DiscoveringOhio

Ohio Wonders in your Backyard

We are all guilty of not taking the time to see the sights that are so close to home, as if the further we travel, the better they will be.  The older I get, the more I realize this isn’t true.

My family has been spending time in Harrison County my entire life, but it wasn’t until one day with not much to do that I loaded my children up in the car in search for some local landmarks that we have never taken the time to see.

The first bit of history is the Skull Fork Covered Bridge, located south of Freeport near the intersections of Skull Fork Road and Covered Bridge Road.  Originally built just before 1900 for a mere $150, the dilapidated bridge was rebuilt in the last decade for $186,000.  While it is no longer passable by car, visitors can walk through the bridge.  A local gardening club maintains the bridge and its surroundings making it a lovely spot for a picnic in the summer, or a hot chocolate break in the winter.  Geocachers might also search for a cache at the bridge.

Just down the road from the covered bridge is a barn with a story to tell.  Privately owned, the owner of the 16-sided barn welcomes visitors.  The barn was completed in 1924 but was started many years before that.  When I asked the owner of the property why the builder decided on such a complicated barn, she said, “well, simply because someone told him he couldn’t do it.  So he did.”   The current owners rebuilt the barn in 2008, adding a new roof and a fresh coat of paint.  Currently used as private storage, the outside of the barn is a work of art and even at a glance you can tell that the walls hold many stories.

While neither of these destinations offer great activity, they are wonderful stops on a Sunday drive.  The landscapes around this part of Harrison County are beautiful in any time of the year, and the hills and gravel roads take you back to a simpler time when bridges were covered and barns were built with hard-working hands.

Covered bridges are becoming less and less common, but they are speckled all around Ohio.  The Ohio Department of Transportation lists the covered bridges by county, so even if you can’t make it for a picnic at Skull Fork, you can find one closer to you.  The 16-sided barn, however, is one of kind.

 

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve

 

Photos by Mike Evans of OHventures

All throughout the year, and even on the coldest and most wintry of days, The Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve is buzzing with visitors. Perhaps it is the geographical wonders that draws them in, or maybe it's the historical aspects of the park that brings them by. Whichever it is, the 956-acre area is sure to satisfy.

Located in Licking County, just east of the City of Newark and in the small town of Toboso, the Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve was established in 1976 in order to protect the area for generations to come. Ten miles of hiking paths run alongside the magnificent sandstone formations, which  are a tremendous sight to see. On the other side of the path is the Licking River, which runs east to west and is responsible for forming the gorge many years ago.

 

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the preserve got its moniker from a dark, hand-shaped Indian petroglyph which was engraved on the face of a massive sandstone cliff along the north side of the river. However, the petroglyph was destroyed during the construction of the Ohio-Erie Canal, which runs through the gorge. Sections of the canal towpaths and canal locks may be seen from the trails along the river.

During my winter hike through the Blackhand Gorge State Nature Reserve, I walked along the Blackhand Trail where I was able to see the sandstone formations up close and personal. The 4.26 mile path is paved, and therefore permissible to bring leashed dogs, and is also handicap accessible.

 

Because I had my dog with me, I was unable to go on the Quarry Rim Trail, which as one could guess by its name, runs along the rim of the quarry off of the Blackhand Trail. Dogs are not permitted on the Quarry Rim Trail because of how steep, narrow and rugged the path is. It is also not recommended to travel on during the winter conditions. I can not wait to return sans canine so I can try it out in the spring!

The very short Canal Lock Trail, which is a mere 0.1 miles long (in a loop) is a must-see when visiting, as you can catch a great glimpse of the aforementioned canal locks. The Oak Knob, Marie Hickey, and Chestnut Trails round out the collection of hiking paths, and are all loops (and of course very scenic).

 

While walking, I ran across a few volunteers who are members of the Friends of Blackhand Gorge group. They were clearing trees and shrubs in order to create a brand new trail that was not yet named and was set to be open before spring! It is clear that the many volunteers who comprise the Friends of Blackhand Gorge take great pride in the preserve. And it was clear that all of the many visitors taking photos as they hiked through the gorge had just as much appreciation for all that Blackhand Gorge State Nature Reserve has to offer.

 

Ohio's Top 5 Movie Theaters

This Sunday sees the 85th Academy Awards taking place in Los Angeles. Ohio-based movie enthusiasts have a rich choice of excellent theaters to see nominated films such as Argo, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Les Misérables, Life of Pi and Lincoln before the big day. Here are five of the best movie theaters in the state.

1. Studio 35, Columbus

At 75 years old, Studio 35 is Columbus' oldest independent movie theater. Following extensive renovations last year, the theater now offers a comfortable lounge bar area with more than 40 beers on tap -- get there for Happy Hour weekdays from 4 - 6 p.m. for a dollar off all beers.

Studio 35 runs regular special events such as retro movie showings paired with beer tastings, and will be showing the Oscars live on the big screen this Sunday -- for free.

2. Esquire Theater, Cincinnati

Via Steph L. http://www.flickr.com/photos/19661199@N00/1480694348/

Dating from 1911, when it showed silent movies and hosted live events, the Esquire Theatre is Cincinnati's go-to for indie, artsy and generally less mainstream films -- as well as classics such as the 1966 western Django, -- inspiration for Oscar-nominated Django Unchained, which is playing this weekend accompanied by a live band playing "cowboy/Americana campfire songs."

The Esquire will be hosting its own Oscar party on Sunday evening, hosted by comedian Steve Caminiti who was named "Best Comedian in Cincinnati" by Cincinnati Magazine and CityBeat.

3. Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque

Via www.cia.edu

In its two decades of existence, the Cleveland Institute of Art's Cinematheque has won national recognition for its carefully curated calendar of rare, foreign, art and independent movies -- the New York Times even called it one of the country's best repertory theaters. 

One of the many pleasures of visiting the Cinematheque is walking through the maze of art-filled hallways, featuring work by current students and faculty, on the way to the theater.

4. Athena Theatre, Athens

Via Athens County Visitor's Bureau

Fittingly for a college town theater, the Athena (which first opened in 1915) offers an eclectic and interesting program of movies: its current schedule includes a Hitchcock retrospective and a collection of Oscar-nominated short films -- and in April the theater will be hosting its 40th annual Film and Video Festival.

5. Drexel Theatre, Columbus

The Drexel, located in Columbus' Bexley neighborhood, opened in 1930 and retains its colorful Art Deco marquee and interior decor.

The theater focuses on independent and foreign films and is currently showing Oscar-nominated Amour. The Drexel hosts regular special events including a "Sci-Fi Marathon" and "Summer Kids Movie Fest".You can also catch the Oscar ceremony live on the big screen at the Drexel's 16th annual "Red Carpet Bash."

President's Day celebration at Canton's McKinley Monument and Museum

President William McKinley admired the view from atop a hill in Canton and suggested it as home for a memorial honoring Stark County soldiers and sailors who lost their lives during America's wars.

Instead, the site became home to a memorial honoring McKinley after his assassination in 1901.

The 200,000 visitors the Monument draws each year admire the view from the top of a set of tiered steps leading up to the monument.

Visit on a sunny summer day, and you'll find plenty of locals exercising by walking or running up and down the 108 steps!

Architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle designed the Monument shortly after the president's death to house the granite-clad coffins of McKinley and his wife Ida.

A  9-1/2-foot-tall figure of McKinley, created by Cincinnati-born sculptor Charles Henry Niehaus, greets step climbers on the way up to the memorial building.

The Monument is open from April 1 to November 1.

If you want to learn more about President McKinley, stop by the William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum. It is next to the Monument and has the largest collection of McKinley artifacts in the world.

McKinley was one of eight presidents from Ohio. He served Ohio as a congressional representative and governor before becoming president in 1897.

It's difficult to imagine campaigns where voters traveled to see candidates at their homes, rather than experiencing the intrusive campaign methods of today like endless robo calls, but President McKinley and, in 1880, President Garfield drew crowds to Ohio as part of successful campaigns run from their own front porches.

The museum's Stark County Story gallery opened in 2009 and covers the county's history in decade-sized chunks from its founding in 1805 through the present day. The Street of Shops, a recreation of Canton in the 1800s, is a fun way to immerse yourself in the history of the area.

The museum draws 50,000 visitors annually, but the younger visitors we saw at the museum seemed especially jazzed about Discover World, a hands-on science center that draws as many as 20,000 visitors each year for class field trips.

I suspect they'll be even more excited since the museum opened its new Fascination Station on February 18!

Split Rock Studios, which created the Stark County Story gallery, redesigned the museum's Space Station Earth exhibit, adding features like new science demonstration areas that showcase subjects like robotics, weather and eco-friendly living. Many new interactive exhibits allow visitors to see a solar car from Stark State College, play a robotic arm game and view real-time weather data collected from new solar panels installed on the museum's roof.

Visit the museum's Facebook page or check out museum curator Kim Kenney's blog for behind-the-scenes scoops about museum activities and upcoming exhibits.

Accessibility note: There is a parking lot behind the Monument. An elevator is to the right of the front doors.

Thanks to the Canton-Stark County Convention & Visitors Bureau for their assistance with planning our visit to Canton and arranging for comped media passes to the museum.

Ohio -- the Mother of Presidents

By Vince Guerrieri

There’s no better place to celebrate President's Day than Ohio. One of the state’s nicknames is “Mother of Presidents.” A total of seven presidents were born in the state of Ohio, and although William Henry Harrison was born in Virginia, he was the first President from Ohio.

Harrison served as U.S. Congressman and Senator from Ohio before being elected President, and had a home in North Bend. He became the first president to die in office (of the eight presidents from Ohio, four died in office – including two that were assassinated) after catching pneumonia during a lengthy inauguration speech on a cold day. He died after 30 days in office and is buried in North Bend.

Ulysses S. Grant went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., and embarked on a lengthy military career, including leading the Army as a four-star general during the Civil War. He lived in Illinois before being elected President, and died in New York, but he’s an Ohio native. He was born in Point Pleasant, near New Richmond and grew up in Georgetown. Both have museums dedicated to Grant, although the boyhood home is undergoing a renovation.

Grant was the first of three consecutive Ohioans elected President. He was succeeded by Rutherford B. Hayes, a native of Delaware, Ohio, who had also served as a general in the Civil War. Hayes was governor of Ohio and practiced law in Fremont and Cincinnati. After serving one term as President, Hayes returned to Fremont to his home, Spiegel Grove. The home was donated to the state of Ohio in 1915, and was established as the first presidential library in the United States. The gates around the grounds are old wrought-iron gates from the White House, which became outdated with the advent of auto travel. Hayes’ son Webb asked President Warren G. Harding – another Ohioan – for them, and eventually got them. President Hayes, his wife Lucy and Hayes’ horse Whitey are all buried on the grounds.

Hayes, in turn, was succeeded by James Garfield, another Ohio native and former Civil War general. Garfield was born in a log cabin in Moreland Hills, Ohio, a replica of which sits on the municipal hall grounds. Garfield served eight terms in Congress representing districts in Northeast Ohio when there was talk to appoint him to the U.S. Senate (before passage of the 17^th Amendment to the Constitution, state legislatures appointed U.S. Senators) in 1879. But in 1880, he was nominated as the Republican candidate for President. Unlike today, where candidates travel throughout the country, Garfield had a “front porch” campaign, not venturing far from his home in Mentor. That home is now the James A. Garfield Presidential Site. Garfield was shot in a Washington D.C. train station less than four months after taking office, and died three months after that – more from unsanitary conditions than the actual bullet wound. (Garfield’s assassination is discussed at length in the book “Destiny of the Republic.”)

In the election of 1888, Benjamin Harrison – William Henry’s grandson – defeated Grover Cleveland (who, ironically enough, was from New York). Harrison was born in North Bend, studied at Miami University and practiced law in Cincinnati. 

William McKinley was the last Civil War veteran elected president, in 1897. He was born in Niles, but settled in Canton after the war. There’s a monument to his birthplace in Niles – including a great hall and the Niles Public Library – as well as a reproduction of a home of the era. McKinley and his wife Ida are interred in the McKinley Memorial in Canton. The building is visible from Interstate 77.

Lawyer Alphonso Taft moved from Vermont to Cincinnati to practice law. He bought a home on Auburn Street, and his wife Louise gave birth to a son, William Howard, there in 1857. William Howard Taft grew up to be President and Chief Justice of the United States, and his boyhood home is now a historic site, open for tours and containing a museum to William Howard Taft. (Taft was the featured speaker at the dedication of the McKinley Monument in Niles in 1917.)

The last president from Ohio – at least, so far – was Warren G. Harding, who is probably most notable today for being the head of a corrupt presidential administration in “Boardwalk Empire.” Harding and his wife Florence married in the home they bought in Marion – where Warren was the owner and publisher of the Marion Star, today the town’s only newspaper – and lived there until he was elected President in 1920. Their home was bequeathed to start a museum, but there was no presidential library to be had: Florence Harding burned all her husband’s papers after learning of his death.

Cleveland's Ohio City and Winter Brite Art & Music Celebration Embrace Winter

The winter doldrums can take a toll on the best of us, but there's hope! Even when it's chilly outside and the skies may be cloudy, things are shining "brite" in Ohio City.

This eclectic, artisan-focused neighborhood is located on Cleveland's west side, and is home to quaint shops, breweries, fine dining and of course the world-famous West Side Market*, Cleveland's oldest open air grocery and produce market. On top of the usual fun that can be found by exploring these shops, February boasts the "Brite Winter Art & Music Celebration" on Saturday, February 16.

This fourth annual event is one of the few outdoor festivals this time of year in Northern Ohio, and showcases an outdoor art show, live music, games and sitting by the outdoor fire. Organizers have given the festival the apt tag line: "Celebrating winter is better than tolerating it." The festival is funded by community businesses and organizations and admission is free, however, you can help support this and future events by donating online and receiving some Winter Brite swag in exchange. Keep posted on this year's event on Facebook and Twitter.

In between festival activities step inside any of the local indoor shops or eateries to warm up. Local hot spots here include The Market Garden Brewery & Distillery, Great Lakes Brewing Company, SOHO Kitchen & Bar and McNulty's Bier Markt.

Consider making an overnight or weekend trip of your stay in Ohio City. Local hotel accommodations are listed on the Positively Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau website. Or for the real thrifty folks consider staying at the Cleveland Hostel which just opened its doors in Ohio City last year!

How do you enjoy winter in Ohio?

*Please Note: Due to a recent fire the West Side Market is currently closed until Monday, February 19th, 2013. 

Romantic Getaway Ideas for Valentine’s Day in Ohio

If planning a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway is not really your thing, I have come up with some options to consider as you look to romance your loved one.  Turn Valentine’s Day into a weekend adventure at some of these great Ohio destinations. 

Head to a Bed & Breakfast

Ohio has some adorable and unique B&B’s like the Grinnell Mill Bed & Breakfast, a charming restored gristle mill in Yellow Springs overlooking the Little Miami River. The historic building makes for the perfect cozy getaway. For a more themed weekend, plan a stay at the Ravenwood Castle in Hocking Hills and live like a king. The English inspired castle and adjacent medieval cottages are the perfect backdrop for a royal affair.

Plan a Spa Getaway

Let the Lakehouse Inn and Winery in Geneva-on-the-Lake do all the pampering in their luxurious spa. Treat your special someone to a Chocolate Massage with scented chocolate oils or do a couple’s mani-pedi while overlooking the calming waves of Lake Erie.

Stay at a Chic Hotel
There are some pretty trendy hotels popping up all over the state. The Lofts in downtown Columbus is a luxury boutique hotel right in the middle of some amazing restaurants.  This contemporary hotel is a fabulous place to start or end the night. The St. Paul Hotel in Wooster is another great place that puts a modern twist on lodging.  They have heated floors, walk in showers and other fabulous accommodations that can provide for a luxurious evening.

Get a Scenic View at a Fabulous Restaurant
Nothing says romantic like a moonlit lake view dinner.  Pier W Restaurant in Lakewood has all the elements for a lovely evening.  A view of downtown Cleveland through over-sized windows and the crashing waves below will surely set the mood. They say French is the language of love, if so Chez Francois in Vermilion is the place for complete romance. Re-opening this spring, they have a très delicious menu and a beautiful view of Lake Erie.

Visit a Romantic City

I nominate Toledo as Ohio’s most romantic town.  After all, they have the Valentine Theatre.  They also have really nice riverfront restaurants like Forrester's on the River and an exciting nightlife like the newly opened Hollywood Casino.

For the value conscience daters, I also have some romantic ideas that won’t break the bank. 

Say, “I Love You” With Flowers
Instead of buying flowers, give the gift of countless bouquets.  Beech Creek Gardens in Alliance or the Cleveland Botanical Gardens set the scene for a perfect romantic oasis. 

Take a Stroll

Parks are unbelievably romantic this time of year and Ohio has some of the most beautiful parks in the country.  At Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland, you can explore the amazing trails and take in the breathtaking scenery. Rent some snowshoes to make the date even more memorable. 

 

 

 

Whatever your romantic gesture is, Ohio has many places to make you fall in love all over again.  Where will you spend this Valentine’s Day?

Win a Summer Getaway to Cedar Point!

Spring is just around the corner, which means it's time to start making plans for your summer vacations and getaways! DiscoverOhio is giving away a chance to win an amazing trip to Cedar Point, the "Roller Coaster Capital of the World!" Keep reading for more details! 

If you find yourself in a financial pinch this vacation season, Cedar Point is offering a great way to afford a fun family vacation with the new "Easy Pay Plan." The plan allows you to pay for your summer getaway a little at a time, allowing you more flexibility. Guests who book a stay by March 1st at any Cedar Point resort can pay for their trip in four easy installments. Click here to learn more about this program: Easy Pay or call 419-627-2106.

If you love roller coasters, the Gatekeeper, opening May 11th, is sure to be a thrill for the entire family. The all new winged record breaking roller coaster is 4,164 feet long with a 164 foot drop! Be one of the first to fly through the keyholes at the entrance of Cedar Point!

Cedar Point Giveaway: 

Prize: A one night resort stay and four tickets to Cedar Point to be used this summer!

How to Enter: Answer this question: "What do you love most about Amusement Parks?" 

Submit your response in the comments section below (click here to comment) no later than March 1st for a chance to win. One entry will be chosen at random. Limit one entry per person. See Official Rules Here. 

 

UPDATE 3/5: Congratulations to Michele of Willoughby, Ohio, for being randomly chosen as the winner of the Summer Getaway to Cedar Point! She plans on visitng Cedar Point with her twin daughters and son. Thank you to everyone for entered by commenting on our blog! 

Going Where the Snow Can’t Find Us

As much as I want to revel in the lovely winter weather and be grateful that Ohio has four full seasons to enjoy, there are times when I just want to avoid the cold altogether.  Staying indoors, however, is not always that easy when you have an energetic six-year-old literally climbing the walls.  That’s why I look for fun “indoor” places for him to enjoy.

In Northeast Ohio, there are  plenty of places that can absorb his energy.  My son loved Fun 'N’ Stuff in Macedonia.  We go there every year to celebrate a family member’s birthday.  In the summertime all their thrilling activities are available like go-cart racing, miniature golf and bumper boats, and there is plenty to do inside as well.  You can test your fear of heights by mastering the rock climbing wall or try your sense of balance on the rolling skating rink.  There is also laser tag and a huge room full of video games, prompting my son to use his signature catchphrase, “This place is awesome!”

Another great place I take my little one is Firefly's Minigolf in Strongsville.  The one advantage of this place, for me, is that it is also in a mall, but you quickly forget that when you step inside the luminescent miniature golf course that uses fluorescent colors and black lighting for a colorful fun experience. 

Swings-N-Things in Olmsted Falls has a bunch of great activities.  In the warmer months, children of all ages can enjoy the batting cages, go karts and paintball. Throughout the year, you can head inside and get lost in the humongous indoor playground or video game room.  You can also battle in their fun and interactive laser tag room.

Of course the most anticipated indoor event in Northeast Ohio is the return of the IX Indoor Amusement Park, coming in March.  This is the ultimate example of a kid’s fun indoor experience.  The 2,200,000-square-foot convention center is transformed into an oasis of entertainment.  There is something for everyone to enjoy: a gigantic Ferris wheel, roller coasters and another 150 rides that will thrill and excite.  Make sure to plan your visit, March 22-April 14. 

I beg of you to suggest more great places like this around Ohio as my son is looking at me right now with wild excitement.

"More American Photographs" Hits the Wex

The Wexner Center is by far one of the best intellectual and interesting places on Ohio State’s campus because its exhibits are modern, and attract not just students, but those from all around the Columbus area. The last exhibit, showcasing Annie Leibovitz and her creative eye for capturing the American spirit, was monumental to say the least. The replacement exhibit, More American Photographs, can be considered an extension of the beauty that is the American condition. 

 

Beginning in the early 1930’s, when America was at its lowest financial state, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt started an initiative called the Farm Security Administration (FSA). Its goal was to document the struggle and hopefully strengthen the spirits of the population through the use of photography.  With an economic state akin to the one nearly eighty years ago, a group of contemporary photographers have sought to capture the struggle just as the FSA did. The result of this clash in decades and styles is a gathering of beautiful documentary photography that juxtaposes the times but also captures the human condition in its most raw form. 

John Vachon, National Association of Manufacturers sign, Dubuque, Iowa, 1940, Inkjet print, Courtesy the Library of Congress, Washington DC

 

As a firm believer in black and white photography because of its ability to say more with less (color that is), I was hesitant to see whether or not the color photographs showcased would stand their ground. They did. Just like the photos from the thirties and forties, these photographs show decrepit and deserted buildings as well as the helpless and hopeless people. Dorothea Lange’s iconic image, Destitute Pea Pickers in California (aka. Migrant Mother), showing an evidently exhausted mother can be compared to the equally as powerful Katy Grannan contemporary photograph of a father holding his daughter. Both photos embody the theme of timeless and true love through trying times, although they were taken nearly a century apart.

 

Hank Willis Thomas, Strawberry Mansion, 2011, 72 digital chromogenic prints, museum board, and Tyvek, Courtesy the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York

 

The immense size of the photos that line the walls enhances the immensity of the economic struggle of the times, although the photographs do not need any help in speaking for themselves. My favorite piece of the exhibit would have to be Hank Willis Thomas’ Strawberry Mansion. It is a sort of folding card display of a long street made up of 72 compiled prints. In it the viewer sees boarded up houses contrasted with the broad smiles of those posing for the photo. The severity of the times is evident along with the simplicity and hopefulness of human nature to persist. Come see for yourself and witness that no matter the time, Americans have the ability to endure.

 

 

The More American Photographs will be on exhibit until April 7^th, 2013. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and free for Wexner Center members, college students, visitors under 18, school groups, and visitors with a ticket to a Wex film or performance that day. It is also free Thursdays 4-8 pm and Sundays.