If you’ve ever driven past a driveway or patio that made you stop and say, “Now that’s quality work,” there’s a good chance the Concrete Queen had something to do with it.

Melanie Raymond, founder of Concrete Queen LLC, built her business from the ground up — literally. A longtime member of the cement masons union, she earned the nickname “The Queen” on the job for her unmatched skill and attention to detail. When her kids were getting ready to graduate high school, she decided it was time to build something of her own. Over dinner one night, her daughter suggested the name “Concrete Queen,” and it stuck.

What started as Melanie doing demo and excavation work solo has grown into a full family operation. Today, she works alongside her sons, pouring everything from patios to decorative walkways and turning ordinary spaces into stunning focal points.

“My favorite thing is being able to change the whole curb appeal of a customer’s house and see how happy they are when we’re finished,” she says.

Concrete Queen LLC is proudly woman-owned and family-operated, serving homeowners across the Valley with craftsmanship you can count on. Right now, they’re offering free estimates and $250 off any job over $1,500 for contracts signed before January 1, 2026.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your outdoor space — or finally tackling that cracked driveway — this is your sign to call the Queen.

📞 (724) 312-0795

🌐 concretequeenllc.com

📧 [email protected]

🍽️ Waypoint 4180 – Canfield
Serving their annual Thanksgiving Grand Buffet from 11 AM – 5 PM. Gorgeous setup, all the traditional favorites, and dessert that’s worth the drive.

📍 4180 Westford Pl, Canfield | Reservations recommended.

🍷 Café 422 – Boardman & Warren

Open 12 PM – 4 PM for dine-in with a special holiday menu. They’ve also got take-out dinners if you’d rather stay cozy at home.

📍 8586 South Ave, Boardman |  cafe422.com 

🌾 The Vineyards at Pine Lake – Columbiana

Known for their lakeside views and festive buffet. Call ahead — it fills up fast every year.

📍 14101 Market St, Columbiana

🏡 Peter Allen Inn – Kinsman Area

Serving a classic Thanksgiving buffet from Noon to 3 PM in a beautiful historic setting.

✨ Pro Tip: Book early — most of these spots require reservations and they always sell out by the week of Thanksgiving.

Whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual, there’s plenty of room at a local table this year. Support our hometown restaurants and let someone else handle the dishes for a change.

Where’s your favorite place to go for Thanksgiving dinner around here?

Level up Your Small Business

When follicles cycle from grow → rest → shed too quickly, hair looks thinner. That shift is usually driven by a blend of hormones (DHT), stress/illness, and micro-inflammation on the scalp. In women, postpartum and perimenopause can accelerate it; in men, lifelong DHT sensitivity slowly miniaturizes follicles. The result: each new hair grows in a little finer than the last—until density drops.

Try this at home:

A Simple AT HOME HELPER:
Filter-Free Hair Growth Oil. It’s a lightweight blend you can work into scalp massages 3–4 nights a week (sparingly at roots) and smooth through mid-lengths to fight breakage. You can get it at Filter-Free.com

LEARN MORE at their FREE WORKSHOP

Workshop: Get the full playbook at our Hair Thinning Info Night — Wednesday, Nov 12, 6:00 p.m. at Skin Solution MedSpa. Real causes, real timelines, and clear next steps.

Seats are limited—save yours now and
get the FREE Brochure here »

🎅 Local Artist John Johnson Brings Christmas to Life with His Watercolor Santa Cards

There’s something special about a handwritten card — and even more special when it’s made right here at home.

John Johnson, a local artist known for his warm watercolor style, has created a beautiful Santa painting that perfectly captures the heart of a Youngstown Christmas. Each card in this new limited-edition release features his original artwork — a cheerful, nostalgic Santa that feels straight out of a classic holiday memory.

Each box includes 10 premium cards with envelopes for $39, printed locally and ready to send to everyone on your list. Whether you’re mailing them to family across the country or handing them out at work, they’re a simple, heartfelt way to share a little piece of home this season.

✨ Support local art. Share the spirit.

🎁 Box of 10 – $39

👉 [Click here to order your box today] before they sell out and make this Christmas a little more personal — and a little more local.

-G.M. Gotti

Get ready, Youngstown because the laughs are about to roll in like a pot of Sunday gravy! The Uncle Louie Variety Show, starring comedians Lou Greco and Carlo Russo, is making a stop at the DeYor Performing Arts Center on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 8 p.m. This hilarious, family-inspired comedy act has been winning hearts across the country, and now local audiences get the chance to join the fun.

The Uncle Louie Variety Show is anything but your typical comedy gig. It’s a mix of stand-up, sketch comedy, improv, and music, all flavored with the warmth (and chaos) of Italian-American family life. You’ll meet unforgettable characters like the sharp-tongued Zia Maria, the ever-clueless Pasqualino, and of course, Uncle Louie himself. It’s the kind of humor that hits home whether you grew up in an Italian household or not.

Their 2025 tour, titled Wooden Spoon Survivor, pays playful tribute to the “discipline” many remember from old-school family days, you know, when a wooden spoon wasn’t just for stirring sauce. Expect fast-paced skits, music that’ll have you tapping your toes, and plenty of moments where you’ll say, “That’s exactly like my family!”

Tickets are available now, with prices typically ranging from $60 to $90, depending on seat selection. The DeYor Performing Arts Center, located at 260 W. Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown, offers comfortable seating, great acoustics, and a welcoming, local-theater atmosphere. Doors open around 7 p.m., so come early to grab a snack, find your seats, and soak in the energy before the show begins.

Parking is available nearby in several downtown lots and garages, and the Covelli Centre area offers additional spaces within walking distance. Downtown Youngstown can be lively on event nights, so arrive early enough to easily park and get inside!

If you’re looking for a night full of laughter, nostalgia, and good old-fashioned fun, The Uncle Louie Variety Show is the perfect pick. It’s clean enough for a family night out but clever enough to keep the adults howling with laughter.

So, grab your friends, your parents, or your loudest cousin, and get ready for an evening that feels like Sunday dinner, only this time, everyone leaves smiling! For tickets and more information, visit theunclelouievarietyshow.com

Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes…and it’s OK to reach out when you’re the one that needs a little helping hand.

Let’s be honest — even the most graceful swans can wake up one day and notice a little extra gobble under the chin. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us (and no, it’s not from Thanksgiving leftovers!).

At Skin Solution MedSpa, we’ve got the perfect fix —
Laser Skin Tightening!
✨ Pain-free
✨ No downtime
✨ Noticeable results in as little as 3 sessions

Smooth, lift, and tighten your neck and jawline so you can confidently say: “This turkey’s for the dinner table — not the mirror!”

💥 Limited-Time Promo:
Your first session is just $199

Book now and let’s tighten that neckline before the holidays sneak up on us!

📞 Call us or TEXT “TURKEY” to 330-977-5788 or click below to schedule your FREE Turkey Neck Rescue consult today.

Want more of The Scoop? Join our Facebook group where we post often…plus you can chat with us there!

(Thursday, Nov 6 – Sunday, Nov 9, 2025)
Curated by YoTown Scoop — your guide to what’s happening this weekend!

🙌 Send this to that one person who says:
‘What’s good around here’.