April 2009 Issue
All That Jazz
As he celebrates his 14th season with the Columbus dance troupe BalletMet, the choreographer is putting the finishing touches on what he deems to be the most challenging assignment he’s ever received: transforming F. Scott Fitzgerald’s epic Jazz Age novel, The Great Gatsby into a 90-minute ballet. Published in 1925, the story was lauded by critics as epitomizing the decade in which it was penned: It’s the tragic tale of a self-made millionaire who learns too late that money can’t... Mysteries of Egypt
A 6,000-square-foot space is bursting with the excitement of kids running from one display to another. The source of all this energy? A remarkable collection of antiquities and related hands-on activities at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus. Through Sept. 7, “Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science” gives history buffs of all ages the experience of traveling back in time. “Lost Egypt” includes art and artifacts from the daily life and funerary culture of ... Path to Glory
RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE. ECONOMIC DEPRESSION. Although these plotlines seem like fodder from today’s headlines, Thornton Wilder penned them 75 years ago for his novel, Heaven’s My Destination . And this month, playwright Lee Blessing will breathe new life into Wilder’s words when his world premiere adaptation of the book takes center stage at the Cleveland Play House. “I think people will think we’ve made up the name of the central character, George Brush,” says ... |
All-Ohio Cheese Plate
It goes without saying that Ohio’s Amish Country is the source for exceptional Swiss cheese. But when we’re searching for handcrafted batches of fresh chevre (that’s French for “goat”), Holland-style Gouda and aged cheddars, most of us head to our grocer’s specialty cheese aisle to sort through selections from France, Italy and other places beyond the state’s borders. But finding outstanding Ohio-made, small-production cheeses has gotten easier, thanks largely t... Secrets of Success
Ever since behemoth stainless steel grills that outprice season tickets to the ballpark became backyard staples, it seems grilling has replaced baseball as America’s pastime. And with our constant pursuit of the perfect backyard party comes a need to go beyond a basic burger every once in awhile. “The grill is pork’s best friend,” says Heather Hetterick, spokesperson for the Ohio Pork Producers Council. “It works with rubs, sauces, marinades, or you can brine it or even stu... Spring Magic
The Dell is quiet, serene and enclosed by a natural rock amphitheater nearly hidden by spring wildflowers, soft moss and other woodland plants. It is a world of its own on the grounds of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron — not as formal as the English Garden, not as vast as the Great Garden, not as exotic as the Japanese Garden. The Dell, home to Ohio native plants, is the wild child of Stan Hywet. The secluded area was once called the Glade by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company founder F.A.... |
Branching Out
April brings us Arbor Day, a 130-year-old observance during which Americans are politely asked to plant trees for a healthier planet. This quaint celebration now is often overshadowed by its younger and less sentimental cousin, Earth Day, which also celebrates an April birthday, by demanding action on issues from recycling to alternative energy. Still, I like the idea of marking good old-fashioned Arbor Day each year, not so much by planting a tree but by wandering the woods. If it’s a warm late-A... Food for Thought
Michael Fishking is a master at solving culinary dilemmas. As resident chef for Columbus’ Westminster-Thurber continuing-care retirement community, he never tires of concocting new dishes tailor-made to meet specific dietary requirements of residents. And that trouble-shooting continues during the Cooking for One class Fishking conducts for his diners. Students come looking for answers to a litany of questions centered on how to make easy, healthy meals for this time in their lives. “Many of... Heavenly Hues
These aren’t just flowers. They’re billowing, pillowy bursts of color so vivid they nearly fly off the canvas. These aren’t just colors, for that matter. They belong to an unusual palette that generally abstains from primary colors and yet is always bright and distinctive, even when the overall feeling is quiet, muted. “I’m interested in complementary colors and secondary colors; colors that when they’re next to each other, produce a little surprise — a k... Ohioan - Robert Henn
AGE: 74 HOMETOWNS: Born and raised in Brookville, he lived in Trotwood for more than 50 years and moved two years ago to a retirement village near Lebanon. PERSONAL: He and his wife, Marge, have two daughters and a son. AUTHOR OF: Wildflowers of Ohio , a field guide he spent years writing and which was published by Indiana University Press in 1998. The second edition came out last year. Available on Amazon.com, it features 300 of his own photographs. HOW HE CAME TO KNOW WILDFLOWERS: Henn fell in love wi... On the Cutting Edge
Jon Jackson is committed to taking the Good Neighbor Policy a step further. Six years ago, the Dayton industrial engineer founded Global Neighbor Inc., a company dedicated to creating nature-friendly lawn-care equipment. First up was NatureCut, a battery-operated, computerized lawnmower that detects and discards debris in its path and declumps grass clippings — all while producing a mere 70 decibels of sound, a feat your next-door neighbor who sleeps in on Saturday mornings is bound to appreciate.... Return Flight
Even though ash and walnut buds have yet to erupt in seasonal livery, any day now ospreys will return to the upper reaches of Alum Creek Reservoir. That they return every year to Delaware County is a somewhat unnatural success story for both ospreys and for a handful of visionary folks. The story’s beginnings demonstrate the power of faith and persistence almost as much as the workings of science. Nature shows resilience, the story teaches, once humans decide to offer an assist, or at least to no ... Unveiling History
They may be 2,000 years old, but the treasures that have recently been added to the display at the Great Circle Museum shed new light on the people who once called Ohio home. In January, The Ohio Historical Society unveiled six artifacts at the Newark educational facility: five of them — a crescent ornament and beaver effigy made of copper, a flint spear tip, a shovel-shaped slate pendant and a slab of mica — were unearthed in 1928 by OHS archaeologist Emerson Greenman at the Newark Earthwor... |
Adventures in Warren County
It’s almost hard to believe that one area can have such a wide variety of things to do. From family-friendly attractions that will entertain even the shortest of attention spans to great restaurants sure to please all palates, Warren County has it all. As for history buffs and outdoors enthusiasts, the area — rich in both historical and natural resources — has you covered, too. The region could be considered the heart of southwest Ohio, both for its widespread appeal and for being conv... Agusta Ferry
If you want to see what’s across the river, take the ferry from Boudes Ferry, Ohio, to Augusta, Kentucky. A bargain at only $5 per vehicle, the barge part of the ferry, nicknamed “Ole Augusta” (built in 1947), is pushed by the tugboat Jenny Ann (built in 2000). The ferry, one of the oldest ferry services still in operation on the Ohio River, runs continuously; just line up and wait your turn. A round trip takes less than 20 minutes, and is worth it if only to feel yourself in the middl... BB Riverboats
Experience first-hand the romance that attracted young Samuel Clemens to be a riverboat pilot by booking a ride on the Ohio River aboard one of the three sternwheelers of BB Riverboats: theBelle of Cincinnati, the River Queen and theMark Twain. Cruises range from an hour of sightseeing to all-day excursions along the river, with lunch, dinner and holiday cruises available at other times. One unusual event is the Kentucky Derby Great Steamboat Race, held this year on April 29. Get yourself to Louisville,... Brush Creek Campground
For camping at its best, rest your head at the Brush Creek Campground, where Brush Creek meets the Ohio River at Brush Creek Island, about ten miles east of Manchester. The large campsites are impressive, especially since they offer peace and privacy, even during holiday weekends. RVs have electric and water hookups within view of the magnificent Ohio River, while a lovely assortment of green tent sites overlook the mouth of Brush Creek and the Ohio River. “We’re about the environment and ru... Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam
Enjoy a picnic at the Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks and Dam — dawdle for awhile over lunch, in fact, and you may see sailboats, motorboats and maybe even a tugboat-pushed barge. “There’s no schedule, but we average 18 or 19 tugboats in 24 hours,” says lockmaster Joe Hannah. Since September 11, 2001, public tours with close-up views are offered only for prior-approved groups, but Hannah recommends checking out the Chilo Lock 34 Park Visitor Center and Museum less than two miles aw... Curl Up With a Few Good Books
For guidance, we consulted Paul Miller, who oversees a large, non-academic collection of books by Amish and Mennonite authors, at the Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center in Holmes County. For starters, Miller suggests these two short (under 50 pages) but thorough treatments: The Amish: Why They Enchant Us , by Donald Kraybill, and Amish Life , by John Hostetler. Both writers, who also taught at universities, have studied and written extensively about the Anabaptist sects: Amish, Brethren, Hutterites and M... Farmstead Lodging
Over the past 20 years, a few Amish have begun offering lodging for tourists. But these tend to be in separate quarters, often a dowdy house that’s no longer required for grandparents’ use. Visitors seldom get to interact with the Amish owners. It’s delightfully different at The Farmstead B Inn B, just north of Mount Hope in Holmes County. At this unique B&B, guests are treated like family — sharing meals and trying their hand at chores in the dairy barn. Kathy and Willis Miller,... Fat Fish Blue
Local favorite, guitar-player Chris Buzzelli, regularly travels to area restaurants, often bringing the best of Bowling Green State University’s jazz program with him. Catch him on a Sunday, when he occasionally performs at Fat Fish Blue’s jazz brunch in Perrysburg. Fat Fish Blue 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg 43551, 419/931-3474. www.fatfishblue.com Not in the Toledo area? No problem - visit www.thejazzbrunch.com to tune in to The Jazz Brunch with Suzanne Car... Fenton Art Glass
From Marietta, travel a few minutes across the bridge into Williamstown, West Virginia, to visit Fenton Art Glass. Fenton is the largest manufacturer of hand-made colored art glass in the U.S. Because each object is crafted by hand, no two pieces will be exactly alike. “We are one of the few places in the world that still makes pressed and blown glass using tools and techniques unchanged from centuries ago,” says Jim Measell, Fenton’s historian. Any visitor can see the process on a fre... Goodwin House B&B
For small groups (from two to 15 people), Burton innkeeper Robyn Morris will arrange a customized tour based on the groups’ interests, or a back-roads tour that includes a home visit with an Amish weaver and an Amish artist who paints charming little scenes in the Grandma Moses style. Morris says her tours developed organically, in response to guests’ questions about the Amish. Like all good tour guides, she checks her facts first with a local bishop. The Amish are often reluctant to discuss... Hidden Treasures
If the economy’s got you down, consider taking a trip that won’t break the bank but will lift your spirits. Many of the following explorations will whisk you away from the nightly news with a joyful reminder that having a marvelous time doesn’t necessitate calling your broker — not with a river as majestic as the Ohio winding its way for 451 miles along our state’s southern and eastern borders. Whether getting away for a day or longer than a week, take some time to discover... In Adams County, Call Tom Cross
In sparsely settled Adams County, the Amish migration is so new — and the population so small — that there are no commercial tour guides, as there are in Holmes and Geauga counties. But Tom Cross, executive director of the Adams County Travel and Visitors Bureau, says he will personally escort anyone who wants to explore the small Amish settlements that are scattered here and there in this rugged hill-country corner of Appalachian Ohio — just a river away from Kentucky. He’s conf... LaVonne DeBois' Tour
In Holmes County, our favorite tour — as much for the food as the information — begins with an enormous ham and eggs breakfast in an Amish farm kitchen, and ends, 12 hours later, with platters of fried chicken and four kinds of pies — served at another Amish housewife’s kitchen table, often with the whole family, from kids to granddads joining in for songs and conversation. LaVonne DeBois came up with the day-long breakfast, lunch and dinner tour a few years ago. Now it’s o... Main Street Bar & Grill
Aside from Murphy’s Place, restaurants of all sizes offer a host of local and regional musical acts virtually every night of the week. “We are definitely the beneficiary of being in the center of all these major cities,” says Carroll. “It’s such an easy stop on the road.” Carroll, who has been with The Jazz Brunch for 14 years, recommends a rotating list of performers, who can be heard throughout the week at popular local spots such as the Main Street Bar & Grill in S... Manhattan's
Manhattan’s in downtown Toledo is another supporter of musical acts. On every third Monday of the month, Michigan-based jazz vocalist Cynthia Kaay Bennett sings soulful songs to the delight of diners. Other popular performers coming to town include the Minnesota-based Cajun blues band The Swamp Kings (April 3) and Tom Turner & Slow Burn, a six-piece Toledo-based band that belts out a combination of blues, soul, swing and funk (April 25). Manhattan’s, 1516 Adams St. Toledo, OH 43624 ww... Maumee Indoor Theater
Toledo’s jazz scene, while not the only great music in town, is frequently credited for creating a passage for other kinds of music. “The fact that jazz is known in the Toledo area opens up the fact that Toledo enjoys varying kinds of music,” says Jeff Birdwell, booking agent and show coordinator for the Glass City Opry, a local group that showcases the best of bluegrass. “For us to bring a bluegrass venue into town wasn’t that far of a stretch.” And so they ha... Murphy's Place
Live music rocks this cozy club six nights a week in the heart of downtown Toledo. Located in the historic Fort Industry Square Building along the Maumee River, Murphy’s is known for hosting the best of local, regional and national jazz musicians. The dynamic house duo, bassist Clifford Murphy and pianist Claude Black, appear in the event lineup with regular performances for loyal listeners. On select Mondays throughout the year, The University of Toledo Jazz Ensemble performs hits at Murphy’... Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
For a day in nature, visit the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Bring your binoculars and camera to catch a glimpse of native species. The 19-year-old refuge was established to protect, conserve and restore forested habitat for wildlife native to the river’s floodplain after decades of farming and oil and gas extraction. Totaling more than 3,300 acres, the refuge consists of three mainland tracts and 22 islands sprinkled along nearly 400 miles of the Ohio River. Most islands are access... Ohio River Scenic Byway
A truly restful getaway is as much about the journey itself as its destinations. So take the opportunity to slow down and soak in the scenery on the Ohio River Scenic Byway. The byway — one of four beautiful Ohio routes also designated as National Scenic Byways — hugs the course of the Ohio River. Hands down, the prettiest and greenest section is the winding two-lane stretch between Cincinnati and Portsmouth — don’t be surprised to see touring cyclists also pedaling along this be... Ohio Tobacco Museum
A mere teaspoon of tiny tobacco seeds — way tinier than poppy seeds — is enough to plant more than half an acre of seedlings. Such remarkable facts abound at the Ohio Tobacco Museum, the only museum in Ohio dedicated to the heritage of raising, processing and marketing tobacco. In a two-story brick home dating from the 1850s, visitors can see the wooden scale-model of an elaborate barn for drying and stripping tobacco, the display of cigar rings and humidors and other memorabilia. An outdoor... Ridgeview Farms Country Tours
In the Geauga County/Trumbull County Amish area, Sharon Grover conducts bus tours for large groups (reservations required). She’s on friendly terms with Amish neighbors who welcome visitors to their home-based businesses for conversation and a little low-key crafting. At the Amish Home Craft Shop & Bakery, quilter Emma Miller teaches tourists how to make a potholder; baker Ivan Bender teaches them how to make a flaky pie crust at the Countryside Home Bakery. The tour also includes a visit to an Am... Riverview Bed and Breakfast Inn
Watch the magnificent Ohio River roll by while relaxing in a hot tub on the deck of the Riverview Bed & Breakfast Inn in Franklin Furnace, midway between Portsmouth and Ironton. The modern California-style inn, decorated with hand-pieced quilts, offers spacious rooms with views of the river. Traveling by boat? No problem — the inn has a five-slip dock for “dock and breakfast,” according to inn co-owner Bobbie Sich, and a marina next door offers fuel and supplies. She also says that the... Roy Rogers Festival
For a touch of country-western, visit downtown Portsmouth the first weekend in June (June 3–6) for the 26th annual Roy Rogers Festival. Duck Run, in nearby McDermott, was the boyhood home of the famous singing cowboy, where he attended what was then McDermott High School. Roy Rogers memorabilia is on display inside the Scioto County Welcome Center. (Which is, incidentally, across from the beautiful floodwall murals that annually draw thousands of visitors to Portsmouth.) For more information about... See the Behalt
This is a one-stop shock treatment that will rid you of any stereotypical sentiments about the culture. The massive mural in the round captures the long and often brutal history of the Anabaptists’ movement that began in Switzerland in the early 1500s — a time when the state churches (both Catholic and Lutheran) ruthlessly hunted down and killed the dissenters because of their faith. Amish & Mennonite Heritage Center , 5798 Co. Rd. 77, Berlin 44610, 330/893-3192. www.behalt.com View more ste... Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center
If you’re in a mood for visual art, wander into the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center in Portsmouth. In addition to its permanent exhibits on the paintings of American scene artist Clarence Carter (born in Portsmouth in 1904), historical photographs of Portsmouth taken by Carl Ackerman and artifacts up to 8,000 years old crafted by Hopewell and Adena Indians, there are five visiting exhibitions this spring and summer, including several by Ohio artists. See if you can catch a performance by ... Stranahan Theater & Great House
Aside from offering a venue for meetings and weddings, the Stranahan Theater & Great Hall in Toledo, known for being the largest proscenium stage in northwest Ohio, showcases musical events throughout the year. The theater is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year with a stellar musical lineup, including “Lord of the Dance” (May 13), a marriage of Irish music and dance that’s like no other. “We do about 140 theater events a year, and that includes between four and five Broadw... Sweet Music
In Toledo, residents and visitors alike can expect great music on any night of the week. Maybe it’s the location — about 100 miles west of Cleveland and 60 miles southwest of Detroit — that causes top performers to flock there. Or it could be the reputation garnered during the ’30s and ’40s when Toledo native and jazz legend Art Tatum hit the scene. Either way, from the tried-and-true locations, like Murphy’s Place and the Stranahan Theater, to lesser-known venues, in... The Farm House
In Middlefield, you can stay in a formerly Amish four-bedroom home that’s available for rent by the week or weekend. The farmhouse is cozy and the setting is wonderful — with pastures, woodland trails, and a small lake. The Farm House, 16650 Nash Rd., Middlefield 44062, 415/333-8631. www.the-farm-house.com View more steps in Understanding the Amish . Understanding the Amish
I've always lived on the edge of Amish Country. My first paying job, in the 1950s, was picking berries at area farms, where many of the workers were Amish children about my age. We picked side by side for the entire season. The Amish kids spoke German, but I did not. So there wasn’t much conversation. Still, I was consumed with curiosity: “How could they bear to wear those old-timey clothes?” “How did they survive without TV?” “Had they even heard of Elvis?” I w... Wild West
Hike a trail zigzagging deep into a vale, hop on a tram slicing high into the air —West Virginia’s state parks have you covered from hill to holler. The Mountain State contrasts don’t stop there. For as calming as it can be to picnic by a stream, listen for a bird call or sniff a wildflower, the state’s 36 parks keep up a frenzied calendar of programming, too. Head out to fly fish, golf and hike, or sit down to the final dinner on the Titanic — just bring your life jacket. ... |
Spring Forward
Forget the calendar. We are Ohioans. Our seasons are not ruled by official dates; they are ruled by temperatures and our own common sense. And no matter what the calendar notation says, March and spring have little if anything in common. No, spring begins in April. We can feel it in our bones. Call it the thaw factor. This month, then, we celebrate spring. And “celebrate” is precisely the word. We love each of Ohio’s four seasons, of course, but few among us would disagree that the one... |
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