Dayton & Miami Valley Events

👻 Halloween Frights Around Dayton: Haunted Houses, Creepy Caves & Terrifying Trails!

🎃 Where to Get Your Scare This Halloween

1. 👻 Dayton Scream Park — Dayton

2. 😱 Hell's Dungeon — Dayton

3. 🏰 Riverside Jaycees Castle of Carnage & Trail — Riverside

4. 🕳️ Lewisburg Haunted Cave — Lewisburg

5. 🎃 Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park — Middletown

6. 🌾 Brimstone Haunt — Wilmington

7. 🏨 Face Your Fears: Hotel of Terror — Springfield

8. 🌲 Terror Maze — Springfield

9. 🚛 Wilmington Haunted Hollow Ride — Wilmington

10. 💀 Nightmare Manor — Middletown

🍬 Looking for Something Less Scary?

💡 Our Halloween Weekend Tips

• Buy Tickets Ahead: Halloween weekend is one of the busiest times of the season, and Fast Passes may be worthwhile.
• Dress for the Weather: Outdoor haunted trails, caves, and hayrides can be chilly, muddy, or uneven.
• Check Age Recommendations: Many attractions feature intense scares, darkness, loud noises, and special effects.
• Confirm Closing Times: Some locations stop selling tickets before the final guests finish.
• Double-Check Saturday Schedules: Halloween falls on Saturday this year, but not every attraction necessarily operates both nights.

🍁 Caesar Ford Park: Where Nature, History & Adventure Meet!

Discover a Greene County treasure just outside Xenia.

🚶 Miles of Trails Through the Woods

🥏 Try Your Hand at Disc Golf

🎭 A Park with a Fascinating History

🏕️ There's Even a Campground!

📍 Plan Your Visit

💡 Our Tip: Check Park Closures Before Visiting

🌟 Why It's Worth Visiting

🍂 Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken & Gnocchi

A cozy, one-skillet dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes!

🛒 Ingredients

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 package (16 ounces) shelf-stable potato gnocchi
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Season and Brown the Chicken
Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a plate.

2. Build the Garlic Cream Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet and add minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.

3. Cook the Gnocchi
Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add the uncooked shelf-stable gnocchi, cover, and cook for 4–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi are tender. Add a splash of broth if the sauce becomes too thick.

4. Add the Cheese and Vegetables
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce becomes creamy.

5. Bring Everything Together
Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir gently until everything is coated in the sauce and heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

6. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while the sauce is warm and creamy.

⭐ Tips for Making It Extra Delicious

• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts more smoothly than packaged shredded cheese.
• Don't Boil the Cream Sauce: A gentle simmer keeps it silky and smooth.
• Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms before adding the garlic for an earthy autumn flavor.
• Make It Lighter: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, although the sauce will be thinner.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious sauce!

🍽️ What to Serve Alongside

❤️ Why We Love This Recipe

🏡 7 Things to Check Before Turning On Your Heat This Fall

Simple steps to keep your home warm, comfortable, and safe this winter.

🔥 1. Give Your Furnace a Quick Inspection

🌬️ 2. Check Your Air Vents and Registers

🌡️ 3. Test Your Thermostat Before the First Really Cold Night

🚪 4. Look for Drafts Around Doors and Windows

🚨 5. Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors

🌀 6. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans for Winter

💧 7. Check Your Humidity Levels

❤️ A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way