Tag Archives: preserves

Walnut Creek Cheese, Amish Country, Ohio

Visitors come from miles away to visit Walnut Creek Cheese in Ohio’s Amish Country.  Entering the store is an Amish Wonderland of local produce and specialty stores that I could spend hours exploring.  A unique shopping experience, Walnut Creek also includes a small restaurant, a gift shop and an area that sells kitchenware and accessories.  Throughout the store are incredible displays of antiques and nostalgic collectors items.

I decided to purchase a few items to make gift baskets using several items from Walnut Creek and couldn’t believe all of the various flavors of jellies, jams and preserves.

Walnut Creek Cheese and Market began in 1977 when Mark Coblentz the President and Founder purchased a pick up and refrigerated truck  and refrigerated truck at the young age of 21.  Starting small with a few cheese products and Trail Bologna, Mark grew the business developing strong relationships, expanding his line of products and worked with integrity and a solid work ethic.

By 1987, Mark expanded the business by adding several buildings including the retail store and added Coblentz Chocolate Company.  Over the years, he added manufacturing and acquired a few brands as well.   Ten years later, he opened an additional store in Berlin and continues to expand the Walnut Creek brand today.

My favorite part of the shop are the antiques that have been carefully displayed along the mezzanines.  Some of these items I remembered seeing in local Ohio museums and historical sites.  Several of the appliances are used by the Amish today.

After wandering each of the sections of the grocery, it was time for ice cream from the Creamery.   It was a great break from the hour visit through the produce, meats and cheeses.

Of course I saved room for a cherry fry pie, one of my favorite items to purchase at Walnut Creek Cheese.  Seriously, have you tried one?

I would love to hear about your visit to Amish Country and Walnut Creek Cheese if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section.  Many thanks for reading about my visit and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Walnut Creek Cheese
2641 State Route 539
Walnut Creek, OH  44654
Telephone:  330 852 2888

Second Location: 

4727 US 62
Berlin, OH  44610
Telephone:  330 893 3273

Where to Eat:

Walnut Creek Cheese
2641 State Route 539
Walnut Creek, OH  44654
Telephone:  330 852 2888

What to Eat:

Everything!  It is all homemade!

What to Read:

  • Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughety

Visiting Clifton Mill for Dessert with a Scenic View

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Growing up in nearby Springfield, I have some great childhood memories of visiting Clifton Mill for their spectacular light show during the Christmas Holiday.  I decided to visit during the fall to explore this unique flour mill and to enjoya piece of their delicious pie.

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Tucked away in the little town of Clifton, Ohio, the mill is one of the largest remaining grist mills in the United States.  It is powered by water with the help of a 20 foot water wheel, located along the outer banks of the Little Miami River.

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Approaching the mill, I took a quick peek inside to see one of the seven floors used for making flour.

Just a close walk on the left side of the mill is the restaurant offering scenic views of the Little Miami River and the water wheel.  Greeted by a friendly server, I was escorted to a sought-after window seat and handed a menu with a selection of pies.

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With so many made-from-scratch options, I decided on the chocolate pecan pie.  Sinfully decadent, this slice had a flaky crust topped with chocolate and pecans and lived up to my expectations.  I thoroughly enjoyed every last bite.  If I would have arrived sooner, I would have been tempted by their famous pancakes which are also one of the restaurant’s specialities.    IMG_8350

The gift shop is located next to the restaurant and offers flour from its mill as well as a wide variety of country-style gifts and food times such as preserves, sauces and dips.

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I was happy to find a two pound bag of apple cinnamon pancake mix and would make them for the brunch I was hosting the next weekend.

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Settled in the year 1802, Clifton is a small town with a population of 150.  There are several historical buildings within the city that are worth checking out as well.  I am deeply grateful for the Satariano family for their passion in preserving the mill back in 1987 and their yearly display of holiday lights that bring thousands of visitors to the area each year.

Have you had the opportunity of having a meal at Clifton Mill or visited during the holidays for the lights?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my afternoon dessert stop and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH  45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

The light display begins the day after Thanksgiving and open nightly through December 31st.  Gates open daily at 5PM and the light show starts at 6PM. Gates close at 9PM and the lights are turned off 30 minutes after the gates close.  Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, the gates close at 8PM.

Parking is free and there is an admission of $10 for guests, 7 years and older, while children 6 and under can enter at no charge.

Where to Stay:

Mills Park Hotel
321 Xenia Avenue
Yellow Springs, OH  45387
Telephone:  937 319 0400

Where to Eat:

Clifton Mill
75 Water Street
Clifton, OH  45316
Telephone: 937 767 5501

Clifton Mill is open on New Year’s Eve with a full menu from 5PM to 8PM, and open daily for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is served all day.

One of my favorite meals at Clifton Mill is the order of pancakes. They are huge!  Their pies are delish as well.

What to Read: 

Not That I Could Tell, by Jessica Strawser

Photo Guide to Yellow Springs: 

  • Clifton Gorge
  • Colorful, Artsy Streets
  • Glen Helen Nature Reserve
  • John Bryan State Park
  • Sunflower Field, located at 4625 US-68, Yellow Springs (The Tecumseh Sunflower Field)
  • Wall Murals
    • Preparation for Life Work by Axel Horn hangs in the Yellow Springs Post Office
    • Village Cyclery is the location of the oldest mural in Yellow Springs
    • “Keith’s Alley” located behind the shops on the east side of Xenia Avenue between Cory and Glen Street showcases several murals
    • Winds Cafe displays one of the largest murals in town
    • Ohio Silver Co. displays a beautiful painting by Maxfield Parrish
    • The patio of Sunrise Cafe
    • The Smoking Octopus displays the works of Sarah Dickens
    • The Xenia Avenue Shops’ painting was created by local Mandy Knaul (Mandy Sue)
    • Corner Cone mural designed by Pierre Nagley
    • Kings Yard murals

Check out my write up on the holiday lights to experience the tradition of Clifton Mill that brings so much joy during the holiday season.  I hope you make it a family tradition for you and your family.