Ohio Magazine - January-February 2025

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Food Road Trips: We mapped out a dozen of the oldest restaurants in Ohio, from Tony Packo’s in Toledo to Kewpee Hamburgers in Lima. Whether you want to walk in the footsteps of former presidents and famous names or grab a burger and shake in the same place your grandparents did, these spots are for you. ohiomagazine.com/ oldestrestaurants

Snowy Season: Whether your idea of making the most of winter in Ohio involves swooshing down ski slopes, taking an afternoon hike in one of our many parks or tucking yourself away in a cozy cottage for the weekend, our winter guide will inspire you to get out and explore the beauty of the Buckeye State as the snow flies this season. ohiomagazine.com/winterguide

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43

OHIO LOVE

Explore these Buckeye State destinations you’ll adore.

49 WINTER TRAVEL

Make the most of your winter weekends this season.

Ashtabula, p. 19

Cincinnati, p. 12, 21, 24

Columbus, p. 5, 20

Cuyahoga Falls, p. 6

Dayton, p. 12

Lancaster, p. 12

Lebanon, p. 7

Port Clinton, p. 9

Toledo, p. 10, 12

Magazine encourages you to recycle this

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Great Lakes Publishing supports the use of paper milled from replanted forests as a renewable resource and purchases paper from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources as available. We have also taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic used when mailing issues to subscribers.

Save Room for Dessert

BY MEGAN BROKAMP

Don’t skip dessert at Ohio’s wineries. Pair your glass of wine with everything from berry tarts to fudge brownies.

Escape to Gervasi Vineyard in Canton, where you can enjoy an overnight adventure and a luxury dining experience. End your meal at The Bistro with a rich tiramisu alongside a glass of Santo, their port-style wine. Head over to The Cave for an intimate wine tasting. While you sample, indulge with their sweet mascarpone dip, a delectable creamy dessert spread. Complement this treat with a glass of Gervasi’s handcrafted Moscato.

Experience the cozy atmosphere of family-owned Gillig Winery in Findlay. In addition to its extensive list of on-site crafted wine, they also offer a full bistro menu featuring standout dessert options. Indulge with the six-layer chocolate cake, the Blackout Bliss, and pair with a glass of the ruby-red Slobberknocker Red or the Diablo Rojo, a fruity red.

Take in stunning views at Vinoklet Winery in Cincinnati. Whether you’re seated at the gazebo or cozying up in the romantic dining space, the vineyard’s grape vines and rolling hills are always within view. The dinner menus vary throughout the week, but their popular desserts remain consistent. Balance the citrus flavor of the triple berry tart with a glass of In Vino Veritas, a sweet Rieslingadjacent wine. Or opt for the Decadent Fudge Brownie alongside Brother Joe, Vinoklet’s premium dry red wine.

Treat yourself after a day of hiking in Hocking Hills State Park by visiting Valley View Hills Winery, an oasis nestled within Valley View Cabins. Dig your fork into a slice of their moist carrot cake. Valley View’s Sugar Grove Raspberry smooth rosé pairs perfectly with this sweet treat.

Gervasi Vineyard

Gillig Winery

Gervasi Vineyard

EDITOR’S NOTE

From the Heart

Passion for our state is at the core of who we are at Ohio Magazine. Being part of the team here means having a curiosity and excitement about exploring all that Ohio has to offer. It’s essential that we get out and meet people and learn about the places that make up the fabric of life here to confidently be your guide to the best parts of the Buckeye State.

It’s also why each January, we begin the year with Ohio Love — a mix of new finds, fresh flavors, unique experiences and feel-good moments from the previous 12 months. It’s a bit of both looking forward and looking back as we highlight 30 reasons to love our state right now. It’s a big warm hug delivered on some of the coldest days of the year, and you can check it out starting on page 28.

It’s just the start of the conversation though, one that we plan to keep having throughout the rest of the year and beyond. This fall, the editorial team began discussing ways to stay connected with you in a world that is becoming increasingly impersonal. Because one of the best ways you can get to know someone is by getting them talking about the things they love, we thought we’d do just that.

This month brings the launch of our Ohio Love online column, in which our editorial team members share personal stories about things that are close to their heart when it comes to life in Ohio, from classic destinations that connect with core memories to new finds and experiences that we just can’t wait to share.

But we also want to hear from you. What do you love about life in our state? When you’re out and about in 2025, we encourage you to use the hashtag #OhioLove or tag us in your post when sharing photos from your own explorations. We would love your help uncovering new finds to share with our print and digital audiences. If you have something you want to tell us about right away, feel free to drop me an email at jvickers@ohiomagazine.com.

Finally, to stay connected with us between print issues and to make sure you don’t miss the launch of our Ohio Love column, we encourage you to sign up for our free email newsletters at ohiomagazine.com/newsletters.

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Winter Nap

While the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium bustles with activity during the warmer months, winter is a quieter, yet equally captivating time of year. Of the 600 different animal species that call the zoo home, over 40 of them embrace the colder temperatures and light coverings of snow. One such species is the brown bear — represented by brothers Buckeye (pictured here) and Brutus — who can be found in the zoo’s Polar Frontier region. Beginning in mid-to-late autumn, brown bears will experience “torpor,” a state where their heart rate and metabolism slow down to help them conserve energy. They will typically emerge from this state between March and May, when many of the zoo’s other residents become active again. 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell 43065, 614/645-3400, columbuszoo.org

Cozy Creations: After she was unable to find the unique knit products she desired, Tori Tedesco began crafting accessories inspired by her Ohio roots.

Musical Musings: Cleveland-based music journalist and author Annie Zaleski discusses the inspiration for her newest book, Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs.

Cozy Creations

After she was unable to find the unique knit products she desired, Tori Tedesco founded Little Birdie Design Studio and began crafting accessories inspired by her Ohio roots.

As Tori Tedesco shopped for knitwear for her personal closet, she couldn’t find what she was looking for: thick infinity scarves and heat-keeping beanies in attractive colors. Having crocheted as a child, she decided to take up knitting, teaching herself the basics after work at her day job as a graphic designer. Eventually, family and friends started asking if she was selling her trendy pieces, which led to the creation of her Etsy shop, Little Birdie Design Studio, in 2009.

In the early days, Tedesco fielded countless recommendations about what to make. Though appreciated, she says it wasn’t until she started leaning on her artistic instinct for color palettes and products that Little Birdie felt like her. She began creating collections of hats, handbags and scarves that suited northeast Ohio’s winter weather. Tedesco puts equal emphasis on function as she does fashion, making warm and timeless hats that were perfect to wear while walking her dog.

“What am I going to be known for?” Tedesco recalls asking herself. “‘I’m just going to focus on that.’”

Over a decade later, Tedesco’s pieces continue to complement the Midwestern climate she has become accustomed to — growing up in Dover, attending college in Kent and currently residing in Cuyahoga Falls. During the snowier months, thick, vegan-friendly accessories like the Cozy Cabin Cap, Rug Scarf and Portland Cable Knit Hat are bestsellers.

“It took me several months of picking out the yarn, testing different yarns and different thicknesses, and what size needles I wanted to use,” Tedesco says of her design process for the Cable Knit Hat.

As spring comes around, items like the Ridgeway Tea Towel and Peddler Backpack soar in popularity. The latter was a solution to a problem Tedesco was having with a set of crocheted bags she was working on. The yarn in the handle stretched over time, leading her to brainstorm a fix with her husband, Kyle. The couple began using leather straps for a sturdier look and feel, organically starting Coalesce Leather, Little Birdie’s sister business.

“I always make something first and test it before I ever actually put it out into the world,” Tedesco says. — Kelly Powell For more information,

History Look

The Harmon Museum in Lebanon features a variety of interesting exhibits, from a gallery dedicated to Neil Armstrong to a trove of authentic Shaker items and inventions.

Lebanon practically oozes history. The Warren County seat was founded before Ohio became a state, is home to the Golden Lamb (Ohio’s oldest continuously operated business) and neighbored an important but long-gone Shaker settlement called Union Village. With that venerable heritage, you’d expect Lebanon to have an impressive museum, and it does.

The Harmon Museum sits in the heart of town and boasts three time-honored buildings that offer far more than slices of local history. They deliver a veritable smorgasbord of southwest Ohio culture through an array of eclectic exhibits, most of which are located in Harmon Hall, a stately Greek Revival structure that real estate tycoon William Elmer Harmon gave to his hometown.

“It was built in 1913 as a state-of-the-art recreation center and had a basketball court, a Turkish sauna, a weight room and even a bowling alley,” says executive director Michael Coyan. “The museum transformed the basketball court into a 19th-century Village Green complete with a post office, daguerreotype studio and general store where visitors can play checkers.”

Adjoining Harmon Hall is the Armstrong Conference Center, a 1936 post office that

OUR PAST

During a drab Midwestern winter, one starts to crave color, and while it’s easy to imagine early Ohioans’ homes as dark and dreary, Mennonite decorations like those on this blanket chest suggest otherwise.

Mennonites were one of many Germanic separatist groups who established themselves in Ohio in the 19th century. Here, they created communities, some so tightly bound and structured they were more like communes, trading and moving between villages.

A member of the Mennonite community, Jacob Werrey was born in Ohio in 1838 to European-born parents. His older brother inherited the family farm, and Jacob spent time there working as a carpenter.

now contains the Armstrong Gallery of Flight. Astronaut Neil Armstrong famously walked on the moon in 1969, and the gallery features memorabilia highlighting his down-to-earth lifestyle after he left NASA and lived on a farm outside Lebanon.

The museum’s must-see exhibit is in The Robert & Virginia Jones Shaker Gallery, named for the couple who bought the Golden Lamb in the 1920s and furnished it with pieces from Union Village’s abandoned buildings. The museum is renowned for its trove of Shaker items and inventions like the flat broom and apple peeler.

“Our Shaker collection is the largest west of the Alleghenies and probably one of the finest in the world,” Coyan says.

— Damaine Vonada

105 S. Broadway, Lebanon 45036, 513/9321817, wchsmuseum.org/harmonmuseum

Insulated from outside influences, craftsmen like Werrey produced traditional wares long after they had fallen out of mainstream society’s favor.

Both construction and decoration, including the metallic stenciling, reflect a Mennonite tradition seen in these communities that exist throughout parts of the Midwest. This chest was sold in November of 2023. — Hollie Davis

SOLD

Hollie Davis is a co-owner of Meander Auctions in Whipple, Ohio. FASCINATING OBJECTS FROM

Musical Musings

Cleveland-based music journalist and author Annie Zaleski talks about her newest book, Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs.

Annie Zaleski fondly remembers lining up along with thousands of other fans outside what was then Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for Taylor Swift’s 1989 Tour to witness the world-famous singer’s foray into her pop-star era.

Zaleski, a music journalist, penned the 33 1/3 Series book on Duran Duran’s seminal album “Rio” in 2021, the Lady Gaga: Applause biography in 2022 and the illustrated biography Pink: Raise Your Glass in 2023. So, when it came time to choose her next subject, Zaleski drew on her Swift fandom to pen Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs, which delves into the artist’s rich body of work.

“Her acumen as a songwriter is well-established at this point,” Zaleski says. “There’s so much to her songs, whether that’s the imagery she uses, nods to other artists, the turns of phrase she uses or the way she structures her songs. There’s a lot to dig into there.”

Zaleski studied at Harvard University before moving around the United States for a few years and then returning to the Cleveland area. We talked with Zaleski about how music influenced her life and the connection she found with Swift and her songs. — Gracie Metz

How did music shape your background and influence your life growing up?

A: My parents were major music fans. They loved music, and they passed that down to me. Growing up, we always had music playing. My dad loved not just ’70s classic rock, but he loved new wave music like The Cars and U2, and my mom loved Broadway. I have very strong memories of Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” and the “A Chorus Line” soundtrack.

Which Taylor Swift era would you say exemplifies you?

A: On a given day, “Red” is most often my favorite record by her. That album came out in 2012, and that was a very transitional time in my life, in a good way. I had moved back to Cleveland the year before, I was engaged, and I was planning my wedding. It was a transitional album for her, and it came out at a transitional time for me.

What about this book do you love most and what makes it special to you?

A: It’s thrilling to be able to write and release a book on an artist who is at the peak of their powers. Being able to spotlight someone’s songwriting and someone who means so much to people of all ages — especially young women and Swifties who’ve grown up with her — really means a lot to me. She’s really legitimized a lot of feelings and emotions that young women have felt over the years and has really been a friend from afar for people.

For more information, visit anniez.com.

Annie Zaleski has authored books, essays, articles and liner notes that provide insight into the work of legendary musical artists.

DATEBOOK

Burning Snowman Fest

Feb. 22: Port Clinton

Warm up your February at this annual 21-and-over event that sets ablaze a 30-foot-tall snowman made from wood and paper in a celebration of winter, complete with bands, food and drink. Leading up to the main event, shuttles take festivalgoers throughout Port Clinton, making stops at various local breweries and bars. The night before Burning Snowman, bundle up and bring the kids out for Family Freeze, a free event with activities suitable for all ages. facebook.com/burningsnowman

Calendar of Events: Your winter plans start here. Check out our guide to exhibitions, shows and other happenings scheduled between now and the end of February.

Inspired Moves: The Toledo Museum of Art’s “Strategic Interplay: African Art and Imagery in Black and White” uses chess as a framework to explore the art of Africa

INSPIRED MOVES N P R V S

The Toledo Museum of Art exhibition “Strategic Interplay: African Art and Imagery in Black and White” uses the game of chess as a frame for exploring art of the African continent.

By Kristina Smith

WILLIE COLE’S “TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE”

anisa Kitchiner can’t contain her excitement as she examines the large ceremonial mask depicting the ideal female figure in the Baga Nimba culture.

“I can’t even stand in front of it without feeling its strength, its muscle, its power, its importance to the Toledo Museum of Art’s collection,” says Kitchiner, the museum’s curator of African Art.

The mask is one of the museum’s recent African art acquisitions and on display as part of “Strategic Interplay: African Art and Imagery in Black and White,” which uses the game of chess to bring out aspects of African art and invites visitors to engage with and rethink how they view that art.

The mask was a muse for 20th-century Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, and a vase created by the artist is on display as part of the exhibition.

“This particular artwork was what Pablo Picasso would turn to again and again and again while he was working through his creative practice — a move by Pablo Picasso, or perhaps a move by Baga society that Pablo Picasso counters,” says Kitchiner, explaining the pieces’ connections to the exhibition’s chess theme. “This is the genesis; this is the beginning point. It’s just a remarkable representation of the creative genius of indigenous African artists.”

On display through Feb. 23, “Strategic Interplay: African Art and Imagery in Black and White” is organized into three parts: Openings and Interplays, Modern Gambits, and End Games. Throughout, it uses the theme of chess — one of the oldest games in the world and one that has a strong history in Africa — to draw the viewer in and challenge their perceptions of art.

The works on display are mostly from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and include painting, sculpture, photography and textiles. The oldest work is an Egyptian senet game piece inscribed with the name of Queen Ty from the 1300s. (Senet is an ancient game that is a precursor to chess.)

“[The exhibition’s] three sections are looking at the arts of Africa — the sort of strategic rigor, the headiness … the intentional actions of artists in the process of creating their artworks,” Kitchiner says, “[along with] the strategic and critical thinking that is on par with what a chess master might do when engaged in a game of chess.”

2445 Monroe St., Toledo 43620, 419/255-8000, toledomuseum.org

BAGA NIMBA SHOULDER MASK

MODUPEOLA FADUGBA’S “TAKE BACK YOUR PEARLS: KEHINDE”

DATEBOOK

The Nearest Faraway Place: Ohio’s Painters, Makers & Their Mentors

Jan. 25–April 26: Lancaster

In Yvette Smith’s “Rocky Coast,” blue waters envelop a shoreline of deepgreen trees built from thick brush strokes. The landscape is one of over 50 works featured in “The Nearest Faraway Place: Ohio’s Painters, Makers & Their Mentors,” on view at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster from Jan. 25 through April 26.

The show highlights 20th- and 21st-century Ohio artists whose work has been shaped by their travels, in addition to their deep-rooted connections to the place they grew up. Historically, our state’s railroads and waterways, particularly in larger cities, provided artists the opportunity to travel and learn under influential mentors, bringing home new techniques and perspectives.

“All these artists, when they came back, they brought something” says Dave Terry, co-curator of the exhibit. “They brought

more life, different atmospheres.”

The Columbus-based, husband-andwife team of Constance “Connie” and Dave Terry curated “The Nearest Faraway Place.” Having been in the art-restoration business for over 40 years, Dave turned to private collectors across the state to help shape the exhibition. Many of the paintings have not been on public view before.

Smith, who grew up in Bexley, used bold colors and techniques to create “Rocky Coast” in a style that evokes George Bellows. Other artists featured in the exhibit include Herman Wessels of Cincinnati, whose time in Europe inspired the piece “Bergen, Norway Harbor,” and painter Abel Warshawsky of Cleveland, who used his travels to France to create an impressionist depiction of a quaint Paris streetscape.

“If you lived here and grew up here, you’re going to realize that it has more of a historical importance,” Dave Terry says of Ohio’s role in the arts world. “Not only on the growth of our nation, but on the growth of our culture and arts.” — Annie Kennedy

145 E. Main St., Lancaster 43130, 740/681-1423, decartsohio.org

Theater Beetlejuice

Feb. 25–March 2: Toledo

Be sure not to say the name of this show three times in a row as the Tony Award-nominated musical stops at Toledo’s Stranahan Theater. With a catchy soundtrack and a giant snake in tow, the musical follows the tale of Lydia, a lonely teenage girl who is paid a visit by the green-haired, striped-suit-attired ghost known as Beetlejuice. stranahantheater.com

theater Chicago

Feb. 4–9: Dayton

Enjoy incredible music and dazzling dance performances when the touring version of “Chicago,” the longest-running American musical on Broadway, makes a stop at Dayton’s Schuster Center. The six-time Tony Award-winning show known for numbers like “Cell Block Tango” tells the story of aspiring stage star Roxie Hart. daytonlive.org

music

Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience VI

Feb. 8: Mason

Fight off the winter doldrums with the sounds of blues at the Manor House, an event venue in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason that serves as the backdrop for the sixth year of this live music experience. Music acts will play in both the Georgian and Manor ballrooms starting at 5 p.m., and this year’s lineup includes Memphis-based singer and harmonica player Tony Holiday, as well as headliner and four-time Blues Music Awards winner Vanessa Collier. winterblues experience.com

exhibit

CALENDAR

JANUARY

Central

FESTIVALS

JAN 20

Columbus Beerfest

Raise a glass to this annual one-day exhibition featuring over 150 local and craft beers, as well as offerings from craft wineries and distilleries. Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus, columbusbeerfest.com. Visit website for times and prices.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS

THRU JAN 5

Ming Smith: Wind Chime

Explore spirituality, movement and feminism in a solo exhibition pairing recent work by Columbus-raised artist Ming Smith with the photographic series that started her career in 1972. Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St., Columbus, 614/292-3535. wexarts.org. Visit website for times. Free.

THRU JAN 26

Fragments of Epic Memory

Explore themes of carnival and diaspora through 100 historical photos and modern art installations during “Fragments of Epic Memory.”

The traveling exhibit makes its last stop at the Columbus Museum of Art and provides a look into the culture and history of the Caribbean. Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, columbusmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices.

THRU FEB 28

The World of William Fouse

Explore the powerful legacy of William Henry Fouse, the first Black graduate of Westerville High and Otterbein University. Fouse was an intellectual and activist who battled Ohio’s Black Codes and fought for educational equality. Westerville Public Library, 126 S. State St., Westerville, 614/882-7277. westervillelibrary. org. Visit website for times. Free.

THRU MAR 13

Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO

JAN 25–APR 26

The Nearest Faraway Place: Ohio’s Painters, Makers & Their Mentors

Enjoy a diverse look at how artists and their influences shaped the creativity that makes up the Buckeye State. The featured works were inspired by the artists’ travels abroad and experiences in Ohio. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, 740/681-1423. decartsohio.org. Wed.–Fri. 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 1–4 p.m. Free.

music + theater

JAN 14–19

Peter Pan

Sprinkle some fairy dust and embrace the magic of childhood with this adventure starring a highflying hero and his sidekick, Tinker Bell. Enjoy a new adaptation of the 70-year-old classic that is directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-0939. capa.com. Tues.–Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 & 6:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.

JAN 16

Get the Led Out Rock out with this band capturing the essence of Led Zeppelin, utilizing multi-instrumentalists to recreate the group’s signature heart-thumping sound. Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Pl., Newark, 740/345-5483. midlandtheatre.org. 7 p.m. $39–$59.

JAN 18

Catalyst Quartet and Jordan Bak

Spend a few hours with this impressive musical quartet, lauded for their unity, as they perform alongside Jordan Bak, a rising JamaicanAmerican vocalist. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., Columbus, 614/340-1896. capa.com. 4 p.m. $17.29–$57.47.

JAN 23–25

Josh Blue at the Funny Bone Comedy Club

Josh Blue gained fame after winning Last Comic Standing in 2006 and has since become a prominent headliner worldwide. As a member of the U.S. Paralympic Soccer Team and a single father, Blue continues to break down stereotypes through comedy. Funny Bone Comedy Club, 145 Easton Town Center, Columbus, 614/471-5653. columbus.funnybone.com. Thurs. 7–8:30 p.m., Fri. 7–11 p.m., Sat. 6:30–10:30 p.m. $35.

State Regions

Because dates, times and locations are subject to change, please call ahead to confirm all details before traveling. For a more complete listing of events, visit ohiomagazine.com/events.

To submit event information, visit ohiomagazine.com/submit. Events must be submitted at least 8 weeks in advance. Include the date, time, cost, address, phone number, website and brief description of the event. (Events that do not meet our requirements may be deleted.) Print events are published on a space-available basis. Events submitted 8 weeks in advance appear on ohiomagazine.com/events.

Listings with photos are paid for by advertisers. For more information on enhanced listings, email us at adsales@ohiomagazine.com.

JAN 31

Magic Rocks! Illusionist Leon Etienne

This critically acclaimed magician has taken the stage on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Witness his immersive, family-friendly experience that features incredible illusions, award-winning sleight of hand and rip-roaring comedy. Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Pl., Newark, 740/345-5483. midlandtheatre.org. 7 p.m. $29–$49.

JAN 31

Zoo Night at Disney on Ice Presents: Frozen & Encanto

Join Anna, Elsa, Mirabel and the Madrigal family and be transported to Arendelle and Casita Madrigal. Mickey and Minnie play host at the sing-along show. Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, 614/645-3400. columbuszoo.org. 7 p.m. Visit website for prices.

OTHER EVENTS

JAN 16

Cocktails at the Conservatory: Fire & Ice

Celebrate the winter season with dessert, ice wine and cocktails from local vendors. Plus, enjoy an ice skating rink, watch an ice carving competition and stroll through the conservatory’s wintery grounds. Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, 614/715-8000. fpconservatory.org. 5:30–9:30 p.m. $30–$35.

Northeast

FESTIVALS

JAN 16

Cleveland Boat Show

Strauss Studios Presents: Are You There? Strauss Studios presents a collection of paintings by Canton-based artist Emily Orsich. Join FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF EVENTS ACROSS OHIO,

Celebrate everyone’s favorite building bricks with a museumwide scavenger hunt, a building zone and Minifigure station. Don’t miss the scale model of Columbus featuring signature landmarks and exciting new additions. Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, 614/221-6801. columbusmuseum.org. Tues.–Wed. & Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Visit website for prices.

JAN 24–25

Columbus Symphony: Mahler II

Join the capital city’s symphony as it plays “Resurrection,” featuring the return of soprano Jessica Rivera and the debut of mezzo-soprano Ronnita Miller. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-0939. capa.com. 7:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.

Celebrate 68 years of the Buckeye State’s premier boat show. The nautical event is packed with plenty of boats, education, live fishing and local cuisine. I-X Center, 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, 440/899-5009. clevelandboatshow.com. Visit website for times and prices.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS

THRU JAN 10

the organization for an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Upstairs Gallery. Strauss Studios, 236 Walnut Ave. NE, Canton, 330/456-0300. thestraussstudios.com. Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. noon–5 p.m. Free.

THRU JAN 19

Demons, Ghosts, and Goblins in Chinese Art

The supernatural comes to life at the Cleveland Museum of Art, allowing visitors to explore mystical creatures from Chinese lore and their place in both the secular and religious worlds. See works from the sixth through 18th century as they explore the good and evil of storied creatures. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart. org. Visit website for times and prices.

THRU MAR 2

El Albañil: Artwork by J. Leigh Garcia

See beautiful papermaking and printmaking techniques inspired by J. Leigh Garcia’s grandfather’s works. The artist pays tribute to the manual labor the Mexican patriarch completed, continuing her grandfather’s legacy in construction through her craft. Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton, 330/453-7666. cantonart.org. Visit website for times and prices.

THRU MAR 2

Night Visions: Nocturnes in American Art

From the CMA Collection

Explore the question of what attracts us to the nighttime through works called “nocturnes,”

Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton, 330/453-7666. cantonart.org. Visit website for times and prices.

THRU MARCH 23

Winter Wonderland at McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

View vintage winter coats and clothing from 1890 to 1980, hot chocolate sets, teapots, board games, cold remedies, ice skates, sleds, a onehorse open sleigh and much more. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton, 330/455-7043. mckinleymuseum.org. Tues.–Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Sun. noon–4 p.m. Adults $15, seniors $14, children 3-18 $13, children under 2 free.

THRU MAR 30

Pattern and Decoration in Royal Art of the Joseon Dynasty

Explore the intricate designs of 18th- and 19th-century Korea through painted screens and porcelain wares. This exhibit highlights the

Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart.org. Visit website for times. Free.

JAN 26–MAY 25

Kelli Connell: Pictures for Charis

Reconsider the friendship between photographer Edward Weston and writer Charis Wilson through Weston’s iconic landscapes and Wilson’s winding prose. The exhibition juxtaposes photographer Kelli Connell’s works with pieces by Weston from 1934 and 1935. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart.org. Visit website for times. Free.

music + theater

THRU JAN 5

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Back by popular demand, the irresistible, kidfriendly musical centered around family returns to the Beck Center for the Arts. Accompany Joseph on his journey through a variety of trials and triumphs as you experience different music styles and vibrant costumes. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216/5212540. beckcenter.org. Visit website for times and prices.

JAN 7–26

Life of Pi

See a breathtaking journey of a 16-year-old boy — joined by his zebra, orangutan, hyena and tiger companions — across the Pacific Ocean.

This production tells the epic story through jaw-dropping visuals and world-class puppetry, speaking to a new generation of theatergoers. Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216/771-4444. playhousesquare.org. Visit website for times and prices.

other events

JAN 17–19

Jazz and Wine Weekend

January is a great time to get away, and there’s no better place to do it than at The Grand Resort. This weekend event includes a two-night stay, cocktail reception, as well as a wine tasting and dinner with incredible jazz performances. The Grand Resort, 9519 E. Market St., Warren, 330/ 856-1900. thegrandresort.com. Visit website for times and prices.

JAN 19

Tracking: The Art of Seeing Discover who (or what) is making tracks in the snow, nibbling the twigs and leaving other clues behind. Join a Summit Metro Parks naturalist for

a hike along the 1.6-mile

Buttonbush Trail as you learn the tips and tricks of tracking. Liberty Park, 3973 E. Aurora Rd., Twinsburg, 330/867-5511. summitmetroparks.org. 1–3 p.m. Free.

JAN 23

Sip + Learn: Gervasi Spirits Craft Cocktail Class

Master mixology techniques while crafting signature cocktails in a fun, interactive setting. This event is perfect for friends, couples or anyone who loves a good drink. Cheers to learning and sipping in style. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard.com. 6 p.m. $45.

Northwest

music + theater

JAN 9–11

Bluegrass in Superclass Head to Maumee Bay Lodge to see 12 national, regional and local bluegrass bands performing

WINTER Wonderland

over the course of three days. Special guest star Rhonda Vincent of the Grand Ole Opry is among the performers. Maumee Bay Lodge, 1750 State Park Rd. #2, Oregon, 330/388-7280. bluegrassinsuperclass.com. Thurs. 6–11 p.m., Fri. 1–11:30 p.m., Sat. 1–11:30 p.m. Adults $30, children free.

JAN 16

Head for the Hills

Listen to the signature sound of this genrebending band that formed in college 15 years ago. The group’s newest EP, “Say Your Mind,” brings themes of relationships, fatherhood and growing up center stage. Marathon Center for Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 419/423-2787. mcpa.org. 7:30 p.m. $20–$50.

JAN 23–26

Chicago the Broadway Musical

Shimmy to this showstopping production with chorus girl Roxie Hart and vaudeville star Velma Kelly. Watch the tale of Cook County Jail’s most notorious murderesses unfold, as they begin competing for headlines amidst media attention. Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, 419/381-8851. stranahantheater.com. Thurs.–Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. $39–$104.

OTHER EVENTS

JAN 31–FEB 2

Rug Hook-In Retreat

Meet seasoned and beginner rug hookers at this annual gathering. All skill levels are welcome,

and attendees are encouraged to bring new projects and works in progress to the weekend get-together. Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold, 419/446-2541. saudervillage.org. Visit website for times and prices.

Southeast

FESTIVALS

JAN 18

Logan Frozen Festival

Gaze at beautiful ice sculptures at this annual gathering. Participate in ice games, watch ice block carving demonstrations, enjoy eats from local food vendors and shop at downtown stores. Downtown Logan, Main Street, Logan, 740/385-6841. explorehockinghills.com. Visit website for times. Free.

MUSIC + THEATER

JAN 12

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage

Don’t miss out on a special performance featuring this multi-award-winning artist. Vincent will play all the hits from her catalog of boundarybending bluegrass tunes. Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Sq., Nelsonville, 740/7531924. stuartsoperahouse.org. 3 p.m. $35–$40.

JAN 18

Jig: A Trinity Irish Dance Company Production

Enjoy this fresh take on Trinity Irish Dance

Company’s internationally renowned, alternative approach to a traditional form. Jig immerses audiences in an authentic experience that celebrates rhythm and movement. Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8–10 p.m. $39–$62.

Southwest FESTIVALS

JAN 11–13

Brick Fest Live

Bring the kids along for this play-centered weekend showcasing over 1 million bricks. Come face-to-face with life-size brick models, build in an interactive glow zone and design special mosaic art, among other activities. Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton, 937/5355300. brickfestlive.com. Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $16.99–$34.99.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS

THRU FEB 9

George Bellows: American Life in Print

View the work of this Columbus-born painter, illustrator and printmaker as a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his passing. The exhibit features 55 lithographs and drawings. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, 513/721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Tues.–Wed. & Fri.–Sun. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Free.

FEBRUARY

Central

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 13–16

Bobby Floyd Plays the Blues

Get your groove on with the soulful sounds of this Columbus legend. Floyd will be joined on stage by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra and special guest Dan Wilson on guitar. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., Columbus, 614/3401896. capa.com. Thurs.–Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Visit website for prices.

FEB 13–16

West Side Story

Join four capital-city arts organizations as they combine forces to perform this beloved musical. BalletMet, CAPA, the Columbus Symphony and Opera Columbus bring all the hits to the stage, including “Tonight” and “I Feel Pretty.” The performance will include English and Spanish captions. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-0939. capa.com. Thurs.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices.

FEB 18–23 & Juliet

Explore what happens when Juliet doesn’t end everything for Romeo’s sake. Be whisked away by this new take on a classic story full of pop anthems like “Since U Been Gone,” “Baby One

16. Ferrante Winery & Ristorante

17. Firefly Winery

18. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa

19. Greene County CVB

20. Hocking Hills Tourism Association

21. Kingwood Center Gardens

22. Knox County CVB

23. Laurello Vineyards

24. Laurentia Vineyard & Winery

25. Lincoln Way Vineyards

26. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

27. Medina County Convention & Visitors Bureau

28. Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District

29. Ohio Grape Industries

30. Old Firehouse Winery

31. Plum Run Winery

32. Ravenhurst Champagne Cellars

33. Rhonemus Cellars

34. Stonegait Winery

35. Sunny Slope Winery

36. The Grand Resort and Spa

37. Travel Butler County, OH

38. Trumbull County Tourism Bureau

39. Tucker County CVB

40. Visit Canton

41. Visit Cincy

42. Visit Dublin Ohio

43. Visit Greater Lima

44. Visit Grove City (Grove City Area CVB)

45. Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau

46. Wyandotte Winery

More Time” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/4690939. capa.com. Tues.–Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun. 1 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.

museums + exhibits

MARCH 7–29

21st Annual Bryn Du Art Show

Experience extraordinary art in the charming village of Granville. Located at the beautiful Bryn Du Mansion, this annual juried exhibition features exceptional talent from across the nation. Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd., Granville, 740/587-7053. bryndu.com. Tues.–Wed. & Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Thurs. 4–8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon to 4 p.m., Mon. closed. Free.

Northeast FESTIVALS

FEB 1

Vermilion Ice A Fair

Watch live ice carving demonstrations, gaze at over 50 beautiful ice sculptures and take trolley tours of this historic downtown. Plus, meet Pete and Jolly, the festival’s beloved mascots. Downtown Vermilion, Main Street, Vermilion, 440/963-0772. mainstreetvermilion.org. Visit website for times and prices.

FEB 14–17

Medina Ice Festival

Head to Medina for the 31st annual Medina Ice Festival, presented by Elegant Ice Creations and Main Street Medina. Don’t miss the ice carving contests or a walk through the ice sculpture garden located at Uptown Park and throughout Public Square. Medina Public Square, Medina. mainstreetmedina.com. Visit website for additional event times. Free.

FEB 21–22

Brite Winter

Listen to the sounds of new and familiar musical acts at this annual get-together embracing Cleveland’s lake-effect weather. Head to the

nonprofit festival and discover your new favorite bands. Flats West Bank, 1153 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216/245-7840. britewinter.com. Visit website for times and prices.

music + theater

FEB 15

Wayne Center Presents: Jinjoo Cho, Max Geissler and Hyunsoon Kim

Immerse yourself in romantic music performed by an award-winning trio. This group is known for expressive performances that captivate audiences. This concert promises an evening of passion and masterful musicianship. Wayne Center for the Arts, 237 S. Walnut St., Wooster, 330/264-2787. wayneartscenter.org/events. 7–9 p.m. $30.

FEB 27

The Booth Brothers

Join Hartville Kitchen for an evening of uplifting entertainment with this Grammy Awardnominated trio known for chart-topping songs and a powerful message of giving glory to God through music. Hartville Kitchen, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330-877-9353. hartvillekitchen. com/events. 7 p.m. $59–$69.

other events

Watch Chef Bob Sferra create culinary magic as you enjoy a delicious tasting menu at this Cucina Demonstration Dinner. The event is perfect for food enthusiasts looking to savor and learn in a fun, interactive experience. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE Canton, 330/ 497-1000. gervasivineyard.com. 6 p.m. $75.

Northwest

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 19

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight Be electrified by this 90-minute spectacle infusing rock and metal anthems with a haunted twist. Watch a band of 14 classical musicians play melodies from the Rolling Stones, Rage Against the Machine, Evanescence and more. Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, 419/381-8851. stranahantheater.com. 8 p.m. $45–$99.

Southeast

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 7 ABBA Fab

Dance the night away with this tribute to the iconic four-piece Swedish pop group. Enjoy a multimedia production including standout singles, like “Dancing Queen,” “Waterloo,” “Fernando” and “Honey Honey.” Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 740/772-2041. majesticchillicothe.net 7:30–9:30 p.m. $39–$59.

FEB 27

Josh Turner: This Country Music Thing Tour With timeless songs like “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Josh Turner’s global reach has surpassed 5.8 billion global streams, 6.5 million album sales and almost 12 million track sales worldwide. Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/3715152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8–10 p.m. $68–$188.

Southwest

FESTIVALS

FEB 7–9

Jurassic Quest 2025

Make memories at this “dino-mite” affair celebrating the creatures that used to roam the Earth. Play with baby dinosaurs, excavate fossils and learn how to train a raptor. Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton, 937/535-5300. daytonconventioncenter.com. Fri. noon–6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit website for prices.

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 15

Close to You: The Music of The Carpenters Be enchanted by The Carpenters tribute artist Lisa Rock and her six-piece backing band. Dedicated to re-creating the sound of the original group, Rock and the instrumentalists lock in to perform some of their greatest hits, including “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Close to You.” Holland Theatre, 127 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, 937/592-9002. theholland.org. 7:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.

Keepers of the Flame

Nights & Weekends in Ashtabula serves up wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas and other dishes inspired by family recipes.

Cole Emde and Jacqueline von Tesmar know plenty about pizza. The couple, who are from Rocky River and Ashtabula, respectively, lived in Brooklyn and San Francisco and visited Naples, Italy, before returning to von Tesmar’s hometown in 2020.

Together with their business partner, Chris Capo, they established their Nights & Weekends pizza shop on Ashtabula’s Bridge Street just a year later. The pizzeria is nestled in a »

Ghost Baby, Cincinnati: Fans of cocktail-lounge culture gather at this spot in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood that embodies the allure of a bygone era.

Bagel Bliss: The Lox in Columbus’ Short North Arts District offers a spot to get your fix of fresh bagels as well as sandwiches made using them.

FARM & TABLE

corner building that housed a grocer from 1895 to 1899 and the O’Leary Shoe Store from 1934 to 1970, among other ventures. It follows that preserving tradition sits at the heart of the restaurant’s menu.

“The meatball is my sister’s recipe, the caponata was based off of a recipe from Cole’s mom,” von Tesmar says of two selections from the menu’s antipasti section. “It’s just all of these recipes that have been around and tried and true for different people in our lives.”

In addition to Neapolitan-style pizzas and appetizers, Nights & Weekends serves salads and dessert, as well as coffee, digestifs, cocktails, wine and craft beer.

Every pizza is cooked in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven (named Sophia and imported from Modena, Italy), which is fueled with a steady diet of beech, oak and ash woods from nearby Andover.

The staff hand-tosses the dough daily for a lineup of red and white pizzas that include traditional favorites like the Pepperoni or Bianca, as well as inventive offerings like the Funghi or Gabagool.

“We want it to be as authentic and traditional as we can within the limitations of sourcing things,” Emde says. “We use Caputo [flour] from Italy, our tomatoes are San Marzano DOP [meaning they are certified as sourced from that region of Italy]. … We use the best mozzarella we can get out of Wisconsin.”

Emde suggests first-time customers try the Margherita, a simple pizza topped with tomato, fresh mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, fresh basil and pecorino Romano cheese. He adds that the popularity of individual varieties seems to ebb and flow throughout the month.

“Working the oven every day, it goes in waves,” Emde says. “There will be a week where it’s just a thousand Margheritas, and then the next week, it’s all Quattro Formaggis and Soppressatas.”

The wood-fired oven — surrounded by emerald-green tile and a curved bar of the same color — serves as a focal point of the restaurant’s interior design, and von Tesmar worked with a local carpenter to build booth-style seating in the windows and add custom benches.

“To showcase that fire and be able to be up next to it and watch the pizzas being made was of really big importance to me,” von Tesmar says. “[It] highlights that artistry, and you can see that fire from the street when you’re driving by.” — Kelly Powell

1035 Bridge St., Ashtabula 44004, 440/661-4061, nightsandweekendsohio.com

Bagel Bliss

Columbus’ The Lox offers a spot to get your fix of fresh bagels and sandwiches made with them.

The scent of fresh bagels hits you the moment you walk through the door of The Lox in Columbus. When chef Kevin Crowley left the restaurant world and began brainstorming ideas for a business in 2016, he noted a resurgence in Jewish cuisine, deli food and artisanal breads.

“I grew up on the west side of Cincinnati, a Catholic kid,

and now I’m making bagels in Columbus. So, it’s a unique way to get there” Crowley says with a laugh.

Opened in 2018 in Columbus’ Short North Arts District, The Lox blends the soft, puffier interior typical of a New York-style bagel with the denser, sweeter, and crispier exterior of a Montreal-style bagel. Varieties span Plain, Everything, Sea Salt, and Herb and Sesame, and there are eight flavors of cream cheese to choose from.

Breakfast sandwiches include Egg & Cheese and The Lox, the latter of which is also

a lunch option. Pastrami, Egg Salad and a Cauliflower Melt are among the other lunch choices.

The Lox has an atmosphere that matches its menu, with ambient music, natural lighting and rustic wooden tables filling the cozy space. The bagels are made fresh, and the meats are smoked and cured in-house.

“While we are a pretty humble bagel shop,” Crowley says, “I still think that we lead with high-quality ingredients first and foremost.” — Annie Kennedy

772 N. High St. #106, Columbus 43215, theloxbagelshop.com

PIZZA: MEGANN GALEHOUSE; BAGEL: RACHAEL JIROUSEK

Slices of Marinara and Gabagool pizza (above); Cole Emde crafting a Neapolitan-style pizza (right)

Ghost Baby, Cincinnati

Fans of cocktail-lounge culture gather at this spot in the Over-theRhine neighborhood that embodies the allure of a bygone era.

Nearly five stories below Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, hidden deep in this belly of silent earth and stone, you’ll find a lively haunt called Ghost Baby. It’s marked only by a glowing purple orb suspended above a doorway on a residential street. Midway down the 50some stairs (fear not: there’s an elevator too), sounds of revelry begin to beckon. The spirit of a bygone era awaits.

Ghost Baby serves drinks that pay homage to pre-Prohibition classics in a 170-yearold lagering tunnel originally used to ferment and store beer for the ale house above. For generations it sat vacant, until owner Josh Heuser, along with two partnering organizations, redeveloped the space in 2019.

The name revealed itself during renovations. As a contractor was putting new lightbulbs in the tunnel, one that he had just replaced, suddenly shattered. As the space went dark, he reported seeing the feet of a toddler scurrying up the long metal ladder leading out. Or so the story goes.

Ghost Baby creates new stories today as an upscale bar with nightly live music, “where the Roaring Twenties meet the Electric Eighties,” says general manager Adammichael Gesell.

The cocktail menu, supplemented by beer, wine and spirits, features thoughtful

homages to familiar favorites. The No. 3 is a take on an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan served with a flourish of smoking cherrywood, star anise and cinnamon. The No. 5 relies on chili-infused maple and carrot-ginger jam to mellow smoky Scotch whisky. Keen eyes might spot the absence of the No. 2., a secret cocktail offered only to those who ask.

Ghost Baby has two rooms to choose from. The Rattle Room, featuring a bar in the shape of a baby’s rattle, is a great choice for spontaneous visits, while the Den, featuring plush velvet booths and the live music stage, usually requires a reservation. Although mobile phone service is adequate, it’s easy to tuck it away and disconnect for a while.

“It’s about truly finding that escape, to go back in time and disengage from the outside world,” Gessell says. “The experience is what we’re here for.” — Michelle Hopkins

1314 Republic St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/381-5333, ghost-baby.com

Ferrante Winery

Located in the heart of the Grand River Valley, Ferrante Winery is the perfect place for a winter getaway. Taste the fruits of over 75 years of innovative wine-making experience, including specialities like Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Dolcetto. The tasting room is open seven days a week, and guests can even stop for a bite at the full-service Italian restaurant and enjoy live entertainment on the weekends.

5585 St. Rte. 307 Geneva 44041 440-466-8466 ferrantewinery.com

Sunny Slope Winery

Nestled between Mohican State Park and Amish Country, Sunny Slope Winery is more than a casual stop — it’s a vibe! Our motto: Pour yourself into all you do, and don’t forget to pour yourself a glass or two. Join us on state Route 39 for handcrafted wines, good times and great company. 330-464-8314

12251 St. Rte. 39 Big Prairie 44611 sunnyslopewinery.com

Enjoy the wide-open spaces of the Appalachian foothills and explore the eclectic mix of seven unique wineries and a craft brewery, all within a short drive of one another in beautiful Coshocton County. It’s the perfect romantic getaway or girls’ weekend adventure. Free Passport Program and hotel packages are available.

432 N. Whitewoman St. Coshocton 43812 740-622-4877 threeriverswinetrailohio.com Three Rivers Wine Trail

Rhonemus Cellars

Laurello Vineyards is a family-owned winery providing hand-crafted, award-winning wines and specially prepared foods, as well as beer on tap. Laurello offers premium, vinifera wines in addition to unique blends and delicious ice wines. We invite you to stop by to experience our boutique winery.

4573 St. Rte. 307 E. Geneva 44041 440-415-0661 laurellovineyards.com

Explore the charm of Ohio’s Appalachian foothills with a tour of local vineyards, wineries and craft breweries. Sip exquisite wines and craft beers, enjoy cozy porches, stroll lush gardens and watch stunning sunsets. Discover the stories behind each destination in Guernsey, Coshocton and Muskingum counties. Unforgettable memories await! 740-432-2022 visitguernseycounty.com/ wild-about-wine Wild About Wine

Escape to Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, where luxury meets tranquility. Nestled in the heart of Canton, Ohio, our Tuscan-inspired estate offers award-winning wines, world-class dining, luxurious accommodations and rejuvenating spa experiences. Stroll through picturesque vineyards, savor culinary delights, and create unforgettable memories in an elegant, serene setting. 1700 55th St. NE Canton 44721 330-497-1000 gervasivineyard.com

Rhonemus Cellars, a familyowned destination winery, restaurant and event space overlooking The View Golf Club, is designed to bring unforgettable experiences and exceptional wines to central Ohio. 1151 George Rd. NE Lancaster 43130 740-785-9900 rhonemuscellars.com

Firefly Winery is a family-ownedand-operated boutique winery nestled in the heart of downtown Hilliard. Enjoy handcrafted wines such as signature red and white blends, bourbon barrel aged red, sparkling ciders, fruit wines and unique wine cocktails. The elegant tasting room includes a 10-seat bar, cozy fireplace, an open kitchen and comfortable seating. 5435 Franklin St. Hilliard 43026 614-623-3249 fireflywineryohio.com

Laurello Vineyards

Dragonfly Vineyard and Wine Cellar

Lincoln Way Vineyards

Plum Run Winery

Ravenhurst Champagne Cellars

This countryside vineyard and wine cellar is located in Champaign County’s Mad River Valley. Enjoy estate wines, ranging from dry to sweet, with a sandwich, charcuterie or other accompaniments while seated in the scenic 4-acre vineyard or beside a cozy fireplace.

710 W. Herr Rd. Urbana 43078 937-653-4377 dragonflyvineyard.com

”Find Your Wine Time” with us. Sit and relax while you enjoy our wine, hard cider, fruit wine slushies and more. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook for details on upcoming events, food truck schedules and weekend entertainment. Igloo and firepit rentals are available online.

9050 W. Old Lincoln Way Wooster 44691 330-804-9463 lincolnwayvineyards.com

This winter, sip your wine in a cozy igloo! Old Firehouse Winery offers heated igloos along the beautiful shores of Lake Erie. Igloos can fit up to eight guests and are available to reserve through April. The winery produces its own wines on-site, and the tasting room and restaurant are open year-round.

5499 Lake Rd. E. Geneva-on-the-Lake 44041 440-466-9300 oldfirehousewinery.com

Visit this locally owned boutique winery in the heart of downtown Grove City. Sample 22 varieties of house wines and 30 taps of artfully crafted beers and ciders, as well as a full scratch kitchen and large pet-friendly patio. This venue also has plenty of space for meetings and private events as well.

3946 Broadway Grove City 43123 614.991-0338 plumrunwinery.com

Ravenhurst Champagne Cellars is the only Ohio winery to be reviewed in “Opus Vino: More Than 4,000 of the World’s Greatest Wineries and Their Wine,” along with being a threetime Wine of the Year winner, among other accolades. We are dedicated to making Methode Champenoise Champagnes and dry vinifera wines.

34477 Shertzer Rd. Mount Victory 43340 937-354-5151 raven_ink@hotmail.com

Laurentia Vineyard and Winery

Laurentia Vineyard and Winery is located within the Grand River Valley. Situated upon 48 acres of estate vineyards, Laurentia’s award-winning wines, such as the Double Gold Stoltz Block Cabernet, may be perfectly paired with a variety of boards, shared plates and artisan flat breads.

4599 S. Madison Rd. Madison 44057 440-296-9175

laurentiawinery.com

Discover central Ohio’s pioneer winery, offering handcrafted wines, live music and a versatile event space for everything from book clubs to weddings. With a selection of wines ranging from bold reds to crisp whites and from dry to sweet, there is something to suit every taste. Plus, plan for a cozy getaway with an overnight stay at The Quarters.

4640 Wyandotte Dr. Columbus 43230 614-476-3624 wyandottewinery.com

Cincinnati’s grand Union Terminal opened in 1933 as one of the nation’s most magnificent train stations. Its closure in 1972 cast doubt over the future of the beautiful art deco building it called home. Then, Superman and, years later, Hamilton County voters saved the day.

By Jim Vickers

he opening of Cincinnati’s Union Terminal came late in the railroad era for such a magnificent structure, but there was no evidence of such concerns during the building’s public dedication on the afternoon of March 31, 1933 — four years after construction began and nine months ahead of schedule.

Cincinnati Union Terminal Co. president H.A. Worcester presented Mayor Russell Wilson with a ceremonial gold key in front of a crowd of tens of thousands. The exchange was preceded by a parade and music by Frank Simon’s Armco Band. Then, at 3 p.m., the doors of the terminal opened, and the public was invited in to see the place for themselves.

“We tried to build something new, fresh and joyous,” Col. Henry M. Waite, Union Terminal’s chief engineer, told Rotary club members gathered at the new station for a meeting the day before the public dedication.

Aside from the excitement surrounding New Yorkbased architectural firm Fellheimer and Wagner’s design, the new station helped solve a real problem: When the Ohio River flooded, it put Cincinnati’s existing railroad stations underwater. Union Terminal’s location on the city’s west side was above the Ohio River’s high-water mark.

The $41 million project encompassed not only the beautifully appointed, art deco terminal with its half-dome facade and park and fountain out front, but also outbuild-

ings and railroad tracks leading to the station. Spanning 287 acres, 22 separate buildings and 94 miles of track, the site served seven different rail companies and could accommodate 216 trains and 17,000 passengers daily. Yet those monumental numbers were quickly rivaled by reports of the exquisite beauty found within the terminal.

Beyond the station’s soaring dome that rises 106 feet above the lobby floor, artistic touches throughout the sprawling space were marveled at by those who got a first look. Reporter Cherry Greve provided an account in the March 25, 1933, edition of the Cincinnati Times-Star.

“To attempt a description and discussion of the new Cincinnati Union Terminal in its entirety is an impossible feat,” Greve wrote. “To restrict the discussion to the artistic viewpoint is necessary and even here the task assumes momentous proportions.”

The article delved into the work of artist Pierre Bourdelle, who created murals for the walls of the terminal’s movie theater, lunchroom and private dining rooms, as well as a variety of low-relief linoleum works for the walls, including an intricate jungle scene in a waiting alcove. The report also mentioned Winold Reiss’ mosaic murals in the lobby and concourse and artist Maxfield Keck’s bas reliefs of “Transportation” and “Industry” carved into the building’s facade.

“The Cincinnati Union Terminal is more than a mere terminal,” Greve wrote. “It is a work of art embodying all that is finest in the various fields of art and science known today.”

Despite its allure, there was no avoiding the fact that Union Terminal’s fate depended on the popularity of trains as transportation, and by the time it opened, ridership was already waning. On the evening of its public dedication there was at least one concern briefly voiced about the future of train travel. During a dinner at Cincinnati’s Netherland Plaza hotel, former West Virginia Gov. John J. Cornwell delivered remarks that, while congratulatory and hopeful about Union Terminal’s future, contained some straight talk that proved prophetic.

“I should say [the terminal] came after the need, to some degree, had passed,” he noted, “for the decline of more than 50 percent in railroad passenger business has left expensive passenger stations in this country standing as monuments to civic spirit and unfulfilled railroad expectations.”

riving down the long entrance road, Union Terminal stands out, instantly recognizable in the distance. Although clearly of another time, it remains imbued with the energy and vitality with which it was created. Large swaths of green flank the roadway and lend an air of grandeur and importance that carries through as you park, pass the elaborate fountain out front and enter what is now the Cincinnati Museum Center.

For a first-time visitor, the large lobby prompts an immediate moment of pause to take it all in. The concentric

rings of the massive half dome glow in shades of orange and yellow. Just below them, Reiss’ mosaic murals stretch from one end of the rotunda to the other in separate 22-by110-foot sections. One depicts the history of the United States through people, from Native Americans to industrial workers of what was then the modern era. The other presents figures against a timeline of Cincinnati from settlement to the 1930s.

The Cincinnati History Museum, The Children’s Museum, the Museum of Natural History & Sciences and the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust and Humanities Center, along with the Cincinnati History Library and Archives and an Omnimax theater, are all located here.

Walk down one main hallway for a trip into Cincinnati history, including a massive model-train display that depicts the city’s downtown in the 1940s. Another hallway leads to a dinosaur hall, an immersive Ice Age exhibit and a journey through a cave built inside the museum. Other treasures within the building include the Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor (formerly a tearoom) and its tile installation crafted by Rookwood pottery artist William E. Hentschel. Seeing it all is hours of fun, but it took years to figure out the building’s best use. Once that was decided, operating expenses and later repairs that proved necessary to ensure the building’s long-term survival created daunting new challenges.

As early as the 1960s, it was becoming clear that Union Terminal’s time as a train station was coming to an end. Ideas for other uses — some serious and others not so much — were bandied. In 1968, science exhibits were put on display, but they only remained a couple years. By the time of Union Terminal’s last day of operation, Oct. 28, 1972, just two trains came through the station.

In 1972, Union Terminal closed its doors and sat empty.

Renovations that were completed in 2018 revived the landmark (opposite page).

It wasn’t long before threats to the building began to appear, along with a grassroots effort to save it, including a song called “Save The Terminal” recorded by then-Mayor of Cincinnati and future talk show host Jerry Springer.

In 1974, a decision to make way for double-decker freight trains led to the demolition of the station’s 450-foot-long concourse, which held 16 Reiss mosaics depicting industrial workers as well as the artist’s large mural of North America. (The mosaics of workers were relocated, but the map could not be.) The station’s grand rotunda was saved but for what purpose nobody was sure. Then, talk of razing the building began to circulate due to the liability of such a large vacant space. The Cincinnati Union Terminal Co. was seeking $1 million for the property.

“If we can’t sell it, we’ve got to tear it down” Cincinnati Union Terminal Co. lawyer John Hudson said in a United Press International article that appeared in the Jan. 19, 1974, edition of The Coshocton Tribune. “The cost of maintaining it and the taxes are just tremendous. If it can’t be sold, it’s got to be disposed of.”

A year later, the city of Cincinnati paid $1 million for the 15-acre site and $2 for the building to find a new use for

Union Terminal. It heard pitches from three developers, including the Columbus-based Joseph Skilken Organization, which pitched an entertainment and shopping concept it referred to as “Oz.”

“People will come into the center rotunda, where we’ll have an ice-skating rink a la Rockefeller Plaza,” then-company secretary Steve Skilken detailed in a report on the Associated Press wire that appeared in the Jan. 8, 1978, edition of The Lima News. “Around the rotunda area will be a lounge, fast food shops, a fine steak restaurant, a crepe restaurant.”

The development opened in 1980 as a shopping center with 40 stores. All but one tenant had moved out by 1985.

ust as Union Terminal faced a period of uncertainty, it got a second life via pop culture in a most unexpected way. In September 1973, when the Hanna-Barbera cartoon “Super Friends” appeared in the Saturday-morning lineup, the headquarters for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the crew looked just like Cincinnati’s landmark train station.

The resemblance between the superheroes’ headquarters and Union Terminal was anything but coincidence. Cincinnati-based Taft Broadcasting Co. owned Hanna-Barbera from the late 1960s through 1992. In 2009, Hanna-Barbera background artist Al Gmuer said during an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer that when he sent his sketch for the Hall of Justice to the network for review it “had more windows,” but they changed its design to more closely resemble the Cincinnati landmark.

“In the long run, I hated that building,” Gmuer told reporter Alex Shebar for the March 25, 2009, article. “The way it’s designed, it was not easy to draw. I had nightmares about that damn building.”

“Super Friends” ran from 1973 through 1985, and while the show evolved, the Hall of Justice remained, making Cincinnati’s landmark visually synonymous with truth, justice and the American way with legions of superhero fans, even if they wouldn’t make that connection for years to come.

The Cincinnati Union Terminal is more than a mere terminal. It is a work of art that is embodying all that is finest in the various fields of art and science known today.”

— Cherry Greve, reporter for the Cincinnati TimesStar, March 25, 1933

Such goodwill didn’t hurt as plans progressed to find a new permanent use for the structure. In 1986, Hamilton County voters approved $33 million in funding to turn Union Terminal into a cultural center. In November 1990, the Cincinnati Museum Center opened and marked the beginning of the building’s life as one of the city’s cornerstone attractions. (Amtrak restored rail service to the building in summer 1991 and still operates there today.)

In 2004, county voters approved a levy to cover operating costs and capital repairs and then approved an extension five years later, but that wasn’t the end to the challenges.

The ultimate threat facing Union Terminal was time. In 2014, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named it one of the 11 most endangered historic places in the United States due to deterioration, water damage and mechanical needs that carried a staggering cost of $212 million to fix. That same year, Hamilton County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase over five years to generate $170 million toward that repair bill. The Cincinnati Museum Center closed in July 2016 and reopened in November 2018 with a repaired and renewed building and experience.

Superman still has a place here too. When director James Gunn’s new “Superman” movie came to town in summer 2024, Union Terminal was one of the filming locations. A flag bearing the seal of the city of Metropolis was spotted over the Cincinnati Museum Center on July 18, 2024, leading many to reason that the Hall of Justice makes an appearance in the film, which is set for a July 11, 2025, release.

As Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Pop Culture told the Cincinnati Enquirer for its 2009 story about the connection between Union Terminal and the Hall of Justice, the building’s relative anonymity on a national level made it appealing for the superhero realm. It also explains our continued fascination with it.

“Someone knew of a great building with a wonderful visual look that reeked of the power and the energy it was designed for,” Thompson said. “It also wasn’t overused like, for instance, the Chrysler Building. It wasn’t a cliche.”

OHIO LOVE

In the heart of winter, we celebrate fresh flavors, interesting places and new experiences. Whether you’re into trendy food and drink spots, one-of-a-kind attractions or uplifting stories, let your heart soar with these 30 things to appreciate about the Buckeye State right now.

By Nicholas Dekker, Erin Finan, Gracie Metz, Sarah Miller, Kelly Powell, Chloe Robertson, Jim Vickers and Damaine Vonada

Moo-ving On

Known for homemade ice cream and multigeneration experiences ranging from mini golf to hand-feeding goats, Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs prides itself on family fun. Now the dairy is putting a new spin on that idea with Cowtherine’s Carousel, a year-round, indoor merry-go-round that’s barnyard themed and named after one of Young’s bovine mascots. In addition to a pig, goat, rooster and six Jersey cows, the custom-made carousel features 21 horses whose yummy colors represent ice cream flavors. The cotton candy horse is blue; the mint chocolate chip horse is green with brown dots; and the banana split horse has a saddle that resembles whipped cream with a cherry on top. youngsdairy.com

Gridiron Goals

For more than 70 years, a tiny Ohio town has made every NFL football. Now you can take Wilson Sporting Goods’ football factory tour.

Why would you go to a tiny college town in northwest Ohio to tour a factory? Because it’s the Wilson Sporting Goods football factory, and for 70 years and counting, Ada, Ohio, has been the only place in the world where the National Football League’s official game ball is manufactured.

Opened in May 2024, the modern, $15 million factory upholds a tradition of craftsmanship that began in 1955, when the Chicago-based Wilson company moved its NFL football-making operation from the Windy City to a small leatherworks it had acquired in Ada. Fast-forward to the current facility and its skilled employees, who proudly make top-quality footballs by hand that meet the NFL’s exacting standards.

“We produce 27,000 footballs for the NFL every season,” says factory manufacturing engineer Mike Springer.

Although it was built to increase productivity and customized football options for youth, high school and college teams,

the factory also offers singular visitor experiences. The building’s clever landscaping mimics a gridiron, while in the lobby, museum-like exhibits feature sports memorabilia dating to the 1940s, as well as made-in-Ada footballs from every Super Bowl. It even has a retail store where you can score everything from tennis rackets to baseball gloves to replicas of Wilson the volleyball from the movie “Cast Away.”

Guided factory tours are available for a fee, and they cover the entire, 20-step process required to make a Wilson football. Walking around the production floor offers a unique view from the sidelines as workers deftly cut, sew and lace an average of 2,500 footballs each day.

You’ll also learn some fascinating football facts. Did you know, for example, that the factory begins turning out Super Bowl footballs immediately after the NFL conferences’ championship games?

“On Sunday night, we start stamping the two Super Bowl teams’ names on footballs,” explains Springer, “and by Monday morning, we’re ready to ship them.”

517 E. Highland Ave., Ada 45810, 419/634-9901, wilson.com

Super Summer

For a movie simply called “Superman,” filming in the city where teenagers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster dreamt up the idea of a man of steel who could conquer a tall building in a single leap makes sense. James Gunn’s eagerly anticipated Superman movie filmed in Cleveland during summer 2024, leading the director to pen a gushing letter to locals after work there wrapped. Gunn and his crew then headed to Cincinnati, where the production filmed at the Union Terminal, a former train station turned museum that was the visual inspiration for the headquarters of Superman and his fellow superheroes in the 1970s Hanna-Barbera cartoon series “Super Friends.”

“Superman” is set for a July 11, 2025, release.

Metal Morsels

In the span of a couple years, Bite This By Annie went from a beloved market pop-up to an established bakery in Columbus’ Clintonville neighborhood. Whereas other bakeries might conjure up images of bright colors and cutesy decor, Bite This is painted black with a 12-foot skeleton guarding the front door.

“You’re used to seeing bakeries covered in bubble gum pink,” owner Annie Dickson says. “But Bite This is the opposite of that, with spiderwebs in the corner and heavy metal blaring. … I don’t look like Betty Crocker, and I curse like a sailor.”

The bakery’s tagline is “quizzically creative and carefully curated,” which Dickson says means taking classic, warm-your-belly comfort foods and giving them interesting twists.

“Like your childhood comfort foods if Tim Burton or Willy Wonka made them,” she adds.

Dickson’s menu is heavy with what she calls “high fat, heavy gluten” goodies, like brownies, cookies, cakes and spicy snack mix called Pub Grub. The menu rotates monthly, but Dickson always recommends her bagel bombs.

“They’re the number one thing that put us on the map,” she says.

“It’s a grown-up, gourmet hot pocket. Everything’s shoved inside a nice homemade bagel.”

She also suggests her OG brownie: “It is no frills, no fuss — just a rich and fudgy, buttery, made-from-scratch brownie sprinkled with Maldon salt.” 3009 N. High St., Columbus 43202, bitethisbyannie.com

Spring Forward

White House Fruit Farm is justifiably famous in the Youngstown area for offering pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, flowers and apples every summer and fall. In 2025, it’s debuting yet another homegrown experience — a Tulip Festival — that features 225,000 bulbs blossoming in a 3.5-acre field next to the family-owned farm’s popular market. The ticketed event will not only treat customers to a riot of springtime color but also allow them to pick gorgeous bouquets to take home. The festival is expected to begin in April, but since the exact day depends on the weather, be sure to check White House Fruit Farm’s website and social media accounts for updates. whitehousefruitfarm.com

THINKING BIG

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek creates a new, more comfortable home for the eight elephants that reside there.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s resident gentle giants were treated to a major facilities upgrade on Oct. 1, 2024, when the zoo publicly unveiled its largest ever exhibit: the Harry and Linda Fath Elephant Trek.

The sprawling 7-acre space is home to the zoo’s now eight-member elephant herd, in addition to showcasing the breadth of wildlife present in Asia. The $60 million project represents nearly a third of the money raised through the zoo’s $170 million capital campaign called “More Home to Roam.”

“We were building the biggest exhibit the zoo has ever had,” says zoo director Thane Maynard. “So, we decided to do it for the biggest animals the zoo has ever had.”

The new space includes a 5-acre outdoor sand yard and a large indoor barn — measuring the size

of a basketball court — with a dirt floor to mimic the elephants’ natural environment, making the ground softer and easier on their joints. The space’s design goes beyond physical comfort as well, incorporating strategically placed automatic feeders and hay-filled cargo nets hanging from trees to ensure the elephants stay mentally stimulated.

The new exhibit also has plans to feature other Asian animal species, including Asian small-clawed otters, gibbons, rhinoceros hornbills and Asian pheasants. In the meantime, visitors can check out the Komminsk Family Asian Waterfall Garden, an area dedicated to the natural fauna of southeast Asia.

Maynard sees the exhibit as a chance to inspire generations of visitors to continue protecting these creatures and their habitats.

“It allows us to really share the lives of elephants,” he says, “but also share the work we do in conservation in Asia.”

3400 Vine St., Cincinnati 45220, 513/287-4700, cincinnatizoo.org

Bird’s-Eye View

After tornado winds destroyed part of Maumee Bay State Park’s boardwalk in May 2024, the park rebuilt it better than ever, including the addition of the Bird Nest Observation Tower, with its panoramic views of Lake Erie and the surrounding marshes.

“On a clear day, you can see Toledo Harbor Lighthouse from the observation tower,” says naturalist Devon Donnelly.

The tower also offers the unique opportunity to step inside a human-size eagle’s nest. Park visitors ascend a ramp to the lower deck and then take a spiral staircase to the upper portion, where bird-watchers can take in a view of the nearby wetlands.

“There, you can see an osprey platform and a bald eagle’s nest,” Donnelly says.

Repairs also included 2 miles of newly constructed boardwalk. Composite decking replaced decades-old wooden planks, making the boardwalk wider, allowing access for more visitors and increased accessibility for wheelchairs. Wildlife frequently seen from the boardwalk includes birds, muskrats, deer and multiple species of turtles and frogs.

To access the tower and boardwalk, start at Maumee Bay State Park’s newly renovated Trautman Nature Center, which has a lighthouse-themed children’s play area and a native Ohio species animal room. 1400 State Park Rd., Oregon 43616, 419/836-9117, ohiodnr.gov

Home Sweet Home

If you ask around, many folks point to Jim Sweeney as the unofficial mayor of Franklinton, the burgeoning neighborhood just over the river from downtown Columbus. Sweeney spent 14 years as the executive director of the Franklinton Development Association, with a special vision to transform Walnut Street in the arts district into a row of restaurants, bars and music venues. His first step: turning his old home into a new neighborhood dive bar. In summer 2024, he opened Sweeney’s Walnut Street Tavern, a cozy watering hole that serves beer and cocktails, hosts live music and welcomes guests to its front and rear patio spaces. sweeneystavern.com

CAmerican Beauty

olumbus restaurateur Cameron Mitchell is no stranger to the steakhouse, but his newest eatery Butcher & Rose seeks to reinvigorate the concept with softer and brighter touches. The eatery opened in summer 2024 on the ground floor of the renovated Preston Centre in downtown Columbus. The former bank building was converted to apartments, while the street-level entrance was renovated as a sunken plaza with ponds, greenery and waterfalls.

“When people ask me what is Butcher & Rose, we like to describe ourselves as a modern steakhouse,” says general manager Laurie Knieff. “Everyone’s familiar with those traditional dark, masculine steakhouses. Ours is more romantic. It’s lighter. The Butcher is that raw side; the Rose is more modern flair.”

Upon entering, diners immediately notice the lavish, but softly colored, decorations. Giant chandeliers feature circular patterns, while pastel-colored flowers hang

Pit Stop

from the ceiling. All the artwork in the restaurant is from female artists, including a giant bull mural created by local artist Ellen Knolls.

“We still have those traditional steakhouse dishes that everyone knows and loves,” Knieff says of the menu. “But we’re putting a twist on traditions that you know.”

Knieff says Butcher & Rose features cuts of meat from all over the world that you can’t find anywhere else in Columbus. She especially recommends the beef Wellington, which she calls a “labor of love.”

Knieff also lauds the bakery and pastry teams at Butcher & Rose. They churn out fresh breads and desserts daily.

“I try not to be a cheesecake person,” Knieff says, “but ours is fantastic. It has a pistachio crust and rose mousse on top.”

155 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215, 614/918-9819, butcherandrose.com

Step aside, Buckeye Chuck! There’s a new oversized rodent in town, and he’s the face of a roadside empire. On Aug. 8, 2024, a groundbreaking along Interstate 70 in Huber Heights marked the start of Ohio’s first Buc-ee’s What’s the big deal? Guess you haven’t been to Buc-ee’s before. Travelers can browse aisles and aisles of products, from portable fire pits to car air fresheners shaped like beavers, as well as thousands of snack and drink options, including slow-cooked barbecue brisket sandwiches, fresh-made fudge, savory and sweet kolaches, exotic jerkies and so much more. The new 74,000-squarefoot Buc-ee’s will also have 100 fueling positions and 24 EV charging stations, while bringing 200 new full-time jobs to the area. buc-ees.com

Restaurateur Cameron Mitchell’s Butcher & Rose brings a gorgeous new steakhouse experience to Columbus, featuring a dining room filled with works by female artists and floral touches.

Roadside Find

Bright colors, bunk beds and pet-friendly accommodations arrive in the roadside-retro form of Explorer Rest & Recreation. The 1960s-inspired boutique motel in Sandusky is located near the Cedar Point Sports Center and ideal for families with its 25 rooms, some with suites. Local owners Lisa and Justin Brady opened the place in May 2024 after restoring the property with upscale, campy decor and refreshing its outdoor spaces. Their inspiration was to create a national park-like feel after a day at the nearby Cedar Point parks. Exterior entrances provide privacy, and guests can relax by the firepit with local bites from the on-site Berardi’s food truck. 2227 Cleveland Rd. W., Sandusky 44870, 419/718-0324, explorerlodge.com

Vintage Vinyl

A stained-glass sign above the door says Stanley & Grass Co., but 166 Front St.’s current resident is First City Records, a shop run by Aaron Whited, who has been collecting vinyl since he was 16 years old. Whited spent his teenage years scouring secondhand stores for what he calls the “holy grail records,” such as first pressings of Bob Dylan and Miles Davis albums.

The shop is a passion for Whited, who lives across the Ohio River in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Opened in October 2023 and named for Marietta’s distinction as the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory, the shop marked a fresh business start for Whited, who previously owned Monsters Horde, which sold vinyl and vintage toys.

Many of the records at First City are ones Whited bought from locals or purchased secondhand, although the shop also stocks new albums as well. That means vinyl collectors old and new are likely to find something to spin on their turntable.

“We have been extremely lucky to unearth dozens of amazing collections right in our Mid-Ohio Valley,” Whited says. “It’s a great feeling … kind of bringing back to life these collections that used to mean so much to people.” 166 Front St., Marietta 45750, 740/434-5001, firstcityrecordstore.com

Medal Count

From LeBron James’ dramatic George-Washington-crossing-the-Delaware entrance at the front of Team USA or Dover native Hunter Armstrong’s swim to gold in the Men’s 4X100-meter Freestyle Relay, Ohioans won big at the 2024 Olympics. In all, 12 athletes who live at least part-time in the Buckeye State earned at least one medal in Paris. NBA superstar James hit gold with Team USA, while Lee Kiefer of Cleveland earned two golds for individual and team foil fencing, and Rose Lavelle of Cincinnati claimed gold in soccer. Silver-medal winners included Armstrong (4x100-meter Medley Relay Swimming), Katie Moon (Women’s Pole Vault), Annette Echikunwoke (Women’s Hammer Throw), Joe Kovacs (Men’s Shot Put) and Carson Foster (Men’s 4x200-meter Freestyle Relay Swimming). Foster also won a bronze medal (Men’s 400-meter Individual Medley Swimming) as did Max Holt (Men’s Volleyball). Ohio sent six athletes to the Paralympics in Paris, with Grace Norman (gold in Women’s Paratriathlon), Brittni Mason (silver in Women’s 100- and 200-meter Dash) and Blake Haxton (bronze in Men’s 200-meter Canoe Sprint) medaling.

Street Feast

Sheng Long Yu wanted a new space for his Dagu Rice Noodle restaurant and found it in a 10,000-square-foot former tire shop. In March 2024, after nearly two years of work, the building opened as YYTime, a street-food-focused establishment in Cleveland’s AsiaTown neighborhood.

The restaurant’s interior features a modern aesthetic, blonde wood accented by splashes of red and gold. After being seated, diners are treated to a massive menu of Asian cuisine inspired by offerings found at night markets from throughout all of China’s major cities

“YYTime is friendship and getting together,” Yu says. “We want to give a place where [there is] choice. Nowadays, everybody has different taste palates. … Whether it’s adults or kids, somebody going out for a date or a huge group of friends, we want to make sure we have something for everybody.”

Choose from dozens of options, including bubble tea, fried dumplings, bang bang chicken and Dagu Rice Noodle’s signature rice noodle soups. The soup is delivered at 300 degrees in elevated bowls for easy consumption. Just add your toppings and noodles to the broth, stir and enjoy.

“I am sure that people want to have those experiences outside of watching TikTok or Instagram,” Yu adds. “… Instead of traveling across the world to get to these cities, we’re in your backyard.” 3004 Payne Ave., Cleveland 44114, 216/291-7533, yytimecle.com

COW CUDDLES

Make a Hocking Hills side quest to Pfarr Farms Scottish Highlands in Laurelville to visit with its lovable herd of long-haired Scottish Highland cattle.

Matt Pfarr never imagined owning 14 Scottish Highland cattle. But today, he, his wife Renee and his son Teddy run Pfarr Farms Scottish Highlands in Laurelville, offering 1-hour experiences for visitors to brush, bottle feed and take photos with the lovable animals.

Creating these experiences was not the original intention but one that grew from Matt seriously injuring his shoulder on the job in 2016.

“After 22 years of law enforcement, I got hurt at work,” he says. “I woke up the next day and I was no longer a police officer. I was no longer a baseball coach. I couldn’t throw a football with my son. My entire world changed.”

About a year later, he brought home his first cow, a way to busy himself while Teddy was at school. Then, in April 2022, he

created a Facebook page and began posting photos of his growing herd for friends and family to enjoy. Later that year, one of those friends tagged the page on the Ohio Road Trips group on Facebook and his phone started ringing.

By March 2023, his operation was up and running, allowing customers to book appointments to see the cows. The animals have also served as the backdrop for special moments, from first birthdays to marriage proposals.

Upon arrival, visitors meet Killian, Maggie, Freya and Tori, as well as other Scottish Highland cattle. Visitors are encouraged to pet every animal, visit the gift shop and learn more about the breed. Appointments to see the cattle will open up around April 2025.

“I just used the cows as something to give me some therapy,” Pfarr says. “Now, everybody is coming out here, just letting everything melt away and forgetting everything going on in [their] lives — getting to love and brush and pat these big, fuzzy grass puppies.”

Visit pfarrfarmsscottishhighlands.com for more information.

Heritage Restored

On Jan. 1, 2025, the Octagon Earthworks in Newark opens to the public, welcoming visitors to explore the 100-acre site’s mounds built by Native Americans of the Hopewell culture over 2,000 years ago. Ohio History Connection obtained the leasehold for the property, which was previously the home of Moundbuilders Country Club, and plans to remove fairways, greens, tee boxes and sand traps and return the site to a more natural state. Spaces for walking and picnicking will also be included, while respecting the areas where the mounds are located. The former clubhouse will be converted into a visitors center with programming and guided tours that help provide deeper insights into Ohio’s Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, a collection of eight sites that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. hopewellearthworks.org

Play Time

Get your head in the game at Board and Bevy, a tabletop and board-game lounge in downtown Kent. The destination, which opened in spring 2024 and is nestled in a cozy brick building, offers a curated selection of over 300 games, plus specialty cocktails, mead, craft sodas and kombucha in addition to a hearty list of appetizers such as chicken fritters and tortilla chips and dip. Step inside, pick a table, talk with the game master for suggestions and place your food and drink order. A $5 table fee per person covers an evening of unlimited play. 141 E. Summit St., Kent 44240, boardandbevy.com

Flavor Flight

Chef Dane Shipp makes meatloaf interesting. His take on the classic puts pan-seared meatloaf on a bed of Boursin mashed potatoes and green beans and tops it with candied bacon to make the traditionally soft dish a textured delight.

After 15 years of working in restaurants and weekly downtown pop-up events, Shipp opened Culture in Dayton’s Oregon District. Culture’s menu rotates frequently, changing every three months, but it’s centered on amping up comfort food favorites.

“We are creative minds,” Shipp says. “We offer food that is just very different than what you see every day.”

With a menu spanning more than a dozen main items, diners can opt for dishes like house-made wonton nachos served with bulgogi ribeye, gochujang cheese sauce and Asian pear slaw topped with sesame seeds, scallions and sweet chili mayo.

Another favorite is the birria grilled cheese. Shipp presents the traditional Mexican dish of stewed meat on toasted challah bread with mozzarella cheese, cilantro and onions — all of it waiting patiently to be dipped into a rich consommé.

“I think most restaurants stick to a profile of food that they make, and we don’t do that,” Shipp says. “We’re not just French. We’re not just American. We’re not just Mexican. We do dishes from all over the world.” 416 E. Fifth St., Dayton 45402, 937/333-2489, linktr.ee/culturedyt

COZY STAY

Those looking for a beautiful vineyard escape among the rolling hills of rural southeast Ohio will find it in Creola at Le Petit Chevalier’s Winery Cottage.

Margit Chevalier grew up in the German countryside, so it was only fitting that she and her husband, Mark, drew on that European inspiration when creating their vineyard in the hills of Creola. Although the couple has grown grapes since 2010, they established Le Petit Chevalier Vineyards and Farm Winery a decade later, along with their first onsite Airbnb, the Winery Loft.

Visitors immediately gravitated toward the experience: Enjoy a bottle of wine, order charcuterie and say hello to the flock of Southdown babydoll sheep. In September 2024, the Chevaliers unveiled the property’s second and most recent on-site Airbnb, Le Petit Chevalier’s Winery Cottage.

“This is our life now … because we can share all of this,” Margit says. “We could’ve just been a farm, but we have so many amazing, great, beautiful people come in here, and they can have a part of it.”

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom cottage is inspired by the Chevaliers’ time in England, where the couple first met before moving to the United States in 1999. Margit and her daughter, Clarissa, largely designed the interior of the Amish-built structure. It features authentic Spanish tiles in the bathroom, furniture hand-built by a friend’s father and a beautiful fireplace with a mantle found at Columbus Architectural Salvage.

The wallpaper in the bathroom is emblematic of classic English cottages, and the stained-glass-inspired windows often create rainbows in the south-facing bedroom. Mark’s mother donated the rocking chairs in the living room.

“There’s a lot of furniture in here that was given to us. … Everything has a story,” Margit says. “It was a real communal kind of project in a way. We tried to go to a lot of salvage stores. Even the lampshades and lights give that feeling that it’s not brand new — it’s cozy.”

26328 Locust Grove Rd., Creola 45622, lepetitchev.com

Court Craze

Call it the riverside spot that pickleball built. Sure, Toledo Pickle promises to serve as the Glass City’s hub for the nation’s fastest-growing sport, but it’s going to be so much more. Along with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, Toledo Pickle has an on-site restaurant and a bar serving up local brews and spirits, as well as a rock-climbing wall, cornhole, ping pong, shuffleboard and arcade games An opening is set for Jan. 22, but the return of warmer weather will showcase the full potential of this destination along Toledo’s Glass City Riverwalk. 1030 Water St., Toledo 43604, toledopickle.com

Treetop Walk

Less than 3 miles from I-70 is not the place one expects to find tranquility in nature, but a climb up 99 steps at Blacklick Woods Metro Park in Reynoldsburg unlocks an unexpected place of adventure and exploration.

Established in 1948, Blacklick Woods was the first of the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. In May 2024, the Blacklick Woods Metro Park Canopy Walk opened to visitors. This 654-foot-long boardwalk loop through the treetops has optimal views, as well as rope bridges and a hammock swing. This treetop attraction is also ADA accessible, thanks to an elevator that can lift wheelchairs to the top.

Visiting birders can get a closer look at the winged creatures that call the 690-acre park home, while a two-story play fort with a rope tunnel and a firepole provides a place where the little ones will want to stay awhile.

“It feels like you’re a world away,” says Jess McClintock, park manager for Blacklick Woods. “When you’re caught up in the trees, it really draws your attention away from all the development around [and] gives people a place to escape.” 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg 43068, 614/861-8759, metroparks.net

Zoo Baby

In February 2024, the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium welcomed a 280pound bundle of joy. The female African elephant was born to the zoo’s 43-year-old elephant Renee after being conceived via artificial insemination. Following a contest, the baby elephant was named Kirk because the animal was believed to be male. After discovering it was female, Kirk became Kirkja Those who want to watch Kirkja grow up will have an opportunity to do so. Zoo officials said that female elephants instinctively stay with their herds much longer than male elephants, and she is expected to reside at the zoo for years to come.

Serene Solitude

The Yurt at Homestead, an elegantly crafted getaway spot in Holmes County, offers a new way to experience Homestead Furniture’s legendary craftsmanship.

Many look to Ohio’s Amish Country for a peaceful getaway, thanks to its quaint cabins and charming inns, but one of the region’s newest stays is in a more unexpected locale. In summer 2024, The Yurt at Homestead opened on the Homestead Furniture and Design Center campus.

LaVern Hershberger, store manager of the third-generation family business in Mount Hope, envisions Homestead as a destination all its own. Part of that dream is the new yurt, which was created by family craftsmen and led by engineer Mike Hershberger, from drawings to the final product.

“I think it speaks to the creativity and the engineering mindset behind the whole company and being innovative and moving things forward,” LaVern Hershberger says. “That’s continued in our generation where me and my brothers are doing the same thing.”

Perfect for two guests, the yurt has a kitchenette, sitting area, bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in tile shower. The octagonal structure is tucked within the serene Homestead campus surroundings, which includes a pond and arboretum.

Amenities range from climate control to a cozy outdoor firepit. Guests also get to experience the quality furniture Homestead is known for.

“You’ve got basically all Homestead furniture in the yurt to furnish everything out from floor to ceiling,” Hershberger says.

The yurt offers proximity to local attractions but also the privacy of not being in the center of the action.

“We wanted this to be comfortable and relaxed, yet still with the modern amenities,” Hershberger says. “… We want it to be timeless, we want it to be unique, but also very functional. It was the same mindset that we use for furniture product development that was used for the yurt.”

Homestead Furniture: 8233 St. Rte. 24, Mount Hope 44660, 866/674-4902, homesteadfurnitureonline.com

Makers Market

Carol Bridwell has been a weaver since 1984, creating professionally before turning her work toward making gifts and goods for family. Bridwell, along with her daughters Alicia and Stephanie, embraced her love for handmade items by opening The Elk’s Eye Art Market in downtown Zanesville in August 2023. Housed in the former Elks Lodge, the three-story, 1912 building features an art market on the first level that sells creations by local makers from Muskingum, Coshocton and Noble counties. At any given time, there are works by 25 to 30 makers in the space that include pottery, paintings, jewelry, woodworks, duck decoys, woven creations and more. 22 S. Fourth St., Zanesville 43701, facebook.com/elkseyeendeavors

Room Service

Ashtabula’s historic harbor has become a draw for travelers, yet the city hasn’t seen a new hotel in over 100 years. That changed in summer 2024 as the Riverbend Hotel opened its doors on the west bank of the Ashtabula River, just across from the city’s famous lift bridge.

The Riverbend Hotel boasts 43 rooms and suites and an atmosphere that embraces the Lake Erie shore city’s industrial and maritime heritage through its thoughtful stylings.

“We were very purposeful with the design,” says Todd Canter, the hotel’s founder. “From the color of the brick to the arched windows in the lobby to the

black steel frames around the windows throughout the hotel, we sought to capture the history and the feel of Historic Ashtabula Harbor.”

Custom carpeting depicts the history of coal transportation in Ashtabula, while each piece of artwork was carefully selected to evoke the city’s past. Even the hotel’s name reflects the curves of the Ashtabula River as it winds toward the lake. The hotel offers a chance to take in this stunning view of the river from the Lift Bar, located on the roof, where guests can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning or unwind with appetizers and cocktails in the evening. 553 Goodwill Dr., Ashtabula 44004, 440/552-8500, theriverbendhotel.com

Car Show

See replicas of iconic vehicles and a vast collection of classic cars from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s at the Millbury Classic Cars and Trucks Museum

Like many kids, Mike Bartlett loved Hot Wheels. Then, Bartlett’s toy hobby morphed into collecting a real popsicle-orange Dodge Charger and shinychromed 1957 Chevy. A few decades and 85 cars later, his collection exploded into a fullblown, 45,000-square-foot museum. In May 2024, the Millbury Classic Cars and Trucks Museum opened just off state Route 795, inviting visitors to cruise into the past.

“It’s iconic. People bought these cars when they were young,” Bartlett explains. “They’re just blown away seeing all the cars they grew up with.”

Visitors will find sparkling rows of candy-colored, classic cars and trucks, primarily from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Six different showrooms — each playing different tunes — draw visitors back with neon signs, mannequins and gas station memorabilia.

“Everyone loves the Mopar Room with the Dodge and Plymouths,” Bartlett says. “It’s where we have The General Lee from “The Dukes of Hazzard ”

Visitors enter through The General Store, a spacious room with replica movie cars and a mini gift shop. Scooby-Doo and his gang surround the Mystery Machine, while The Batmobile sports actor Adam West’s autograph. Bartlett’s newest addition is a “Back to the Future”-style DeLorean “time machine” signed by actor Michael J. Fox.

“All the cars still run,” says Tammy Bartlett, Mike’s wife and co-owner of the museum.

Unlike Mike, she didn’t grow up loving cars, but she does now. The couple enjoys car collecting, attending auctions, and a wide range of vehicles, including Jeeps, trucks and fast cars. As they kept buying more cars, they needed more garage space. Three additions later, they have a museum. It is open year-round on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with a donation entrance fee.

“We never intended to have a museum,”

Tammy Bartlett says, “but we thought it’s time to share it with everybody.”

26292 Cummings Rd., Millbury 43447, 419/340-2355

LEGENDARY LIFE

The Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, which shares the story of an inspiring and groundbreaking man, is now open after a two-year restoration.

The centerpiece of the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Wilberforce is an 1830s farmhouse, and mounted on its front door is a patriotically themed door knocker that depicts an American eagle holding both the arrows of war and olive branch of peace in its talons.

It echoes the nation’s Great Seal and gives visitors their first indication of why the house is a National Park Service site: It once belonged to Charles Young, a U.S. Army officer and buffalo soldier who battled discrimination throughout his career yet became the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel, be appointed a military attaché and act as a national park superintendent.

“People who come here gain an appreciation for someone who had resolve and determination,” says acting superintendent Jewel Harris. “Young’s example can be a modern-day motivation.”

Recently reopened after a two-year restoration, the handsome farmhouse provides an authentic backdrop for text displays that salute the all-black Army units nicknamed “buffalo soldiers” by Native Americans and tell Young’s remarkable story. Born into slavery in Kentucky in 1864, Young grew up in Ripley, Ohio, a famous Underground Railroad town where he excelled in school and earned admission to West Point. Though isolated and ostracized, Young persisted and graduated from the academy.

One of his early assignments was developing a curriculum for future black officers at what is now Wilberforce University. Because of the school’s rich cultural atmosphere, Young and his wife Ada purchased the nearby farmhouse as their permanent home and place of refuge between tours of duty. In 1918, it also became the starting point for Young’s legendary protest ride after the Army kept him out of World War I by forcing him to medically retire. To prove his fitness to serve, Young rode a horse from Wilberforce to Washington, D.C., traveling 497 miles in only 16 days.

1120 U.S. Route 42 E., Wilberforce 45384, 937-352-6757, nps.gov/chyo

Park Perk

Deb Anzelc drives from Medina to Stow on her daily commute, passing through the Summit County town of Peninsula on her way to her office. One thing was always clear to her during her winter drives through the tiny village that is surrounded by Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

“People in Peninsula are hearty people,” Anzelc says. “I would be on my way to work, and it’s freezing cold in the dead of winter. Hikers or runners are meeting in Peninsula and waiting on the side of the street. … I thought, ‘These guys could come into a coffee shop and wait there for their group to show up.’”

She and her husband, Mark, made that thought into a reality in November 2023, when they established Peninsula Coffee House and Market, along with the co-located Peninsula Wine Cellar. The gathering place is situated in a historic building that began as a bank in 1911. The Anzelcs renovated the space with five sections in mind: a barista counter, social room, deck, patio and wine cellar.

In the room where customers order coffee, espresso drinks, local bakery items and breakfast sandwiches, the couple has also set up a grab-and-go-style market stocked with essentials such as bug spray, sunscreen and rain ponchos for national park visitors. 1653 Main St., Peninsula 44264, 330/242-2661, peninsulacoffeehouse.com

Pedal Power

Game Changer

Caitlin Clark walks out of the tunnel behind the scenes at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, focused, undisturbed, eyes fixed on the task at hand. The Cleveland Magazine Instagram video lasts just 11 seconds, but its popularity shows the heights that women’s college basketball hit in 2024. The University of Iowa’s April appearance at the NCAA Women’s Final Four in Cleveland was not just a coronation for Clark, who had become a record-breaking juggernaut during her senior year, but also the women’s college game. Recall who won the men’s NCAA tournament in 2024? Yeah, we don’t know either, but we do remember being glued to the games as Clark and her squad beat the University of Connecticut on April 5, 2024, before falling to the University of South Carolina two days later.

Located just off the T.J. Evans Trail in Granville, OneLove Cafe & Bike Shop offers Turkish teas and coffees, bike rentals and repair help.

When picturing a great cafe, natural lighting, relaxing music, comfy seating and delicious coffee all come to mind. OneLove in Granville has all that, plus a selection of bicycles lined up next to the counter.

The cafe-and-bike-shop combo from friends and business partners Mike Brown, Fulya Doslovich and Asu and Oz Turkmen opened in July 2024 in the former Granville Lumber Co. building, just steps from the T.J. Evans Trail, a 14-mile route through Licking County.

Doslovich, who became fast friends with the Turkmens after meeting them at a party a decade ago, has a biking background with Brown. The duo has been riding in Atlanta, Georgia’s One Love 100-mile charity bike ride for years. Brown, who owns a combination cafe and bike shop in Philadelphia, was a natural to help with the Granville spot,

which is named in honor of both the Atlanta bike race and Bob Marley.

The cafe menu features Turkish teas and coffee (the latter of which contains more caffeine than espresso) as well as mochas and lattes. The food menu includes baklava, muffins and Börek, a savory Turkish pastry filled with spinach and cheese. Bicyclists coming in off the trail can lounge on the covered patio or in the upstairs loft before strapping their helmets on again to hit the trail.

The selection of bikes next to the counter can be rented for daily use, and each day the shop is open, its full-time bike mechanic, Kurt, is on-site to provide repairs and advice for bicyclists.

“We did have some situations over the summer where people had an issue with their bike,” Doslovich says. “They stopped in and they either ended up getting it fixed right away, or if it was going to be [a long time], they rented a bike from us and finished their rides.”

415 S. Main St., Granville 43023, 740/920-4049, onelovebikecafe.com

OHIO LOVE

There’s so much to love about life in our state, and these destinations are perfect for making meaningful plans together in the year ahead.

Experience Hartville

Nestled between the city of Cleveland and Ohio’s Amish Country, Hartville is the ultimate destination for live music, shopping and homestyle dining. Experience the best of family-friendly entertainment at Hartville Kitchen, where the 2025 concert series is set to feature a lineup of award-winning Southern gospel singers, popular tribute bands, classic country acts and more. Whether you’re a fan of beloved hits or inspiring new sounds, you’ll find something special in this intimate 500-seat venue, conveniently located adjacent to Hartville’s renowned restaurant and bakery.

Plan your visit to Hartville Kitchen and make a day of it. Savor a delicious preshow meal featuring classic homestyle favorites, then explore unique finds at The Shops at Hartville Kitchen, Hartville Hardware and Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market. Extend your stay with accommodations at the Comfort Suites Hartville next door, making your visit a true getaway.

Enhance your concert experience with exclusive discounted meal pricing. Add a full Hartville Kitchen dining experience to your evening and enjoy a hearty entree, three sides, a beverage and a dessert before heading to the show. Tickets for concerts and meals are available online for your convenience.

Hartville Kitchen brings music, food and memories together, making northeast Ohio a premier destination for live entertainment. Reserve your seats today and enjoy the Hartville experience. For more information, visit hartvillekitchen.com/events/concerts.

Wayne County

There’s something special about enjoying a glass of warm cider during the colder months, especially when shared in the company of friends and family. This win-

ter, the award-winning Bent Ladder Cider and Wine in Wayne County welcomes visitors to relax and unwind in a cozy setting, enjoying handcrafted, farm-to-glass beverages that are sure to warm the spirit.

The winery offers eight different ciders, all made from apples grown by the neighboring Rittman Orchards. They are crushed, fermented, aged and kegged in-house. New this year is the Winter Crisp ice cider, a unique and tasty seasonal treat. Whether you’re a seasoned cider fan or new to the experience, there’s something for everyone for enjoy.

In addition to ciders, Bent Ladder specializes in wines produced from hearty French-American hybrid grapes, which can thrive in Ohio’s winter climate. Many of the wines are available to purchase online or to enjoy in the gorgeous tasting room with views out over the valley.

When it’s time for a bite, guests can opt for a cheese and cracker board, a traditional bread and oil board or check out the rotating selection of food trucks. With live music every Friday and Saturday, along with other seasonal events, Bent Ladder offers a lively, welcoming spot to gather and create lasting memories. For more information, visit bentladder.com.

Hartville’s campus offers opportunities for shopping and dining (opposite page). Enjoy seasonal drinks at Bent Ladder Cider and Wine (above).

The Grand Resort and Spa

Celebrate love and romance at The Grand Resort, the No. 1 resort in Ohio, ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Whether you’re planning a surprise for someone special or enjoying a quiet getaway, The Grand Resort is the perfect setting for a memorable Valentine’s Day experience.

The Grand Resort’s exclusive romantic getaway packages are designed to pamper you and your loved one, combining elegance and luxury in every detail. Arrive at your luxury suite, complete with swan towel origami and rose petals scattered throughout the room. A box of decadent specialty chocolates and a bottle of champagne await, setting the tone for a night of indulgence.

Enjoy an intimate dinner at the on-site Gatsby’s restaurant, where exquisite cuisine and an exceptional atmosphere make for the perfect evening. Afterward, retreat to your room for a peaceful night’s sleep and awake to a complimentary breakfast the next morning.

For ultimate relaxation, visit The Grand Salon and Spa, offering everything from soothing couples’ massages to luxurious manicures and pedicures. Don’t skip a visit

to the Wine Lounge, which features an award-winning selection, or The Grand Cigar Store and Lounge, an ideal location for unwinding together.

Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember. Whether you’re rekindling the spark or creating new memories, The Grand Resort has everything you need for a perfect romantic escape. For more information, visit thegrandresort.com.

Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa

Nestled in the heart of Canton, Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, charm and hospitality that captures the spirit of Ohio. Located on a picturesque 55-acre estate, Gervasi is more than a winery; it’s a destination that promises unforgettable experiences for every guest.

Wine lovers will delight in Gervasi’s award-winning wines, crafted to perfection and enjoyed amidst stunning vineyard views. Culinary enthusiasts can indulge in fine dining at The Bistro, The Crush House or The Piazza, savoring locally sourced, chef-inspired cuisine. With a focus on pairing flavors with ambiance, every meal becomes a celebration.

Accommodations at Gervasi provide ultimate relaxation, from elegant suites in The Casa’s boutique hotel to charming Tuscan-inspired villas. The newly opened Spa at Gervasi Vineyard elevates the experience further, offering rejuvenating treatments that embrace the essence of tranquility.

Special events and seasonal offerings make Gervasi a year-round destination. Whether attending a cooking class, enjoying live music or strolling by the serene lake, visitors find themselves immersed in Ohio’s finest hospitality.

Whether you’re visiting for a romantic getaway, a special celebration or a serene escape, Gervasi Vineyard

Located between Cleveland and Amish Country, Hartville Kitchen offers up-close live music with Southern gospel groups, tribute bands and family-friendly artists. Reserve your seats today for great music and homestyle food.

of the

is a gem that reflects Ohio’s love for beauty, tradition and exceptional guest experiences. Discover why it’s a destination worth savoring. For more information, visit gervasivineyard.com.

Take advantage

romantic getaway packages available at The Grand Resort in Warren, just in time for Valentine’s Day (opposite page). Plan a relaxing retreat to Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa in Canton (above).

Medina County

From Feb. 14 through 17, the 31st annual Medina Ice Festival is set to captivate visitors, offering a frosty wonderland of creativity and craftsmanship in the historic square of downtown Medina. This year, the festival coincides with Valentine’s Day, adding a romantic twist to the already enchanting event.

Over the course of three days, attendees will witness talented ice artists transform blocks of ice into intricate sculptures, showcasing their skill and imagination. The festival is renowned for its live carving demonstrations, allowing spectators to watch as artisans chisel and shape ice blocks into stunning works of art.

From fantastical creatures and whimsical designs to elegant abstract forms, the variety of sculptures offers something for everyone to admire. Local organizations sponsor ice sculptures, highlighting the community’s collective effort to help make this one of the premier events in Medina County every year.

Whether it’s a couple’s getaway or a fun-filled weekend with the whole family, there’s plenty of love to go around. Picture yourself in Medina County this winter. Stay at one of many award-winning hotels, warm up at the amazing local breweries and treat yourself to dinner with views of snow, lights and ice sculptures. For more information, go to visitmedinacounty.com. ●

From farm-fresh markets to historic towns to scenic trails, adventure awaits for your whole family!

Start your experience at visitwaynecountyohio.com

WINTER TRAVEL

Make the most of the snowy season with a visit to these Ohio destinations that offer cozy stays, warm hospitality, great entertainment and more.

Visit Greater Lima

Looking for ways to chase away the winter blues? Greater Lima has got you covered. For a lively night out, head to Spring and Main streets for a delicious meal and some post-dinner fun. Choose from diverse restaurants like Casa Lu Al, Nonno’s Cellar and Vista Taco. Then, once you’re fueled up, unleash your inner child with a round of duckpin bowling at Corner Pins.

If a cozy escape is what you need, Sycamore Lake Wine Co. promises a warm and inviting atmosphere. Savor delectable cuisine paired with a glass of fine wine, and be sure to check the winery’s Facebook page for an events schedule with engaging activities like trivia nights and crafting sessions.

Family fun abounds at Westgate Entertainment Center, an expansive venue that boasts bowling, bumper cars, axe throwing and a haven for gamers and arcade enthusiasts with 37 arcade cabinets, games and virtual reality experiences.

Art lovers will appreciate the diverse lineup of events presented by the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center, from Broadway shows and concerts to side-splitting comedy nights. Additionally, Artspace/Lima offers captivating exhibitions and engaging art classes.

For a tasty adventure, check out the Greater Lima Pizza Trail. Collect receipts from local pizzerias and claim your prize: a “Greater Lima Pizza Trail” T-shirt. Participants can download a free passport online. For more information, go to visitgreaterlima.com.

Private hot tubs at Pleasant Hill Lake (opposite page); Take in a show at the Veterans Memorial Civic and Convention Center (above).

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District

Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s lakes and forests are perfect for outdoor adventures throughout the year, including during the winter months. The year-round overnight options offer an ideal setting to enjoy Ohio’s natural beauty for an extended stay. When the colder months arrive, the parks transform into peaceful wonderlands, inviting outdoor enthusiasts to explore in a quiet, serene environment.

The picturesque lakes nestled in eastern Ohio provide ample opportunities for winter activities, including winter hiking, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowshoeing. Bring your own cross-country skis and snowshoes or take advantage of pop-up snowshoe programs when snowfall reaches 3 inches or more.

Make it a warm winter getaway in a cozy environment with a vacation cabin, the perfect place to relax, reconnect and enjoy the outdoors with the comforts of home. Choose from luxury log cabins — with private hot tubs at Pleasant Hill Lake — or rent a cozy cabin at Atwood or Clendening lakes.

Winter camping is also available for those looking for a little peace and solitude. Trails are open year-round, and many camp -

EnjoyAN UNEXPECTED WINTER DESTINATION

When winter is frosty and hushed, Ohio’s Amish Country is still picturesque with bursts of unparalleled beauty.

grounds offer frost-free campsites for a convenient and comfortable stay. Whether it’s a snowy adventure or a relaxing escape, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District provides the perfect destination to unwind, explore and create lasting memories. For more information, visitmwcd.org.

Doyle Yoder Photography

Dutchman Hospitality

After the rush of the holidays, winter can often feel like an endless stretch of cold and gray. But the quiet, snow-covered landscapes of Ohio’s Amish Country beckon travelers with the warmth of traditional hospitality.

Make plans to relax and unwind at Carlisle Inn Walnut Creek or Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek, two welcoming retreats nestled in the heart of Amish Country that provide the perfect homebase for your winter escape. Both the Carlisle Inn Walnut Creek and Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek have a restaurant and shop located next door, with the addition of Dutch Valley Market and Ohio Star Theater at the Sugarcreek location. While you’re at the Dutch Valley campus, be sure to relax by the outdoor firepit or take a stroll under a new arch located on the green space, beautifully decorated with winter evergreens, twinkling lights and red ribbons.

For those with a sweet tooth, enjoy a variety of freshly baked goods — from cream sticks to cookies and buckeyes to homemade breads. And don’t forget to grab a latte or other coffee drink to enjoy with your treats. The seasonal charm continues in the gift shops, where you’ll find unique items that are available only during the winter months. Plus, be sure to stop by each week to take advantage of Winter Weekly Specials, with discounts on different products each week. For more information, visit carlisleinns.com. ●

MILESTONES

NASA Selects Judith Resnik as Astronaut Candidate

In January 1978, Akron native and Firestone High School graduate Judith Resnik became one of six women chosen by NASA for its astronaut program.

While NASA’s first astronaut class was introduced in April 1959 — just a year after its founding and a decade before Neil Armstrong would take his famous walk on the moon — it was almost another 20 years before the National Aeronautics and Space Administration selected its first-ever female astronaut candidates in January 1978. Among them was Akron native Judith Resnik. Born April 5, 1949, Resnik was 28 years old when she received the call from NASA.

Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer interviewed Resnik’s mother, Sarah Polen, in its Jan. 20, 1978, edition. “I’m so proud of her,” Polen said. “Judith is making history.”

The newspaper reported that Resnik was one of 35 named by NASA as eligible for flights as early as 1980. At the time of her selection, Resnik was living in California working for the Xerox Co. as a product engineer, and her extensive education made her a prime candidate for selection.

“She is on a list of 20 mission specialists whose main shuttle work will be to conduct medical, astronomical, scientific and other experiments,” The Plain Dealer reported.

According to a UPI report published in the Troy Daily News Dec. 16, 1978, Resnik said her duties would also include, “flight engineering, space walking and managing space systems.”

Resnik’s NASA biography noted that she completed her one-year training evaluation period in August 1979 before flying as a mission specialist on board STS-41-D, launching from Kennedy Space Center Aug. 30, 1984.

She logged a total of 144 hours and 57 minutes in space before her untimely death at age 36 during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster following its launch from Kennedy Space Center Jan. 28, 1986.

— Nathan Havenner

NASA selected Judith Resnik of Akron as one of the first women for the spaceshuttle program.

HEAD HILLS

Escape to the enchanting Hocking Hills for a winter getaway Explore scenic trails adorned with snow-covered pines, then relax in a secluded cabin or luxury lodge surrounded by nature. Discover frozen waterfalls outdoor adventures, spas, galleries, small town charm and a much-needed break.

Don’t miss the 59th Annual Winter Hike on January 20. After the hike head to historic downtown Logan for the Annual Logan Frozen Festival, featuring ice sculptures, ice games, food and family fun. Explore the Hocking Hills, Ohio’s Natural Crown Jewels.

Call or click for your free Visitor’s Guide: 1-800-Hocking | ExploreHockingHills.com

skithevalley.com 304-259-5315

Ski the valley for unbound adventure in Tucker County, West Virginia. Unbeatable trails. Unreal views. Unforgettable experiences.