will be available but variant bottles may not be available should they sell out on 12/2 in Dayton – check Warped Wing’s social media for updates).

Warped Wing Brewing Company

26 Wyandot St., Dayton, OH 45402

25 Wright Station Way, Springboro, OH 45066

Nominate Local Educators Who Use Nature As A Classroom

November 28, 2023 By Dayton937

Meet OUTsanding teachers Katie Guirnalda (Primary Village North – Centerville City Schools ) Casey Potts (Piqua High School – Piqua City Schools ) and Steve Huff (Stingley Elementary School – Centerville City Schools ). In 2022, these educators were awarded with OUTstanding Teacher Awards from Five Rivers MetroParks for going above and beyond to ensure their students connect to nature in their classrooms.

Nominations for 2023 OUTstanding Teacher Awards are open to greater Dayton-area classroom educators who teach any subject from pre-K through high school. Nominations open Dec 1st are due Jan 31, 2024.

A winner will be selected from each of the following categories:

Rising Star (less than 10 years of teaching experience)
Leader (10 to 20 years of teaching experience)
Lifetime Achievement (more than 20 years of teaching experience)

“Our OUTstanding Teacher award program shines a light on the important work area teachers are doing to connect their students to nature,” said Pam Lyons Gromen, Five Rivers MetroParks outdoor education coordinator. “Studies have shown that students who have the opportunity to learn outdoors benefit academically, socially, emotionally and physically, yet taking students outside to learn is not commonplace and often requires teachers to go above and beyond to make it happen.”

Awardees will be announced this spring. Winning teachers will also receive an award package containing:

Outdoor educational materials to assist in connecting students to the environment
Plant kit with plants selected for the winning teacher’s school
EECO (Environmental Education Council of Ohio) membership and money to use toward the 101 Conference at Camp Kern, held annually the first weekend of October
A one-year membership to the James M. Cox, Jr. Arboretum Foundation and transportation for their class for a field trip to Cox Arboretum MetroPark (or an alternative experience if an in-person field trip is not an option)

Funded through the James M. Cox Jr. Arboretum Foundation, the award is for teachers providing students with outdoor, environmental experiences that inspire an interest in and positive attitudes about nature.

Anyone can nominate a teacher by writing a short essay or producing a video (less than five minutes long) that answers the following:

Why do you feel this teacher is deserving of the OUTstanding Teacher Award?
In what ways does this teacher get students outside during the school day?
In what ways does this teacher weave nature into the curriculum?
Does this teacher get students outdoors after typical school hours? Please provide specifics about what the teacher does.
What are the most significant positive impacts the nominee has made on other teachers and the school community
How does your candidate go above and beyond leading his/her/their students in outdoor experiences? Please provide specific examples of what the teacher does.
How does this teacher utilize outdoor space at the school? Has he/she/them created or enhanced a green school yard?
Why are you nominating this person?

Additionally, award submissions should include two photos of the teacher that capture the great workhe/she is doing getting kids outside and bringing nature into the curriculum and classroom.

Teachers can self-nominate. Nominations can be submitted by completing an online form and either posting a video to YouTube or uploading the written essay. Information on judging criteria can be found online atmetroparks.org/outstanding. Videos do not have to be professionally produced, as the content of the message is what will be judged. Please be as specific as possible in your nomination, so judges have a clear understanding of the amazing work and the impact of your award nominee.

Community volunteers with a background in outdoor education will judge the awards. Five Rivers MetroParks employees and board members of the James M. Cox Jr. Foundation, Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation and Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation and their immediate families are not eligible.

Check Out The New Wonka Menu at IHOP

November 27, 2023 By Dayton937

The International House of Pancakes is getting a “fantastical” makeover just in time for the holiday season. The film “Wonka,” starring Timothée Chalamet, is coming to cinemas on December 15, but fans of the whimsical story don’t have to wait until the theatrical release to celebrate. IHOP has announced its lineup of Wonka-inspired offerings, including six new food items and three sweet drink options. The limited-time menu pulls inspiration from Willy Wonka’s famous purple and gold color scheme, with drizzles of purple syrup and dustings of gold sugar on practically everything. The crafty menu items pair sweet, salty, and savory flavors together in ways meant to highlight Wonka’s creativity.

Here’s a full breakdown of the Wonka menu that launched at IHOP today.

Wonka’s Perfectly Purple Pancakes: Purple buttermilk pancakes layered with creamy cheesecake mousse & topped with purple cream cheese icing, whipped topping and gold glitter sugar.

Daydream Berry Biscuit: Warm and flaky buttermilk biscuit split and filled with creamy cheesecake mousse, a mixed berry topping, topped with purple cream cheese icing and powdered sugar.

Hoverchoc Pancake Tacos: 3 silver dollar chocolate

pancakes folded and filled with chocolate chips, creamy cheesecake mousse, fresh sliced strawberries and a chocolate drizzle. Served with extra strawberries on the side.

Jr. Magical Breakfast Medley: 1 Wonka’s Perfectly Purple Pancake, 1 scrambled egg, 1 bacon strip and 1 sausage link.

Willy’s Jr. French Toast Dippers: Sliced French toast with a side of strawberries, banana and chocolate dipping sauce.

Dreamy Lemonade: Prickly pear flavored lemonade served with a cream cheese icing rainbow sprinkle rim and topped with a cloud of cotton candy. Create your own magic by stirring in the cotton candy.

Scrumdiddlyumptious Strawberry Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate flavored with strawberry syrup, topped with whipped topping, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and gold glitter sugar.

Scrumdiddlyumptious Jr. Strawberry Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate flavored with strawberry syrup, topped with whipped topping, a drizzle of chocolate sauce and gold glitter sugar.

Fantastical Wonka Burger: 100 percent USDA Choice Black Angus beef steakburger with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, four-cheese blend, avocado, 2 strips of bacon, fried hash browns, IHOP sauce & a ranch drizzle on a brioche bun. Served with choice of French fries, onion rings, seasonal fresh fruit, 2 buttermilk pancakes or side salad.

This brand partnership may seem like a curious pairing, but according to the announcement, “Both the restaurant and movie serve joy and bring magic into people’s lives by encouraging dreamers to keep dreaming.” While you can take your inner child out for dinner to try the Wonka items, actual children under 12 are entitled to a complimentary kids’ meal with every adult entree — an offer that’s available daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and features kid-oriented plates like the Willy’s Jr. French Toast Dippers and Jr. Magical Breakfast Medley. IHOP’s “Wonka”-inspired menu is available until January 7.

IHOP

6930 Miller Lane
Dayton, OH 45414

7609 Old Troy Pike
Huber Heights, OH 45424

The Contemporary Dayton presents CoSHOP Holiday 2023

November 25, 2023 By Dayton937

The Contemporary Dayton presents CoSHOP Holiday 2023, a curated collection of over 500 holiday and winter-themed fine art and fine craft from select community-driven artists and benefitting the arts community and The Co. CoSHOP Holiday runs through Sat, Dec 23, 2023.

Delight in the creative wonderland of CoSHOP Holiday. This holiday season the CoSHOP theme is CO, WHAT FUN! and features a curated selection of holiday “giftables.” These unique, handmade pieces reflect our talented local and regional artists, all of whom contribute to our vibrant arts community every day. With over 500 unique items, we are proud to present this dazzling destination for unique, one-of-a-kind gift hunting this festive season.

The CoSHOP is The Co’s lively, year-round marketplace that features a rotating selection of home decor, personal care products, greeting cards, books, ceramic and glass art, limited edition art prints, and more curated by our team of art lovers, historians, book nerds, and decor enthusiasts. Art-lovers can visit The CoSHOP for FREE or Shop online. Online items are available for pick up Wednesday-Sunday. Select items are available to ship for a modest charge.

THE CONTEMPORARY DAYTON
GALLERY & CoSHOP HOURS

The Dayton Arcade
On 4^th St, between Main & Ludlow

Wednesday–Saturday 11 am–6 pm
Sunday 11 am–4 pm

Special Hours: Holly Days at The Dayton Arcade
December 6, 7 ‘til 8 pm; December 9 ‘til 9 pm

Authentic Chinese Restaurant in Moraine

November 24, 2023 By Guest Contributor

A new Chinese restaurant snuck into the Dayton area recently. Hua Mei Restaurant, at 400 Fuyao Avenue in Moraine opened their doors on September 1, 2023, the location of Taste of the World. Taste of the World had shuttered during the beginning of the COVID pandemic. The restaurant served as the commissary for the Fuyao Glass plant.

There is now a bigger white on blue sign proclaiming Hua Mei Restaurant. According to the manager, they will serve the same role for Fuyao as Taste of the World. They were not advertising to the general public as they were ramping up their operations to serve Fuyao.

A peek at the menu:

Their menu is quite impressive, covering the gamut of Chinese American favorites as well as authentic Fuzhou cuisine. The restaurant building and dining area did not change at all, the décor is still understated and comfortable, with three private dining rooms available for reservation. There are also seasonal specialty dishes written in Chinese written on a white board hanging on the wall next to the front counter.

Thank you to Pete Wung for the scoop on this opening and this post!

Hua Mei Restaurant

400 Fuyao Avenue
Moraine, OH 45439

937-723-8616
Fax: 937-723-8293.

Lunch
Mon- Sat 11am – 2pm

Dinner
Mon – Sat 4-9pm

You can order for delivery through Door Dash.

Great Ornament Hunt

November 24, 2023 By Dayton937

The Beavercreek Wetlands have placed 10 spotted turtle ornaments in 5 of parks/wetlands for the public to find and the search kicks off today, Friday, November 24th.

If you find an ornament, scan the QR code on the attached tag and fill out the form in its entirety by Dec. 31, 2023 — and you will be registered to win one of our prizes.

If you find multiple ornaments on the same trail, they ask that you only take one and leave the remaining for other potential finders. Duplicate entries will be discarded when selecting prize winners.

Here’s where to search:

Creekside Reserve: 761 Factory Rd, Beavercreek

Dave Nolin Wetland Reserve: Enter at the end of South Deer Hollow Trail in the Hickory Hollow community.

Phillips Park: 2090 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek

James Amon Biodiversity Reserve: Enter at the end of Deercreek Dr., via the Fawn Ridge neighborhood. **No ornaments hidden on boardwalk under construction! Surface trail only!**

Dane Mutter Prairie: Access via public walkways in the Hunter’s Pointe subdivision.

The prize winners will be notified via email or phone by January 15, 2024. If a prize is not claimed via email or phone call within 48 hours of notification, another winner will be chosen.

Check their website for updates on how many ornaments remain in each location. They may share hints about remaining ornaments via Instagram and Facebook as the hunt continues.

This year, they’re also offering ornaments for purchase online and at their office. Learn more about purchasing an ornament by clicking the link or calling us at 937-320-9042.

Beaver Creek Wetlands Association is a member-supported 501(c)3 land trust, working to protect and restore wetlands and other natural areas in the Beaver Creek watershed in Greene County, Ohio.

Find Your Holiday Spirit at Thses Holiday Light Displays

November 22, 2023 By Lisa Grigsby

Get ready for a magical experience this holiday season! You can now enjoy stunning holiday lights from the comfort of your car with our drive-through light displays. These Christmas light displays are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Simply drive through the enchanting displays and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience!

Dynamite Dreams Farm

7495 State route 122 West, Eaton Ohio 45320

6-9pm thru Dec 17th
Walk Through

Free with donation of a new toy for local kids

Christmas Wonderland

Montgomery County Fairgrounds
645 Infirmary Road, Dayton, OH 45417

M-F: 6-10pm
Sat-Sun: 6-10pm or later
Including Holidays (Rain or Shine)
Buy online: $29.95/car, $59.95 Vans, Express ticket +$20- go straight to the front of the line

Immerse yourself in the magic of the season as you journey through the custom-built light display synchronized to Christmas melodies for the comfort of your own car.

ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park

520 S Stringtown Rd,
Xenia, OH 45385

FREE event and runs the entire month of December from 6 – 9 pm each night

Caesar Ford Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland with over 110 LED light displays covering a mile long driving path. This year’s event allows you to get into the holiday spirit, right from the safety of your own car! Enjoy everything from Santa’s rock band to the woodland creatures area to the North Pole amusement park and more. Tune your radio station to 106.5 FM for some festive holiday music as you make your way through this holiday event.

Holiday In Lights

Sharon Woods 11355 Swing Rd, Sharonville

6 PM-9 PM Sunday-Thursday 5:30 PM-10 PM Friday & Saturday. $15 carload

Charming light show is built over a mile of wooded roadway, the only drive-through light show through the woods of a beautiful Hamilton County park! The holiday-themed displays showcase everything from Santa Claus and his elves, to every animal on the ark.

Holiday Lights

Lost Creek Reserve 2385 East State Route 41, Troy

$10/car load Cash only

Land of Illusion Christmas Glow

8762 Thomas Rd, Middletown

Open 6pm to 10pm through Dec 30th $7
Closed November 30th, December 1st, December 2nd and Christmas Day

Celebrate the season at The Christmas Glow, over 3.8 million lights at the 2-mile long Christmas Around the World drive-thru experience, visit Santa at the Christmas Village Santa Workshop or just take in the majestic lights of the 45-foot Christmas Tree as you and yours warm by the gas fire pits.

Smith Park Tytus Avenue just off Verity Parkway – SR4, Middletown

Open Every Night Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Eve 6:00 PM – 10: 00 PM – Open in all weather & Holidays

Admission by cash donation – you set the price!

The Gift of Lights at the Christmas Ranch

3205 S. Waynesville Road
Morrow, OH 45152

$37 carload/$47 for oversized van (10+ passengers) Free Parking
A walk through experience whimsical place with 1 Million dancing christmas lights synchronized to holiday music. Friday, Nov. 17 – Saturday, Dec. 23

Six Christmas Shops – We have everything you need to make the holiday season a special one and our Christmas shops are waiting for you!

Santa’s Bakery & Cafe – You will work up an appetite when you stroll through The Christmas Ranch!

Pictures With Santa – Capture the perfect Christmas Memory with an iconic picture of you and Santa!

Train and Wagon Rides – Riders will be taken on a night time ride around the village while viewing the dazzling lights and the aroma of Christmas in the air!

75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316

Gates open every day at 5 pm, lights come on at 6 pm. Gates close at 9 pm; lights go off 30 minutes after gates close. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, hours are 6-8pmMon – Wed $10, Thurs – Sun $15, Children 3 and under get in Free! Parking is free

This light display is one of the country’s finest with over 3.5 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees, and bridges. There is even a 100-foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming night into a fantastical winter wonderland

Whispering Christmas

Fort Saint Clair Park 135 Camden Road, Eaton

6-10pm nightly. FREE

There is so much to see and enjoy at Whispering Christmas! 2020 marks our 34th Season of Whispering Christmas, featuring a spectacular drive-thru lights display with close to 2 million lights!

A little further away:

Coney Island Christmas Nights of Lights

6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
(513) 232-8230

Dusk until 10pm through Jan. 9, 2021.

Experience this amazing light show synchronized to both traditional and rocking holiday music through your car radio. Visitors of all ages will be awed by the larger-than-life trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and fantastic tunnels of lights! In the warmth of your own car, you can sing along to the sounds of the season synchronized to each holiday display.

With two and a half miles to drive through, your family can see displays and light shows made of over a million lights driven by more than forty thousand computer channel

General admission for Christmas Nights of Lights is $7 per person (children 3 and under free). Tickets can be purchased at the gate upon arrival. Ticket is valid for one person on day of visit through January 9, 2021.

Pyramid Hill Lights

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH.

Hours are 6-9 pm Tuesday – Thursday and 6-10 pm Friday-Sunday through Jan. 3.

This is not only an incredible lights display, it’s also in an amazing, one-of-a-kind park. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum is an outdoor gallery on a monumental scale. Holiday Lights on the Hill is two miles of dazzling lights displays at one of Cincinnati’s most beautiful locations.

$25/carload for non-members & $15/carload for park members
FREE for City of Hamilton residents on Tuesday nights! Please bring a valid driver’s license, utility bill, or government issued ID with 45011, 45013, or 45015 to show at entrance.

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

311 South Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015

Open through New Year’s Day, 7 days a week
Sun – Thurs 5:30 – 9pm, Fri & Sat 5:30 – 10pm

This drive-thru holiday light experience will cover Alum Creek State Park with LED lights.

Cars will cost $23.37 Monday through Thursday, and $33.87 Friday through Sunday. For pricing of larger vehicles, please click here.

3 New Wing Flavors at Popeyes

November 22, 2023 By Dayton937

Starting today, chicken wing lovers can enjoy a total of five signature flavors, including three all-new flavors with varying degrees of kick: new Honey BBQ, new Roasted Garlic Parmesan, new Signature Hot, Ghost Pepper, and Sweet ‘N Spicy.

Each flavor features hand-battered and breaded crispy chicken wings, which are crisp on the outside just like the brand’s signature bone-in chicken.

Here’s a closer look at the wing flavors:

New Honey BBQ Wings: Tangy tamarind, sweet honey and smoky molasses flavors.
New Roasted Garlic Parmesan: Rich flavors of caramelized garlic and parmesan and asiago cheeses.
New Signature Hot: A Cajun hot wing tossed in signature Cajun hot sauce with just a touch of southern sweetness.
Ghost Pepper Wings: Marinated in a dry spice blend before they’re hand breaded and fried for just the right balance of flavor and fire.
Sweet ‘N Spicy Wings: Fries wings tossed in a sweet and spicy blend of chili, garlic, and ginger.

Popeyes new Wings are available today at participating locations with prices starting at $5.99 for a 6-piece order.