DiscoveringOhio

Great Scoops Ohio

Every July, the summer sun is a little hotter, neighborhood ice cream trucks ring a little louder and roadside stands that have survived for decades become the gathering places for locals who want refreshment from the heat. It is no wonder why July is National Ice Cream Month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ice cream In honor of this summer tradition, I set out on a mission to get the scoop on the best scoops in Ohio. Almost every small town has its own version of a corner dairy hut and it seems the deeper the community roots, the bigger the scoops on the cone.

I made a trip to Stewart’s Ice Cream at Indian Lake for what is one of the best root beer floats I have ever tasted. It turns out, the origins of this tiny ice cream stand started in 1924 with an Ohio teacher, Frank Stewart, who set out to create the world’s best ice cream float. Stewart had a secret recipe and some cold, tall frosty mugs. He opened a humble roadside stand where you can still find those famous root beer floats today in the big, cold glass mugs. Stewarts also scoops up dozens of unique flavors of ice cream, milkshakes and banana splits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt

There is a reason that Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt has received so many accolades over the years. Since 1945, when Alice Handel started serving ice cream at her husband’s gas station in Youngstown, the company has never skimped on the homemade process. In the early years, Handel’s old-fashioned recipes used fresh fruit picked from the Handel’s backyard. Today, all ice cream is still made fresh on the premises everyday with bountiful servings of fresh fruit, nuts, caramel and dark chocolate in every scoop. There are seven locations in Ohio.

Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl

You cannot pass through Zanesville without hearing about Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl which has been an institution in the community since 1948. Ice cream is served up fresh in overflowing bowls and cones inspiring smiles of anticipation long before the first bite. All toppings, including the popular peanut butter topping are processed on-site and the nuts are roasted daily. Tables and chairs look just the way they did more than 50 years ago. Beyond the fresh ice cream, the environment is nostalgic making every bite even more delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love the feel of an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and Taggarts in Canton is just that. Taggarts looks just like it did when it first opened in 1926. They are known for their famous “Bittner” which is a chocolate shake so thick it requires a spoon to eat, and the “Turtle Sundae”, which is the feast for the eyes with four giant scoops of ice cream, pecans and a whipped cream. These are desserts you might prefer to share. There is an extensive menu of homemade ice cream options including banana splits, ice cream pie, cones and shakes…which are all serve-up in enormous sizes.

Ayars Family Farm

The 1,000 acre Ayars Family Farm outside of Mechanicsburg makes fresh homemade ice cream from the cows that are milked on the farm. Since 1972, Ayars has been a working family farm and uses Guernsey milk exclusively in its ice cream products. Why is it so good? Because the ice cream is made in small batches on the premises to ensure the highest quality. Their 20 flavors include Genuine Vanilla, White Chocolate Raspberry, Wedding Cake, Pumpkin and of course Chocolate and their Signature Strawberry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs is one of my favorite ice cream stops in Ohio. The ice cream is made with 15% butterfat, which makes it very rich in taste. They offer so many flavors you will need a moment to absorb the menu. To make life easier, Young’s also features a “flavor of the week” like Caramel Chocolate Toffee, Key Lime Crunch or Banana Cookie Crunch to help take the guess work out of making a decision. The working farm is a fun place to experience while you enjoy your treat, just don’t forget the napkins.

Tuscawaras County Wineries

To continue celebrating Ohio Wine Month this June, consider stopping in to one – or all six – of the award winning wineries in Tuscawaras County. While you embark on your wine-tasting experience, be sure to check out the Ohio Grape Industries VIP incentive program, where you can register and win rewards for visiting different Ohio wineries.

 

Island Palm Winery (Bolivar): Historic downtown Bolivar is the setting for this fun and laid back island-themed winery. When walking in, you immediately get a tiki bar vibe that sets the tone for a good time. Flip Flop Muscat, Seashell Chardonnay, and Shark Bite Zinfandel are some examples of the exciting and whimsical wines found at Island Palm. The best sellers are fruit wines: Pomegranate Cove and Sunset Passion Fruit. They also offer a great bologna sandwich called “The Big Kahuna,” and the tasty home brewed Crow’s Nest Hard Apple Cider.

School House Winery (Dover): One of my favorite wineries in all of Ohio is School House Winery, which was established in an actual schoolhouse from the late 1800s! This bright red structure stands out in the rolling countryside and beckons you to come in the doors and have some wine. All wines have been given elementary school-related monikers, my top picks being Bully Red (dry, smoky, oaky), and Teacher’s Pet (the best seller).

Breitenbach Wine Cellars (Dover): When I visited Breitenbach, it was swarming with visitors, with check-out and wine-tasting lines stretching throughout the winery. Known for over 40 vinifera and hybrid American varieties, Breitenbach produces 135,000 gallons of wine each year. A must-try is the extremely unique (and extremely sweet) Dandelion wine, which has become a mainstay and crowd favorite. It is so popular, that there is even an annual Breitenbach Dandelion Festival each May.

Swiss Heritage Winery (Dover): Located at the Broad Run Cheesehouse, you’ll find yourself amongst an array of cheeses (all made on site), lace, curtains, and other specialty items. Making your way to the rear of the gift shop, you’ll find a counter selling a selection of 17 different wines made on site. The folks at Swiss Heritage will do a great job letting you know which cheeses and wines pair best together. My recommendation is the light and grapey Victorian Lace paired with blue ribbon Swiss cheese!

YOLO Winery (Dover): A winery with the name “YOLO” (You Only Live Once) can only mean good things. The interior has a modern and upscale décor reminiscent of a California-style boutique. Order delicious flatbreads and salads delivered to you fresh from local restaurant Sammy Sue’s. Be sure to sample my personal favorite wine called Party On Garth.

Silver Moon Winery (Dover): A great place to sit back and relax after a long day of traveling and wine sampling. There is a large, open seating area with loads of comfortable couches and chairs that pair nicely with the wines at Silver Moon. Try Blood of Zeus and Luna Bianca. If you’re daring, check out Eve’s Delight or Kiwi Melon Splash!

Fireworks Across Ohio

Celebrate America’s independence by watching as the night skies of Ohio illuminate with colorful, astonishing firework shows that will make you “ooh” and “ahh.” Listed below are just a few of Ohio’s grand displays for Independence Day.

Central

Granville Kiwanis July 4^th Celebrations, July 1 –4

Four fun-packed days filled with a talent show, entertainment, a five mile race, parade, games and of course, a firework display on the July 2.

Red, White and BOOM! July 3

The largest and most spectacular firework celebration in the Midwest will fire back up from its location along the downtown riverfront in Columbus the day before the fourth.

Northeast

July 4^th Festival and Fireworks, July 2 - 4

One day just isn’t enough for this small town! Conneaut is at it again with their annual festival featuring fireworks over Lake Erie on July 4. The celebration also includes rides, vendors, the Conneaut Idol Contest and various pageants.

A Monumental Fourth , July 4

A family-friendly festival starting at 4 p.m. at Monument Park in Canton will culminate in a fireworks spectacular. The festival will include live local entertainment, food vendors, and other community activities.

Southeast

Athens Fabulous Fourth of July, July 3

A full day of swimming, pageants, games and more will lead up to the fireworks display on East State Street in Athens.

Logan 4^th of July Fireworks, July 4

Fireworks begin at dusk, with seating available at the Fairgrounds Grandstand. Fireworks can be seen through most of the downtown area, and The Bull 98.3 radio station will play during the fireworks.

Northwest

Port Clinton Area 4^th of July Celebration, July 4

This family-fun celebration in Port Clinton includes a Firecracker Cutie contest, an ice cream social, Community band concert, parade, fireworks and more!

Red, White, KaBOOM Fireworks Celebration, July 4

Enjoy more than fireworks at Promenade Park in Toledo. Starting at 2 p.m., get ready for an afternoon/ evening of entertainment, food and beverages.

Southwest

Independence Day Celebration, July 3

For a spectacular firework display, head to Fountain Square in Cincinnati to watch as fireworks are launched from the rooftop of Macy’s downtown.

Dayton Lights In Flight Festival & Fireworks Show, July 2

The festival starts at 5 p.m. in RiverScape MetroPark and includes a kids’ area with games, prizes, musical performances, vendors and more followed by the fireworks display.

Go Ape in the Treetops of Strongsville

This past April, the Go Ape Treetop Adventure course opened to the public in the Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation.

The Go Ape Treetop Adventure Course challenges participants with an outdoor obstacle course over 3,000 feet in length and is suspended up to 40 feet above ground. It takes between 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your ability and how busy it is. The course gives you the opportunity to see the world from a bird's eye view as you navigate the treetops like a monkey by traversing bridges, zooming on zip lines, and hanging on ropes.

 

All obstacles are fastened to tree trunks in an environmentally friendly way, using special bolts and cables that adjust themselves as the trees grow larger over the years. The health and well-being of the park is of utmost importance to Go Ape, as a portion of its proceeds and services is given back to the parks.

 

Safety is the number one rule at Go Ape. When you arrive, you will be strapped in by a harness, and given a 30-minute safety briefing to train and prepare you for the excitement ahead. A series of cables, platforms, pulleys, and ropes will keep you safe as you progress throughout each of the five sections,

 

I had the pleasure to "Go Ape" in Strongsville, which tested my strength, balance, focus, and endurance in an awesome way. I was in for a treat as I managed to complete 5 zip lines (4 of which took me over a wetland), and 42 obstacles (including a spider's web, cargo nets, wooden planks, and more). 

 

I have never been a huge fan of heights, but after the initial fear subsided, I was able to soak in the breathtaking landscape, and get hearty workout at the same time. There were people of all ages and abilities alongside me, and I was able to make new friends as we helped each other through. Some people did not complete all five options, as you do have the option if you are too tired or otherwise unable to proceed.

 

 

My favorite parts of the experience were the two exhilarating Tarzan swings (where you get the sensation of free-falling into a cargo net), and the most extreme of the balance-oriented obstacles (such as shimmying on narrow hanging logs, and crossing from tree to tree on gymnastics rings). I enjoyed getting to partake in physical activity while going at my own pace. I also liked the completion certificate I received at the end!

 

 

"Live Life Adventurously" is the mantra of Go Ape Treetop Adventure Courses, and that is certainly what you will get. For anyone 16 years and older, admission is approximately $57. Admission for children & youths (age 10-15) is approximately $37. It's worth the price and I can't wait to return!

Hiking the Buckeye Trail

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't heard of the Appalachian Trail: a 2,200-mile hiking trail that winds through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine.

The Buckeye Trail is lesser known, but a dedicated group of volunteers are working to change that — not only by spreading word about the scenic route that travels the perimeter of the state, but by continuously working to maintain and improve it.

The first 20 miles of the Buckeye Trail were dedicated in 1959 in Hocking County by the fledgling Buckeye Trail Association, whose members continued their work until the trail was completed in 1980.

Since then, the "Blue Blazes" have continued to make their mark in forests, farmlands, small towns and metropolises throughout the Buckeye State.

Though my husband and I would have loved to dedicate a few months to hiking the Buckeye Trail in its entirety this summer, we settled for just a stretch of it to start out with — and were very impressed with what we saw.

Conveniently, since much of our hike ran in conjunction with a portion of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, parking was available in a special lot in town.

Our hike started in the quaint village of Bolivar, from which the blue blazes led us on a stroll through the town before coming to the Fort Laurens State Memorial, where the state's only Revolutionary War fort once stood. The path was clearly marked, though we had consulted the Buckeye Trail Association website beforehand to check our route and be sure of where we were going.

We didn't discover until later that the Buckeye Trail departed slightly from the towpath at this point (we followed it on the way back), but the two merged as we crossed a bridge over Interstate 77 toward Zoar, our destination for the day.

The trail was well-kept and the scenery varied, from grazing fields to forest to marshy areas. It also ran alongside the Tuscarawas River, where we spotted a few sunbathing turtles in our wanderings.

In Zoar, we stopped for lunch at the Canal Tavern of Zoar, built in 1829 by the Society of Separatists of Zoar to feed and house travelers along the canal. The food was delicious, the service impeccable and the grounds inviting and well-kept.

Our hike back to Bolivar (note to self: Next time, arrange drop-off and pick-up) ended with ice cream at another local joint, the Canal Street Diner.

While we didn't have an opportunity to camp along the trail, the Buckeye Trail Association is working to establish campsites about every 10 miles. 

If a Buckeye Trail hike is in your future, pick up the book "Follow the Blue Blazes," a comprehensive resource that will serve as your insider's guide to all things Buckeye Trail. 

One important piece of advice for newbies: Make sure to get a map, which are available in the "online store" section of the Buckeye Trail website. Also consider visiting at trail event to talk to seasoned hikers.

Most importantly, enjoy your hike and spread the word!