DiscoveringOhio

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.

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! 

 

A Day in Berlin

It's easy to hear someone talk about Ohio's Amish Country and picture rolling hills, country roads, a barn or two and the obligatory horses and buggies.

And while, if you visit Amish Country, you're likely to come across most or all of those things, there's a lot more to the area than nice scenery.

Take, for example, the vibrant town of Berlin. 

Now the oldest existing village in Holmes County — the heart of Ohio's Amish Country — Berlin began as an unassuming country town whose industry and shops propelled it into what it is today: A hub of craftsmanship and artistry with an old-meets-new appeal that holds promise for millennials (check out the uber-hip Moxie, pictured below), seasoned antique hunters and "Just-curious"-types alike.

We stopped in Berlin on a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend, and it seemed loads of others had the same great idea.

After parking in a lot at the outskirts of town, we walked toward Main Street to begin a busy day of browsing.

A number of artisans had set up displays along the sidewalk, while the merchants along the street ensured a steady stream of foot traffic with colorful displays and inviting storefronts.

One of our favorite stops was the Catalpa Trading Company, a whimsical store whose interior was a maze of vintage books and games, toys, artifacts and memorabilia. The man/trickster who greeted us the moment we walked through the door evidently had something burning a hole in his wallet...

Before we left for Berlin, we'd made up our minds to taste some local flavor for lunch at Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant, whose slogan, "Home Style Cooking," says it all. My chicken salad croissant, the special of the day, was enjoyed amid constant perusal of the walls decorated with old-timey kitchen appliances and tables full of folks chatting as they enjoyed their hearty midday meals.

 The shelves of pie were tempting, but we promised ourselves we'd walk a bit before we tackled dessert (and there are lots of dessert places to choose from).

A number of antique shops lined the streets, displaying rustic and country-inspired wares for both indoors and outdoors.

Our favorite antique destination was the massive Berlin Village Antique Mall, a treasure trove of all things gracefully aged: Furniture, clothing, jewelry, decor and oh-so-much-more, at what seemed to us very reasonable prices.

On our way back toward the center of town, we stepped into Sommers Olde Tyme General Store, where the smell of fresh-brewed coffee greeted us and lingered as we browsed through shelves of goods and gifts.

We took a break from the heat of the day with delicious ice cream cones from Bigg Bubb's Ice Cream, which we enjoyed from the shade of the front porch as we watched traffic go by.

It was such a fun, memorable day in Ohio's Amish Country where we experienced more than we ever knew we could!

Ohio Bridle Trails

Ohio is a great state for horse-lovers and bridle trail riders! Ohio State Parks offer over 500 miles of bridle trails throughout 24 state parks, and over 200 miles of bridle trails in state forests. In addition to Ohio State Parks, trail riders can ride in numerous metro parks throughout the state. Ohio’s differing landscapes and terrain, offers trail riders a unique experience with every trail ride! With nearly one hundred bridle trails throughout the state, Ohio is the perfect place to enjoy a trail ride!

Photo: Heather Rader

I had the opportunity to saddle up and ride the trails of Mohican Memorial Forest with my friend, and equine veterinarian, Dr. Christina Coudret and her lovely horses, Reba and Walker. Located in Northeast Ohio in Ashland County, Mohican State Park and Mohican Memorial State Forest offers over 27 miles of bridle trails through beautiful Ohio landscapes. Riders can experience lush green forests, ravines, creeks, rolling terrain, short, steep slopes, and wildlife (birds, deer, squirrels, and wild turkey were on some trails) when on a Mohican bridle trail. It was an enjoyable ride, taking in the beauty of Ohio’s natural landscapes, and reconnecting with nature on the back of a beautiful horse!

Photo: Heather Rader

Photo: Heather Rader

Interested in trail riding in Ohio with your horse? Visit Ohio Horseman’s Council for a complete list of bridle trails and trail reviews in Ohio. Don’t own a horse? No problem, several ranches in Ohio offer visitors guided trail rides through some of Ohio’s most beautiful terrain. Ranches like Bear Creek Resort Ranch and Spotted Horse Ranch allow visitors to rent a horse and to participate in guided trail rides.

With numerous metro and state parks to choose from, and hundreds of trail miles with various terrains, horse-lovers will be delighted with Ohio bridle trails! This summer is the perfect time to saddle up, and to ride the trails while taking in Ohio’s natural beauty! 

Col. James M. Schoonmaker Ship Self-Guided Tour

Apparently I have a penchant for exploring aquatic vessels. I visited the USS Cod, a World War II submarine, now located in Cleveland, Ohio, two summers ago. Last summer I visited the Col. James M. Schoonmaker (formerly the Willis B Boyer). Based in Toledo, Ohio, this massive lake freighter served as a commercial vessel on the Great Lakes for much of the 20th Century.

I’m originally from Toledo, so it seemed fitting that I met up with another Toledo native and friend to tour this ship! We started by exploring The National Museum of the Great Lakes, which opened in the spring of 2014.

The museum provides a cool reprieve on a warm summer day. We watched videos about battles of ships on Lake Erie, learned about wartime on the Great Lakes, viewed old nautical equipment and more. After leaving the museum we moved onto the main attraction - the massive Col. James M. Schoonmaker.

The National Museum of the Great Lakes is located at 1701 Front St., in Toledo, Ohio. From the ship, which is docked along the banks of the Maumee River, you can see amazing views of downtown. Our tour was self-guided, relaxed and enjoyable.

There are signs on the ship that visitors follow. We found ourselves in the officers’ quarters, visiting their dining room, bathrooms and a small office with a typewriter - which is fitting for a writer like myself! Once inside, we also saw the ship’s internal workings.

The Col. James M. Schoonmaker was christened in 1911 and was the largest operating ship on the great lakes until 1914. Her maiden voyage was from Toledo to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with more than 12,000 tons of coal in tow. The ship carried cargo and ore for many years. Later the ship was rechristened the Willis B. Boyer, before being retired in 1980. In 1987 the city of Toledo purchased the ship to make it a museum. In 2011, for the 100th anniversary of the ship, she was rechristened back to her original name and moved to her current location.

The ship is open for tours from May to October each year. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admittance to the museum and ship is budget-friendly with discounts for seniors, students, children and AAA members.

While in Toledo, I encourage you to make time to enjoy some of my other Glass City favorites - a meal at Tony Packo’s Cafe, a Toledo Mud Hens baseball game and a visit to the Toledo Zoo. Or try a trip to The Toledo Museum of Art and then take in the sights of flora and fauna at the Toledo Botanical Garden!

Cedar Point Unveils Coaster Renovation

Cedar Point, one of America’s greatest amusement parks, has opened its gates for another season of family fun. Cedar Point’s collection of 71 rides including 17 roller coasters, towers over the crystal shores of Lake Erie. Often known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” the park is looking to expand its appeal to thrill seekers with the unveiling of its new floorless coaster, Rougarou. Rougarou’s track is that of Mantis – an older stand up coaster that called Cedar Point home for nearly 18 years. With new floorless cars and a freshly painted track, I couldn’t pass up the chance to experience these renovation for myself.

Approaching the coaster, thrill seekers are met with the howls and growls of a mythical swamp creature. Riders make their way through layers of fog before crossing a floating wooden bridge to board the coaster. As the buckles clasp, the floor of the coaster slowly begins to fall away, leaving rider’s legs dangling as they ascend the 137-foot hill.

Rougarou’s initial drop sends riders into four gut-wrenching inversions and turns at up to 60 miles per hour. Sharp dips bring riders to the edge of rocky water features and dense green shrubbery. As the coaster comes to a halt, riders are given a breathtaking view of the park from the platform before stepping off to the next thrill.  Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the new coaster’s look and feel. With a fresh design, Rougarou is yet another world-class roller coaster that calls Ohio home.

Take a test run of Rougarou by watching this video provided by Cedar Point.

 

Exhilarating coasters, an impressive selection of shows, and endless dining choices make Cedar Point an all-American summer attraction. Top thrills and kid’s areas like Planet Snoopy make the park appealing to all ages. You should also check out the newly renovated Hotel Breakers for a beachfront overnight stay.

What’s your favorite attraction at Cedar Point? With so much to choose from, it’s always a “barrel-of-fun!”

Written by guest blogger Mikayla Bodey.

Maltz Museum Exhibit Highlights America's Diversity

Ever seen one of Sandy Koufax’s Cy Young Awards? He won three with the Los Angeles Dodgers. How about the Triple Crown that Hank Greenberg won with the Detroit Tigers? Greenberg is one of only 17 men to lead the league in home runs, runs batted in and batting average.

Both artifacts and a host of others can be found at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, as part of the exhibit, “Chasing Dreams: Baseball and Becoming American,” on display through Sept. 7.

The display debuted last year at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, and came to Cleveland this year (next year, it goes to Los Angeles). Both Greenberg and Koufax are Jewish (Greenberg was called the “Hebrew Hammer” for his prodigious home run output), but the exhibit isn’t limited to Jewish players – although there are numerous players represented including Indians slugger Al Rosen (who narrowly missed a Triple Crown of his own) and Moe Berg, the catcher who was said could speak seven languages – and not hit a curveball in any of them.

Rather, it’s about how baseball was used by a variety of cultures as an avenue to greater acceptance, including Italian-Americans like Joe DiMaggio and Latino ballplayers like Juan Marichal (the Dominican pitcher for the San Francisco Giants) and Roberto Clemente (the Puerto Rican outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates).

The exhibit also pays attention to the integration of Major League Baseball, which had a major part in Cleveland. Jackie Robinson was the first black baseball player, for the Brooklyn Dodgers, but the second was Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians (who will be getting a statue outside of Progressive Field soon). In fact, Indians owner Bill Veeck – along with Greenberg, who served as his general manager – signed many black and Latin American ballplayers, revolutionary for the day, in the 1940s and 1950s.

The display from Philadelphia has been augmented by local sports memorabilia, some of which was donated by the Indians and the Baseball Heritage Museum at League Park. There are also a variety of activities planned while the exhibit is on display, including lectures and movie screenings. There’s really no better place to go during what is shaping up to be a real baseball summer in Ohio (the All-Star Game is coming to Cincinnati in July - a week-long extravaganza that includes an All-Star Fanfest, a 5k run, and much more).

The Maltz Museum itself is worth checking out even if you’re not a baseball fan. It highlights the Jewish experience in Cleveland, nationally and internationally (the Holocaust display left me speechless). There's also a gallery of religious art and artifacts -- one of the missions of the museum's founding.

 

 

From Granville to Glacier Ridge

Ohio is blessed with several picturesque towns settled by New Englanders and Granville fits beautifully into that category. Its Alligator Mound and Infirmary Mound give evidence that ancient peoples settled here long ago. It wasn't until the 1800's that the first European settlement took place beginning with the Welsh and then New Englanders from Granville and Granby, Massachusetts. Not surprisingly, Ohio's Granville took on the style of New England villages with churches at corners, and other buildings and homes representing that typical architecture. Some of the streets bear names of the early Welsh settlers or places in Wales.

 

photo Theresa Russell

Because of the appealing architecture, Granville is a perfect place to stroll and enjoy the charms of the village, which include several restaurants with al fresco dining on the main street and of course, Denison University, set on a high perch overlooking the town.

For such a small town, the lodging options may come as a surprise. The Welsh Hills Inn, obviously referencing those early settlers, is the number one ranked inn in the state of Ohio and claims the number one spot in the Trip Advisor 2015 Travelers' Choice awards for B&Bs and inns. Other iconic Granville inns, include the Buxton Inn, the longest operating inn in Ohio and the newly renovated Granville Inn.

 

photo Theresa Russell

Currently owned by Denison University, the Granville Inn was restored to its former elegance with great care taken to maintain its period architecture, while updating mechanicals and fixtures to modern standards. Several meeting rooms range in size from a small, library-like board room to several larger rooms, including a grand ballroom, ideal for weddings and larger events.

 

photo Theresa Russell

The service and friendliness of the staff exudes a sense of hospitality not often found in larger establishments. Its Tavern at the Inn restaurant serves three meals daily and the attractive bar welcomes both locals and guests.

Once you have explored that Granville area, take a short drive to Dawes Arboretum, an incomparable display of over 5000 types of plants in an ideal spot overlooking the valleys below. One of the features of the property is Glacier Ridge, where as its name suggest, a glacier carved a lush valley. Situated toward the entrance of the property, the Daweswood House Museum is open for tours.

 

photo Theresa Russell

Re-opening on May 31, the Japanese Gardens encircle a pond as has been renovated, with trails being improved to give all visitors easier access. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the surroundings.

 

Driving back toward Granville, don't miss The Works in Newark, which explores the industrial past of Licking County. An in-depth demonstration of glass blowing draws visitors daily at 1:00PM. Don't miss the summer concerts featuring local artists that bring music to the  courtyard.

 

Head to charming Granville and make a day or weekend exploring Licking County.

 

 

 

New Aquarium at Toledo Zoo!

The renovated aquarium at Toledo Zoo recently opened, and it is a great place to spend an hour during your zoo visit this year. Or two hours.  Or three  -- because there's plenty to see at the new aquarium, and unlike the old aquarium, there's plenty to do, as well.

Aquariums, as a rule, have not historically been  interactive, but that's not the case here. My children were able to touch a stingray as it gently glided by in a large, shallow pool designed just for such interactions. Touch Tank and Ocean Lab allows kids (and adults) to get up close and personal with sea creatures and learn about the creatures at the same time. While not everyone gets to touch a stingray, everyone patiently waits for the fluid-like stars of the show to arrive at the eager fingertips of visitors. Even if a child isn't lucky enough to be chosen by a stingray, they will be delighted they even got close to one!

Sisters Ellina and Raeghyn Bockelman, 10 and 6, came from Napoleon to check out the new aquarium. Both got lucky and touched one of the stingrays, though their three-year-old brother was scared.

"It was soft and it was really cold," exclaimed Ellina. 

"It was fluffy," Raeghyn said.

Another exhibit allows kids to change the lighting color inside a tall, circular tank filled with moon jellies -- tiny jellyfish that glide about ghost-like, picking up the colors from tank lights, which could be blue, purple, green, orange or red, depending on a kid's whim. 

The new attraction features other interactive activities, with one that parents of smaller children will really find excellent: Many of the large tanks have waist-high sills that are perfect for young children to sit on as they gaze on the many fish in wonder.

The Reef is a massive 90,000 gallon tank that features hundreds of saltwater fish, in addition to sharks and turtles and allows visitors to get up-close and personal with fish at eye-level, including a large glass bubble which juts into The Reef tank, that people can lean into to create a sensation of immersion. The huge saltwater tank also hosts scuba divers each day.

The new aquarium is still located in the original 1936-37 WPA-era structure, and is neighbors with the zoo's penguin population. A gift shop features a variety of merchandise. The aquarium has plenty of cool fish and other animals to check out, and there are plenty of environmental lessons and information for inquiring minds to absorb.

If the aquarium comes up short for little ones, consider a break at Nature's Neighborhood, just a two-minute walk away. It features a petting zoo, playgrounds of various types, an indoor science center with nature labs and even an outdoor stream. My 10-year-old still found a secret mountain slide very entertaining after the aquarium. In fact, so did her 13-year-old brother. A few minutes later, they found themselves inside, curled up inside giant honeycomb formations along a wall.

There is no extra charge for aquarium admission, it is part of the zoo.  Helpful tip: It just opened recently, and is crowded on the weekends.  For less people and more time to explore, check it out during the weekdays.

 

Organic Discoveries at the Glass Rooster Cannery

Glass Rooster Cannery carving

As I drive into the country along South State Route 605 just past New Albany, I spot a large carved rooster peering above the trees off to the right.

It turns out the enormous carving is just one of many unique pieces of yard art that decorate the grounds of the Glass Rooster Cannery, a sustainable farm and licensed cannery.

I am greeted by Jeannie Seabrook who started Glass Roster Cannery in 2011 with her sister, Susie Schmidhammer. Susie is the artist and Jeannie is the foodie.

Jeannie Seabrook making beef logs

Together, they create an experience on the grounds that invites guests to learn about and participate in the benefits of sustainable living.

In addition to the more than 100 varieties of tomatoes in the gardens, visitors will find hundreds of other vegetables, fruits and herbs all grown by seed and cultivated by hand.

Jeannie has me taste a basil leaf right off of the plant to demonstrate why “fresh” and “organic” matters when it comes to produce – you can definitely taste the difference. The flavor is vibrant.  

Anietra tasting a basil leaf

Throughout the season Jeannie and her team use the the fresh fruits and veggies in the licensed cannery to create unique jams, pie filling and even novelty jellies in unique flavors like “soda pop.”

“We want people to have a taste of fun. We wanted to create a place where the art of cannery would be carried to the next generation and a place where canning could be taught in a safe way,” said Jeannie.

The vision for the cannery has expanded as the general population becomes more attentive to the foods they put onto their table.

The cannery

Jeannie wants people to have options for produce that they cannot find in grocery stores. Glass Rooster Cannery allows them to do that. Oftentimes, farm-to-table events are held for groups looking for a unique way to spend time together.

The cannery also offers regular classes like Cheese Making at Home, Cooking with Herbs, Natural Soap Making and Homemade Bread and Pasta. There is also a youth day camp offered twice a year where kids select their lunch out of the gardens and orchard, then learn how to cook a meal with their ingredients. All classes can be found online.

Building for cannery and classes

Beyond the gardens on the five-acres at the Glass Rooster Cannery, visitors will enjoy endless statues, glass sculptures, antiques and unique creations throughout the grounds and in the renovated buildings.

What was once a working dairy farm has been transformed into a tranquil park area. In the works is a gazebo made entirely of wine bottles which will take several years to complete. 

Wine bottle gazebo being built

Visits here can be planned or unplanned. Hours are Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., but the sisters welcome visitors who want to just stop by anytime and admire the things that they love: nature, gardens, growing plants, canning and art that is only limited by the imagination.