Southeast Ohio Blog

A Crafty Success

2010-03-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

By Corinne Minard

Eloise Drenner is a perfect example of the accidental businesswoman. She did not start making crafts to sell them. And she did not start selling them in hopes of one day owning a store. While she did not originally plan to own a business, she’s been the owner of Weaving Stitches (a peculiar mix of home décor store and handmade craft shop) for almost 15 years and doesn’t see that ending any time soon. “It’s pretty much my baby,” she says.

Eloise started this crafting venture by making items she loved. “I’ve always sewn and I just started making baskets,” says Eloise. While she started making baskets and stuffed creatures for the fun of it, she eventually found herself selling them at craft shows as well. Soon, she was behind a table every weekend. Eloise says, “My house was getting so full of product that I needed to get out of my house and into a store.”

To make room for her expanding business, Eloise opened her own storefront to sell her crafts. To keep up with demand, Eloise began buying from other vendors. Along with her work, she sold painted signs, dishes, candles and other forms of home décor. “It took 10 years. It wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was mostly gift items to start with and then I got really interested in home décor, enough to start helping people decorate their houses,” Eloise says.

She would eventually move to two other locations and cut shows from her schedule completely to keep up with the business. When she moved to the current location and its 4000-square-foot showroom, she asked herself what was more important: her crafts or the business. She says, “I asked God, ‘What do you want from me? What’s your purpose for me?’” Eloise found that she wanted to be able to spend more time helping customers and stopped making her own product completely.

What started as a platform for Eloise’s crafts has instead become a store that lets Eloise help people design their homes. “I love to decorate,” she says, and she loves to show people different ways to do it. The store is divided into sections and each section is filled with displays. Using furniture she’s bought from others as display pieces, she’s worked to fill the store with different examples of what their home could be.

A friendly woman who smiles while she speaks, Eloise uses her approachability to help her customers. “I want to be able to read you and know what you like, not just trying to push my product, but listen to you and know what you like and please you because if I don’t please you to start with, you won’t come back. So I listen real hard to what you like and try to get on your page,” says Eloise.

She works to keep the place homey. With the antique furniture, the oldies music and the staff that has been with her for years, she works to keep the place a reflection of herself. “This is where I can show people who I am and who I am through God. I believe God gave me this place ... and he wants me to let my light shine so you can see God through me. That’s what I believe my purpose is here,” she says.

2010 Spring Issue

2010-03-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Helen Alwan

Spring Stargazing

By Megan Greve and Katherine Bercik

In the Spring 2010 issue of Southeast Ohio Magazine, writer Josh Spiert explores Marietta College’s new planetarium. In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak at the spring sky and the upcoming issue.

For readers who do not have a planetarium nearby, George Eberts, Astronomy Lab Instructor and Outreach Specialist at Ohio University, says that apart from the constellations, there are two big events to look forward to in the upcoming months. Both events can be seen in any backyard.

From May through the end of summer, Venus is visible. “Venus is naked eye cool,” George says. He explains that the third brightest object in the sky (only after the sun and the moon) is Venus, and that “it is often mistaken for a UFO.” Venus will be visible in the west-northwest and can be seen close to the horizon right after sunset.

The second object to look for is Saturn, whose famous rings can be observed with “a surprisingly small telescope.” Although it will be visible throughout the summer, George says that it will be easiest for the amateur astronomer to find in April. That is when it will be nearly aligned between the bright stars Spica (in the constellation Virgo) and Regulus (in the constellation Leo) in the southeastern sky.

Other celestial objects are often visible in the night sky, but their appearances are much less predictable.

Meteoroids are any small particles of matter in the solar system. Visible as they fall into Earth’s atmosphere, they become known as meteors. Frictional heating causes them to glow, which has led to the nickname “shooting star.” A meteorite is a meteor that reaches Earth’s surface.

Porstmouth Local Helps Businesses Through Second Job

2010-03-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

by Michael Bruton

People tend to cherish weekends and vacation time because it gives them a break from their hectic work schedules. Portsmouth local Tamela Moore loves weekends and vacation time from her full-time human resources job, because it gives her time to work more. Huh? Tamela admits that she “pretty much has two full time jobs.” She has one in HR for a government agency and the other as the sole employee of Accomplish Moore Enterprises LLC.

“I probably work about 70-80 hours a week with both jobs,” says Tamela. “One day I hope my speaking job is successful enough to be my only one.”

Through Accomplish Moore, Tamela gives keynote addresses and sponsors workshops for small businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Some of her programs last two hours, while others can range up to six, depending on the needs of the client.

The speeches are primarily on proper hiring practices and consist of Tamela speaking and then answering questions. The workshops are much more interactive, though, with Tamela guiding clients through a series of activities to get to the root of any communication problems they are having.

“I lead hiring workshops, personality assessment activities, give speeches; pretty much whatever a client needs me for,” says Tamela.

Tamela runs Accomplish Moore out of her home, but she has gotten the opportunity to help clients all over Ohio and in parts of West Virginia. She is looking to expand to new territories (a potential client in Chicago is in the works), but it is difficult because Accomplish Moore relies solely on word-of mouth testimony to attract future clients. On the flipside, the business’s growth is all the more impressive without any true advertising.

“It’s so exciting. I have only been in business since 2004 and don’t advertise, but I have had a positive impact on most of the groups I have worked with so I have been successful,” Tamela says. “Cleveland loves me for some reason,” she adds with a laugh.

Although Accomplish Moore is Tamela’s passion and she hopes it one day is her sole means of income, she does not want people to get the wrong idea.

“I love my HR job, and it has helped me with my speaking career. As long as I need to, I will do both until I physically can’t handle the hours anymore.” And when she can’t, she travels.

“Traveling is what I like to do most during my off time,” Tamela says, citing Orlando and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. “I am trying to plan a fun trip for this September, and I am taking my mother for a birthday cruise in February of next year.”

But as nice as that sounds and as much as Tamela likes to travel, she just cannot resist putting her time off to productive use. “I love volunteering for my church, Bigelow Church, and I am also very active with the Scioto County Chamber of Commerce,” says Tamela. “What can I say, I just can’t help being involved in the community. It’s fun for me!”

The Truth is Out There in Pickaway County, Man pt. 2

2010-03-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

by Emma Frankart

Leading the (para)normal life

The P.C.P.S. members are by no means experts; they have no ghost-hunting degrees or fancy equipment and they do not charge for their services. By day, Oby, Gabrielle and Kurt are students; Oby and Gabrielle attend Hocking College to study art and English, respectively, and Kurt studies information technology through the University of Phoenix online. Kevin and Scott work the night shift at Trimold Plastics in Circleville.

Because they are only amateur paranormal enthusiasts, the amount of high-tech equipment they utilize is limited. They do have an EMF detector for recording electromagnetic fields (which can indicate paranormal activity, or lack thereof), an EVP recorder which records electronic voice phenomena that cannot be heard with the naked ear, night vision cameras and a thermal imaging camera, which can visually represent changes in air temperature.

Kevin and the rest of the crew are excited to try out some of their newer equipment in an upcoming trip to the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio. Gabrielle has connections with the woman in charge of tours and is setting up an overnight investigation. But this is not her first rodeo; Gabrielle has conducted an investigation at the reformatory in the past, with her previous group. While the team saw nothing unusual in the building, their EVP recorders revealed that a ghostly presence had been in the room, unbeknownst to them.

“There was a guy that I was with in a cell, just feeling things out” she explains, “and he was trying to put the moves on me.” She refused his advances, and when she listened to the recording of their conversation the next day, she could hear a faint voice asking, “What is this guy doing?” She laughs now, to think that a ghost had been on her side, but at the same time she admits the experience is a little scary.

Searching for the strange

The P.C.P.S., on the other hand, has had only one major investigation thus far. Kevin attributes the lack of cases to the area’s general aversion to the paranormal.

“It just seems like around Pickaway County, people just don’t really wanna come out [and] say … they have a haunted house,” Kevin says. “They’re just worried about what everyone else is gonna say.” Another roadblock for the team is a lack of cooperation from the city. A few locations in Circleville are rumored to be haunted, but the city will not grant permission to investigate.

The one investigation they did conduct was last year in Tarlton, Ohio. A client claimed that he heard voices and experienced lights and an electric oven turning on without being touched. Kevin and Oby conducted the investigation, but found it inconclusive when they failed to witness any of these phenomena personally.

“The only weird thing that actually happened,” Kevin recalls, is “one window on the back side of the house that I just couldn’t stop looking at.” The light in that room was turned off when the men began walking the perimeter of the house. When they came back to that window, the light had been turned on. The house’s resident was outside with Oby and Kevin, though his son was still inside. Naturally, that alone is not enough to draw any conclusions.

“The important thing is to go into [investigations] with an open mind,” Oby says, “but at the same time, [with] a certain level of skepticism, because it’s very easy to get drawn in.” Oby and Kevin both doubt that there was any sort of true paranormal activity involved in that particular investigation. Oby chalks the homeowner’s claims up to a combination of factors, including the client’s penchant for alcohol and an open fuse box in the basement.

“We could actually feel pressure from [the fuse box],” Oby says, explaining that the EMFs that the box puts out can make people feel nauseous or even hallucinate. The ventilation system in the house was leaking as well, leading Oby and Kevin to conclude that the EMFs could seep through the house, causing strange electrical occurrences and unexplained (but imagined) sights and sounds.

The group is eager to conduct more investigations and encourages anyone with concerns about paranormal events to report them and request an investigation at the group’s Web site.

OU Grad Builds on Pizza Love

2010-03-12T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Rachel Nebozuk

It was Spring Quarter of 1989 when John Moore, an Ohio University business major, decided he was going to open his own pizza shop. By November of that year, he was a recent graduate, a small business owner and pizza connoisseur. There aren’t many early twenty-somethings who are able to find this kind of success at such a young age, which sets John, and his popular pizza shop, Cardo’s, apart from the rest.

John spent nearly six years throughout his high school and college days working at another Cardo’s location in Waverly.

“I thought owning my own pizza business would be a dream come true,” John said.

After catching wind of his potential plans, John’s Cardo’s boss, Lloyd Harmon, suggested he consider opening a Jackson location. And without another pizza shop quite like it in the area, John’s restaurant quickly became a local favorite.

Cardo’s was originally located in a small shop on Broadway Street in Jackson County, offering only pickup and delivery. By 1997, however, the business was booming and John knew it was time to expand. Cardo’s relocated to its current location on W. South Street, near the historic Henry’s Grocery Store. The bigger restaurant allowed Cardo’s to offer a 100-seat dining area with an all-you-can-eat buffet and a private party and conference room.

In 2004, in the ultimate love story, John married one of his former Cardo’s employees, Jenny Armstrong. The pair has been living together happily ever since and despite the struggling economy, Cardo’s has been thriving as well. Last year, Cardo’s celebrated 20 years in business.

As Cardo’s became more and more popular amongst residents of Jackson, the facility wasn’t the only thing to expand; so was the menu. Today, Cardo’s offers nearly endless pizza possibilities, including 13 signature combos. One of the newest additions is the Fiesta Veggie, with green and hot peppers, green and black olives, red onion and tomato. Customer favorites include the Chicken Bacon Ranch and the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, which is complete with diced chicken drenched in Frank’s hot sauce (one of John’s favorites.)

Cardo’s also offers a slew of mouthwatering appetizers, 22 kinds of burgers and subs, eight different salads, spaghetti, lasagna and chicken parmesan. Cardo’s food, however, isn’t the only thing John prides himself on. He believes he has some of the friendliest employees who are dedicated to giving top of the line customer service.

“Sometimes I say I love my employees so much, I married one,” John said of his wife, Jenny, with a chuckle.

Athens Duo Expands Rising Business

2010-03-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

by Danielle Zeisler

Christine Hughes wasn’t born in Athens, but she’s assimilated like the best of them.

Drawn to Athens by a treasure-trail of business success stories, Christine, along with her business partner Bob O’Neil, moved to the area roughly 10 years ago. They didn’t start by launching a restaurant, though. Instead, they sold bread. They sold so much bread that they had enough money to start their first business together, Village Bakery & Café, about eight years ago.

With the Village Bakery, Christine and Bob get to flex their organic muscles, reaching to the Athens Farmer’s Market for the majority of the restaurant’s ingredients. What doesn’t come from there comes from other farms in the area, and making an impact through serving natural food is something their adamant about. It says it right on the menu: “What you choose WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!” Joined to the Bakery is the Undercover Market, a small bazaar of local meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, along with miscellaneous trinkets such as mugs, canteens and tea-brewing products.

From the sprouts of Village Bakery grew a burgeoning organic empire. Just six years later, the partners opened the Della Zona pizza shop. The decision was simple: the two loved to make and eat homemade pizza and they wanted to share that love with the Athens community. The two restaurants are located next to one another and the two facades combine, each with hand-drawn looking business signs, to form an imposing block of natural business.

The pair continues to build its family of businesses, opening the Catalyst Café a little over a year ago. For the most part the café abandons the food aspect of the pair’s previous operations and instead focuses on espresso-based drinks, smoothies and sweets. And though these businesses are impressive on their own, what’s more impressive are the duo’s aspirations.

Their future plan is to start their own small, local farm that can produce food for their restaurants. Their goal of “Striving for the ‘Triple Bottom Line’ – measuring the success of our business based on our social, environmental, and financial impact in the local and global communities,” makes these partners a one-of-a-kind duo, and an influential part of the Athens and Southeast Ohio communities.

The Truth is Out There in Pickaway County, Man pt. 1

2010-03-11T13:57:00.000-08:00

by Emma Frankart

For decades, southeastern Ohio has been known for its high levels of paranormal activity. Rumors abound of Ohio University’s ghosties and ghoulies, and the towns and counties throughout the region share the level of creepiness. One group, the Pickaway County Paranormal Society, aims to take on the supernatural creatures that go bump in the night.

The brainchild of Kevin Ferguson and John Finley came to life in October of 2008. Despite John leaving the group to focus on his family, the P.C.P.S. is still going strong. The team is comprised of five paranormal aficionados—Kevin, Kurt Meteer, Oby Tisdale, Scott Holbrook and Gabrielle Ward—who dedicate their spare time to the investigation of the unexplainable. Though they range in age from mid-20s to early 40s and are scattered throughout the region, these inquisitive kids-at-heart are passionate about their hobby…and with good reason.

Influential incidents

The lead investigator of the ghost-hunting unit is Kevin, a self-proclaimed expert in the subject because of his experiences with ghosts. As a child, he lived in a house where he experienced an abundance of paranormal activity: invisible footsteps on the stairs, cupboard doors that opened and closed by themselves and other activity that he now considers “typical” of hauntings. That case was never formally investigated, but the experience left him with a passion for the paranormal.

Similarly, other group members have had childhood encounters with the unexplainable.

Gabrielle also grew up in a house that seemed to be haunted; she recalls hearing the ghostly whisperings of a woman who is said to have died there. Her experience drew her first to Seekers of Spirits, a group that disbanded when its leader got married, then to the P.C.P.S. As for Kurt, the team’s lead ufology investigator, a UFO sighting on a camping trip in the ‘70s led him to become the group’s lead ufology investigator. Ufology (pronounced you-eff-ology) is the study of UFOs, or unidentified flying objects, and often associated with aliens.

The group also has a cryptozoology unit, but is still looking for a lead investigator to replace John. Cryptozoology is the study of mysterious or mythical animals; famous subjects include Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster. In southeastern Ohio, however, mysterious animals typically turn out to be a confused bobcat rather than a werewolf in hiding.

The rest of the group members are not assigned to a unit; rather, everyone helps with every investigation. Although the group is divided into three areas, the majority of their interests seem to pool in the ghostly realm, as it is the most well-known form of paranormal activity.

Somerset Woman Grows Zeal for Plants

2010-03-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

by Megan Greve

Spring is just around the corner and thoughts of planting and growing are filling the minds of many. Some look forward to growing flowers to beautify their yards, while the lure of fresh herbs and vegetables make others’ mouths water. For Somerset Herbs owner Margaret Wince, both of these spring fevers hold appeal. She works to make Somerset Herbs a good place to stop while stocking up for the growing season.

Owner Margaret Wince opened Somerset Herbs about 10 years ago because she wanted a career change from teaching and she and her husband wanted to have a shop closer to home.

“We just wanted to have a business for ourselves on our own property as we’re growing things,” Margaret says. She also explains that the store has changed throughout the past decade, morphing from a wholesale herb store for restaurants in Columbus to what it is today: a shop that sells potted plants, herbs and decorative perennials.

Somerset Herbs is a seasonal store, with most of the business coming in April, May and June. To add to their business, the Winces also travel to a Columbus farmers’ market in the spring, summer and fall. In the wintertime they participate in a small, indoor farmers’ market in Worthington. Margaret says they enjoy the variety of customers they meet at these farmers’ markets, “from the old-fashioned home gardeners to people who want to decorate their yards with really fancy plants.”

Apart from plants and herbs, Somerset Herbs also sells produce during the summer months. Margaret says they don’t grow your regular crops, however.

“We don’t do corn and zucchini and stuff like that,” she explains. Instead, the Winces sell and grow such plants as garlic, heirloom tomatoes and shitake mushrooms. Margaret says she and her husband like learning about foods that people may not be so familiar with.

“There’s a whole world of alternate foods. And when you get into the farm market culture you understand there are a lot of people doing a lot of nifty things that are off the beaten path,” she says.

Margaret explains that she enjoys owning the store for many reasons, including the freedom to make her own decisions and try new things. “It is also an ongoing challenge which enriches me personally,” she continues, “and it gets a little of your artistic needs fulfilled as well.”

Margaret maintains that the zeal for growing and being creative with plants are what her store, as well as her attitude toward it, are all about. “We’re not in this for the capitalist portion of it,” she says. “We do need to pay our bills, but we’re not shop owners as much as we are growers and idea people.”

From Bud to Blossom: McConnelsville flower shop owner Ginny Bond focuses on community

2010-03-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

by Megan Krause

Hidden in a store among Raggedy Ann dolls, angels and American flags is a sign that reads, “You don’t have to be crazy to work here, but it helps.” Ginny Bond, owner of Ginny’s Flower Shoppe in McConnelsville, received it as a gift, but it is a clear reflection of her personal philosophy. This flower and gift shop runs on relationships and creativity, but it’s a sense of humor that keeps it going.

Ginny started working at Reed’s Flower Shoppe in 1960 after graduating from high school with no plans of one day owning the business. In 1983, the owner retired and sold the shop to Ginny and a friend. At this point, Ginny had already built a strong relationship with the store through working there. “I just loved the business,” she says. “I loved it completely. I still do.”

Two years later, the partnership ended and Ginny became the sole owner. She took the opportunity to expand the company, but made sure to keep the same friendly service that Reed’s provided. In a small town, good service defines a business, Ginny says.

A variety of gifts can be found at Ginny’s Flower Shoppe, but one of their specialties is Raggedy Ann Dolls. This year marks the dolls 95^th anniversary, and Ginny has been making her own Raggedy Anne-style dolls for 46 years. Her hobby began at a rummage sale where she found a doll dress and a woman in town suggested she make a doll to fit it.

Since 1964, Ginny has made dolls for her daughter and many others. Many of the dolls stay with the families for generations, Ginny says.

Between her creations and dolls that friends have given Ginny over the years, her collection has grown to over 400 dolls. Some are for sale at the store, but the core group of dolls is on display in Ginny’s office.

The eclectic nature of the store reflects on Ginny herself. She does everything from taking orders to making deliveries. Her daughter, Holly Bryan, buys for the store. “I’m not a real woman,” Ginny says. “I don’t like to shop.”

When Ginny is not at the shop, she spends time organizing a yearly tribute to war veterans at the county fair, and she plans a 300 to 400-child Easter egg hunt. She also enjoys photography.

Ginny serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Morgan County Chamber of Commerce and has been a member for nearly 30 years. She also helped to create the Downtown Business Association.

Over the years, the shop has become more than a store. Ginny sells tickets to local events, and considers her store a gathering place for the community. “We’re kind of like the local bar,” Ginny says. “Everyone stops, gossips and moves on.”

Landscape Artist Stays True to His Roots

2010-03-09T13:37:00.000-08:00

by Elijah Turan

Gabe Hays had to make a choice. It was 1997, and Gabe was a landscape architect for a Pittsburgh-based business. He had traveled for design projects all over the world – from the Redwood National Park, to Europe, to Hawaii. He was happy, stable and successful. When fate interceded, he left it all behind to pursue a dream: he wanted to start a landscape architecture firm in his hometown of St. Clairsville.

“I grew up in various rural locations in Belmont County,” Gabe says. “My mother was a single mother of three and a school teacher. As such, we were often times very poor. However, I had a very happy childhood and attended St. Clairsville Richland Schools most of my youth.” As a boy, Gabe developed a passion for plants, and he spent many of his childhood hours planting trees, tending gardens and making landscape models. It was also during this time that he met a girl who would play an important role in his adult life: Sarah Mahan, his future wife. After graduating from St. Clairsville High School in 1990, Gabe decided to pursue his childhood interests by majoring in landscape architecture at Ohio State University.

“I was blessed to take advantage of two summer programs while at the Ohio State University,” Gabe says. The first program offered him the opportunity to help develop the Redwood National Park in 1993. The next summer, Gabe traveled to Europe to study architecture in England, France and Belgium. After graduating in 1994, he found work at a landscape architecture firm in Pittsburg, from which he designed parks all around the country. In 1997, he married Sarah. That same year, she graduated with a PhD. in communication studies from Ohio University.

“We were looking to find her an assistant professor position anywhere within five states of home,” Gabe says. “It seemed to be providence when Ohio University Eastern in St. Clairsville decided to start a four-year degree in communications and to offer a position which she applied and was offered. This unique twist of fate put us in the position of living between my job in Pittsburgh and her new job in our hometown or jumping off the cliff and establishing the Upper Ohio Valley’s only landscape architectural firm.

This was a difficult decision for Gabe. After all, the chance to start a practice in his hometown was perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, he had achieved much working in Pittsburg and there was no guarantee that a southeast Ohio firm would be successful. In the end, however, he decided to make the plunge and he opened Hays Landscape Architecture Studio, Ltd. in St. Clairsville.

“I joke with people that I started this business on ‘wife support,’” Gabe says. As with any new business, there was risk. As time went on, however, Gabe began picking up commissions in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and Hays Landscape Architecture Studio has become successful one project at a time. Recently, Gabe has even had the opportunity to design the future St. Clairsville Central Park, which will someday grace the center of his hometown. Currently, Gabe and Sarah are finalizing the adoption of their first child, Jaiden. “So, 13 years later, here I am enjoying a life I never thought would have been possible!”

Canal Winchester Renaissance Man Acts, Cooks and Curates

2010-03-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

by Josh Spiert

What does a semi-retired part-time actor, part-time chef do with his down time? Mike Ippoliti of Fairfield County decided to use the extra time to take over a 40-year-old barber museum in Canal Winchester—an odd choice, but a rewarding one.

The Ed Jeffers Barber Museum’s roots wind back to 1968 when Canal Winchester native Ed Jeffers started collecting random barber artifacts. In 1978, he opened the actual museum, but did not advertise or attempt to promote it for commercial purposes.

The future of the museum was uncertain when Ed passed away on July 4, 2006. Both the Longaberger Basket Company and the Smithsonian showed interest in buying the artifacts, which could have meant the end of the museum’s residence in Fairfield County.

“Everybody in town knew Ed. He was one of the pillars of the community,” Mike says.

“They were both expressing interest in the museum, especially the Smithsonian,” Mike says. “And I thought, ‘if it goes to the Smithsonian, you might as well kiss it goodbye.’” Five years before Ed died, Mike had sent him a letter of intent stating that he would be interested in running the museum. Since he was retired and had some time on his hands, he decided to step up and help.

This is not simply an assorted set of barbers’ knickknacks. The collection Ed built up over the last 40 years of his life is impressive.

“We have about 71 barber poles, 700 or 800 razors, and 600 or 700 cleaning mugs,” Mike says. “There are even tools that go back to the medieval era when they used to do bloodletting.”

The museum is open by appointment only, and costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for students. When large groups come through, such as the GOBA bikers, he gives them a special discount as well.

During Mike’s first year as owner, there were only 256 visitors. Since he stepped up efforts to promote awareness of it, however, attendance has risen. Several barber schools around the Midwest take advantage of the rare collection and visit with each incoming class. Mike said there have been visitors from all over the world, including Japan, Australia and England.

Still, the museum isn’t a means of income for Mike. He lives mostly on his acting work. He has appeared in numerous commercials around the country, including everything from the well-known, local Safe Auto Insurance commercials to the California Garage Door Association. He has appeared in many films as well.

“There have been a lot of B movies that you’d see at 3 o’clock in the morning,” Mike says, laughing. He has, however, also played parts in big-budget Hollywood productions like Traffic and Little Man Tate.

Honoring his culinary history, every Wednesday Mike goes to the Italian Club and cooks a meal for its weekly meetings. He has other cooking offers, but turns a lot of them down because he wants to take it easy and the museum is his main priority.

Mike will continue to spread the word about his little museum tucked away in the second story of a downtown Canal Winchester building. The Barbers International Conference is being held in Columbus this spring and they will visit the museum, which should give Mike an attendance boost of about 250. Still, he is always looking for more visitors interested in the barber’s unique history. When planning a trip, however, make sure to call ahead.

Cambridge Cowboy Pays Homage to Gunslingers

2010-03-08T13:30:00.000-08:00

by Brittany Picklesimer

Boasting one of the largest collections of cowboy memorabilia in the Eastern United States with 15,000 pieces, Howard Cherry’s favorite pieces of his impressive collection remain the clothes on his back.

Howard owns—and sometimes wears—10 sets of American singer and cowboy actor Roy Rogers’ personal clothing. Howard acquired them through a personal mutual friend, who entrusted them to him after Roy’s death.

Roy Rogers, however, was also responsible for Howard’s initial interest in collecting cowboy memorabilia. Howard and Roy became friends after Roy visited the Hopalong Cassidy Museum in Cambridge, Ohio. Posing for a photograph with Roy, Howard introduced his wife to Roy as “your biggest fan from Ohio.”

“It just developed from there,” says Howard. “My wife and I had the same idol [Roy Rogers] and we didn’t even know it!”

That was 1989. Eight years later, in 1997, Howard retired and opened his shop, 10^th Street Antique Mall, which now also houses the Hopalong Cassidy Museum. Through the years, Howard has met hundreds of cowboy stars via various festivals, including the annual Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers festivals in Cambridge. Dealers, collectors and cowboy stars alike convene at the festivals to buy, sell, meet and greet. The festivals are a profitable avenue for the cowboy stars—and their descendants. Howard estimates that Roy Rogers’s granddaughter earned $2,000 through two afternoons of selling autographed photographs of her grandfather.

The most unique piece of Howard’s collection, however, is worth much more than that. A signed movie poster of Roy Rogers’s first film, Under Western Stars, is worth $16,000. Other pieces of Howard’s collection are worth as much as $25,000. Is it hard, then, for him to let go of such rare and valuable pieces of memorabilia?

No.

Howard has learned to keep pieces in his possession for a period of time before putting them up for sale. Then, once it comes time to sell them, it is no longer hard to sell them because he feels that he has already owned them. After all, he has to make a living.

Then again, as long as he’s got the clothes on his back, a gift from a dear personal friend, he’ll always be a very rich man indeed.

Amish Entrepreneur Constructs Fine Furniture

2010-03-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

by Dylan Scott

Abie Trowler sits at his desk and surveys the work of his hands, laid before him. Rocking chairs. Bed frames. A cabinet with three mirrors and six drawers. All carved from white pine or cedar. Stacks of logs fill an airy warehouse behind the showroom.

This is Abie’s place, Hidden View Rustic Log Furniture, planted next to his parents’ Hidden View Bakery on a winding gravel road off State Route 325 near Vinton. Follow the little white signs or you will get lost.

He is lead craftsman, manager and CEO. Hands folded together, his beard draws to a little finer point when he laughs – and he often does describing his days drawing up new designs for his new business.

Abie, who is 28, and his family of seven moved down from the Pennsylvania-New York border a few years ago for the “warmer weather,” he says with a grin. His parents and seven sisters, all one big Amish family, came along.

His father, Sam, had heard talk among their people that log furniture was profitable enterprise. As Abie grew up, it seemed like a natural means for him to provide for his family. “As far as working for a living, there is nothing better,” he says. “It’s amazing to see what you draw become something in real life.”

So, in December 2008, Abie opened Hidden View. Business was slow at first, but he expected that, and the patience has been rewarded. Out of at least 30 pieces sitting in his showroom, only five are actually for sale. The rest were ordered. He has sold furniture to wholesale companies in West Virginia and Kentucky, but Abie is now finding most of his patrons in Gallia County.

They could leave with a whole new house. Abie can construct anything and everything, with his nimble hands and some help from three of his sisters.

The timber travels down from northern Michigan or even Canada, if possible. The further north the better, Abie says. Wood grown in colder climates matures at a slower pace, which tightens the grains and makes the furniture sturdier.

Then, he saws, sands and trims the logs down to the posts and planks he needs for anything from a queen-sized bed to a night stand to a porch swing. The orders depend on the season, Abie says. Customers can check out the showroom for ideas or Abie takes requests. If you’re interested in working some designs into your bed’s headstand, he sends those pieces up to “an English person” – that’s you or I – in Chillicothe with the equipment and skills for that. His parents also work a weaving machine to turn loose yarn into area rugs.

It is a family venture, and Abie clearly loves his work. He shows off the warehouse and workroom like a proud father, but takes little credit for his own talents. I guess he knows actions speak louder than words.

Historic family farm gaining recognition for handmade cheese

2010-03-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

by Jaclyn Lipp

For Al Scheiderer, running the Buckeye Grove Farm is more than a job. It’s a way to spend time outdoors doing what he loves and improve a business that’s been owned by his family since 1867. Taking care of a herd of Jersey cows and producing milk and award-winning farmstead-artisan cheese are all part of a day’s work.

The farm has been passed down through five generations. Al earned his associate’s degree in dairy science and took control of the operation when his sister wasn’t able to take over and his brother was dealing with health problems.

“Each family member just keeps doing more and more to keep the farm going,” Al says. “It’s always changing.”

Al’s parents started the cheese-making part of the business in 2004 just a few short years before they moved to Kentucky and handed the farm over to Al in 2007. He and his wife Renee had to play quick catch-up to learn about cheese making, and now share the work on the farm.

The farm produces four types of cheese by hand from Buckeye Grove Farm ‘s own milk. The Dixie Swiss, Boeren Kaas Gouda and Hill Folk Jersey cheeses earned the farm medals in the 2009 North American Jersey Cheese Awards. They also produce a Jersey Emment variety.

“We’re pretty surprised. Everyone keeps saying Wisconsin makes the best cheese,” Al says with a chuckle. “We were the only ones eligible in Ohio and we brought back three awards. We beat out Wisconsin and that feels pretty good.”

The Scheiderers have been invited to the World Jersey Cheese Awards this year on the Island of Jersey in the British Channel and are working out the best way to ship the cheese overseas.

Their four-year-old Emily is already trying to help her parents with the chores as she’s growing up on the farm, such as going to the cheese house or tagging along to sell the cheese at the market.

“Every day in the barn is a new story and experiences with Emily,” Al says. The Scheiderers document many of those moments in their blog, along with updating their Web and social networking sites weekly for customers.

Part of what makes their farm and how they run the business notable is their care of the herd, which has been certified disease-free. Al says they even do 90 percent of the vet work themselves, including IVs and birthing.

Al and Renee enjoy taking care of different parts of the farm. He loves making hay in the summer and Renee likes to go to the farmers’ market on Saturdays and meet customers.

“The most rewarding part is just being able to go out and be your own boss,” Al says. “I can get on my tractor and enjoy the whole day outside. Renee can spend the day with our little girl and go on a nature walk.”

Al still likes to keep the business family oriented, because as he says, “It takes a family to run a farm.”

Belpre couple shares wine-making enthusiasm through retirement project

2010-03-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

by Katherine Bercik

Unicorn Wine Guild isn’t your typical winery. Rows of luscious grape vines do not snake along a curvy hillside. Large wooden barrels do not gather dust in a barn, shimmering in golden sunlight. Unicorn Wine Guide is an urban winery instead, evoking an ambiance relative to a coffee shop like Starbucks.

The winery provides a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, says Barbara Whitaker, who owns the winery with her husband Joel. In addition to serving wine, Unicorn Wine Guild offers tea, coffee, snacks and gift baskets.

Joel and Barbara started to make wine in their bathtub after receiving a wine-making kit as a Christmas gift from their nephew several years ago. What started out as a hobby became a business plan for when the couple retires from their current jobs (Joel is a dentist and Barbara a nurse anesthetist). As two years’ planning elapsed, the winery opened in March 2009 in Belpre’s Washington Square.

Belpre, which is home to around 7,000 people in Washington County, is not the most anticipated location for a winery, especially since Belpre has been a “dry city” since Prohibition. Apart from a few letters appearing in the local newspaper, however, the winery has not met much resentment from the community. Barbara modestly says that Unicorn Wine Guild isn’t the first winery to open in a “dry city.”

Joel and Barbara produce the wine on the store’s premises by using juices made from all over the world. While the store’s location and city regulations do not make it feasible for the couple to grow and stomp their own grapes, Joel says they make quality wine by being able to pick and choose the juices they use. He says, “You can’t make a great wine [if you have] bad grapes.”

The winery currently offers 29 wines that fit several occasions and moods. Holiday Delight, Shamrock and Midnight Magic are some of the most popular choices among customers, but Joel finds it difficult to pick a favorite wine.

The winery already hosts a few club meetings, but Joel and Barbara are in the process of constructing a conference room so they can accommodate a larger crowd, with the hopes of being able to host wine-making demonstrations and to share in their enthusiasm. The couple’s plans for the winery are far from complete.

But like every great wine, Joel says. The winery can only get better with time.

Self-Taught Chef Keeps Food Close to Home

2010-03-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

by Libby Brandt

Just outside of McArthur and off County Road 25, lies a magnificent brick estate at the bottom of a winding driveway. Inside this lovely home, Chef Mary Reynolds fuels her passion for cooking by dreaming up and creating delicious homemade recipes for her dinner club, Flutes & Peppercorns.

The large manor is both a place of business and home for Chef Mary, owner and only chef of Flutes & Peppercorns. Mary is a self-taught chef whose family recipes have been her motivation in sharing her talent with others since her father first taught her to make pies at the age of 10. Since that time, she has been experimenting and perfecting her many family recipes, making everything from scratch.

In fact, Chef Mary’s signature feature of her cooking is that it is truly made from scratch. Whether she’s making her delicious pies (which are locally famous) or creating entire event menus, everything, right down to her vanilla extract, is made locally or by her own hand.

Chef Mary always knew she would someday share her gift with the world. Even when she spent most of her time helping her late first husband’s dairy farm, cooking was still an essential part of her life. Mary’s passion for food and entertaining fueled the loving endeavor that has become Flutes & Peppercorns.

Mary, who specializes in country-style gourmet cooking, places a huge emphasize on the relationship between the food we eat and the farms that produce it. All of the items she cooks come from the Athens Farmer’s Market. This, she believes, is what sets Flutes & Peppercorns apart from other dining experiences. Mary says that people these days just aren’t thinking outside the box when it comes to food. “What I want,” she says, “is for people to get out of the box and back into the garden.”

And that’s exactly what she is working to do with her Farm to Table dinners beginning this June. The summertime Farm to Table dinners will give patrons the opportunity to dine upon locally grown and raised foods with the very people who produced it.

Even the atmosphere of her home, owing itself in large part to the woods surrounding the property, enhances the relationship between nature and how we consume it. Chef Mary handpicked Flutes & Peppercorns’ décor to augment its woodland backdrop. Even the log over her mantle was taken right from the woods in her own backyard. “I just love bringing the outdoors inside.” Mary says. She also emphasizes the relaxed, calm nature of the home with live Native American flutists, which is where part of the name Flutes & Peppercorns is derived.

Initially set to open April 1, 2009, the business experienced several setbacks due to problems with building codes and permits. Finally, after eight months of struggle and modifications, Flutes &Peppercorns officially opened for business on December 1.

Mary’s dream to share her gift for making delicious food has evolved beyond childhood fantasies and adult wistfulness. She is a real chef, with a thriving business that represents who she is and her cooking philosophy.

Senecaville Drummer Follows Her Inner Beat

2010-03-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

by Lindsay Hahn

From the time she was young, Toni Kellar knew she had a strong internal rhythm. What started as a natural talent eventually evolved into a full-time career when she opened the doors of Roots to Rhythm in 2002. Home to a series of interactive rhythmic events aimed to integrate the mind, body and spirit, Toni uses a combination of percussions and body movements to teach others how to find their own inner beat.

The Birth of a Passion

Toni’s love for drumming stems back to high school; as a member of her marching band she learned to play the snare drum, eventually becoming the leader of her fellow drummers. Her passion was put on hold, however, when she entered college and shifted her focus to photojournalism. It wasn’t until 15 years after high school that she re-discovered her passion by enrolling in a hand-drumming class.

“That experience was life changing,” Toni says. “Being able to express rhythm directly from my body and hands to the drum head, and expressing innate rhythms instead of something written on a piece of paper was very powerful.”

From there she sought to expand her knowledge and learn different hand-drumming techniques. Living near New York City exposed Toni to some of the most skilled hand drummers in the nation.

The Birth of Roots to Rhythm

Toni moved back to Ohio in 2001 and, after attending community drum circles, members started asking Toni for personal hand-drumming lessons and to facilitate a women-only circle. From there, the rest is history and a passion was transformed into a full-time job. Toni created the name Roots to Rhythm because she felt she was returning to her “roots” and sharing her love for rhythm with others. A tree metaphor perfectly describes the essence and the heart of the company; Toni says it’s like “finding and mixing nourishment from deep down and all around in order to grow and ‘branch out.’”

Toni’s most rewarding experience since starting Roots to Rhythm is when she hosted a program in an assisted living community. The residents danced around, sang and encouraged others in the group to join. Usually this would be considered a typical situation. However, she soon came to discover that these residents were Alzheimer patients and it was one of the first times they had interacted with one another.

Group drumming or drumming circles have been shown to not only have health benefits but also to increase connectivity and closeness with other people within the group. Roots to Rhythm includes programs for corporate and professional development, health and wellness, school and youth, as well as for community groups.

“Every time I facilitate a rhythm event, I witness people experiencing great joy through their personal expression. It’s incredible,” Toni says.

Through discovering a sense of empowerment and playing rhythms that are naturally innate, Toni is helping others one beat at time.

Vinton County Pilot Takes Flight with Air Tours

2010-03-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

by Veronica Norton

Harry Sowers knows how to entertain. Whether guiding tourists up and over the majestic Hocking Hills by plane or telling stories of Ohio folklore, he keeps people interested. The Hocking Hills Scenic Air Tours guide, and veteran pilot of over 40 years, loves to share his passion for flight with people. Though many have explored the forested area of the Hocking Hills on foot or two wheels, few have seen the expansive vistas and lakes from the sky.

Enter Harry Sowers, who offers interesting and unique knowledge of the area through air tours. Up in the sky he’ll talk about everything, from folklore to geological formations, and, if you’re lucky, maybe he’ll even throw in a John Wayne impression. This is all while he gracefully guides visitors up into the air with the Cessna SkyHawk, the plane Harry purchased from Ohio University 12 years ago.

Harry became fascinated with flying after his first skyward adventure when he was just six years old. Since then, he’s devoted much of his life to his love of flying and has passed on that passion to others as a flight instructor for the past 36 years. Harry now works out of the Vinton County Airport, where he’s seen visitors from as far as Africa, India and Europe. The airport is completely run by volunteers, making Harry in charge of flying, maintenance and even comfort—he uses a hair dryer to warm his cockpit before visitors climb aboard.

Though he’s been to 27 countries and all 50 states, Harry loves touring this area because, being born and raised here, “there’s nothing like home,” he says. He also says the Hocking Hills are “really turning into a tourist attraction with all of the hills and caves…even the mini Grand Canyon of Old Man’s Cave.”

The pilot likes to tour in the summer because it is best for weather, but says the “pretzel” landscape, created by the folding of the hills and ridges, makes for a magical winter’s view. The fall and spring also offer breathtaking views of the changing leaves and dogwoods respectively.

Harry’s passion for people and planes is obvious and he truly loves to share his joy with others. “I love talking [and] I love flying,” he says. Looks like Harry Sowers has found his perfect job.

Waverly Couple Shapes Local Dulcimer Culture

2010-02-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

by Jill Dickert

Gary and Toni Sager, co-owners of Prussia Valley Dulcimers: Acoustic Music Shop, indubitably have expanded the folk music culture in Waverly, Ohio. By pursuing their passion, they have surpassed being a mere music shop and instead have extended the store into part of Pike County’s local culture.

How it all began:

Sager built his first mountain dulcimer, a uniquely shaped, carved and plucked musical instrument that is a big component of the Appalachian folk music scene, in 1991 after seeing David Schnaufer's music video for "Fischer's Hornpipe" on CMT. He had always been a country and folk music enthusiast. After seeing the video, he wanted to know more about dulcimer instruments.

At the time, Gary was an electrician at the RCA/Thomson plant in Circleville, Ohio where he had been working since April of 1971. A co-worker gave Gary a book that contained instructions for making mountain dulcimers after Gary expressed his interest in the instrument. With the help of the book and determination, Gary constructed his first dulcimer. “It wasn't the best sample of my work for sure, but the instruments gradually improved,” says Gary.

Prussia Valley Dulcimers: The Early Years

Gary had been building mountain dulcimers for a few years and his interest in folk music only increased throughout the years. Gary’s wife Toni is also passionate about folk music. After seeing a woman playing an autoharp at the Fraley Mountain Music Festival in Kentucky, she became enthralled with the stringed instrument that has a series of chord bars attached to dampers which, when depressed, mute all the strings other than those that form the desired chord. The autoharp is a flat instrument that does not really resemble a harp at all.

Gary and Toni started to attend some local dulcimer festivals such as Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival, Dulcimer Doin's in Dayton, Ohio, and Buckeye Dulcimer Festival in Ashley, Ohio. The couple quickly learned that the attendants of these festivals were also interested in dulcimer cases, picks, tuners, CDs and tablature books. Soon Gary and Toni decided to sell some of those items in addition to the dulcimer instruments that Gary made at the festivals. “After achieving success with these festivals, it just seemed logical to open a store in 2001,” says Gary.

Prussia Valley Dulcimers, nine years later:

The shop has seen a great many changes since its inception in 2001. A re-location has occurred and it has since expanded from a mere music store. Gary and Toni made the executive decision to make the store more than a dulcimer-selling entity and now sell several other acoustic instruments such as guitars, harps, fiddles, banjos and autoharps. There is a freestanding Web site to place online orders, workshops and lessons, CDs available for purchase and even a publication titled Dulcimer Players News. Gary and Toni continue to brainstorm and implement initiatives to extend the Prussia Valley Dulcimers presence in Pike County. They have recently developed a program with Bristol Village, the new senior citizen center in Waverly. Gary is going to offer free group workshops on playing the mountain dulcimer for the seniors. “It should be fun and we hope to help generate more local interest in the mountain dulcimer,” says Gary.

M&M Dairy Bell's Owner Keeps Up Timeless Traditions

2010-02-24T16:31:00.001-08:00

By Jessa Moser

Sandy Bellville is a very busy woman. She spends time with her four grandchildren, takes trips to Myrtle Beach every year, attends church regularly and learns how to play piano. While this seems like enough things for any one person to do, it is not enough for Sandy. On top of all this, she is the owner of the M&M Dairy Bell, a staple restaurant in Chesapeake, Ohio, since 1951.

Ruth Brown originally opened the Dairy Bell, and her original spicy hot dog recipe that is served to this day. Sandy is now the proud owner of something that has almost become a family business. She acquired the business from her daughter, and her husband often works there a few days a week. It is Sandy and her staff who work to keep the place timeless.

Sandy has been working in diners like the Dairy Bell for more than 30 years. Before acquiring the Dairy Bell, Sandy owned the Dairy Boy in Crown City, just north of Chesapeake, from 1978 to 1988. It had a similar menu to the M&M Dairy Bell, but she claims the, “hotdog sauce at the Dairy Boy wasn’t as spicy as the sauce at the M&M Dairy Bell.”

While she mostly stays busy with the hiring and firing, discipline, paperwork and banking duties, Sandy also works to keep the business classic yet modern. The menu items range from old-fashioned cheeseburgers and corn dogs, to homemade chili fries, BLTs and even salads for the vegetarians. In keeping up with the spirit of the restaurant, a customer can order a half-slush, half-float treat called the Deep Purple (not to be confused with the band) in honor of the store’s colors. She has also added variety to the menu with the addition of pizza burgers, popcorn chicken, burger baskets and a kid’s menu, and also offers homemade pies on Thursdays and Fridays.

While she has made these changes, Sandy’s commitment to the old is also visible. She enters Ruth’s infamous hotdog sauce in the yearly West Virginian Hotdog Festival in Huntington, West Virginia. Though the Dairy Bell is technically not from the state, it won an award in 2008 for the Best Hotdog Sauce.

She’s also kept a long-standing tradition with the nearby elementary school. The students walk to the Dairy Bell for free ice cream at the end of every school year. It is not uncommon for customers to reminisce to Sandy about when they themselves participated in that yearly event.

Sandy offers the Chesapeake community some character and a little bit of color with the M&M Dairy Bell that will never go out of style.

Buds Brew Chillicothe Institution

2010-02-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

by Natalie DeBruin

It’s hard to define the Crosskeys Tavern, Dale Perry says. It’s a combination of a neighborhood bar, a downtown restaurant and an Irish pub. But if there’s one thing that it is, it’s an institution.

Dale and his longtime friend, Tom Burke, opened the Chillicothe tavern in 1972. Tom’s father—Tom Sr.—told them that they could sell it in a few years and make money, or they could “create an institution.”

“You have your choice, right now,” Dale remembers his saying.

An institution, Tom Sr. said, is a place “where the help comes on their night off.” Dale has another definition: a place where a woman can meet her husband after work. She can wait for him and feel safe, and he can know she’s waiting without worrying about “some jackass hitting on his wife.”

The idea for the bar was born—as so many great ideas are—at a bar.

Tom and Dale had had a few drinks (“or ten,” Dale says) when Tom turned to his friend with a proclamation.

“You know what? We oughta open a bar. We could make a million dollars,” he said.

The two are still waiting on that fortune, but the bar is a reality. Dale and Tom stocked the bar not only with whiskey, but with reference books—atlases, dictionaries, the Guinness Book of World Records—in order to settle “discussions.” (“ ‘Argument’ is not a good word in a saloon,” Dale says.)

The Crosskeys is full of personal touches. The “Rogue’s Gallery” is a wall covered in the photos of “friends of the house,” and those who have died are memorialized with black ribbons. The antique bar—from the 1860s—is made from a single piece of wood. The tavern hosts meetings for local organizations as diverse as the Chillicothe Dart League and the St. Anne’s Society of the Episcopal Church. The clientele ranges in age from 21 to 85, from all income groups and lines of work.

“It’s a very informal place,” Tom says.

Even the name of the Tavern is steeped in personal history.

Tom’s father was born and raised in Ireland, where the crosskeys symbol on the sign of a tavern has long meant that travelers can room there. Even today, one sees the crosskeys all over Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Dale says.

In addition, one of the original bars in the Northwest Territory was the Crosskeys in Chillicothe, and the Crosskeys Tavern was meant, in some ways, to resurrect that, Tom says.

“I like to take care of people, make them happy, have a good time,” Tom says.

Tom runs the bar for the most part, now, though he no longer does the late nights (“I can no longer hoot with the owls and soar with the eagles,” he says). Dale lives in Florida, but he comes up several times a year to visit and talk business — appropriately, he’ll be at the Crosskeys for St. Patrick’s Day.

The Crosskeys Tavern is, after all, an institution.

Muskingum Couple Utilizes Trash as Treasure

2010-02-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

by Jennifer Kessler

To Annie and Jay Warmke, the sizeable Muskingum County farm they’ve built and currently dwell in with their granddaughter is more than just a home.

Rather, Blue Rock Station is the product of a carefully tended collection of sustainable sensibilities, nurtured by the Warmkes for years and meant to be shared among all who venture through the front gates. From yearlong workshops to tours of various buildings constructed with recycled materials, the Warmkes spend day after day teaching people to live sustainably.

THE SPARK
Though Annie and Jay had already purchased the 38 acres and started construction on what would become their farm–which was purchased the week their granddaughter was born, in fact–Blue Rock Station as it stands today was but a glint in the Warmkes’ eyes when they decided to move to Europe for a few years in 2001. It was there, flitting between France and England and experiencing a vastly family-centric, consumption-conscious way of life that the couple really began to hatch a plan for the Station.

“It was a great learning time, and it really laid the foundation for this place,” Annie says. “We had the opportunity to eat really fabulous, locally grown food. We always lived in market towns, where you could walk and buy fresh food two or three times a week.”

Annie also cites a deep-seated European appreciation for family and community as having been very influential in the business plan. “In France, everything is structured around the family, including how people work,” she says. “They don’t live to work, they work to live.”

THE STATION
When Annie and Jay returned in 2004, they decided to move to Blue Rock and begin to implement their ideas concerning community and sustainability. Construction on the main house had begun years ago in the late ‘90s after Annie heard architect Michael Reynolds on the radio. Reynolds was talking about a new kind of home, called an Earthship, constructed entirely from old tires and reclaimed wood. The Warmkes decided to go for it, eager to take on such an exciting project to occupy their summers.

Once they made it back stateside, the Warmkes first priority was finishing up the Earthship so that it could become the center of the farm. Other sustainable buildings, like the straw bale chicken chalet that houses rare breed chickens, have since popped up around it.

THE SHARING
Soon, people began to trickle into Muskingum to see the Earthship. It wasn’t long before the trickle turned into a full-fledged flood, and Annie and Jay really began catering to the community. Now, visitors have the opportunity to tour the farm, trek through the woods with the Warmkes’ llamas, eat fabulous homegrown, homemade meals or attend workshops on topics that range from “Marketing Your Green Business” to “Goat Keeping and Cheese Making.”

According to Annie, choosing which topics to cover in workshops is a simple enough task – if the topic interests the Warmkes, they’ll speak on it.

“We decided that our walk in life was going to be the personal one, and if people wanted to walk with us, well, that was great,” says Annie. The idea is to foster a sense of community among those folks who show up and to focus on what they have in common: the desire to learn to “rethink” and to live sustainably.

Southeast Ohio Magazine Family! Winter Issue 2009

2009-11-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

Left to Right,

Top Row: Samantha Pirc (Writer), Ben Thurman (Web Editor), Anna Williams (Web Editor), Ellen Gerl (Faculty Advisor), Annie Beecham(Writer), Robin Donovan (Associate Editor), Greg Gallant (Writer, Copy Staff), Shane Holtzman (Copy Staff), Will Cooper (Writer, Designer), Sarah Binning (Copy Chief), Brittany Perrine (Business, Copy Staff), Jaclyn Boland (Writer, Designer), Carolyn Miller (Designer, Photo Helper), Steve Zeisler (Writer, Photographer), Sarah Kyriakedes (Designer), Jessica Will (Writer, Designer), Danielle Kees (Design Director

Second Row: Emily Hubbell (Associate Editor, Writer), Dani Purcell (Designer, Copy Staff), Allory Williams (Associate Editor), Kristin Majcher (Managing Editor), Lisa Gumerman (Editor in Chief)

Third Row: Rachel Godward (Designer, Copy Staff), Brigitta Burkes (Business, Copy Staff), Susannah Sachdeva (Writer), Erica Blocher (Writer)

O2 Coffee House and Cabaret

2009-11-17T08:30:00.000-08:00

by Anna Williams

Web Editor

As I walk down N. Market Street in downtown Waverly, Ohio on a brisk November afternoon, I’m overcome by nostalgia. I’ve never been here before, never even seen a place like this, but somehow I can’t help but imagine this small town as it had been in its heyday.

Advertisements painted on brick buildings are chipped from decades of weathering. A few neon signs light up the otherwise dim stretch of establishments. Above the door of the Emmitt House Restaurant, a well-known historical landmark in Ohio, hangs a sign that it has closed. Temporarily, I soon learn, but I immediately get the sense that this town is going through some economic hardship, like most of Southeast Ohio.

I continue down the street a sign catches my attention. It reads “O₂ Coffee House and Cabaret.” Intrigued, I learn more.

O₂ Coffee House opened in June of 2009 and despite the surrounding economy, it has thrived since day one. This gourmet coffee shop is a first for Waverly, offering espresso, gourmet coffee, deli sandwiches, soups, and it’s most popular item, Crispie Crème donuts. Crispie Crème is a local bakery out of Portsmouth, Ohio and delivers fresh dozens to O₂ daily. You name it, they have it. Cinnamon rolls to the traditional glazed donut, customers order them all. The best part, they’re just 80 cents a piece.

The coffee and espresso are also from a local company called Silver Bridge Coffee out of Gallipolis, Ohio. Blends brewed fresh throughout the day include Jamaican Me Crazy, Sumatra, Colombian, Hazelnut, and a variety of flavored coffee. Co-owner Jennifer Farmer suggests trying the espresso; “They say it’s the strongest in town.” It’s also one of their best sellers.

“Before us, Tim Hortons was the closest thing to gourmet coffee in Waverly,” says Farmer. She and her friend and co-owner Ashley Henson originally opened O₂ Coffee House and Cabaret serving only donuts and coffee, but expanded their menu due to demand. It is easy to see why this place rarely experiences slow days.

Located at 115 N. Market Street, the building has previously housed a bank, a post office, a gyro shop, and a Christian bookstore. And it is hard to forget this past, considering a pivotal part of the café is located inside the building’s old safe, built in 1951 by Waverly State Bank.

Inside, the walls are now painted black and covered with hundreds of silver signatures from visitors. One clever scribble reads, The safest place we’ve ever been! After just reading a few, you get the sense that this town is truly grateful for the atmosphere this place provides. Two comfy chairs, a pub table with stools and a dining table are cozily arranged inside the safe against the black walls.

Art hangs from the main room’s cream-colored walls, which feature a different local artist every month. Not one of the couches, lamps or tables is the same. But the mismatched-ness just adds to the comfortable atmosphere that channels the jazzy 1920s.

At least five times a week around lunchtime, O₂ serves as a venue for local and regional musicians.

The meaning behind the name O₂ Coffee House and Cabaret has much to do with this inviting and pleasant atmosphere. O₂, being the elemental symbol for oxygen, functions as a metaphor. Farmer says that we need oxygen to live, and similarly, we need the Holy Spirit to live; “It’s just there and you don’t have to force people to breathe it.” She admits that the original purpose of the coffee shop wasn’t about the coffee at all, but rather to serve as a non-threatening place for people to go that’s not a church or a bar, but an in-between of them both.

Comfy and affordable, the cafe attracts both young and old from around the region. Its hours are 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Stop in for a cup of hot coffee, freshly made chowder, or just to chat with one of the owners. Whatever brings you here, it’s likely to make you want to come back.

Ye Olde Lantern Restaurant

2009-11-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

by Ben Thurman

Web Editor

The restaurant and tavern Ye Olde Lantern has a long and detailed history. The building itself was built back during the Civil War and a variety of businesses have called the old brick structure home since then. As I arrive, driving through winding roads into Portsmouth, none of that matters. A restaurant’s history can only serve as an interesting side dish to the delectable main course of delicious food. If the meals don’t stand the test of taste, then it might as well have opened yesterday.

The interior of the building is a bit of a dichotomy. In the front, elegant glass windows overlook the street. The tables are like those you’d see at a fancy restaurant you’d take your date out to, if you had the money. Toward the back the décor changes into the bright reds of a sports bar dedicated to the Buckeyes. Memorabilia bedecked the walls and the restroom doors were painted into bright murals of sports figures in action.

The walls were eclectically decorated with nods to the antiquity of the building. Old license plates, antiques and a curious bust of a sea captain were scattered about the place. I took my seat in a leather booth towards the back and prepared to feast.

The menu was a little pricey. Not too bad, but low double digits for the main entrees. Being the self-titled sultan of slurp, I was disappointed to find they had no soup options. The menu was small, but diverse. Traditional steaks and salads rubbed shoulders with liver and egg rolls. I ordered some Cajun wings for an appetizer and fettuccine alfredo for the main course. The wings were excellent. Large and juicy with just enough heat to tickle your nose hairs, but not enough to broil your tongue, ruining the taste buds for any food to come.

The salad I didn’t know was coming came next. The greens were nothing special; your standard iceberg lettuce, carrot and cabbage affair. But the house dressing was unusually good, a sweet and sour syrup that made a plain salad something to remember. The friendly waitress delivered diet pepsi after diet pepsi, which I guzzled eagerly.

When the main course arrived, I understood the reason for the high price. Served in a fun blue edged bowl and dusted with paprika, it was a colossal pile of pasta. The bowl itself was deep, so deep I realized the noodles reaching for the ceiling were only the tip of the Italian iceberg I was about to devour. Minutes later it had me at its mercy. My belly was bursting and I’d barely made a dent. When next I saw the waitress, I surrendered and got a box.

I didn’t plan on having dessert, full to combusting as I was, but the lemon silk pie sounded too intriguing to pass up. Delighted, I found it was the best part of an already impressive meal. Light as air, it contained a slight tart punch which balanced out the sweetness of the graham cracker crust. When life gives you lemons, apparently make a pie, cliché’s be darned.

The Old Canal Smokehouse

2009-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

by Zach Schwartz

Google “Chillicothe, Ohio,” and you’ll find countless photos of old churches, extensive flatlands, parallel streets and farm country. By no means is it the thriving metropolis of Ohio, but it sure is one of the leaders in Southeastern Ohio.

Chillicothe’s downtown is beautiful in the fall. The drive down Route 50 through the yellow, orange and red of the autumn woods leads you right into the town, where those parallel roads form the center of the 213-year-old settlement. And one of the first sights you’ll see is Old Canal Smoke House.

This place draws you right in. Situated on the corner of Water and Mulberry Streets, the old-style hotel look-alike sits next to The Dock at Water Gathering Place, the Chillicothe Body Shop, Wallpaper n’ More and the Candlelight Bridal Shop—all of which are brick, just like most of the other structures lining the streets

It’s a modern place (founded in 2006) that doesn’t have much flash when you walk in. A decently sized bar sits off to the right before you enter the dining room area, which looks a lot like your mom’s kitchen at home. The tables are covered with crimson tablecloths and surrounded by black chairs. It is a very homey—until you taste their barbeque sauce.

Two bottles of the splendid succulence that is Old Canal Smoke House’s sauce sit off to the side of your table, just begging you to have a taste. Ketchup-based and given a kick by special spices, the sweet and spicy sauce is the best, but the original is tasty by itself as well.

As my friend and I sit down, we pour some of the sauce on a plate, swirl our fingers in it and put it to our mouths. Soon, we have to tell the waitress we need a few minutes to order since we’ve been too busy eating sauce by the spoonful to look at the menu.

We finally decide on two of the specials—a platter of flatbread topped with pork brisket, mushrooms, cheese and barbeque sauce; and a pizza made with pulled pork, banana peppers, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, onions and more barbeque sauce. As wonderful of a selection as it turned out to be, other options piqued our interest as well—pulled pork platters and barbeque ribs and chicken make a good $12 dinner, while the buffalo burger and spicy “pig chips,” topped with jack cheese and bacon seemed to make for a filling lunch.

Piled high, the two platters filled our stomachs in no time, and a pizza-sized box fit the leftovers. Chillicothe may have been around since 1796, but this three-year-old smoke house fits right in.

Marietta Brewing Company, Marietta OH

2009-11-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

Marietta
Brewing Company

by Jaclyn Boland

Walking around in downtown Marietta, the wood-rimmed vats sitting in the large front windows of the Marietta Brewing Company caught my eye. I walked inside and the high ceilings drew attention to the steel pipes above. The wooden bar sits right inside the door with locals sipping on their favorite brew. After the drive, I headed straight back for the bathroom and walked past a row of double stacked kegs of their homebrewed beer.

I picked up the menu and looked straight at the list of “handcrafted beers”. They have a master brewer, Kelly Sauber, who uses fresh ingredients to brew tasty and flavorful beers. I began salivating like Pavlov’s dog. The Raspberry Wheat caught my attention. I love raspberries and beer, what a perfect combination! The server quickly brought it over and with the first sip, my taste buds were instantly satisfied. The balance of the beer was overtaken by the fruity raspberry flavor. The microbrew wasn’t as crisp as I was expecting. It was smooth and felt more like I was drinking a juice than microbrew but that didn’t stop me from drinking the entire glass and contemplating a second.

My taste buds were satisfied, but my stomach wasn’t. The food on the menu sounded delicious. I could have eaten just about anything. The salads seemed to call to me, as I haven’t had a decent one in months. But to start I ordered a cup of the French onion soup. I am a big fan of French Onion soup mainly for the Provolone cheese. It was cheesy but I would have liked to see more.

Then came my salad. It had green beans, bib lettuce, blue cheese, almonds and a wine vinaigrette dressing. Delish. But I wasn’t fully satisfied as the waiter asked about dessert. My stomach was saying no but my taste buds egged me on. After the Chocolate Thunder arrived, I knew I was in cake heaven. It was a triple layer chocolate cake that I struggled to finish.

Overall, the Marietta Brewing Company not only offered handcrafted and tasty beers but a hearty meal. Evidence of their brewing machines act not only as decoration but demonstrate their prized skill: brewing beer.

Clay Haus

2009-11-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

by Samantha Pirc,

At the Clay Haus in Somerset, Ohio, German favorites are served up alongside typical American cuisine, all with a side of history.

Owner Betty Snider named the restaurant after her father, Irwin Priest Clay, and as a tribute to her husband’s Pennsylvanian Dutch heritage that is also deeply ingrained in the area. Her son Scott now manages the Clay Haus, which specializes in typical German fare like Bratwurst and Sauerbraten with cabbage, while serving more traditional American meals given a German-esque twist such as their “Dermeister-Burger” or “Der Meisterham”(the master burger and ham, respectively). German style potato salad and the Reuben sandwich are popular favorites says Scott, and the Sunday brunch buffet is always packed. Another dish, the corned beef, is both cooked and sliced on site, giving it more of a home-style flavor unique to the restaurant. More of a dessert man, Scott recommends any of the homemade pies to finish off a meal. After working at the family-run restaurant since 1979, he claims confidently, and with a laugh, that of all the dishes served, “Everything’s good.”

Almost as intriguing as the menu is the Clay Haus building and the history that surrounds it. The restaurant is located in a 19^th century home, with the original deed of sale proudly displayed on the wall. Unlike many old homes, where the line of ownership is lost along the years, the Snider family can trace back the Somerset residents who called the building home from the original sale in 1812 to their purchasing of the building in 1978. Artifacts discovered during the renovations made by the Snider family are proudly displayed for patrons viewing along with other antiques, making the restaurant a destination for diners and history buffs alike.

The basement, which is now the Tavern room, tells a story about the history of both the town and the building. It contains full-sized windows and doors that open up to a solid wall of foundation brick and stones. Long ago the room opened directly onto street, but as the street was built up with paving bricks the outside entrance had to bricked up as well to level off the road. The Tavern, like the rest of the restaurant, is decorated with Pennsylvanian Dutch antiques, painting and memorabilia, giving the entire place a warm old-world feel.

The warm feeling of the restaurant sharply contrasts with the spooky chill that diners can sometimes get. The Clay Haus has numerous documentations of unseen visitors and bumps late at night that the Snider family has gotten used to over the years. Scott explains that the building has more of a presence than a haunting, and that as he has aged and spent more time at the Clay Haus the spooky feelings have lessened.

The restaurant was featured in "Ghost Hunter's Guide to Haunted Ohio," by Chris Woodward, and Scott says that although he has definitely felt a presence numerous times, the only time he has actually seen a ghost was the day Woodward came for an interview. He describes being in the kitchen and seeing a small girl in frumpy cloth smiling and waving furiously at him. When he stepped to the side to get a better look the girl was gone. “It was like she wanted me to see her,” says Scott.

Like the little girl waving to Scott in the kitchen, any spirits that may occupy the restaurant have always been described as friendly, so diners should not let butterflies in their stomach overcome the hunger that Clay Haus can satisfy. The potential of sharing a meal with an unseen guest in the historic atmosphere is worth it, especially when the meal is full of the delicious home-style cooking and fresh-from-the-oven pies served up daily at the Clay Haus.

For more information, including a full menu, check out www.clayhaus.com

Etta's Lunchbox Cafe

2009-11-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

by Jessica Will

Etta’s Lunchbox Café combines my two favorite things: homemade food and random collectibles. While food is an obvious love for many people, my love of collectables is personal. I have collected everything from decorative socks to beanie babies, so when I found a restaurant with a massive collection of lunchboxes I had to visit and of course I had to drag my boyfriend along. So we hooked up the GPS and put in the coordinates for Etta’s Lunchbox Café. Located on State Route 56 between New Plymouth and Starr, Etta’s is in a remote area surrounded by residential housing and farms. Even though we were the only car in the gravel parking lot and neither one of us had cell phone service we bravely ventured into Etta’s.

Etta’s is located inside an old but still functioning general store. The outside of the one-story building is brick with a fenced in part of the land filled with llamas and a wandering rooster patrolling the front door. Avoiding the rooster we walked through the front door and were warmly greeted by, Tim, the gracious host. We had our choice of tables since we were the only people in the place. We picked a tall table and took in our surroundings while waiting for Tim to grab menus for us.

The inside of the building is divided into three distinct areas. The front of the building is the general store complete with various items a gas station would have like batteries, chips and band-aids. All the tables are located in this part of the building as well. Etta’s kitchen is located up a few stairs in the back while the lunchbox museum is located in a separate room with the entrance next to the sliding-door drink coolers.

Tim came back with menus containing “fresh, wholesome and nutritional meals.” The menu included sandwiches, subs and home-made pizzas. There was traditional fare like Philly steak, pizza sub and grilled cheese, but there were also non-traditional items like the Hobo Ham Steak, a one-inch thick bologna sautéed in onion. Every sandwich came with chips and a pickle. I ordered the meatball sub containing home-made meatballs, marinara and cheese. My boyfriend ordered the Etta Club- honey ham, smoked turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayo.

After he took our orders, Tim told us to look around the place and browse the lunchbox museum. The room was lined from floor to ceilings with hundreds of vintage food containers and various vintage children’s toys. The lunchboxes ranged from traditional plaid hard-cased boxes with matching thermoses to popular television shows throughout the decades. I immediately found my childhood lunchbox- My Little Pony while my boyfriend discovered his long-lost G.I. Joe lunchbox. Tim found us amidst the lunchboxes to tell us our food was ready at our table.

My meatball sub was delicious. Two large home-made meatballs and overflowing marina and melted cheese, it was a little messy but still absolutely delightful. My boyfriend devoured his Etta Club. Although we were both satisfyingly full I like to push the limits of my stomach so I ordered a slice of apple pie- a la mode. I ordered it with plain vanilla ice cream but Tim suggested maple cinnamon walnut ice cream instead. I took his advice- the name alone made my mouth water.

The combination of warm apple pie and the complimentary maple cinnamon walnut ice cream was heavenly. I cleaned my plate and was very tempted to lick it since it was such a delectable dessert.

Shortly after we paid our bill, $18 for two drinks, two sandwich meals and pie. We left full and went into a food coma to nap off our meals.

Marietta Brewing Company, Marietta OH

2009-11-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

by Jaclyn Boland

Walking around in downtown Marietta, the wood-rimmed vats sitting in the large front windows of the Marietta Brewing Company caught my eye. I walked inside and the high ceilings drew attention to the steel pipes above. The wooden bar sits right inside the door with locals sipping on their favorite brew. After the drive, I headed straight back for the bathroom and walked past a row of double stacked kegs of their homebrewed beer.

I picked up the menu and looked straight at the list of “handcrafted beers”. They have a master brewer, Kelly Sauber, who uses fresh ingredients to brew tasty and flavorful beers. I began salivating like Pavlov’s dog. The Raspberry Wheat caught my attention. I love raspberries and beer, what a perfect combination! The server quickly brought it over and with the first sip, my taste buds were instantly satisfied. The balance of the beer was overtaken by the fruity raspberry flavor. The microbrew wasn’t as crisp as I was expecting. It was smooth and felt more like I was drinking a juice than microbrew but that didn’t stop me from drinking the entire glass and contemplating a second.

My taste buds were satisfied, but my stomach wasn’t. The food on the menu sounded delicious. I could have eaten just about anything. The salads seemed to call to me, as I haven’t had a decent one in months. But to start I ordered a cup of the French onion soup. I am a big fan of French Onion soup mainly for the Provolone cheese. It was cheesy but I would have liked to see more.

Then came my salad. It had green beans, bib lettuce, blue cheese, almonds and a wine vinaigrette dressing. Delish. But I wasn’t fully satisfied as the waiter asked about dessert. My stomach was saying no but my taste buds egged me on. After the Chocolate Thunder arrived, I knew I was in cake heaven. It was a triple layer chocolate cake that I struggled to finish.

Overall, the Marietta Brewing Company not only offered handcrafted and tasty beers but a hearty meal. Evidence of their brewing machines act not only as decoration but demonstrate their prized skill: brewing beer.

Ten Questions with Backbone

2009-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

by Will Cooper

To outsiders Cambridge, Ohio seems like quiet place. Who would think that amongst the sparsely populated city and Appalachian Plateau rages the sound of distorted guitars or the beat of pummeling drums? I mean, Cambridge is certainly not New York City, Los Angeles or anywhere else that is synonymous with exciting new music. However, just underneath the surface lies a burgeoning community of young and old musicians creating riotous sounds out of love and passion. One of these groups is Backbone, a veteran rock band channeling the same formula that led bands such as Nickleback to the top of the Billboard Charts.

I discovered Backbone the way many young people find new music today: the Internet. After spending hours scrolling through a myriad of Southeastern Ohio rap, metal and indie; I was taken back by the familiarity of Backbone’s sound. Immediately after hearing the first chord, I could imagine them hopping around on stage in some small bar in Cambridge to a sleepy crowd of regulars sipping on Coors draft beer.

Backbone is a three-piece outfit comprised of Mark Rossiter, vocals and guitar; Denny “Coondog” Coon, vocals and bass; and Dave “Smack” Eibel, vocals and dums. The members became close friends while growing up in Cambridge and attending at Meadowbrook High School. Since then, they have played off and on while simultaneously starting families and maintaining “real” jobs. Since their inception they have released one full-length album and they consistently perform in and out of state spreading their music listener by listener.

Interested by their local prominence within Cambridge and their ability to deal with the dregs of the real world while still performing in a band, I decided to talk with Backbone’s low end chief, Denny Coon, via email about the past, present and future of his band.

Backbone met in high school. What were your first impressions of each other and how did you move from just being friends to being band mates?

Actually, Mark and Dave were neighbors. Mark and I were the same age and spent our time trying to impress the same girls. We picked up guitars around 5^th grade. Mark’s mom was always singing and playing piano and my dad played guitar, so the progression was natural. Dave used to bang on cans and boxes. Eventually, he got his first drum set.

How did the band come up with the name Backbone and the album title?

I’m not really sure where the name came from. The band was called Black Saddle before I rejoined. Black Saddle played country and put out a country CD called “Nowhere to Ride”, so the name “Still Nowhere” was rather fitting. Wait until you hear the name of the new one. You are sure to love it.

Your first album, “Still Nowhere”, sounds very well produced. Can you discuss your recording process touching on where it was recorded, how long it took and some of the methods you used?

This was recorded in the “Man Cave” studio, which is actually Marks basement. It was recorded analog then digitally put onto to a CD during the final mix. The finished product was sent to a company to be mastered. It was very painstaking process. Mark probably spent close to 4 months mixing all the tracks and comparing volumes and effects to some of our favorite CDs.

How are songs created? Does the band write together or do you create your own parts separately?

Mark generally comes up with the ideas, and Dave and I are at liberty to do whatever we want with our parts. We start with an idea and arrange it collectively.

I understand that all members of the band have fulltime jobs. How hard is it balancing professional and real-world responsibilities with performing in a band?

It is very busy at times. We went from booking every weekend to trying to every other weekend now. Dave and I are bosses where we work and Mark runs his own company, so it is important to us all to have the time to spend with our families and children.

Has there been a shift in your sound since you finished “Still Nowhere”?

Yes, I believe there actually has. The songs we have written for the next CD seem to be a little heavier. But we don’t really write anything to fit a certain style. As you can tell from the “Still Nowhere”, we can’t really be labeled any specific style. We just work with the songs and do what feels natural. If it turns out to be a polka, which will never happen, and we like it then that’s what we go with.

What is the best venue to perform at in the Zanesville/Cambridge area?

We play so many, but if I had to pick one it would have to be Shakers nightclub. It is set up like an actual venue. Eric, the owner books a lot of national acts and gives us opportunities to open for them.

Your songs are very riff driven. Can you name some of the guitar players of the past that have influenced the crunchy distortion used on your songs?

Mark is a George Lynch and AC/DC freak. I’m not sure he is trying to mimic their tones in any way, but the influence definitely shows.

How often does the band play outside of Ohio? What is the reception like?

As of late, we are trying to stay closer to home to work on the new CD. We don’t like to sit in the basement in the summer. When we do play out of state the reception has been really good. I think our originals speak for themselves and they are all songs people can relate to. A good song is a good song no matter where you play it.

Do you plan to record a new album?

We are in the works and have quite a few songs written for the new CD. We will be going digital on this one. Much like the other CD, we only want to present songs we believe in. No filler. However, we haven’t set a date or put pressure on ourselves. We are excited to get on it.

Cruiser's Diner

2009-11-10T13:26:00.000-08:00

by Susannah Sachdeva

Standing alone, right off Route 32 in Seaman, Ohio is a shining silver oasis – otherwise known as Cruiser’s Diner. You would be well-advised to skip the newly-renovated McDonald’s down the road as well as the Gold Star Chili nearby because this restaurant offers all the comforts of good home-cooking in a relaxed, 50s-esque atmosphere.

I took a trip out to this little diner in the middle of nowhere on a rainy Friday afternoon and was instantly warmed upon entering the establishment. With red vinyl booths to my left and right and an old-fashioned soda counter in front of me, I quickly concluded that this restaurant was quite the quintessential 50s diner.

We were seated promptly even though there were a number of others in the foyer waiting for a booth. The waitress actually had a table of three move over a table so we could fit in. Throughout the whole process everyone (i.e. the waitress and the moving table) were making jokes and laughing, making us feel like a crowd of buddies who were reminiscing about an old memory, not strangers who were moving other people in order to fit us in.

As soon as we were seated, our waitress was quick to ask for our drink order. It wasn’t one of those rushed kind of orders where you can tell she wanted us to get in and get out as quickly as possible – but more where she wanted to make sure we got as comfortable as possible as quickly as possible.

After taking some time to look over the lengthy menu, which included breakfast food, sandwiches, burgers, milkshakes, “diner traditions”, and more, we decided upon the “Pile Up Burger” for me and an open face turkey sandwich accompanied with onion rings for my friend Jane.

I knew as soon as I ordered this was not going to be an ordinary diner visit for me. The burger I ordered would be my first legitimate burger in life thus far. I have enjoyed a nice, thin McDonald’s cheeseburger from time to time because, well, it doesn’t really taste like meat. But, this was a true burger and I took a big leap of faith by ordering it.

We sipped our drinks in anticipation of the feast ahead of us and let ourselves sink into the vinyl as we eavesdropped on the conversations of the locals. There was “business talk” to my left between two middle-aged men and there was “weekend talk” of going out and hangover cures to my right between two women and a man. It may not have been very ethical of me to listen in but that’s what diners are for – catching up on the latest gossip with old pals.

My pile up burger looked magnificent, being topped with a few of my favorite ingredients: cheese, grilled onions and bacon. And Jane’s entrée looked just as appetizing. We both dug in and were equally satisfied with our orders.

Considering this was my first “real” hamburger I’ve ordered at a restaurant, I was nervous but ended up being delightfully surprised with the results. Let’s just say my visit to Cruiser’s opened up a whole new arena of meat eating to this Ohio girl.

Although I was by no means a diner virgin before this trip, this experience further confirmed those thoughts that have been lurking in the back of my head – why aren’t diners more common? They have become diamonds in the rough in this modern world. And Cruiser’s certainly abides by that description; it is located in the middle of nowhere yet is an invaluable treat once you wander inside.

A Night at Spagna's

2009-11-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

by Allory Williams

Rain splashes angrily against the windshield as the little blue Cavalier winds its way in and out of the hills of Washington County. As the gray sky grows even darker with the coming nightfall, the gas light begins to flicker on. My stomach growls and I accelerate. According to the glowing GPS in front of me, which has been shouting directions for the last hour, I am minutes away from my destination. It’s not that I don’t sympathize with my car, but if I have to choose who gets to fill their tank first, I choose me.

“You have reached your destination!”

I pull into a gravel parking lot next to a small, brick building in a small town on the outskirts of Marietta. Through the rain and the night, it doesn’t look like this building would be worth an hour drive on an empty stomach, but a cultivated eye recognizes these holes-in-the-wall as potential diamonds in the rough.

That’s what I am hoping Spagna’s be as I run through the rain to the restaurant. It’s why I haven’t eaten all day –though I could find no website depicting a menu or description, what I have heard is that the only way to arrive at Spagna’s is to arrive hungry.

Immediately after walking through the door, the atmosphere changes. I am no longer in a small town, inside a nondescript brick building. I am in a chic Italian restaurant, possibly just outside of New York City or maybe even Italy itself. Jazzy music floats around the high ceiling and in and out of the arched doorways as the bartender makes his way around to seat my friend, Emma, and I. Within minutes a waitress glides up, all smiles, to ask what we shall be drinking. Why not wine? When in Rome…

As often happens in an aromatic restaurant, my eyes grow larger than what my stomach is capable of holding. Eagerly, Emma and I order an appetizer of fried ravioli and help ourselves to the loaf of bread dipped in olive oil the waitress places on the table. When the ravioli arrives it is floating in a steaming half alfredo, half marinara bath beside a large meatball and an Italian sausage. We devour the appetizer before the waitress can return to take our order.

After much contemplation from a menu boasting classic Italian pastas and raviolis as well as grilled salmon, tuna and veal dishes, I decide on the special of the day – baked spaghetti. Emma decides on the baked ziti. Our meals come with a basic house salad: mixed greens, red onions, olives and multiple dressing choices. While it sounds pretty basic, this light dish amidst its heavier counterparts is a light enjoyment.

About twenty minutes later, our waitress dances from the kitchen balancing two impossibly large, steaming plates like a comparative scale. She sets them on the table, checking to make sure all is well before returning to the kitchen. I look up at Emma then down at my unconquerable dish, still bubbling from the oven. “We should have shared,” I say as we lift our forks to the challenge before us.

Perhaps Emma and I should have shared, but sympathy is completely unnecessary. After all, who would sympathize with ‘poor’ me, for indulging in a relative cake pan full of hot spaghetti al dente, swaddled in melted mozzarella cheese and savory Italian meats. Or ‘poor’ Emma, for foraging her way through large ziti noodles bundled in marinara and mozzarella like a winter coat.

After eating our fill, it doesn’t look as though we’ve even started. Our waitress makes her way back to the table and smiles knowingly – I feel safe in assuming that this has happened before. “Boxes?” she asks rhetorically. I can only nod.

While waiting for our check and boxes, we sink into the plush booth in a euphoric mood comprised of wine and the heavy Italian cuisine. Our bills arrive; after ordering a glass of wine, an entrée and splitting an appetizer, my bill comes out to be about $25 with tip. Emma’s is about the same. A couple could easily eat here for about $50, maybe $30-$40 depending on wine or appetizer orders. Not a bad price for an evening trip to “New York” or “Italy.”

Fullbrooks Cafe

2009-11-10T12:58:00.000-08:00

by Annie Beecham

Fullbrooks Café in Nelsonville lies one block east of the beaten path of Route 33. The three miles of the notorious highway, littered with fast food restaurants, gas stations and beer drive thrus, encompassed the whole of Nelsonville that I’d ever known, until I made a sharp right at the Rocky Boots Outlet one bright fall morning and landed in a place I had heard of, but never been: the Historic Nelsonville Square. The Square is void of chains and traffic. Instead, art galleries, gift shops, a few restaurants, the Stuart Opera House and the Fullbrooks Café, a one-room coffee shop, line the edges of the Square. In the center is a strip of grass and a fountain; thin streams of water tumble from its spouts. The few people milling around—adults perhaps on lunch breaks, adolescents riding bikes aimlessly—contribute to the feeling that time is moving slowly.

Passing through Fullbrooks’ farmhouse-red door, the first thing I notice is the café’s petite size. Fullbrooks takes up just a corner room of the historic Dew House Hotel, built in 1830, which is now divided into assisted-living apartments. A tantalizing spread of homemade cookies, muffins, breads, pies and quiches rests on the counter. They’re baked fresh daily by employee Jennifer Abbott, who dreams up the recipes herself—the cookies are so popular, she sometimes has to restock with a new batch midday. Two person tables, paired with red chairs, line the room, and music emanates faintly from a sound system. The café serves breakfast (bagels, English muffins, oatmeal) and lunch (soup and fresh sandwiches with all the toppings: deli meat, hummus, pesto and more), and of course, brews coffee and every other warm beverage one would expect from a cafe. I order a large latte and fresh banana nut muffin, drizzle a bit of Mesquite honey atop, and find a table near the window to watch the Square, a sweet respite before I return back to campus and class.

Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre

2009-11-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

by Brigitta Burks

For many people, the holiday season means catching a performance of “The Nutcracker” or “The Christmas Carol.” However, The beautiful, lush Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre, 428 Second Ave., in Gallipolis provides locals with some alternatives to the old Christmas standbys. The 100-year plus historic gem, a Victorian opera-house, is one of many pieces of history in Gallipolis. The Centre also boasts the only Southeastern Ohio professional orchestra—The Ohio Valley Symphony.

Several Christmas performances will be offered including a holiday show by the Symphony, a sing-along with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a musical Nativity performance. Fans on Blue Collar Comedy, should check out “The Rednecks Un-Do Christmas", December 19 at 3 PM and 8 PM, and December 20 at 3 PM. Executive Director Joseph Wright called the show funny and full of spirit.

Life after the holidays also exists for the Centre. The Odd Couple, performed with women instead of men, will show Feb. 5 to 7. This show is for anyone who ever had a roommate—however, this version offers a twist as classic characters are played by women instead of men. Another prominent show, the zany Seussical, will premiere March 5. You can expect intricate costumes, rhyming and for your favorite characters to come to life at this Seuss-themed extravaganza.

The theatre also offers community involvement for everyone. Acting classes are offered and the Athens Junior Theatre offers children an outlet to express themselves. Classes like yoga and ballroom dancing is also offered at the Centre.

The Centre also has a “fashionista side.” It hosts events like The Bridal Expo on Jan. 30. and Brittany’s Prom and Formal Fashion Review on Jan. 24. With so much variety and beauty, stopping by the theatre for a show or just a look is highly recommended.

To learn more, visit http://www.arieltheatre.org/ or call (740) .446.2787.

Ironton's Toro Loco Restaurant

2009-11-05T13:05:00.000-08:00

by Emily Hubbell

In Spanish, “Toro Loco” means “the crazy bull,” a phrase implying disorder and chaos. But as I walked into downtown Ironton’s family-owned Toro Loco Mexican restaurant, not a thing seemed out of place. The burgundy tiles on the tabletops formed a perfect row and column pattern, and the oversized wooden booths were situated neatly around the perimeter of the restaurant. The sponge-painted walls were a fitting backdrop for the Spanish portraits hanging at eye level.

Then I got the menu. All five jam-packed pages of it.

With more than fifty variations of Mexican restaurant staples—burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas and tacos—this must be where the ‘loco’ came from. I don’t know how the waitress kept track of all the combos or how the chef managed to perfect them. But, a short ten minutes after we ordered, the waitress appeared with a colossal quesadilla in hand. It was filled with the perfect ratio of meat to cheese and, as an added bonus, was smothered with Toro Loco’s signature white cheese sauce.

But I have to admit that dessert was on my mind even as I ate my quesadilla. The dessert menu was also endless. In addition to fried ice cream and other traditional Mexican desserts, the menu included six mini desserts that looked too good to resist. I ended up with a sopapilla—a fried pastry covered in whipped cream and sprinkles. My friend opted for one of the mini desserts, a tiny carrot cake with cream cheese icing. The portions were small; but after eating a quesadilla as big as my dinner plate, my taste buds were perfectly satisfied.

As I left Toro Loco, the dinner rush was just starting. Within minutes, every oversized wooden booth was filled with families. But there still wasn’t a trace of chaos. The waitresses hurried effortlessly, delivering massive burritos and quesadillas smothered with cheese to patrons at every corner of the room. And if the guests’ faces are any indication, the chef was still mastering the hundreds of menu items to the tee.

My meal at Toro Loco was delicious and reasonably priced. Needless to say, I’ll be back again for seconds.

Consignment Shopping

2009-11-05T12:26:00.000-08:00

by Robin Donovan

Filling your closet with clothes you’re not sick of wearing on a tight budget can be tough. And with the economy recovering almost imperceptibly, it might be a while before many of us revisit the mall.

If you have a favorite local Goodwill or thrift shop, that can work. But whipping through racks filled with stained, damaged or hole-filled clothing gets old. Especially when holes don’t make themselves known until you’re out the door with non-refundable merchandise. Consignment shops offer a different experience. Unlike thrift shops that take donated duds, consignment shops allow sellers to receive a percentage of the sale price on each garment provided.

Lucky folks near Lancaster can hit up the Dresscode instead. Located north of Meijer on business route 33 through Lancaster, the shop accepts and sells clothing for teens and adults. Like many resale outlets, the Dresscode is heavy on ladies’ wear, but it’s no thrift shop.

First clue? The $1,199 fur coat hanging in the front room. I don’t know about you, but the last time I spent a thousand bucks on clothing was, well, never! The $5.99 multi-colored scarves hanging next to the coat are more my style. But that’s the point of consignment – you can find items that you’d never see at a thrift shop. An afternoon spent browsing the racks last week revealed more designer items and certainly a consistently higher level of quality than I expect from thrift shops.

According to a cashier I spoke with, $1.99 is about the lowest price offered by the store. Women’s shirts and pants range from about $6 to $10. Prom dresses, of course, are available in abundance (I think most women have one hanging in a closet somewhere) and range from $15-$350.

Ready to clean out your closet? The Dresscode has a $5 annual account fee and sets merchandise prices. Items are allowed on the floor for four to six weeks, and may be donated after that time unless they’re valuable—they’re not going to let that fur coat go to Salvation Army! The consignor receives 50 percent of the sale price.

Careful, now—don’t bring anything that has visible wear, is out of season, or is even rumpled. Anything you’re ready to sell needs to be pressed, on a hanger (you can pick up free ones from the store), and no more than two years old. Your excellent quality items will put cash back in your pocket that you’re free to spend on (you guessed it) new clothes!

The Buffington Island Battle

2009-11-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

by Shane Holtzman

The fight of Buffington Island was fought in what is now called Portland, Ohio, and left 53 men dead as the memorial on the island states. It was a minor affair, a skirmish at best. The Battle of Buffington Island is the only Civil War battle fought in Ohio, making this site a prime place to visit for Civil War buffs.

As a Civil War enthusiast, the Meigs County memorial to the Buffington battle is a must see. The simple fact that Ohio is a part of Civil War history is astonishing. I had never heard of this battle, surprised me because I grew up in Ohio and have a proclivity for history.

The Battle of Buffington Island was fought by around only 14,000 men. It was miniscule compared to the Battle of Gettysburg, in which a staggering 163,000 men entered combat. However, despite the seemingly insignificant nature of the Buffington Island Battle, it is unique in that it contained three future Presidents of the US, which were James Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. A single skirmish involving three presidents is a steep claim for any Civil War battle.

There are four acres of preserved battlefield in Portland, Ohio, which is operated by the Ohio Historical Society. The Park to preserve the Battlefield of Buffington Island contains battle monuments, an Indian burial ground, and a pair of interpretive markers. Even though the four-acre park does preserve a very specific part of the battlefield, the entire 600-acre battlefield is in danger of coming under construction. This possible construction would turn the majority of the battlefield into a cement lot, which would make the re-enactments of the battle slightly less realistic.

Every spring, people from around Athens County and around the state of Ohio gather on the narrow field, barren of trees stretching along the flood plain of the Ohio River, to re-enact the battle. It smells old. A stiff breeze blows the topsoil off the field and I wonder if that’s the same dirt from 100 years ago. The memorial contains pictures of past re-enactments, even pictures of those portraying the three Presidents. These men were the lucky ones, the pretend future Presidents. From the pictures, the men look authentic, prideful, and even maintain certain nostalgia reminiscent of the real battle.

The Buffington Island memorial is not just for Civil War aficionados, but is a place that will allow the younger and older generation to connect with history.

Purple Chopstix

2009-11-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

by Steve Zeisler

Opening the door, it seems as if I have stepped into a different world. Buddhas of various shapes and sizes smile at me as multi-colored dragons, flowers, and starfish dot the ceilings and walls. I actually learned that the majority of the artwork made for the restaurant is donated by Passion Works, which is an art studio in Athens that allows mentally handicapped adults to express their creativity through painting, ceramics, etc.

French jazz music radiates through the restaurant as my friend Jess hits the gong to signal that we’ve arrived and need service. This is the eclectic environment that you will experience at Purple Chopstix. A quaint restaurant located just minutes away from campus on Richland Avenue, it is actually an old house with an addition constructed for more space.

Jess and I sat down at the table, and soon realized that we were the only customers in the restaurant. I noticed that beyond the multi-colored artwork hanging on the ceiling and walls, other aspects of the restaurant were multi-colored as well. Our tablecloth was purple, the carpet was bright blue, and the chairs were an electric red.

The menu is as eclectic as the environment. Choices range from vegan sushi, Greek pizza, veggie tofu, Indian curry, and many others. It typically reflects a Mediterranean to Southeast Asian cuisine. Having been to Thailand, I was extremely excited. Jess and I decided to start out with Tom Yum Soup, which was beans and rice in a spicy Thai coconut broth with scallions and fresh ginger. After that, we ended up splitting the Greek pizza, which was creamy pesto spread on warm flatbread, topped with kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, and feta cheese. We were both completely satisfied with the results.

Overall, our dining experience was lovely. If you’re looking for a nice sit down restaurant that serves non-traditional cuisine and plays funky French jazz music, this is the place for you. Support this local business. I promise you that you cannot go wrong.

Check out the website at www.purplechopstix.com.

Wildhorse Cafe

2009-11-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

by Danielle Kees

Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River in Pomeroy I was able to find a spicy surprise in the form of a Southwestern-themed restaurant called The Wild Horse Café (www.thewildhorsecafe.net). The restaurant boasts about its great atmosphere, with space for large gatherings as well as intimate booths perfect for parties less than four people.

Before I was even able to visit The Wild Horse, I took a gander at the food options listed on the restaurant’s Web site. Burgers, pasta with Alfredo, pulled barbeque pork, and quesadillas were all listed on the menu. But the truly intriguing menu options were labeled with an icon of a bucking horse to symbolize the food with an extra “spicy kick.”

When I finally arrived at The Wild Horse Cafe, I was hungry and, boy, was I glad when the waitress brought a basket of chips with chunky mild salsa to my table. I was able to munch on the snack while I chose my meal. Before I arrived I fully anticipated on getting one of the “spicy kick” meals, but, alas, the Favorite Burger with a side of wedge fries was my final choice.

While I waited for my burger and fries, I was able to take a look around the restaurant. Cattle horns, stuffed deer heads, chaps, boots and a plethora of other Western-themed objects hung around the dining room. The Wild Horse’s web site didn’t lie about the restaurant having a great atmosphere. There were several families seated at large round tables and smaller parties looked comfortable in the booths along one side of the dining room. Opposite the booths, there was a wall of windows, which offer panoramic views of the Ohio River.

Just as I started to admire the views from my seat, the waitress brought out my burger and fries. I’m no food connoisseur, but this food was delicious and there was a lot of it. The wedge fries were hot and golden. The burger was juicy and, for an extra 50 cents, cheesy. To top it off, my bill was under $10!

All in all, I was very content with my visit to The Wild Horse Café: the service was good, the atmosphere relaxed, the food was tasty, and I left with a full stomach and a (slightly less) full wallet.

Motorcycle Hall of Fame

2009-11-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

by Erica Blocher

I step onto the motorcycle, and slide onto the shiny leather seat. I pull on the heavy brown jacket and position my fingers on the handles, ready to hear the verve of the engine and humming vibrations as the motorcycle roars to life. Vroom….vroom…

Alas, I am not really preparing to ride a motorcycle, but perusing the Motorcycle Hall of Fame certainly put this picture into my mind. The Motorcycle Hall of Fame is truly a motorcycle owner and enthusiast’s Mecca, boasting over 100 motorcycles of various kinds and decades; I would know because I personally counted them as I wandered through. The museum is located near a residential neighborhood in Pickerington, Ohio, (Fairfield county).

There are vintage, specialty, and motocross bikes housed in the museum. Visitors are not allowed to touch the bikes but are allowed to take pictures. As a photography enthusiast, I took the liberty of taking pictures of various motorcycles; including Keith Urban’s blue and white 2007 Vengence.

This first floor has the “MotoStars: Celebrities and Motorcycles” collection that has over 50 motorcycles from famous people and celebrities, as well as notable movie props and memorabilia. For instance, there was the Scrambler 900 motorcycle that Tom Cruise rode in the movie MI-3, and a motorcycle sporting a Journey theme that was custom made for band member Neil Schon.

This floor also has unique memorabilia in glass cases, including famous celebrities’ mementos from movies featuring motorcycles such as The Fast and Furious, Torque and other big-name Hollywood hits. A quaint gift/memorabilia shop that sports t-shirts and other motorcycle themed products is also located on the first floor.

I ambled down to the second floor and found myself amid the Motorcycle Hall of Fame feature collection; “Awesome-ness”, which was a compilation of handcrafted motorcycles made by the famed motorcycle builder and activist Arlen Ness, who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1992. The collection chronicles his life, when he built his first motorcycle back in the 1960s to modern times. His more popular builds are showcased, including the “Top Banana,” “Smooth-Ness”, “Jet Bike” and his 1957 Chevy inspired bike called the “Ness-Staglia.” Other famous Hall of Famers include Peter Fonda, Steve McQueen and Jay Leno.

The rest of the second floor had a “garage” type of setting and is dedicated to popular motorcycle makers such Harley-Davidson. This section also had an impressive tribute to dirt bikes. The collection highlighted a display with a variety of bikes over multiple decades and recorded the history and evolution of dirt bikes that originated during the early 20^th century. I learned that not only did the bike first emerge at this time, but the idea of racing also began simultaneously. Pictures of young men in newsboy hats and 1920s clothing atop old dirt bikes were fascinating. I liked that little history lessons on prominent motorcycle figures/ activists and racing background were included in the museum.

My favorite reward for visiting the museum was the photo op. The museum lets visitors hop onto a mounted bike and get their photograph taken, wearing a leather jacket and glasses. The bike is the same one that actor Will Smith rode in the movie I-Robot.

Aside from feeling badass for about 5 minutes of my very straight-laced life, I couldn’t believe that shiny leather seat was the same exact one that held Will Smith’s shapely derriere at one point. Talk about motorcycle bliss.!

A Christmas Performance

2009-11-01T15:31:00.000-08:00

by Greg Gallant

The traces of Halloween may still be present in Southeast Ohio, but it’s never too early to get into the Christmas spirit. Residents of the Muskingum County area awaiting the holiday season need not look any further than “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” a Zanesville Community Theater production.

The ZCT, a non-profit organization, will be staging the play in the coming weeks with a cast and crew of around 40 volunteers from the community. Under the direction of area educator Sheryl Wise, the group has been preparing the play since August.

The play revolves around a community trying to produce its annual Christmas pageant after their esteemed director is incapacitated. The duties of the director fall to Grace Bradley (Monica Van Nort), the mother of Beth and Charlie (Siena Shirer and Nick Clawson). When the notorious Herdman siblings (Matthew Pitcock, Grace Johnson, Meredith Free, Jack McLendon, Noah Townsend and Tony Palmer), the bullies of the community, become a part of the play, most of the participants quit. The Herdmans and the Bradleys must band together to put on the pageant, and the whole town turns out to see what happens.

Quite a bit of comedy mixes in with the story as well. “There’s a lot of funny material, but there’s also a lot of heartwarming stuff,” said Wise. Music is a big part of the production, as well. Wise plays piano, while the actors sing and play instruments as part of the play within a play.

“If you want to have a feel-good time, enjoy Christmas Music, and get yourself into the holiday spirit, this would be a great way to start,” said Wise.

Performances will be held on October 30^th and 31^st, and November 6^th and 7^th at 7 pm, with matinee showings on November 1^st and 8^th at 2:30 pm. Tickets cost $12, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for youths. All proceeds go toward the operation of the theater.

Exploring Barkcamp State Park

2009-10-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

by Sarah Binning

Mother Nature apparently did not get the memo. Unseasonably chilly weather is cooping us inside. Despite the fact it is only October, cabin fever is setting in already and I need to get outside. Unable to afford any of the expensive remedies to cabin fever (like going to a museum or seeing a movie), I pack a light backpack and head to Barkcamp State Park.

Conveniently located a few miles off I-70 in Belmont, nature beckons all to hike in the quiet hills of Barkcamp. Standing in the park’s overlook, I see peaks of autumn color beginning to emerge from the treetops. I begin my adventure with a simple half-mile hike from the overlook to the camp’s beach.

The weather is brisk, but welcoming. Within a matter of minutes I am lost in the excitement in my friend’s voice as he teaches me how to identify trees. He scoops a fallen leaf from the path, “This is a red maple leaf. Know how you can tell?” He draws my attention to the small, sharp teethed ridge of the leaf.

The sun dances through the trees as we continue the trail. “Oh, here we go. Smell this,” Bryan says as he plucks an overhanging leaf. I raise my eyebrow. “No trust me, you’ll like it.”

He rubs the top of the leaf, surfacing the plant’s oils so I can inhale the sweet, fruity scent of sassafras.

I am not sure which is more satisfying, my taking the time to learn and enjoy nature or the fact I am doing it for free. Other than the cost of gas, I spent nothing for an entire day of activities.

With Ohio’s unemployment rate reaching 10.8 percent in August, it’s no wonder why families are turning to Barkcamp for vacations and getaways.

For overnight excursions, families pay a small fee to camp on the grounds. “The economy is bringing more campers,” Park Officer Dave Casasanta says. April through October, regular camping costs $20 per night, about the fourth of a cheap motel cost.

Camping is available year round, even in the dead of winter. Prices drop to only $18 per night during off-seasons. “We’ve even had families who have camped here for Thanksgiving. More people are starting to come for Christmas Eve and Christmas,” Casasanta says.

Camping in winter? Who could be so crazy? Yet despite how absurd it sounds, the park offers special seasonal activities to entice late fall and winter visitors.

In addition to seasonal hunting, guests can take advantage of the archery range. Many guests also use the multipurpose trail for horseback riding. Once snow hits the trails, guests are welcome to use the 24-mile path for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

I can hardly wait for Belmont Lake to freeze. My ice skates are sitting in my closet, as I eagerly wait to return to Barkcamp and test my talents on solid ice. Who knows, while I’m there maybe I’ll try my hand at ice fishing too.

Little Cola Cabins in Hocking County

2009-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

by Carolyn Miller

There is nothing like a nice getaway to Hocking County. There are so many sights to see with all of the natural gems that this county has been blessed with, and after a long day of hiking and biking, all you need is a good place to kick up your feet.

Little Cola Cabins is a family business that owns a pair of mid-1800s cabins so that visitors can kick back and relax in style. Located in Rockwell, Ohio, Little Cola Cabins are just minutes from Cantwell Cliffs and the Rockhouse. They are the perfect place to stay after a long day of experiencing nature. The cabins aren’t facsimiles; each one is an original building constructed centuries ago. They were dismantled log-by-log and reconstructed in a 65 acre forest in the heart of Hocking Hills, complete with kitchen, fireplace, porch swing, pool table, hammock, wood burning stove, grill and (yes!) a hot tub. Who knew people from the 1800s had this much style?

The cabins themselves are nothing short of darling. Each truly looks as though it has stepped out of the pages of history, nestled quietly between the trees with gardens in front. It would make for an incredibly romantic and secluded weekend getaway for two, though both cabins can accommodate up to six people.

The cabins charge $155 per night on winter weekends, $135 per night on winter weekdays (December 1-May 31), $175 per night on summer weekends and $155 per night on summer weekdays (June 1-November 30). There are discounts for longer stays and children under five can stay for free. Dates fill up fast, so if you are planning a trip and would like to stay in Little Cola Cabins, it is best to make your plans weeks or even months in advance.

These cabins are a must-stay in your Hocking Hills experience.

Historical Well of Noble County

2009-10-27T12:34:00.000-07:00

by Brittany Perrine

Noble County is home to several significant historical sites that are easily accessible from most of southeast Ohio. One of these sites is the Thorla-McKee Well, the first oil well in North America. The well can still be seen today in its original condition and continues to give oil, gas and salt water in limited quantities.

The well is located in a small park just off SR 78, two miles east of Caldwell off exit 25. It is a peaceful, small park, no bigger than one acre, with two picnic tables shaded by towering trees. Toward the back edge of the park is the actual well, which is barely visible from the parking lot and entrance. There is also an old railroad boxcar that was donated by a local family in 1993, along with a small wooden shelter for those rainy days. A sign at the entrance of the park marks it as an official Ohio Historical Site and tells the history of the well. When Silas Thorla and Robert McKee drilled the well in 1814, they intended to find salt, but also found oil and natural gas. They cased the well with a hollow sycamore log down to the bedrock about 18 feet deep and 34 inches in diameter.

It is pretty amazing to see the drill still rigged up and the original sycamore log casing around the well. There’s just something about seeing a piece of history that is almost 200 years old and is still in the exact same condition today as it was when it was created. If you have some spare time, take the family for a scenic drive and history lesson, and check out this well in Noble County.

Cardo's Pizza

2009-10-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

by Rachel Godward

In 1989, Ohio University alumnus John Moore opened Cardo’s Pizza in a cramped 500-square-foot building on Broadway Street in downtown Jackson, Ohio. Today Cardo’s hosts parties and serves buffet-style pizza in a roomy, refurbished Henry’s grocery store decorated with movie posters, Ohio paraphernalia, awards and a spunky, old jukebox that surprisingly still works. An antique Cardo’s delivery car door even hangs from the ceiling above the condiments. Upon entering the restaurant, smells of fresh dough and spices fill the nostrils, and the tender smell of pepperoni surrounds the place like a solid brick wall.

As an Italian myself, with an Italian roommate, father and grandparents that spend hours slaving over traditional dishes in the kitchen, I feel fully qualified to answer the following question: Sure, this pizza shop’s atmosphere is superb, but are the pies just as nice?

Let’s start with the sides:

As with every buffet, food can get cold pretty quickly. However, this garlic bread could not afford to lose its heat. This generic-looking bread was cold and hard. It was yellow with something that definitely was not butter and sprinkled lightly with basic spices. In summary, the garlic bread looked and tasted store bought.

Is soft, doughy and super cheesy your thing? If so, this bread is a necessary addition to your buffet plate. It’s simple, but classic. The edges are lightly baked to a brown crisp, but the middle retains its chewy, “melt in your mouth” appeal. Just make sure to grab this special side when it comes right out of the oven.

Now, on to the crispy, thin-crusted pizzas:

This pie is covered edge-to-edge with chicken bits and crispy bacon crumbles, smothered in a deep brown sauce. The flavor is subtly smoky, just like it was cooked on the grill. It’s super tasty and not too filling, so you could afford to grab seconds. And trust me, after trying this divine pie, you’ll want more.

This pizza is covered in a generic red sauce with a blend of cheeses on top. Sounds pretty normal, right? But instead of using ground beef, this pizza substitutes with sausage. It looks the same, but it doesn’t taste the same. It’s definitely a let down for cheeseburger lovers everywhere.

BLT —©©©©

This one took me by surprise. As a BLT lover, I had high expectations and the pie didn’t look all that impressive, but once I took a bite I realized my first impression was wrong. This pizza is, in fact, a BLT. It’s covered in crispy bacon pieces with a mayonnaise base, and topped with heaping amounts of lettuce and tomato. And no one flavor is overpowering; they all work together to recreate that classic sandwich taste.

So, are the pies just as nice as Cardo’s refurbished location? I’d vote yes. Sure, the place has a couple taste bud downfalls, but as long as you stick to the Cheesy Bread, BBQ Chicken and BLT pizzas, you’ll probably be so enveloped in delicious flavors that you’ll forget all about the mediocre pies. Just remember: It’s an all-you-can eat buffet for one flat price, so be sure to grab seconds, thirds and fourths of all your favorites!

The giant pumpkin of Circleville

2009-10-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

by Danielle Purcell

Lindsey’s Bakery Caters to Circleville Pumpkin Show with Monster-Sized Pie

Cartoon pumpkin stickers decorate shop windows in downtown Circleville, proclaiming the arrival of the town’s annual Pumpkin Show. For over one hundred years, Circleville residents have honored these rotund squashes with parades, pageants and contests. The city rejoices for several days, from October 21^st to 24^th, in celebration of the pumpkin. Only one local shop, Lindsey’s Bakery, has the bravado to prepare a monstrous pumpkin pie.

Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey, the original owners, maintained the store for “a good long time” before leaving their legacy to their daughter. Now, Grandma Katie Miller, bustles about the back half of the store.

A framed letter Grandma Katie received from Bob Dole hangs on the right wall. The Lindseys watch from their frame on the left. A gigantic tray sits atop its pumpkin throne. Its diameter exceeds ten feet. Grandma Katie’s nephew and employee Chad Kushmer says it’s “the small one.” Kushmer says he will not aid in preparation of the beastly pastry.

“If I tried to help at all, I’d mess it up,” he said. “I’ll leave it to the professionals.”

The actual tray for the famed pie is extremely large. Think fourteen feet in diameter large. A sign above the tray displays the famed recipe for the gigantic pie, which calls for a whopping 96 pounds of pumpkin guts for its filling. Professionals, indeed.

The shop also offers an array of pumpkin-based delights, including donuts, cookies and pies, which tempt customers in neatly-iced rows beneath the glass. Kushmer says the pumpkin donuts are exceptional, the “big season seller.”

Ironically, after the famed pumpkin pie is prepared and displayed, no one enjoys the pie. Lindsey’s Bakery employees agree that too many customers have touched it. The pie’s remains are donated to local farmers and fed to pigs.

Marv's Place and Ethel's Attic

2009-10-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

by Sarah Kyriakedes

Homemade food, cheerful service and picturesque scenery are three aspects in the realm of restaurants that are hard to come by today; however, Marv’s Place, located at the center of the quaint town of Sardis, Ohio, along the Ohio River provides those who visit with all of the above.

The restaurant’s old-fashioned structure and unique atmosphere truly takes customers on a journey back into time with its authentic wood countertops and original black and white photographs adorning the walls.

The restaurant is located in the historical 1894 commercial building that was acquired in the 1940s by Marvin and Ethel Merriner. Under the Merriner’s ownership the building served as a grocery store, poolroom, and apartment complex. Over time the building was passed down to their grandchildren and the townspeople of Sardis feared that it would get torn down and an important piece of Sardis history would be lost. Instead, the family renovated it by turning it into the family-run restaurant on the first level and a consignment and artwork shop in the upper level called Ethel’s Attic. To honor their lineage they decided to name the business after their grandparents, Marvin and Ethel.

Although the restaurant is distinct in its historical value, it has other claims to fame in both Ohio and West Virginia. All of the food served at Marv’s Place is made from scratch. The family strives to serve quality food that, as its co-owner, Sharon Davis said, “one would expect their grandma to fix.” From the infamous Marv’s burger to the homemade desserts, it is hard to go wrong when choosing an item off their menu.

“People love to come here, because we’re one of the few places left that serves food that doesn’t taste like a TV dinner,” Davis explained.

Marv’s Place attracts a varied clientele ranging from townspeople stopping by for their daily cup of soup to the out-of-town travelers stumbling in to grab a bite to eat.

After a satisfying home-cooked meal, head upstairs to browse antique goods and homemade crafts in Ethel’s Attic. A few years ago, Davis and her two brothers, Charles and Jim Merriner, decided to expand their business and open this charming little shop.

Keeping in line with authentic feel of Marv’s Place, the shop acts as both a consignment shop and an Artisan’s Mall. Customers can drop off their antique goods to be sold and they can also browse artwork made by local Southern Ohio artists.

When shopping, it truly feels like you have discovered a world full of treasures; handmade baskets hang from a wooden tree in the corner, intricate painting line the walls, beautiful glass ornaments lie in an antique trunk and colorful marbles fill several baskets. And all of this exceptional art is only half of what you can find at Ethel’s Attic.

The shop also sells antiques that townspeople have brought in- original glass Coca-Cola bottles, sewing machines, wooden furniture and china dishware, are just a few of the items that can be found.

There is also a children’s toy section to keep the little ones busy while mom and dad shop around. There are no electronic video games or board games to be found; only toys from a much simpler time are sold here.

The Merriner family is able to provide their customers with two businesses that stop you in your tracks with a cheerful atmosphere and quality of life products; both of which are not all that common in today’s society. Marv’s Place and Ethel’s Attic are truly a breath of fresh air, and worth the trip to Sardis, Ohio.

Moonshine Festival

2009-06-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

By Colleen Kiphart

Every Memorial Day weekend for the last 39 years New Straitsville, Ohio has held their Moonshine Festival. The event, organized by Ken Burgess, celebrates the region’s fabled history as “The Moonshine Capital of the World”.

It is a 45-minute drive to the festival from Athens. You can either take State Route 33 most of the way there or back roads, but each route gets you there in under an hour. I took the back way, riding along winding roads lined with trees and steep inclines. It really set the mood for a laid-back rural summer fair. Like any small-town event it has a full slate with a parade, vendors, local food, the crowning of the Moonshine Queen, and a headlining musical act on Memorial Day. This year featured Nashville recording artist Ricky Lynn Gregg.

My visit to the festival got off to an inauspicious start when I realized that there was no definite location listed for the festival, just New Straitsville. It was not a specific park, fairground, or school parking lot. No, it was just the entire town of New Straitsville listed as the venue. So, going by my extensive knowledge of small towns (thank you Andy Griffith reruns) I searched for “Main Street” and went from there.

My directional gamble on Main Street paid off, and I rolled right into the heart of the celebration. The Moonshine Festival consists of a car show, a dunking booth, carnival rides behind the main thoroughfare, about a city block’s worth of food and craft vendors, and, in the center of it all, a small main stage for music.

I spoke with festival organizer Ken Burgess in his office behind the stage and had to strain to hear him over the barbershop quartet that was singing karaoke-style. “This is important to our history,” he says. “It is the heritage of the village, and it really keeps the village alive.”

Burgess expects this year’s festival to bring five to seven thousand people into the village. That’s a huge addition to the normal population of New Straitsville that, according to census reports included only 787 people in 2007.

Main Street was lined with members of the populous, people sitting in folding chairs watching the hustle and bustle go by. Many filtered into a local fire station to enjoy a pork dinner or lined up in front of the dunking booth to soak their friends. Classic pop music from the car show competed with the more temperate, mellow music from the main stage, which competed directly with the noise of the carnival rides behind it.

It took me about an hour to really see everything. I glanced at the vendors, considered playing a game, but in the end I spent the most time in the New Straitsville Historical Society’s Museum speaking to Sheryl Blossmer. She told me how due to conditions in the mines of New Straitsville, the town became the birthplace of the United Mine Workers. The walls of the storefront museum are lined with photographs and information. There is not an inch of wall space that is uncovered.

One of the items that most interested me was the information about the Works Progress Administration in the Great Depression coming to work on the “longest burning mine fire in history”. The blaze, which began in 1884 and burned for more than 117 years, was ignited in a coal miner strike.

There is little discussion about the coal-dusty history of this town back out on the main arcade. This is a time when the villagers revel in people coming into town for a glimpse of moonshiners in their natural environment. And there are moonshiners still about. Asked if he thinks white lightening is still being produced nearby Burgess doesn’t even hesitate, “Yes,” he replies with full confidence.

Further reading/links:
History of New Straitsville:
Festival information:
WHIZ Zanesville:

Olde Village Diner

2009-06-04T13:08:00.001-07:00

By Evie Ebert

After the welcome sensation of bitter cold air conditioning, the first thing that my dining companion and I noticed about Olde Village Diner in Pickerington was that we were the youngest patrons there – by a long shot. An elderly couple held post near the cash register, smiling at each other over their mugs. An imperious older gentleman in a crisp mesh ballcap stretched out his arm along the empty booth, a newspaper unfolded before him with precision like an architect’s blueprint. As we took our seats, the diners and waitstaff discussed a grandchild’s orthodontia and a daughter’s driving permit. The Regulars continued their conversation as they received a warm-up on their coffee and we quietly picked a booth, hoping not to seem too obviously, well, Irregular.

They serve up typical diner fare with hints at the establishment’s Greek history, the open-face meatloaf sandwich sharing menu space with lamb gyros. On the dessert board, rice pudding and galaktoboureko are listed right next to the fresh pies du jour. Breakfast items are served all day, and this gourmand was particularly intrigued by the Friday special of all-you-can-eat fish and fries for $7.25.

Olde Village Diner is cozy, the walls are lined with booths and the windows trimmed with toile valances. Metal and red vinyl swivel stools stand at attention by the bar, and white boards on the walls boast the daily specials. The friendliness of the staff put to rest any worries about feeling uncomfortable about our first-timer status, and soon I was halfway into a cup of black coffee. When our server noticed we were working on a crossword puzzle, she cautioned with a wink, “No cheating!”

We finished our meal by splitting a slice of apple pie a la mode, molten ice cream pooling artfully around the flaky, homemade crust. As we paid our bill, our server recalled an older couple who comes in every week. The wife clips out each day’s crossword from the newspaper and staples the solutions to the back. Penciling their names at the top, they meet at the diner and tackle the week’s puzzles together.

It’s not hard to see how the Olde Village Diner could become an extension of one's own hearth. And if I lived near Pickerington, I’d certainly investigate that all-you-can-eat situation on Friday.

Blue Shoe Arts Studio

2009-05-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

By Jen England

Every artist is unique in his or her talents, and the Blue Shoe Arts Studio/Gallery, located near Carroll in Fairfield County, is home to many unique artists. The program is dedicated to helping artists with disabilities express themselves and find their voice, aspects of their lives that deserve to be showcased yet often get stifled. BSA, which began in 2004, has been home to great creativity and beauty. It's all in the paintings. And the pictures.

Art in Gallipolis

2009-05-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

By Abby Clary

If you're interested in learning more feel free to visit their Web site at: www.frenchartcolony.org

Life's a Joke

2009-05-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

By John Silvestro

Enjoy an original composition written and performed by Jay Hill. The idea for the song came to Jay while he was at the local bar. Sitting near by was a recently laid off coal miner, who was complaining about his life. After a long diatribe the miner finally came to the conclusion that "life was just a joke." The quote stuck with Jay and the next morning he worked it into the song you have now. For more on Hill and his frequent music partner look for future blogs or visit his website: http://jescowhite.net/

A Family Affair

2009-04-30T12:36:00.000-07:00

BY Sara Lucas

Christi Eyerman starts her day early. She’s out of the house by 7:30 a.m. and off to school where she puts in a full day chasing children -- trying to make them pay attention. She leaves school and goes to Zane Trace Inn, where she checks on her guests, and then she goes to the farm. Once she’s there she puts in a few hours fighting the red tape and mounds of paperwork that go along with owning a small business. She cooks dinner and checks on her guests again. On a typical day Christi will work for 14 to 16 hours.

When the Eyerman’s decided to open Zane Trace Inn, they knew that they were in for a lot of hard work and that they would need to support each other 100 percent to survive. When they opened Craft Farm on Oct. 5, 2008, they were prepared to work even harder and to support each other even more.

For Christi and Ken owning a family farm and bed and breakfast that can support itself has always been a dream. After mulling over the idea to open a scrapbooking retreat in downtown Somerset, they presented the idea to their sons. “This is going to change our life, hopefully for the better. Are you in on this? It’s a family decision.” Christi explained to her two boys Cody and Travis who are now 17 and 19, respectively. “It won’t be a typical family environment…we want you to be a part of it.” If the venture was going to work, they had to work together.

The Inn was and continues to be a great success. While it had always been part of their business plan to expand after three to five years, the Eyerman’s realized they would have to do it sooner rather than later. The Inn was booked every weekend, and they desperately looked for ways to accommodate guests. No property seemed to fit their needs. Ken suggested a radical option: open their own home to guests. It seemed to be the quickest, easiest and most cost effective use of their time, money and energy. “Here we go again. What do you think about this?” Christi asked her sons after they came up with a detailed list of pros and cons.

Their home, which they built in 1997 on 32 acres just outside of Somerset, went through a huge transformation. Ken and Christi built an apartment for themselves on the lower level, and the boys moved in their own apartment, which was built in the barn. Their home became a retreat capable of housing 10 guests and all their crafting endeavors.

While Christi seems like the face of the Inn and Craft Farm, the guys are active participants too. Cody and Travis help out with the heavy lifting, which includes helping patrons carry luggage. Travis drew a cartoon figure of the average guest at the Inn, the “Zaney Girl”,complete with pajamas and scissors, who decorates everything from t-shirts to travel mugs. Ken is the official pizza master because guests often request his special, homemade pizza.

So far, the Craft Farm has proven to be another great success. It adds another dimension of chaos to their already busy lives, but as a family they handle it. “We are a small town business, and small town people, and we’ve got to help each other…I think that’s what helps us be successful,” Christi says.

Bun’s Party Barn

2009-04-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

BY Gloria Lomeli

Along Main Street in Pomeroy, Ohio, sits Bun’s Party Barn, along the other side flows the Ohio River.

Buns Party Barn, originally a carry-out opened in September 2005 by David Averion, now includes a deli, a specialty wine shop, a bakery, and an enclosed patio for customers to meet, socialize and dine.

With a “great view of the river,” says Averion, Bun’s Party Barn is great place to enjoy the Southeast Ohio community and a great meal.

So, how did the name Bun’s Party Barn come to be?

Averion says, he and his wife came up with a list of 50 names, and one night an idea came to him. It was his wife’s nickname, Bun-Bun, given to her by her father when she was younger. Averion woke up that night and immediately wrote down, Bun’s Party Barn, and it stuck.

As for the horse barn architecture, well that was intentional. The couple looked through the plans and worked with contractors to find a style that fit their business’ name.

Bun’s Party Barn offers many specials, such as Thursday Night Wing Night, which includes their locally recognized house sauces: Honey, Hickory, Hot, Hotter than Hot, and last but not least Burn the Barn Down Hot that Averion says can only be handled by a few, brave people.

“We had a guy come in yesterday and tried our Burn the Barn Down Hot wings and he left here crying,” says Averion.

In addition to hot wings, the business has daily specials. The Italian Sub is the number one seller, with the pulled pork sandwich a close second. Other favorite dishes include the Antipasta Salad and bakery sweets. Averion recommends you order ahead of time, and to help you with your decision the menu can be viewed on their Web site, www.bunspartybarn.com.

The community atmosphere around the shop comes to life when the weather warms. Starting in April, every Thursday evening Bun’s Party Barn holds corn hole tournaments and people from all over the area come to play. Every second Saturday of the month, a bigger corn hole tournament is held. People form teams for $20, and all the money goes to the first, second and third place contestants.

Brighter Day Restaurant & Natural Foods Market

2009-04-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

BY Kelly Vormelker

Historic Marietta’s streets are lined with fast food pit stops. Fine dining eateries and pubs are peppered in between. One spot unique among its neighbors is Brighter Day Restaurant & Natural Foods Store. This, the region’s only natural foods market and restaurant brings granola munchers and meat lovers together in a new and unexpected way.

Located in a small brick building, a shared space with a tiny bowling alley, Brighter Day is modest from the exterior. Upon entering, the warm orange walls and dark wooden features envelope you. Aromas of herbs, sizzling meat and various spices intermingle in the air. You are quickly overwhelmed by the extensive menu featuring items like Portabello wraps, Marsala pasta, baby back ribs and hummus. “Dinner is very relaxed. We lower the lights and have white table cloths,” owner Don Murray says.

Because of the diverse menu, some patrons might be surprised to learn that the restaurant uses all natural ingredients. When available, Don uses organic ingredients too, and vegan items also grace the menu.

The first sign of Brighter Day’s bountiful portions is that after ordering a table receives a basket of warm, over-sized rolls.

To compliment your meal the drink menu boasts organic and imported beers, wines, and fresh made sidecars.

Boasting the region’s most extensive vegetarian menu, Brighter Day cooks with all natural ingredients and uses fresh herbs and spices. The kitchen even makes every meal from scratch. “We do a little bit of everything,” Don says. To find such a comparable healthy haven one would have to travel as far as Athens or Columbus.

Often, the words organic, vegetarian and vegan bring up images of tofu and bean sprouts, but Brighter Day will shatter these images. A billboard advertising the cozy restaurant displays a rack-of-ribs and mashed potatoes.

Brighter Day is striving to break the stereotypes people hold about the natural foods trend. Don is confident that every curious customer will leave having found something to his or her taste. Brighter Day allows vegetarians and carnivorous-cravers to share a table, bonded by a menu they can both embrace.

If the food fails to create the right atmosphere, allow live music to do the job. Two-to-three Fridays of every month Brighter Day employs a live band. Bulgarian guitarist Dimitar Zarev takes the corner stage the first Friday of each month. His place is taken by other acoustic acts on the alternating weekends.

Soft strumming and thoughtful lyrics fill the restaurant, while still allowing conversation among tables.

During the day, Brighter Day joins the business bustle and flips itself into a deli. Hurried workers order at the counter and take a fresh deli sandwich or salad back to the office, drawing the inquisitive eye of the fast food addict in the next cubicle.

Have a little more time to linger during the day? Wander over into the market side of Brighter Day. Spices, vitamins, soup, pancake mix, and various grocery items line the metal shelves. You can find almost anything that you set your organic mind to.

Brighter Day strives to make every visit an experience. The warm and neighborly vibe in the space lays the groundwork. As the extensive menu, unlike any other in the town, greets patrons, they realize that dinner is sure to top last nights frozen food. Live music then fills in any gaps in conversation. Leave with leftovers or groceries and return for another fresh take on natural.