DiscoveringOhio

The Beautiful Fashion in Kent

It’s amazing to know that some of the world’s greatest fashion collections are just down the road from my house. Kent State University Museum is filled with some of the most grandiose garments ever made. It was easy for me to overlook this world-famous museum, which rivals Victoria & Albert Museum in London, tucked away in an Akron suburb so I decided to take a second look.

I’ve been to the Kent State University Museum once before. I was in middle school and my best friend’s dad, who is a fashion designer, took us to see one of his garments. I remember being filled with excitement and thinking, “I want to do that one day.” Even though my life has taken a different path, I still have a love and an appreciation for fashion design. Some people think that fashion design is just making clothes but it’s more of an art form. Fashion greats like Alexander McQueen have popularized the couture fashion as an art movement.

It is a mistake to think the fashion industry isn’t diverse. Although there could be more recognition for multicultural designers, there are some African-American designers making a name for themselves in the mainstream fashion industry, including Tracy Reese, Rachel Roy and Stephen Burrows.

So when I went to the museum for a second time many years later, I had a greater understanding of the passion and creativity it takes to make such fashions. Featuring five temporary exhibits and an expansive permanent collection from centuries past, this museum has just about everything. From gowns to corsets to glass sculptures and more, this museum has many pieces that tell the story of world history through art.

The museum features a donated collection of 4,000 costumes and accessories, nearly 1,000 pieces of decorative art and a 5,000 volume reference library from designers Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers. The exhibit “RESIST: A World of Resist Dye Techniques” was a favorite of mine. This exhibit featured chemical, mechanical and ikat techniques of dying fabrics to create patterns. Although most of us are familiar with tie-dye from the 60s and 70s, these different dying techniques have been around for centuries. Nigeria, Japan, India and Indonesia are just some of the many countries with histories of resist dyeing. The “Fandemonium” exhibit was also a fun collection which featured an array of hand-painted fans from the eighteenth century and art deco pieces from the twentieth century.

Walking through the museum this time was a completely different experience. It was great to see how these designs and art pieces have influenced today’s African-American designers. KSU fashion and merchandising students take advantage of this museum and you can too. Definitely make this a stop on your next weekend getaway and while you're there check out other fun attractions around Kent.

Save and Discover at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium

The newest aquarium to hit the Ohio scene, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, is an underground maze that houses underwater worlds. It’s hip and urban, while maintaining an educational and entertaining charm.

Sound intriguing? How do discounted admission tickets sound, too? Act now through June 9^th, and you can make that happen. DiscoverOhio just launched a promotion, aptly titled “Discover Ohio To Go”, with McDonald’s and Coca-Cola that offers discounts to some of Ohio's best attractions. What do you have to do? Buy a large drink at any of the 400 participating McDonald’s locations, gulp down the refreshing beverage, and use the cup as a coupon at one of the 13 destinations, including the year-old Greater Cleveland Aquarium - which was my destination of choice.  

Housed in the basement of the FirstEnergy Powerhouse Building in Cleveland’s nautical Flats district, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has a rustic yet new urban presence that intrigued me immediately. My McDonald’s cup that housed a refreshing iced tea on the two-hour drive north got me $2 off admission into the Aquarium. (Just a heads up, Cleveland area McDonald’s were unable to participate in this promotion because of other campaigns the restaurants had scheduled.) So buy your cup ahead of time or check on the website for the closest participating location to you.  

Once inside this labyrinth of the seas, I was awed at how homey it felt. The tropical décor and music juxtaposed comfortably against the exposed brick walls of the historic building. The tanks are smaller and shorter, offering either an overhead view of the fish inside (close enough to touch) or a 360-degree look into the world they inhabit. I particularly enjoyed the jellyfish display, and in fact I almost walked right by it. They live in an overhead tank in one of the old smokestacks. 

The most striking display however, is the shark tank. Swimming among the remains of what looks like the sunken ship from “Finding Nemo” live four species of sharks that swim in front and above viewers.

Along with the unique forms of display, the staff members at the aquarium are both engaging and informative. A very gregarious staff member and I talked and stared into a coral reef display for nothing short of a half hour, playing “I Spy”and searching for the plethora of sea life among the coral.

This limited time "Discover Ohio To Go" promotion gave me that extra little bump to try something new in Ohio that had been on my wish list for quite sometime. It encourages both the importance of the road trip while maintaining that budget. With that cup, I felt I had the ticket that gave me permission to expand my horizons - while driving toward the horizon. Get your summer started right with a cool drink and hot deals on Ohio destinations. 

 

Join Me Under the Stars at Perkins Observatory

Perkins Observatory

My Friday evening begins with a wish for clear skies as I wonder what kinds of galactic gifts the night might bring. Telescopes of enormous sizes are sprinkled across the front lawn of the Perkins Observatory in Delaware, Ohio, as daylight gives way to dusk.

There is a feeling of excitement as families and star gazers arrive for the public program that takes place every Friday evening.

With too much cloud cover to do the program outdoors, Director Tom Burns takes the group inside for an alternative program. In the meantime, we literally wait for the skies to clear and hope for our chance to look through the powerful telescopes. 

Director, Tom Burns

Burns is a colorful character who welcomes the group by saying that we are now “sharing the wonder and majesty of the universe.”

Standing at the front of the room Burns provides an entertaining lesson in planets, stars and the universe. We learn terms like Jovian planet and celestial sphere. We find out how and why to use binoculars backwards to see planets a half billion miles away.

Burns’ passion, expertise and insight about our world make me feel like I am privy to special information. I am sure everyone in the room walked away with new knowledge.

Unfortunately, the clouds never cleared enough for us to use the outside telescopes, but that is the chance you take. Part of the fun in visiting Perkins Observatory is to see this incredible research facility in action.

Built in 1923, the working observatory is used by the Ohio Wesleyan University Physics and Astronomy Department. The dome of the observatory houses a 135,000 pound telescope, the fourth largest in Ohio. Visitors can get up close to examine the many mirrors inside. The observatory is run by Burns, Technical and Project Assistant Don Stevens and a dedicated and passionate cast of volunteers who are excited to share their knowledge.    

Telescope in the dome

Friday night public programs are just one of many programs and lectures offered by the observatory. In July, a series of programs will be offered called Celebration of the Sun. Programs will run during the late afternoon sessions and offer a rare glimpse of the sun through special telescopes.

Most programs require tickets and/or reservations, and all programs, of course, are weather permitting. Even though my visit to Perkins Observatory turned out cloudy, I still walked away with renewed excitement about my universe and look forward to another visit on a clear night.

Bonding and bicycling on the Baltimore & Ohio

Perfect spring weather, exercise and a bit of family bonding: My dad and I had it all for our first-ever trip along the Richland B&O bike trail on a recent Saturday in May.

We mapped a route from Butler to Mansfield and back--about 37 miles round-trip. It was the first bike trip of semi-significant length (well, of any length) I’d made since the birth of my daughter in February, and while I was itching to get back in the saddle, I was a little nervous about how I’d hold up.

We prepared to depart from a parking lot in Butler, set against a backdrop of farm machinery and the Whiffletree Restaurant, which looked like it might be a place to pick up some great local flavor.

Fortunately for us (especially for me, the out-of-shape cyclist), the asphalt trail was smooth, even and very well-kept, and we were free to travel at whatever pace we chose. The route treated us to a number of views: neat old farmhouses, granaries, industrial facilities; former depots and railroad bridges atop lazy creeks; spring foliage, rock outcroppings and farmers’ fields.

The Richland B&O is a rail-trail, meaning it was a railroad (the Baltimore & Ohio, of course) in its former life. Now converted into a scenic path that also passes through Bellville and Lexington, it appeared on our visit to be a popular recreational spot for walkers, joggers, in-line skaters and cyclists alike--plus a number of canine companions.

We stopped for a water break at a quaint-looking train depot-turned-rest area in Bellville, which also boasted an ice cream shop and antique stores across the street (sadly, they were closed at the time of our visit). If you’ve got time or are looking to grab a bite to eat, there are a number of offerings in downtown Bellville, including a dairy isle, pizza shop and coffee shop, among others.

About six miles northwest of Bellville, in Lexington, cycling enthusiasts can stop for repairs or just browse at Y-Not Cycling and Fitness.

Once you arrive in Mansfield (or perhaps you’ll choose to start there), take some time to relax and enjoy the scenery at North Lake Park or venture into town for some shopping, dining and sightseeing.

If you’re looking to extend your trip a bit, you can camp at River Trail Crossing in Butler, located on the Clear Fork Mohican River with easy access to the bike trail. Other nearby attractions include the Gorman Nature Center in Mansfield, Malabar Farm State Park in Lucas and Mohican State Park, about a 20 minute drive east of Bellville along Ohio 97.

Due to an incident with a forgotten backpack, we cut our trip short at around 15 miles (30 round-trip) and never made it to Mansfield. The good news is that a good samaritan kept an eye on the pack until our return--surely a testament to the nice sort of folks that frequent the Richland B&O.

Next time, we’ll make it the whole way. Promise.

Your Guide to Lighthouses Along the Lake Erie Coast

When people think of lighthouses they often think of the East Coast or Florida. But did you know that Ohio is home to a number of lighthouses? Many of these structures once served the robust shipping industry and provided light and signals to ships entering port. Today some of the lighthouses are still active, others are maintained as pieces of Ohio and Lake Erie's rich history.

I have always enjoyed lighthouses. When I travel in Ohio or out of the state boundaries, I always take a photo of a lighthouse if it is nearby. They are majestic yet calming structures at the same time.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has compiled a comprehensive list of past and present Ohio lighthouses, which is a great resource for your next Ohio lighthouse venture. This list is statewide and includes a few lighthouses not along the coast, such as the Grand Lake St. Mary's Lighthouses in Celina, Ohio and the Perry Memorial Monument, built in 1915, and located on South Bass Island.

I encourage you to take a leisurely drive along U.S. State Route 6 this spring. This northern highway will take you past many of Ohio's lighthouses, if not a stone's throw away from them.

Here's my top 4 Ohio Lighthouses:

1) Marblehead Lighthouse (Marblehead, Ohio): Built in 1812, this is Ohio's oldest lighthouse and one of its most breathtaking. Tours are given here in the summer on weekends. Perch on the rocks outside and on a clear day try to spot the Lake Erie Islands.

Marblehead Lighthouse

 

2) Huron Lighthouse (Huron, Ohio): Heading further east, this lighthouse sits a short ways off the shore. It is accessible by a mile-long pier. The lighthouse is not open to tours but is enjoyable to look at and take photos of up close or from shore. It beholds a sort of quiet mystery.

3) Lorain Lighthouse (Lorain, Ohio): Dubbed the "Jewel of the Port" this cheerful lighthouse looks very much like a house. Tours are available in the summer -- accessible only by boat!

Lorain Lighthouse

4) Conneaut Lighthouse (Conneaut, Ohio): A trip to Ohio's far east side will take you to Conneaut, where the waters are just as clear and blue. This lighthouse, built in 1835, sits far from the shore but offers a lovely view of the water and a huge beach.

 

 Which Ohio lighthouse is your favorite?

Family-friendly hiking (and more!) at Alum Creek State Park

The last (and only) time I’d visited Alum Creek State Park before our stop there on a recent weekend was as a participant in the bicycle leg of the Greenswell Triathlon, and while that occasion left me with a nice impression of Alum Creek, I didn’t exactly have time to slow down and take in the scenery.

We ambitiously traveled there with our 2-month-old and 3-year-old daughters for some family-friendly hiking, and left quite impressed with the various options for what you can do there.

In terms of hikes that are accommodating to families of young children (including the kind you pop into a carrier), all four of us recommend the Park Office Trail, a level walk around a small pond near—you guessed it!—the park office that also joins with other trails to lead you to the waterfront of Alum Creek.

Our leisurely pace and the natural diversity of the area allowed for us to make several stops to talk about the little details in nature that we adults often fail to notice, but that might be of curiosity to a preschooler: Red-winged blackbirds perched in trees above the lake, pine cones laying on the ground, a few hawks soaring above, tiny leaves starting to show on the branches along the path.

We were surprised to see a couple boaters out, despite the slightly-chilly weather. We also crossed paths with a few other families who were out enjoying the first signs of spring. 

Sound a little too tame? No worries. More experienced hikers and outdoor lovers should not lose heart: Alum Creek also has offerings for the slightly-more-ambitious, including camping (available year-round), mountain biking (there are trails for easy, moderate and difficult experience levels), horseback riding, fishing, boating and the largest inland beach in Ohio’s state park system.

It was the first hike we’d ever been on with the baby, and though she slept the whole time, we consider that an indication that she found it enjoyable. Which made it a win for all of us.

Families can save money on an overnight stay at Alum Creek State Park - or any Ohio State Parks - by purchasing a Large drink cup from McDonald's this summer. Ohio State Parks campgrounds are offering "25% off one night camping (Thursday-Sunday)" and Ohio State Park Lodges are offering "stay 2 nights and receive 20% off" or "$50 Lodge credit". The Discover Ohio To Go campaign is running until June 9th in McDonald's restaurants (deals are good all summer). 

GateKeeper Highlights New Season at Cedar Point

Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky has a new entrance this year – and standing watch over it is GateKeeper.

GateKeeper is the park’s newest roller coaster, and provides an imposing site to those walking up to the park’s main gate. The winged coaster can reach speeds of up to 67 miles per hour, providing a jarring effect as riders are taken on a zero-G roll – one of several spots that help riders feel weightless – through two keyholes in the support towers around the park’s new entrance. In fact, while many roller coasters have a minimum height, GateKeeper is one with a maximum height as well, of 6 feet, 6 inches.

Riders from a variety of roller coaster and amusement park clubs were enthused at their chance to ride GateKeeper on media day, before the park’s opening this past Saturday. And they were pleased with it, judging from their reactions afterward – and delighted screams on the coaster. In fact, GateKeeper runs surprisingly smooth and quiet – by design. As you walk through the front gate under GateKeeper, all you hear is a whoosh and a scream.

The two minute, 40 second ride also includes 105-foot tall camelback hill, a flat spin of 360 degrees and another 360-degree rotation before the end of the ride. The coaster will run three trains, taking about 1,710 riders per hour, but expect long lines of brave souls trying their hand at a roller coaster that feels like riding on the wing of an airplane.

The coaster, costing about $30 million breaks seven world records, including longest track (4,164 feet) and tallest drop (164 feet).

GateKeeper is the newest of the 16 roller coasters at Cedar Point. Those roller coasters, from the Blue Streak – the park’s oldest coaster dating back to 1964 – to the more recent additions of Maverick and Top Thrill Dragster – form a total of nearly 10 miles of track.

Construction of GateKeeper has also led to a remodeling of the park’s main entrance. New this year, the park has abandoned turnstiles for cameras. Also new this year, Coca-Cola has replaced Pepsi as the official soft drink.

Visitors can save up to $15 on admission to Cedar Point and up to 20% off on lodging at Cedar Point Resorts, this year by stopping at an Ohio McDonald's. Cedar Point is one of the participating attractions in the Discover Ohio To Go promotion, where travelers can buy a large Coca-Cola beverage or iced tea from participating McDonald’s restaurants and redeem it for discounts to 13 travel destinations in Ohio. Some other attractions you can receive discounts at are Great Wolf Lodge, Hocking Hills Canopy tours, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, and more!  Hurry before this promotion ends June 9th. 

Ohioana Literary Immersion - Connecting Readers with Ohio Authors

More than a century after the death of renowned Ohio poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, his words and emotion come alive again in the home and environment that inspired him.

 

Sitting in the Dunbar House in Dayton, African-American poet Herbert Woodward Martin brings to life Dunbar's famous poetry. Dunbar's work is notable for the two distinct voices in his poetry: Standard English and the sometimes controversial style written in dialect that was signature of turn-of-the-century African-American culture.

 

Check out the video from the "On the Road" Saturday Literary Adventure Series.

 

 

Standing in front of a larger than life photo of Dunbar, Woodward personifies the ebb and flow and sometimes musical words of the poet that continue to influence American literature. In between readings, the full-house audience is able to engage in a discussion about all of Dunbar's work that includes novels, short stories, plays, songs and essays. Questions ranged from meanings behind specific works to Dunbar's personal life and close relationship with the Wright Brothers. 

This day of "A Poetic Friendship: Paul Laurence Dunbar and the Wright Brothers" includes a tour of the Dunbar House, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park and the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center.

It is a perfect way to learn about the Ohio author who spent so much time growing up in the exact spot we are sitting, and truly understand him.

This is the first "On the Road" Saturday Literary Adventure Series presented by Ohioana Library that is presented monthly to connect readers with Ohio writers in the setting that made them or their works famous. 

Upcoming series topics include: "Cleveland: Play Ball! The Cleveland Indians, Progressive field and Dan Coughlin," "The Ohio State University: Lit Lives and Landmarks: Get Ready for OSU Football" and "Holmes County: The Mysteries of Ohio Amish Country." For more information about these programs and upcoming monthly programs, check out the full details at On the Road with Ohioana Library. Don't miss the Ohioana Book Festival: Celebrating Ohio's Authors this Saturday, May 11th at the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center in Columbus.

This fantastic series is truly a sensory immersion! In just a few short hours at this Saturday series, I learned so much about Paul Laurence Dunbar and experienced his surroundings in a way that alters how I will forever read his poetry. What a fun and engaging way to discover our Ohio authors! 

2013 Mobile Tour Summer of "hi"

I consider my job to be among the best there is. For the second year in a row I am lucky enough to be involved with a job that lets me travel around Ohio and its surrounding states telling people exactly how this state is too much fun to fit into one day. Working with TourismOhio on the “Too Much Fun Mobile Tour” has been a blast so far, not only because I’ve had the chance to travel and make new friends, but also because I’ve learned so much more than I ever thought I could about Ohio.

As a kid, my family and I would take day trips around the state to check out festivals and museums, but this tour has given me a plethora of knowledge and ideas to bring back to my family; and my prior knowledge has helped me adapt to talking with people, urging them to check out Ohio’s offerings. On the way to each festival, the Mobile Tour team makes stops at Ohio destinations large and small, and takes photos that are posted on DiscoverOhio's Facebook page.

Our tour kicked off this year in Louisville, Kentucky for the Derby Festival Marathon expo. We will head to two more indoor expos the first weekend in May, traveling to both Indianapolis and Cincinnati. After that, begins the outdoor festivals and events. We will be in Cleveland and then Erie, Pennsylvania back-to-back weekends for rib cook-offs. June is really when things kick off, with art festivals in Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Toledo, as well as the Dayton Air Show. We plan to venture out of state in July, with destinations in Naperville, Illinois; Ann Arbor, Michigan; as well as the West Virginia Hot Dog Festival. We will once again end our tour in Marysville for the All-Ohio Balloon Festival.

This is going to be a jam-packed tour of fun. The Discover Ohio tent isn’t hard to spot with our giant blue and green flags, so don’t be shy, stop on over and say “hi” at one of the festivals. We have a fresh group of ambassadors this summer and I think I can speak for all of them when I say we cannot wait to get started. Be sure to follow DiscoverOhio's Facebook page for updates on our whereabouts and join us at an event near you!

 

 

 

Let the Fiesta Begin!

They say somewhere that if you read five books on the same subject, you can become an expert on that topic.  Apply that same theory to margaritas and I am a Margarita Guru!

As Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) approaches, the commemoration of the Mexican Army’s defeat over the French during the Franco American War and a day of Mexican heritage and pride, Mexican restaurants open their doors for a day of celebration.

As a self-proclaimed Margarita Expert, I want to lend you my expertise on where you could find some great Mexican restaurants in Ohio that will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo so you too could join in the festivities.

 

 

 

 

La Fiesta (Richmond Heights) - As far as margaritas go – they serve the best around.  The bartender will not reveal his secret recipe (trust me I’ve asked – begged even).  As the oldest authentic and family owned restaurant in Cleveland, they have the best experience throwing a Cinco de Mayo blowout bash.  

 

 

Nada (Cincinnati) – A more upscale Mexican dining experience, Nada’s menu has a lot of great selections and some excellent guacamole to boot!  As far as margaritas go – Delicious! It’s a popular night spot and reservations are strongly recommended.

 

 

Barrio (Tremont) – Their build your own tacos was definitely intriguing since I’m such a picky eater and their choices are plentiful. The cost of $3 a taco make it well worth it to try different combinations.  When I tried their margarita I was pleasantly excited. Not too sour and just the right amount of tequila! 

 

Señor Antonio's (Columbus) – I always enjoy going to this restaurant when I am in Columbus. The service is always fantastic and the pitcher of margaritas that we drank hit the spot. When you go, I recommend you order the queso dip, a white cheese dip that goes great with your salsa and chips.

 

Lopez (Cleveland Heights) – During happy hour, they offer half-off tequila which is a perfect way for me to try out different types of tequilas. The different kinds truly alter the flavor of my drink. Their Mexican inspired menu is also a nice culmination of Mexican cuisine with a contemporary fusion style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just SOME of my favorite Mexican restaurants.  There are too many to list here, but plenty to choose from in Ohio. However you fiesta, enjoy responsibly.  Where are your favorite Cinco de Mayo destinations?