Dickens Victorian Village
is a Must-See Holiday Tradition
in Cambridge, Ohio

Play Video 

Downtown comes alive every November and December with the magic of Victorian England, transporting visitors to the world of Charles Dickens, where about 100 intricately crafted, life-sized Victorian scenes tell a story, each with a plaque explaining it.

Throughout the season, Dickens Victorian Village offers a wide variety of events and activities to keep the spirit alive. Carriage Rides and Trolley Rides are offered on weekends, allowing visitors to soak in the magic of the lights and festivities.

Start your visit at the Dickens Welcome Center. For timely information, visit DickensVictorianVillage.com.

Play Video

Take a minute to see the Rock Shop at Ohio Caverns.

They travel the world to hand-select the best rocks to import and sell at the Ohio Caverns rock shop. It is the greatest selection of semi-precious gemstones known in Ohio.

See Our Sponsors

at Historic Roscoe Village

Experience the holiday season in a fresh yet timeless way by visiting Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio. Explore what the holidays looked like in the 1800s, take part in the annual candlelighting ceremony, and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts in the shops of Historic Roscoe Village.

Historic Roscoe Village offers a picture-perfect holiday atmosphere straight out of a Hallmark movie. The 55th Annual Christmas Candlelighting Days will be held on December 6th and 13th. Stroll along the brick sidewalks of this 1800s-era Ohio and Erie Canal town, beautifully decorated for the holidays with live trees, luminaries, and twinkling lights. Bring the kids to meet Santa and make a craft at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum, try roasted chestnuts on the Huck’s Tavern patio, and take the self-guided Christmas in Roscoe holiday tour while exploring the shops and restaurants.

Gather in the center of the village at 6pm for the Candlelighting Ceremony. This half-century-old tradition includes telling stories and singing carols, lighting the village tree, and passing the candlelight through the audience.  Hot mulled cider and freshly-baked gingerbread cookies will also be served. The ceremony is an annual tradition for many, marking the beginning of the holiday season.

Historic Roscoe Village features many locally-owned shops and restaurants housed in beautifully preserved buildings. Discover locally-made goods such as handcrafted leather items, artwork, jewelry, home décor pieces, artisan soaps, candles, and gourmet treats for pets, along with old-fashioned candies, apparel, fine jewelry, and Ohio-made wines. The village includes four restaurants and a cozy coffee shop.

Conveniently located off I-77 and OH-36, Coshocton is less than two hours from Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Extend your visit with an overnight stay at one of the area’s many affordable lodging choices, including charming cabins, boutique motels, inns, B&Bs, guest houses, and luxury suites.

For getaway ideas, attractions, events, and travel information, explore https://www.visitcoshocton.com/ or call 800-338-4724 to request a free Visitor Packet.

See Our Sponsors

Tuscarawas County Prepares to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a Year of History, Heritage, and Heart

Tuscarawas County, nestled amid the rolling hills of eastern Ohio, offers a warm and welcoming gateway into America’s story—one that feels especially meaningful as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026. As the United States prepares to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, Tuscarawas County is proud to honor its rich heritage with a yearlong series of special events and commemorative programs.

Here, history is not simply preserved behind glass; it lives and breathes in the landscapes, stories, and people who make the county such a memorable place to explore. Travelers will find countless reasons to return throughout 2026 as celebrations unfold across a destination conveniently located just 100 miles south of Cleveland, 100 miles east of Columbus, and 100 miles west of Pittsburgh.

Long before the county’s towns and villages took shape, the Tuscarawas River Valley was home to vibrant Indigenous nations, including the Delaware (Lenape). Their legacy continues to echo through local museums, interpretive sites, and the place names that define the region. Visitors are invited to discover these stories and honor the cultures that first called this land home.

One of the region’s most captivating windows into early American frontier life is Schoenbrunn Village. Established in 1772, this reconstructed Moravian mission settlement features log cabins, a schoolhouse, and Ohio’s first Christian church. Here, guests can step into daily life at a moment when cultures met, blended, and sometimes struggled to understand one another. Schoenbrunn Village will proudly host numerous America 250 events throughout the year, including a special Homecoming Picnic on August 15, 2026.

Just a short distance away, Gnadenhutten Museum and Historic Park offers a solemn and meaningful counterpoint. As Ohio’s oldest existing settlement and the site of a tragic event during the Revolutionary War, it stands as a place of reflection. Visitors can honor the memory of the 96 Christian Delaware Indians who lost their lives in 1782—a reminder that America’s story includes both triumphs and painful chapters.

Tuscarawas County is also home to the state’s only Revolutionary War fort, Fort Laurens Museum in Bolivar. Guests are encouraged to tour the museum, visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and walk the historic grounds. Throughout 2026, Fort Laurens will host a variety of commemorative events, including the American Heritage Soldier Timeline on August 1–2, 2026, and the Revolution on the Tuscarawas reenactment on May 23–24, 2026.

No visit to Tuscarawas County’s early American sites is complete without experiencing the state play, Trumpet in the Land. Written by Paul Green, this beloved outdoor drama brings to life the stories of Schoenbrunn Village, Gnadenhutten, and Fort Laurens. Performances run throughout the summer season, offering a stirring and memorable theatrical journey through local history.

The county is honored to host one of the official America 250–Ohio Signature Events: the 250 Buckeye Train & Transportation Celebration on April 25–26, 2026. Festivities will include special train rides from Columbus to Dennison and Newark to Dennison, vintage aircraft flyovers, a 250-car show, WWII reenactors, a canteen reenactment, food trucks, live music, and more.

Train enthusiasts will also enjoy special programming at the Age of Steam Roundhouse and the Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens. Highlights include the Homefront to Warfront event on June 19–20, 2026, and “Warther Fest” on June 12–13, 2026, celebrating the museum’s 90th anniversary.

Across the county, visitors can look forward to a Lego block–building contest featuring Tuscarawas County landmarks, patriotic concerts, community picnics, lively parades, and dozens of additional celebrations. Many events tie into the monthly themes designated by the America 250–Ohio Commission—such as Ohio Originals & Firsts, Inventions & Innovations, and Business & Work—giving guests new ways to explore how Tuscarawas County’s history reflects the spirit of the state and the nation. A full calendar of events is available at TravelTusc250.com.

From frontier settlements to industrial innovation, from historic downtowns to local festivals, arts, and cuisine, Tuscarawas County offers countless ways to experience the charm and character of Appalachian Ohio. As America prepares to celebrate 250 years, the county invites visitors to explore the places where everyday people helped shape a nation through resilience, creativity, and community.

Warm, engaging, and rich with stories, Tuscarawas County is the perfect place to connect with the past while enjoying the hospitality of the present. Discover the full lineup of events, festivals, concerts, picnics, and programs planned throughout 2026 at TravelTusc250.com—and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime anniversary in a place where history feels like home.

See Our Sponsors

Experience the Joy of the Season
at The World-famous Steubenville Nutcracker Village

The holiday season shines bright in Steubenville, Ohio, where twinkling lights, joyful music, and festive traditions come together to create unforgettable experiences for families and visitors alike. From late November through early January, downtown Steubenville transforms into a winter wonderland filled with color, creativity, and community spirit.

The celebration begins on Friday, November 28, 2025, with Steubenville Lights Up the Night — an evening that features the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree, a blessing ceremony, and a spectacular fireworks display over Fort Steuben Park. This opening night also marks the start of Christmas at the Fort, a beloved event that continues every weekend through December 28, 2025.

Set amid Fort Steuben Park, Christmas at the Fort and its Holiday Market feature more than twenty artisan booths encircling the massive Christmas tree, complete with two model trains running around its branches. Families can enjoy trolley rides, puppet shows, movies, and visits with St. Nicholas while strolling through the market under a canopy of lights and festive music. Inside the Fort Steuben Visitor Center, guests will find Letters to Santa, a model train village, and a Christmas Shoppe with locally crafted gifts. The reconstructed 18th-century Fort Steuben is also open for tours with a small donation.

Just steps away, the Jefferson County Courthouse on Market Street glows with a dazzling Sound & Light Show, presented by the County Commissioners. The show opens during Steubenville Lights Up the Night and continues each weekend through Christmas, adding even more sparkle to the city’s downtown celebration.

Of course, no holiday season in Steubenville would be complete without the world-famous Steubenville Nutcracker Village™, now celebrating its 11th year. Running from November 25, 2025, through January 9, 2026, this free event features more than 200 larger-than-life Nutcrackers, each handcrafted and locally produced. Depicting figures from literature, history, film, and popular culture, the Nutcrackers create dozens of photo opportunities and have become a signature attraction for the Ohio Valley region.

The Steubenville Cultural Trust, which created the Nutcracker Village, continues to expand the experience with festive activities for all ages. Visitors can explore the Advent Market, enjoy hayrides, visit the Children’s Corner, sip warm drinks in the Glühwein Garden, and more. New this year, the Trust is partnering with the Canton Ballet to present two performances of The Nutcracker Ballet on November 29, 2025, in celebration of the ballet company’s 60th anniversary. Tickets are available at SteubenvilleNutcrackerVillage.com. Visitors can also stop by Drosselmeyer’s Nutcracker Shoppe for holiday gifts and to pick up an event schedule.

Throughout December, downtown Steubenville comes alive with additional activities and special touches. Local students decorate storefronts with festive designs, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church welcomes guests to its Sanctuary Garden, offering a peaceful retreat amid the bustle of the season. Shops throughout downtown will feature unique holiday treats such as Nutcracker Popcorn and Renaissance Coffee, perfect for gifts or for savoring while exploring the displays.

The excitement continues on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with the annual Sights and Sounds of Christmas Parade, which fills 4th Street with colorful floats, dance troupes, and marching bands at noon. That same day, the historic Grand Theater, currently under restoration, will open its doors for tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while Historic Beatty Park hosts Christmas in the Park with a live nativity, choirs, hayrides, children’s crafts, and a visit from Santa Claus.

From the glittering Nutcracker displays to the community parades, concerts, and markets, Steubenville truly embodies the magic of the season. Each event brings people together to celebrate tradition, creativity, and the joy of the holidays.

For a complete schedule of events and more information, visit https://www.visitsteubenville.com/ or www.SteubenvilleNutcrackerVillage.com.

See Our Sponsors

Play Video

Take a minute to see
David Warther Carvings

Hi, I’m The OhioTraveler,
Your Tour Guide to Fun.

Welcome to David Warther Carvings
in Sugarcreek, Ohio

where nearly 100 intricately hand-carved
historical ship replicas are displayed.

Some carvings may take a year and a half to complete.

Come see these amazing works of art
and David Warther’s on-site workshop.

Ohio Amish Country is known for its beautiful landscapes, farm fields, and bucolic towns that dot the countryside.  Winter is a fabulous time to retreat from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely visit.

A mild Winter Day is a perfect opportunity to explore the backroads of Holmes and surrounding counties to catch a glimpse of buggies buttoned up against the cold with families inside traveling a network of scenic routes. The 29-mile (and expanding) Holmes County Trail gives space to pedestrians, bicyclists, and Amish buggies. The trail connects three counties and has become a safe and beautiful way to explore the area. The Killbuck Watershed houses hiking trails and wildlife observation in preserved wetlands in southern Holmes County.

What better way to enjoy a cold and snowy day than hunkering down with a steaming hot beverage and a snack inside any of the unique lodging properties in the area? From tiny houses to treehouses, historic hotels to Inns with meeting and conference space, and any lodging you can think of, the area is never short on sweet treats or unforgettable overnight retreats. Family-style restaurants such as Der Dutchman, Berlin Farmstead, Mrs. Yoders, and Boyd & Wurthmann are staples for traditional foodies. Unique culinary experiences can be had at The Cider Press in downtown Millersburg, featuring seasonal menus and cider flights, East Main Kitchen in Baltic, offering an eclectic menu ranging from shrimp and grits to traditional baked chicken, Soloway-a new Ukrainian restaurant in the heart of Berlin, Rebecca’s Tea Room in Walnut Creek (try the quiche!), and Bags Sports Pub with locations in Sugarcreek and Millersburg. An award-winning brewery, eight wineries, historic cheese houses featuring multigenerational family recipes, and Coblentz Chocolates in Walnut Creek round out a delicious journey. Calories don’t count in Amish Country!

Every community in Holmes County has its own story to tell. Millersburg, the county seat, is known for its tique-antiques and boutiques, as well as the Victorian House Museum, which is always decorated beautifully. Berlin, Walnut Creek, and Sugarcreek are wonderful stops for a delicious meal and shopping. Baltic, Winesburg, Charm, and Mt. Hope are just a little off the beaten path but well worth the visit. To the west and south, Killbuck, Nashville, and Loudonville celebrate the area’s Appalachian Heritage. A stop at the Killbuck Valley Museum is perfect for fossil hunters, gem enthusiasts, or bird lovers. Visitors can stop at The Amish and Mennonite Heritage Center to learn about Amish culture. In the summer and fall, the German Culture Museum or Alpine Hills Museum also teaches the history of the area’s culture.

How about a show? The Ohio Star Theater, located on the Dutch Valley campus in Sugarcreek, has a variety of shows planned through the winter and spring. The Amish Country Theater in Berlin also has big plans for the Winter and Spring.

For more information, visit www.visitamishcountry.com or call 330-674-3975.

See Our Sponsors

in Coshocton, Ohio

Experience the holidays in a new yet classic way in Coshocton and Historic Roscoe Village.

Leave behind the hustle and bustle and discover the charm of small-town holidays. Find out what Christmas was like in the 1800s, experience an old-fashioned candlelighting ceremony, rejoice in a choir concert featuring over 100 musicians, and source unique gifts in the charming shops of Historic Roscoe Village.

Visit Historic Roscoe Village for a Hallmark holiday experience. The 54th Annual Historic Roscoe Village Christmas Candlelighting Days takes place on December 7th and 14th. Walk the brick-lined sidewalks with a cup of cider or cocoa and see the village decked with greenery, twinkle lights, and live trees. Arrive early for visits with Santa, roasted chestnuts, shopping, and dining, then attend the evening Candlelighting Ceremony, which begins at 6pm. Gather together in the center of the village, pass a flame between candles, and watch as the 30-foot Christmas tree is lit. Listen to stories and carols and sing Silent Night; it’s a beautiful demonstration of peace and community between friends, old and new.

Hear the voices of more than 100 singers as they present the 52nd Annual Coshocton Community Choir Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 8th at 3:00pm at River View High School. Each year, the concert tells the Christmas story through narration and song, including The Roscoe Brass, soloists, and instrumentalists. This year’s theme is “A Light Shining.” Admission is free, so all may attend.

For the second year, the Coshocton County Courthouse light display will delight the entire family. Park your car and use its radio to hear holiday music synched to the illumination. The show repeats on the half hour starting at 5:30 every evening from late November through New Year’s Eve.

Step away from the shopping apps, support local, and shop small while completing your holiday to-do list in Coshocton!

Historic Roscoe Village’s charming shops are housed in historic buildings filled with locally-made items, including handcrafted leather, art, jewelry, home decor, artisan soaps, candles, and gourmet pet treats. Others include old-fashioned candy, clothing, fine jewelry, and Ohio wines. The village also has four restaurants and a coffee shop. Visit https://roscoevillageshops.com/ for information on shopping and dining in Roscoe Village.

The Downtown Historic District is home to the Coshocton Antique Mall and several boutiques, a pop-in pottery painting studio, and an old-fashioned ice cream shop. Make a day of it and make holiday memories with loved ones in the Downtown Historic District. Visit https://www.visitcoshocton.com/shopping/ for a full list of retail options in Coshocton County.

Coshocton is easily accessible from I-77 and OH-36, less than a two-hour drive from Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Make it an overnight getaway by checking into one of Coshocton’s many affordable lodging options. From exquisite cabins, bed and breakfasts, hotels, boutique motels, guest houses, and luxury suites, finding the perfect place for a getaway is easy.

Find more details about getaway packages, attractions, and events at www.VisitCoshocton.com, or call 800-338-4724 to request a Free Visitor Packet.

See Our Sponsors

Rock The Holidays at Ohio Caverns

The folks at Ohio Caverns travel the world to hand-select the best rocks to import and sell at the Ohio Caverns rock shop. It is the greatest selection of semi-precious gemstones known in Ohio.

Importations have been from Brazil, but Morocco and other parts of Africa have been added to the travels. These direct importations allow Ohio Caverns to offer the most competitive prices, whether the consumer wants to spend as little as one dollar or as much as $7,500. The rock shop now displays new items as well as guest favorites.

This global search began years ago with an adventurous original trip to Brazil that brought 60 tons of semi-precious stones back to Ohio Caverns’ rock shop.

Visitors to Ohio Caverns may purchase hand-selected, cut, and polished agate, amethyst, citrine, quartz, and many other rock types as show pieces or in the form of bookends, lamps, candle holders, and a lot of jewelry.

The venture began out of need. For decades, Ohio Caverns had a supplier out of Indiana for its amethyst and other pieces to retail in their gift shop. Amethyst is especially popular because of its brilliant purple color. It’s a quartz-based mineral best known for being the birthstone for February.

Several years ago, the supplier said it was retiring. The folks at Ohio Caverns were fortunate enough to negotiate the purchase of their former supplier’s remaining inventory. They hoped it would last a few years. They sold it all in half that time but already had a new plan in the works.

Believe it or not, rock pedaling is big business and very competitive. Ohio Caverns decided to send someone directly to the source rather than settle for mail-order rocks that serious suppliers passed over when hand-selecting their inventory in person. They wanted to hand-select the highest grade of semi-precious stones, hoping to come home with a three-year supply. After a 28-hour travel time, representatives of Ohio Caverns arrived at the mining town of Soledad, Brazil, among buyers from Germany, Japan, China, Australia, and elsewhere.

It’s a desert-like climate, but this town is built on the rock business. It was in Brazil’s southernmost state before crossing to Uruguay.

Trucks pour in from the nearby mines and deliver semi-precious stones to the competing family businesses to cut and polish them into showroom quality.

The advantage of in-person buyers is that they can inspect each piece to ensure it’s of the highest quality. If a particular piece doesn’t have enough color, you can replace it. The rejects are likely partly used to fulfill online orders by wholesale rock buyers worldwide.

These are family businesses. It is highly competitive from one family business to another. The families running these competing businesses are enormous because they’ve been at this for generations. Within one family, there may be different variations of the same product, but everyone within an extended family business cooperates and works together.

There was one exception where a large family had a rift within it. After the family patriarch died, his heirs feuded over the business he left behind. The division within that family was in plain view. They built a wall straight down the center of the building!

Once the buying adventure was complete, Ohio Caverns’ order filled three intermodal containers designed to stack on cargo ships, placed on flat train cars, and transported by tractor-trailer without ever having to be unloaded and reloaded. It took ten weeks for the hoard to get to Ohio. Part of the process included an inspection by customs at a port in New York. The containers were transported to Columbus, Ohio, by train and then by semis to the final destination in West Liberty, Ohio. Click here for a 3-D tour of the rock and gift shop at Ohio Caverns.

The gift and rock shop inside the Ohio Caverns visitor’s center also sells bags of rough to sift through to find semi-precious stones. These are used outside at an authentic gem mining sluice. Mining is for all ages. Bags of rough come in 3, 5, and 8 pounds. So, if you want a hands-on mining experience, you can get your hands a little wet and dirty, hoping to score iron pyrite (fool’s gold), aventurine, quartz, calcite, amethyst, and much more. For the budding Paleontologist, there are even fossilized sea creatures in rocks and shells to find.

The authentic wooden gem mining sluice has a 13-foot tower and an 80-foot flume. Water is piped out of the tower and splashes through staggered planks of narrow chutes. Along the flume, people gather with their bags of rough. There, they slide wooden plates into grooves at the sides of the channel as they pan for genuine gemstones, minerals, and fossils. Those with limited mobility easily access the mining sluice.

There’s also a new indoor gem-mining sluice. It’s a small version of the one outside, but it, too, allows visitors to purchase a bag of rough to sift and rinse in the sluice as miners once did in the old west. Various gemstones will shine through the dirt, serving as a fun memento.

Ohio Cavern’s is known as America’s most colorful caverns. It offers one-of-a-kind treasures such as the Crystal King. The Crystal King is the largest and most perfectly formed pure white crystal stalactite in any cave. A rare discovery at Ohio Caverns is its helictites or “soda straws.” These resemble curly straws hanging from the ceiling. Somehow, they grow longer in a way that seems to defy gravity, twisting in weird directions up, down, sideways, and all around. These are the only known caverns in the country where dual formations are found. This oddity consists of iron oxide tipped off with milky white calcium carbonate. Ohio Caverns is a quiet park covering 35 acres of countryside. It has a playground and two large pavilions for sheltered picnicking.

To plan a visit to buy a piece of Ohio’s most extensive semi-precious stone collection or to see the one-of-a-kind wonders in America’s most colorful caverns, visit OhioCaverns.com.

See Our Sponsors

Sheiyah Market is one of Amish Country’s favorite shopping destinations!

Starting in 2000 as Village Gift Barn, they have been growing ever since and are now home to four stores and a coffee shop. Sheiyah Market is one destination with endless inspiration.

Village Gift Barn is the very beginning of Sheiyah Market. Occupying a three-floor former dairy barn, Village Gift Barn is full of charm and inspiration. A stroll through the store where you will find custom florals, transitional style decor, furniture and more. The experienced and knowledgeable associates welcome you, ready to help with all your decorating needs.

The in-house floral designer can create custom arrangements for your home so you can showcase your unique design personality! They have everything you need to ignite your creative spark, whether it’s for the seasons or every day. Take a step into Village Gift Barn and make your decorating dreams come true.

Continue your decorating adventures with Country Gatherings.  Upon walking into the store, you will be greeted by friendly, experienced associates and varying styles of home decor. Anchored by primitive, modern farmhouse, and vintage styles, Country Gatherings is a decorator’s dream.

Primitive and Vintage lovers will be pleased to see a variety of reproduction styles of furniture and decor accents, such as beautiful handmade pieces and custom furniture from Town & Country. The 6,484 square foot space is packed full of linens, candles, art and signs, and other decor accessories. Believe me; you will spend hours pondering over what exactly you want for your oasis.

DIY lovers, do not fret; there is an extensive variety of Annie Sloan chalk paints perfect for customizing your already loved pieces. Associates are glad to help you design your next space, whether it’s your dining room table or living room mantle.

Calling all fashionistas! Sheiyah Style Boutique is a fashion destination. You can find everything from the latest trends to your favorite classics. Not sure where to start and want some assistance in picking the best style for you? Well, the Sheiyah Stylists are here to help every step of the way, making the shopping experience a fun and exciting way to find that “new look” you have been craving.

The boutique also carries accessories, shoes, and jewelry. The classic brands you know and love, such as Vera Bradley and Pandora. And some newer trending brands such as Brighton jewelry and BedStu shoes and handbags. Sheiyah Style offers in-store and online shopping, so you can shop straight from home!

Do you have a green thumb? The Gardens at Sheiyah is a greenhouse built for all plant lovers. From indoor and outdoor plants, they carry a multitude of plants to enhance your home as well as finding everything you need, from pots, planters, accessories, and necessities, to bring a little sass into your plants. Browse the aisles for everything from common houseplants to rare beauties. Looking for more than just plants to decorate your outdoor spaces? They also carry fountains, wind chimes, and other outdoor accessories to create your perfect oasis. The Gardens is open year-round for your convenience.

Looking to learn more about plants or just want an excuse to play in the dirt? The Gardens offers different classes throughout the year to blend your creativity with your love of plants.

Join their Facebook group, Gardenistas of Sheiyah, to share your love of plants and learn new tips and tricks. Their Gardenistas carry all the knowledge you need to help your plant thrive wherever it may go.

Shopping can be exhausting, so make sure to grab a sweet treat from Buggy Brew Coffee Co! Find delicious coffee drinks, smoothies, teas, and more located right inside of Country Gatherings. However, if you take your coffee – blended, iced, or hot – they have it all. Browse the menu of flavors to make the perfect drink to power through your day. Need a sweet treat to accompany that coffee? The case is always stocked with amazing pastries and baked goods. Make sure after grabbing your goodies to grab a selfie in the Buggy. This cute seating area offers a good resting spot and the perfect photo op to share with your friends.

Whether you’re a fashion lover, ready to decorate your home, looking to add some greenery, or just love to shop- Sheiyah Market is the place for you. Visit the campus for a fun-filled day of shopping with family or friends the next time you’re in Berlin! To stay up to date with all of the events and sales, follow on Instagram @sheiyahmarket or visit sheiyahmarket.com.

See Our Sponsors

Some of the Best Winter Hikes and Activities in Central Ohio

It’s easy to want to curl up and hide indoors when the weather turns cold, but if Grove City could make an argument for anything, it would be that this quaint little suburb south of Columbus has some of the best winter hiking options that central Ohio has to offer. Take a moment to challenge yourself to bundle up and get outdoors more this winter, and you’ll be surprised at what winter hikes in Grove City have to offer you. 

Take a weekend to hike the trails at Battelle Darby Creek, which features more than 7,000 acres of forest, prairies, and wetlands. Battelle Darby Creek stretches along 13 miles of the Big & Little Darby Creeks. If you’re in need of a warm-up midway through a hike, stopping into the park’s 18,000-square-foot Nature Center is an absolute must. In the Nature Center, you can learn about the microcosm of the Big Darby Creek ecosystem and watch native fish in the 53-foot living stream that runs inside the center. Directly behind the Nature Center, you can see wild bison graze in the Winter Bison Pasture. This is some of the best times of the year to see the bison. They stand out wonderfully against the pristine backdrop of a fresh snowfall. But if you’re worried that they won’t be close enough for the naked eye to see, there are also two viewing platforms with unobstructed views and mounted binoculars to get a look at these majestic creatures. 

In addition to the bison, Battelle Darby Creek is one of the only places where nature lovers can get out and snowshoe or cross-country ski in central Ohio. There are miles of trails within the park to traverse. It’s the perfect place to visit right after a fresh snowfall. The 3.2-mile Dyer Mill Trail is reserved specifically for cross-country skiing. If you’re really trying to get your miles in, it’s also suggested to hike part or all of the 8.3-mile Darby Creek Greenway to see prairies and woods, along with the two bison pastures within the park. 

If you’re trying to take advantage of one of those rare snow days for the family, Fryer Park is the place to be, with over 110 acres of winter wonderland to explore. Best of all, it has one of the most epic sledding hills a kid could dream of. Ever wanted to try your hand at ice fishing but thought that Ohio wasn’t the place for it? Think again. Rotary Lake at Fryer Park allows for catch-and-release ice fishing. Who would have thought? 

If sledding and ice fishing aren’t your cup of tea, Scioto Grove Metro Park boasts 620 acres of scenic bluffs and open areas to explore. If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, Scioto Grove has some of the best bird-watching a bird lover could ask for.

For these hiking destinations and more, visit Grove City, Ohio.

See Our Sponsors

One of the temporary residents at Hope House Mission touched me with his prayer before receiving dinner when our group recently worked with the folks there.

The gentleman’s words inspired me to find something profound to start this piece to the effect of “When the receiver becomes the giver.”

I found one passage from a book titled, “Begging Monks.” And it read, “…at the moment that giver and receiver meet, both merge into a moment of unity in which the giver becomes the receiver and the receiver becomes the giver…”

I wish I had on that dinner evening what I have now – these words to share back to a homeless man who so movingly prayed aloud for one day to be the giver and not the receiver: You have given us much tonight. Thank YOU!

But the larger question is, why is there so little in an infinite Web that speaks of the receiver becoming the giver? Is it so rare?

This recent journey took us to the doorstep of a crumbling old hotel. As with human life, it began anew.  It even attracted the stay of a U.S. President or so Frank (a temporary resident at Hope House) shared with a brilliant smile at lunch one day, eager to show us around before our orientation. Shortly after we all enter this world, things beyond our control may force some of us (too many of us) down paths others never see due to the privilege of sound guidance and community influence. A good foundation often (but not always) allow for building good decisions that can steer clear of life-altering pitfalls.

Had those of us who benefitted from the privileges based on nothing more than being born into the right family or community instead were born to an overworked single mother, a drug addict, a criminal or abusive environment, we may be more likely to have walked the path that leads to homelessness. The difference between someone tucked away safely in the suburbs with schizophrenia and another who is neglected and left to roam the streets can simply be the difference between getting the right medication and counseling.

Hope House Mission in Middletown, Ohio is out to sever the systemic roots that have a hold on poverty. They are a faith-based ministry that has assisted men, women, and children in Southwest Ohio for over 25 years.  They provide shelter and comprehensive services and programs to help people not only find a place to live and work but to establish the long-term tools to maintain employment, paving the way to a transformed life. It is through the Mission’s resources that the recidivism (repeat guests finding shelter and food at Hope House) rate has dropped over 60 percent in the past five years.

Hope House Mission accomplishes this by helping others find their birth certificate or identification card, goal setting, kid’s activities, various “life” classes including the preparation to obtain a GED, counseling services, physician visits, employment assistance, budgeting tips, transportation services and of course, shelter and rescue missions. They also collaborate with civic organizations and area businesses to help transition folks out of the cycle of poverty. And of course, they need as much assistance as possible from people looking to volunteer and help in these worthy areas.

Perhaps the symbolism of our serving a hearty breakfast for dinner was to create a healthy beginning in which sunken heads may find the nourishment to lift higher and see a way to climb out of the trap of poverty and have the strength and ongoing support to stay the course. So, for a night, a group of us prepared meals and gift bags and served the people temporarily living at Hope House. Because that is work that needs to be done. But at Hope House Mission, they are doing the things best expressed by the old Chinese proverb: “You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.”

By Frank Rocco Satullo

By Frank Rocco Satullo, The OhioTraveler

A magical Christmas kingdom lights up at Castle Noel in the heart of an enchanted Rockwellesque town that turns everyone into a kid again. Welcome to America’s largest indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction. Mark Klaus and Medina, Ohio have a wonderful life together bringing joy to the world.  

This Christmas kingdom will take you on a journey of miracles’ past, present and future. Along the way, you’ll explore the historic sets, props, and costumes of classic Christmas movies, roam the illuminated streets of New York City to see animated Christmas window displays, gaze at the toys of Yesteryear, and enjoy other creative fun sprinkled all around. This place is like a private tour of Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory mixed with Disney magic. And you hold the golden ticket to experience it all at Castle Noel.

But this story began long before Mark Klaus came to town, relocating Christmas from the North Pole to Northern Ohio. The spirit of Christmas has been a part of his life as long as he can remember.  …READ MORE…

Click here to read the rest of the story

Welcome to beautiful Mohican Country!  Send for their Adventure Guide and discover why the Mohican area is an amazing four-season adventure destination for family and friends.

Mohican State Park and Forest are home to many recreational trails, including the only IMBA EPIC mountain biking trail in Ohio.  Whether hiking, biking, snowmobiling, or horseback, the Mohican trails are full of scenic views and year-round beauty.

Nearby Malabar Farm is one of Ohio’s most unique and interesting State Parks.  Home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author, screenwriter, and conservationist Louis Bromfield, Malabar Farm State Park is a true working farm.

And of course, the area is perhaps best known for being home to the Mohican, a state scenic river, which runs along the Wally Road Scenic Byway.  Known to be “Ohio’s Largest Recreational Complex”, the Wally is the heart of the popular camping and canoeing industry.

For those seeking high-flying adventure, visit the nearby Snow Trails, Ohio’s premier ski resort. It’s a great place for skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. It also features Northern Ohio’s only canopy zip line tour, Tree Frog Canopy Tours.

Visit downtown historic Loudonville during Winterfest. It’s a great time to stop in the unique specialty shops or take a day trip to Amish Country for a tour of an Amish home and farm.  Walk the shopped-lined main streets and be sure to stop and enjoy some baked goods. Visit the area’s museums or take in a movie or a play in Loudonville’s historic Ohio Theatre. Listen to live entertainment at one of the many local wineries or breweries.

Whether visiting for the week or weekend, Mohican Country is home to many family-owned and award-winning accommodations. From rustic to royal, there are cabins, cottages, treehouses, a state park lodge, and even a castle ready to explore.

Whether exploring the outdoors at one of the state parks, sipping local wines and brews, or enjoying the day on the trails, each day is another chance to find an escape in a really great place, making memories that last a lifetime.

For more information visit DiscoverMohican.com or follow Facebook and Instagram at Discover Mohican.

See Our Sponsors

At The Greater Cleveland Aquarium  

Knowing that many divers say their time underwater has a calming effect, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that one jolly old elf escapes the hustle and bustle of toymaking by getting into a 230,000-gallon shark exhibit.

Scuba Claus returns to the Greater Cleveland Aquarium in December to dive, relax and spread some holiday cheer. Guests of all ages are invited to explore the aquatic attraction on the West Bank of the Flats and make merry with the man in red during special Scuba Claus Meet & Greet Days.

“After guests tour the Aquarium and complete an animal spotting activity, they can stop to talk to Scuba Claus while he’s underwater,” says Aquarium General Manager Stephanie White. “It’s an opportunity to share a special wish for the holidays, discuss cookie preferences or ask questions about diving.” An Aquarium team member will be on-hand to snap a complimentary digital photo with Scuba Claus. All children will receive an “I Saw Scuba Claus” sticker, temporary tattoo, activity book, and craft.

Ho-ho-hoping a Christmas icon isn’t risking it all by getting into a shark exhibit? “He’s a magical, certified diver who’s visited us plenty of times, so there’s nothing to be concerned about,” assures White. “Plus, he knows which sharks, stingrays, and eels are on the ‘nice’ list.”

Aquarium capacity will be limited and entry timed to ensure social distancing. Advance purchase required. Visit greaterclevelandaquarium.com.