Looking at the quiet, lush farm land, with neat homesteads and the silhouette of silos on the horizon, gives no evidence of the harsh forest and swamp that the early German settlers contended with on their arrival in the mid 1830’s.  Many were Catholic and understood their need for help from God to survive.  Their deep faith urged them to build churches, where they met despite the fact that they had no clerical minister to serve them.  They gathered in prayer to support one another so they could cope with the hardships and fears they faced in the dark, deep woods.  These churches, which now dot the landscape some three miles apart and make up the Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches State Scenic Byway, were built in such close proximity because of the difficult travel with a horse and wagon through the swamp and forest.   

Bishop Purcell became aware of the needs of these humble German speaking people, and when in Rome, he searched for a German speaking missionary who would be willing to come to America to serve these valiant folk.  Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner, a Swiss priest who had become a Precious Blood Missionary encountered Bishop Purcell and offered to come to Ohio, rather than to Africa, where he had anticipated going.   

This courageous priest was born in the small rural town in the north western corner of Switzerland, not far from Mariastein.  After Fr. Francis De Sales Brunner became a priest he and his Mother, Maria Anna Brunner, established a community of Women Religious which were named “Sisters of the Precious Blood”. 

In 1843 Fr. Brunner, along with seven Priests and seven Religious Brothers, came to America to serve the German immigrants in north western Ohio. In 1844, six Sisters of the Precious Blood arrived in this new land and began their nightly vigils of prayer in the wilderness.   

In 1846 the Sisters came to what was then called St. Johns.  The convent, built a half mile from St. John church became the first permanent Mother House of the Sisters of the Precious Blood. Maria Stein was the name given the convent after Mariastein in Switzerland, where Fr. Brunner had studied. In time that name replaced St. Johns to identify the whole surrounding area.   

Sisters have prayed and ministered at Maria Stein without interruption since their arrival.  In the early years their life was quite simple – a life of prayer and manual labor.  The Sisters and Brothers did all the practical things to keep a large community flourishing. This freed the priests to devote themselves to the spiritual care of the German speaking people of the area.   

Today the main attraction is the ornate Shrine Chapel which was built in 1890. In the niches of the beautifully carved wooden alters are a thousand relics of Men and Women who lived lives of exceptional holiness. Honoring the Saints with their relics was a common way of expressing devotion to the Saints.  Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner was an ardent collector of relics.  He brought a few with him on his first voyage to America. In 1845 he was presented with a gift of 600 relics.  In 1875 A collection of 175 relics were brought to Maria Stein and placed in the care of the Sisters.  Relics of more recent Saints have been added, some of which are those of Mother Theresa of Calcutta, Maximilian Kolbe, Damian of Molokai, Pope John XXIII, and various others.   

Devotion to Saints, or the Holy Ones who have gone before us, is a tradition that lies within the human heart.  As far back as in the Old Testament, Joseph, speaking to the Israelite people, petitioned them to take his bones with them when they would leave Egypt. Chapter 11 of Exodus states that Moses took the bones of Joseph with him when they entered the Promised Land.   The practice of visiting departed loved ones in a cemetery shows the same reverence as given to relics of the saints. 

For the many that come and enter the quiet of the chapels, peace returns to their lives. It is a place where energies are renewed. It is where the cares, problems and worries of daily life can be   placed in God’s hands. For many, healing of mind and spirit are sought and obtained.  This tranquil country setting allows the heart and soul to find respite from the turbulence of fast living. It is where peace and serenity can return to the mind and spirit and be renewed and strengthened. 

 In the old convent building there is a gift shop located on the first floor. It carries many articles of devotion, statues etc.  On the second floor, there is a museum with a history of the Sisters and early rural life in Mercer County.  The outside patio has pictures of the area churches that dot the country side hanging on the walls. A statue garden of various Saints provides a quiet place for reflection and prayer.   

The National Marian Shrine of the Holy Relics, a place of peace where all are welcome, is located at 2291 St. Johns Road, Maria Stein, Ohio. They are open Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to 4:30, closed Mondays and Holidays. www.mariasteincenter.org. 

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Like Shepherds following a bright light over a manger, people from near and far descend on a farm in Southwest Ohio to see Christmas celebrated like no other place around.

Niederman Family Farm has 85 volunteers that meticulously erect eleven acres of life-size figures depicting biblical scenes annually with a half-mile handicap accessible walkway for people to pilgrimage through the bible on crisp winter nights from the day after Thanksgiving through December. Christmas music is heard across the farm setting a joyous mood and at the end of the illuminated journey an inner peace gives way to hot cocoa and cookies in a warm barn with musical entertainment and hearty laughter. And it’s all FREE! In addition, guests may explore the other barns and see goats, sheep, ducks, pigs, lamas, a donkey and antique farm equipment and tractors.

“It’s a gift to remind us about the true meaning of Christmas,” said Bethann Niederman. “Nothing for sale, nothing commercial, even the hot cocoa and cookies are free.”

The Niederman family’s gift may be free to all those who come but it certainly is no small production to provide electricity to what may be a million lights, not to mention all the other extras they provide complimentary.

The Niederman Christmas Walk is like nothing else around. But it has been around. Many of the refurbished pieces were purchased at auction from the late Carl Rudd. In 1969, he started a Christmas display in Dayton before moving to a farm in Adams County where he and his wife Judy provided Christmas joy year round on their farm. Their farm became a traditional holiday stop for families that may now wonder whatever happened to that enchanting place? Rudd eventually grew too old to keep the million lights aglow and after the Niederman’s bought it, Rudd came to visit their farm and the torch passed hands to another Ohio farm family destined to keep the tradition alive.

This year, three generations of Niederman’s had a hand in assembling the display. Today it incorporates even more than the Rudds passed on. Robert and Janet Niederman had saved nearly 70 Sunday school papers with beautiful biblical pictures. Standard Publishing permitted the Niedermans to reprint 15 of the pictures in giant 8’ x 8’ lifelike pictures.

The Niederman’s have been growing the display for eight years now and attract more than 10,000 people annually. There are more than 20 biblical scenes from the old and new Testaments that end in an outdoor nook where three 10-foot angels swoon overhead with their trumpets. The guestbook shows that people have made the Christmas Walk an annual family tradition and even international visitors in the area for the holidays have visited.

The entertainment is all Christmas related and includes the Franz Klaber Orchestra December 12 at 7:30 and 8:15, West Chester Symphony December 14^th at 7pm, WFCJ Christian Radio Show December 13^th at 7pm and 8pm plus a variety of other entertainers including church choirs, string groups, children’s programs, family singers and a jazz band.

A newer barn with modern amenities is available for rent for private Christmas parties, church groups, youth groups and corporate groups and parties. For cozier stays, the Gregory Creek Inn beckons.

The Christmas Walk is at Niederman Family Farm, conveniently located near I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton at 4972 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township, Ohio. Call 513-887-0725 or visit www.niedermanfamilyfarm.com for more information.

By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler

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GOODYEAR BLIMP GROUNDED

We see the Goodyear blimp all the time on TV over sports stadiums but how many people actually get to see inside the blimps gondola?  

A newly-restored Goodyear blimp gondola was brought by truck from Goodyear’s Wingfoot Lake Airship Operations base to the MAPS Air Museum, where the gondola will be placed on permanent display.  

The gondola is the flight cabin of a modern blimp. A pilot and copilot operated the lighter-than-air aircraft from the controls located at the front of the gondola. Up to eight passengers could also be seated in the gondola. The gondola houses the radar and avionics in its nose. Two aircraft engines, mounted to the outside of the gondola, propelled the blimp up to 50 mph.   

A group of eight volunteers from MAPS, lead by former Goodyear engineer Don Block, spent several weeks restoring the gondola at Goodyear’s Wingfoot location. With Goodyear’s help, the volunteers have brought the gondola back to its original pristine condition.  

Mr. Lorney Elbert of Elyria, Ohio donated the services of Elbert Construction to transport the 36 ft. long gondola, weighing almost 10,000 lbs. to the gondola’s new home at the museum. Mr. Elbert and Goodyear had to meticulously plan the route the truck took to the museum, making sure that the heavy load would clear any bridges and low-hanging signs and wires.  

The gondola was placed in the hangar gallery at the museum. Once it is settled into its spot among the other aircraft in the hangar, the windows will be fitted to the gondola to complete the restoration effort. Visitors will be able to walk through the gondola to see the pilot controls and passenger accommodations of a modern blimp.  

The museum offers a wide array of exhibits from the first air ships, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam to the present day.  More than 22 aircraft adorn this unique museum, ranging from the 1908 Martin Glider, the first heavier-than-air aircraft to carry a woman aloft, to the massive F-14 Tomcat, made famous by the movie Top Gun.  This is a hands-on museum allowing visitors to sit in a Russian Mig-17 fighter, control a World War II anti-aircraft gun, tour a Goodyear blimp gondola and more.  Active restoration projects allow visitors to witness planes being brought back to life, including several Cold War era fighters, and one of the last World War II B-26 Marauders bombers known to exist.  Many artifacts, uniforms and original artwork adorn this attraction.  In addition, there is a large gift shop.  Handicap accessible, and guided or self-guided tours are available.   

MAPS Air Museum is located at 2260 International Parkway, off of State Rte. 241 (Massillon Rd.) on the West side of the Akron-Canton Airport in North Canton, Ohio 44720. Admission is $8/adult, $7/senior (age 60+), $5/child (age 6-12). Group rates apply for tours of 15 people or more. For hours and other information, call 330-896-6332 or see www.mapsairmuseum.org.

CEDAR POINT TO CHRISTMAS POINT

Sandusky may be most recognized as home to the world’s best amusement park, Cedar Point, and as the heart of Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands region, but during the holiday season, this historic coastal town transforms into a journey to Christmas past.   

Spearheaded by Sandusky State Theatre Executive Director Thomas T. Kazmierczak III, Sandusky will take on the spirit of Christmas Point, USA and welcome visitors to recall a time when the holidays were less about commercialism and more about tradition and family connections.   

The transformation begins with the premiere of twelve nostalgic, animated window displays throughout downtown Sandusky storefronts, reminiscent of 1940’s Americana.  The windows, much like a mini-Broadway show, will tell the classic Dickens’ tale, “A Christmas Carol,” through the use of story boards and vintage life-like figures.  The figures were originally created by world-famous holiday window designer Spaeth Design – the same company responsible for creating window designs featured at Manhattan’s landmark department stores. 

Visitors will follow a walking tour, reading the story from window to window and viewing the character scenes.  Holiday music will be broadcast onto the street from the State Theatre, adding to the festive atmosphere.  The windows will be lighted and animated daily from 11 am – 9 pm until January 1, 2009. 

The displays will be in storefronts on Sandusky’s Columbus Avenue, Water Street and Market Street in the city’s historic Main Street district.  A free self-guided tour map will be available at the Christmas in the City gift shop located in the Sandusky State Theatre, which is open daily. 

The Theatre will host several special events in conjunction with the holiday windows.  Most notably, there will be a walk-through display of 40 breathtaking holiday-decorated trees, called Holiday Sparkle at the State.  The trees can be viewed daily from 11 am – 8 pm until December 15.  Holiday Sparkle at the State and the animated window displays are made possible through the generous sponsorship of local organizations, including civic, commercial and non-profit groups. 

Holiday movies, live appearances, performances and dining events among the Holiday Sparkle are all a part of the Sandusky State Theatre’s exciting holiday schedule.   

While strolling the streets of historic downtown Sandusky, visitors will want to be sure to check out the holiday decorations and light displays at Washington Park.  Shoppers won’t want to miss the ChristmasMarkt, a holiday-themed flea market in the tradition of the German ChristmasMarkt (sometimes called Christkindlmarkt).  Several downtown Sandusky storefronts will be filled with merchants selling traditional Christmas wares such as candy, food, nutcrackers, holiday ornaments, handmade items, toys, books and jewelry.  All downtown merchants will also be featuring their best holiday gift ideas and decorations for the season. 

Many area hotels and resorts, including Sandusky’s famed indoor waterparks, offer holiday getaway packages.  Log on to www.SHORESandISLANDS.com for lodging packages and holiday event information. 

FREE FOR ALL!

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CHRISTMAS MANOR

There is an indefinable fascination that most people have with old mansions. And, there’s more to the allure than simply revisiting opulence of another era, because unlike ordinary houses, these dwellings were never built by ordinary people, and there’s a story behind every door. 

Usually these builders were the wealthy that did things their way, regardless of tradition. And tradition, as quoted by Kurt Adler is “What you resort to when you don’t have the time or money to do it right.”  

Their riches not only offered them the most extravagant comforts, but a flamboyant way of showcasing it. Sometimes too, it was the less than wealthy eccentrics who were out of step with the times who built them, but with all the variations, the fact that the owners were making a personal statement, is the one consistency.  

In Bryan, Ohio there is a brick three-story, nineteen-room Victorian Italianate home that projects as much of an individual declaration today as it did for the wealthy doctor who built it in 1874.  The present owners would probably prefer not to be described as eccentric, but they do use the old mansion in an unusual way—even though the announcement is one of cheer and good will to all. It’s known as Christmas Manor.  

It’s open to the public only from September 20 through December 31 and nearly every room is decorated with a Christmas theme.  

It started with a family named Goldsmith who purchased the house in 1962. After a few years, just as they were considering downsizing they happened upon an unusual Christmas shop in Rhode Island, and decided they could do something similar, only on a much larger scale with their house back in Bryan. They started with the porch and three rooms, and with each season the premise grew.    

With one owner between them and the Goldsmiths, the present owners, Loretta and Max Musser have continued the ritual to the near ultimate. It is a bed and breakfast, but Christmas displays consume all but one bedroom. However, it is a very special room for those lucky enough to rent it. Access is gained through large double doors and up a winding walnut staircase to a room with a twelve-foot ceiling, fireplace, a sitting room and amenities. In the upstairs room used as Musser’s office there is a trap door leading to servant’s quarters, but there will be no servant bringing breakfast to your bed like the original family was accustomed.  However, a voucher for a belt-busting meal at a local restaurant will satisfy the most ravenous morning appetite. 

This is one museum-type house where the imported Italian parquet floors, antique chandeliers and bookcases, as beautiful as any, are completely overwhelmed by spirits—the kind that make you feel good—and the Mussers work to maintain that atmosphere.  

On their buying trips they look for the most unique gifts and decorations, with creativity foremost in their designs that change yearly. Each room is a different color and diverse motif—seventeen rooms in all. A few examples are the Christmas kitchen, a country room, a room just for kids, and a winter park converted from an indoor swimming pool with every imaginable size and style of Christmas trees and candy canes everywhere.  

This is a business, of course, but many people tour the Christmas Manor just to rekindle their Christmas spirit, and the Mussers are quick to confirm that everyone is welcome. In this year of economic woes some people may not be filled with the usual cheer, but a tour of this old mansion with every nook and cranny stuffed with Christmas gaiety is guaranteed to turn up the wick on that inner flame. For more information go to www.christmasmanor.com. 

The Mussers also point out that the Spangler Candy Co. located in Bryan is the world’s largest producer of candy canes. If you want to know more about the red and white candies that are as decorative as they are tasty, the company offers tours and a museum. Call 888-636-4221 or go to www.spanglercandy.com for more details.  

A few minutes north of Christmas Manor you can visit the Stoneyridge Winery where tours are given and tastes of tangible holiday spirits are available. Go to www.stoneyridgewinery.com. 

About twenty minutes northeast of Bryan you will find Sauder Village and an old-fashioned Christmas celebration that will take you back to the era when the Christmas Manor house was the newest and most exclusive architecture to be ogled. 

This region sits on the northwest fringe of Ohio’s Great Black Swamp—a part of Ohio’s history and geography that is nearly forgotten. The Black Swamp was a wetland, resulting from the glacial period thousands of years ago, extending westward approximately from Sandusky to a short distance over the Indiana line. At one time it was so ominous—so goes legend—that unsuspecting travelers venturing in were never seen again. Habitation was decades behind surrounding areas. It wasn’t until the late 19^th century and early 20^th that swamps were drained and the wilds tamed.  

In 1976 Sauder Village was recreated depicting the lives and hardships of northwest Ohio’s pioneers so that this period of our state’s history would not be overlooked. Otherwise the fertile farmland reclaimed from swamps and marshes suggests another age never existed. 

This time of year Sauder Village offers a slice of history along with a special holiday experience.  A joyous occasion? Of course. The old-fashioned kind? Yes, it is—and maybe it’s just what we need this year.  Merry Christmas. 

Call 800-590-9755 or go to www.saudervillage.com for more details.

By Robert Carpenter
Robert Carpenter was born and raised in the New Philadelphia, Ohio area.

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