Alan Freed

December 15, 1921 – Alan Freed is born in Windber, Pa., but the family moves to Salem, Ohio, where he graduates from Salem High School. Freed creates a band – the Sultans of Swing – takes an interest in radio and becomes a DJ at WKBN in Youngstown and WAKR in Akron. Thanks to Cleveland record store owner Leo Mintz, he lands at WJW in Cleveland and hosts a late-night R&B show. Rock and roll is born!
More Fascinating Ohio

Mrs. Jones

December 13, 1972 - Me and Mrs. Jones by soul crooner Billy Paul is atop the charts as a No. 1 single. Written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was written after they saw somebody they knew meeting Mrs. Jones, who was from Yellow Springs, in a café they both frequented…”We got a thannnnng, going on…..”
More Fascinating Ohio

Survivor

December 12, 2004 – Chris Daugherty, a soft-spoken construction worker and Ohio Department of Transportation crewman from West Jefferson, wins $1 million on the reality TV show Survivor: Vanuatu. His secret? Be the nicest guy.
More Fascinating Ohio

Terri Garr

December 11, 1946 – Actress Terri Garr is born in Lakewood, a suburb of Cleveland. A graduate of Magnificat High School in Rocky River, Garr danced in several Elvis Presley movies, was on The Andy Griffith Show and received an Academy Award nomination for Tootsie. In October 2002, Garr announced that she had multiple sclerosis and became a spokesperson for research for that terrible disease.

More Fascinating Ohio

Otis Redding

December 10, 1967 – Otis Redding leaves Cleveland bound for Madison, Wisc. He would never make it. His plane crashes, and all on board die.
More Fascinating Ohio

Eddie George

December 9, 1995 – Running back Eddie George wins the 61st Heisman Trophy for his time on the gridiron at Ohio State University. In this 1995 season, he rushed for a school record 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns to give him an incredible career average of 152.2 yards per game.
More Fascinating Ohio

Patterson Homestead

Make plans to enjoy a seasonal three-course holiday dinner amid the candlelight of the Patterson Homestead in Dayton. Call (937) 293-2841 for reservations at the restored house/museum.
More Fascinating Ohio