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July 2010 Magazine Edition ©
OHIO'S #1 MAGAZINE AND #2 TOURISM SOURCE ONLINE
DAY TIPPING
IN ONE OF OHIO'S FINEST SMALL
TOWNS
Day-Tipping! That's right, without the "R" although you'll find plenty of R&R in Tipp City.
Ohio is littered with old canal towns selling the past but old Tippecanoe, now Tipp City, is as vibrant as ever. Whereas most canal towns were killed by the railroads, Tippecanoe City kept on rolling. And when railroads succumbed to superhighways, Tipp City found itself at America’s crossroads when concrete was poured a mere six miles away for I-75 and I-70.
Today, downtown Tipp City is bustling with foot traffic around shops of all sorts. A typical hotel sign may read "No Vacancies" but that may well apply to the storefronts stretching from the railroad to the old canal lock. In between tells the story, past and present, from Tippecanoe to Tipp City.
The town’s original name, Tippecanoe, was to honor President William Henry Harrison by using part of his presidential slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!” The word City was added a few years later albeit unofficially. But in the 1930’s, the post office all too often mixed mail delivery between Tippecanoe City and an unincorporated village in eastern Ohio named Tippecanoe, which had its own zip code and post office as well. Driven by businessmen at the time, the post office shortened Tippecanoe City’s name to simply Tipp City.
Under any name, the town’s founder, John Clark, laid construction plans that would stand the test of time. He required its original buildings be erected in brick, not log, which was the trend for upstarts in 1840. Since its founding in 1841, there are 89 buildings listed on the National Registry of Historic Places today. An exception to the brick rule was the Tipp Roller Mill built in 1839 out of red stained wood but it too survived and remains at the foot of the original Tipp Canal Lock. The architectural legacy is diligently preserved by restoration and regulation to maintain the integrity of the charming small town where visitors today outnumber its 6,500 residents.
As the community evolved, so too did its architectural styles. The old hotel has a Late Federal influence. The Opera House features Romanesque architecture. Other styles include Jacobean, High Victorian period, Second Empire and Beau Art. The back stories of all the restored facades are detailed at The Tippecanoe Monroe-Bethel Historical Museum. The attention to architectural details around town make it no surprise that Free Masons had a prominent hand in this communities rise.
Every restaurant and shop has a unique setting and artistry that compliments the town’s past but also transcends it.
As any traveler can attest, a town’s health is often determined by the quality and variety of its restaurants. Tipp City is a foodie haven! Whether you seek an old-fashioned mom and pop diner or uptown cuisine, Tipp City is home no matter what your taste buds. You can dine on sidewalks or inside the gigantic vault of an old bank turned restaurant. If you want an after dinner drink or cup of coffee, Tipp City has that covered too. The ambience of old brick buildings, inside and out, coupled with ornate woodwork offer that quaint nook with just the right lighting.
But eating is just what you do between strolling from one charming old building to another for eclectic shopping pursuits. Venture into the old hotel or former opera house buildings and places with names like “Buggy Whip” and find anything from the Tin Peddler to a wood carver or pottery shop. A two-story fabric store, toy store, bookstore and cyclery illustrate the breadth of offerings. But the art and antique shops are top-notch. You walk their floors like you would a museum. And it’s not just what’s on display that captures attention and imagination; the interiors of these buildings are picturesque. Their design accentuates the historic character of worn and polished woodwork, masonry and more.
When you have come to the end of the better part of a day, shopping and dining, you come to the edge of town where recreation begins.
Once you turn the corner of the weathered Tipp Roller Mill, last in the line of bygone buildings, you see the reason this town came to be – the historic Miami and Erie Canal Lock 15. It’s like peering into a lost era of wanderlust. It’s probably at that point you realize you’re either coming back to Tipp City or spending the night. There’s just not enough time to absorb it all at a relaxed pace. Besides, an afternoon can be lost on walking, bicycling or jogging along miles of the paved Great Miami River Recreational Trail. There are even seven golf courses within 10 minutes of downtown.
Dating back to the rough and tumble entertainment of its canal port town roots; Tipp City still knows how to throw a party and entertain with special events. Every summer a free blues concert is hosted at Tipp City Canal Lock Park. But that’s just for starters. Music in the park, dinner theatre and other productions are offered throughout the year by Tipp City Players Community Theatre. September is when the town puts on one of its biggest productions – The Mum Festival. Yes, “Mums” the word for tens of thousands of visitors to kick off every autumn season. Still, that secret got out more than 30 years ago. The event features all your Americana fest favorites from a parade that is often televised to bands, antique car show and 10K Run for the Mums. There’s even a Mum Queen reigning over everything from the entertainment to the games, live entertainment, arts and crafts, refreshments and more.
But the true go-between connecting the historic town’s heritage to its present entertainment comes from the Tippecanoe Canal Jumpers. This vintage baseball team hosts games in Tipp City and also travels to play other teams reflecting everything 19th Century down to the circa 1860 uniforms.
And that brings us home.
If you want to go “Day Tipping,” plan your trip at www.visitmiamicounty.org or call 1-800-348-8993.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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JUMPER CLASSIC HORSE SHOW
EXPANDS FAMILY FUN
Flying
horses, racing dogs and carriage rides with Ellie Bellie are just a few of
the highlights of Family Weekend at the Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper
Classic, a three weekend horse show running from July 9-25. Formerly known
as Family Day, the popularity of the family-focused activities spurred
show organizers to expand the fun to an entire weekend! Come join the fun
Friday, July 16 through Sunday, July 18.
In addition to the ongoing horse show jumping competition, Family Weekend
visitors will enjoy canine exhibitions, interactive activities including
carriage rides for all ages, and much more. All activities are included in
the price of a general admission ticket. Children 12 and under will be
admitted for free on Saturday, July 17.
Canine exhibitions will be presented by the Classic K-9 Show from Mt.
Morris, MI. The Classic K-9s will entertain with a series of
“Olympic”-styled events such as Grand Prix Agility Racing, Musical Mats,
Barrel Racing, Relay Racing and World Record Canine High Jumping. Don’t
miss the fun and excitement several times each day Friday evening through
Sunday.
Saturday is Family Fun Day with special events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These activities will include carriage rides, a horseless horse show for
the children, a bounce house, face painting, hair spraying, and arts and
crafts. The horseless horse show, always a big hit with the children,
consists of a fun competition over a course of child-sized show jumps made
out of foam swimming noodles.
Carriage rides will be provided by Michelle Nicastro of Chesterland’s
Sweetheart Stables. The open carriage will be pulled by Ellie Bellie, a
10-year-old Clydesdale mare. Michelle and Ellie Bellie have experience
giving carriage rides at fairs and participating in parades. The carriage
can hold six people in the back and one lucky person gets to ride up front
next to Michelle! This 10 to 15 minute tour of the showgrounds is a great
activity for the whole family to participate in.
Hunter the Horse, the grey-haired mascot of the Chagrin Valley Hunter
Jumper Classic, is a busy equine in the community. Since Hunter’s debut in
2002, the friendly horse has been seen around town promoting the “Reading
and Riding” program. This program, aimed at Kindergarten through fifth
graders, promotes reading among children. Hunter visits groups with a
human guide who will answer questions and hand out bookmarks, coloring
pages and word puzzles while encouraging the love of reading. For those
who would like to meet Hunter, he will be making appearances throughout
the weekend.
The final day of Family Weekend, Sunday, July 18, is Grand Prix Day.
Festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. and will include special exhibitions and
presentations. The Cleveland Grand Prix competition begins at 2:30 p.m.
and features beautiful horses and their Olympic-caliber riders from all
over the country competing over five foot fences. This spectacular show
jumping competition is exciting for the whole family!
The Chagrin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic is presented by the Chagrin
Valley PHA Horse Show, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization headed by a
voluntary Board of Trustees, comprised of local residents, business
leaders and equestrians, who run the show with the help of a large
volunteer team of more than 200 individuals.
For ticket and all other information, visit
www.clevelandhorseshow.com.
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RED, WHITE AND FREE
Museums across the
country are now offering active duty military personnel and their
immediate family members free admission through Labor Day as a part of
Blue Star Museums. The program is a partnership with the National
Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and more than 600 museums
across
Participating Ohio museums include AHA! A Hands-on Adventure, A Children's Museum in Lancaster, Akron Art Museum, Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Campus Martius Museum in Marietta, Canton Museum of Art, Cedar Bog Nature Preserve, Cleveland Museum of Art, Columbus Museum of Art, Dayton Art Institute, Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, Flint Ridge in Glenford, Fort Ancient, Fort Meigs, Harding Home, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Indian Mill in Upper Sandusky, Johnston Farm & Indian Agency in Piqua, Milan Museum, Museum of Ceramics, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, National Road / Zane Grey Museum, Oberlin Heritage Center, Ohio Historical Center, Ohio Historical Society, Ohio River Museum, Springfield Museum of Art, Strongsville Historical Society, SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, Taft Museum of Art, Toledo Museum of Art, Wahkeena Nature Preserve in Sugar Grove, Wexner Center for the Arts, and Wood County Historical Center.
“The
Ohio Historical Society is proud to join the Blue Star Museums
in thanking our military personnel and their families for their service
and sacrifice,” said Burt Logan, executive director and CEO of the Ohio
Historical Society. “We want to welcome them in to explore and enjoy
“The Akron Art Museum is honored to offer this wonderful program to our service men and women, and we truly hope that it will be taken full advantage of,” said museum Director and CEO Mitchell Kahan. “Not only is it a great opportunity for local military personnel to familiarize themselves with the museum, we also hope to attract visitors from around the country.”
“America’s museums are proud to join the rest of the country in thanking our military personnel and their families for their service and sacrifice,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman. “I cannot imagine a better way to do that than welcoming them in to explore and enjoy the extraordinary cultural heritage our museums present.”
“There have
always been wonderful examples of partnerships between museums and
military installations, but the scale of this gift from the museum
communities to military families is thrilling,” said Blue Star Families
Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet. “Military families work hard for this
country, and it is gratifying for us to be recognized for that. We
anticipate that thousands of military families will participate in the
program and visit museums this summer – many of them for the first time.
Blue Star Families will work hard to help our military families make the
most of these opportunities.”
Blue Star Museums runs through to Labor Day, September 6, 2010, and applies to admission to participating museums and historic sites. The free admission program is available to active duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members), which includes active duty Reserve and active duty National Guard. For participating Ohio Historical Society sites some special events are not included in the Blue Stars Museums free admission program. For questions, please contact the particular historic site or museum directly.
To find out which museums nationally are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a complete list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning.
Blue Star Families is a national, non-partisan, non-profit network of military families from all ranks and services including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life with civilian community and leaders. Membership includes spouses, kids, parents, service members, veterans and civilians.
For more information about the Ohio museums, find them by topic or region.
Information for this announcement was provided by The Ohio Historical Society, The Akron Art Museum and Blue Star Museum. Photo credits are compliments of The Ohio Historical Society.
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OHIO'S
ICONIC
DAUGHTER TURNS 150
A pretty
face and deadly shot enabled a small town Ohio gal to reach international
fame and become an endearing legend.
Born in a log cabin in Darke County, Ohio on August 13, 1860, Phoebe Anne Moses would one day challenge a man to a shooting contest and win – launching an unlikely career in marksmanship and building a legend with her stage name of Annie Oakley. She became the star attraction in the world-famous Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and traveled all over the United States and Europe. Through the years, Annie would astound crowds by shooting out candles, knocking corks from bottles and even blasting cigarettes from her husband’s mouth.
Annie was a pioneer in a field dominated by men but was beloved by all for both her charm and precision with a rifle. The great Sioux Chief Sitting Bull adoringly nicknamed her “Mochin Cilla Wytonys Cecilia” which translates to “My daughter, little sure shot.”
And so she was until her death on November 3, 1926 in Greenville, Ohio. Annie was laid to rest in nearby Brock Cemetery alongside her soul mate, husband and first competitor – Frank Butler.
“The Year of Annie” will be celebrated in the most appropriate place – her birth place, home and resting place – of Darke County, Ohio at the Garst Museum and Annie Oakley Center on what would be the week of her 150th birthday, August 10 – 15, 2010. The birthday bash promises a huge week of special events, including tours of the Oakley Center, its authentic artifacts, and area historical sites honoring Annie Oakley. And since it’s a birthday party, there will also be plenty of birthday cake and other surprises. On August 13, a ceremony at Annie and Frank’s grave site will feature the installation of a Historical marker.
“Garst Museum has the finest exhibition of Annie’s belongings anywhere,” said Paul Fees, an Annie Oakley authority.
The entrance to the Annie Oakley exhibit at Garst Museum has been enhanced for the 2010 celebrations. It now gives visitors an introduction to Annie Oakley before they enter the main portion of the exhibit. Included in the new entrance is a video taken from the popular television show, American Experience. The video summarizes Annie Oakley’s life and provides a thorough overview of the real person behind the legend. The museum also possesses authentic belongings of Annie, including her rifles, personal letters, gifts from dignitaries the world over and more. The two-room exhibition covers Annie’s personal and professional life as well as her commercialization.
Many other festivities and special events are planned before and after the birthday week gala. For a complete calendar and additional information, contact Garst Museum and Annie Oakley Center by calling 937-548-5250 or visiting www.garstmuseum.org. The museum is located at 205 North Broadway in Greenville, OH 45331. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Admission is $5/adult, $3.00/Senior, and $2.00 for Students age 6-18. Members of Garst Museum are admitted free.
Generations of Americans are still touched by Annie Oakley through movies, theatre, commemorations, re-enactments and artifacts but nothing hits the mark more than her own words and motto:
“Aim high at a mark and you will hit it.
No, not on the first time, nor the second, and maybe not the third.
But keep on aiming and keep on shooting.
For only practice will make you perfect.
Finally you’ll hit the bull’s eye of success.”
─ Phoebe Anne Moses a.k.a. Annie Oakley
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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Need
something cool to think about during the dog days of summer? Mark you
calendar now because IceFest makes its return to Hamilton, Ohio in
2011. This unique festival is the epitome of a winter wonderland as
visitors are dazzled by breathtaking ice sculptures lining the streets
of downtown Hamilton January 21 – 22, 2011. The Hamilton-based
organization, City of Sculpture, leads the way in the planning of the
event.
After a three-year hiatus, IceFest’s return gives visitors of all ages an enjoyable treat to help break up the winter blahs. IceFest features ice carving competitions, ice sculptures based upon the event’s theme, of course plenty of hot chocolate, and many more fun-filled activities.
“We are so happy and proud to bring IceFest back to Hamilton in 2011,” stated Gerry Hammond, Chair of the Hamilton Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We always pull visitors from our surrounding states, but the greatest attendance seems to come from the south; southwest Ohio is about as far south as you can go to pull off events like this one.”
In 2011, IceFest’s theme will be “Great Books In Ice” and will feature carvings of characters from timeless pieces of literature. Maybe Alice from Alice in Wonderland will be on High Street or maybe visitors will have to Make Way for Ducklings while heading to the hot chocolate tent!
“The Butler County Visitors Bureau is so excited to have IceFest return next year,” stated Mark Hecquet, Executive Director. “It brings many visitors to Hamilton and Butler County who, in addition to attending IceFest will have an opportunity to experience our attractions, dining, hotels, and shopping venues.”
The event will kick off with its signature “Fire & Ice” gala, which will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott Hamilton, the host hotel of IceFest.
The Mission of Hamilton, OH, City of Sculpture is to Promote the Recognition of Hamilton as a Cultural Community through Obtaining Sculptures to be Placed in Public Spaces for the Enjoyment of Citizens and Visitors. For more information, visit www.cityofsculpture.org or call 513-895-3934.
The Butler County Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting tourism across Butler County through sporting events, group tour, tourist events, and attractions. The BCVB is located at 8750 Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester, Ohio. For more information or to request a FREE Visitor’s Guide, visit www.GetToTheBC.com or call 888-462-2282.
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If you’re a connoisseur of action staged in grand scale, you’ll find the performance that awaits you in Chillicothe this summer irresistible. With its dose of history, “Tecumseh” is one of the most mesmerizing dramas in the nation.
And there is more than the visual aspects of the theatrics surrounding you. You’ll feel the heat from the flames, the concussion of the cannons, and the tremble of the earth as armies of men and horses in realistic battle sequences thunder across the huge Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheater stage.
Ohio history abounds with Indian lore and no one illuminates the annals more than Tecumseh. Even though he was the enduring leader of native defiance intended to block early American progress, his mythology evolved into the status of folk hero.
The U.S. Navy has named four war ships after him, and towns bear his name in half a dozen states. The famous Union General, William Tecumseh Sherman was named because his father had “caught a fancy for the great Chief of the Shawnees.”
There is even a company that has branded a small gasoline engine in his honor. That’s not as trivial as it sounds. The trade name was meant to symbolize integrity, strength, and dependability. Tecumseh was all of that and more.
Indian birth records of that era are sketchy, but indicate Tecumseh was born in March 1768 in the vicinity of Springfield, Ohio—present day Clark County.
History is quite detailed however in documenting his lifelong stand against the encroachment of white settlers on what he determined to be Indian land. When other tribes signed a treaty passing ownership of most of Ohio’s land to the United States Government, Tecumseh refused. He believed the land belonged to all Indians, not a single tribe, and could not be sold unless agreed upon by everyone.
His resistance to frontier expansion resulted in clashes with first the Colonials and later the new-formed U.S. Army—ultimately elevating him to Chief of the Shawnees by the early 1800’s.
Described as tall, straight, and lean with an imposing presence, he was as gifted an orator as he was a warrior, and used his flair to influence disparate tribes to unite in a confederacy to resist pioneer advancement in the Northwest Territory.
He traveled widely and was hundreds of miles south conferring with the Creeks, when in 1811 future president William Henry Harrison at the famous battle of Tippecanoe defeated his brother. The defeat was a turning point in his confederacy. Various tribal Chieftains recognized the futility and began to break away, but Tecumseh’s vision of a United Indian Nation never wavered.
In the War of 1812, he sided with the British, receiving the rank (disputed by some historians) of Brigadier General, and backed the forces that overran Detroit. Although there was division over his view of Indian land rights, he won respect of the opposition not only for his bravery in battle, but for compassion and tolerance. He always honored his word, and he refused to torture prisoners—as was the Indian custom. It is claimed that after the battle of Detroit, it was Tecumseh who prevented a massacre of captured American soldiers.
Victory was fleeting, however. With Admiral Perry’s decisive triumphs on Lake Erie, the British retreated into what is now Ontario, Canada. Tecumseh agreed to fight rear guard actions, but would backpedal only so far. On October 5, 1813 he took a stand with barely halfhearted support of the British who persisted in withdrawal. In the Battle of the Thames it was again William Henry Harrison who overwhelmed the Indian/British coalition, which resulted in Tecumseh’s death and the virtual end of native resistance in the new territory.
This is a story best told with the vividness and dimensions of a natural arena where more than a hundred people plus animals and large artillery come together to form the narrative of epic pioneer conflict.
In its 38th season, more than two and one-half million people have seen this production. The main characters are professional actors, many of whom return to Sugarloaf Mountain to perform year after year.
You will be able to see the performance from now until September 4, Monday thru Saturday, beginning at 8 p.m.—but there is much to enjoy before the play even starts.
There is a gift shop, of course, but you’ll better appreciate the stage performance after a tour through the museum, which displays Scioto Valley Indian artifacts of that era.
Almost as popular as the drama itself is the behind-the-scenes-tour where cast members serve as your guides. They will give you an up-close demonstration of makeup, stage combat and weaponry. Stuntmen will fake battlefield causalities, plummeting headlong off a 20-foot cliff, and then explain how it is done. The tours last an hour and are offered at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
This show goes until 10:45 p.m., and though there is no way to avoid unforeseen elements of weather, you can satisfy your appetite for a contented viewing. Between 4:30-7:30 p.m. there is a buffet dinner of wholesome American food offered under a covered terrace that overlooks southern Ohio’s natural beauty. Afterwards, the cast members line up in the pavilion where you can meet them for autographs and photos.
One word of caution: Some scenes of the tragedy are so realistic that it is not recommended for children age 6 or under.
All seats are reserved. Wampum for the required advance tickets is $22.95 adults and $15.95 children. “Tecumseh” with its historical significance and outstanding stage drama will reverberate in your memory long after the performance.
For information, call 866-775-0700 or locally, 740-775-0700 or go to www.tecumsehdrama.org.
By Robert Carpenter
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SUMMERTIME FUN
Throughout Ohio’s Historic West
Wondering what to do to make summertime memorable? Spend some time traveling Ohio’s heartland.
In Logan County, enjoy fireworks and fun at the Beach Spectacular and Fireworks on Saturday, July 3 at Indian Lake State Park’s Old Field Beach in Lakeview. The day will begin at 11 am with a car show, along with the Beach Baby and Beach Toddler Contest. At noon, the Mr.& Miss Firecracker Contest will begin, followed by the Little Miss Indian Lake, Jr. Miss Indian Lake and Miss Indian Lake Contest. At approximately 3 p.m. the Indian Lake's Got Talent finalists take the stage to determine the most talented person at Indian Lake. At 5 pm, WPKO radio will take over the stage with the Skifire program live from Indian Lake. Old Field Beach is open for swimming and volleyball at the south side of the beach. The fireworks will begin at the Beach at 10 pm and can be viewed by car or boat. For more on Indian Lake events, go to indianlakechamber.org. For more on Logan County, see SeeLoganCounty.com.
Paying tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed much in service to our country, the Shelby County Historical Society presents, Honoring Those Who Serve. This Labor Day weekend program will feature a Healing Field of Flags displaying more than 1,000 United States flags in a large outdoor setting to honor those who have served our country in the armed forces, as a firefighter or police officer, or as an emergency medical services technician. Accompanying the Healing Field of Flags will be the Vietnam Wall Memorial, a traveling, three fifths scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. The "wall" stretches over 380 feet from end to end and contains all 58,253 names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during the Vietnam War. The "wall" is current through 2009 and is constantly being updated to accurately pay tribute to those who died during the Vietnam War. Also offered this weekend, the Ross Historical Center will feature live presentations and exhibits on the Vietnam War. Visitors will hear first hand accounts from those involved with the war and view well-crafted exhibits about life in Vietnam and America during this significant period in our country's history.
The Vietnam Wall Memorial will be on display 24 hours a day beginning September 1st through September 6th. The Healing Field of Flags will also be open to visitors 24 hours a day beginning September 1st through September 12th. Vietnam War exhibits and a variety of programs at the Ross Historical Center will be offered throughout the month of September.
September 10-12 in Sidney also brings the return of Applefest, a family friendly street festival presented on the beautiful and historic Shelby County court square. All weekend long, live entertainment from the Big Band era to the music of today will be offered on the main stage. After dark festival goers will enjoy the ever-popular laser light show synchronized to music. All who attend this year’s Applefest are sure to enjoy the craft, quilt, floral, car, and Shelby County woodcarvers shows along with an abundant variety of vendors offering everything from home grown and home made items to apple themed food and soft drinks. The Kids Activities area will be in full swing again offering free arts and crafts activities for your children along with an entertaining lineup of live performances on the Kid’s Stage. A complete schedule of Applefest activities and entertainment can be viewed at www.ShelbyApplefest.com.
These events and more are offered in Ohio’s Historic West. See a complete listing of events and attractions at www.OhiosHistoricWest.com. Ohio's Historic West" is a State Designated Heritage Area dedicated to the development of cultural and heritage tourism in an eight county area; Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Shelby.
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Understanding many people don't have the discretionary income they may have had as little as a year ago, OhioTraveler.com's focus is on admission-FREE tourism. Most sections of OhioTraveler.com feature places with FREE ADMISSION at the very top of menu options. Find your free fun now:
Videos
Festivals & Events
Tours and Demonstrations
Museums and Halls of Fame
Planes, Trains, Autos & Maritime Museums
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Historic Sites, Museums and Landmarks
Botanical Gardens
Ohio State Parks
Great Indoor & Outdoor Adventures
In addition to featuring
freebies and places worth the price of admission, OhioTraveler.com seeks the
more interesting and unique in Ohio tourism. Instead of endless listings of
events, lodging, restaurants and stores, we veer away from mainstream and
choose the road less traveled. Take a look:
Lodging & Getaways
Restaurants & Eateries
Unique Shops & Shopping
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Auglaize & Mercer County CVB
Butler County CVB
Clinton County CVB
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Darke County Visitors Bureau
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Gallia County CVB
GoodSeed Farm
Hilltop Designs
Hocking Hills Tourism Association
Hocking Valley
Scenic Railway
KD
Guest Ranch
Keim
Family Market
Lake
Erie Marine Trades Assoc
Lithopolis Honeyfest
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Ohio Caverns
Ohio's Historic West
Put-In-Bay Chamber
Roscoe Village
Sidney Visitors Bureau
Warren County CVB
Washboard Music Festival
Wayne County CVB
Wilson
Buildings
Wooster Arts Jazz Fest
I was in a melancholy mood because I just went to the post-office to pay a speeding ticket I received in a little town in Illinois named Galena. I’m convinced I was a victim of a speed trap but there was sure to be hell-to-pay if I challenged this officer after what I had unknowingly done to him.
Our family of four was on our first-day drive on vacation. After high winds and plenty of ugly gray windmill farms throughout Indiana and Illinois, we were happy to be closing in on our first destination. The road was winding through trees up and down hilly countryside when I saw the new speed limit sign. It was about the same time a patrol car passed from the opposite direction. I didn’t see the cruiser brake, slow or turnaround through my rear-view mirror so as we rounded the bend; I turned the music back up.
The GPS was navigating and we were listening to the MP3 playing Holiday Road by Lindsey Buckingham – a fitting song if you ever saw National Lampoon’s Vacation. Bobbing our heads and singing along, we drove over a hill and acted like it was Independence Day; “ooow – ahhhh” and so it goes.
The hillside view of Galena, IL (later I read in a magazine it was one of the hundred places I must see before I die) was just gorgeous! Our vehicle echoed with, “Look at THIS town, check out the building over there, no –look at that, we need a picture.” The spontaneity quickly turned to, “stop there, no –turn there, turn again, WAIT! There’s a cop behind us with his lights on.”
I pulled into a roadside parking space as I replayed our course in my mind and imagined I must have rolled though a stop sign.
I rolled my window down feeling the heat and precipitation only it had nothing to do with the muggy weather. This officer was in my ear spitting and shouting like my Dad when I …
“Officer, did I not stop at the stop sign?” I asked.
“DON’T THEY PULL OVER RIGHT IN OHIO!” He screamed. It wasn’t a question.
I thought for sure this guy was gasoline and I was a lit match so I proceeded with the thickest kissing-up I could muster. But he’d have none of it, except my license, registration and insurance information.
Then we waited …and waited …and waited.
Meanwhile, I had to explain to my nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son that Dad was not going to jail (at least I was 51 percent sure I wasn’t) but is most definitely going to get a ticket and that means paying a fine and my insurance rate would probably go up AND OUR FIRST DAY VACATION BUDGET WAS BLOWN!
The policeman returned and the puzzle filled in. He had been in the cop car I thought didn’t turn around wa-a-a-ay back on that country road. Now I’m not sure if he ever had his siren on because the music wasn’t THAT loud. The kids would have complained otherwise. His flashing light was not one mounted to the exterior of the car. Rather it was flashing from the interior.
The officer ensued in what was a low-speed-chase covering a couple miles by my estimation, complete with turns and stop signs chasing defiant tourists bent on getting a picture.
Ticket apparent, I said as minimal as I had to when he returned to my window somewhat “ticked” myself now that it was obvious I was not going to get off with a friendly warning and understanding. When the officer left us to resume our vacation, we decided this town was not going to be in our photo-album or the 10,000 pictures we’d eventually download to a Photoshop file folder.
Somehow this first-day experience cleansed me of the work-related stress still tagging along. I was free to roam about the country. And you better bet I was going to enjoy and savor every bit of it!
For more Holiday Road travel adventures, visit ohiotraveler.com/holiday_road.htm
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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CHRISTMAS STORY
HOUSE IN JULY
Everyone's favorite little brother Randy comes home for the summer
A Christmas Story House will have a special guest this summer. Actor Ian Petrella, who played Ralphie's little brother Randy in the holiday classic A Christmas Story, will “come home” to live in A Christmas Story House and serve as its tour guide. Ian's "homecoming" will be during the months of July and August. Ian will serve as a special tour guide interacting with visitors and recounting his firsthand experiences at the house during the filming of the movie in 1983.
Fans of the movie will remember little brother Randy for his I-can’t-put-my-arms-down snowsuit, his role as Mommy’s little piggy and his hiding place under the sink when “Daddy’s going to kill Ralphie!”
“I am really looking forward to meeting and interacting with the fans,” Petrella said. “I hope that by being there I can make their trip to the house more memorable and special, even if that means crawling back under the kitchen sink to help them relive the movie.”
Petrella, 35, of Los Angeles, was only eight during the filming of the movie but remembers the experience vividly. After acting, Petrella transitioned to a career in puppetry and animation. An early supporter of A Christmas Story House, Petrella was the first to loan items to the museum, participated in the grand opening of the house and has returned to Cleveland several times to appear at A Christmas Story conventions and other house-related events.
In addition to giving tours, Ian also will write a blog about his experiences living in A Christmas Story House on AChristmasStoryHouse.com. Ian is available for interviews both on and off site to discuss his return to A Christmas Story House, memories of making the movie and his endeavors since.
A Christmas Story House & Museum is located just five minutes from downtown Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th St. in the Tremont neighborhood. It is open year-round on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the house run every 30 minutes. Regular admission tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $6 for children (ages 7 to 12) and free for children ages 6 and under. For more information or for directions, visit AChristmasStoryHouse.com or call 216-298-4919.
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CANOPY ZIP-LINE
TOUR OPENING IN MOHICAN AREA
Tree Frog Canopy Tours opens late July, bringing a world-class canopy zip-line tour to the hills in the Mohican River valley.
Zip Ohio LLC, a Mansfield company, announce the development of a canopy tour installation approximately nine miles south of Loudonville. The concept was first developed in Costa Rica in 1992. Unlike a single cable zip-line, canopy tours employ multiple zip-line cables and suspended bridges both beginning and ending at tree based platforms. Guests at Tree Frog Canopy Tours can expect an authentic canopy tour experience.
Bonsai Design, based in Grand Junction, Colorado is both the course designer and installer.
“We chose Bonsai Design, not only because they are a leading US zip-line installer, but because of their commitment to a sustainable design,” said Jordan Christiansen, Zip Ohio Managing Partner. “They lead the industry in installation methods that are minimally intrusive to the trees and other natural features.”
The tour design includes two sky bridges, two rappels and seven zip-lines ranging from 145 feet to the final 1100 foot final traverse. Total tour time will be about two and a half hours with tours departing the welcome center every half hour. Each tour will consist of eight guests accompanied by two guides. The tour is not only designed to be fun but to give guests an appreciation of the biodiversity of the Mohican area. The course is designed to exceed ACCT (Association for Challenge Course Technology) standards and all guides will be ACCT certified. About 35 guide positions will be available.
Guest will wear climbing helmets and harness and be attached to zip cables via a trolley. Guest will be tethered onto a safety point at all times. Anyone over ten years of age that meets the basic weight and health requirements can participate in the tour. Additional information is available at the company’s website at treefrogcanopytours.com. Tree Frog Canopy Tours is located approximately nine miles south of Loudonville off of Wally Road.
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SOUL
SOLDIERS
African
Americans & the Vietnam Era
Soul Soldiers: African Americans and the Vietnam Era, a multimedia exhibit exploring the issues, actions, reactions and expressions of life and culture of African Americans resulting from the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement, is now open at the Western Reserve Historical Society University Circle Complex.
This riveting exhibit illustrates African Americans’ experiences during this tumultuous period through artifacts, photographs, art, an original documentary, oral histories and audio stations featuring 30 songs from the Vietnam era. The exhibit is generously sponsored by the African American Archives Auxiliary of Western Reserve Historical Society and is particularly meaningful for WRHS in that it is the institution’s first venture into exploring the Vietnam War and its effect on our culture and society.
Just one month after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. publicly expressed his opposition to the South East Asia crisis in April 1967, Time magazine published groundbreaking articles based on interviews with African American GIs in Vietnam. These two events helped frame the African American social and political perspective of the 1960s that went beyond civil rights. Soul Soldiers demonstrates that Vietnam was no isolated battleground; it was a crucible for African American soldiers’ emerging political and cultural consciousness.
Soldiers was developed by Pittsburgh’s Senator John Heinz History Center and continues at WRHS through November 27, 2010.
Western Reserve Historical Society’s University Circle Complex is located at 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $8.50 adults; $7.50 seniors; $5.00 students (age 3-17). WRHS Members receive free admission. Vietnam Veterans will be admitted free of charge to this exhibit and the entire University Circle Complex. All Veterans will receive free admission on Wednesdays. For information call 216-721-5722 or visit www.wrhs.org.
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