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November Edition ©
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IT’S A WONDERFUL STORE
ANCHORING WINDOW WONDERLAND!
Reflections of the past are seen in all the storefront glass of a town where everything old is new again.
Welcome to Wooster, Ohio’s wonderful Window Wonderland! The nostalgic evening, on November 18th, transcends an entire town into Christmas scenes from yesteryear. It all begins with the lighting of The Children’s Christmas Tree in Wooster’s public square amidst character walk-around figures strolling the streets. Hot cocoa fills the brisk evening air. Once the sky is illuminated, Santa arrives.
The sound of music echoes off historic facades 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 near and far to start their holiday shopping.
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 in a winter or holiday scene. Bring a camera to capture the magnificent sights as this event brings new meaning to window-shopping.
The quaint downtown shopping experience comes complete with a variety of places to eat. Whether its breakfast, lunch or dinner, the town is filled with traditional family-owned and operated restaurants and other eateries. Here is a sample menu: A popular Northeast Ohio restaurant with two great young chefs making a name for themselves at The South Market Bistro. Or maybe you need a light dish and hot drinks. For those, choose from Woo’s Brews, Broken Rocks Café & Bakery, Muddy Waters Café & Grille or Tulipan Hungarian Pastry & Coffee Shop. If you want a more substantial meal, take time out to patronize City Square Steakhouse inside a 130-year-old Germania Hall or feast on anything from pizza to pierogies at The Henry Station. Other scrumptious options include Zen Restaurant & Lounge and Town Market Café.
Good shopping districts and malls know the secret to gaining consumers, offer an appealing anchor store. A magnet! Which is just what the iconic four-story Everything Rubbermaid Store has been for Wooster for more than a century.
Inside, it’s a wonderful store.
Holiday season sees the store return to its nostalgic roots as it invites children to send their Christmas wish lists to Santa Claus in the most unusual manner. Before cash registers were installed at checkout counters, air tubes were used by store clerks to send payment from the customer to the fourth floor to process the receipt for purchase and return change. Now, these old tubes serve as a direct line to the North Pole. And just when you think it can’t get any better than that, there’s even a reply from Santa himself along with a treat.
It’s a wonderful life in a wonderful store. And this store has something for kids, moms and dads alike.
Rubbermaid began as Wooster Rubber in 1920. Five businessmen started the company by making toy balloons, paving the way for Rubbermaid.
The store provides an area where children can come with their parents and try out the toys. Moms have never had so many options with home organization items, cleaning, coolers, and food storage products. Dads may have finally found a store they won’t want to leave as they peruse through sheds, Shurline paint supplies, Sanford items (like the all-important Sharpie), and Irwin tools. Things perhaps nobody wants to shop for but always need are garbage cans, Roughtotes and Fast Track garage organization. Then there’s the one section everybody loves – Bargainland! When items go obsolete, they are featured here at a reduced rate.
The historic store’s original purpose was to test customer response to new Rubbermaid products being manufactured in the former nearby factory. The first such product was a patented rubber dustpan in 1933. Since then, Rubbermaid, now Newell-Rubbermaid, remains a leader in developing cutting-edge technologies and products that have organized the lives of Americans for decades.
Good shopping districts and malls know the secret to attracting consumers, offer an appealing anchor store. A magnet! And that’s just what Everything Rubbermaid Store is to Wooster, Ohio – the anchor store of a city!
For those customers who don’t have the luxury of physically visiting the store, log onto the virtual storefront at www.everythingrubbermaidstore.com.
Customers visiting www.everythingrubbermaidstore.com not only see pictures of the real store and learn about the products they offer, but can fill a virtual shopping cart by clicking away. Items can also be ordered from their EBay store by clicking on the EBay icon or by doing an advanced search on EBay. The store name is everythingrubbermaid01.
This one-of-a-kind store also makes shopping easier than ever by offering shipping for any and all items purchased. Everything Rubbermaid’s Mail Order Department serves the United States and Canada, through phone and fax orders. For questions or to place an order, call 330-264-7119 extension 5967 (Monday - Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm EST) or email everythingrubbermaid@hotmail.com.
Special orders are an important part of the store’s business. If an item is available, the staff will do everything possible to get it for the customer. It doesn’t matter if it is one of something or a thousand of something.
The store may not carry everything, but if Rubbermaid makes it, they can usually get whatever a customer wants. They will also service special orders of any size. Discounts may apply to large orders.
Every day is Senior Citizens Day at Everything Rubbermaid Store. All that is needed to get a Senior Citizens Discount is a Golden Buckeye Card (Ohio Residents) or a valid driver’s license verifying the shopper is 60-years-old or older for out-of-state shoppers.
The store welcomes bus tours and has a convenient loading zone directly in front of the store. All bus tours receive a discount and a small gift.
Everything Rubbermaid Store is open seven days per week (except major holidays): Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm; and Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (April through December). The mail order department is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, but if you call on the weekend, they may still be able to help.
Everything Rubbermaid Store is located at 115 S Market St. in
Wooster, Ohio. For visitor information call 330-264-7119 or email at
www.everythingrubbermaid@hotmail.com.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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Holiday Shopping a Must
in Miami County, Ohio!
Why fight for a parking spot at the mall, walk miles through wall to wall people and indoor noise, only to buy the same things everyone is buying for everyone else? Why not spend your holiday shopping weekends in a boutique town in search of something unique and interesting from a locally-owned shop or gallery?
You may find just what you never knew you were looking for…And perhaps along the way, you may find a little slice of life in Miami County, Ohio… Cool finds, festive neighborhoods and cozy cafés are all right here! Avoid the holiday shopping masses to find unique places and specialty stores all around Miami County Ohio!
During the weekend of November 12th and 13th, the shopkeepers of historic downtown Tipp City warmly invite you to their open house. Don’t miss this “Yuletide Winter’s Gathering” or the visit by Santa, strolling carolers, musicians and carriage rides. This is indeed, one of the best communities to visit before the holidays to shop for wonderfully unique gifts and collectibles!
The Specialty Shoppes of West Milton have a long tradition of holiday spirit with their annual open house. The 22nd Annual Holiday Open House is November 17th -20th where you’ll find uncommon gifts from traditional to modern and everything in between.
Stroll down Main and Market Streets in downtown Troy for some holiday shopping before seeing thousands of lights switched on for Troy’s Grand Illumination on November 25th. With roaming carolers, local merchants and everyone filled with holiday cheer, this is the perfect kick off to the holiday season!
If it’s Christmas-themed shopping in a charming small town you’re looking for, be sure to check out downtown Piqua. Browse along Main Street where you’ll find antique shops, art galleries, and a local baked goods shop in this charming step into the past. Piqua’s Christmas on the Green event is held on December 3rd and features caroling, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s activities and live entertainment. It’s certainly a “must do” on many area calendars.
Miami County, Ohio will always embrace the festive spirit during the holidays in each of its art, antique, gift and jewelry shops with a historical flair and local charm. Each of our downtowns sparkle during this time of year which adds that “something special” to your shopping experience. And why not make it a weekend shopping excursion and stay at any one of our affordable hotels found in Tipp city, Troy or Piqua.
You can find these wonderful communities along I-75, just minutes north of downtown Dayton. From town to farm, experience country charm without the noise and crowds you find at those big box stores. Leave all of that behind and take a memorable holiday shopping trip to Miami County, Ohio.
Build your itinerary at www.VisitMiamiCounty.org or call 1-800-348-8993 for more information.
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SANTA’S SECRET SHOPPING
AREA DISCOVERED!
It’s
just before Christmas
And all around town
Shoppers rejoice with the
Bargains they’ve found
Garland is hung from the
Lampposts with care
In hopes that smart shoppers
Would bring their lists there
Our
store windows are decked
With holiday figures galore
You’ll find unique shopping, less traffic,
Restaurants and more!
If you’re disillusioned with the whole holiday shopping hoopla of waiting in long lines and fighting for parking spaces at the mall, the quaint downtowns and quiet villages of Wayne County, Ohio invite you to shop a more relaxed atmosphere and experience Christmas Shopping the way it should be.
Shop Downtown Wooster and enjoy the animated Christmas windows beginning November 19th along with its galleries, bakeries, restaurants and wonderful shops including Everything Rubbermaid, Friendtique, Gallery in the Vault, and the Wooster Book Company, just to name a few.
The Village of Shreve invites you to stroll its main street visiting an Old Fashioned Hardware Store for that hard to find gift for the man on your list. Next door you’ll find the Des Dutch Essenhaus Restaurant, Quilt Shop, & Bakery in case you need to refuel or need help with your holiday baking. Right across the street, visit the newly opened Christian Homestead Bookstore featuring many books with Christmas and Amish themes.
Don’t forget about Kidron, home of Lehman’s Hardware and many other shops such as World Crafts, Eastwood Furniture, and MCC Connection Thrift Shop.
Orrville, Ohio kicks off the season with their Home for the Holidays Event on November 26th, and its downtown shopping area beckons you to discover its quaint stores and holiday displays.
The Village of Smithville boasts many fine shops in the Barn Restaurant Complex including Buchanan Place Gifts, Oak Cupboard General Store and the Toyrifix Specialty Toy Store, a wonderful toy store that all ages enjoy.
Visit the Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau on line at www.waynecountycvb.org or call us direct at 1-800-362-6474 for a complete list of holiday shops and events in our area.
Our friendly Downtown merchants are ready to share their holiday spirit while welcoming you to their stores. Santa has been known to shop Wayne County, maybe you should, too!
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BRIGHT LIGHTS, WINTER NIGHTS
Warm up this Winter in The BC
What do you look forward to the most during the holidays? Whether it’s shopping, twinkling lights, snowmen, or sledding, Butler County has the perfect winter activity to warm up your life! The BC’s wonderfully diverse communities hold holiday treasures that are nationally known and fit for any family looking to spend time together this season.
Add some sparkle to your holidays in The BC! Light up Middletown in Smith Park is a glittery fantasyland filled with Santa’s Workshop, ice skaters, a penguin village, Lollipop Land, and a tunnel of lights that welcome you when entering the park. New this year, are four water-themed attractions, including a floating sea serpent, animated swans, and more. The display runs from November 25—December 31.
Also, in Middletown don’t miss the Home for the Holidays Santa Parade on November 26. The theme this year is “I Still Believe” and will feature fantastic floats gliding through downtown.
Take an enchanting journey through Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill in Hamilton. Running November 18—January 1, this holiday lights display transforms the rolling hills of the sculpture park into another worldly, holiday delight. Visitors can drive through the park and leave their worries behind at this seasonal event!
Create a holiday tradition for your whole family in West Chester this season. See the magic of Christmas come alive at Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction on November 19—January 1. Take a “Journey to the North Pole” where you can spend some quality time with Mrs. Claus and Santa. And, see more than 90 model trains glide through a winter wonderland at this family-friendly event.
“Nadolig Llawen” in Welsh means “Happy Christmas!” Celebrate the holidays in Ohio’s first Welsh settlement of Shandon. Christmas in the Country is November 26-27 and features arts and crafts, holiday shopping, Santa Claus, train rides, Welsh cakes, and lots of other delicious food.
A timeless holiday classic will dance on the stage in Fairfield this holiday season. The Nutcracker is coming to the Fairfield Community Arts Center December 2-11. The Miami Valley Ballet Theatre blends a traditional approach to this classic performance with innovative style for a truly memorable evening! The audience will be enchanted with the falling snow, a growing Christmas tree, and a night filled with holiday traditions.
Stroll through Hamilton’s charming German Village and enjoy the nostalgia of Christmas past. The German Village Christmas Walk is December 3 and features carriage rides, a wreath contest, music, and more all in the beautiful setting of historic homes decked out for the holiday season.
The Butler County Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting tourism across Butler County through sporting events, group tour, tourist events, and attractions. The BCVB is located at 8750 Union Centre Boulevard in West Chester, Ohio.
For more information or to request a FREE Visitor’s Guide, visit gettothebc.com or call 888-462-2282.
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Happy Holidays
from Waynesville
Would you like to step back in time to an old-fashioned Christmas in small town USA?
Waynesville, Ohio awaits you! You will be warmly welcomed in this quaint village filled with beautiful holiday decorations and more than 60 'mom & pop' shops and village eateries. Christmas in the Village is December 2 – 4, 2011.
Experience the nostalgic charm of horse drawn carriage rides, costumed
characters and carolers. Waynesville's streets will be lined with over
1,300 luminaries. The shops have decked their halls for the season and
will be hosting open houses with free refreshments. Hours are extended to
9pm on Friday and Saturday and 6pm on Sunday. A heated entertainment tent
offers a place to stop and warm up while enjoying local holiday
entertainers. Come stroll this enchanting village, shop, be entertained,
and enjoy the magic of Christmas in Waynesville.
Waynesville is one of Ohio's oldest settlements which was founded in 1797
and remains filled with historic buildings and a wonderful small town
environment. If you are a history buff, pick up a Historic Walking Tour
brochure from the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and enjoy learning
about the buildings as you stroll the streets.
If you're just here for the shopping, you'll find a great variety of
quality shops filled with treasures! Waynesville is known as 'The
Antiques Capital of the Midwest' so antique enthusiasts can find over a
dozen independently owned antique shops and small antique malls filled
with quality antiques. Art lovers will find four art galleries where they
can browse and purchase a variety of art mediums. Those looking for
primitive or early American decor will find a great variety of merchandise
in several specialty shops and furniture stores which may also feature
custom built furniture. Other shops offer an eclectic mix of trendy
fashion accessories, gourmet food and handcrafted items. There's
something for everyone in Waynesville. The restaurants offer a variety of
dining experiences from pizza and sandwiches to a more upscale
experience. Pick your pleasure and enjoy!
Waynesville is a perfect get-away where you can stay in a charming bed &
breakfast or small motel. It is a great meeting place for families to
spend a few days together or for a girlfriend weekend in a town filled
with over 60 shops. Stay in a haunted bed & breakfast, The Hammel House
Inn, for a night steeped in history. Enjoy this restored Stagecoach Inn
and be pampered with a homemade bedtime snack and a delightful breakfast.
If you'd prefer more time to yourself, Cranberry Cottage Bed & Breakfast
offers a small cottage with two bedrooms with private baths, a common
gathering room and kitchen where you'll enjoy your morning coffee and
continental breakfast. Cranberry Cottage is perfect for a family
get-together where you can enjoy each other's company family style! For a
more traditional motel experience, consider Creekwood Motel which is
located at the end of Main Street and was totally renovated in 2010. This
motel was home for the country music guests of Keepin' It Country Farms
during the 2010 season so you could be sleeping in a bed which was slept
in by some of country music's finest!
A warm welcome awaits you! Waynesville is located in South West Ohio off
Route 73 between I-71 and I-75 - just over an hour from Columbus, less
than an hour from Cincinnati and a mere 30 minutes Southeast of Dayton.
It’s a great daytrip or overnight adventure! Waynesville is open year
round and hosts many events throughout the year. Visit
www.waynesvilleshops.com to plan your visit!
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TIS THE SEASON FOR
A TRIP TO GOD’S COUNTRY
Christmas shopping evokes many feelings but out in God’s Country, it seems more on point than big box stores and mega malls.
God’s Country is a phrases often used to describe a naturally, beautiful, isolated, rural area. Nothing matches it in Ohio perhaps more than the Wheat Ridge Amish region of Adams County at the foothills of Appalachia.
Just something about it makes you slow down and enjoy the moment, far away from the hustle and bustle drowning out the true meaning of the season everywhere else you go. It’s a special time of year, and here you can find that special something for the special someone that doesn’t come 12 deep on a shelf.
Over the covered bridge and through the woods, to Miller’s Bakery & Furniture we go for one-of-a-kind, hand-made, authentic creations you will never stumble across in the city. Just don’t think you’ll be shopping there on Sundays, even during holiday season. The Amish shoppes are not open on the Sabbath, a day of rest and religious observance, much like the rest of the county practiced decades ago.
But on any other day, you are met with open arms. Something about no electricity makes you feel like you’re in a real 19th Century setting instead of one of those faux Dickens' Christmas villages. Here, it’s all old-fashioned, even out of season. You can smell the fresh-baked cookies just like grandma used to make for the holidays. And for those who enjoyed the smell of woodworking coming from grandpa’s workshop, your senses, too, will take a journey down memory lane.
Few take the time to slow down and soak in the season, as once was the norm. Instead, people go into overdrive fighting the masses in mile-long lines waiting to buy turkeys, honey-baked hams, pine trees, toys, and pictures with Santa. This unique marketplace’s appeal is that of old-world charm, friendly customer service and a wide variety of original items. Here, they still make it like they used to, dating back to 1977.
That’s when Millers started baking with their six children in the family’s farmhouse. But they made so much they had to share. When word spread of their wonderful family recipes for cookies, pies, cinnamon roll, you name it – folks would come to their porch to buy these baked goods. Occasionally, there’d be a fine piece of handcrafted wood furniture out there with the finish drying. Folks wanted that too. So the Millers went into the furniture selling business. And so their farming days along with raising cattle, hogs, sheep and such gave way to a thriving baking and woodworking business.
Today, some of those same children run the 300-acre farm along with its 34,000 square feet of furniture building and separate stores dedicated to a full bakery and bulk food store.
Now, about that Christmas shopping list.
If you are going big, consider hand-crafted solid oak or cherry tables, chairs, hutches, computer desks, entertainment centers, bedroom suites and just about any piece of furniture, indoor or outdoor, that you can imagine.
Holiday spreads for parties or family get-togethers can have people raving about the deliciousness of your freshly baked cookies, pies, cinnamon or pumpkin rolls and a variety of breads and other treats. What came out of the Miller’s ovens that morning can be the talk of the town that night. There is even an extensive sugar-free selection for those with special diets to consider.
A seasonal trip to Miller’s is call to stock up on a few bulk food items too. Everything from baking supplies, jams and honey to homemade candies to fresh cheese, ham and sausage are sure to get the belly grumbling for more. And there is a lot more to choose from!
Your shopping list may be long so you might want to pinpoint a date in which the savings can be considerable.
Some special dates coming up are November 25 & 26, 2011 for the Storewide Thanksgiving Sale offering 10 percent off all items in stock (furniture store only). It excludes all outdoor buildings, gazebos and select bedroom sets. December 26 – 31, 2011 features the End of Year Clearance Sale! This includes free coffee and cookies at the bakery, free cheese and candy samples at the Bulk Foods Store and 10 percent off all items in stock (furniture store only). It also excludes all outdoor buildings, gazebos and select bedroom sets.
For more information, directions or catalog for Miller’s Bakery, Furniture & Bulk Foods, call 937-544-8524 or visit www.ohiotraveler.com/ohio_amish_stores.htm.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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Blood, sweat and tears mix with legends, relics and state-of-the-art tools scoring memories for any grid-iron fanatic inside the hallowed Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
In 1920, the owners of the American Professional Football Association met in Canton to form what would become the National Football League two years later. And the rest, as they say, is history. The first dynasty of the early era was the Canton Bulldogs. The first superstar was the Canton Bulldog’s Jim Thorpe whom was an Olympic sensation and dubbed the “world’s greatest athlete” at that time. All of which placed Canton as the epicenter of professional football. And in 1962, ground broke there to build the shrine to what would become America’s number one sport. Since the Pro Football Hall of Fame opened, it has more than quadrupled its size. With its growth also came recent, innovative, technological advances.
This museum displays more than old footballs, jerseys and such. It is interactive with numerous kiosks, videos on demand and audio-visual presentations throughout. The mission of the Hall of Fame is to honor the pioneers and legends of the game, protect its documents and artifacts, and educate and promote the sport preserving its legacy.
When you approach the building, it appears as humble as the sport’s beginning. It seems as if you could wrap your arms around it. Jutting from its top is a long narrow dome symbolizing a football. Inside the football dome is the larger than life bronze statue of none other than Jim Thorpe.
It is here that you begin your odyssey of the sport’s faces, stories and records.
First stop, A Century of Pro Football! Here, you’ll become immersed in the game’s evolution starting with its earliest days. Exhibits with mannequins depicting historic scenes make you feel like you’re seeing the game through a looking glass at a time when it was most brutal and primitive. Leather helmets! Need I say more? Fascinating are the stories, relics and exhibits that teach each visitor about this great game from the ground up.
Once you spiral through the rotunda you’ll feed into The Teams of The NFL, where you’ll find yours. This room displays a modern look at each of the NFL teams grouped by divisions. It is a colorful stop both in visual displays and storyboards highlighting the current teams.
Then, you enter a solemn place, the Hall of Fame Gallery. This majestic room is darker, quieter, illuminated mainly by the subtle individual lamps shining on each inductee’s bronze bust from the first induction class of 1933 to the most recent. The rows of busts are stacked and staggered encompassing the entire perimeter of the large room. Nameplates identify each inductee in few but powerful words, including nicknames like “Blood”, “Crazy Legs” and “Bruiser” along with their position, team and years played. In the middle of the room are video monitors that play at the touch of the screen.
Moving from one part of the museum to another, there are special displays and exhibits such as Pro Football’s African American Pioneers, complete with photos, storyboards and kiosks.
A recent $3.6 million modernization project that took about two years to complete injected the Hall with new energy through dynamic technology, bringing the sound and sights of the game to life! An amazing combination of lighting, video and audio intricately placed allows visitors to experience the vibrant stories of each football era like never before.
Moments, Memories & Mementos Gallery and Pro Football Today Gallery are two of the special additions resulting from the infusion. The Moments, Memories & Mementos Gallery features dramatic presentations focusing on the contributions of “Red” Grange, Paul Brown, Jim Thorpe and others. Their stories are told through some of the Hall’s most valuable artifacts and large screen videos. It even includes the actual Lambeau Field bench from Vince Lombardi’s last game in Green Bay.
Special locker displays with audio recordings share stories by Terry Bradshaw, Sam Huff, Jim Kelly and others. This gallery climaxes with a surreal bench of lifelike legends including Jim Brown, Sammy Baugh, Reggie White, Anthony Munoz, Johnny Unitas, Walter Payton, Joe Greene and George Halas. Their careers are highlighted with a touch-screen video presentation.
Between galleries is a world-class audio presentation of sounds from the NFL games.
Then you enter the Pro Football Today Gallery featuring the modern game, integrating high-impact video and super graphics. The four cornerstones of this exhibit are NFL Goes Global, The Pro Bowl, Rookie Records, and Career Records. There’s even a mini theater devoted to the NFL’s most recent season.
It is important to note that the name of the Hall of Fame is Pro Football, not NFL. As such, it isn’t only about NFL history (and the leagues that were rolled into it). The Other Leagues Gallery provides insight on those that challenged the NFL, including the USFL.
Perhaps the pinnacle of any football fan’s trip down memory lane is the Super Bowl. In this $2.4 million state-of-the-art gallery, there are video kiosks for every Super Bowl featuring the greatest plays, players and coaches. In the Super Bowl Theater, fans experience the most renowned championship game in the history of sports through the cinematic magic of NFL Films.
The actual Vince Lombardi Trophy is on display behind glass once the championship trophy is delivered to the Hall of Fame after it’s created for the current season. It remains on display until it is time for that Super Bowl. In addition, every Super Bowl ring is featured in a case that clearly gives meaning to the word, “BLING!”
And just when you think you’ve seen or done it all, there’s more!
Refuel at the Tailgate Snack Bar and then try your hand at the Interactive Exhibit Gallery where you are a gamer. Try and pass a football into holes in the wall or take a seat and go head-to-head with Xbox. These and more hands-on entertainment opportunities are available. Of course, before you leave, you’ll need to take a memento with you. The large store is sure to have plenty of options to purchase memorabilia.
The annual FREE Kids Friday will be held on the day after Thanksgiving, from 9am to 5pm for children 12 and younger.
Details about special events, contests, admissions and other information about the Pro Football Hall of Fame are available at www.profootballhof.com or by calling 330-456-8207. Open daily (except Christmas) from 9am to 5pm, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located at 2121 George Halas Drive in N.W. Canton, Ohio.
By Frank R. Satullo, The OhioTraveler
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Ohio travel and tourism guide to Ohio tourist attractions and Ohio vacation destinations in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and all Ohio featuring Ohio travel information on festivals and events, tours, museums, arts, restaurants, lodging, wineries, parks, historic sites, outdoor activities, recreation and leisure activities and entertainment coupons, discounts and other travel deals along Ohio's roads less traveled.
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by
OUR
ADVERTISERS
Auglaize & Mercer County CVB
Butler County CVB
Champaign County Chamber & VB
Clinton County CVB
Coshocton County CVB
Everything Rubbermaid
Gallia County CVB
GoodSeed Farm
Great Mohican Pow Wow
Hocking Hills Tourism Association
KD
Guest Ranch
Keim
Family Market
KitchenAid Experience Center
Lake
Erie Marine Trades Assoc
Lima / Allen County CVB
Miami County Visitors
Bureau
Millers Furniture & Bakery
Niederman Family Farm
Ohio Caverns
Ohio's Historic West
Preble County Economic Dev
Put-In-Bay Chamber
Quilt Trail Gathering
Roscoe Village
Troy Main Street
Union
County CVB
Warren County CVB
Wayne County CVB
Waynesville Merchants Association
HOLIDAY
OPEN HOUSES
With the holidays fast approaching many families are planning holiday gatherings and finding ways to make wonderful memories. Small towns across the country are doing the same by holding holiday festivals and open houses.
Two counties in the Ohio’s Historic West that have great opportunities for families to gather are Darke County and Champaign County.
In Darke County you will find something to do for the entire family. The air is getting colder and the holidays are near. A time for celebration something we all hold dear. Enjoy the holiday traditions of downtown Greenville Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, November 19th with the Holiday Open House. Be inspired by the reason for the season and embrace the uniqueness of Greenville with the Hometown Holiday Horse Parade on Saturday, November 19th featuring lighted horse drawn carriages. Don’t miss the excitement, merriment, and temptation all forged in this Hometown Holiday Weekend. Visit downtowngreenville.org/holiday for a full schedule of events and times. On Friday, November 18th enjoy the Downtown Greenville Chocolate Walk. Visit businesses in downtown Greenville from 6:00 to 9:00pm for a sweet treat. Tickets are available at Readmore’s Hallmark for $5.00. All proceeds support Main Street Greenville projects.
Indulge this holiday season by visiting the Christmas Preview at Bear’s Mill on Saturday and Sunday, November 19th and 20th. Here you will discover many distinctive one-of a kind gift items for that someone special on your Christmas list…and for yourself! You’ll discover a new selection of handmade pottery, jewelry, unique clothing, specialty gift baskets, Bear’s Mill privately-labeled gourmet food and products to pamper. Visit their website at BearsMill.com.
On Friday, December 2nd join in the Candlelight Open House at Bear’s Mill. Close your eyes and picture a crackling bonfire and luminaries reflecting off the water. Feel the chill in the air. Smell the aroma of fresh cedar. Taste the hot chocolate with marshmallows. You are invited to enjoy the romance of the holidays at this historic landmark during an evening in the country with The Friend of Bear’s Mill.
In Champaign County be sure to discover all the unique shopping and gathering places during their Holiday Open House November 4th, 5th and 6th, presented by the Monument Square District of Urbana, Ohio. With over eighteen different stops available you are guaranteed to have a wonderful day. Stop by Sweet Annie and discover fashions and accessories, home accents, & gifts. While there enjoy wonderful homemade cookies. Another wonderful stop is My Old House, with nostalgic displays of Christmas past and daily drawings in appreciation to their customers. Our Town Studios has hand-made art and holiday decorations created by artists with and without developmental disabilities. Be sure to take a ride in the horse drawn carriage that will be available at the Southeast corner of Monument Square on Saturday from 2:00 to 6:00pm. Tickets will be available at the Chamber of Commerce. Hours of the open house are Friday 10:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday 1:00pm-5:00pm. For more details, visit facebook.com/MSDUrbana.
With the power of its history, Ohio's Historic West is a place you won't be able to resist! Find out for yourself. To request a brochure map of Ohio’s Historic West call 800-860-4726 or check out the OHW website at OhiosHistoricWest.com. The members of Ohio’s Historic West include Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami, and Shelby Counties.
Play video featuring attractions across Ohio's Historic West.
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ANTIQUE
CHRISTMAS
Celebrate the joy of holiday season by taking a festive journey through the Christmas past during Antique Christmas at the Taft Museum of Art (November 4, 2011–January 29, 2012). This annual display is a treat for children of all ages, with Christmas trees, ornaments, and decorations set up throughout the historic former Taft home.
“I’m so pleased that Antique Christmas has become a part of an annual tradition for many families,” says Deborah Emont Scott, director/CEO of the Taft. “The feather trees and delicate glass and paper ornaments offer the chance to appreciate and experience the artistry of craftsmen from generations before.”
In addition to the antique decorations throughout the museum, this year visitors will be able to see a variety of rarely displayed objects and toys created during the years that the former house was inhabited (1820-1931). Among the holiday treasures on view will be an intricate Christmas village composed of many houses and filled with small lead figures; a tree with Russian paper and glass ornaments representing Russian fairy tales; a miniature Santa’s toy shop; a Tudor-style dollhouse; a tree bearing American-made World War II ornaments; a display of early wooden Jack-in-the-box toys; a collection of wire-wrapped blown-glass ornaments; and a tree decorated with antique paper dolls.
Coinciding with the annual Antique Christmas display will be the Once Upon a Time at Christmas exhibition (October 28, 2011 – January 29, 2012). The Sinton Gallery will be filled with 13 antique illustrated editions of Clement C. Moore’s famous poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas ranging from the 1850s through the 1920s as well as the nineteenth-century illustrations by Thomas Nast from Harper’s that gave Santa Claus the iconic image as a round and jolly old man.
Featured programs and events include:
Once Upon a Time at Christmas
–
now
through January 29, 2012.
The holiday season has long been a magical time for children. Clement C. Moore’s
poem
“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” (originally published in 1823)
solidified the American tradition of Santa Claus. Nineteenth-century
illustrations by Thomas Nast gave Santa Claus the image we still associate with
the jolly old elf.
Gallery Talk:
Antique Christmas
–
Tuesday,
November 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Take a look at the
vintage trees, decorations, ornaments, and toys on view in
Antique
Christmas with Kathy and Stewart “Greg” Gregory, lenders to the
exhibition.
FREE with museum admission. Reservation required: (513) 684-4515.
Antique Christmas Gallery
Talk
–
Thursday, December 8 at 1:30 p.m.
Collector Mike Ciancio will discuss the Thomas Nast prints in the Sinton
Gallery.
FREE with museum admission. Reservation required: (513) 684-4515.
Christmas in the 1940s –
Celebrating on the Home Front
–
December 9 at 1–3 p.m.
George W. Johnson,
author and collector.
Find out how Americans celebrated Christmas on the home front during the 1940s
from George W. Johnson, author of Pictorial
Guide to Christmas Ornaments and Collectibles.After the talk,
Johnson, along with local experts Kathy and Greg Gregory and Pam and Jim Thomas,
will look at and help identify or date any antique or vintage Christmas items
audience members bring from their own collections. Johnson’s book will be
available for purchase and signing. Interested participants may stay after the
program for a tour of
Antique
Christmas.
Public admission is $12 (includes Museum admission). Reservations recommended by calling 513-685-4515. More information is at www.taftmuseum.org.
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SAVINGS ALERT!
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Columbus Farm-to-Table Package with overnight accommodations at the Crowne Plaza Columbus Downtown or The Lofts Hotel: In all instances, the guest is offered a savings of over $50.00! It includes admission for two to Franklin Park Conservatory’s new Hungry Planet Exhibit and 4-acre Scotts Miracle-Gro Community Garden Campus, two tickets to a culinary tour by Columbus Food Adventures, and breakfast for two the following morning at Max and Erma’s on the Boulevard. Call (614) 461-2642 for availability, further details and restrictions.
-
Kelton House Museum &Garden
:
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special events). Good through June 30, 2012.
keltonhouse@cs.com
-
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