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November 2007 Edition |
Aye Captain, let’s get shipwrecked in Vermilion, Ohio! The Great Lakes Historical Society encourages land-lubbers to get lost at sea …inside the Inland Seas Maritime Museum this winter. The original part of the building was built in 1909 and overlooks the Lake Erie shore. Kids can see and touch a replica of the 1877 Vermilion Lighthouse and work their way inside the museum to the second floor where an original pilothouse from the Great Lakes ore carrier Canopus, built in 1905, was added and overlooks the lake. Kids get to spin the captain’s wheel and turn knobs, wheels, and interact with just about everything inside the pilothouse. The museum features thousands of artifacts and many fascinating, interactive, hands-on exhibits. The building is also home to The Clarence S. Metcalf Great Lakes Research Library and the Peachman Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Center. The Shipwreck Research Center provides resources and tools for anyone with an interest in exploring shipwrecks. Its ArcView GIS Shipwreck database takes coordinates (latitude and longitude) to display a ship’s location. The center is key to organizing maritime archeology and documenting Lake Erie shipwrecks. Out of the 8,000 estimated shipwrecks in Lake Erie, only about 200 locations have been confirmed. Sometimes it’s a race to preserve history before it's lost. Visibility in Lake Erie has improved from 3-feet to more than 15-feet since the 1970s, spiking recreational diving activity and number of treasure seekers. Despite the passage of the “Shipwreck Law” prohibiting uncontrolled recovery of submerged property, there’s little doubt the murky bottom of Lake Erie is being pillaged. This is why many permitted recovery efforts are often kept secret until they are successfully completed. The Maritime Museum has recently added a ship’s steering wheel from the first five-mastered schooner in the world, another from a ship involved in a 1901 race, and a 138-year-old bell last rung to warn of the imminent collision of the Cortland and Morning Star near Lorain, Ohio in 1868. One of the most recent and exciting discoveries occurred just several months ago when the General Anthony Wayne was discovered under 50-feet of water near Vermilion. The 157 foot side-wheel passenger steamer sank April 28, 1850 when its boiler exploded. No artifacts become part of the Maritime Museum without being authenticated or at least before numerous attempts are made to ensure it’s as it’s claimed. This is where the museum’s library plays an important role in the research conducted to see what may become part of the collection. The library houses the largest collection of periodicals, books, drawings, records and material focusing on the history of The Great Lakes. It's operated by The Great Lakes Historical Society, which was founded in 1944 to record and preserve The Great Lakes’ maritime history. It's the largest and oldest organization centered on teaching about the inland seas of North America. Many students and researchers use the library for its thousands of files on Great Lakes’ vessels, lighthouses, sailors, naval architectural plans and includes photographs, newspaper articles, artifacts, and related documents. The library is open Monday through Thursday and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Appointments may be pre-scheduled for Fridays. The main museum has more than 10,000 artifacts in its collection and features paintings by Howard Sprague and Vincent Nickerson. Visitors can even take a simulated trip on a freighter throughout the Great Lakes and explore eight shipwrecks. The computer program also explains the fundamentals of sailing. Every autumn and spring, The Great Lakes Historical Society presents a series of lectures about various aspects of the Great Lakes and their history. Lectures are usually on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., free, and open to the public. Reservations may be made by calling 440- 967-3467, extension 3. One of the more popular special events offered annually is the boatbuilding program. Participants build their own small boats over the course of several weekends at the Inland Seas Maritime Museum, learning the basics of boatbuilding and valuable woodworking skills. Families or individuals may attend no matter what the skill level coming into the program. The Inland Seas Maritime Museum is open daily year round except New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Currently, hours are from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. weekends. Admission fees are $6 for adults, $5 for children 12 or younger and seniors 65 or older. A family pass for $14 includes 2 adults and 4 children. Additional discounts may apply for AAA members and group tours. The Inland Seas Maritime Museum and Great Lakes Historical Society are located at 480 Main Street in Vermilion, Ohio 44089. For more information, call 440-967-3467 or 800-893-1485. Their web site is at www.inlandseas.org. By Frank R. Satullo, the OhioTraveler
GIRLFRIEND SHOPPING
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DREAMSVILLE As a child I never liked Dennison. It seemed a dull, grimy uninviting place. It reminded me of an unwanted cast-off relic left out in the weather to deteriorate of its own accord. My puerile perception that placed a shroud of gloom over the town was distorted by childish idealism, but not totally imagined. My home community, only a few miles away was bright, cheery and full of life, but Dennison, by contrast seemed to linger somewhere in the past—unkempt and futureless. There was a lamination of coal dust and soot on the houses, the streets—even the trees and grass appeared tarnished by the ever-present veil. Dennison was a railroad town, and not by chance. It stood at the maximum traveling distance for a steam locomotive, and centered on a major route between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio. After one hundred miles it was necessary to refuel a steam engine with coal and water—both of which Dennison had in abundance. At its peak in the early part of the 20th century, Dennison boasted a roundhouse and related railroad shops covering forty acres. Originally the Steubenville and Indiana Railroad, it became the Pennsylvania Railroad with Dennison as the terminal and headquarters for their Panhandle Division. There were three thousand men employed to handle more than forty freight and passenger trains, spewing smoke, cinders and spent steam, each day—swapping adulterated habitat for a better future. However, by the end of the Depression, railroads were in serious decline. The Dennison yards presented a dismal landscape of rusted track appearing randomly laid this way and that with weeds flourishing between the rails. Dennison, no longer a boomtown, was on the edge of economic bust. It was paradoxical then, that Dennison became one of the truly bright spots in the memories of countless servicemen. With the beginning of WWII the fading yards were resurrected, providing a crucial link in the Strategic Corridor for National Defense. Troop trains carried men west for training and back east for deployment overseas. The Dennison Depot was a stop on every run. Beginning in March of 1942 it housed the Salvation Army Servicemen’s Canteen that operated twenty-four hours, every day of the week, for more than four years. Women from the surrounding eight counties in eastern Ohio volunteered their time, and often provisions as well. I was seven years old when I accompanied my mother and a group of neighborhood women preparing for their contribution. Afterwards they talked passionately of the appreciation shown by the uniformed men. “Soldier boys,” they called them. Some of the women were motherly while others were reminiscent of girls left behind. They spoke of how the boy’s faces lit up with just a touch, a smile, or a kind word. I observed soldiers debarking from the first train of the morning. In my eyes they were men, but in fact they were only boys. I didn’t have the words to describe what I saw in their faces, but doubtless many were homesick, confused, and frightened of what lay ahead. My mother only gave of her time twice. She had gone when needed, but there were so many volunteers that it was unnecessary for anyone to often repeat. They didn’t consider serving the boys a duty or an obligation. It was a privilege—one held by nearly four thousand women who converged on the Dennison Depot over the war years. During that time a million and a half servicemen passed through those yards. Sometimes the stops were so brief that it was necessary for the women to board the trains and hand off the provisions for the boys to distribute, but they saw to it that every last one was served at least coffee and a sandwich. It is not surprising that some anonymous conscript on his way to the unknown, and uncertain of return, named Dennison “Dreamsville.” It provided a memorable vision of comfort and optimism, with a futuristic picture of glorious homecomings. For many it was the last pleasant experience to cling to before activation. Today Dennison is a different place. Steam locomotives and coal furnaces are things of the past. The smudges of an earlier period have long since been washed away and painted over. The town never returned to the glory days, but the people of Dennison have gone to great effort to preserve its historical significance. Tourist trains still operate, and the Depot, now in the National Register of Historic Places, houses a museum, restaurant and gift shop.
Some see it a symbol of a bygone commercial era, but in the eyes of many
remaining WWII veterans it speaks of much more. This small town depot and its
volunteers provided more than sustenance for the physical being. They stood as
a beacon of hope: A place where people felt pride and offered encouragement at a
time when it was direly needed. Some GIs can no longer remember the town’s
official name, but the image is still clear. They recall it only as Dreamsville.
A well-deserved and appropriate epithet: Dreamsville, Ohio. By Robert Carpenter
BIZARRO OHIO
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Elvis Presley the "Original" American Idol
Visit the Marion County Historical Society museum Heritage Hall and tour the “Elvis – the Original American Idol” and “The Fabulous 50’s & 60’s” exhibits. Featured is a large collection of Elvis memorabilia on loan to the Historical Society from the collection of Jon Daly a local collector and president of the Elvis Memories Loop Fan Club as well as a nostalgic trip down memory lane into the world of soda pop, early TV, record albums, Howdy Doody and aluminum tumblers! Tours of the Wyandot Popcorn Museum and the Marion County Historical Society's Warren G. Harding collection are also included with admission to Heritage Hall. Join Elvis Fans at Heritage Hall on January 12, 2008 from 1-5 PM for a special birthday tribute to Elvis Aaron Presley. Guests may come in their favorite Elvis era clothing and rock 'n' roll the afternoon away celebrating with Elvis karaoke, ice cream and cake. Please call 740-387-4255 to pre register for this event. Regular museum admission will be collected.
Snowflake Festival
Winter’s coming! So why not celebrate with a snowflake festival? Makes sense to me. So what if it isn’t even Thanksgiving! The event features arts and crafts, nature programs, and many other fun-filled family-oriented activities.
Take a trip back in time and experience old-world England as historic downtown Cambridge, Ohio, is charmingly transformed into a Dickens Victorian Village. Visitors are invited to stroll amidst 40 vignettes of 105 lifelike figures representing classic scenes from Victorian society. This innovative public art exhibition can be enjoyed by families, couples, and groups alike -- an experience that will engage the senses as you explore the charming streetscape, striking historic architecture, and eclectic shops and eateries of Cambridge. The Dickens scenes are stationed along Wheeling Avenue at each antique lamppost and bench between 6th and 11th Streets. Wheeling Avenue is also the historic National Road/Route 40 and features an outstanding streetscape of original buildings from the 1800s. The Dickens Victorian Village vignettes are comprised of life-sized and hand-made mannequins wearing real vintage clothing. The faces for each character are individually sculpted and painted by local artists. The displays include engaging depictions of classic Dickens-era scenes and figures such as Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, the town crier, groups of carolers (that actually “sing” classic carols!), a bucket brigade, lamplighters, school children, street peddlers, and Father Christmas, all posed in active scenes that appear frozen in time.
Ohio Independent Film Festival
The festival is an annual event that showcases international independent shorts and feature-length films. It is the only forum in Ohio where distributors look for films to purchase. For a complete program guide, visit www.ohiofilms.com.
USAF Band Of Flight Veterans' Day Concert
Join the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force as they honor veterans during the annual Veterans' Day Concert. Museum doors open at 6:30 p.m. and performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
A Winter’s Gathering
Holiday shopping begins early in downtown Tipp City with the annual Winter’s Gathering. Dozens of shopkeepers introduce new merchandise and costumed carolers and horse-drawn carriages fill the streets to create an early holiday feel. Downtown Tipp City has a wide selection of shopping opportunities including art, crafts, clothing and antiques and collectibles.
Blossom Holiday Lighting Festival
This new exhibit featuring more than 300 displays is sprawled across two miles of a driving tour on the grounds of Blossom Music Center.
Window Wonderland
Reflections of the past are seen in all the storefront glass in a town where everything old is new again. Welcome to Wooster, Ohio’s wonderful Window Wonderland! The nostalgic evening transcends the historic northeast Ohio town into Christmas scenes from yesteryear. It all begins with the lighting of The Children’s Christmas Tree at 7:00 p.m. in Wooster’s public square amidst character walk-around figures strolling the streets along with a petting zoo and Herky the Clown. Hot cocoa fills the brisk evening air and is free along with coffee and cookies at several locations. Once the sky is illuminated, Santa arrives from the rooftops and comes down a firefighters’ ladder where he is met by elves and is escorted to a gazebo where kids gather by to tell Santa what they want for Christmas. The air fills with the sound of music from a children’s choir, caroling in the streets and strolling musicians. A Mime marches along as a toy soldier, horse and carriage rides add to the allure of the night warming everyone up for the featured event – unveiling Window Wonderland. The storied window displays are why so many journey from so far to get the Wooster experience for their first day of holiday shopping. After thirteen years, it is a growing tradition for thousands of spirited people. The diverse cross section of downtown merchants provide more shopping variety than any mall could in a much more authentic winter wonderland where storefronts transcend into art, windows are decorated with animated precision by Creegan Company in a winter or holiday scene. Creegan also designs characters for Disney, Sea World, and Hershey’s Chocolate World to name a few. The Window Wonderland in Wooster becomes a bit of a Midwest magic kingdom with moving reindeer, Santa, elves, dogs, mice, Eskimos, Christmas trees and a world of imaginative scenes. Until the unveiling, every storefront along every streetscape is covered in secrecy. Bring a camera to capture the magnificent sights as this event brings new meaning to window-shopping.
St. Mary's Winterfest
Kick-off the holidays with a trip to this beautiful town decked out for Christmas. Don’t miss the Live Nativity at the park's grotto beginning at 6:00 p.m. followed by Santa’s arrival to start the holiday season off with kiddie excitement. Santa visits with children from his house (which remains in the park throughout the holiday season). The air is filled with warmth and tunes as groups gather to sing while the community Christmas tree undergoes its annual lighting ceremony. In addition, carriage rides are available throughout the evening as well as plenty of holiday refreshments.
Niederman Christmas Farm
Niederman Christmas Farm is a free walk-though Christmas Display. Visitors can enjoy tens of thousands of lights that illuminate the path. Fifty speakers set the mood with Christmas music as you view life-size nativity and several Biblical scenes telling the real story of Christmas. In addition there are hundreds of decorated trees and live animals. The walking path is wheel chair and stroller accessible. Free hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.
Wintershow:
Gingerbread Dreams
Nothing screams the holidays like gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, gingerbread anything. Ever since the Nineteenth century, gingerbread treats have filled generations’ minds and tummies alike. Now, they are the centerpiece of the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s WinterShow.
Dayton Holiday Festival
The holiday season is everyone’s favorite time of year! With family, food, and entertainment, what’s not to love? Throw in some gingerbread homes, carriage rides, a holiday village, and one of the largest tree lighting ceremonies in the region and that’s only a taste of what the Dayton Holiday Festival has to offer! The Dayton Holiday Festival was started by Mrs. Virginia Kettering so that everyone in the community, regardless of their economic means, could enjoy the holiday season. And today, it still offers most activities to all for free. The festival has since expanded to include carnival and horse drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts in the Holiday Village, Gingerbread homes on display in the newly renovated Old Courthouse, and even a direct dial link to Santa’s little helpers in the Time Warner Cable Dial an Elf shop! The fun doesn’t end there! Sunday brings with it the Children’s Parade with colorful floats, animals, and clowns. Bring your kids down early for the Candy Cane Fun run, where every kid is a winner in this one-block dash down Main Street. All this and much more at the 2007 Holiday Festival in downtown Dayton.
Holiday Lights! Parade & Festival
Approximately 40,000 people are expected to turn out for this event to see Santa arrive by helicopter. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Other festivities include leisure walking through Olde Gahanna Historic District and Creekside Park. In addition, there are plenty of children’s activities and a holiday craft bazaar.
Holidays On The Harbor
Downtown Cleveland comes alive with wintertime fun this year with Holidays on the Harbor, a celebration of special events and family activities that is sure to become a beloved annual tradition in northeast Ohio. From skating on an outdoor rink to holiday movies on the giant OMNIMAX screen to an exciting Breakfast with Santa! – Holidays on the Harbor has something for everyone. Skate admission is $5, or $3 with GLSC or OMNIMAX admission. Skate rental will also be available for $2. Hours are daily from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets for The Polar Express are $8.95 for adults, $6.95 for youth, $7.95 for senior. Don't miss Breakfast with Santa December on special dates. Admission is $20 for adult tickets and $15 for youth tickets. A Christmas Story House
The house used in the popular holiday classic “A Christmas Story” has been restored to its original 1983 movie appearance. Purchased and renovated by Brian Jones, a true fan of the movie who sells leg lamps for a living, the house takes visitors on a nostalgic journey to the sights and scenes where Ralphie Parker dreams of nothing but receiving a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle for Christmas. In addition to A Christmas Story House, visitors can explore the museum where items from the movie are on display, more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos are featured and movie-related memorabilia can be purchased. A Christmas Story House is located just five minutes from downtown Cleveland at 3159 W. 11th Street in the Tremont neighborhood. For more information or for directions, visit www.AChristmasStoryHouse.com.
Christmas In The Village
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Click here for additional festivals and events throughout Ohio
SO YOU THINK YOU
HAVE THE BEST DARN __ IN OHIO?
I’ll be the judge of that!
Over the years I have traveled to every nook and cranny of Ohio covering tourism news for Ohio’s #1 magazine online – www.ohiotraveler.com.
I am known as THE OhioTraveler and have been invited as a guest to talk about Ohio attractions on many TV and radio shows. I have heard many claims of those stating they are or have the best darn __ in Ohio! Whether it’s a burger, inn, festival, exhibit, or whatever, I’ll be the judge of that from October 2007 through September 2008. But don’t worry, my mommy taught me that if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say anything at all. Therefore, I will only report places that I feel are truly one of the best darn __’s in Ohio. Whatever __ is. Each monthly edition of OhioTraveler will feature at least one such person, place or thing.
Although I travel around Ohio often, I’ll need tips pointing me where to go. For example, I know first-hand the best darn bologna sandwich in Ohio is at the G&R Grill in Waldo because several people told me to try it. You may ask, “Where’s Waldo?” And I’ll tell you that and more. About 30 of my trips have been documented on video and posted free along with articles and everything else at www.ohiotraveler.com, including a light-hearted look telling everything about Waldo’s G&R Grill.
So if you think your community has the best darn (secret, tall-tale, eatery, oddity, unique shopping, attraction, park, etc.) in Ohio, e-mail news@ohiotraveler.com and I will make sure I get there between October 2007 and September 2008 to see for myself. After all, I end up everywhere in Ohio in the course of a year.
I’ll even publish when The OhioTraveler is coming to town to judge your best darn __ in Ohio!
By Frank R. Satullo
Send your secret views of Ohio to
news@ohiotraveler.com.
Must be open to the public!
If you have a little explorer inside you just waiting to make a discovery or venture where few have been, you'll enjoy the secret views of Ohio.
Much in the spirit of our nationally reported GraveQuest adventures and the geocaching phenomenon fast-becoming a mainstream recreational activity of the new millennium, Secrets of Ohio will take you to breathtaking places in the state that are just not publicized much. For geocachers, it is an introduction to waymarking, where the destination is the cache. For those that have no idea what geocaching or waymarking are, don't worry, the sights/sites revealed can be found without techno gadgets in this new way in which we hope to lead you to rare Ohio sights and sites.
Below are two secret views of Ohio. We encourage you to share yours. List a description of what you'll see or provide a picture. Explain how to get there and what level of difficulty is the trek. If you use geocaching coordinates, great, but also provide written directions so all may partake in the exploration.
Secret Views of Ohio:
1. There's a secret Wetland in North Royalton, Ohio. It is in the limits of the Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation and was created in part because of the disturbance of a nearby wetland by South Park Mall in Strongsville, Ohio.
To get there, park on the edge of West 130th Street across from 16624 W130 St., Strongsville, OH 44136. You will see a metal road block before a path starting at the treeline on the East side of the street. Enter there and follow the path as it winds deep into the woods. Eventually, it takes a hard left and a dip bringing you out into a hidden paradise of natural splendor.
The wetland here will usually be frequented by a wide-variety of waterfowl. The view is wide and far as this open space is expansive and surrounded by tall trees.
If you desire, there's more exploring to do. Walk to the Northwest corner of the wetland area and turn left and follow whatever trail you can pick up. It goes to a river and if you go far enough, you can hike up a cliff and get a wonderful bird-eye view of the valley.
2. Nearby the first secret view of Ohio, there's something in the woods that shouldn't be amidst the trees. You can discover it by following these directions.
From I-71, exit at the Route 82 East exit (Royalton Rd) toward North Royalton. Head East on this road and at the bottom of a hill, turn right onto Valley Parkway. As you make the bend, turn right again onto Royalview Lane. Park off on the left just before this road makes a sharp right turn up a hill.
There should be an opening in the treeline where you'll find the trailhead. It is a circular trail, albeit a couple miles. Bare right and head uphill on the trail. Once you ascent is leveled out, the trail turns left/east. Start looking through the trees on your right side for something that should not be there. If you find an oil drill, you went too far. I know, that shouldn't be in the woods either but that's not the sight you're after.
Once you find it, venture either way on the trail to get back.
Send your secret views of Ohio to
ohiotraveler.com.
Must be open to the public!
Thank you for visiting
To request a prayer from the Ursuline Sisters, simply visit www.ursulinesisters.org. Prayer requests are placed on a bulletin board in the Sisters' Motherhouse. The sisters check it daily and pray during the Eucharist, holy hours, in community and in private. Prayers are also remembered in the sisters good work and sacrifices.
"The writings of our foundress, Saint Angela Merici, tell us to meet the needs of the times," says sister Susan Durkin, the congregation's development director. "She would want us to use technology and techniques available to us to reach out to serve others."
Satisfy
your sweet tooth in the quaint Logan County town of West Liberty - home of
Marie’s Candies. The historic village of West Liberty is located within an
hour’s drive from Columbus or Dayton. In addition, to Marie’s
Candies, West Liberty’s scenic, peacful setting offers a wealth of
year-round pleasures for visitors, including antique shopping, art and
gift boutiques. For more information, please contact the Logan
County Visitors Bureau 888-564-2626, 
Located
in Sidney, Allison’s Custom Jewelry offers a stunning display of gems of
all kinds. They specialize in quality certified diamonds, colored
gemstones, platinum and silver jewelry. Tours offer an insightful
view of the business from both sides of the counter, and questions from
guests are highly encouraged. Four GIA trained employees are on staff
full-time to assist customers. Jewelry design services are available
as well as repair, sizing and engraving. Visit the “Diamond Mine”,
with sparkling walls of quartz crystal and a flowing stream. Contact
the Sidney Visitors Bureau 866-892-9122, 
