DiscoveringOhio

A Festival of Asian Heritage

Since 1995, Columbus' annual Asian Festival has been showcasing and celebrating the diverse cultures of the entire Asian continent: from Japan to India; Mongolia to Indonesia.

This year's festival, which will take place over the Memorial Day weekend, will place special emphasis on Filipino and Korean heritage while also featuring a vast array of events from Japanese drummers to Indian dance troupes, Chinese tea ceremonies and Bangladeshi folk dancers. Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch Asian games like Ping-Pong and Sepak-Takraw (Malay-Thai kick volleyball); see cultural exhibits from participating nations; attend martial arts performances, and shop for gifts in the Market Place.

The first two days of the festival will take place at Franklin Park in Columbus, and culminate on Memorial Day with a Dragon Boat (a traditional, highly decorated Chinese long boat) race on the Scioto River at Genoa Park.

Perhaps the festival's biggest draw, however, will be the selection of delicious foods available. A wide range of Asian cuisine will be represented, including Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Indian and Japanese.

It comes as no surprise that a Columbus event can offer up such a tasty selection of food, as the city is home to more than its share of excellent Asian restaurant and markets. Often you will find the best cooking in unexpected places; like a few of my favorites:

 Arirang, 1526 Bethel Road

Bethel Road is home to a number of Asian businesses, and one of the best is the Korean market Arirang. Here, you can pick up Korean groceries at the grocery store then sit down for a meal at the tiny attached restaurant. One of my favorite dishes here is the Dolsot Bibimbap (a mixed rice, vegetable and meat dish served in a hot stone bowl). All dishes come with traditional banchan, a selection of small dishes that change every day, and hot barley tea is complimentary.

 Bangkok, 3277 Refugee Road

Like Arirang, Bangkok Restaurant is attached to a grocery store. As you would expect, it is Thai groceries and food on offer here. Though the location of Refugee Road is unappealing, the restaurant is filled with charming images of Thailand and even more charming service staff. While Bangkok offers a handful of Chinese-American dishes as well as Thai, I feel that to order them (in an authentic Thai restaurant) would be a shame. Some of the best dishes include the pad prick pao ground pork dish, tom yum soup and pad thai (fried noodles with egg, chili, peanuts and your choice of meat or tofu).

 Fresh Street, 1030 N. High Street

Fresh Street is the project of a Japanese/Korean-American couple that began life in a tiny Short North pizza shack and now has a permanent home at the atmospheric Brewery District bar/lounge Double Happiness. Fresh Street offers a changing menu (that you can keep up with via their Twitter), of savory Japanese crepes, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and small bar bites.

Discovering a Gem in the Ocean

All around Cleveland this spring, various theaters have been celebrating the works of August Wilson, a 20^th-century, African-American playwright whose plays showcase and portray the African-American experience in America.  His Pittsburgh Cycle chronicles 10 decades in 10 separate plays, many of which have recently been presented at local venues including Cleveland Play House, East Cleveland Theater and Karamu House.

I had the great pleasure of seeing, Gem of the Ocean, the first installment of Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, but the last of the series brought to Cleveland stages at Karamu House. What I saw was a diverse cast with dynamic passions that jump off the stage and steal our hearts. Gem of the Ocean centers around an unconventional family of sorts living together in Pittsburgh’s Hill District in 1904. The matriarch, Aunt Ester, has a spiritual gift of cleansing souls. She is sought out by people who hear of her skills, one being Citizen Barlow, who comes to Aunt Ester to be renewed.  Aunt Ester also befriends Solly Two Kings, a man born into slavery,
who once scouted for the Union army, and Black Mary, a woman searching to find herself in the midst of her own stubbornness.  The group doesn’t proceed without obstacles, particularly Caesar Wilkes, an overbearing policeman who strives to keep order during a time of civil unrest. 

The play is a great story of love, power and redemption that is wonderfully executed by the cast at the Karamu House.  They seem to capture the essence of the emotion and the mood of that era. It is no surprise that Karamu has such a seasoned and experienced group; they have been producing great plays for almost a century, and will celebrate their centennial in 2015. Karamu House is the oldest African-American playhouse in the nation, and has been home to some well-known alum including Langston Hughes, a famous black renaissance playwright; black exploitation film actor, Ron O’Neal, star of Superfly, and Robert Guillaume from TV’s Benson. Most recently, Karamu alumni, James Pickens Jr., from TV’s Grey’s Anatomy was honored with an NAACP Image Award. While Karamu House has launched the careers of several great actors, Ohio is noted for being the birthplace of many great actors according to Scene In Ohio.

Karamu House has a history of putting on very inspiring and beautifully directed performances. In the fall, the critically acclaimed, Broadway musical, The Color Purple will make its way to the Karamu stage, and during the winter holiday, Langston Hughes’ work, Black Nativity, will return. Gem of the Ocean is on stage now through June 3. For a complete listing of performances, visit www.karamuhouse.org. 

Living history at Fort Meigs

Our recent introduction to Fort Meigs near Perrysburg, Ohio, started with a bang as we tagged along with a grade-school tour group to hear an 1812-era costumed soldier shoot his vintage musket (a huge hit with the kids) and share stories about life at the fort. The kids remained interested as he talked about his heavy woolen uniform, his musket and how American sailors experienced impressments when captured at sea and forced into the Royal Navy by British forces.

Fort Meigs' ability to withstand British and Indian sieges was a turning point during the conflict, helping set the stage for the Americans to regain control of Lake Erie.

Fort construction began in February of 1813 under command of General William Henry Harrison (and future U.S President). The eight-acre fort at the Miami Rapids on the Maumee River was the largest walled wooden fort in North America at the time.

British General Henry Proctor and Shawnee Chief Tecumseh laid the First Siege against Fort Meigs May 1, 1813, to thwart American efforts to retake the Detroit fort captured by the British in 1812.

Gen. Harrison ordered building a series of long narrow hills, called traverses, within the fort as the British set up attack positions. The earthworks protected American soldiers by absorbing many of the British shells.

The siege ended on May 9 and a second siege took place in July of 1813 when Tecumseh's forces staged a mock battle, trying to lure Americans into the open. That plan failed, and the British retreated into Canada after another attack on Fort Stephenson near Fremont, Ohio.

Harrison dismantled Fort Meigs after the British left, leaving a small stockade and about 100 men behind as a supply base and protection for the rapids. The wooden fort soon burned to the ground, either at the hands of the military or squatters.

The State of Ohio began reconstructing the fort during the late 1960s, opening the museum in 1974. In 2003, renovation and the construction of a 14,000-square-foot Visitors Center and Museum occurred in conjunction with Ohio's state Bicentennial events.

Today, the full-sized replica fort looks much as it did in 1813.

Exhibits in the museum and blockhouses throughout the fort display most of Ohio's War of 1812 artifacts, many of which archeologists uncovered at Fort Meigs.

Military reenactments, musket demonstrations and re-creations of fort camp life with reenactors representing American, British and Woodland Indian forces happen as Fort Meigs commemorates the 199th anniversary of the First Siege on May 26 and 27.

Muster on the Maumee, June 16 and 17, features reenactors portraying soldiers from Roman times to the present with period military camps, weapon demonstrations and medieval knights fighting on horseback.

Fort Meigs' Visitor Center is open year round, and the fort is open from late spring through early autumn. The interpretive trail through the fort is about a mile long on a gently rolling pea-gravel path. Check the Ohio Historical Society site for hours and admission fees.

2nd Saturday in Northside, Cincinnati, OH

Few neighborhoods in Cincinnati display more of an eclectic and varied culture as Northside. Tucked in the crevice between I-75 and I-74, and merely minutes from downtown, Northside provides its own raw, urban feel with the slight separation from the commotion of a busy metropolis. The vein of the neighborhood is its main thoroughfare, Hamilton Avenue, which displays numerous and creative independently owned shops, boutiques, eateries and bars.

This tightly-knit community proudly displays its wares and offerings at 2nd Saturday -- a monthly event that takes place on the second Saturday evening of every month. The day features art openings, later retail hours and restaurant hours, longer happy hours and special events. It's an exciting time for Northsiders to invite others to explore their small town and marvel at the unique finds.


My sister, Jenny, and I decided to make a a girls night of it, so we invited our friends Shadia and Erin to show us around. A little rain could not deter us, as it was easy to walk from shop to shop and the rain mercifully receded not long after our arrival. We parked in the public lot next to Honey (a delicious restaurant) and Erin took us to our first stop, a small boutique called Fabricate that offers a range of handmade items and art. We especially loved the jewelry and baby clothes.

 

From there, we stopped in a screen printing shop called Cryptogram Ink to check out their operations. We continued our stroll up Hamilton, past Take the Cake Bakery and Cafe and Lilly's Antiques, to a vinyl record shop called Shake It Records and enjoyed perusing the vintage albums.





























After that,we visited the Picnic and Pantry gourmet shop and purchased a few specialty food items before ending the evening at Northside Tavern. Housed in a historic building that contains room after room of billiard tables, hipsters and delightfully distressed wood floors, we ordered drinks at the back bar and settled in for the special free event of the evening, a fashion show. The back room had a small runway setup, where we enjoyed handmade creations by local designers. The models were locals and friends who had a great time voguing for the cheering crowd.

Details: Second Saturday is a free event
Parking: paid lots along Hamilton for $3 or street meter parking (free after hours)
Hours: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Events: Check the website calendar

 

Put-In-Bay Getaway!

 

Why bother planning a spring or summer getaway to far off places like Florida or Mexico, when you can take a getaway to Ohio's own Put-in-Bay? Put-in-Bay is a popular tourist destination in Ohio that thrives during the months of April-October, which is prime season for outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking and swimming. It is located on South Bass Island in Western Lake Erie, and is a part of Ottawa County. The island is 12 miles from the Ohio mainland, and is the third largest Ohio island. Only about 150 people actually live on the small island, but many tens of thousands visit annually.

I recommend booking a hotel and staying at least one night so you can fully enjoy the nightlife and the true Put-in-Bay experience! Below is a list of 10 Things to do on a Put-in-Bay Getaway!

1. Ride The Ferry: This is sort of a given, since you cannot drive directly to Put-in-Bay. Plan  ahead and park your car on shore take it with you on the Miller Boatline ferry. The Jet Express leaves from both Sandusky and Port Clinton and is always a memorable ride (leave your car in their lot). I have been to Put-in-Bay numerous times, and the ferry ride is always a highlight.

2. Rent a Golf Cart: Renting a golf cart is the easiest, most fun and most popular way to get around the island. Island goers (adults and children alike) are encouraged to travel by golf cart or bicycle.

3. Take in the View from Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial: A wonderful visitors center features exhibits, a short film and souveniers of Perry's Memorial and the Battle of Lake Erie. The memorial was erected in 1936 to commemorate the battle, which was one of the most significant events in the War of 1812. It is named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry who led the sailors to victory. This enormous memorial is a column stretching 352 feet into the sky, making it the tallest "Doric" column in the entire world, and fourth tallest monument in the United States. The monument and its observation deck have undergone extensive renovations and will open again to visitors around July 20.

4. Taste Some Wine: The Heineman Winery at Put-in-Bay has got to be one of my favorite wineries in Ohio. The fantastic wine offerings are due to Put-in-Bay's rich soil that helps grow some of the highest quality grapes in the state. Daily tours are offered 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in which you get complimentary samples of wine. The Pink Catawba is one of the most popular wines.

5. Explore Crystal Cave: As its name suggests, it is a cave full of "crystals" (really, a blueish mineral called celestite) and is the largest geode (a rock cavity with crystals inside) in the WORLD. Most geodes you cannot even put your hand inside, yet this one you can WALK inside. You can get tours of this while also touring the Heineman Winery. This is truly one of the most unique attractions in the whole state!

6. Go Parasailing: Most people are not aware of Ohio's parasailing opportunities, but one of the only two locations in the state with commercial operations is located in downtown Put-in-Bay! For approximately $75, you can take part in this exhilarating activity that's both low risk and (relatively) low cost.

7. Kayak The Bay: Kayaking on the shores of Put-in-Bay is an activity that's fun for the whole family. You can rent a single or double kayak that can provide great exercise and great views. Other floats and rafts are also available.

8. Imbibe at Beer Barrel Saloon: This fine facility features a 405-foot-long bar, 160 bar stools, 56 beer taps and a seating capacity of 1,200. It is known for being home to “The Longest Bar in the WORLD.” It winds and twists around continuously throughout the building, but still saves room for a fun dance floor and live entertainment.

8. Mist Pool Bar: If the longest bar in the world isn't enough for you, you can also throw on your bathing suit and hop in the water to swim to the Mist Pool Bar. Complete with waterfalls, a DJ, cabanas, and live bands, this makes you feel like you're on a true spring break!

9. Dine on Some Fresh Fish: While there are plenty of fantastic restaurants on the island, the best in my opinion is the Boathouse Bar & Grill, which has freshly caught Lake Erie fish! The perch sandwich, walleye chowder, and fish & chips are the absolute best around! The patio is also a great way to enjoy the breeze. There is also a great kid's menu available.

Visit Northeast Ohio Wine Country with 'Wine N Bloom'

A trip along the northeast Ohio Vines and Wines Trail as part of 'Wine N Bloom' weekends can be described as nothing short of delightful.

My husband and I drove the trail of more than a dozen wineries last weekend, taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of northern Ohio's wine country. From Perry to Madison, Geneva-on-the-Lake and its southern counterpart, Geneva, the wine trail along the Lake Erie coast is endless. But in every location we visited, we were greeted by the same -- a warm smile, friendly staff, an appetizer and a pour of signature wines.
Winery staff members were helpful at each location in selecting flavors that suited our palates -- from dry to sweets. In addition to traditional red and white grape wines, we tasted other fruit wines including peach wine at Biscotti Family Winery in Conneaut and "Razzberry" wine from Debonne Vineyards in Madison. It was difficult to pick a favorite when so many unique flavors abound.

The appetizers served at each stop kept our hunger at bay, although many of the wineries along the trail also offered full menus. As evening approached, wineries such as St. Joseph Vineyard in Madison and Goddess Wine House in Ashtabula offered live music.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We received a live plant from each winery along the trail, and hence the "bloom" feature of this event. Participants also receive a Schott Zwiesel wine glass as a souvenir, and a reminder of the trip -- each time a bottle is uncorked at home.

'Wine N Bloom' continues this weekend, May 11 and 12. The cost is $50 per couple or $40 per single to attend. Reservations are required and can be made online at the Ohio Wine Producers Association.

Can't make it to 'Wine N Bloom' this month? Not only is this an annual event that will be offered again next spring, but the Ohio Wine Producers Association offers similar wine trails across the state during all seasons. Visit their website for upcoming events.

Let's Do Brunch

When it comes to Mother’s Day, we are often at a loss as to what to give to the woman who gave us life. Most moms probably would not appreciate a vacuum, and if you plan brunch at home, she'll end up helping in some way. So why not appeal to her taste buds by treating your mother to a fun Sunday brunch at an Ohio restaurant. Have mom calling you her “favorite” when you take her to some of these great brunch locations.

At Touch Supper Club in Cleveland's Ohio City, Sunday is reserved for brunch with menu items like delicious Tempura Chicken and Waffles, Mexican Omelets and an outrageous Bloody Mary Bar with dozens of choices to spice up your drink.

 

Near Oberlin College, The Feve is a great place for students, professors and locals to gather and enjoy a wonderful brunch! Every Saturday and Sunday the chef serves up something new to eat--based on what's in-season--so you will never get bored with the menu!

If you are looking for brunch with a bit of flair, head to Honey of Northside in Cincinnati and try the Eggs Benedict or the Apple Beignets. This popular place has a nice atmosphere that is perfect for a relaxing Sunday.  

At the Stonebridge Grille in Youngstown, you can fill up with the brunch buffet or choose something off the regular menu. Either way, you can’t go wrong with your choice. 

 

Take it up a notch at the Mon Ami Winery in Sandusky with their Champagne Brunch! A winery is the perfect backdrop for a beautiful outing with Mom. Enjoy a delicious mimosa or choose from the extensive wine list to accompany your meal.  

For Mother’s Day or any time of the year, make your Sunday special. Do you have any great Ohio brunch suggestions?

Discover @ohiogram on Instragram

I love to travel! Every trip tells its own story, and there's nothing like snapping away with your camera and reliving those memories when it's all said and done. I've recently become a fan of Instagram, a photosharing service that allows you to take photos with your iPhone or Android device, apply cool filters directly from your phone, and share them with their internal network of 30 million users.

And we're very excited to announce that the Ohio Office of Tourism is becoming a part of the Instagram network with our own official @ohiogram account!

Ohio is quietly becoming one of those idyllic destinations that photographers of "authentic America" dream about. It includes incredible natural scenery that spans everything from the Ohio River to Lake Erie. 

The history is fascinating with sites that reveal the lives of people living in the area hundreds of thousands of years ago. Amish farmland and covered bridges compete with a host of famous sons and daughters. Eight former presidents called Ohio home, along with Annie Oakley, Harriet Tubman, the Wright Brothers and a WHOLE lot more!

Ohio's big cities and small towns are bursting with photo opps! From dazzling city skylines to the quintessential farm market, you'll find it - and can probably photograph it - here in Ohio! We've got great restaurants, amazing art and theater, some architecture (both old and new) that will blow you away... and some very friendly people!

And now, with our @ohiogram account on Instagram, you can take lots of Ohio photos and share them with people who also love to take and share great photos of the state! Pretty cool, huh?

We're excited to connect with contributors to @ohiogram on Instagram. If you don't yet have Instagram, simply download the free app from the Apple Store or Android Marketplace. Search for the user name "ohiogram" and start following us to see the photos we've added, as well as the amazing photos our new friends are sharing!

To see our Instagram profile online without a phone, just go to http://statigr.am/ohiogram or look for the Instagram App on our Facebook page.

#OhioMemory Photo Contest on Instagram

Next week, we're launching a photo contest to celebrate Ohio Tourism Month! Our #OhioMemory Instagram Photo Contest challenges all our followers to contribute photos of their favorite Ohio travel memory to the @ohiogram network.

This can be an existing photo you already have on your phone, or a new memory you "make-and-take" just for this contest! You'll have through May 20 to take your best shot and submit it for your chance at one of five cool prize packages. Included in the prize package is a much-sought-after "hi" t-shirt!

So get your phones out, download Instagram and start following @ohiogram so you can start taking and sharing your amazing Ohio memories!

Minor League Baseball in Ohio

The state of Ohio is home to two Major League Baseball teams – the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds.

But it’s also home to a host of minor league teams, including two Triple-A teams: The world-famous Toledo Mud Hens and the Columbus Clippers. Triple-A baseball is the highest level of minor league baseball, so it’s common to see players on their way up, and major leaguers on injury rehabilitation, at a fraction of the cost of a major league game. The average cost for a family of four to go to a major league game is nearly $200. For Triple-A games, the cost is about $70.

The Mud Hens and Clippers play in the International League, and both have newer, beautiful stadiums.

Professional baseball has been played in Toledo almost continuously since the 19^th century. The Mud Hens returned to Toledo after a 10-year absence in 1965, and for most of their existence since, they’ve been a Detroit Tigers farm team. Through 2001, they played in Ned Skeldon Stadium, a reconditioned racetrack in Maumee that served its purpose but was, let’s say, limited in its appeal. In 2002, the Hens moved into Fifth Third Field, a new downtown ballpark. ESPN and Newsweek have both rated it as one of the best experiences for a minor-league game. I’ve been to both venues, and I can’t argue with that. Fifth Third Field is positively beautiful, and the amenities around it almost ensure a good time.

Other nearby attractions include Imagination Station (www.imaginationstationtoledo.org), a hands-on science museum. There is no shortage of restaurants within walking distance of the ballpark. My wife and I are partial to Pizza Papali’s (http://pizzapapalis.com/) for its Chicago-style pizza, but there’s also a Fricker’s nearby (www.frickers.com; I’m enamored of their medium sauce) and Tony Packo’s at the Park (www.tonypacko.com). Packo’s is a Hungarian hot-dog restaurant, spoken fondly of by Max Klinger on M*A*S*H* (Jamie Farr, like the character he played, is a Toledo native, and was known to wear Mud Hens shirts on the show). The original is a short drive from the ballpark on Front Street.

The Columbus Clippers became the Indians’ Triple-A team beginning with the 2009 season, the same year they moved into Huntington Park, a new ballpark across the street from Nationwide Arena in Columbus. Prior to that, the Clippers were a farm team for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates. Previously, minor league baseball in Columbus was played at Cooper Stadium, a facility that dated back to the 1930s. Like Ned Skeldon, it served its purpose, but is no match for Huntington Park, which was named Ballpark of the Year by baseballparks.com in 2009. It’s also the host for the Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships, and has hosted the Big Ten baseball tournament, a duty it will perform again this year.

After we visited Huntington Park, we ate souped-up hot dogs at Dirty Frank’s (http://dirtyfrankscolumbus.com/), a short drive from the ballpark. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to ballpark food, and I believe no truer words were spoken than when Humphrey Bogart said, “A hot dog at the ballpark tastes better than steak at the Ritz.”

Ohio's Birding Fascination

For ten days in May (4-14), thousands of people will descend on Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center for the Biggest Week in American Birding. While more than 200 species of birds are found in this area, the main attraction is the Warbler. The Warbler (Prothonotary Warbler pictured here) is a colorful songbird that is now migrating from South America to Canada. The tiny bird, with more than 37 varieties in the northern Ohio wetlands, stops here to fuel up for the completion of the migration.

Maumee Bay Lodge General Manager Patrick Czarny says birders come from as far as Australia for this annual week. More than 60,000 birding enthusiasts are expected for this event, and it is open to the public. Anyone can come at any time, and register for seminars, tours and presentations. The plush and comfortable lodge provides modern accommodations surrounded by the best that nature has to offer. The homemade meals at the Water's Edge restaurant in the lodge hit the spot after a long day of birding and enjoying the outdoors. 

During my recent visit to the Maumee Bay Lodge, I got to see for myself the fascination with this area on the shores of Lake Erie. A stroll along the boardwalk at the lodge with my camera demonstrated why the beauty and nature in this area is so addicting. I was consumed by the peaceful sight of dozens of birds and wildlife.

Nearby Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is home to many Red-winged Blackbirds, Egrets, Herons, and the early arriving Warbler. Magee Marsh is home to Bald Eagles, and currently has areas blocked to visitors because of active nesting. The naturalist in me was excited to see the positive conservation efforts that are happening here. Just around the bend is the Black Swamp Bird Observatory which offers many educational and conservation programs.

The Maumee Bay area is a birding mecca that sits along the Lake Erie Birding Trail. The entire trail, divided into seven loops, spans 312 miles along the Lake Erie shoreline from Toledo to Conneaut. Dotted with 84 sites along the way, birding enthusiasts have access to nearly 400 species seen in these areas.

Whether you are a birder with a checklist to fill, or looking for a fun way to get the family involved in a new challenge, you will find it at Maumee Bay. With a State Park, wildlife refuge, and boardwalks covering thousands of acres of marshes, you cannot help but walk away with a new appreciation for Ohio’s natural landscape….and perhaps a new hobby.