May 2009 Issue
Author! Author!
It’s immediately apparent that R.L. Stine was born to write. His conversation is peppered with pun-riddled anecdotes, and the enthusiasm he exudes for his craft is contagious. Since age 9, the Ohio State University graduate behind the best-selling “Fear Street” and “Goosebumps” children’s series has been penning tales of humor and horror at breakneck speed. “Writing is the only thing in life that’s easy for me — just ask my wife!” Stine jokes. ... Basilico Organic, Cincinnati
Antonella and Silvio Miranda devoted 30 months to preparing Ohio’s first 100 percent USDA-certified organic restaurant. In Jan-uary, they opened Basilico Organic in Mason with their son Carmine. To earn their seals of approval, the Mirandas had to prove to the USDA and the California Certified Organic Farmers that every element of operation — not to mention every ingredient — was free of growth hormones, pesticides and preservatives. That’s a clean sweep, from wheat for the bread... Timeless Classics
For Amelia Jeffers, every day is like Christmas. Jeffers, vice president of Garth’s Auctions, never knows what treasures will find their way to her Delaware company, which specializes in appraising and selling antiques from around the world. There was that day last spring, for instance, when a client stopped by with a bronze Buddha she had stumbled upon while cleaning her basement. It had belonged to her husband, and she wondered if it was worth something. Indeed it was: The 400-year-old pi... |
A Nod to the Past
When Allen Beck closed up his Southern California flower shop and moved back to northwest Ohio to be near his aging parents, he chose to settle in Findlay, a city he characterizes as “a fairly prosperous community” endowed with plenty of old-fashioned hometown charm. The 56-year-old Fulton County native wanted a house just like the city: a place that was in good shape and big enough to accommodate his lifestyle, but not so big that he’d get lost in it. “I didn’t want to get... |
Cast of Characters
With her white hair, charming wrinkles and a petite frame that make her a shoe-in for the part of the “little old lady,” Toledo actress Madge Levinson is landing some big roles. In January, she hit the big screen in “Gran Torino” playing one of Clint Eastwood’s houseguests, and gave a dynamic performance as Sigourney Weaver’s mother in the Lifetime TV movie, “Prayers for Bobby.” “There are so many good roles I’ve been fortunate to have,” ... Inner Tubes and Daylilies
It is the crunch of the gravel under the tires that lets me know I have arrived. When I was little, I could feel it all through my body, stretched out in the “way back” of my family’s Buick Electra, in a giant fort of blankets and pillows, stuffed animals and duffel bags, in order to comfortably bear the two-hour trek up I-71 and across several state routes from Madeira to Indian Lake. Now, when I arrive, I am in the front seat, but the same sound wakes me, as I have inevitably fallen ... Ohioan - John Drake
AGE : 53 HOMETOWN: Originally from Gahanna, now lives in downtown Dayton. PERSONAL: One son, Justin, 23. WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM : At Drake’s Downtown Gym, home of “Jab City Boxing” ( www.jabcityboxing.biz ) which he owns and runs. Drake and several assistants run students at all levels through their paces with a full-body workout that includes punching bags and time in the ring. HOW IT ALL STARTED: Drake began his career running bars and restaurants, and opened a gym as a change o... Understanding Cancer
Cancer. It strikes fear in the hearts of everyone it affects — including children, who are often confused and frightened when someone they care about is diagnosed with it. Kathleen McCue, director of children’s programming at The Gathering Place, a cancer-support organization with locations in Beachwood and Westlake, has made it her mission to help allay that anxiety. Her new book, Someone I Love is Sick , is geared toward helping kids ages 2 to 6 understand and deal with the disease. “... Write for Change
Prejudice knows no ethnic boundaries or color barriers. And, although times have changed, it’s still very much a presence in our society. Since opening four years ago, Beachwood’s Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage has taken on the challenge of bringing thought-provoking issues to the forefront by chronicling poignant realities ranging from slavery and the Holocaust to genocide in Darfur. “Although we focus on Jewish heritage, we also want to reach out to other groups, cultures, races and... |
Discovery Days
Is your family happiest when hiking through the woods, watching for red-bellied woodpeckers? Maybe the kids are fascinated with prehistoric times and want to learn more about those who inhabited Ohio long ago. Or perhaps a few days spent zipping down water slides at a premier waterpark resort brings (wet) smiles all around. Licking County, located in central Ohio, offers a variety of ideas for family vacations focusing on nature, agritourism, sports and recreation, or Ohio history. But mixing and matchi... Great Lakes, Great Beaches
No one appreciates summer like a Northerner. After a long winter, there is nothing so heavenly as a summer afternoon at the beach. Summer at the lakeshore is the prize Michiganians and visitors enjoy for tolerating winter’s cruelty. Most beaches boast the same fine, golden sand squeaking underfoot, and whitecaps to wash away the remains of footprints and sandcastles. Some offer people-watching, others lie peacefully abandoned; some are dominated by lighthouses, others by dunes. But one thing remai... Lake City Line-up
Every spring, something of a miracle occurs in Cleveland — those infamous snows that are a hallmark of North Coast winters finally cease. The sun emerges, transforming Lake Erie from a frozen sheet of ice into a shining sapphire jewel. The chain of Cleveland Metroparks known as the city’s Emerald Necklace once again lives up to its name. Events at the area’s treasure trove of attractions and venues increase dramatically, creating a calendar of nonstop fun and excitement. And the weathe... Lovely as a Tree
SMALL TREES | under 25 feet Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata) This is a compact, rounded tree that eventually grows to a height of about 25 to 30 feet, with cherry-tree-like bark that remains attractive year-round. As an added bonus, large, cream-colored flower panicles blossom in late June. Why it’s a good choice: Pests don’t bother the healthy, deep-green leaves, and it’s tolerant of both drought and high soil pH. What to watch for: This tree does not thrive in standing water.... Music in the Night
Ah, the sounds of summer nights in Cincinnati — the laughter of friends gathering at a street-side café after work, the free music at Everybody’s Backyard Picnic Concerts in Cincinnati Parks, or the cheers of Cincinnati Reds fans in the stadium and then the blasts of fireworks after a win. After hot summer days, the cool of the evening is refreshing and much of the nightlife in this river town happens outdoors on Fountain Square, along the downtown riverfront, at Riverbend, and in parks... |
Road Trip!
When we first created our “Days and Nights of Summer” annual cover story years ago, we meant it to serve as something of a suggested menu of ideas. The thought was that you would choose a date (or two or three) over the course of the summer, check the calendar, and make your plans. Over the years, you have been kind enough to let us know that the approach has worked well in three great ways. They are, in fact, our favorite three ways: beauty, adventure and fun. The calendar is a terrific way... |
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