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June 2009 Magazine Edition

 
OHIO'S #1 MAGAZINE AND #2 TOURISM SOURCE ONLINE

      

TROY SCULPTURES ON THE SQUARE

(PLAY VIDEO)

Summer 2009 brings the return of one of Troy, Ohio’s favorite cultural events.  Through September 20, 2009, visitors to Troy’s historic downtown business district are invited to experience one of the largest outdoor sculptural displays in Ohio.  Sculptures on the Square IV, presented by Troy Main Street, is a unique outdoor art exhibition featuring 22 original sculptures representing a unique variety of artistic approaches.   Visitors can expect to see sculptures created from bronze, steel, wood, fiberglass, and an assortment of other materials.  From the traditional bronze and historical figures to the more whimsical and abstract pieces of work, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.  Sculptures on the Square is a relaxing yet captivating walking tour that will showcase 13 local, regional, and national artists of extraordinary talents. 

Sculptors represented in the 2009 Sculptures on the Square include local Troy resident Carole Kerber, creator of “Status Dude” sponsored by Kerber Sheet Metal and Andy’s Garden.  Carole also has a work titled “We” on permanent display in Downtown Troy on the river outlook off of East Walnut Street.

Anita Watts, from Eaton, Ohio, works in bronze.  In the exhibition are three sculptures:  “Marissa” sponsored by Burger King, “High Spirits” sponsored by Goodrich, and “Bo” sponsored by Ernst Concrete.

Doug Benedict, from Dayton, Ohio works in found metal automotive parts.  His creations include: “Standing Circles” sponsored by Hobart ITW Food Equipment Group and “The Phoenix Flower” sponsored by the Troy Rotary Club. 

Jim Stadtlander, from Mantua, Ohio works in wood.  The sculpture “Praying Angel” was created out of the unique characteristics of a found piece of wood.

Recreating historical figures from fiberglass, Michael Major from Urbana, Ohio has three sculptures featured in the exhibition.  “William T. Sherman” is sponsored by Benefits Analysis and Erwin Chrysler Dodge Jeep.  “Simon Kenton” is sponsored by the Troy Development Council.  And “Tecumseh” is sponsored by Fulton Farms.  Michael also has work on permanent display at Duke Park in Troy.

R. Mike Sohikian, from Genoa, Ohio creates his works from salvage steel.  His work “Confessions” is sponsored by Miami Mutual Insurance Group.

Regional sculptor, Roger Smith from Leslie, Michigan works in bronze.  His work “Watchful Doe” is sponsored by Peak Foods.

Fellow Michigan sculptor, Thomas (Tj) Aitken from Holland, Michigan has three pieces of work represented in the exhibition:  “A Boomer’s Nike”, “Impacted Figure #5”, and “Bug” which is sponsored by the Downtown Troy Business Community.

The 2009 Sculptures on the Square exhibition also features sculptors from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Arizona.

Carl McCleskey from Cloudland, Georgia works in bronze.  His creation “Water Dance” is sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Bill Lukens and One Call Now.

Doug Mott from Elverson, Pennsylvania works in a variety of materials.  His creation “Attention” is sponsored by SEW Eurodrive.

Gregory Johnson from Cumming, Georgia, also works in bronze.  His work “Jacks Storytime” is sponsored by Unity National Bank.  His second work, “Ella Blowing Bubbles” is sponsored by US Bank.

Jennifer Meyer from Lansing, Illinois works in a variety of found materials.  Her work “The Schwinn Boys” is created from a found pile of broken bicycles.  Her second work, “Sun Salutation” sponsored by the Hobart Institute of Welding was created from materials collected from an abandoned church.

Traveling the farthest to join the Sculptures on the Square exhibition, is “Midnight Serenade Pose 1” by sculptor Pokey Park.  “Midnight Serenade Pose 1” is created from bronze and sponsored by The Duke Robinson Foundation.

Troy, Ohio was named one of Ohio Magazines “Best Hometowns” due, in part, to its commitment to the arts by offering a variety of free cultural events and quality exhibits to residents and visitors.  Troy’s best known facility for the arts is the Troy Hayner Cultural Center located two blocks from the downtown Square.  In partnership with the Sculptures on the Square outdoor exhibition, Troy Hayner Cultural Center is hosting an exhibit of smaller pieces not practical for an outdoor venue.  The display will be open June 28th through August 23rd and will feature over 20 small sculptures in bronze, clay, mixed media, polymer clay, stainless steel, and reclaimed wood.  The Troy Hayner Cultural Center is a Norman Romances Rival home with a classical interior.  Mary Jane Hayner built this home is 1924 after the death of her husband and lived in it until her death in 1942.  She brought in Italian workers to create the beautiful carved marble fireplaces, the molded plaster ceilings, and the leaded glass windows.  On display is the Hayner Distillery collection which includes jugs, bottles, and other memorabilia from the Hayner Distillery and Harter Medicine Company.  The Troy Hayner Cultural Center is located at 301 West Main Street in historical Downtown Troy, Ohio.  Learn more by visiting the Troy Hayner Cultural Center online at www.troyhayner.org

Sculptures on the Square is made possible by a grant from the Troy Foundation, with partnership from the City of Troy, as well as several community businesses, organizations, and individuals.  These community partnerships help us maintain the high standards and quality of life appreciated by the citizens of Troy. 

For more information about the Sculptures on the Square, please visit www.TroyMainStreet.org -or- www.SculpturesOnTheSquare.com

Troy Main Street is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to coordinating the efforts of all those dedicated to making Downtown Troy a better place to live, work, shop, celebrate, and invest.  Contact Troy Main Street at (937) 339-5455.

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SCOUTS MAKE TRACKS
TO RAIL ADVENTURE

 

 

Take 75 boy scouts, plus adult leaders. Add a couple of trains — full size, not toys. Mix with a little camping and lots of learning.

 

That’s the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s recipe for its annual Rail-o-ree Boy Scout adventure. And it works!

 

Two years ago, a volunteer at the non-profit railway decided to combine two loves — boy scouts and trains. The result was a unique event that draws scouts from outside the state and been filled to capacity each year.

 

Troops and their gear begin to roll in to the Rail-o-Ree on Friday evening. Behind the depot, the field by the Hocking River is quickly dotted with the tents of scouts and their leaders. A trading card game and short presentation complete the night before everyone turns in.

 

Saturday is a full day beginning with a traditional Boy Scout flag raising ceremony at the depot. Safety is the first order of the day, so all scouts and leaders attend a mandatory safety session — that also completes a merit badge requirement. Most Scouts who come for the first time take the railroading merit badge, taught by railway volunteers under the direction of registered counselors.

 

Meanwhile, scouts who attended last year, change into old clothes and meet their crew boss for the day. They have elected to “get dirty workin’ on the railroad.” After introductions and an operating lesson, they climb on one of the railway’s hand cars to propel themselves down the track to the work site. Their goal for the day is to replace old track ties on a siding. They’ll do it the old-fashioned way — by hand—using spike mauls and other railway tools to pull ties and drive spikes.

 

A third group of scouts hit the trail with their bikes. They will ride from Nelsonville through shady Wayne National Forest to Athens before returning.

 

The highlight of the day for everyone is the behind-the-scenes tour of the engine house facility. Scouts walk under the old coaling tower and see an assortment of rolling stock as they approach the 1905 machine shop and new engine house.  The railway’s five engines, including two steam engines, are all visible. Each group receives a guided tour through the buildings. Then they climb up the steps of an operating diesel locomotive where the engineer explains the basic controls.

 

Scouts take a break from classes and activities to ride the train on Saturday afternoon. They eagerly board the open-air cars and 1920s coaches for the 22-mile trip, which includes a 30-minute stop at a 1840s pioneer log village.

 

The day ends with a scavenger hunt, drawing for prizes, an evening snack, called a crackerbarrel by the scouts, and train videos. While the boys watch the show, scout leaders gather and discuss the day with railway volunteers.

 

 “I had several boys tell me how neat this campout has been,” said one scoutmaster. “It’s evident you all really enjoy the railroad and your sharing with youth will go far in sparking their interest for future involvement with the railroad industry. I am glad we attended and had the experience!”

 

With high praise like that, the non-profit railway plans to continue its annual Rail-o-ree. In fact— due to popular demand — it has added a similar one-day event for girl scouts.

 

The 2009 Rail-o-Ree will be held September 11-13.

 

But, you don’t have to be a scout to enjoy the historic train. The railway is open to the public almost every weekend from mid-April through the end of the year. In addition to the Rail-o-Ree event, it offers a variety of special trains like robbery trains, a cabooses only train, Santa trains, North Pole Express, a New Year’s Eve train and more.

 

For more information about the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway or the Rail-o-ree event, visit www.hockingvalleytrain.com or call 800-967-7834.

 

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First Annual
WACO MILITARY EXPERIENCE
in Troy, Ohio

Troy, Ohio, home of the WACO Aircraft Company, will host the first annual WACO Military Experience, a military show and swap meet, on July 10, 11 & 12th, 2009.   The WACO Military Experience will take place at Historic WACO Field which is home to the WACO Air Museum  located at 1865 S. County Rd. 25A, Troy, Ohio 45373.  

This wonderful educational family event will feature a variety of Military displays that will include vintage aircraft representing 20th century conflicts along with authentically restored military vehicles.  Visitors will also enjoy the re-enactors and living history encampments, viewing the authentic military uniforms and artifacts and home front displays.  Also planned will be various military drill demonstrations. 

Area non-profit organizations, veteran’s organizations and memorabilia vendors will also be on display throughout the three day weekend.  In addition, visitors to the event can enjoy great food and themed entertainment. 

The WACO Military Experience will be open to the public.  Admission will be $5.00 with children 6 or under free.  Active or retired military will receive $1.00 off of admission with proof of service.

While visiting the event, do not miss this perfect opportunity to visit the WACO Air Museum that showcases the legacy of the WACO Aircraft Company, and other regional aircraft history, including a WACO primary glider, 1902 Wright Brothers Glider replica, the WACO 4 and WACO Cootie replica, the Mackey Taperwing, and a WACO UPF-7. Many spectacular photo murals grace the walls of the 7500 square foot facility. Additional exhibits feature some of the thousands of rare WACO photographs held by the WACO Historical Society and numerous WACO factory and WWII WACO combat glider artifacts and photos. The museum also features 10 WACO RC models, museum theater/classroom, numerous WACO vintage aircraft scale models, radial aircraft engines, vintage propellers, a museum archive library and a museum gift shop for visitors to explore. Museum admission is $6.00 for adults, with military ID $5.00, students 7-18 years $3.00, children 6 and under free and WACO Historical Society members are free.

For details about the WACO Military Experience, contact Karen Purke, Executive Director of the WACO Historical Society at 937.335.9226 or go online at www.wacoairmuseum.org

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Relive that Giant Leap for Mankind
with a Giant
Moon Pie® and Weeklong
Celebration in Wapakoneta 

2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first steps onto the moon, and his hometown, Wapakoneta, Ohio has planned a celebration, July 13 through 20th that is sure to be a blast.  Whether you can remember the image of Armstrong descending from the lunar module and stepping onto the  surface of the moon in 1969 or you have only read about it in the history books, you will find fun, interesting and poignant events to mark the occasion. 

The week long celebration begins on July 13th with the Tri-County Field of Honor.  Thousands of American flags will cover the grounds of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum in honor of the heroes who have served our country as servicemen and women, police, firefighters, and other first responders.

Also during the week visitors can take a drive-it-yourself tour entitled “Auglaize County as Neil Knew It”   See where the first man on the moon was born, grew up and first learned to fly. Brochures will be available at the Armstrong Museum and Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce office.

Geocaching fans can trace Armstrong’s life in a similar fashion with hidden cache treasures marking the places of Armstrong’s early life. 

The Chattanooga Bakery is joining in the fun with a the worlds largest Moon Pie®.  That Tennessee bakery will be creating the giant treat which will be on display in downtown Wapakoneta and then cut and served to the public.  

Other events during the week include FREE Movies at Wapa Theatre.  Enjoy The Right Stuff & Fly Me to the Moon in Wapakoneta's historic 1904 theatre to get you in a spacey mood.  There will also be a “Run to the Moon” 5K run, a car show, wiener dog races,  a chili cook-off contest, a corn hole tournament, bed races, lots of free musical entertainment and great food.

On Sunday, the 19th,  more family fun is planned as there will be a rocket building activity for kids,  a moon rock hunt, a Moon Pie®  eating contest and the Ohio Civil Air Patrol rocket demonstration.  The Lima Area Concert Band will present a musical tribute to Space Exploration on Sunday afternoon.  Evening events will include a hot air balloon launch, a back to the 60’s dance followed by a laser light show. 

Monday is the final day of the celebration and it will be the final day for the flags to fly over the Tri-County Field of Honor.  That is also the day for the 40th Anniversary Commemorative Cover sale and there will be free admission to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum for all Auglaize County residents and half price admission for non-residents. 

So be sure to mark your calendar and take one small step to Wapakoneta, Ohio, July 13 thru the 20th   and you will find it to be a giant leap for fun, entertainment, music and history.  Check out www.summermoonfestival.com for a complete listing of events.

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ADD SOME POW WOW TO
YOUR SUMMER FESTIVITIES
 

Traditional Aztec Fire Dancers will light up the 25th Annual
Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow in Loudonville, Ohio During the 2009 Summer. 

You don’t need leave Ohio this summer to see true Native American culture come alive. One of the top Indian Pow-Wows in North America is coming to the Mohican area, rain or shine, in July and September. 

Highlighting the 25th Annual Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow will be the internationally acclaimed Tlacopan Aztec Fire Dancers. They will showcase their blazing barefoot fire dance and other high energy native dances set to the rhythmic beating of traditional drums. Donned in elaborate clothing, beads, plumed headdresses and painted faces, the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers from Mexico always impress their audiences with intense energy and thorough cultural presentations.    

Pow-Wows are the coming together of Native American tribes to honor their ancestors and renew their traditions and heritage through dancing, singing, music, dress and food. On all accounts, the special 25th edition of The Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow pulls out all the stops. 

The feature entertainment isn’t just fire dancing. Headliners anywhere, world champion hoop dancer Daniel Tramper, and flutist of the year Douglas Blue Feather will dazzle the public with their skillful precision at their respective crafts. Pow-Wows have a lot to offer. It is a celebration that lasts for days and remembered for a lifetime. In addition to custom dancing, the passing down of songs and storytelling are critical for the survival of any culture. To hear riveting and entertaining tales, be sure to listen to Lance White Eagle oratory. Indian Music of the Andes Mountains by Malkuri will also be in the air.  

Another spectacular vision quest at an authentic Pow Wow is the palate of color woven throughout the festivities. For that, one needs look no further than the North American Iroquois Veterans Association Color Guard. Dazzling color empowers the soul with energy and excitement. If your heart is pounding, it just might stop when the tomahawk throwing demonstrations hit the bull’s eye. But the signature events at Pow-Wows are the elaborate Native American cultural dancing competitions. Not only does this much anticipated Pow-Wow shake it up with a variety of cultural dances, it has traditional drum battles offering more than $9,000 in prize money.   

The Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow has been named one of the top shows in North America. The 25th edition of this remarkable annual celebration seeks to provide the best talent and widest variety of festivities ever. It is a real cultural presentation not a hobbyist show. It emphasizes lifestyles, fellowship and competition among tribes. In addition to the Native foods, stories, music, dancing and drum competitions, there are original Native American creations by more than 40 traders, artisans and crafters. Wares on display and for sales include pottery, bead working, knife making, sliversmithing, quill working, antler works, fur trading, wood and bone carving, leather work, basket weaving, paintings and jewelry. 

The 25th Annual Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow will be hosted by Mohican Reservation Campgrounds located at 23270 Wally Road South in Loudonville, Ohio 44842. Show dates are July 10 – 12, 2009 and again September 18 – 20, 2009. Admission is $8/adult, $14 for a 2-day pass, $21 for a three day pass. Kids’ admission, ages 6-12, is $$4/child, $6 for a 2-day pass, $9 for a three day pass. Special discounts are available to colleges, groups, scouts, teachers, seniors and veterans. For complete information or directions, phone 1-800-766-CAMP (2267) or visit www.mohicanpowwow.com.

By Frank Satullo

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KIDS LOVE HOCKING HILLS
Break Away To Soft Adventure
 

Travelers looking for a hassle-free, virtually unplanned escape for spring or summer breaks will find the perfect family destination in southeast Ohio’s Hocking Hills. This little-known scenic area offers families a great place to relax, unwind, shop, eat, hike, fish, or even swing! 

But, today’s newest trends lean towards traveling on a budget. So, how does a family plan a vacation to Hocking Hills on the cheap? 

In response to the demand for affordable, yet meaningful, travel experiences, Hocking Hills has launched a new Admission: FREE website featuring a long list of the region’s free, yet completely unforgettable experiences: www.1800hocking.com/whattodo/admission_free.  

FREE things? How about a hike to Old Man’s Cave or Cedar Falls, Ash Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Rock House or Cantwell Cliffs. Do you realize none of these individual hikes is more than one mile long? And, while you’re at the Old Man’s Cave Visitor Center, be sure to check out their Butterfly Habitat or hand feed hummingbirds at Lake Hope State Park, south of the Caves area. Two lakes nearby (Lake Hope and Lake Logan) offer wonderful opportunities for low-powered boating and high-powered fishing. If you’re not the extreme hiking type (or have a stroller baby in tow) – our family’s favorite spot is the paved walk up to the sandy beaches of Ash Cave and the amazing rainy season waterfall! 

The Hocking Hills State Park offers Naturalist Programs year round: weekends in early spring, and weekdays and weekends in summer and fall. Here’s a sampling of the FREE programs offered that we liked best: Historic Lantern Tours of Ash Cave at Night, Star Gazing at Conkle’s Hollow, Stream Stompin’, Survival!, Furs, Feathers, Feet & Fangs (oh my!), Nighttime Owl Prowl, Scalawags & Renegades and many more. Some of them follow Birds of Prey, others hollows and caves once used by ancient Indian tribes (did you know the town of Logan was named for the Mingo Chief, James John Logan?). And if you like folklore, Naturalist Pat Q loves to tell stories peppered with extraordinary stories and unique characters. From caves that once served as a hideout for bank robbers or home for a Civil War-era hermit, to abandoned clay kilns from the 1800s, the Hocking Hills are full of stories. 

Ok, so you know how to have fun … on the cheap, but where do you base from? We tried a pet-friendly cabin (sleeps six – 2 parents, 2 kids, one grandma and one dog) at Old Man’s Cave Chalets. They offer last-minute getaway deals and reduced cost midweek escapes for affordable prices with the added bonus of being clustered near natural attractions (great views). Each unit has fully furnished bedrooms, bath, kitchen and living spaces, plus, our unit had a gas fireplace and an outdoor, canopied large hot tub. If it was cold, we lit the fireplace or climbed in the hot tub. If it rained we stayed indoors and played cards or watched a movie. Best of all, it was a cozy place to come back to after a day being out in nature traversing land and water. And, Snowshoes, the Travel Dog, got to come along! 

Next, we have to spend some money. Trust us, this is the one extra “high” adventure you should save up for. For well under one hundred dollars, each of your thrill-seekers can go on Ohio’s first Zip Line Adventure at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours! Fast, fun, and exhilarating, this 3 hour tour offers guided, instructed tours to zip through the treetops on a network of safety cables and skybridges suspended high above the forest floor. Each season offers new vistas as you swing and swoop like a bird from zero to 70 feet above the ground tree-to-tree over a cave, rock cliffs, a river, and maybe see a beaver dam. Canopy tour guests finally land in a lush “Garden of Eden.” The kids take to it well and even middle-aged moms (like me) found it easily manageable and so memorable. 

Another expense may be shopping.  Shopping near nature? Yes, but oh the stores are so quaint and comfortable to browse. North of Logan, in Rockbridge, is the Hocking Hills Market. Sometimes called the “Little City in the Country,” this market square offers over a dozen shops and on weekends in the warm months – an influx of flea market vendors inside and outside the Main Barn. Most vendors offer unique crafts and some sell baked goods, pretzel dogs, penny candy, and roasted nuts to snack on.  

With all the hiking, shopping, fishing and “zipping”, we certainly built up an appetite. You have a broad choice of eateries but we like to keep it simple so we chose café lunches at several unique spots in a warehouse (Rocky Boot Factory Grill), a bookstore (Great Expectations Book Store) or a Lunchbox Museum (Etta’s Lunchbox Café & Museum). The Boot Factory Grill has a rustic, casual dining setting with some very reasonable gourmet lunch specials. The Bookstore Café offers great soup of the day and famous sandwich paninis. The kids loved the Pizza Sandwich. Shop & browse while you wait for your meal at either of these stores.  

Learn the history of more than 800 lunchboxes while enjoying delicious & nutritious homemade food at the Lunchbox Café on SR56 in New Plymouth (ask tourism for directions). It’s a stroll down memory land and admission to the museum is FREE when enjoying any meal. Remember the lunchbox you had as a kid? Etta’s probably has it on display.  

“Hocking Hills has always offered the most unique, yet most affordable experiences travelers will ever find,” said Karen Raymore, CDME, Hocking Hills Tourism Association Executive Director. “It’s great that in these tough economic times we can add even more value for our visitors, offering a trip that they’ll never forget. And in most cases the experience is absolutely free. How many top destinations can claim that?” 

SIDE NOTES:

Want more ideas about how to plan your next family trip - and, maybe learn some tricks on how to get the most value? Michele Z, the Family Travel Mom, has done 10,000 hours of research and personal testing already so you don’t have to. You can find more than 6000 places and events included in her

KIDS LOVE TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS - Family Travel Guides to Exploring “Kid-Tested” Places! 

Visit kidslovetravel.com/kids_love_ohio.htm and let YOUR next family adventure begin! 

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Boat Camping & Treasure Hunts
at Ohio State Parks

This summer, Ohio State Park lakes are offering more opportunities for boaters to camp aboard their crafts or drop anchor and swim in designated areas.
 
Boaters may now sleep aboard their watercrafts while secured to public docks on the lakes at Burr Oak, Dillon, Grand Lake St. Marys, Guilford Lake, Indian Lake, Paint Creek, Rocky Fork and Salt Fork state parks, along with Buck Creek State Park's C.J. Brown Reservoir. Boaters may drop anchor and spend the night on the water at designated boat camping areas at Buckeye Lake, Caesar Creek, Hueston Woods State Park's Acton Lake, and Portage Lakes State Park's Turkeyfoot Lake, as well as Grand Lake St. Marys and Buck Creek State Park's C.J. Brown Reservoir. Later this summer, docks for overnight use will be available at Middle Bass Island.
 
Boat campers should check in with the marina or park office before docking. Transient docks for overnight stays are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some locations charge a fee for overnight docking.
 
New boat swimming areas have been added in coves or other quiet areas outside of boat traffic at several state park lakes, including Caesar Creek, Dillon, Lake Logan and Salt Fork. Boat swimmers are advised to wear lifejackets and be aware of submerged hazards in boat swimming areas. Head-first diving from boats is strongly discouraged and consumption of alcohol while boating is strictly prohibited.
 
In addition to the parks that offer newly designated camping and swimming areas for recreational boaters, a number of state parks continue to allow these activities. Boat camping is also permitted where designated at Cleveland Lakefront, East Harbor, Geneva, South Bass Island, Mary Jane Thurston, Maumee Bay, Muskingum River Parkway and Shawnee state parks. Boat swimming and camping are permitted at Cowan Lake, Deer Creek, Delaware, East Fork, Lake Milton, Mosquito Lake and West Branch state parks. Established boat swimming areas are offered at A.W. Marion, Lake Loramie, Lake White, Paint Creek, Portage Lakes and Rocky Fork.
 
Children who swim at Ohio State Parks with their families this summer can receive credit towards the ODNR Explore the Outdoors Swim with a Buddy activity. Explore the Outdoors is a hands-on family program that gives Ohio children the opportunity to reunite with nature, improve their physical and emotional health and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards. Program information and downloadable activity guides can be found at www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com.
 
For additional information about boating facilities and other recreational opportunities at Ohio State Parks, visit www.ohiostateparks.org.
 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

High-Tech Treasure Hunts

Outdoor enthusiasts with GPS units can combine the fun of state park outings with the excitement of high-tech treasure hunting this summer during Ohio State Parks' Northeast Ohio Geochallenge.
 
The Northeast Ohio Geochallenge is an opportunity for geocachers to search for hidden caches at Ohio state parks through Labor Day. Treasures have been hidden at 19 parks in northeast Ohio, including Cleveland Lakefront, Headlands Beach, Geneva, Punderson, Pymatuning, Mosquito, Nelson Kennedy, West Branch, Tinkers Creek, Lake Milton, Mohican, Malabar Farm, Portage Lakes, Quail Hollow, Guilford Lake, Beaver Creek, Jefferson Lake, Dillon and Salt Fork.
 
Coordinates for the hidden caches are available on the official global positioning system web site for caches, www.geocaching.com. After logging onto the geocaching web site, treasure seekers can find the necessary information for the Geochallenge on the Ohio State Parks cache page.
 
The first 100 participants who find the caches hidden in all 19 state parks will receive a Geo-Coin. The challenge will conclude on September 7.
 
Most of the parks included in the Geochallenge offer campgrounds for overnight stays, along with a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including swimming beaches, boating facilities and boat rentals, fishing, and nature programs.  Information about state park activities, facilities and special events is available on the Ohio State Parks web site, www.ohiostateparks.org. Reservations for stays can be made online as well.
 
Children who visit state parks with their families and hike the trails while geocaching can receive credit towards the ODNR Explore the Outdoors Hike/Bike a Trail activity. Explore the Outdoors is a hands-on family program that gives Ohio children the opportunity to reunite with nature, improve their physical and emotional health and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards. Program information and downloadable activity guides can be found at www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com.
 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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 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

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Thank you for visiting OhioTraveler.com.
Feel free to comment about this web site by e-mailing us.

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June Festivals & Events

NEW Holiday Road Series

Scouts Make Tracks to ...

WACO Military Experience

Relive that Giant Leap

Shop 'til U Drop in Wooster

Add Pow Wow to Summer

Rock -N-Roll Hall of Fame

Boat Camping & Treasure

Kids Love Hocking Hills

FREE FOR ALL!

Main Travel Directory

Editor-In-Chief: Frank R. Satullo

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SHOP 'TIL U DROP
IN WOOSTER

You are invited to downtown Wooster, Ohio! 

Downtown Wooster is constantly changing, constantly evolving – much to the pleasure of shoppers and visitors both near and far. 

A previous winner of both the “Great American Main Street” and “Ohio’s Best Hometown” awards, this is a downtown where historic structures house new restaurants, where a state-of-the-art library peacefully co-exists just a block from the 130-year-old courthouse. Award-winning chefs are waiting for you at the South Market Bistro, the City Square Steakhouse, Broken Rocks Café & Bakery, TJs (a trio of eateries in one building), Omahoma Bob’s BBQ or at Muddy Waters Café, where the coffee is practically legendary. 

You can satisfy your sweet tooth with a quick stop at Tulipan Hungarian Bakery & Pastry Shop, or grab a seat at the window and watch the hustle and bustle on Public Square, where shoppers visit the four floors of Everything Rubbermaid, take in the old-fashioned ambiance of the Gift Corner or a grab up a terrific find among the curiosities of The Urban Cottage. 

Downtown merchants not only offer their wares for sale – in many cases they make the products they sell ranging from the functional ceramics and jewelry at  Moorefield Pottery to the art tile at Artfind Tile to the fine, one-of-a-kind jewelry at MacKenzie’s Silver & Gold. 

Maybe you’d prefer to make it yourself. The Bead Café offers thousands of beads of all types to make that one-of-a-kind piece, while the Pink Tomato has the finest of paper and stationery products for those personalized special occasion announcements. You can head to the Aroma Lab to try your hand at creating a signature scent for your bath oils, lotions or colognes or check out Sew Krazy, where yarns and quilting supplies can be just the beginning of wearable art and home décor. 

But there’s even more shopping downtown – furniture from RoomScapes or Jerry’s Home Furnishings, books at The Wooster Book Company or Books in Stock, the sparklers of all kinds at White Jewelers, something a bit unusual at Sam & Stan’s Army-Navy Store, antiques and collectibles from the Uptown/Downtown Antiques and Friendtique or the urban hip feel of Mezmorize. 

Maybe you need a break. Give yourself some down time with a visit to Spa Collections or SkinFit or any of a variety of downtown salons. Once rejuvenated, you can engage in a little more retail therapy or rev up your inner athlete with a visit to Pierce’s Team Sports or Ride On, where the cyclists shop and meet to swap stories and training tips. 

There’s a lot 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. 

Wooster has it all! See the old bank that has morphed into a vault full of high-end art gallery treasures, a brick schoolhouse that has been transformed into an arts center and even a taste of the Middle East at The Aladin Hookah Lounge. 

Visit downtown Wooster; you’ll be in no hurry to leave. For more information, including directions, visit www.mainstreetwooster.org.

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ROCK HALL

If you try to name anything that has had more influence on our culture than the music of the last fifty years you’ll have to think long and hard—and you may still come up with a blank. That’s because it was never a mere evolution. We’re talking revolution—rock and roll, baby—the sound that changed everything. Cynics said it wouldn’t last, but generations later, devotees have manifested their passion with a $92 million, 150,000 square-foot shrine to honor every performer, songwriter, producer, and disc jockey who contributed to this phenomenon of the music world.   

And why Cleveland? It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact birthplace of rock and roll, but Cleveland was where the real commitment began.  Every act of consequence made its debut in Cleveland, sometimes on TV, but often in ordinary high school auditoriums. Cleveland was the Mecca—where the new sound gained traction—where rock and roll took on the fuel that blasted it into the stratosphere.    

Those of us who were around in the beginning didn’t realize the significance of what we were hearing on Cleveland stations. We sang, danced, and listened to the disc jockeys while the fuddy-duddies said it was only a fad, that it would destroy our hearing, that it was corrupting the youth of America. They didn’t know either that we were at ground zero of a movement that soon swept the country—and then the world. From its inception, rock music has branched off in several directions, but I have to agree with the way Billy Joel summed it up: “Everybody’s talking bout the new sound. Funny, but it’s still Rock and Roll to me.”  That’s the way it’s been for more than five decades and it has never gotten old. 

The Hall of Fame Foundation, a nonprofit organization, selected Cleveland as the site in 1986, after being formed three years earlier. Groundbreaking wasn’t until 1993, and the grand opening was in September of 1995. Since that time 7 million visitors have passed under the dual-triangular-shaped glass “tent” that forms the entry façade to a 65,000 square-foot plaza. From the beginning the structure and the exhibits were intended to be of a caliber commensurate to the impact the music has had on society. Architect I. M. Pei, one of the world’s most renowned, said that in designing the building he wanted it to “echo the energy of Rock and Roll.”  

Located in downtown’s North Coast Harbor, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame houses more than 55,000 square-feet of exhibition space. All of your old favorites are there, but not all the current artists. Eligibility requires twenty-five years to pass from the time of their first recording. Due to the Rocker lifestyle this means that more than a few are inducted posthumously—but then, what is rock and roll without its excesses. 

To date over 225 artists as well as members from the non-performer and early influence categories have been inducted into this temple of Rock greats. They represent careers beginning in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s to those defining the modern sound, demonstrating a miscellany of talent as well as the rich diversity of the music itself.  

For example, 2009 inductees include Little Anthony & The Imperials from the early days, heavy metal band Metallica, and Wanda Jackson of rockabilly fame. 

The sidemen category includes keyboard player “Spooner” Oldham, best known for his work with Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin, along with J.D. Fontana and Bill Black who were drummer and bass player respectively, for Elvis Presley. 

Through changing exhibits, the Museum continually offers fresh new experiences from the Rock and Roll past. There are thousands of instruments, costumes, and personal effects such as John Lennon’s passport and green card, and Buddy Holly’s high school diploma. A favorite of sentimentalists is the photo display of George Shuba known as the “Grandfather of Rock and Roll photography.” He not only captured the images of all the early performers but fans as well—teenaged guys in suits and ties, and girls in short cotton dresses and lacquered beehives. Another of the more interesting is Janis Joplin’s Porsche. A few years ago a major car magazine persuaded curators to let them test-drive it around the streets of Cleveland. The little two-seater—heavily abused like everything at the hands of Janis—barely made it back with help.  If only cars could talk.   

But there is plenty of talk emanating from three theaters that take visitors on a cinematic journey through Rock and Roll history, plus the live concerts that are scattered throughout the year. Anchoring more than fifty exhibits this year is MOTOWN: The Sound of Young America Turns 50. 

Like the music, the displays give a fast-paced trip, chronicling Rock and Roll from one-hit wonders to legendary inductees, from its roots in gospel, country and blues to important music scenes such as Memphis, Detroit and San Francisco. You’re even reminded of political protests against the music and the interplay between fashion and rock. For young, old, or in- between: If you love Rock and Roll you’ve got to go. 

The Rock and roll Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 11 Rock and Roll Boulevard in Cleveland. To plan your visit around special activities, call 216-781-ROCK or 888-764-ROCK or go to www.rockhall.com. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays). From Memorial Day to Labor Day the museum is also open until 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Adult admission is $22. A Greater Cleveland –area ID gets you in for $18. Seniors pay $17; children (9-12) runs $13, and kids less than 8 get in free.

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

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