Five River Metro Parks has many volunteering opportunities at various locations throughout Montgomery County, including parks and other natural areas! They will be tackling a variety of tasks, such as removing invasive species, maintaining habitats, gardening, mulching nature play areas, cleaning up historical farms, and more. By participating in these projects, we can improve the … Continue reading Looking for a way to get involved on Earth Day?

Did you know that today is National Pancake Day? This holiday goes back further than you may think. To learn more about the syrupy origins of this fluffy treat. Check out the link below. https://nationaltoday.com/national-pancake-day/#history Whats your favorite place to get pancakes in the Greater Dayton Area?

Greater Miami Valley area Fourth of July Weekend Activities  Local 4th of July Celebrations - Ohio  The region is booming with activities for you, your family, and your friends this Independence Day!    Check out all the local celebrations below!     Beavercreek –  City of Beavercreek 4th of July Fireworks – July 4th More info.  Stars, Stripes, & Brews at The Greene  – July 2nd More info.     Centerville –  Americana Fireworks – July 3rd More info.  Centerville Americana Festival – July 4th More info.   Americana Festival 5k Run – July 4th More info.     Dayton –  City of Dayton Lights in Flight Fireworks Festival – July 3rd More info.  Family, Fun, and Fireworks at the Kroc Center – July 3rd More info.   Woodland Military Tour, Woodland Cemetery- July 4th More info.    Eaton –  Preble County Historical Society Fireworks Celebration – July 3rd  $10 for parking, cash only. Baseball themed. More info.     Englewood –  City of Englewood Fireworks Celebration – July 4th More info.      Fairborn –  City of Fairborn Block Party- July 3rd More info.   City of Fairborn July 4 Parade & Fireworks – July 4th More info.      Fairfield –   Red, White, and Kaboom – July 3rd More info.      Franklin –   Independence Day Parade & Fireworks – July 4th More info.      Hamilton –   Hamilton 4th of July Celebration – July 4th More info.      Huber Heights –   Star-Spangled Heights – July 2nd More info.      Kettering –   City of Kettering Fireworks - Go 4th! – July 4th More info.      Lebanon -   Red, White, and BLUEBERRY Festival! At Hidden Valley Orchards  –  July 2nd More info.   Light Up Lebanon – July 3rd More info.     Liberty Township –   Light Up Liberty – July 2nd-3rd More info.    Liberty Township 4th of July Parade – July 4th More info.      Mason –   Red, Rhythm, and Boom – July 3rd More info.    Kings Island 4th of July fireworks – July 4th More info.      Miamisburg –   Free 4 Miler on the Fourth at Riverfront Park – July 4th More info.     4th of July All-American Weekend Celebration at Pipestone – July 1st- 4th. More info.     Middletown –   Middletown's Independence Day celebration – July 3rd More info.     Monroe –   Fourth of July Celebration – July 4th More info.     Piqua –City of Piqua 4th Fest – July 4th More info.    Sidney –Sidney Independence Day Fireworks – July 4th More info.    Springboro –  Boro BOOM! – July 4th More info.    Springfield –  Clark County Fireworks - Buck Creek Boom – July 3rd More info.    Tipp City –  4th of July Fireworks in Tipp City – July 4th More info.   Troy –  City of Troy 4th of July Concert & Fireworks – July 4th More info.    Urbana –   Grimes Field Fourth of July Celebration – July 4th More info.   Champaign Crusiers 4th of July Car Show More info.    Vandalia –  City of Vandalia Star-Spangled Celebration – July 3rd More info.   Waynesville –  Waynesville Independence Day Parade and Fireworks – July 2nd More info.   West Milton –   West Milton 4th of July Festival – June 30th – July 4th More info.  Wilmington - Fireworks at the Clinton County Fairgrounds -  July 4th More info.  Xenia –   Red, White, & Blue Block Party- July 1st More info.   Kevin Sonnycalb Memorial Fireworks in Xenia – July 1st More info.      Continue reading →

With the holidays right around the corner, you may be facing the challenge of getting your home ready for your friends and family. While getting your home ready for guests can be a daunting task, we’ve pulled together a list … Continue reading →

With Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday coming fast, it’s time to think about your holiday shopping endeavors.  Shopping local is great because it provides support to your community, and gives back to the people that make these businesses … Continue reading →

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…well its getting closer anyway! One of the best ways to enjoy the season is to take in some of the wonderful light displays that are hosted throughout the holidays. If you’re wondering where … Continue reading →

Mother’s Day will be here before you know it! Are you trying to find a fun gift for mom this year? Consider the gift of a she-shed! Moms everywhere are turning their ordinary backyard sheds into a private space to escape to and get away from the world. Check out the tips below to help guide you in create that perfect space for mom.Find The SpaceThe first and most obvious step is to either obtain a pre-made shed or build one yourself if you don’t already have one in the backyard you plan on using for the project. In addition, it isn’t often required but it is a good idea to check to see if you need a building permit before you begin. That would inform you on whether there are any size restrictions or if there are any other regulations you need to follow.Make A ListBefore you get too ahead of yourself with decorating, make a list of everything that needs to be completed. Do you need electricity? If you are using a pre-existing shed, is the structure in good shape? Are there any repairs that are needed? Do you need new flooring? By making a thorough list of everything that needs completed, you can ensure that mom’s new space is usable and, most important, safe. As an bonus tip, don’t forget to get a smoke detector for this space!Define A PurposeAn important step in creating that perfect space for mom is to determine what she is going to use that space for. Whether it is for crafting, exercising, gardening, a home office, or somewhere just to relax, the best she-sheds are designed with a specific purpose in mind. Once you have that determined, you can run with your ideas and get creative!Add Some ColorWhether you are starting from scratch or converting a backyard shed, you would be surprised how big of a difference one coat of paint can make on a space! Consider an accent wall or a fun colors to bring that space to life. Or, maybe even add a fun wallpaper to create a unique and bold space.Time To DecorateLet the fun begin! If you don’t have any spare furniture or decor to put in the she-shed, consider searching flea markets, antique shops, thrift stores and yard sales to obtain some inexpensive items that will make the space feel comfortable and complete. Be sure to get cozy furniture and fun textiles to make the space feel inviting, and be sure to fill the room with items that relate back to the purpose of the space.Finishing TouchesBefore you reveal your latest project to your mom, take some time to make the outside look just as amazing as the inside does – first impressions are important after all! Consider painting the exterior of the shed to her favorite color or to something that suits her personality. Plant some fresh flowers, hang some string lights or lanterns, and maybe even add a cute outdoor sitting area to finish it off.And there you have it, the perfect she-shed for mom! Now that you are done creating this perfect space, it is time for the big reveal! There is no doubt that she will be surprised and appreciative of all the work you put into her gift – this will be a Mother's Day she is sure to remember! Continue reading →

Whether you prefer it in the style of Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé, or Whitney Houston, the tune “I’ll be home for Christmas” is one of the most beloved Christmas songs around. Originally released by Bing Crosby in 1943, “I’ll be Home for Christmas” was written from the perspective of a World War II soldier, serving overseas during the holiday season. The carol has the soldier speaking to his family, requesting snow, mistletoe, and presents under the tree, while ending on the line “I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.” 2020 has many of us unable to see our family and friends as much as we’d like, but for our men women serving overseas, time away from their loved ones is nothing new, which is why there are many programs designed not only to thank them for their service but to ensure that every one of our soldiers has a holly jolly Christmas. We’ve compiled a list of several ways to support our military this holiday season. Check it out below: Soldier’s Angels – Holiday StockingsSoldier’s Angels’ Holiday stocking program works to brighten the spirit of deployed service members and veterans by providing them with a stuffed holiday stocking. People looking to participate simply send a stocking stuffed with items from a suggested “wish list” to Soldier’s Angles. Many also include a handwritten note or card. Operation Help a Hero – Operation Christmas Spirit Operation Christmas Spirit collects donations for nearly 500 military families to make their Christmas wishes a reality. Operation Help a Hero provides those wishing to join in Operation Christmas Spirit with many different ways to get involved. From adopting a military family, to donating money – or even technology, there is an easy way to give back no matter who you are. Full Circle Home Full Circle Home connects deployed service members with their loved ones across the country by helping over 21,000 troops send their “heroes at home” holiday gifts and hand-written notes. Christmas SPIRIT Foundation – Trees for Troops Trees for Troops is a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation which provides free, farm-grown Christmas trees to members of all military branches and their family, with the help of donations, sponsorships, grants, and many, many volunteers. Armed Services YMCA – Operation Holiday JoyFor 16 years, Operation Holiday Joy has collected donations in order to deliver baskets of food to military service members and their families on both Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition, Operation Holiday Joy has delivered over 320,000 toys to military children. Wreaths Across America The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember, honor, and teach. And they do so every year, by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at over 2,100 locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad. Those wanting to participate can do so by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering, or donating. In addition to the programs listed above, many local Veterans’ Service Organizations (American Legions, VFWs, etc.) provide a number of different ways to support service members, veterans, and their families. Checking with these local organizations is a wonderful way to impact those within your own community! We hope you and your family are lucky enough to be together and home this Christmas, if only in your dreams. Happy holidays, everyone. 

About this time of year goblins, ghouls, and ghosts are all the rage, but what if you’re experiencing some seriously scary stuff in the months outside of October? We’ve all had it happen. The chill that runs down your spine, the light flickering in the hallway. Some can simply shrug off that eerie feeling, but when these spooky occurrences continue to arise, you may come to some haunting conclusions. The good news is, if you think your house is haunted, you’re not alone. In a 2014 survey by the National Association of REALTORS, 28% of REALTOR responders have had to sell a house or find a new home for someone who believed their current place of residence was haunted. And while living in a haunted house doesn’t mean you have to immediately pack your bags, if you’re ready to put a for sale sign in the yard, there are some things you should know first.   Determine if your house is really haunted This is the only paragraph where we will reason with any skeptics or cynics, but the truth is that a potential maintenance issue with a home is probably more likely than a haunting. However, both can be equally scary. Sometimes homes make noise, especially when they are older, and there are a number of chilling stories that could probably be solved with a repairman instead of a ghostbuster. Flickering lights? Maybe call an electrician. Windows slamming shut when no one else is home? It might be time to replace them. See a stranger walking down the hallway and then suddenly disappear into thin air? Okay, sell the home! Don’t be spooked by disclosures – work with an agentIn the state of Ohio, REALTORS are not required to disclose if a murder or suicide happened at the property for sale or if the home is believed to be haunted, however, many agents may encourage transparency to protect their sellers from potential legal issues. When it comes to understanding how much you should tell potential buyers about your home’s frightening history, always trust the advice of your real estate professional.Kill any eerie rumors and stigmaAnother area where picking the right agent is crucial. Whether you’re selling a haunted home or just a home that buyers may THINK is haunted, property marketing is important and so is working with an agent who will treat your listing with professionalism and expertise, which includes combating any stigma. Your agent may even suggest making some improvements to the house to give it a fresh (non-haunted) new look.Be prepared to lower the price If all else fails, lower the price. This can be said whether your home is haunted by vengeful spirits or bad wallpaper. If your home in any way poses a challenge to sell, it’s best to prepare yourself that lowering the price may be the only option to get buyers through the door. We hope you never need the tips above, but if you are planning to sell your home, for ANY reason, call a Coldwell Banker Heritage agent today!  

Halloween is just a few days away, and beyond the frightening ghouls and goblins is something truly to be feared – vandalism. As the 2015 study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found vandalism peaks on Halloween with vehicles being 2X more likely to be vandalized. Additionally, insurance claims were 9% higher than the average claim. So how can you enjoy treats while avoiding tricks? Number of Insurance Claims by Holiday (2015)Source: Scary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsSecureOne of the easiest things you can do is check to make sure your valuables are secure. This means locking your doors and windows for both your vehicle and home. You should also remove or hide any valuables in your vehicle, and park in a garage if possible. It’s also a good idea to install/activate a security and/or ask your neighborhood watch to patrol the area during beggar’s night hours.VisibleAnother key area to reduce your chance of becoming victim to vandalism, is increasing visibility. You can increase visibility by installing/turning on exterior lights around your home. Additionally, if do not own a garage, park your car in a well-lit area. Besides adding more lighting, trimming bushes and shrubs can make it more difficult for someone to hide. While we cannot prevent all tricks this Halloween – we do hope these tips will help to reduce the likelihood of vandalism!SourcesScary Statistic: Vehicle Vandalism Peaks on Halloween, CarscoopsHalloween Sparks Most Vandalism Claims of the Year, APCITrick or Treat, Deter and prevent halloween vandalismHalloween Safety Tips, National Neighborhood Watch