Lake Erie Living - July 2024 by greatlakespublishing

LOST LAKE ERIE

From a rollercoaster fierce enough to break bones to the biggest resort hotel in the world, we explore our lake’s legendary past.

PLUS

Meet the jewelry designer who bought a Cleveland lighthouse.

Plan your next outing to the Lake Erie Islands.

the Editor 6 Currents

Meet the family transforming Catawba Island, the jewelry designer who bought a Cleveland lighthouse and an artist turning his talents to steak and seafood.

A backyard designed to impress ... the grandkids.

Checking out the Ontario shore and Lake Erie Islands.

Let your spirits soar at these seven high-level attractions.

Roger Tory Peterson’s legendary field guides.

Lost Lake Erie

Take a dive into our past full of rumrunners, amusement parks and more.

From the Editor

All I could think about was the treasure chest.

That’s how it was every year when my parents took my brother and me to McGarvey’s Restaurant overlooking the Vermilion River in Ohio. While McGarvey’s old site is now home to a Quaker Steak & Lube, the restaurant is one of those places somehow so exceptional that it still stirs up a wistful connection to the past.

Even more magically, this nostalgia can be handed down from generation to generation. Euclid Beach Park closed before I was born, but I’ve heard so many stories from my mother about how she and her father would get on a bus and sneak away for a day at the park. He laughed like a little kid as they rode the day away. That memory has become mine now, too.

And that’s what our cover story, “Lost Lake Erie,” is all about. Flip to page 18 to learn how rumrunners, steamships and shipwrecks made our lake legendary. Imagine the grandeur of the Hotel Victory on Put-in-Bay, which was the largest summer resort in the world. Get a taste of the new life Titanic survivor Anna Sophia Lundi made for herself in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Sadly, one man we spoke with for this story has slipped into history too soon.

David VanZandt was the founder of Cleveland Underwater Explorers. On June 1, he went missing while exploring a newly discovered shipwreck. VanZandt, 70, a highly skilled diver, was found still tethered to his boat, leading local law enforcement to the conclusion that his death was a medical emergency.

Writer Vince Guerrieri, who spoke with him for our story on page 24 — most likely his last interview — had this to say: “I guess my takeaway is that he still thought it was fun. He’d been doing it for decades, and it was still something he wanted to do. And I think part of that is because there’s so much we don’t know about what’s on the bottom of Lake Erie.”

My takeaway? Like VanZandt, we should do our best to embrace the present while also cherishing the past. So tell your kids or grandkids your Lake Erie stories — and keep doing the things that will become memories for them.

See you on the lake!

Chairman

Lute Harmon Sr.

President

Lute Harmon Jr.

Publisher

Paul Klein klein@glpublishing.com

Editor Colleen Smitek editor@lakeerieliving.com

Web Editor

Rachel Hagenbaugh

Contributing Writers

Laura Watilo Blake, Lara Busold, Linda Feagler, Vince Guerrieri, Kristen Hampshire, Jill Sell, Lynne Thompson and Jennifer Webb

Art Director

Rayanne Medford rmedford@glpublishing.com

Contributing Artists

Laura Watilo Blake, Great Lakes UAV, Matthew Greene and Beth Lynne Gregerson

Production Manager Alyson Moutz Cowan

Account Managers

Julie Bialowas, Nichole Cardinale and Matt Staugler

Operations Manager

Corey Galloway cgalloway@glpublishing.com

Traffic Manager

Kristen Brickner

Director of Digital Strategy

Jacquie Chakirelis

Development Manager

Daniel Klinzing

Subscriber Services

1-800-453-1015

lakeerieliving@emailcustomerservice.com

Chief Financial Officer

George Sedlak

Finance Director

Perry Zohos

Accounts Payable Coordinator

Geli Valli

Audience and Events Manager

Jennifer Roberts

Colleen Smitek Editor

LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Your dream is just that: yours. Whether it’s having a great big place where the whole family can gather or a cozy weekend retreat on the lake, your dream home should be a perfect reflection of your life and your style. And we can help. After 50 years of building custom homes across the region — including Sandusky — we’ve helped turn thousands of dreams into pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming homes. Now it ’s your tu rn.

— CULTIVATE —

A Love for the Land Currents

With each acre they buy, the Smith family hopes to preserve the history and charm of Ohio’s Catawba Island while offering their own take on wine, beer and dishes to pair with them.

uintin and Donna Smith weren’t expecting to fall in love with apricots.

Yet, their first farm, a 16-acre apricot orchard they bought in 2009 and named QuinStock Farms, sparked a passion for Catawba Island’s unique microclimate — and for preserving land for generations to come. The family now owns 176 acres in the area that are home to both Twin Oast Brewing and Gideon Owen Wine Co.

“We can grow apricots on Catawba Island, and we’ll have a crop nine out of 10 years,”

Quintin says. “But, if you go 10 miles in on the mainland, you’ll have a crop two out of 10 years.”

While they didn’t know it at the time, that orchard was just the beginning.

The couple’s move from Port Clinton, Ohio, just down the road to Catawba Island (which, technically, is a peninsula) was fueled by a yearning to reconnect with their agricultural roots. For decades, Quintin’s main focus was Northern Manufacturing, a steel fabricating company in Oak Harbor, Ohio, that had been in the family since 1975.

“I grew up on a farm and didn’t realize until

With a “farm to fermenter” philosophy, Twin Oast embraces experimentation.

after I got my career that I enjoyed farming as a hobby,” Quintin says, adding that he discovered the area’s potential for fruit crops by planting “a Noah’s ark of fruit trees” and seeing what flourished.

That kept the couple busy for a while, but soon they turned their attention to helping their son, Cory, achieve a dream of his own — opening a sustainable microbrewery that celebrates the bounty of Catawba.

In 2018, nearly 10 years after buying and cultivating their apricot farm, Cory and his family launched Twin Oast Brewing. Embracing a “farm to fermenter” philosophy, the family experiments with homegrown fruits, herbs and even yeast from the property’s orchards to create innovative brews.

“My dad’s passion for restoring green space and my passion for brewing were perfect for this,” says Cory. “I still catch myself walking around and seeing that it’s something extremely special and beyond what I ever dreamed it could be.”

In addition to the 17 beers on tap, the menu features elevated gastropub fare designed to complement the drinks. The perch tacos, a family recipe, includes a hint of spice that pairs perfectly with the Old Ohio, an easy-drinking blonde ale with a citrus finish. And the pizzas marry well with a glass of Legitimate Swells, a fruity IPA.

Just a year after opening Twin Oast, Quintin and Donna doubled down on their passion for preserving the island’s heritage by saving the former Mon Ami Restaurant & Historic Winery from a proposed development and reopening it in 2020 as Gideon Owen Wine Co. Cory recalls his dad’s drive

to learn everything he could about its history.

“He calls the Lake Erie islands the original Napa Valley because the grape-growing region around here was huge,” Cory says.

Built in the 1870s, the structure served as home to Catawba Island Wine Co., a cooperative winery in which a group of local farmers and grape growers pulled together their funds and resources to purchase bigger equipment and barrels with less individual

financial risk. The land itself was cultivated by winemaker Gideon Owen. That’s why, when the Smith family bought the winery, they leaned into that rich history.

“Quintin and I always say that we’re just curators of the building,” Donna says, “and hope to pass it on to someone who will love it as much as we do.”

Today, Gideon Owen Wine Co. still exudes a sense of grandeur and history. Yet the Smiths have incorporated state-of-theart technology, most notably in the Tirage Wine Bar, where the walls are lined with temperature-controlled wine stations offering both 1-ounce tastings and regular pours of 48 wines from around the world. The property also offers cellar tours, guiding visitors through the fascinating world of winemaking.

Another option is to simply relax by sinking into a leather chair by the fire pit, savoring lunch or dinner in the recently renovated chalet or unwinding with live music on the patio.

As for the food, expect elevated dishes that complement the extensive wine list. Whether you choose to indulge in a gourmet meal or enjoy a light bite, the focus is on creating harmonious pairings between food and wine.

“Quintin and I always say that we’re just curators of the building and hope to pass it on to someone who will love it as much as we do.”

Gideon Ownen Winery

Twin Oast Brewing

Art in the Burg

“Our goal was to rejuvenate the atmosphere and have a wonderful dining experience,” Quintin says. “We have prime ribs and steaks, but the ambiance is casual and relaxing.”

In 2022, with the help of winemaker Brad Indoe, Gideon Owen began crafting its own award-winning wines again using grapes grown on the south shore of Lake Erie. Already, people are in love with the flavors. In 2023, Gideon Owen took home five medals at the Great American International Wine competition including gold for the 2022 pinot grigio. This year, the winery won 14 medals between the Ohio Wine Competition and the Great American International Competition including gold for his 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir.

It’s no surprise that the Smith family isn’t stopping there.

Just last year, they increased their acreage once again by acquiring Catawba Island Brewing Co., which — for now — they’ll utilize as a distribution and production space. Here, the team will be free to focus on creative sour ale creations, which will be available on tap at Twin Oast. “We even have the ability to use the yeast from the fruit that we grow,” Cory says. “That’s hyper-local and super exciting.”

Quintin and Donna, meanwhile, are full speed ahead in their commitment to reviving the area’s rich agricultural heritage of orchard planting and grape cultivation on Catawba Island.

“It’s something they do because they love it, not because they have to, and it shows,” Cory says of his parents’ passion for preserving Catawba Island. “It’s really inspiring.”

– Rachel Hagenbaugh

Always in Season? IT’S A SHORE THING

Immerse yourself in culture through a variety of diverse community events. Indulge in local cuisine, from upscale to casual, even dine lakeside. Take a ferry ride to a Lake Erie island, explore miles of natural beaches and trails, enjoy quaint downtowns and museums, and experience the beauty of the changing seasons in Shores & Islands Ohio.

Make memories that’ll last a lifetime. Find your Lake Erie Love year-round at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

Legacies of Light

Heather Moore’s eponymous jewelry brand and artistic endeavors dovetail into the ultimate project — rehabilitating and reimagining the Cleveland lighthouse she acquired with partner Jim Brown.

When Heather Moore was 12, she began scavenging Cleveland garage sales for metalworking tools like cutters, presses, clamps and snips. Having grown up visiting her engineer father at work on weekends, she developed an early curiosity for materials, fabrication and functional design.

Moore, an artist with her own jewelry line known for its storytelling charms, recalls her very first big find. She was with her mom and spotted a $10 garage sale win. “It was a steel tooling stamp set,” she says, “and I carried it around for years.”

That same stamp set triggered inspiration when Moore began creating keepsake plaques with quotes from friends — pint-sized statement pieces framed in glass.

“I think I’ve always been an archivist,” Moore says.

Now, she’s embarked on her biggest preservation effort by far. Last fall, Moore and her partner, Jim Brown, purchased the Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead

Lighthouse for $425,000 via an auction hosted by the U.S. government’s General Services Administration. Built in 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the landmark is accessible only by boat and lacks heating, electrical and plumbing.

But while many might see only obstacles, Moore sees inspiration.

“Clevelanders are driven, innovative, solid people,” she says. “I like to say we are lit from within. The lighthouse is symbolic of that, and it’s important that it continues to be in the future.”

Moore and Brown are still mulling over the myriad possibilities for the property. Maybe they’ll host artists’ retreats or conservation programs, exhibitions or events. “I have so many ideas,” Moore says.

The one thing they know for sure is that the lighthouse will remain open to the public in some capacity. Their goal is to act as stewards, preserving its legacy and sharing its history.

At the same time, the lighthouse ties into Moore’s past.

The artist has always been intrigued by lighthouses and, especially, the Fresnel lens — a maritime safety innovation circa 1822 that uses hundreds of pieces of specially cut glass to intensify the glow from the lamp bulb.

“I am literally a junkie for these lenses,” Moore says. “They are just gorgeous.”

She studied the cooling cycles of glass and

The one thing they know for sure is that the lighthouse will remain open to the public in some capacity. Their goal is to act as stewards, preserving its legacy and sharing its history.

Fresnel lens construction in college for her glass concentration at the Cleveland Institute of Art. She then went on to study at the Corning Museum of Glass in Seattle under glass artist Dale Chihuly and, later, under large-scale glass artist Judy Pfaff. Moore has blown glass in Venice and — for a couple of summers during college — at Cedar Point. Moore’s love of the lighthouse is also deeply personal.

In 1997, Moore’s sister, Wendy, died at age 29 after suffering a head injury while skiing. Their father, Dan Moore III, worked for decades to increase public access to Lake Erie, including a patch of land that Wendy, also an artist, liked to visit with her camera. He ultimately succeeded, creating Wendy Park. When she looks out from the lighthouse,

Heather Moore and Jim Brown

Moore can see the park — and it always brings back memories.

“Wendy was the classic big sister,” she says.

Just before launching her Heather B. Moore jewelry line, Moore remembers a conversation with Wendy in which they volleyed ideas for phrases to stamp on the small silver plaques she was creating at the time. Wendy’s suggestion didn’t make grammatical sense, but both sisters understood it perfectly: “Come, let’s play laughter together.”

The token Moore created with this stamped phrase is now a coveted personal piece she still carries in her wallet.

“All of this really sparked the personalization concept,” says Moore.

But she’s quick to point out that there’s a difference between jewelry with a pithy saying and jewelry that truly tells a story.

For Moore, customization is a calling, and she sees herself as a navigator in the process.

“I’m doing this so you can pass on your story,” she says, relating that her custom pieces are created after “sensitive, lovely conversations with people about their lives.”

For some, the story is family. For others, it’s study, travel, pets, commemorating a milestone or honoring a loss. “And in light of a loss, we want to hear a funny story,” Moore adds. “We want to know that, when you have your charm, you can tell your story and also laugh, smile.”

Once the design is finalized, Moore’s team of about 20 skilled artisans fabricate the brand’s own stamps and special tooling in its steel shop. When a customer orders a custom design, it requires an individualized stamp.

The result is little legacies captured in charms and pendants. And this is what matters most to Moore. While her work has been highlighted repeatedly in Town & Country, along with attention in Vogue Architectural Digest, she humbly does not bring up the press, preferring to talk about the appreciation her clients show for her designs.

While Moore is usually the creator, she shares a story in which Brown turned the table on her.

“Jim gave me a piece stamped into gold, a picture of the lighthouse, and on the other side is inscribed ‘You are the Light of my Life,’” she says.

For now, the logistics of accessing the lighthouse and its renovations are a bit creaky. It’s basically an island. “We have to get there by boat, though I have friends who have paddleboarded over there,” says Moore.

Recently, Moore scaled the steps from the basement up into the tower. “There was a little bit of a lean,” she says, noting that some of the structure’s flaws are like historic beauty marks, while others will require major functional repairs.

When Brown told Moore he found a piano for the lighthouse, she brought up one such repair. “We need floors, too!”

The lighthouse could well be the masterpiece for which she’s been unknowingly training she was 12 years old.

“These things take time,” she says. “We want to be sure that this beautiful statement piece of Cleveland is preserved.”

– Kristen Hampshire

Telling a Story Telling a Story

HEATHER B. MOORE JEWELRY features handcrafted pieces ranging from $50 to more than $5,000.

Moore’s personal charm necklace (above) includes a 14-karat white gold channel set I.D. tag bearing her children’s names and the lighthouse her partner Jim Brown designed to honor their passion project. The circle charm with a center cross symbolizes crossroads in life. Moore designed the piece pictured to the right for a client. The circle charm celebrates a loved one who passed away with the inscription: “Love you so very much,” which is how the special person signed cards through the years. The client saved those cards and Moore’s studio cut the cursive inscription into a steel stamp to create the personalized piece. The Great Lakes sterling silver charm below (which we love) is available at heatherbmoore.com for $254

— EXPERIENCE —

First in Glass

Renowned glass artist Cary Ferguson is working on his biggest project yet —a destination restaurant in Marblehead, Ohio.

Cary Ferguson should be very stressed out.

After all, his brand-new restaurant — the most ambitious yet in Marblehead, Ohio — is set to open in early July. On the day we’re there, though, in late May, it’s not much past the framing stage. Called Beach Glass Lounge, the restaurant will seat 150 inside and about double that when the outdoor spaces, including a bar, are finished. Steak and seafood will dominate the menu because, as Ferguson says, that’s what’s missing on the peninsula.

When we walk into Ferguson’s studio and gallery, which is right next door to his new restaurant, he seems to have blocked out the noise and bustle going on all around him. Instead, Ferguson is totally focused on hang-

ing hand-blown glass pieces on the chandelier (pictured above) that will greet people as they walk into the restaurant.

“When it’s done,” he says, pausing and looking up, “it should be pretty spectacular.”

It’ll take Ferguson about three months to finish the chandelier, which he estimates would sell for $50,000 or so. The funnelshaped piece hangs on a stainless-steel frame with more than 200 glass tiles in shades of blue and green. Ferguson, who learned to weld for the project, plans to mount a small fan inside the chandelier that will blow the glass, making a pleasant tinkling sound. Just behind us, there’s a half-finished 11-by-15foot glass sculpture that will ultimately hang over the bar. “It’s almost like a public piece of art,” Ferguson says.

Ferguson envisions people coming to Beach Glass Lounge and, while they wait for a table, wandering next door to Ferguson Gallery to watch glass-blowing demonstrations — and

Cary Ferguson Jr.

Cary Ferguson

maybe even making a little vase or bowl to take home.

“There’s just going to be this whole vibe going on that’s going to be pretty exciting,” says Ferguson, who opened his gallery 45 years ago. “With what we already have going on here with the gallery and the glass blowing, I think it’s going to be a destination location.”

While Ferguson works on the art, his son, Cary Ferguson Jr., is in charge of the business side of operations and his daughter-inlaw, Shana Ferguson, is heading up interior design. “Me being an artist …” Ferguson says,

“I don’t really deal in paperwork.”

Ferguson had long dreamt of opening a restaurant but got the final push he needed when his son and daughter-in-law moved to the peninsula during the pandemic — and never returned to the Cleveland area. It was during one of their weekly get-togethers that the idea for the restaurant gained momentum.

“We get together every Friday night,” Ferguson says. “It’s steak night at his house. We just started talking, and one thing led to another.”

To round out their team, Ferguson hired head chef Christian Lau, who has just tracked his boss down to let him know he’s canceled an order for a second freezer.

“We’re not going to need it,” he says.

That’s because all of the fish and seafood will be right out of Lake Erie or flown in fresh. Lau says he’s putting the finishing touches on one of his favorite menu items — scallops and risotto. “I don’t know a better combination, honestly,” he tells us.

Meanwhile, Ferguson is in the midst of transforming his gallery to make it fit in with the restaurant’s coastal theme. Originally designed to look like a train depot, the building is being whitewashed and the cupolas are be-

“It’s almost like a public piece of art.”

ing redesigned with metal. The glass-blowing studio will be just 20 feet or so from the restaurant’s outdoor space. “People are literally going to be able to sit on the deck and see glass blowing,” Ferguson says.

Ferguson is always thinking of slowing down, but that’s never what ends up happening. After working with glass for decades and earning a reputation as a master in the medium, he picked up a paintbrush for the first time about 10 years ago. His gallery — and hundreds of homes in the area and beyond — showcases his colorful, textured take on everything from Cedar Point to sunflowers. With his new restaurant, both his oil paintings and his glass will have an even bigger audience.

“The art really keeps me motivated,” Ferguson says. “I love what I do every day.”

– Colleen Smitek

Diving In Diving In

How grandchildren inspired one Northeast Ohio couple to dream big for their outdoor space.

By Lynne Thompson

They envisioned a deck-to-water-level pool with an infinity edge right off the house — one that would make their five young granddaughters pester their parents to visit every sunny day the temperature rose to bathing-suit degrees.

He loved the property, but he hated the pool.

It was the first thing Patrick Cloonan’s client said after he announced he’d bought a massive Tudor on 29 acres in Cleveland’s far-eastern suburbs. When Cloonan saw it, he understood why.

“The tile was falling off,” recalls the owner of Cloonan Design Services Inc., a Willoughby, Ohio-based landscape architectural design-build firm. “It was just old.”

Moreover, the client and his wife didn’t like its location down a flight of steps from the back of the residence. They envisioned a deck-to-water-level pool with an infinity edge right off the house — one that would make their five young granddaughters pester their parents to visit every sunny day the temperature rose to bathing-suit degrees.

Cloonan’s answer: a spectacular pool with two infinity edges and two deck-towater-level counterparts that looks entirely appropriate for the stately home yet incorporates water-park elements in and around two lower pools cleverly concealed from view of the house and most of the patio and pool deck. He notes that the clientrequested black bottom is integral to the design’s appeal.

“It just basically gives you a more elegant look and also the reflection values,” he explains.

“If there are clouds in the sky and trees, and the pool is still, you see all of that reflecting.”

The first challenge was raising the pool elevation to that of the house, a job accomplished with over 1,000 tons of gravel trucked in after the existing pool and staircase were demolished. That grade change became invaluable in adding the water slide the client suggested. Cloonan admits he struggled with incorporating a feature so clearly at odds with the house’s architecture and pool’s design. He eventually came up with the idea of hiding the entrance to the slide behind an arched stone wall with wine cellar-like doors and discreetly routing the slide around the side of the elevated pool into a lower 5-foot-deep round pool.

“Since we had that grade change, I was just like, ‘Why don’t we add a climbing wall?’” Cloonan says.

The recommendation added a 9½-footdeep pool between the primary and lower counterparts to accommodate it. A fountain wets a black high-gloss ceramic-tile wall behind the 6-foot-high fiberglass climbing wall. A plexiglass panel above the wall prevents swimmers from climbing to and from the primary pool. Water cascades over three curved steps into the lower pool, providing a way to get to the wall by water as well as by limestone steps on land.

The black bottom is integral to the design’s appeal.

“It just basically gives you a more elegant look and also the reflection values. If there are clouds in the sky and trees, and the pool is still, you see all of that reflecting.”

Cloonan included a 3-foot-deep path along the sides of the 6-foot-deep primary pool for water-walking, as well as two adjacent wading platforms. The 6-inch-deep platform boasts three bubblers; the 12-inch-deep platform is used for lounging, perhaps on chairs and chaises placed on it.

“Most people don’t swim in a pool,” he observes. “They just like to walk in it, get their feet wet.”

Coonan married the pool’s design to the Tudor’s stone-, stucco-and-timber exterior by using limestone for the coping and a stone veneer for finishing the elevated pools’ exterior walls and limestone-capped columns. The exterior of the client-requested 8-foot-square spa, finished with a black bottom and black high-gloss ceramic tile, boasts four infinity edges.

The multiple heaters and pumps needed to recirculate water for infinity edges and send water down the slide and waterfall are located

in the basement of a pool-house addition designed by Gates Mills, Ohio, architect Charles Fazio and finished in a light, bright transitional style by his interior-designer wife Holly Fazio. It houses an open-concept kitchen/dining area/fireplace-warmed great room — features that allow the homeowners to entertain without using the main home — as well as a full bath, changing area and laundry room. A length of kitchen windows opens, accordion-style, to a bar on a pavilion

with one of the property’s two barbecues. Cloonan remembers finishing the task of filling the primary pool 15 minutes before the client and his wife hosted their first pool party.

“People were pretty blown away,” he says of guests’ reaction. The client reports that it has been used as a venue for nonprofit fundraisers. And it continues to satisfy its most important function: a magnet that attracts grandchildren to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

365 DAYS!

THE PERKS OF A HOME WHERE THE LAKE CAN BE ENJOYED ALL YEAR LONG.

FOR SOME, THEIR HOME OR COTTAGE

on Lake Erie is strictly seasonal.

But a lot of people are starting to consider permanent homes on the lakefront.

“More often than not, we’re building for yearround use,” says Jeremy Parish, sales manager for Wayne Homes in Sandusky, Ohio. “But we’re starting to see a big pickup in second homes or vacation homes. We’re also seeing people who had cottages in their families, and they want to tear those down and build something new.”

Parish says he’s built homes between 1,500 and 3,000 square feet on those lots — not enormous, but bigger than the early 1900s cottages they replaced — and big enough to accommodate guests who still want to come up during the summer.

“People want function for everyday life, but there’s enough room to spread out when everyone comes for the Fourth of July,” he says.

The new homes also include some type of outdoor living space, from patios with roofs on them to glass walls that fold into the home’s walls. Outdoor gas lines are also being installed now to accommodate grills, kitchenettes and fire pits that can be used for three seasons. (Locals on the lakefront always talk about how much they enjoy fall, when most tourist activities are still available — just without the tourists.)

“It’s all about being able to spend as much time as possible outdoors,” Parish says.

The change of the seasons can also bring a change in décor, says Clare Opfer of S&H Blinds and Floors in Sandusky. She favors a layered look of a variety of colors and textures, which can give a homeowner options for different looks without a whole remodel.

“The main space is your palette,” she says. “Add in little touches of decor to change the mood of the space.”

Opfer says changing to reflect the seasons can be as simple as switching out outdoor planters and wreaths or other decorations on the front door. Inside, different colored throw pillows can change the mood of the interior space.

“I love to change out things on my mantel,” she says. “Those little finishing touches make it feel more seasonal.”

LAKE ERIELost

By Jennifer Boresz Engelking and Vince Guerrieri

From rumrunning and steamships to rollercoasters that left you shaken and bruised, the shores of Lake Erie once were home to a slew of attractions and activities quickly fading from memory and into history. Some sit at the bottom of the lake, while others still can be explored and one has melted away altogether. Combined with a dash of legend and lore, it all comes together to paint a picture of a sparkling — and just a bit spooky — past.

THE HOTEL VICTORY

When you imagine an iconic grand hotel, it’s probably not in Put-in-Bay, Ohio, but the island once had bragging rights as home to the world’s largest summer resort hotel.

Hotel Victory, named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s Battle of Lake Erie win in the War of 1812, began welcoming guests in 1892. Set on 100 acres, the hotel could accommodate 1,500 guests. Hotel Victory had four floors of guest rooms, and some of the hotel’s towers even reached eight stories high. Along with a giant lobby where music was said to be played day and night, the hotel featured two large dining rooms that could serve more than a thousand guests at once. Visitors had a plethora of amenities at their fingertips, including an on-site post office and telegraph office, dentist and doctor’s offices, hairdressers and barbers, and laundry and tailoring services.

The hotel grounds, known as Victory Park, were just as elaborate, featuring a boardwalk to the shores of Lake Erie, a large cascading fountain, a wooden bridge spanning a ravine, and beautiful foliage and flowers.

Just a few months after opening, however, the hotel was pushed into receivership as its owners struggled to pay for its extravagant expenses and, several months later, the stock market crashed, forcing the hotel to close. Over several years, it reopened, closed and reopened again, until 1919, when a disastrous fire ripped through the property, burning it to the ground.

Rum-Running

Anyone who’s spent any time along the shores of Lake Erie has heard tales of shadowy organized crime figures hosting clandestine meetings, stealthy thefts and, of course, bootlegging.

Sometimes it can be difficult to separate myth from fact, but there’s no denying that Lake Erie was an important corridor for alcohol smuggling in the days of Prohibition.

In the second half of the 19th century, Walkerville — a neighborhood in Windsor, Ontario — had become a center for whiskey making. And the area around Lake Erie was known for its vineyards and wineries, a heritage that still exists today.

But a growing temperance movement took hold. Prohibition went into effect in Canada during World War I (the rationale being that grain was better served for food at the time), and Henry Ford led Michigan into Prohibition in 1918. The following year, the United States passed the 18th Amendment, banning the production, transport or sale of alcohol.

The demand for alcohol barely abated. Towns became filled with illegal speakeasies or blind pigs (so named because alcohol wasn’t officially sold in them; it was given away — which was not illegal — but you were charged a fee to see a blind pig or some other dubious attraction). And Canadian liquor soon became prized, with Al Capone allegedly becoming one of the biggest customers of Walker Distillery in Windsor.

In fact, it was estimated that 75 percent of smuggled alcohol from Canada came across the Detroit River from Windsor, earning the body of water the nickname Hooch Highway. Much of it was brought over under the watchful eye of the Purple Gang, a ruthless mob of gangsters in Detroit that allegedly had a fleet of boats to aid in rumrunning and were undaunted in the winter. After the river froze, they just drove alcohol over. Prohibition lasted until 1933. It remains the only constitutional amendment to be repealed.

GRAIN ELEVATORS

Because of its location on Lake Erie and at the end of the Erie Canal, Buffalo became the largest grain storage city in the United States, with as many as 38 grain elevator complexes. Each elevator could store 70,000 bushels of grain, giving the city the capacity for up to 37 million bushels, much of it for cereals made nearby at General Mills (you can buy T-shirts that say, “My City Smells Like Cheerios!”) Today, only about a dozen elevators are still standing, with about five still in use.

But the area now called “Silo City” is available for tours. History buffs can walk around the property and learn about Buffalo’s grain history and the facilities’ adaptive reuse. Or, if you’re feeling particularly hardy, you can go up to the top of one of the elevators and into the city’s past.

Today, South Bass Island State Park exists at the Hotel Victory’s former site. It’s often visited by campers who sometimes find artifacts like flatware and doorknobs, linking them tangibly with the island’s grandiose past.

Titanic Survivor Anna Sophia Lundi

Before the sun could even peek up from the east, Mumma was in her cozy kitchen, warming milk on the stove. She stirred it lovingly, mixing in just the right amount of sugar, salt and butter. She added the flour and crushed cardamom, and then waited patiently for it to rise near the radiating heat of the oven.

Anna Sophia Lundi’s grown children would sometimes say she was too old to still be baking, but her grandchildren, including Randy Lundi, hoped she would continue to forever.

“We would beg her to bake nisua cinnamon rolls,” recalls Randy. “There is nothing that compares to the taste of butter on nisua.”

It’s been more than four decades since Mumma passed away at the age of 89, but her simple act of love still ties the Lundi family together.

However, that isn’t the only thing she’s remembered for.

In 1912, at the age of 19, she stepped aboard the Titanic, leaving her homeland of Finland and the political unrest with Russia behind. She was one of more than a thousand immigrants aboard the Titanic and had plans to meet up with her sister, who had settled in Ashtabula, Ohio — a spot that felt like home, as it had a similar climate and geography to Finland.

On April 14, 1912, Anna was awoken in her bed aboard Titanic by a collision she described as a shudder. She and most of the

other immigrants did not speak English, so when a crewman pounded on her door hollering emergency orders, she did not understand. Luckily another Finnish-speaking passenger explained that the ship was in distress, and she should put on her life jacket and leave the cabin.

McGarvey’s Boat Drive-In

MOLLY ANDERS GREW UP IN VERMILION and remembers going to McGarvey’s Boat Drive-In, which was located alongside the Vermilion River for decades, on very special occasions.

“My absolute favorite part was the treasure chest and being allowed to open it and pick a treasure for ourselves when we finished our meals,” she fondly recalls.

The kid-friendly atmosphere was a big draw for families, and the menu ranging from seafood to steak and mashed potatoes appealed to all ages.

McGarvey’s opened in the 1920s and changed ownership several times over the years, even at one point offering “Sip Sup N Sail,” which included a cocktail, dinner and boat ride, according to an old post card.

The restaurant was a popular place to visit by boat or land until it closed in the ’90s. The Vermilion Port Authority bought the property in 2000 and razed the building. Today it is the site of Quaker Steak & Lube.

At first, Anna went up to the deck where the band was playing. People were everywhere, running and shouting. Many continued to head to a higher deck they believed to be safer, but a porter urged Anna to head back down. The decision to follow him saved her life because the higher point of the ship ended up breaking in half. Being on the lower section allowed her to be thrust into a lifeboat — the third from the last one — and launched right off the deck.

After a harrowing night aboard the lifeboat, Anna was transferred to the Carpathia, which brought survivors to New York City. After a brief stay at the hospital, she traveled to Ashtabula via train with a ticket paid for by the White Star Line. Not only did she connect with her sister in Ashtabula, but she also met her future husband, Emil Lundi.

Anna, who never returned to Finland, flourished in her new life in America. She and Emil raised seven children in Ashtabula on West Ninth Street, and she later enjoyed her role as Mumma to many grandchildren.

The tragedy was always a part of her life but, instead of being weighed down by it, she spent her life being thankful for her survival and focusing on the love she had for her family. It was a love she showed through her words and actions, particularly that of baking a sweet Finnish bread that still fills her family with the same hope and warmth it did back then.

The Lundi family’s original nisua recipe was recorded and saved by Anna’s daughter-in-law, Micki Lundi.

Island Mail DeliverY

In the 1800s and through the early 1900s, the United States Postal Service delivered mail to the Lake Erie islands by boat. Delivery became especially treacherous in the winter as mailmen crossed the frozen water on an ice yacht — fitted with sails, sled runners and oars — that could convert from sailboat to rowboat to ice yacht to sled, depending on conditions.

Postal workers even sometimes had to force the boat through the ice using pike poles and oars to break it up, or get out and drag their boat along. A trip that took 20 minutes in the summer could take eight hours in the middle of winter.

Mail is flown to the islands year-round by Griffing Flying Service, which picks up mail from the Port Clinton, Ohio, post office in the morning and flies it in a small plane to Kelleys, South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass islands. Sometimes the mail is delayed by fog or snow that causes low visibility. But the islands are rarely without mail service for more than a few days.

CAPTAIN FRANK’S LOBSTER HOUSE

FROM THE 1950S THROUGH THE ’80S, a visit to Cleveland’s waterfront wasn’t complete without a stop at Captain Frank’s Lobster House.

Sicilian immigrant Frank Visconti was the original Captain Frank. At first, he sold fish from a horse-drawn buggy and operated the old Fulton Fish Market in town. He then bought an abandoned boat depot on the East Ninth Street pier and, influenced by his Italian roots, transformed it into his beloved restaurant, selling wine imported from Portofino.

It was known for its lobster and seafood, indoor waterfall, fishing net décor and stunning lakefront views. It was also the place to go for celebrations both big and small.

“I used to love going to eat at Captain Frank’s when it was storming out, pretty cool view,” reminisces Robert Kosek Sr., who grew up in the area and went to the restaurant often. “Around the back of Captain Frank’s was a hot dog snack bar; it’s where all of the fishermen used to cast their bait.”

Frenchy the Pirate

HE’S BEEN CALLED A PIRATE, a squatter and a waterfront character. Although his tale is legendary and far-fetched, Frenchy the Pirate of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, was a real man, named Frank Thompson.

In the late 1800s, after years as a mutineer on the high seas, Frenchy crashed onto the Lake Erie shores in Northeast Ohio during a raging storm in the dark of night. His ship splintered and was no longer seaworthy, but Frenchy was resourceful and used the pieces to build himself a shack on the beach. However, it was on the Huntington family’s property, thereby making him a squatter.

Frenchy quickly made a name for himself, carting around Lake Erie water on his horse-pulled wagon and selling it to townspeople for 25 cents a barrel while his pack of bulldogs trailed behind. He was such a good salesman, or perhaps bamboozler, that he even convinced people to buy sand from him on the beach.

His story may be a blend of fiction and fact, but Frenchy’s lore, even more than a century later, still stirs curiosity in the lakeside town he once claimed as his home.

Amusement Parks We Miss

Lake Erie remains a destination for thrill seekers and amusement park enthusiasts, thanks largely to Cedar Point and Waldameer & Water World. But decades ago, the lakefront was filled with small amusement parks, many started by the local trolley company. In fact, no city of any size or consequence was without one. And although they’re gone, their memories — and some tangible remnants – live on.

1

EUCLID BEACH: Built on farmland in Northeast Ohio, Euclid Beach opened in 1895 — and soon became a popular destination due to its family orientation, with no alcohol served at the park. In the early days of aviation, Glenn Curtis took off from there for a memorable flight to Sandusky, Ohio, and John F. Kennedy made several speeches there in his run-up to being elected president in 1960. The park closed in 1969, but it’s never really gone away. The arch that greeted visitors for decades still stands on land now part of Cleveland MetroParks, the carousel has found a new home at the Cleveland History Center, the Derby Racers are now at Cedar Point, and the rocket rides have been turned

into fun party vehicles that can be rented for outings.

2

BOBLO ISLAND: The birch and beech trees found on a small island in the Detroit River led to it being called Bois Blanc (literally, “white woods”) by the French explorers who found it. The name was corrupted to Boblo Island and, in 1898, the Detroit, Belle Isle and Windsor ferry line started running ships that could hold 2,500 passengers per trip. Initially a picnic ground and recreation area, the ferry stop evolved into an amusement park, with games, rides and what was at one point the largest dance floor in the country with a state-ofthe-art (for the time) orchestrion music player. The park was the rival of any of its era (Detroiters called it their Coney Island), but

it was buffeted by lawsuits (including a discrimination suit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court) and ownership changes before finally closing in 1993. But it’s still remembered fondly by thousands, if not millions, of people.

LAKE ERIE PARK AND CASINO: Fire has been one of the great foes of amusement parks, most of which were built quickly, using wood and tar paper. And so it was with the Lake Erie Park and Casino that opened in 1895. The park was served by trolleys coming from downtown Toledo, Ohio, that let people off at a nearly quartermile long boardwalk that led to the park. But within four years, it had gone up in flames. It would be a recurring experience. By

1902, just seven years after its opening, the casino was rebuilt for the third time. The emergence of Toledo Beach (see below) as competition seemed like it would hasten the park’s demise, but Toledo Beach’s parent company bought Lake Erie Park and Casino. It’s unclear what the plans would have been because, in 1910, the Park and Casino caught fire, burning to ashes within 45 minutes.

TOLEDO BEACH: Don’t let the name fool you. This amusement park is actually just across the state line in Michigan. Started by the Toledo Rail Light and Power Co., the amusement park opened in 1907. The fortunes of most trolley parks rose and fell with the lines that served them, but Toledo Beach’s fate was

particularly intertwined with the Toledo, Ottawa Beach and Northern Railway. The interurbans stopped running in 1927, dealing a body blow to Toledo Beach. The Depression then forced the amusement park’s closure, at least temporarily. New rides and attractions were added, and a new Toledo Beach reopened in the 1950s, but the renaissance was short-lived. The beach was dredged and a marina was built, which operates on the site to this day.

5

ERIE BEACH:

The roots of Erie Beach were found in Snake Hill Grove, a wooded recreation area on the lakeshore in Fort Erie, Ontario, across from Buffalo. In 1904, an amusement park was planned, and a new hotel was built nearby. In 1905, the Erie Beach Hotel was the site of a watershed moment in American civil rights. A meeting there, led by W.E.B. Du Bois, started the Niagara movement, which led to the founding of the NAACP. The Erie Beach Hotel was renowned for a 1,000-foot concrete promenade and what it claimed was the world’s largest swimming pool, with lake water pumped into it. Unfortunately, Erie Beach started to feel the effects of nearby Crystal Beach (see below), and ended up closing in 1930, a casualty of changing times and the Great Depression. Remains of the park

can still be spotted, and in 2008, a new concrete walkway was put in, not as opulent as the former promenade, but able to afford a glimpse of what used to be.

6 CRYSTAL BEACH,

ONTARIO: Opened in 1888 in Fort Erie, Ontario, Crystal Beach was served by trains from Canada and ferries from Buffalo. The amusement park is known today to roller coaster enthusiasts as the home of the most fearsome coaster ever built. The Cyclone, which opened in 1927, was one of the “Terrifying Triplets” designed by Harry Traver, along with another Cyclone at Palisades Park in New Jersey and the Lightning at Revere Beach in Massachusetts. The 40-second ride was said to be the roughest ever devised for a roller coaster, with reports of broken bones and bruises by riders. The Cyclone lasted the longest of the three, until 1946. The wood and metal were refashioned into the Comet, which proved even more popular than its painful predecessor, lasting until Crystal Beach’s

Staying in the Past

Like most old-time amusement parks, Crystal Beach in Ontario is long gone, but a new hotel is offering more tangible reminders of its existence. Hotel Philco opened in 2022. Formerly the Ontario Hotel, it underwent a five-year, multi-million-dollar renovation and now has themed rooms — including one dedicated to the former amusement park. The 500-square-feet Crystal Beach room is painted in bright hues that suggest an amusement park midway and decorated with photos, signs and pieces of memorabilia from the park, including a funhouse mirror and a Wild Mouse rollercoaster car that sits at the foot of the bed. In fact, the floor of the room is made from recycled wood from the amusement park.

closure in 1989 — and beyond. After the park closed, the Comet was moved to Queensbury, New York, where it still operates at Six Flags Great Escape.

7 CRYSTAL BEACH, VERMILION:

In 1870, a cow pasture in Vermilion, Ohio, was transformed into Shadduck Lake Park, a beach and picnic area. In 1907, it opened

as Crystal Beach Amusement Park, its name coming from cofounder Josephine Blanchat, who said that the sand on the beach shimmered like crystals. The park had a standard complement of rides, as well as a water toboggan that ran down a cliff and into the water of Lake Erie. The ballroom hosted a variety of acts, including Louis Armstrong, Sammy Kaye and the Everly Brothers. Ella Fitzgerald sang there as a young vocalist as well. In 1947, a fire burned down several buildings on the grounds, but the park rebuilt. The end came in 1962, as the park, family-owned for its entire existence, was sold for redevelopment. The final event at the park’s illustrious ballroom was held three years later, and now there is virtually no trace that the park ever existed.

Steam ships

STEAMSHIPS PUFFED ACROSS Lake Erie from the early 1800s to the mid 1960s. These grand “palace steamers” carried a wide variety of passengers from poor immigrants to wealthy tourists and were floating vessels of triumph and tragedy.

Some steamship wrecks lie under the waters of Lake Erie, a reminder of tragic fires that often occurred on board. The G.P. Griffith caught fire and sank off the shore of modern-day Willowick, Ohio, in 1850 and, due to the large loss of nearly 300 passengers’ lives, is still ranked among the worst shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. However, the tragedy led to changes in steamship safety standards, which likely prevented future wrecks.

Still, steamships were often a source of pride and wonder. In 1901, the SS Tashmoo and SS City of Erie raced each other in what was dubbed the “grandest steamboat race in history.” It all started with a wager. Tashmoo challenged any ship that thought it could beat it to a $1,000 bet. City of Erie accepted the challenge. Tashmoo was the front runner and even had a Detroit Free Press reporter riding aboard to cover the race.

City of Erie may have been the underdog, but it was prepared and removed unnecessary items to cut back on wind resistance. For four hours and 19 minutes the steamships raced from Cleveland to Erie, Pennsylvania, and in the last moments of the race City of Erie crossed the finish line, just 45 seconds before Tashmoo!.

Many still have fond memories of riding aboard the SS Aquarama in the 1950s and ’60s as it carried up to 2,500 passengers at a time between Detroit and Cleveland.

However, Aquarama’s deep water hull design threw a large wake that could rip docks from boardwalks and deluge fishing boats and, although it was popular it wasn’t profitable, which let to its ultimate demise.

Shipwrecks

We knew that, when writing about shipwrecks, David VanZandt, was the person to turn to. Tragically, VanZandt died on June 1 during a diving expedition, shortly after we spoke with him. To honor his love of adventure and many accomplishments, we decided to go forward with the interview below. VanZandt was a consulting engineer for NASA who learned to dive while on an assignment in Cape Canaveral, Florida. He started exploring shipwrecks there — most of which were sunk to form artificial reefs — and returned to Ohio with an interest in doing the same. VanZandt was the co-founder and director of Cleveland Underwater Explorers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding the shipwrecks at the bottom of Lake Erie. He discovered about 50 of them during his lifetime. Read more about his legacy on page 4.

WHAT LIES BENEATH:

VanZandt estimated there are between 400 and 450 shipwrecks at the bottom of Lake Erie. VanZandt noted that many sunken ships were refloated, or towed to shore and repaired.

FLORIDA FOUNDATION:

VanZandt was glad that he gained experience diving in Florida. “The water’s warm and clear, and it’s a great place to hone your skills, as opposed to Lake Erie, where visibility is sometimes zero and you’re wearing 10 layers to try to keep warm. You have to be pretty experienced to dive some of the wrecks in Lake Erie … you’d have to have at least 100 dives in. You have to learn to move cautiously and have good buoyancy control.”

ON VISIBILITY:

“The water comes down through the Detroit River and dumps into the western basin of Lake Erie, which is only 30 feet deep on average. All the sediment settles here. In the central basin, around Cleveland, average visibility is 5-10 feet on a good day. On a bad day, it’s zero.”

BRRRRR: Even as a shallow lake, the water gets cold in Lake Erie. It might be 70 degrees at its warmest, and below the thermocline — the line between shallow sunwarmed water and deeper water where the temperature noticeably changes — it can get below 50 degrees. Sometimes, it’s not much above freezing, VanZandt said.

THE MYSTERY OF LAKE ERIE:

Marquette & Bessemer No. 2. sunk on the lake in 1909 between Conneaut, Ohio, and Port Stanley, Ontario. The wreck’s never been found. “It’s everyone’s white whale, but there’s not enough information out there to narrow the search down to a couple hundred square miles,” VanZandt said.

The Peerless Champagne Co.

FOR YEARS WILD GRAPES GREW abundantly on Ohio’s North Bass Island, thanks to warm lake breezes and the longer growing season they offered. In the late 1800s, winemakers took notice and began planting Catawba, Concord and Delaware grape varieties on the island.

Rudolph Siefield of Oak Harbor, Ohio, bought land on the north shore of the island and became the owner and operator of the Peerless Champagne Co., transforming his Catawba grapes into fine champagne. He and his wife, Nana Fox, from the nearby island of Put-in-Bay, spent many happy years raising their three children alongside their vineyards.

Yet, they suffered tragedy when their adult son, Walter, died after being shot the day of his wedding by a gun, intended for a celebratory salute, that fired after being accidentally knocked over. The church in which they were married, North Bass Island Chapel, was considered bad luck for decades until weddings resumed in the 1960s and have happily continued ever since.

of Lost Lake Erie to Look For 3 Pieces

What lies beneath Lake Erie stirs the imagination. No one knows that better than Kelleys Island resident and scuba enthusiast Chad Waffen, who also has a degree in archeology and is the author of Ohio’s Lake Erie Islands. “I definitely like seeing the maritime history preserved underwater,” Waffen says. “It’s like a time capsule.” While he leaves historical artifacts alone, items that wash ashore are fair game and may have ties to lost wrecks or lakefront industries. Here are three to look for.

– Beach Glass –

Beach glass that’s frosted, perfectly worn or boasts rare colors or shapes are the most coveted. A lot of beach glass comes from litter or garbage that made its way into waterways before being polished by Lake Erie’s rocks and waves. For many years, communities even dumped garbage directly into the lake. The General Electric plant that once existed in Conneaut, Ohio, is believed to have used its discarded glass to combat erosion — and that’s why cobalt blue and black amethyst glass is still found in the area.

– Bricks –

Bricks once paved roadways throughout the region and, when those roads were dismantled, the bricks were sometimes thrown into Lake Erie. Parts of buildings have even crumbled down cliffs or been intentionally placed in the lake, including sections of the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium that were used to build fishing reefs along Cleveland’s stretch of shoreline. Waffen says he’s even found marble bricks, which he assumes came from a building long ago demolished and dumped.

– Marbles –

Of all the beach-combing finds, marbles are the most prized to many. Some say marbles wash ashore because they were once used as ballast on ships. However, most experts believe any marbles used on ships were likely less expensive and made of clay. Sought-after glass marbles began as toys and likely made their way into waterways by children playing with them and losing them. As they got older and tired of the toys, launching marbles directly into the lake with slingshots proved to be more fun.

Lost LAKE ERIE

Buried Treasure in Niagara Falls

Turns out, Oak Island isn’t the only place in Canada rumored to have buried treasure.

There are stories in Niagara Falls, as well — and whatever treasure might be there has proved just as elusive.

One legend has it that a pair of British navy deserters stole a trunk full of gold coins, valued at $100,000 and destined for British soldiers’ payroll, off a ship during the War of 1812. The treasure was buried on what’s now called Foster’s Flats, 30 feet from a large rock at the foot of an oak tree with roots like a hen’s foot.

Another tale tells of a British paymaster who, upon hearing that American forces were advancing, buried the payroll near a beech tree at the edge of a cemetery in St. Catharines, Ontario. The paymaster was then killed in combat in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, taking the location with him into eternity. No evidence has been found of the veracity of either of these stories. Yet.

Fairport Ice Palace

IT SEEMED LIKE SUCH A GOOD IDEA.

In the late 1890s, folks in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, decided to celebrate winter by constructing an ice palace of soaring turrets and pinnacles and vast doorways. Hundreds of men worked on it for days and an elaborate program was planned for its reveal.

The sparkling structure was advertised as the highlight of an Ice Carnival, and newspaper accounts said it was “studded with a thousand electric lights — rivaling Montreal’s biggest carnival.”

However, when the palace was nearly completed, and people from all around eagerly waited to marvel at its beauty, the sun broke through the February clouds, causing the temperature to quickly rise into the 40s.

The carved intricacies of the palace were briefly illuminated by the sunshine, before quickly melting to the ground.

A GHOST STORY

Lighthouses and Their Keepers

GIVEN THEIR ISOLATION, lighthouses are a natural setting for any variety of ghost stories. But are they just tall tales? Or is there something beyond the earthly veil?

In 1897, a new lighthouse opened on South Bass Island in Ohio. The following summer, keeper Harry Riley, an experienced Naval officer, hired Sam Anderson, who worked at the nearby Hotel Victory, as a caretaker.

There was a smallpox outbreak, and the entire island was quarantined. Anderson grew restless, ostensibly fearful of catching the dreaded disease, and tried to leave but was kept on the island by troops assigned to enforce the quarantine. He refused to venture back into the lighthouse and, not long after, Anderson was found dead at the bottom of a cliff. It was officially ruled a suicide.

Not long after that, Riley was found wandering the streets of Sandusky, Ohio, babbling about horses he claimed to own. (He did not, in fact, own any horses.) He was committed to an asylum and died there the following February.

The most mundane theories indicate that Riley had syphilis, which can lead to dementia, and it led to his commitment and death. But there are theories that Anderson saw someone — or something — that terrified him so much that he wanted to leave the island. And people visiting the lighthouse claim to hear strange sounds and see doors and cupboards opening and closing without explanation.

Workers and visitors at Dunkirk Lighthouse in New York, meanwhile, offer similar stories of items ending up in different places, doors opening and closing

The Interurban Era

The early 20th century was the age of the interurbans, self-propelled railroad cars that, as the name implied, traveled through cities. The mode of transportation rose and just as quickly fell, but not before it had made sweeping changes in a variety of states — including Ohio.

“Ohio was the epicenter of the interurbans,” says Tom Patton of the Beach Park Railway Museum in Avon Lake, Ohio.

and overheard conversations in an otherwise empty building. Some believe lighthouses are magnets for spirits, who find them a place of safety. Are these manifestations of those visitors?

At the Fairport Harbor Lighthouse in eastern Ohio, there’s a haunting of a different kind. The wife of one of the lighthouse keepers kept several cats following the death of their young son. Workers today at the lighthouse have reported feeling the presence of a cat in the

It was estimated that, in 1915, Ohio had 2,780 miles of interurban tracks. At that time, there were 21 electric railroads in Ohio, including the Lake Shore Electric Railway, which was formed in 1901. Trains left hourly from Cleveland’s Public Square, traveling west through farmland before heading up to Detroit.

It brought with it a whole new way of life. Families could take excursions to the beach or to the new amusement parks built at the end of many lines. Newspapers could be delivered to other cities the same day they were printed. And as electric trains ran through rural areas, homes were electrified.

rooms — or occasionally hearing something that sounds like a cat skittering across the floor.

After the Toledo Lighthouse in Ohio was automated, there were tales of a phantom keeper in an upstairs window, beckoning people to visit. Turns out, as a security measure at the lighthouse to hedge against potential vandalism, a mannequin was installed in a top window to give the appearance of someone watching into the night.

But was he the only one?

The railway formed facilities that were like small towns unto themselves. In what was then Avon Township, they included a power plant, fire department and post office. And of course, the railroad encouraged people to move out to what would become known as Avon Lake. They’d even sell you the land. “The interurban really created Avon Lake,” Patton says.

Interurbans were a steady, reliable mode of transportation in the days when autos were rare and roads were adventurous. But as roads improved and cars became more commonplace, the interurbans declined. The miles of interurban track peaked in 1916, at 15,580. (Not coincidentally, that was the year the first federal highway bill was signed.)

Interurbans started to fade away in the 1920s, and the Lake Shore’s day came as well. The company went into receivership in 1933 and, five years later, the last interurban departed from Public Square.

But even today, there are signs in Avon Lake of its interurban roots. There’s a neighborhood called the 45s, so named because it was a development of cottages along Stop 45 on the interurban. And although the tracks are long gone, the right-of-way in Avon Lake remains a major throughfare. It’s called Electric Boulevard.

Lost LAKE ERIE

The Lak e Road Inn

AN ELECTRIC BUZZ REVERBERATED across a massive ballroom where hundreds of people were dancing the Charleston. It was the height of the Roaring Twenties, and the Lake Road Inn, in Avon Lake, Ohio, was the place to be.

The legendary inn opened in 1924 at Lake Shore Electric Stop 41, near the city’s eastern end. It was known for having the best dance floor in northern Ohio at the time, capable of holding up to 500 visitors — and many flocked to it each evening.

In October 1926, a fire blazed through the inn. It was one of a series of mysterious fires reported that year along Lake Road, between Cleveland and Lorain. The inn — where Guy Lombardo had performed and steak, duck and frog dinners were served — was never rebuilt.

The Great Expositions

The area around the Great Lakes was prized for its industry and innovation in the late 1800s and early 1900s — and it was common for those cities to show off their accomplishments with large-scale world’s fairs.

In 1889, the Detroit International Exposition opened on 72 acres near the juncture of the Rouge and Detroit rivers. Detroit wasn’t yet the Motor City, but it was still a major producer of a variety of products, from railroad cars to soap (the Detroit Soap Co.’s display was said to be particularly fragrant). More than 300,000 people came through the turnstiles in 10 days, and the fair became an annual event for several years.

Not to be outdone, in 1901, Buffalo celebrated the Pan-American Exposition, to show off, among other things, the lights powered by electricity from nearby Niagara Falls. The United States had just emerged triumphant in the Spanish-American War, and the fair was a celebration of the rise of the Western Hemisphere (hence the name Pan-American). Sadly, the exposition would become notorious as the site of the assassination of President William McKinley. The New York building is the only remaining structure, serving as home to the Buffalo History Museum.

In 1936, Cleveland hosted the Great Lakes Exposition, ostensibly in celebration of the centennial of the city’s incorporation, but more practically as a way to generate tourism and revenue during the Great Depression. Ohio’s history of presidents was celebrated, as was its industrial advances and the varying ethnic groups that had flocked to Cleveland, making it the sixth-largest city in the country. The exposition proved so popular that it returned to the city again the following year.

John Hicks

SARA’S RESTAURANT —

located at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania — is a beloved stop for ice cream. But even before Sara’s opened nearly a half century ago, an ice cream entrepreneur was creating roots in the city.

John Hicks, the son of a former slave, moved to Erie in 1878 and soon opened Hicks Ice Cream on State Street. The building contained an ice cream factory in the basement and an ice cream parlor on the first floor. He marketed his ice cream as “pure” and sold both wholesale and retail, including a brisk business with the church social crowd.

Hicks was able to freeze 20 to 40 gallons of ice cream per hour and, in the early 1900s, was granted a U.S. patent for a mold that could hold up to a pint of ice cream and form it into different shapes.

Although he came from humble beginnings, Hicks became one of Erie’s most successful businessmen and one of the state’s largest manufacturers.

“I think trial and error and trying to get better is what he probably did,” says Sara’s owner Sean Candela. “And if you hit upon an idea, like a mold, or word of mouth gets around, you can do amazing things. And I’m guessing he was good at customer service too.”

Lost LAKE ERIE

Lake Erie Living Readers, DEAR

As the Executive Director of On the Water Ohio (OTWO), I am thrilled to introduce this special insert highlighting the wonderful initiatives taking place across our state’s waterways. Our mission at OTWO is to promote education, inclusion and access to Ohio’s aquatic environments, ensuring they remain vibrant and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

In this issue, you’ll discover inspiring stories that reflect our commitment to these core values. Learn about the educational programs that empower communities to preserve and protect our waterways, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse ecosystems that stretch from the Great Lakes to the grand rivers.

We also highlight inclusive efforts that make it possible for individuals of all ages and abilities to experience the joy and serenity of being on the water. From adaptive programs to community-driven events, there

are countless opportunities for everyone to connect with these natural treasures. Additionally, explore the initiatives aimed at increasing access to our waterways, breaking down barriers and providing resources and support to help more individuals enjoy the benefits of being on the water. These stories showcase the passionate efforts of those working to ensure everyone can engage with and advocate for the sustainable management of our precious water resources.

We hope this insert inspires you to join us in our mission and discover the many ways you can contribute to preserving and enjoying Ohio’s waterways. Together, we can ensure these natural wonders remain a source of beauty, recreation and inspiration for generations to come.

Warm

regards,

Michelle Burke

Make Cedar Point your next overnight boating destination!

When you stay at a Cedar Point Marina, you will be at one of the finest marinas on Lake Erie and close to all of the fun and excitement at A Place Like No Other®.

• O ffering over 60 transient slips accommodating boats up to 125'

• E xclusive perks include discounts on Cedar Point park admission and Early Entry to Cedar Point (1 hour before the general public)

• Multiple restaurants, ships store, air-conditioned restrooms and showers, pool and spa, cable TV and much more

• Fuel Pier offering 90 Octane Clear Gas & Diesel

• Complimentary Pump Out Station

• Fleets of 5 or more can reserve space for your group rendezvous

• For a nominal fee, short term dockage is available for boaters wishing to enjoy a few hours at Cedar Point or the restaurants along the waterfront

• Courtesy shuttle service on Cedar Point Peninsula

For more information about overnight reservations, please email marinainfo@cedarpoint.com, or call 419.627.2334.

MICHELLE BURKE Executive Director, On the Water Ohio

EDUCATION

Stone Lab hosts student research for high schoolers and beyond, with researchers staying in dorms and housing on the island.

Harmful algal bloom (HAB), cyanobacteria can produce toxins that contaminate the water.

LEARN and PRESERVE

We all can play a part in ensuring our waterways remain healthy and safe.

By Ruth Corradi Beach

WHEN IT COMES TO OHIO’S WATERWAYS, there’s good news and bad news. Bad news first: Along with our famous walleye and perch, our waters contain algal blooms, pharmaceutical waste, microplastics and invasive species. The good news: There are organizations working tirelessly to mitigate these problems, and there are things you can do to help so we can all continue to reap the benefits of our magnificent natural resources.

Green algae are part of the ecosystem; they are green plants in lakes and rivers. However, an excess of blue-green algae, called cyanobacteria, are problematic. Also known as harmful algal bloom (HAB), cyanobacteria can produce toxins that contaminate the water and can irritate the lungs and skin of people who come in contact with it. You’ve probably seen cyanobacteria on the lake during the summer months. It’s a bluish-green color and resembles pea soup or spilled paint on the surface of the water and is the result of phosphorus runoff from farm fertilizer. HAB is studied extensively at Stone Laboratory, which is very good news for Ohio’s waterways. Stone Lab is the island campus of The Ohio State University (OSU). It’s located on Gibralter Island in Put-in-Bay.

“[Stone Lab] is like a three-legged stool,” explains Director Chris Winslow. “Research, education and outreach. [By communicating] with coastal residents and state and federal agencies, we know what the issues are in Lake Erie, and we conduct research to inform change of behaviors.” This research helps determine how the ODNR manages the lake’s fish, or how the EPA manages drinking water.

The second leg is education. Stone Lab hosts student research for high schoolers and beyond, with researchers staying in dorms and housing on the island. There are approximately two dozen courses per summer, with about 250 high schoolers and undergrads taking part. “What better way to study science than to be immersed in the wet, cold, on a boat, using our instruments?” Winslow says.

The third leg is outreach, which Winslow explains as “education that doesn’t have a test at the end. It’s communicating what we’re learning to a lay audience. What does a fifth grader need to know, a science writer, a high school student, the media?”

MANAGING ALGAL BLOOMS

THE RESEARCHERS AT STONE LAB KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON ALGAL BLOOMS, understanding how, why and when they happen. “The reason they are here is that we have more phosphorus and nitrogen [than is natural] coming off the landscape into the Great Lakes,” Winslow says.

In 2019, Governor Mike DeWine launched a water quality initiative, known as H2Ohio. It’s a partnership among the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Lake Erie Commission and other groups. The purpose is to address serious water issues in Ohio.

“We have been looking at the sources of phosphorus feeding the algal bloom and trying to better address those,” says Ohio Lake Erie Commission Executive Director Joy Mulinex, who helps coordinate the H2Ohio partnership. This means working directly with people who farm or lease their land for farming, she explains. “Since

2019, we’ve had an aggressive campaign to work with producers to enroll their acres in H2Ohio. It’s a voluntary nutrient management plan. We offer a blueprint for what their fields do and don’t need — different techniques to make sure they’re better tailoring their nutrients to their soil needs to ensure those practices are applied.”

The initiative is going well, Mulinex says. “We’ve got 1.8 million acres enrolled, which is approaching half of Ohio’s portion of farmland in the Lake Erie basin.”

The process of mitigating algal blooms is slow but steady. “We always knew there would be a lag between implementation [of the nutrient management plan] and a reduction in algal bloom,” Mulinex notes. “We’re still seeing it in the summer months, unfortunately. But we are seeing some signs of improvement, despite ongoing heavy rainfall in the spring, which is when most of the phosphorous is moved from the landscape into the water. It’s continuing to stay level and not progress into a worse situation.”

KEEPING INVASIVES IN CHECK

OHIO’S WATERWAYS ALSO FACE THE DETRIMENTAL ISSUE of invasive species, which are plants or sea life that are not native to the ecosystem and often are introduced because they are present in cargo or on exteriors of boats that are moving from one place to another. Invasive species can overwhelm or disturb the proper balance of the organisms that are native to the water.

Zebra mussels and round gobi are two examples of non-native species that have invaded Lake Erie. If left to thrive, invasive species can compete with native ones for food, or may prey upon native species. A lot of research at Stone Lab goes into not only coping with invasive species that are present, but also stopping them from entering the water in the future.

CLEAN MARINAS

PREVENTING INVASIVE SPECIES FROM TAKING HOLD IN LAKE ERIE is just one component of the Clean Marina Designation, a program shepherded in a partnership with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Marine Trades Association (OMTA) and the Ohio Sea Grant. Marinas that have earned the Clean Marina Designation have undergone steps to minimize the negative impact on the water.

Sarah Orlando, Clean Marinas Programs Manager, explains, “It’s a voluntary, non-regulatory stewardship-based program for any marina across Ohio,” she says. “We provide education on the local ecosystem and its

environmental challenges. Then we work with marinas to discuss marina and boatyard best management practices. The ultimate goal is to improve water quality. At the end of the day, it’s about engaging recreational boating businesses in protecting the very resource they need to grow and thrive.”

There are several steps to earning the designation. First, a representative from the marina attends a training session to learn more about the environmental issues that face Ohio’s rivers and lakes and what steps marinas can take to address them.

Next, the representative signs a pledge that they want to work toward making improvements that will address the issues and agrees to a follow-up visit. The pledge leads to step three, which is an initial site visit, Orlando explains.

“I come out and survey the marina and make a list of steps they can implement in order to earn Clean Marina status,” she says.

When the marina is ready, Orlando comes out for a final site visit. “They get certified that same day,” she says.

There are approximately 350-375 marinas in the state, and Orlando says that 94 are Clean Marina certified.

JOIN THE CLEAN BOATER PLEDGE

INDIVIDUAL BOATERS CAN ALSO TAKE PART in the program by signing a Clean Boater Pledge. It’s a simple form, available online, that specifies which steps a boater pledges to take, including recycling when possible and following no-wake policies. It’s non-binding, but according to Orlando, “If you actually take time to check boxes off and sign your name, there’s a greater chance you’ll follow through.”

5 WAYS TO HELP KEEP OHIO’S WATERS CLEAN

1. Choose a Clean Marina.

“Just like bringing reusable bags to grocery stores and choosing to be more sustainable, do the same with your marina,” Sarah Orlando says.

2. Clean, drain and dry your watercraft prior to going to a different body of water. Power wash your boat before entering a differnt body of water. Use the one at your marina (some have boat washing stations, and if your marina is a Clean Marina, they’ll definitely have one). “A power wash station at a car wash works, too,” says Chris Winslow.

3. Fuel Properly. Take steps to minimize spills when fueling on or near the water.

4. Educate yourself. “It’s generally a good thing for people to learn where their water comes from and what’s in it,” says Joy Mulinex. And, she notes, “Just letting policymakers know that water quality is important to you is a help.”

5. Don’t be a litterbug boater. “Don’t use single-use plastic on your boat,” says Winslow. “If you have to, strap it down or put it in a cabinet, so it doesn’t blow into the water.”

For a list of accessible water activities and boat launches, including a map, go to ohiodnr.gov or scan this QR code.

ALL ABOARD

There are opportunities for everyone to enjoy Ohio’s waterways, regardless of age or ability.

By Ruth Corradi Beach

LAKE ERIE AND ITS WATERWAYS BELONG TO ALL OF US and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or physical ability. But, sand and boat docks are not reliably accessible

for those who rely on wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and canes.

There are strides being made toward increasing access to our state’s waterways, though, says Mindy Bankey, assistant director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “This is one of our very important areas [of concentration], something each of our parks and other facilities are focused on,” she says. “We want to get as many people out on the water and to experience our natural resources [as possible].”

People with limited mobility have options for kayaking in Ohio’s rivers and lakes, thanks to adaptive kayak launches, which are low to the water and allow an individual to wheel up very close to it. Adaptive boat docks, which operate similarly, are available at nearly 20 locations statewide. For anglers, Bankey says there are ADA fishing piers at 31 locations.

Join a

Guided Kayak Tour

at MWCD Lakes

Glide across the lake on a kayak surrounded by stunning views! Join a paddling program under the stars on a Moonlight or Meteor Shower Kayak tour, or compete in a Poker Paddle for prizes. Bring your boat or rent one of ours! Find out more and make a reservation at MWCD.org

IMPROVING BEACH ACCESS

IF YOU’VE EVER TRIED to operate a wheelchair, push a stroller or ride a bike on a beach, you already know that sand makes

movement difficult. There’s an innovative solution to that, called a Mobi-Mat®, which is an ADA-approved mat that is laid down

like a pathway. The mats are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, and they have white lines (like a mini road) to aid those with visual impairments. “We’ve got three locations [with them] now and are hoping to add more soon,” says Bankey.

The three locations with Mobi-Mats are Cowan Lake State Park, Maumee Bay and Headlands State Park. In addition, Maumee Bay has one large-wheeled trail chair, which is designed to traverse sand.

DIVERSIT Y, EQUIT Y AND INCLUSION

OHIO IS ALSO MAKING STRIDES to create a more welcoming and inclusive tourism industry — including on the water.

Just this year, Matt MacLaren, director of travel & tourism policy for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded the creation of a tourism DEI subcommittee to help Ohio tourism businesses promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Doing so helps show Ohio as the welcoming place we know it to be, creates a positive environment for travelers of all backgrounds and can lead to more visitors and more big events choosing to come to Ohio,” he says.

Another organization working to foster diversity and inclusion, specifically among Ohio boaters, is Cleveland’s InterCity Yacht Club — one of only two member-run, primarily African American yacht clubs in the country.

The club was incorporated in 1968 to provide a safe place for African Americans to dock boats without discrimination. Over the years, it has continued to grow and attract more members from diverse social, racial and economic backgrounds.

Being member-run means each person who joins plays a part in facility maintenance and upkeep, which helps keep fees more affordable.

“The people who founded InterCity Yacht Club did not want people in our community to say boating is only for the privileged and for the exclusive. They wanted to show how it could be inclusive, especially to minorities,” says past Commodore/Advisor Thomas “Rock” Adams. “We don’t have million-dollar boats. We have boats of all values — even $3,000 boats. Some of them we have to fix ourselves. But the point is, you can still get out there on Lake Erie and enjoy this natural resource that everybody should be able to enjoy.” intercityyachtclub.org

ACCESS

“Our kids are not visitors to the water.. .This is their river, their lakef ront.”.

— D. Andrew Ferguson

Maritime and aerospace classes are available for all ages and skill levels.

Unlocking OPPORTUNITY

Explore initiatives and organizations that are focused on getting more people on the water, regardless of income, age or skill level.

By Ruth Corradi Beach

SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OHIO have made it their mission to get more people on the water. Classes are available for all ages and skill levels, there are teams to join and there’s even a Cleveland high school that focuses on maritime and aerospace education.

The school is called Davis Aerospace and Maritime High School (Davis A&M), and it’s currently located at Lakeside Ave. and East14th in Downtown Cleveland. It is a partnership between the Cleveland Municipal School District and Argonaut, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was founded in 2010 by D. Andrew Ferguson and Douglas McConnell.

“Argonaut was launched in order to create a real-world connection to aerospace and the maritime industry,” says Ferguson, Argonaut’s CEO.

“We wanted to open an aerospace and maritime high school. We looked at others in the country and contacted CMSD. The learning model is hands-on, [a way for] kids who struggle in a traditional classroom to excel. It’s important that the activities and programs are not only experiential but presented in a way kids could use — to possibly discover a pursuit that would be interesting to them after [they finish] school.” Ferguson stresses, however, that Davis A&M serves kids from every background and takes a broad approach when it comes to the learning model, and every kid — from high-performing to low-performing — will find something at the school.

For the maritime curriculum, Ferguson notes it’s important that kids know how to swim.

“To expect kids to blindly walk in and try it out is silly,” he says. “We start with the fundamentals of walking into water waist-deep to see how it feels, then how to use a life jacket, how to swim and then we take them into the lake, building confidence. We have a paramedic and lifeguards. Then, as they fall in love with water and it becomes part of their school day, we start introducing, ‘You’re playing on boats — did you know you can build your own?’ We discuss small engine repair, track large ships on the lake and see what jobs apply to that.”

Students can eventually be part of operating a safety vessel that patrols the lake. In addition, students have the opportunity to help keep the Cuyahoga River and Cleveland Harbor free of debris with the partnership Argonaut has with the Port of Cleveland.

“Our kids are not visitors to the water. This is their river, their lakefront,” says Ferguson. “We are making the lakefront better for these kids and the whole community.”

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

LEARN TO SAIL CLEVELAND offers instruction for first-timers and experienced sailors alike. learntosailcleveland.com.

ERIE ISLANDS SAILING SCHOOL offers opportunities to learn not only on the waters near Sandusky, but online as well. erieislandssailingschool.com.

Row, Sail, Dream

THE CLEVELAND FOUNDRY is another organization with the goal of getting more kids on the water. “Part of the mission of the Foundry is to try and get students who are not traditionally part of the sport of rowing and sailing [to participate],” says Gina Trebilcock, the Foundry’s executive director. “In 2022, we were really able to focus on that part of the mission for middle schoolers and high schoolers, with an Ohio Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) federally funded, reimbursable grant that is managed at the state level. That was the key after many years of trying to focus on that area — a grant that let us hire a dedicated team of coaches to attend and focus directly on that aspect of outreach.”

Trebilcock explains that the Foundry’s Row. Sail. Dream. outreach program has four steps, with the first being offsite engagement, such as a school inviting representatives from the Foundry in for a wellness event or gym class, and onsite engagement. The organization has ergs (rowing machines) that can be brought to such events.

Second, kids are brought to the Foundry to

"We

don’t like to do just a one-off and never see these kids again. It’s important for them to get comfortable.” — Gina Trebilcock

learn more about rowing or sailing, using the Foundry’s indoor tank house and sailing simulator.

The third step is repeat engagement. “We don’t like to do just a one-off and never see these kids again,” Trebilcock explains. “It’s important for them to get comfortable. We rely on partnerships and organizations who want to make the time for their students to be involved.”

Step four is for a student to join the Foundry’s rowing or sailing team or attend a camp to make a longer-term commitment. Kids must pass a swim test, and to assist with this, the Foundry has partnered with the Parker Hannifin Downtown YMCA to teach swimming.

Experience

As for the financial barriers of taking lessons or participating on a team, the TANF grant covers 100% of costs for students whose families are up to 200% above the poverty line.

“[Involving more students at the Foundry] is important because we live near a Great Lake and we have a wonderful river that’s more and more recreational and accessible,” Trebilcock says. “These are two great sports that contain a lot of developmental discipline. The Foundry’s goal was always to make these sports accessible to anyone. We want kids to be able to say, ‘I have family at the Foundry. I know something more than I started out with. Now I am safe and confident on the water.’”

More to Explore FIND YOUR Match

Ontario’s Lake Erie shoreline offers a diverse range of activities, each with its own perfect pairings to enhance the experience.

By Rachel Hagenbaugh

Travel Back in Time

Immerse yourself in Amherstburg’s rich heritage, starting with a historic sightseeing cruise offering views of the Detroit River, and insightful commentary (visitamherstburg.ca). Stroll through the scenic King’s Navy Yard Park, once a bustling shipbuilding hub that’s now a haven for captivating tales from the region’s past. For an eerie adventure, embark on the Olde Amherstburg Ghost Tour, a mobile self-guided walking tour featuring dozens of spine-chilling stories, haunting illustrations, 3D model recreations and augmented reality ghosts.

At Amherstburg Freedom Museum, gain a deeper understanding of the Underground Railroad through artifacts showcasing Black history and culture.

A former railroad station, Gibson Gallery is now home to seasonal exhibits showcasing local artists, a gift shop and a railroad museum. Meanwhile, Fort Malden National Historic Site, a well-preserved fort that played a significant role in the War of 1812, opens a door into Canada’s early military history with live weapons demonstrations and conversations with costumed reenactors.

Natural Playground

Begin your escape at the Holiday Beach Conservation Area in Amherstburg.

“This conservation area is renowned for its birding and has been named an Important Bird Area,” says Holly Ing, manager of content marketing for Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island.

“Enjoy large, shady picnic areas, a playground, nature trails, a boardwalk, sandy beach for swimming and observation tower.”

While there, pick up the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail for a bike ride along the coast, where picturesque vineyards dot the landscape. Take a detour at Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, Erie Shore Vineyard, North 42 Degrees Estate Winery, Viewpointe Estate Winery or Oxley Estate Winery.

“Our winemaking history along the Essex Pelee Island Coast (EPIC) dates back to the 1860s and is as rich as the soil in which we grow our grapes,” says Ing. “It’s a great growing region with unique ecological habitats and different perspective of viewing the lake.”

Rejuvenate at Lungovita Beach Retreat in Harrow, highlighted by luxury geodesic domes and breathtaking Lake Erie views. The next

day, make your way to Leamington’s Point Pelee National Park, a migratory bird sanctuary and paradise of outdoor activities. Rent a kayak or paddleboard from Pelee Wings Nature Store to explore the area’s marshes before an evening of stargazing.

Angler’s Adventure

Leave the shore behind with Chante’s Fishing Charters Day Trip, where father-and-son captains John and Jared Sim supply you with rods, reels, tackle and bait and lead you to the best spots for catching walleye, small mouth bass and yellow perch.

After a day on the water, head downtown to soak in the city’s thriving craft beer scene. Pair a pint with elevated gastropub fare at Grove Brewing Co., where deep dish Detroit-style pizzas rein. Banned Goose Brewery & Taproom is the place to go for a beer flight, and Kingsville Brewing Co. offers a menu that perfectly complements its selection of local beers.

Spend the night at the historic Grove Hotel or Kingsville House, a restored Victorian mansion. Wake up ready to tee off at the scenic Kingsville Golf & Country Club.

LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Pelee Island

Tranquility Awaits

For those on the hunt for a weekend getaway that leaves you refreshed and renewed, a weekend in Elgin County is calling your name.

“Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and step into quaint beachside towns and historic villages,” says Lindsey Duncan, tourism officer for Elgin County Tourism.

First, unwind at Holistic Awakenings Day Spa, a destination dedicated to making you feel great. Keep the natural healing going with a garden tour or drop-in yoga class at Sparta Lavender Farm, where fields of fragrant purple flowers and other blooms stir the senses.

Make your way to the Friday night market at Wildflowers Farm in St. Thomas, showcasing local artisans and handcrafted treasures. For a peaceful night’s rest, retreat to Conny’s B&B on the Farm and surround yourself with the quietness of the countryside.

In the morning, head back to the city for some aromatherapy at Sparta Country Candles, which offers a variety of scents, shapes and sizes.

For more local treasures, your next stop is Pinecroft. “It’s set amongst hundreds of towering pine trees, and there is an on-site pottery making studio,” Duncan says.

Afterward, settle into a seat at the Sparta House Tea Room, home to traditional British fare like Steak and Kidney Pot Pie, Bangers and Mash and Scouse stew.

Dog-Friendly Destinations

Don’t want to leave your canine companion behind? Port Dover offers plenty of places for you and your furbaby to explore. Release some energy at the fully fenced-in Doverwood Dog Park. Then, leash up and head to the water to walk along the pier and watch the boats sail by. Many nearby shops, including The Shanty Village and Beach Reads Bookshop, welcome

MAKE SUMMER MEMORIES

well-behaved canine customers.

Hungry? Knechtel’s on the Beach and Willie’s both welcome your pet to the patio while you enjoy a perch sandwich.

If you’re staying the night, it’s worth the 20-minute drive to Long Point Eco-Adventures where dog-friendly suites and the Marshview Patio will make both you and your pet feel at home.

The next day, venture to Long Point Provincial Park’s off-leash dog exercise and beach area. When you’re ready to relax, Hounds of Erie Winery in Clear Creek awaits with local wines and crisp hard ciders to sip as you and your pup explore the property.

3-DAY PASSPORT TO Paradise

Spend a weekend discovering the distinct charms of the Lake Erie Islands and their blend of history, natural wonders, relaxation and culinary delights. By Rachel Hagenbaugh

DAY 1: FRIDAY

MORNING

Catch a ferry to Put-in-Bay from Port Clinton or Catawba Island in Ohio. Choose between the Jet Express (jet-express.com) or Miller Ferries (millerferry.com), depending on your preference for speed, arrival and departure time and budget.

As soon as you arrive, rent a golf cart. It’s the most popular mode of island transportation and allows you to easily access all of the attractions.

Next, check into your accommodations. Several hotels and vacation rentals are available, including the historic Hotel Victory or more modern Put-in-Bay Resort Hotel. Once you’ve settled in, embark on a historic adventure with a visit to Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, a 352-foot monument commemorating the Battle of Lake Erie. Climb to the top for extraordinary panoramic views of the island and beyond.

AFTERNOON

Lunchtime beckons you to The Boardwalk, a lively waterfront area filled with shops, bars and eateries. Grab a walleye or perch sandwich at The Fish Shak. Or, head to the Upper Deck to pair stunning views with a bowl of the world’s best lobster bisque.

Then, descend to the depths of the earth at Crystal Cave, home to the world’s largest geode, before enjoying a glass of local grapes in the beautiful outdoor garden at Heineman’s Winery. Nearby, Perry’s Cave Family Fun Center offers adventures for every age, from miniature golf and gem mining to a butterfly house and antique car museum.

EVENING

For dinner, grab a seat at the Boathouse Bar and Grill Put-in-Bay. If you’re in the mood for German cuisine, check out the destination’s Biergarten, featuring an outdoor patio and games. For more upscale fare, head to Mossbacks. Afterward, take advantage of the island’s nightlife and end the night at the Roadhouse Bar, an iconic destination famous for live music and dancing. Or, snag an early meal and head to South Bass Island State Park for magnificent sunset views and a leisurely stroll. While you’re there, snap a photo at the Put-in-Bay Sign.

DAY 2: SATURDAY

MORNING

Rise with a beautiful shine as eager islanders await to serve you a delicious breakfast at Pasquales Cafe, Frosty’s Bar or Blue Marlin Tiki Bar & Grill, which opens at 6 a.m. Once you’ve filled up, head toward the state park to grab a jet ski, kayak or paddleboard from Putin-Bay Watercraft Rentals.

After you’ve explored Put-in-Bay by sea, climb aboard the Jet Express to Kelleys Island. Rent a bike or golf cart and journey to the Glacial Grooves, the largest easily accessible such grooves in the world.

AFTERNOON

For lunch, discover the flavors of the region at Kelleys Island Wine Co., where you can sample locally produced wine. In the mood for a margarita? The property also is home to the KI Cantina, the island’s first and only Mexican restaurant.

Next, immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty. Relax on the sandy shores and take a refreshing swim in the crystalclear waters at Kelleys Island State Park.

Now you’re ready for a leisurely stroll along Division Street, which is filled with a variety of charming shops and galleries showcasing interesting treasures and local artistry.

EVENING

Take a seat at one of the island’s hot spots, such as Dockers Waterfront Restaurant, The Village Pump or Peepers. For more upscale fare in a casual atmosphere, opt for the Island House. Or, make your way to West Bay Inn to witness a breathtaking sunset over Lake Erie. Grab a late Jet Express ride back to Putin-Bay to settle in for the evening. Or, dive into the island’s evening scene in the heart of downtown Put-in-Bay at destinations that include Mojito Bay Tiki Bar, Mist Pool Bar, Joe’s Bar & Restaurant, The Fish Bowl, Reel Bar, Beer Barrel, and the Green Room at Mr. Eds, each offering their own unique flair and personal island touch.

DAY 3: SUNDAY

MORNING

Start your day with a refreshing cup of coffee, pastry and sweet treat at the Chocolate

AFTERNOON

Cafe and Museum. Take a short tour to see exhibits about the makings of chocolate before boarding the Sonny-S ferry to Middle Bass Island. If you’re an experienced kayaker, forego the ride and take the adventurous 1-mile paddle from Put-in-Bay to Middle Bass Island. Bring a bike (on the ferry) or plan to rent a golf cart upon arrival to make the most of your experience.

Here, a must-see first stop is the historic Lonz Winery, a castle-like structure with several exhibits that offer a peek into the island’s past.

Workshops for Youth & Families

"Art in the Park"

Wednesdays, 10 am - 2 pm

June 12th, Oakwood Park

June 26th, Oakwood Park

July 19th, Oberlin

July 24th, Sargent Sam Felton Park

Main Street Lorain’s “Second Saturdays”

Basement of Church of Redeemer

647 Reid Ave, Lorain

June 8th, July 13th, August 10th, September 14th from 12 - 2 pm

Lorain Public Library

South Lorain Branch

“How is Your Scary Story?” Art & Writing Camp

July 22nd - 26th from 1 - 3 pm.

Workshops for Artists & Makers

“Maker Mondays”

Basement of Church of Redeemer

647 Reid Ave, Lorain

The first Monday of the month from 6 - 8 pm.

Festival Art Making Workshops

Basement of Church of Redeemer

647 Reid Ave, Lorain

Wednesdays in August and September from 6 - 8 pm.

Events for the Community

“Fire It Up!” First Friday Alley Parties

201 W 5th Street

Downtown Lorain 6 - 9 pm

June 7th, July 5th, Aug 2nd & Sept 6th (FireFish Festival Preview Night)

FireFish Festival

Downtown Lorain 2 - 11 pm

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Featuring live music, an artisan market, food vendors, community art performances and installations, a community arts parade, and the ceremonial “Burning of the FireFish.”

For lunch, stop by the Island Grind at Lonz Winery for a drink and sandwich before exploring East Point Preserve and Kuehnle Wildlife Refuge, which are ideal destinations for birding, hiking and biking. Or, stay at the winery grounds and pay a visit to Prohibition, a speakeasy offering cocktails and small plates to enjoy the outdoors in a casual, relaxing atmosphere. For a true slice of island life, grab a basket of Lake Erie walleye bites to enjoy by the pool at J.F. Walleyes. Before you leave, visit the boutique to pick up some island souvenirs.

EVENING

Head back to Put-in-Bay and experience an unforgettable dinner at The Keys, which offers an island-inspired menu and stunning panoramic views of the water in a Caribbean-like atmosphere. Stop by the gift shop before making your way back to the hotel to pack your bags and catch an evening ferry back to the mainland. Now, you can start planning your next big island trip to Pelee Island in Canada, which boasts wide-open views best explored by renting a bike and looping around the island.

The Keys

Adventure Guide

Looking Up

Let your spirits soar at these seven places offering ziplines, canopy tours, ropes courses and more.

By Vince Guerrieri

African Safari Wildlife Park

HOLIDAY VALLEY’S SKY HIGH AERIAL PARK

The 5-acre Sky High Aerial Park boasts 13 courses with an array of platforms, obstacles, bridges and ziplines. New this year is the Bird Swing on the Black Widow course, where riders cross from one “bird swing” to another. “Black Widow also now has a new rope ring feature,” says marketing director

Dash Hegeman. “The Sunshine course also got a bit of a reroute so it’s a slightly different experience than it was last season.” The park also features the Climbing Forest and Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster. Ellicottville, N.Y. holidayvalley.com

2 LONG POINT ECO ADVENTURES

Long Point features a canopy tour and zipline experience, with eight ziplines, overlooking the Long Point Natural Wildlife Area, culminating in a 40-foot rappel to bring you back down to terra firma. After a hard day on the ropes, you can enjoy luxury glamping and a meal or drinks at the Marshview Patio, then wake up refreshed and ready to go kayaking or mountain biking. Turkey Point, Ontario. lpfun.ca

3 LAKE ERIE CANOPY TOURS

Since 2017, The Lodge at Genevaon-the-Lake has offered canopy tours and ziplines with views over the lake and Geneva State Park. The scenery is beautiful

in spring and summer, but stunning in the fall once the leaves start to change. There’s also a full ropes course, as well as nighttime zipline tours. Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. lakeeriecanopytours.com

COMMON GROUND CANOPY TOURS

Now in its 10th year, these canopy tours are offered by Common Ground, a nonprofit that runs day camps and team-building exercises. The tours zip you from tree to tree over the Vermilion River Valley, including ziplines up to 70 feet high and 850 feet long. Common Ground also features tree-climbing adventures for groups of five or more. Oberlin, Ohio. commongroundcenter.org

NIAGARA FALLS ZIPLINE

You’ve seen the falls from a boat. Why not see it from the air? You can ride a zipline through the gorge, past the American falls and land at the visitors center at the base of Horseshoe Falls. The zipline is open

Holiday Valley Sky High Aerial Park

year-round, so you can see the falls at full power, or when they’re encased in snow and ice during the winter. Niagara Falls, Ontario. wildplay.com

6 KALAHARI

The Zampezi Outdoor Water Park, now in its second year, includes a renovated zipline experience, including a freefall tower that allows riders to jump off one of the 50-foot outdoor towers and experience freefall for the first 10 to 15 feet, before being safely lowered by a jumpbelt. Sandusky, Ohio. kalahariresorts.com

PEEK’N PEAK

As part of a concerted effort to expand its offerings beyond ski season, Peek’n Peak installed the Aerial Adventure Course in 2014, and three years later, added the 2,000foot Soaring Eagle zipline. In addition to the Soaring Eagle, there are 13 smaller ziplines found in the Aerial Adventure, including a descending zip that takes you almost straight down. Clymer, N.Y. pknpk.com

Kalahari Zambezi Outdoor Waterpark

Big Picture

Roger Tory Peterson

On April 27, 1934, a book was published that would change birding forever.

Roger Tory Peterson’s “A Field Guide to the Birds” had been turned down by four publishers before Houghton Mifflin decided to take a flier (get it?) on it. Not coincidentally, Francis Allen, the editor who acquired the publication, was president of the Massachusetts Audubon Society. But even he saw it as a niche product, only ordering an initial printing of 2,000 copies.

It sold out in two weeks.

“I predict a long life and many editions for this useful book,” wrote Lewis Gannett in the New York Herald Tribune. And he was right.

Since that first edition, millions of copies have been sold. The key, reviewers said at the time and to this day, is that the book was helpful for amateur and beginning birders, offering brief tips on how to tell various birds apart. The book also featured lots of illustrations of the birds themselves.

Peterson, an artist trained at the National

Academy of Design in New York City, first offered clinical schematics of the birds for his guides, and then graduated into more lush, formal paintings of the animals themselves.

At one point, the New York Times referred to him as the “modern Audubon,” a reference to the society’s namesake, John James Audubon, himself a prolific painter. (Peterson didn’t think it entirely complimentary, calling Audubon a predator for his practice of shooting and mounting the birds before painting them.)

By the 1980s, Peterson was a living legend, winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a two-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1994, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute opened in his hometown of Jamestown, New York. Peterson died two years later, but 1,500 of his original artworks and illustrations live on at the institute, which this year celebrates the 90th anniversary of the publication of the first Peterson field guide.

— Vince Guerrieri