Bethel-Tate

Their story stood out among submissions for its powerful storytelling, clear message, and meaningful connection to the community. Judges praised the piece for its emotional impact and ability to truly capture what makes the Legen-Dairy Whip special.

The students were honored at the recent Good News Goes Live Celebration, and their award-winning work will be featured across Connect Clermont channels.

This accomplishment reflects the creativity, dedication, and talent of our students, as well as the strength of Bethel-Tate’s partnership with programs like Connect Clermont.

Congratulations to Allison, Sarah, and Mason on this well-deserved recognition!

Read the 1st Place story here:

A Place Which Connects Us All

Bethel, Ohio is a very small town. In our small town stands what seems like a normal, mom-and-pop ice cream shop, but it is so much more than that. “Legen-Dairy Whip” is for us high school students a place to hang out after school or practice, to play yard games and connect with our friends. 

Legen-Dairy Whip started out as a Dairy Isle in 1959. Back then Earl and Betty Wolf set out  to make their ice cream shop a unique place for the community to come together. 

Formerly known as Dairy Isle, then Happy Days Dairy Barn, it was renamed and reopened by their new owners Glenn and Merry Stetz in 2020. On Merry and Glenn’s way back from an Antique machinery show in the village of Georgetown, Ohio, the couple spotted the ice cream shop. They were driving past it, Merry looked at it and when she first saw the For Sale sign she thought “she’s mine”. Within 30 days Merry and Glenn Stetzt were the new owners of Happy Days Dairy Barn now known as Legen-Dairy Whip.

The new shop, Legen-Dairy Whip, is known by all as a long-standing, historic ice cream stand in the community. Which is located at 3376 SR 125 in Bethel, Ohio. It is typically open Tuesday through Sunday, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM and closed on Mondays.

According to Merry, the owner, "Every single day I get someone saying, 'I worked here'; 'My grandfather brought me here'; or 'My mom worked here,'" Merry said. "We've seen first dates. I can't tell you how many first cones we've handed out. In such a short amount of time, it just speaks volumes to the need for stuff like this and for people to go and make memories."-reported by WCPO 9 News. These encounters confirm for Merry that her ice cream shop is important for the community she lives in. 

Currently, the most popular flavors at Legend-Dairy are natural banana soft serve, pineapple Dole Whip, and a blue ice cream that locals compare to flavors from Kings Island. Their specialty item, the "Sasquatch", is a massive bucket of ice cream loaded with every topping and sauce available. They also serve sundaes, milkshakes, and malts. Several community members describe how they look forward to Merry's seasonal ice cream creations, like the 4th of July special or Easter special.

More than 50 students visit Legen-Dairy as often as they can. “I think what they are best at is their consistency, and how their product is produced,” one student said. Another student shared, “ I believe that they are best at making the community smile, their ice cream is good, their atmosphere is great, and the prices ain’t bad either!” And even a Bethel-Tate High School teacher states, “The best thing about Legen- Dairy ice cream is how they connect the community and encourage teens to be great in the workforce. Merry is also very supportive of community events and she cares for the community.” “Merry is a role model for many students.” continued the teacher. Merry primarily only hires local students and supports them with school as well as, after school activities. 

 Last year the couple expanded their property to be a local hangout spot for the community. This place fits more food trucks, more seats and parking spots. Since this expansion they do not only serve ice cream. They also host local and international food trucks as well. Trucks like Aloha Tacos, Big Dog BBQ, and Cousins Maine Lobster, which helps all these local food trucks make a name for themselves and gives the community a great variety of savory food too!  

And since this is a mostly outdoors establishment, Legen-Dairy created an amazing outdoor seating and eating area with captivating decor and even a “Take a book, give a book”! “Take a book, give a book” is a free library. You can take books for free or donate your old books.  Even Bigfoot has been known  to “show up” for pictures and at  local events. And don’t worry, this local dairy shop is pet friendly too! They serve “pup cups” for customers who bring their dogs whether through the drive thru or walk-up window.

Legen-Dairy Whip is an ice cream shop which adds to the community. The owners have a huge impact on the community by giving students jobs and a place to hang out. “Be a part of the good” by visiting Bethel's local ice cream shop Legen-Dairy Whip, support local business owners and add to Legen-Dairy Whip’s History.  

Authors; Allison Taylor, Mason Warren and Sarah Awe, Bethel-Tate High School

Date: 4-14-2026