|
May 2008 Edition |
OHIO'S #1 MAGAZINE AND #2 TOURISM SOURCE ONLINE
Ashtabula County …
OHIO'S NORTHCOAST
DESTINATION
PLAY VIDEO
As the cool winds slip
along the sun kissed waters of Lake Erie, they gently toss granules of
sand against Ashtabula County’s thirty miles of shoreline.
The breathtaking coastline in Ashtabula County is
home to four pristine beaches. Along with these sandy beaches, there are
a number of marinas with boat launches and charter captains ready to take
you and your group out for a walleye, perch or bass excursion. The
refreshing lake breezes dull the feel of the summer sun beating down
through imperial white clouds. Donning your favorite flip-flops and your
new sunglasses, you can enjoy an award-winning bottle of Ashtabula County
wine or an alfresco meal on one of the many outdoor patios.
As you can see relaxation is first and
foremost on your Ashtabula County vacation. Situated on the southern
shore of the most biologically diverse of the Great Lakes, Ashtabula
County is the perfect place to start your next vacation. Starting at the
eastern most terminus of the federally designated Lake Erie Costal Ohio
Scenic Byway, this gem in Northeast Ohio offers all the appeal of a
lakefront community with enriching history and heritage. Quaint towns and
spectacular views of Lake Erie are the norm here, making you feel as if
you are always on “vacation” whether or not you may be.
Lake Erie not only provides numerous water sports and
pristine beaches, it is the reason Ohio consistently ranks in the top-10
states for wine production. A unique microclimate that is a mere six
miles wide and 22 miles long grow over sixty-five percent of the state’s
overall grape production. Perched atop the remnants of glacial beaches
and covered with vines planted over generations, the Lake Erie and Grand
River Valley growing regions are second to none. Explore the country
roads while the fragrant smell of the upcoming harvest consumes your
senses. Rolling hills lined with Viniferas and French/American Hybrids
give this unique growing region the feel of Napa Valley. Specializing in
Rieslings, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay this area has garnered
hundreds of awards including the Riverside International Best Overall
White Wine in 2005.
Including the traditional harvest, late December has
provided this region with yet another opportunity to distinguish itself as
a leader in quality wine production. Delicately hanging in the midnight
frost of a post Christmas night, is one of the great marvels in
winemaking. Small frozen clusters of Vidal and Cab Franc grapes, will be
hand harvested by the cover of night with a backdrop of snow and stars.
The baskets of grapes are loaded row-by-row onto the back of a tractor and
hauled through drifts of snow to the presses. Thick nectar is produced in
the collection pan with each turn of the winepress. Yielding less then
one sixth the juice of their usual autumn harvest, these grapes have a
special purpose…a Grand River Valley Ice Wine. Unique to only a few
growing regions in the world, ice wines are produced by leaving the grapes
on the vine long after they have frozen. The dehydration of water in the
individual grapes and the freezing of the remaining water insures the
pressed juice is wonderfully sweet. Ranging from thirty-five to forty
brix in sugar, the juice is bottled and sold as a specialty after dinner
wine.
What trip to Ashtabula County would be complete
without a tour of breathtaking covered bridges? These picturesque wooden
marvels date back to the 1850’s and cross some of Ohio’s most wild and
scenic rivers and streams. Home to seventeen covered bridges, Ashtabula
County is affectionately known as the “covered bridge capital of Ohio”.
Boasting the longest covered bridge in the state with Harpersfield Bridge
at 228 feet, and fall foliage that is second to none, this is a must stop
for a fall getaway. 2008 will be a very exciting year for covered bridge
enthusiasts. Ashtabula County will dedicate its seventeenth bridge. This
will not be an ordinary structure; it will officially be the longest
covered bridge in North America! Stretching across six hundred feet of
unspoiled forest and the shallow rapids of the lower Ashtabula River, this
bridge will be a sight to behold. Make sure to mark your calendars for
the second weekend in October when the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge
Festival will host their annual event. This is one year you do not want
to miss.
Clean water and well-persevered land is something
that attracts people to Ashtabula County. Wading into the shallow rapids
or casting from the grassy shoreline are two favorite vantage points to
catch a wild run steelhead. These magnificent fish spawn into Lake Erie
tributaries in the late fall through early spring. Rustic outcrops of
shale and towering red oaks loom over tranquil pools creating the backdrop
for a perfect fly-fishing adventure. Home to two of Ohio’s thirteen
federally designated “Wild and Scenic” Rivers, Ashtabula County is one of
the best locations around Lake Erie to land a record steelhead. Clean
water and well-preserved land is also a must for migratory birds and the
Conneaut Mudflats offer both. With a plethora of sand pipers, gulls and
warblers, this small area is a necessary stop for a large number of
migratory birds traveling to and from their wintering ranges. Easy access
and a large population of different species make the Conneaut area a true
gem of Lake Erie.
Ashtabula County is also home to great boutique
shopping in historical downtowns. The first stop on your trip around the
Lake is Geneva. This quaint downtown is home to an old fashion soda
fountain, antique stores and family owned eateries. The charm of this
small district is evident in their festival and events that range from the
Grape JAMboree to the Winterfest. As you travel east you enter the
Ashtabula Harbor. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the
Ashtabula Harbor is home to a bascule lift bridge, brick streets and
quaint shops. The shops and eateries embrace their heritage of being a
port town that was once filled with dockworkers and ethnic merchants.
Starting as a ship building port, the Ashtabula Harbor has become a great
destination for many tourists. The last stop along your journey is
Conneaut, once a bustling deep-water port for the transport of coal and
iron ore. Conneaut has grown into a perfect location for sport fishing
and history. Anchored by a Finnish Temperance Hall and outdoor summer
concerts, Conneaut is a great place to become immersed in history and
enjoy a summer afternoon.
Choose from the following to customize your Ashtabula
County getaway itinerary:
-
15 award-winning wineries
-
17 picturesque covered bridges
-
The longest covered bridge in the U.S.
-
30 miles of Lake Erie sunsets
-
2 lighthouses
-
19 museums and historical sites
-
26-mile long Greenway Bicycle Trail
-
10 pristine golf courses
-
Dozens of marinas for fishing charters
-
2 wild and scenic rivers (Grand River and Conneaut
Creek)
-
Scenic Train Ride
-
Victorian Perambulator Museum
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Underground Railroad Museum
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Great Lakes Marine Museum
-
Railroad Museum
-
Historical Museums
These attractions and more await your visit. For more
information, call Ashtabula County Convention & Visitors Bureau at
1-800-337-6746 or see
http://www.visitashtabulacounty.com.
Enjoy your next
vacation and experience Ashtabula County…Ohio’s Northcoast Destination!
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WHAT'S SO UNUSUAL
ABOUT COSHOCTON, OHIO?
Play Video
 Where in the
world can you find an 1840s doctor, an asylum for art lovers and a train
depot filled with everything from cheeses to wedding dresses? Coshocton
County,
Ohio, is just that unique of a
place, filled with interesting people to meet and unusual places to visit.
UNUSUAL JUNCTION
First on your list for the unusual
would of course be The Unusual Junction, located at 56310
US 36,
West Lafayette. You'll be
greeted by the gregarious owner,
Jerry
McKenna, who blows his train
whistle as guests enter the train depot. Inside you'll find a gourmet
food lover's dream as the shelves are filled with
Ohio's largest selection of hot
sauces and mustards, as well as spices, cheeses, deli meats, trail bologna
and candies. The depot is also home to the Lava Rock Grill Diner and
Universe Bridal Superstore (Ohio's
Premiere Bridal Salon) where they have thousands of bridal gowns, prom
dresses and special occasion dresses.
Jerry
McKenna's dream of owning his
own store began over thirty years ago. He and his family moved from the
Cleveland area to the
West Lafayette location where
they opened an antique shop in an old barn that once stood on the
property. Gradually, they added more items for their visitors, the most
popular being the locally-made cheeses and trail bologna that he brought
into his shop. "I always like to keep the quality high and the prices
reasonable," said
McKenna. "That's what has kept our customers
coming back and allowed us to grow to where we are today."
Grow they have! Years ago,
McKenna got the idea to move an old dismantled
train depot that he bought at an auction in
Fredericktown,
Ohio, to his property. "I had
to find photos of the old building, since what I bought was just a pile of
wood," explained
McKenna. "From those old photos we
reconstructed the depot to use for a retail cheese outlet. Over the years
we've added on to that original building several times as we've
expanded."
Once he had the depot, he felt he
needed to have a few train cars, so he moved in a couple of
Pullman cars, a dining car and a caboose.
The feat was such a big job that the highway had to be closed in order to
transport the cars to their new permanent home. Shops are located in the
train cars, as they have been for years.
Unusual Junction is open 7 days a
week.
www.theunusualjunction.com,
(740)
545-9772.
THE
ART ASYLUM
Coshocton
County has always been
home to artists. Being the birthplace of advertising art, in the early
1900s Coshocton boasted more artists than any other
US city (other than
New York City). Although the art
has changed over the years, a large number of artists are still attracted
to the area, and there are several individual artists' studios, galleries
and art festivals.
You definitely won't miss the
Art
Asylum at
448 Chestnut Street in
Coshocton. The Asylum has made quite a statement in the quiet rural
town. The classic old house has been decked out in bright colors and fun
characters (that change with the seasons) inhabit the yard. Several
family members have come together to create the
Art
Asylum's unique style. "Our
whole family is artistic," said
Lisa
Jane
Martin from the
Art
Asylum. "We wanted a place
where we could all work on art together and this was an exciting option
for us."
Whether you consider yourself artsy or
not, this is definitely a
FUN place, housing
reasonably-priced artwork from several local artists. You'll find
hand-painted walking sticks, watercolor landscapes, colorful collages,
jewelry, animal portraits, paper maché ponies, and life-size soft
sculptures, among many other things. "We want our shop to be a relaxing
place that's not your traditional 'stuffy' art gallery," continued
Martin. "Most people remark
that the gallery is so colorful and they like the fact that we don't have
plain white walls where everything is hanging in a perfect row. We
definitely don't do that here."
The
Art
Asylum is open Tuesday through
Saturday. (740)
575-4042.
www.theartasylum.samsbiz.com.
THE 1840S DOCTOR WILL
SEE YOU NOW
The 1840s doctor,
Dr.
Maro
Johnson, is still alive and
well in his small office with his brand new wooden exam table that just
arrived on the canal boat. You can't help but wonder if you really have
stepped into another time when you start chatting with the good doctor.
As he explains the herbal medicines of the day, the blood letting
procedure and describes just how he's going to remove your tonsils with
those scary-looking tools you are sure to question your sanity. When he
steps into the back room to remove a lady's tooth and you hear her
screams, you might begin to think this really is 1840. After all, he said
they only had chamomile tea to help calm the patients' nerves. What—no
Novocain?
Terry
Shaw is one of the actors who portrays
Dr.
Maro
Johnson in the doctor's office
in
Historic
Roscoe
Village. This is one of
the newest exhibits on the tour in the village and one of the most
popular, especially since it is done in first person. "I had to learn an
awful lot about 1800s medicine to play this character," said
Shaw. "But I just love doing this! We have a
script to go by, but I tend to add a lot more to it."
Visit with
Dr.
Maro
Johnson in Historic
Roscoe
Village, in
Coshocton,
Ohio.
800-877-1830
www.rocoevillage.com.
For more information on these and the
other unique places to visit and interesting people to meet in
Coshocton
County, call
800-338-4724,
or go to
www.visitcoshocton.com.
By Jan Myers
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Learn About
THE WORMS AND THE BEES
And The Circle of Life on The Farm
Play Video
 Life is
reborn with the worms and the bees each Spring down on Niederman Family
Farm, where thousands of kids come to learn about a dying American
culture.
Niederman Family Farm, surrounded by a burgeoning suburbia, is a
working farm that invites the public to see an American culture of
yesteryear. In its fourth generation, the Niederman’s have been educating
families, school children and groups about farm life for more than a
decade.
Beginning April 23rd, they will open new pastures and minds for
Americans of all ages to plant a memory and
knowledge of agriculture. Don’t miss the newest farm animals being
welcomed into the world!
“Many children and their families are now generations removed from
the farm and take for granted the significance agriculture plays in our
lives,” said Bethann Niederman. “We bring this education to people, both
kids and adults, in a very entertaining way! Our nostalgic look at the
American farm is slow-paced, relaxing and fun. Families really connect
while doing things together like a hay-ride, milking a cow, planting their
pumpkin to pick in Fall, roasting a hot-dog, making S’mores, you name it.”
What used to be “life on the farm” is now known as “Agri-tourism.” And the
Niederman’s grasped the concept from the get-go to save their farm.
“We had to diversify to survive so we sat around the kitchen table and
began thinking of innovative ways to attract business,” said Bethann.
“One of the major attractions is paintball. We have four courses and
provide everything you need for a blast with co-workers, friends or
perfect strangers. All you need to do is show up.”
Something different is in the air this year. It’s early and bookings are
already at an all-time high for groups to come out and experience farm
life for a day. Bethann Niederman believes gas prices are driving business
to Niederman Family Farm because families, schools, seniors and church
groups are looking for new things close to home.
This season, Niederman Family Farm’s 265 acres will offer more than ever
before. In addition to farm tours, the Niederman’s provide hayrides and
allow visitors to plant pumpkins to come back and pick in Fall. There’s
plenty of livestock to see and fun to be had. After all, it is a working
farm.
Ongoing activities feature barn rentals, bonfire pits, paintball courses,
and many seasonal events. Group accommodations are routinely made for
families, Mom’s clubs, school groups, day care centers and home school
groups. The Niederman’s also accommodate large family reunions and
corporate events in a restored 1890s barn with modern amenities.
If one day isn’t long enough to take in the relaxing sights and sounds of
farm life, stay a night at the Gregory Creek Inn Bed & Breakfast located
at the farm.
Niederman Family Farm is located at 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road
in Liberty Township, Ohio between Cincinnati and Dayton. Reservations are
required. Call 513-779-6184 or visit
www.ohiotraveler.com/niederman_family_farm.htm.
By Frank R. Satullo, the OhioTraveler |
Play Video
 Downtown
Wooster is alive and vibrant on all levels – from the shops and
restaurants at street level to the luxury lofts and offices above.
A previous winner of both the “Great American Main Street” and “Ohio’s
Best Hometown” awards, this is a downtown where historic structures
peacefully co-exist alongside a state-of-the-art library, where the smells
of fresh baked goods from Tulipan Hungarian Pastry & Coffee Shop
intermingle with the hot coffee at Muddy Waters Café and the organic
scents of specialty cuisine at the South Market Bistro.
An old bank has morphed into a vault full of high-end art gallery
treasures and a brick schoolhouse has been transformed into an arts center
and the centerpiece of it all is the classic H. Freedlander Co. department
store that has called downtown home for well over a century.
The businesses are local and the owners are entrepreneurs and artists in
their own right, whether they create pottery (Moorefield Pottery), art
tile (Artfind Tile) jewelry (MacKenzie’s Silver & Gold) or a really good
loaf of bread (Broken Rocks Café & Bakery).
You’re welcome to create something beautiful here, too. The owners of the
Bead Café invite you to choose from thousands of beads of all types to
make that one-of-a-kind piece that you can wear as a memento of your trip
or give to someone special. If jewelry doesn‘t spark your interest, you
can try your hand at painting earthenware at Pottery Art Studio or by
browsing gifts and yarn at Calla Lily Yarn & Gifts, where the materials
are just the starting point for wearable art.
Shopping in downtown Wooster – furniture from RoomScapes or Jerry’s Home
Furnishings, books at The Wooster Book Company or Books in Stock, antiques
and collectibles from the Uptown/Downtown Emporium or the House of Rand –
is rivaled only by eating in downtown Wooster. In just a few blocks, you
can have a traditional breakfast at The Parlor, fresh fish at TJ’s
Restaurant, a classic burger at C.W. Burgerstein’s, classic Greek at
Matsos’ Family Restaurant or a deli selection at Thomas’s Deli and Market.
In any case, it’s bound to be a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Maybe you need a break. Give yourself some down time with a visit to Spa
Collections, SkinFit or Tricia Marie’s Salon. Once rejuvenated, you can
engage in a little retail therapy at the Wooster Gift Corner or White
Jewelers or find something a bit unusual at Sam & Stan’s Army-Navy Store
or City News. You can even rev up your inner athlete with a visit to
Pierce’s Team Sports or Bikes, Trikes & Boards.
Then come back to Public Square to shop four floors of products from
Rubbermaid, the company that first put Wooster on the map. Everything
Rubbermaid is just as the name implies, plus Irwin Tools, Little Tikes
toys and a spacious play area for the youngest shoppers.
There’s lots more to see, so you might want to spend a night or two. Go
the traditional route with a room at the Best Western/ Wooster Plaza or
step back in history with an evening at the Barrister’s Inn or Gasche
House bed & breakfasts.
Visit downtown Wooster; you’ll be in no hurry to leave. For more
information, including directions, visit
http://www.mainstreetwooster.org.
BARNSTORMING & BICYCLING
 Barnstorming
brings to mind the era when colorful open cockpit biplanes took to the
skies over the farmlands, performing daring aerobatic stunts that included
loops, rolls and flying low over open fields, swooping down and almost
touching barn roofs in “Waldo Pepper” style. Today, a different sort of
“barnstorming” can be experienced in the rural landscapes via automobile,
motorcycle or bicycle. The Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau
offers an exciting program designed to connect the rural countryside and
lovely historic downtown communities, stitched together with a colorful
patchwork of painted Barn Quilts.
Barns represent ties to the rural life, a reflection of our history and
agricultural heritage. The purpose of this unusual tour is to promote and
celebrate the unique rural and agricultural experience. Barns are hand
painted with true folk-art renditions of traditional quilt patterns, 8 X 8
foot squares that dot the scenic landscapes as visitors make their way
from town to town. It celebrates quilting as a traditional artform as
well as offering an appreciation of the architecture of farm buildings.
The trend is growing, capturing the spirit of the heritage traveler.
The original concept is credited to Donna Sue Groves of Adams County,
Ohio. In 2001, she created a way to honor her Mother, an expert quilter,
with the idea to paint quilt squares on Adams County barns, which would
also highlight the shared heritage of the Appalachian region. The idea
caught on like wild fire, and her dream of linking that region has
expanded into many other states, creating a large network of barn quilt
enthusiasts.
The timing of the Miami County VCB project, which began in spring of 2006,
coincided with the Miami County Bicentennial in 2007, and each of the
original barns that were painted carried the Bicentennial designation.
Within Miami County alone, visitors can view over 56 barns. The Barn
Quilt Tour is truly a tourist attraction on its own, and bicyclists are
encouraged to make it a 2-day, overnight tour. Along the way, traveling
at a leisurely pace, visitors will find historic communities such as
Piqua, Tipp City, Troy, Covington and West Milton – each featuring their
own quaint downtowns offering unique shopping and dining experiences, as
well as historical and heritage attractions, most with quality
accommodations. For more information go to
www.visitmiamicounty.org.
 Those
experiencing the Barn Quilt Tour by bicycle will find a real treat at the
Bicycle Museum of America in beautiful downtown New Bremen
in Auglaize County, just a short drive from Piqua. The Museum
holds one of the world’s largest collections of bicycles – from the very
first bicycle of 1816 to the high-tech mountain and racing bicycles of
today. Bicycle enthusiasts from around the world have visited here, and
Arts and Antiques Magazine picked the Bicycle Museum of America as
one of the “100 Top Treasures” to see in the U.S and Canada. Find out
more at www.bicyclemuseum.com.
Additional bicycle rides and races:
-
Indian Lake Fireworks FUNd Ride & Run in Logan County on June 7. For
more information, call 888-564-2626.
-
15th Annual Firecracker Century Bike Tour in Van Wert County
on July 4. For more information, call Greg Gamble @419-495-4226 or go
to
www.vanwert.com/museum.
CELEBRATE NASA’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY
 NASA's Glenn Research
Center is inviting you to see what lies beyond the gates at its Lewis
Field Campus in Cleveland, Ohio,
May 17 and 18,
and beyond the fence at its Plum Brook Station in Sandusky,
May 31 and June 1. The hours for each day of the two events will be
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Each event will feature
activities for kids. And it's all free.
These events are part of a year-long
celebration leading up to the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration's 50th anniversary on October 1, 2008. Look back at NASA's
50 years of scientific and technological excellence and look forward to a
promising new era of discovery.
This is a unique
opportunity for visitors of all ages to explore the frontiers of air and
space, where scientific research becomes the foundation for everyday
applications.
The enthusiastic staff
will guide you through world-class facilities and show you the
technologies behind some of the nation's greatest innovations.
Glenn's open houses offer a fun and
exciting way to engage, educate and inspire young and old alike.
Lewis Field in
Cleveland
Park for free at the I-X Center and
grab a free shuttle to NASA (only handicapped parking at NASA) or ride the
RTA to the Brookpark Rapid station and transfer to a free shuttle bus.
Last shuttles to NASA leave at 6 p.m.
At Lewis Field follow the self-guided
walking tour through the streets of Glenn. Learn about the exciting work
being done as you wander through the Flight Research Building, also known
as the NASA Glenn Hangar. Walk out onto the tarmac to see the research
aircraft used to study solar cell calibration, sensor development,
aircraft icing and the environmental.
See the Icing Research Tunnel, one of
the world’s largest refrigerated wind tunnels dedicated to the study of
aircraft icing. At the Zero Gravity Research Facility, peer down over
430-feet where experiments become weightless when dropped down the steel
chamber as engineers test them before they fly in a space shuttle or on
the International Space Station.
Tour the 9x15 foot Low-Speed and the
10x10 foot Supersonic Wind Tunnels used to develop and verify cutting-edge
technologies for use in aeronautics, aerospace and space. Stand inside
the dome-shaped Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory where research on
aircraft noise reduction is done.
You'll even see the work
being done at Glenn to return America to the moon, including the
manufacturing of parts of Ares I, NASA's new rocket.
And don’t forget to stop
by the Visitor Center where you can hear special presentations, see a moon
rock and authentic space suit, perform a microgravity experiment, find out
how much you would weigh on Mars and more.
Plum Brook Station in
Sandusky
Free parking offsite on Route 250
(about 4 miles north of the Ohio Turnpike) at the intersection of Fox
Road. Last tour begins at 5 p.m.
At Plum Brook
Station, tour the facility via free bus transportation that
will take you to
world-class test facilities set on 6,400 acres of land in Erie County.
Walk through the Space Power Facility, the world's largest vacuum chamber,
where parts of the space station and the landing bag system for the Mars
rovers were tested and where testing of NASA's new rockets will be tested
before they travel to the moon and beyond.
See the one-of-a-kind Spacecraft
Propulsion Facility capable of testing full-scale, upper-stage launch
vehicles and rocket engines under simulated high-altitude conditions.
At Both Locations
Engineers, scientists and technical
personnel, who work in the facilities and will be staffing exhibits and
demonstrations, will be available to talk with visitors and answer
questions about the exciting work being done right here in Ohio.
Youngsters will have an opportunity to
participate in a variety of hands-on, minds-on activities, led by education
specialists and friendly volunteers that will inspire the next generation
of explorers. Plus, teachers can learn about valuable resources to enhance
their classroom activities.
Food and beverages will be available
for purchase, along with space-themed souvenirs and NASA merchandise.
Security Notice
All adult visitors will be required to present government-issued photo
identification, such as a driver's license. All persons are subject to
search. No firearms, weapons, munitions, chemicals, illegal drugs or
contraband allowed. Violators are subject to arrest.
Foreign nationals must present a Permanent Resident Card, Passport with
Visa if not from a Visa waiver country, or a Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHTI) compliant document. Please note that citizens of
countries designated because of a special concern or interest by the U.S.
government may be denied access. Foreign nationals should call (216)
433-2291 in advance to determine their country's status.
More Information
The 50th anniversary Web
site at
http://nasa50th.grc.nasa.gov provides
information on security guidelines, transportation and items to bring in
preparation for the visit. For further information call 216-433-5555.
JUMP IN!
With the Comet Skippers
Play Video
 The
Comet Skippers in Mason, Ohio have catapulted to the top of one of
America’s fastest growing extreme sports – competitive jump roping.
They arrived on the scene in an intermediate school gymnasium less than
four years ago and just qualified a whopping 60 kids and nine adults to
the U.S. National Competition June 27 – 29, 2008 at the Wide World of
Sports complex at Disney in Orlando. In addition, the team is sending nine
kids to compete for World titles in Cape Town, South Africa July 22, 2008.
“We have never had this many kids qualify for
nationals,” said Carmen Simpson, who co-head coaches the Comet Skippers
with her husband Mike Simpson. “And those going to Worlds are going to
have an experience of a lifetime!”
The Comet Skippers routinely
draw crowds with their demonstrations of speed jumping,
three person Double Dutch, and freestyle at festivals and events
throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. But competitive jump roping is
different from strict freestyle groups. Competitive categories include
Speed Jumping and Triple Unders, where the rope is required to
consistently pass under the jumper three times between feet hitting the
floor. Individual Freestyle has been likened to a figure skater combining
power, speed, placement and presentation among other criteria. Pairs
Freestyle requires the skill and endurance of synchronized swimming.
Double Dutch Freestyle is a choreographed show that requires elements
similar to pair’s figure skaters who have to have everything timed
perfectly! One of the most spectacular displays of incredible jump roping
talent is Team Show. This includes a little bit of everything and is
choreographed to music.
All these and
several other different jumping styles were on display at the
Ohio &
Kentucky Regional in Cleveland, Ohio and the U.S. Trials recently hosted
on the Comet Skippers home floor in Mason, Ohio. There are only 13 regions
in the U.S., including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. Nearly
1,000 kids will compete in the National competition in Orlando, Florida.
First-time spectators at the regional event wore jaw-dropping expressions
as they tried to comprehend how it’s physically possible to jump rope the
way Comet Skippers’ boys and girls do, especially considering the team
assembled for the first time less than four years ago!
When Carmen and Mike Simpson decided to see if there would be any interest
in starting a jump rope team in 2004, they weren’t sure if anyone would
even show up for that first meeting.
“Carmen and I walked into the gym with our three kids and a bag of ropes
not knowing what to expect,” said Mike Simpson, co-head coach of the Comet
Skippers. “As soon as we set foot in the gym and saw more than 100 kids,
Carmen looked at me and said,
Wow!
we’re
going to need more ropes!”
Ever since then, their mission has been to
spread awareness about this
sport they loved. They constantly seek opportunities to share it with as
many people as they can. They are eager to help others form new teams
throughout Ohio and the surrounding states.
Their outreach has even extended across seas as the
Comet Skippers are becoming world ambassadors of the surging sport of
competitive jump roping.
“This is a rapidly growing sport that doesn’t get
as much publicity beyond good old-fashioned word-of-mouth channels,” said
Carmen Simpson.
“More and more, those in the
sport are recognizing that we need to employ a sharing and caring attitude
to grow interest and participation, which benefits everyone involved.”
This was most evident when a
former Comet Skipper moved to Cyprus. This little girl was very
disappointed that there weren’t any jump rope teams in the country. Armed
with the knowledge of what it takes to inject interest in jumping, the
girl’s mother introduced jump rope at the girl’s school to begin a club.
Word-of-mouth rapidly spread and reached the country’s Minister of
Physical Education. He was intrigued and wanted to learn more.
Originally, the Simpson’s
and their three children were summoned to help approximately two dozen
kids get started. But plans quickly changed to match the growing interest
and 15 Comet Skippers and members from other teams made the trip overseas.
They toured multiple school districts putting on shows earning an
invitation to the World’s Fair.
“Our goal is to spread
awareness about this sport we love and share it with as many people as we
can,” said Carmen Simpson. “This is why we plan so many workshops
throughout the year. We want to help people get new teams started in Ohio
and the surrounding states as well as continuing to make new friends
overseas.”
Now, some
kids on the Comet Skippers are facing a Hollywood-like plot and are
working hard for a storybook ending.
Soon after the Comet Skippers qualified nine members at the U.S. World
Trials to advance to the World Competition July 22, 2008 in Cape Town,
South Africa; they realized they had a problem. This opportunity of a
lifetime will cost $39,000! The world championship is only held biannually
so the qualifying kids may never have another opportunity to be part of
this life-changing experience.
“We immediately decided nobody will be left behind,” said Carmen Simpson.
“We decided to do what we had to do so everyone that earned a spot on the
national team gets to represent their country without the added pressure
of fundraising to secure their presence.”
Still, at least one kid is trying to assist by collecting cans, cleaning
houses and babysitting.
“We do special events wherever people invite us to help grow awareness for
the sport, expand interest and raise money,” said Mike Simpson. “We teach
jump rope at schools, organize workshops and perform at festivals.”
Since their humble beginning, the Comet Skippers have amassed medals from
the USA Jump Rope Nationals, advanced members to the U.S. National Team to
compete in the World Championships, and have had team members appear in an
X-Box commercial and Disney’s film – JUMP IN.
Disney’s JUMP IN increased interest in the sport much like the workouts of
legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard drew crowds to watch his fancy footwork
at jump roping years earlier. Today, trainers
in other
sports recruit Jump Rope athletes because of their endurance, quickness
and conditioning which can enhance play in soccer, basketball, football,
hockey, track and field.
But extreme jump roping can also be dangerous.
Several of the
events for competitive jump rope are speed events where the advanced
jumpers use razor thin wire ropes turning at incredible speeds. It’s not
uncommon to have cuts result with the slightest misstep.
The Comet Skippers are a
co-ed team with 65 kids ages 7 – 18 and nine adults. The team is a
competition/demonstration jump rope team affiliated with USA Jump Rope (www.usajumprope.org),
the sport’s governing body. The team is also a member of the Amateur
Athletic Union (www.aausports.org).
The team’s head coaches,
Carmen and Mike Simpson, were introduced to the sport when they lived in
Texas and saw their son Stephen participate in Jump Rope for Heart
at his school in first grade. Carmen, a U.S. Navy veteran, is a
stay-at-home mother to four children. Mike is a former U.S. Navy pilot and
currently an MD-88 Captain for Delta Air Lines.
“Carmen and I are not pros
at this, just volunteers that try really hard,” said Mike Simpson. He is
currently serving on the Board of Directors of USA Jump Rope and the
National Competition Committee.
Information about Comet
Skippers workshops and events are at
www.cometskippers.org.
By Frank R. Satullo, The
OhioTraveler
Butterfly Show At Krohn Conservatory
(Call for admission prices)
-
Open:
Through June 15, 2008
-
Location:
1501 Eden Park Drive · Cincinnati, OH 45202
-
Phone:
513-421-5707 (TTY 513-352-3380)
Join the Cincinnati Park
Board in Eden Park for an up close and personal look at a remarkable
collection of butterflies.
Crossroads
of Destiny, Indians, Settlement, and Treaty of Green Ville
(Admission: $5 adults, $3 seniors and $2 youth 6-18)
-
When:
Ongoing - Tues - Sat 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
-
Location:
Garst Museum and Annie Oakley Center, located at 205 North
Broadway in Greenville, OH 45331.
-
Phone: 937-548-5250
-
Web address:
www.garstmuseum.org
See the
exhibition that tells the fascinating story of one of the most pivotal
times in American history with never before seen artifacts. It spans four
rooms, includes about 1,000 artifacts and took nearly 100,000 hours to
assemble. It is said to be the only exhibition that deals exclusively with
the entire scope of the Indian Wars and the subsequent Treaty of Green
Ville.”
Mohican Wildlife Weekend
It's getting to be a
Springtime tradition in Mohican Country – a family-friendly weekend that
celebrates the season with dozens of exciting and educational events at
various venues in the Loudonville/Ashland/Mansfield area.
This year's Mohican Wildlife Weekend features bird-watching hikes with
expert birders, as well as wildflower walks with guides who really know
their wild onions, to say nothing of their fiddlehead ferns. You can learn
about shore birds at Pleasant Hill Lake and see the majestic Bald Eagles
soar above the spectacular Clearfork Gorge.
Children love the close encounters with raptors at the Ohio Bird
Sanctuary, an avian re-habilitation center where injured eagles, hawks and
owls get a new lease on life. Special events are planned at Gorman Nature
Center, Mohican School in the Out-of-Doors, Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Locations
in the two-county area include Mohican State Park, Malabar Farm State
Park, and the Loudonville Public Library.
Wild Turkey Festival
(Admission is Free)
Some festivals have the
expected contests, some have a few that are interesting and only a
hand-full have the truly unique. At the Wild Turkey Festival in Vinton
County, you will hear people making the strangest noises while they
compete in the Turkey Calling Contest. This street fair features a parade,
car show, quilt show, rides, games, arts and crafts, and plenty of
entertainment.
"A Toast To The '20's And
All That Jazz"
(Ohio Valley Doll Collectors Club Luncheon Price per person $45.00 which
includes a souvenir doll made by local doll artist Elaine Roesle)
-
When: May 3, 2008 -
11:00am to 3:00pm
-
Location: Kohler Banquet
Center, 4572 Presidential Way, Kettering, Ohio, off East David Road
-
Phone: 937-434-6515
The program will be "Dolls
of the 1920's" presented by Verona Glascock. There will be door prizes, a
raffle, a doll display and other surprises. Attendance limited to 72 so
early reservations are encouraged. Deadline is April 21. Please contact
Carol Fritz at
carlielynn@aol.com. Ohio Valley is a
member of United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc., a non-profit organization
with a goal of being the foremost in research, education, conservation and
appreciation of dolls.
Pioneer Days At The Mill
Lots of Crafts, Period
Dress, Mill Grinding Demonstrations, Kettle Cooked Popcorn, Great Food,
Re-Enactments, Encampments, Live Entertainment and more!
“COVERED
BRIDGES”: SPANNING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE
-
When: May 4
- June 29, 2008
-
Location:
Troy-Hayner Cultural Center – 301 W. Main Street in Troy, OH 45373
-
Phone:
937-339-0457
-
Web:
www.troyhayner.org
You won’t want
to miss this Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition that celebrates
the structures and individuals behind the development of covered bridges
through photographs, architectural schematics and models. The Miami
County engineer’s office will also be exhibiting artifacts relating to the
county’s covered bridges.
Country Garden Mothers
Day Weekend Event
(Admission is
Free)
-
Open: Mothers Day Weekend
May 9 – 11, 2008 8am - 6pm
-
Location: GoodSeed Farm at
200 Storer Rd in Peebles, Ohio 45660
-
Phone: 937-587-7021
Three days of fun and
savings offering 1,000 FREE plants to 1,000 Moms! No strings attached.
This tradition of celebrating Mothers over Mothers Day weekend with a free
plant just for being a Mom began 10 years ago. Live music, BBQ,
horse-drawn hayrides, animals, music and stories, and Appalachian
Artisan’s Guild craft demonstrations all three days!
International Migratory
Bird Day
(Admission is
Free)
Events are held throughout
the state to celebrate the peak of the songbird migration. The Magee Marsh
Wildlife Area in Oak Harbor tour includes bird banding demonstrations and
other events.
Culture Fest
(Admission is
Free)
-
When: May 16 - 17, 2008
from 11am - 10pm
-
Location: Columbus, Ohio
along Marconi, from Broad St. to Gay St.
-
Phone: 614-645-1993
The Annual Culture Fest will
be held at its' new location on Marconi. The festival is a celebration of
all the different cultures that are within and surround the Columbus
area. There will be fun filled events for kids and family, along with
live performances from groups all around the World! This truly is a
festival like no other, inviting all to learn the many different cultures
of the World, embrace new foods, art and tradition and finally to enjoy a
fantastic day with family and friends in the Columbus community.
International Street Fair
(Admission is Free)
This annual celebration is
to recognize the diversity of lifestyles and cultures found around the
world. The International Clubs from Ohio University work with other
organizations to promote understanding of world customs and cultures. The
celebration includes poetry readings, skits, dancing, music, cultural
dress, art, and ethnic food (fee). This family-oriented event is embraced
by both students and the community. Not only is this fun to attend but it
is very educational as well. You will find more than 40 cultural displays.
That’s more than you will experience at Disney’s Epcot Center.
Feast Of The Flowering
Moon
(Admission is Free)
This three-day themed event
features native-American dancing and Pow Wow, village and mountain-men
encampments depicting pioneer life in the 19th and daily
entertainment. In addition, it displays arts and crafts, traditional
entertainment and food and a variety of activities.
Asian Festival
(Admission is Free)
This festival is a major
draw in central Ohio and attracts approximately 50,000 or more visitors of
all backgrounds annually. Not only will guests learn about the cultures
and traditions of the people from China, Japan, India, Indonesia,
Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Laos and Pakistan – to
name about a dozen – it presents a very rich and fun experience.
Activities are abundant. They include performing and visual arts shows,
children’s activities, cultural displays, martial arts demonstrations, and
educational exhibitions.
Native American Powwow
(Admission:
$7-adults,$3,-seniors & students,free-5 & under
& participants,$15-weekend Pass)
-
When:
Memorial Weekend (May 24 - 26, 2008)
-
Location:
Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio - 4100 Columbia St (Exit
13 off I- 270)
-
Phone:
614-443-6120
Native
American dancing, music, arts, crafts, foods. Featuring Many Voice
Drum,Nammy Award winning Flutist Douglas Bluefeather,Award Winning hoop
dancer Peter Chiquito. Fairgrounds charges $20 for camping inc. electric
and showers for weekend . Sponsored by the Native American Indian Center
Of Central Ohio PO Box 07705 Columbus,Ohio 43207-0705.
Velvet Ice Cream Festival
(Admission is Free)
-
When: Memorial Weekend
(May 24 -26, 2008)
-
Location: Ye Olde Mill ·
11324 State Route 13 · Utica, OH
-
Phone: 800-589-5000
What’s summer without ice
cream. If you like ice cream, you will love this festival, which has
plenty of that and more. It includes a magic circus, arts and crafts
exhibits, custom/classic cars and rod run, sheep herding with Border
collies, ice cream eating contests, entertainment and antique gas engines.
Ohio Camera Collectors
Society Auction, Show & Sale
(Admission $6.00
donation requested)
America's Oldest Camera Collector's Club announces it’s Annual Show,
Auction and Swap Meet. Friday, May 30, Great Photo Auction (Free to
Public) Consignments accepted*. Auction Preview begins at 12 Noon, auction
begins at 1:00PM - 8:00PM: Opening speaker George Berkhofer, “The
Collodion Photographic process” The Collodion, or “wet-plate” process was
used in the mid 19th century by famed Civil War era
photographer, Mathew Brady. Saturday, May 31 10AM – 5PM - Show & Sale
(Buy, Sell, Trade) No early birds. $6.00 donation requested. The show is
attended by dealers and collectors from around the world.
Click here for additional festivals and events throughout Ohio
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