DiscoveringOhio

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.

 

 

Quilt Barns of Ohio

It all started with an idea by Donna Sue Groves who wanted to honor her mother, a noted quilter. The first trail started in Adams County in 2001 and thus began the Quilt Barn movement that spread across the country.

Barn quilts are painted squares that are mounted on a barn or other building.

The original Quilt Barns were in Appalachia, but new trails developed throughout the state and country. Currently there are over 30 counties that have quilt barn trails, so no matter where you live in Ohio, there is surely a Quilt Barn Trail near you.

Many counties have their own names for their particular trails. Lorain County has the Patchwork Trails, Vinton County has a Stitch in Time and Carroll County displays it quilts in the Carroll County Quilt Square Park. Its 14 squares depict  culture, history and landmarks in the county.

The quilt patterns are often applied to large sheets of plywood, painted in traditional quilt patterns that reflect something about the area or the artist. They grace barns old and new and provide a site that brings a smile to the faces of those who see them as they pass by. Many of the quilt barns are set back off the roads and located on private property making close-up viewing difficult.

 

Some of the squares are projects of 4-H clubs, service groups, or artists, as is the case of Mexican folk artist Rafael Santoyo, who gave the Miami County quilt squares a look all their own through his bright color choices and freehand painting style.

 

Several counties have websites or brochures with the complete Quilt Barn routes marked out so that you can independently explore these works of art. Other counties offer themed routes for the quilt barns; some are even conducive to exploring by bicycle.

 

We focused our trip on Urbana and Champaign County. We settled in at the comfortable Scioto Inn and then did loop trips from there. The Quilt Barn route was perfect for introducing us to the area. We even traveled to an area that we had long forgotten but had visited 15 years ago when we researched our Bed, Breakfast and Bike Midwest book. That brought back pleasant memories for us. Serendipitously, we discovered on our route the Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana, with a fun diner just next door and realized how close we were to the Ohio Caverns, which we had to explore.

 

If you love the patterns of quilts and need an excuse to plan a day or overnight trip, check out a nearby or faraway county and use the quilt barns map as your guide.

 

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom

Sandusky marked an important step in the journey of many enslaved freedom seekers using the Underground Railroad during the mid-1800s.

This Lake Erie community opened its heart to those travelers during their fight for freedom, helping them get across the Great Lake to freedom in Canada.

Sandusky has many sites is of interest to students of the Underground Railroad (UGRR).

Facer Park, with its evocative sculpture of a family in flight towards Canada, and the Rush R. Sloane house, home to an abolitionist who went on trial for helping people along the Underground Railroad, are two of the newest sites along the National Park Service's officially designated National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail.

The Maritime Museum in Sandusky, which exhibits local boats and other historical artifacts used by those participating in the Underground Railroad, hopes to join the group as it continues working on its application for official designation.     

Designation of sites along the Network to Freedom Trail is a nationwide effort to coordinate preservation and education among local historical societies, museums, libraries and interpretive programs associated with the UGRR.

Ohio had one of the more active UGRR networks among the states with around 3,000 miles of routes heavily traveled by freedom seekers. Many routes appeared especially after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which sought to prosecute those aiding the fugitives seeking their freedom and caused more acts of civil disobedience from those aiding their flight.

Sandusky became one of the most common exit ports into Canada from northern Ohio. Others included: Toledo, Cleveland, Fairport Harbor and Ashtabula.

Sandusky celebrated the official addition of Facer Park and its sculptural UGRR tribute by local artist Susan Schultz to the Network to Freedom Trail in May 2014.

Schultz' life-sized "Path to Freedom" sculpture, created in 2007, stands on the waterfront along Lake Erie. Eight-hundred feet of chain make up the bodies with the faces and limbs cast in bronze.

The Rush R. Sloane House received its official Network to Freedom Trail designation in October 2014. Sloane, an attorney, studied law as a young man with one of Sandusky's leading abolitionists F. D. Parish, which may have influenced his own abolitionist views.

Other Sandusky UGRR sites worth seeing:

• The Follett House Museum is a Greek Revival-style house listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum houses a collection relating to Sandusky-area history, including Sloane's silver-headed cane. Open April through December.

  
  Follett House Museum
  
  

• The Sandusky Public Library is a beautiful Carnegie library building that also houses many archives related to the area's UGRR history.

The Lake Erie Shores and Islands Visitors Center-East has a brochure with a pretty thorough history of the UGRR in the area that is very helpful for those planning a visit to area UGRR sites. Call the LESI (1-419-625-2984 or 1-800-255-3743) to get free copies of the brochure and area maps mailed to you.

Images provided by Lake Erie Shores and Islands

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Traditions at Christkindlmarkt

Christmas table - photo: Anietra Hamper

So many of the Christmas traditions we've come to love with our families originated from German immigrants who introduced holiday customs and decorating styles from their homeland.

Throughout time, many of these traditions have evolved, but you still find the German Christmas influence in almost every home - from the nutcrackers on the tables to the pickle ornaments in the Christmas tree.

If you have never been to Cincinnati’s Germainia Christkindlmarkt, maybe this is the year you pay homage to some of your favorite Christmas traditions. The Germania Society Christkindlmarkt, taking place November 21-23, 2014, is an authentic German Christmas market featuring lots of music, food and imported gifts and decorations. The festival is held at Germania Park in Cincinnati with $3 admission for adults. Kids ages 14 and under are free.

Saint Nicholas - photo: Germania Society

Nothing puts me into the Christmas spirit more than walking through the festive enviroment with trees decorated in traditional ornaments and the smell of home cooking in the air. Kids enjoy appearances by both the traditional Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus each day during the event. If you play your cards right -- you can probably request Christmas presents from both!

One of the highlights of the Christkindlmarkt is the Latern Parade, which happens on Saturday evening (7pm) honoring St. Martin. All children are welcome to attend and learn traditional lantern songs. The parade route winds through the grounds leading to a bon fire where children will receive a St. Martin’s Weck (a German pastry). The tradition of the lantern parade is a fun way to introduce guests to German childhood traditions and gain knowledge about why St. Martin is honored.

 

 

 

Lantern parade - photo: Germania Society

A word of warning for those who have a penchant for buying Christmas decorations – bring your wallet! You will find some of the most beautiful and authentic decorations including a wide variety of nutcrackers. This year vendors are selling toys, linens, books, music, cuckoo clocks, bier steins, pastries and imported candy.

Since it’s late November, it’s likely to be chilly at this indoor/outdoor event, but not to worry. A stop by the Glühwein booth will fix that. Enjoy a hot coffee or coco, or indulge in some hot mulled wine.

Of course, there cannot be a German festival without native German entertainment so prepare to stay for the evening. The lineup of entertainment includes music, dancers and choirs bringing the holiday to life.

Throw on a few layers and get into the spirit by enjoying the German Christmas customs that have influenced so many of our family traditions.

New Exhibits in the HeART of Downtown Columbus

The new exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art’s touches on the complex nature of money in our society and it's influence on art. Each of the 26 artists on display in the extensive four gallery exhibit showcase their own views on the sometimes magnificent sometimes malevolent nature of money.

 

Superflex, Bankrupt Banks, 2008 – present, banners: paint on fabric, 79 x 79 inches; panels: vinyl on painted MDF, 79 x 39.5 inches, Coppel Collection, photo courtesy Nils Staerk and Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo.

Works like Superflex’s Bankrupt Banks captures the banks that were unable to stay afloat during the 2008 worldwide recession, while Color Coordinated Currency by William E. Jones lays out a series of categorized currencies, creating a rainbow of cultural connections.  

William E. Jones, Color Coordinated Currency (Green), 2012. Image courtesy of the artist and David Kordansky Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Photo Brian Forrest.

 

Perhaps the largest statement piece of the exhibit is Mark Wagner’s Liberty. In a series of 13 collaged canvases is a representation of Frederic Bertholdi’s Liberty Enlightening the World. But wait, are those real dollar bills? Yes. Wagner used 81,895 pieces cut from 1,121 dollar bills to create this complex piece. The mass amount of currency used in the vast amount of time consumed during the cutting process immediately conjures the contrast between time and money. Does money equal time, as the proverbial saying goes? Decide for yourself at this enriching exhibit.

Picture books are timeless reads with their incorporation of morals, humor, and life experiences that we all can connect with. The Imagine! The Art of the Picturebook exhibit, running through November 9^th, highlights some of the best in the field of storytelling through pictures. While children link the images to the words being read, picture books can appeal to adults as well. Caldecott Award winners like Aminah Robinson (Columbus native), Gary Kelley, Maurice Sendak, and Chris Raschka fill the room with their illustrative insight. The Columbus Metropolitan Library provides the exhibit with tables of the picture books depicted for guests to peruse through.  

David Diaz, Illustration from “Be Not Far From Me: The Oldest Love Story: Legends from the Bible” written by Eric Kimmel, Simon and Schuster, 1998. Copyright 1998 by David Diaz. Collection of Carol and Guy Wolfenbarger.

 

Gary Kelley, Illustration from “Bosh Blobber Bosh, Runcible Poems for Edward Lear” written by J. Patrick Lewis, Creative Editions, 1998. Collection of Carol and Guy Wolfenbarger.

A Columbus native returns home temporarily (through January 18^th) from his worldly travels in Paul-Henri Bourguignon: a 50^th Anniversary Retrospective. This relatively small exhibit holds its ground through its diverse documentation of destinations all over the world. Although from Columbus, Bourguignon never made his hometown the subject of his paintings. Instead, he traveled the world. A friendly docent informed me that he didn’t paint the subject matter on scene, but instead returned home to Columbus with mental images and postcards as inspiration for his works.

Paul-Henri Bourguignon Trujillo (Spain), 1964 Gouache Courtesy of Erika Bourguignon

 Witness these diverse exhibits yourself at Columbus’ expanding resource into the art world. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and is FREE on Sundays. 

 

Bon Appetit Appalachia!

Throw out your preconceived notions about Appalachia, because a new campaign has been launched with the goal of attracting visitors and generating interest in the area through the power of food. The project is entitled Bon Appetit Appalachia, and it was created by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in order to bust myths surrounding the 13-state, 205,000-square-mile region.

Bon Appetit Appalachia accomplishes this by showcasing amazing innovations that an influx of farmers are introducing to the scene, creating things that are true to Appalachia: resourceful and ingenius. 

A total of 32  Ohio counties are considered Appalachian, ranging as far as Southeast Clermont County, to as far as Northeast Ashtabula County.

Dozens of locations within Ohio's Applachian foothills are distinctive local food destinations selected as part of Bon Appetit Appalachia (see full map)! These include:

Farmers markets - such as the Chesterhill Produce Auction and the Athens Farmers Market, which is the oldest in Ohio.

Farm-to-fork restaurants - such as Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina in Athens.

Craft breweries & spirts - such as Red Eagle Distillery in Geneva.

Wineries & vineyards - such as School House Winery in Dover.

Festivals & events - such as the Jackson Apple Festival or the Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Athens.

 

I had the privilege to witness a glimpse (and sample a taste) of the farm-to-fork concept on a recent visit to Athens County - the setting for a large number of these culinary destinations in the state. The two main stops on my excursion were Jackie O's Pub & Brewery, and the aforementioned Casa Nueva.

Jackie O's embodies the Bon Appetit Appalachia concept in a number of ways, as evidenced by its slogan: "sustainable crafted with a purpose." This incredibly popular brand has a great presence in the area, with both its downtown brewpub and the nearby taproom and production facility.

A visit to the production facility gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how the local beers are brewed, using 100 percent locally grown black walnuts, pawpaws, hops, apples, quinces, peaches, coffee, and raspberries (which lends itself to its biggest seller, Raspberry Wheat). Not only can you enjoy this amazing beer at these two locations in Athens, but you can now find Jackie O's at approximately 1,200 bars and stores from Canton to Cincinnati.

Without a doubt, the main course and the leading star of the booming foodie scene and locavore movement in Athens (and perhaps all of Ohio) is Casa Nueva. This Mexican-inspired restaurant has been serving dishes consisting of  99 percent local ingredients, since 1985. Using only local ingredients (most from within a 30-mile radius, but extending to a 150-mile radius if needed) ensures freshness, and keeps money within the community.

I chowed down on a rolled chicken enchilada topped with black bean salsa, with a small cheese empanada and jasmine rice on the side. It blew my mind to know that this was completely local, and gave me pride to be a part of Bon Appetit Appalachia!

Discover the Heart of Africa at the Columbus Zoo

There's always something new at the Columbus Zoo. Hearing about the Heart of Africa exhibit intrigued me to get back to this fabulous zoo and see something new. You see, it had been several years since I had last visited and when I heard that I could ride a camel and feed the giraffes, I knew that I had to head to Powell and check it out.

Years ago, I rode a camel in Morocco and it proved an incredible task. I rightly guessed that the controlled environment at the zoo would prevent my trusty steed from deciding that he should run as fast as possible across the desert. I observed and convinced myself that the helpful camelistas would make my experience a pleasant one. I walked to the boarding area, a raised platform that made mounting the camel relatively easy. I chose to sit at the front of the camel hump and was safely buckled into the frame. Lippy, my six-year-old camel, calmly maneuvered around the short course, providing me with a memorable and untraumatic ride that met my approval. My heart rate remained steady and slow. I totally related to the child behind me who nervously attempted the ride with the promise from the handler that he could return if the first few feet of the ride terrified him.

 Perhaps more stressful than the camel ride was the thought of being slobbered on by the 18” tongue of a giraffe. I joined the line 30 minutes early to feed the giraffe; feedings are on the odd hours from 9-5.

Although I was anxious to feed the giraffes, the giraffes weren't necessarily as thrilled about being fed as I was about feeding them. Fortunately, one shy giraffe hesitantly approached grabbing an offering of lettuce. Getting other giraffes to follow was more of an issue. Finally, a few arrived, sticking out their dark tongues and ungratefully accepting the leafy treat.

 

Loosely based around a small village or outpost, with an area modeled after Jack Hanna's base camp, the Heart of Africa is a close second to the real thing. I walked into an airplane and got a close-up view of the lions sprawled out on the wing. Just a few steps away, the cheetahs boast speeds of 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds, a far better spurt than my soccer mom car can attain. Due to the muddy conditions, I wasn't able to observe the sleek cats exhibiting their speed prowess, but enjoyed watching them as they ran freely with handlers and dogs in the cheetah run.

 

A Land Rover and tent, along with animals like monkeys, ostriches, lions and wildebeasts come together on this 43-acre area to create the sense that I was really in the Heart of Africa.

Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial

In my mind, the sun never shined during the Holocaust and the drizzle that fell during the dedication ceremony of Ohio's newest memorial set an appropriate mood for the unveiling. The culmination of Governor John Kasich's request of the people of Ohio to erect a memorial to commemorate those involved in this most unfortunate event in the history of the world, the dedication of the memorial not only remembered the 12 million lives lost during this atrocious event, but also honored those who survived and those involved in their liberation.

Light as a Glimmer of Hope

Designed by Polish-born artist Daniel Libeskind, himself a child of Holocaust survivors, the memorial symbolizes the societal fracture created by the extermination of Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, the developmentally disabled and others considered a detriment to society.  Daniel Libeskind taught architecture at The Ohio State University. Included amongst his multitude of projects are addition to the Royal Ontario Museum, the reconstruction of the World Trade Center in Manhattan and The Jewish Museum in Berlin. He incorporated both light and hope into this memorial, envisioning something that opens like a book. The Star of David represents the double triangles worn by those in the concentration camps. Libeskind wants us to look at the world in a way to see the values that we share.

 

Structurally, the monument consists of bronze, granite and limestone, nicely complementing the materials used in the adjacent Ohio Statehouse. The inscriptions on the monument include one recognizing Ohio soldiers who contributed to the liberation, as well as the story of two cousins who survived the Holocaust. However, the main inscription is “If you save one life, it is as if you saved the world.” Most importantly, the Ohio Holocaust and Liberators Memorial of stone and metal acts as a reminder that the Holocaust has not been forgotten by Ohioans and that we all should be vigilant to prevent such events happening in the future.

The memorial is situated on the southwest portion of the Ohio Statehouse grounds, making it an easy addition to any itinerary that includes Capitol Square or the Ohio Theatre.

 

 

 

Visit Ohio’s Amish Country with an Appetite and Desire to Explore!

Spring is a lovely time to visit Ohio’s Amish Country. This sprawling area of Ohio’s countryside offers endless activities, including: museums, wineries, home-cooked meals and antique shops.

I’ve visited Amish Country for a day and for an entire weekend. While both options are enjoyable, a few days stay really allows you to take in everything. If you visit mid-week, many area lodging options offer reduced rates.

Also, visiting in the spring and late fall are the least crowded times for the area. Whatever you decide, as you plan your trip be aware that most Amish-owned businesses are not open on Sundays.

Much of Ohio's Amish Country is nestled in in Tuscarawas County, just south of the Cleveland/Akron area and northeast of Columbus, Ohio. Here are a few of my favorite stops:

• Heini’s Cheese Chalet - There are gourmet meat and cheese selections galore here! Enjoy free samples as you shop. Don’t forget to check out the bulk food and baking section at this shop in Millersburg, Ohio. Bring a cooler on your trip to store your cheese, or better yet, stay at a hotel or inn with a mini-fridge!

• Warther Museum - Located in Dover, Ohio, this wood carving museum is also a recommendation on my Ohio bucket list. Plan to spend at least half a day here on a guided tour and then explore the button shop and Warther house on your own time.

• Beachy’s Country Chalet - Located in Sugarcreek, Ohio - also known as the “Little Switzerland of Ohio,” Beachy’s is my favorite spot for lunch. Here you will park your vehicle alongside horse and buggy. Step inside to enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal. Don’t forget dessert - The homemade pies here are not to be missed!

• Canal Country Wine Trail - This wine trail includes roughly two dozen stops, but you don’t have to make them all. Many of the stops are located in and around Ohio’s Amish Country including some of my favorites wineries - Breitenbach Wine Cellars and the School House Winery, both in Dover, Ohio.

• Chalet in the Valley - This is your go-to spot for authentic Swiss and Amish cuisine in Charm, Ohio. I would highly recommend eating dinner here. The meals options are plentiful and will fill you up. Enjoy the unique Swiss decor outside before you dine, including the mini goat farm and gift shop on site!

• Lehman’s - This is the original old country store. Located in Kidron, Ohio, this store is where you will find all of the authentic tools and household items used by many Amish and Mennonite families. Locals do their regular shopping here, but tourists often come here too.

Looking for more information to plan your visit? Visit Amish Country and Tuscarawas County Ohio offer wonderful resources, including maps, lists of attractions, coupons and more. My best planning advice? Come with a hearty appetite and an inquisitive mind!

Ohio, the Heart of The Fall

Ohio, the Heart of   The Fall

 It’s well known that Ohio crushes fall. This isn’t debatable. Ohio has some of the best foliage in the country, great temperatures as the season changes and copious activities to get your mind off of summer and into autumn. Of course there’s no way to quantify how good we are at autumn versus everywhere else, so you’ll just have join me on this trustfall (pun 100% intended) as we explore the perfect autumn weekend in the O-H.

Take a Hike

Sure, you can see awesome foliage on your drive to work or by looking out the window, but get close to it. I recently took my girlfriend and our dogs on a hike at Highbanks Metro Park in Lewis Center. We traipsed the Coyote Run Trail since it was a few miles long and welcomed pets. The trail was an easy hike with not much elevation change and a well-beaten path to follow. There are eight national parks, 74 state parks and countless county/metro parks in our state. Find one close to you, pick a trail and walk it. For me, the more remote, the better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wanted to go deeper into the woods, but this sign stopped us!

Fall = Football

Hockey is winter’s favorite sport and baseball is summer’s. Fall is unequivocally linked with football. The weather is great for hanging outside for a few hours, especially if you tailgate before the game. Have a couple brews, fire up the grill and make sure you throw the ball around. I’ve already been to one college football game and am headed to Miami University – my alma mater – for another in October. If you’re up for it, go to a big high school game Friday night, a college game on Saturday afternoon and a Bengals or Browns game on Sunday. FOOTBALLFEST!

 Hit the Pumpkin Patch

If football is season's favorite sport, then a pumpkin is its favorite fruit (not a veggie, look it up!).  You can roast the seeds, make a pie, carve it – or be an American and do all three. Head to a pumpkin patch, pick a winner and cut it off the vine yourself. It’s not hard to find a farm with a field full of pumpkins near you. We went to the Garden Gate Farm Market in Lexington where it was 30 cents per pound for your big orange accessory. Try something new when you carve it – I put a Miami ‘block M’ in mine last year. It's not that hard and cooler than a jagged smile and triangle eyes.

Drink it in

Continuing with the pumpkin theme, there are plenty of tasty, seasonal drinks you can have to wash down an adventurous weekend. Between pumpkin and Oktoberfest brews, hot toddies, ciders and a plethora of fall-flavored coffees and cappuccinos, you can have your pick. I just had the UFO Pumpkin Ale from Harpoon Brewery and it was delightful – pumpkiny, but not like I just scooped out a gourd’s guts and drank a glass of them. Beer not your favorite? Check out this link or that one and get inspired.

Have fun crushing the fall. Invite your friends to Ohio so they can do the same.