Photographers across the state share spots that show off the best of the season
7 Great Shopping Stops in Amish Country
Twilight Zone” Creator Rod Serling’s Ohio Years
AMERICA’S RIVER ROOTS FESTIVAL OCT. 8-12
NATIONAL UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FREEDOM CENTER
CULTURALLY RICH.
WHERE BEER MEETS BOURBON
Steeped in history, yet full of trend.
From inspiring museums and iconic architecture to dynamic events and foodie adventures, the Cincy Region is culturally rich without the kitsch. Plan your next trip today.
CINCINNATI BLACK MUSIC WALK OF FAME
SEPT/OCT
FEATURES //
Fall Color
Go behind the lens with Ohio photographers who capture stunning images of our state’s most beautiful season.
Zone of Influence
Writer Rod Serling’s iconic television series “The Twilight Zone” was shaped by his life and work in Ohio.
Beyond the Grave
Mike Egan, a funeral director turned artist, creates vivid paintings themed around death and dying.
9 Fall Arts Preview
Immerse yourself in the arts this season with these upcoming concerts, exhibitions and festivals.
17 Calendar of Events
27 Farm & Table
3 Editor’s Note
5 1803
Potted by Jess creates beautiful ceramics, and Alan Bowman shares his carillonnneur experience.
Good Company elevates comfort food, and P.O. Box Twenty One delivers a speakeasy experience
88 Milestones
On Oct. 27,1963, thousands gathered in Cincinnati for a march and rally in support of Black voters.
Always in Season?
IT’S A SHORE THING
Shores & Islands Ohio is a yearround destination, just a short drive away. Take a ferry ride to a Lake Erie island, explore miles of beaches and natural trails, enjoy quaint downtowns and museums, and experience the beauty of the changing seasons across the region.
CONNECT
Find your Lake Erie Love at SHORESandISLANDS.com. Sign up today to receive the 2025 Play + Stay Travel Guide
Ohio State Parks: Our 76 state parks are some of our greatest natural resources, and fall provides the perfect time (and temperature) to get out and explore them. From tent camping and cozy lodge stays to leaf peeping, long hikes and days spent along the water, here are some of our favorite state parks to check out this time of year. ohiomagazine.com/stateparks
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Enjoy harvestseason favorites and good-natured scares.
Akron, p. 27
Albany, p. 28
Belpre, p. 10
Canton, p. 14
Cincinnati, p. 67
Cleveland, p. 5, 9, 10, 11, 27
Columbus, p. 6, 12
Dayton, p. 15
Fremont, p. 11
Geneva, p. 65
Grove City, p. 57
Hartville, p. 66
Johnstown, p. 7
Toledo, p. 10, 15
Vermilion, p. 67
Westerville, p. 29
Youngstown, p. 40
Zanesville, p. 11
Ohio Magazine encourages you to recycle this magazine. Great Lakes Publishing supports the use of paper milled from replanted forests as a renewable resource and purchases paper from FSC sources when available. We have also taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic used when mailing issues to our subscribers.
Chairman Lute Harmon Sr. President & Publisher Lute Harmon Jr.
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL@OHIOMAGAZINE.COM
Editor Jim Vickers
Associate Editors Erin Finan, Gracie Metz
Contributing Writers James Bigley II, Jason Brill, Hollie Davis, Nicholas Dekker, Vince Guerrieri, Christine Schaffran, Ilona Westfall
Digital Content Assistant Kelly Powell
Editorial Interns Katie Hagen, Lucas Yang, Darcie Zudell
Art Director Rachael Jirousek
Contributing Artists Matthew Allen, Laura Watilo Blake, Ken Blaze, Chad DiBlasio, Erik Drost, Gavin Esposito, Doug Hinebaugh, Matt Hoffman, Matthew Kirby, Jillian Leedy, Gabe Leidy, Arthur O’Leary, Ridge Rooms, Matt Shiffler, Mady Stoner, Bruce Wunderlich
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Associate Publisher & Advertising Director Karen Matusoff
The first time I saw artist Mike Egan’s paintings appear on my social media feed, I was instantly drawn in by their bright colors, interesting compositions and, quite frankly, the skulls.
As a longtime fan of the Grateful Dead, I love the band’s skull and skeleton iconography as much as I do the bold reminder threaded through its music that life is worthwhile because it is limited.
It’s probably also why the early 2000s HBO show “Six Feet Under,” about a family who runs a California funeral home, is among my TV favorites. To paraphrase one of the main characters, Nate Fisher: The purpose of death is to make life important.
That’s exactly what Mike Egan does in the bold paintings he creates in his Youngstown studio. He reminds us that life is here and now. (You can read his story starting on page 44.) He makes bold and colorful statements that are infused with energy. As you dig into Egan’s story, what you may find even more fascinating is that he previously worked as a funeral director before delving into art full time.
We thought his story was a perfect one to share as autumn sits on the horizon, along with the season of ghosts, goblins and graveyards. The same goes for our feature on television writer Rod Serling’s time writing stories at Antioch College in Yellow Springs and later for radio and television programs in Cincinnati (page 40). Those early tales clearly show the first steps toward the creation of Serling’s iconic series “The Twilight Zone,” which remains firmly embedded in our culture decades after it went off the air.
Finally, no September-October issue of Ohio Magazine would be complete without a celebration of fall color. The season of changing leaves is one of the most beautiful in this part of the country. It also reminds us of the fleeting nature of things and encourages us to make the most of our time.
We asked photographers across the state to share some of their favorite autumn images with us and talked with them about the story behind each shot (page 30). We think you’ll find their photography as inspiring as it is beautiful. Golden weekends await. Let’s make the most of them.
JIM VICKERS
TO A SPIRIT WE SHARE
Fall in love with Sidney & Shelby County. Perhaps one of the best times to visit our special slice of Americana is September and October. The morning air is crisp, the trees colorful, and the days bright & sunny. Outdoor adventurers are varied and plentiful. Autumn in Shelby County is the perfect time to become one with nature to rejuvenate your spirit and create special memories to last a lifetime.
Haunting Legacy
Hannes Tiedemann’s lavish home along Cleveland’s Franklin Boulevard was completed in 1883 and stands today as one of the city’s most storied properties, known as Franklin Castle. When Tiedemann sold the house in 1897 (two years after his wife’s death), it went through a series of different owners, and by the late 1960s, the home was widely rumored to be haunted by the ghosts of Louise Tiedemann and her daughter Emma. By the 1970s, haunted tours were being offered, and that legacy continues, with the current owners offering both paranormal tours and overnight stays — if you dare. 4308 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland 44113, 216/759-7383, thefranklincastle.com
Fun & Function: Jessica Guerrero’s Potted By Jess focuses on making usable everyday items that also serve as beautifully crafted and decorated works of art.
School Days: This one-room schoolhouse in the Licking County city of Johnstown invites visitors inside for a glimpse of student life in the late 1800s.
Fun & Function
Jessica Guerrero’s Potted By Jess focuses on making usable everyday items that also serve as beautifully crafted and decorated works of art.
After enduring traumatic experiences during her teenage years, Jessica Guerrero began crafting ceramics to process the past by creating art that allowed her to focus on the promise of the future. Guerrero, who is based in Columbus, has sold her work under the name Jessica Marie Ceramics and now Potted by Jess. The artist says her creative path was encouraged by her mentors in high school and college.
“I go out to the studio, and there’s just something so calming about throwing on the wheel,” Guerrero says. “It’s almost become second nature to me, where you just know a shape you make a shape, [and] you don’t have to think about it.”
Guerrero has been making pottery since 2013 and moved from California to Columbus with her husband, daughter and three dogs in 2019. Her current line of whimsical charms, mugs, spoon rests and sponge holders are dotted with everything from bagels to cacti to cherry tomatoes. She finds comfort in keeping the forms of her products roughly the same, while using patterning to create seasonal variety.
Her online shop carries punchy pasta, matcha and berry bowls, as well as deviations from ceramics like notepads and waffle-knit towels. When designing a new product, Guerrero focuses on what her creations will ultimately feel like in someone else’s hands.
“How does this function in your life? How does it improve your life? How will you interact with it in your life?” Guerrero
asks. “Because pottery, more so than anything else in the art world, is very interactive. I don’t know a lot of paintings that you put up to your mouth like you would a mug.”
The artist’s many ghost-themed pieces exist solely for the fun of it. Guerrero’s playful phantom universe is ever-expanding, with this year’s lineup inspired by the nostalgia of trick-or-treating, visiting haunted houses and dressing up in your favorite classic costume.
“How fun was it when you were a kid and you came home from Halloween, and you dumped out all your candy on the floor and you sorted through it?” Guerrero says. “[It’s] just those moments that I’m hoping I’m able to capture and translate into a piece.” — Kelly Powell
For more information, visit pottedbyjess.com.
School Days
This one-room schoolhouse in the Licking County city of Johnstown invites visitors inside for a glimpse of student life in the late 1800s.
A potbelly stove in the corner and desks equipped with ink wells were hallmarks of the classroom experience in the late 1800s, as were schoolmarms and McGuffey Readers. Modern visitors can immerse themselves in the school days of this bygone era with a visit to the Cornell School in the Licking County city of Johnstown.
Established in 1886, the schoolhouse was originally located in Licking County’s Saint Albans Township but got a second life in 1987 when a group of locals, including active and retired teachers, banded together to restore the property that had, at that point, served as farm storage for more than 60 years.
“I just thought, ‘This is something that’s just not going to be here if we don’t try to save it,’” says Carol Van Deest, president of Friends of the Cornell school and a retired Johnstown-Monroe Local School District educator. “I had enough colleagues that … felt like I did, and they just signed on.”
In 1991, the building was carefully moved along state Route 37 to its current home on the property of the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District. The inside of the schoolhouse was lovingly restored in 1996 and features many authentic touches, including a 1904 map of Ohio.
Today, the schoolhouse serves as an educational experience for students at Johnstown Elementary School and other districts in Licking County. Encouraged to dress in period attire, students can take a field trip during which they practice their cursive, give a speech at the recitation desk and play old-school games.
The schoolhouse garnered national recognition in 2024 when it was placed on the Country School Association of America’s National Schoolhouse Registry. It’s the only property in Ohio to hold the honor. Members of the public are welcome to visit, too, with occasional open houses scheduled, as well as the opportunity to visit for by-appointment tours from April 1 through Oct. 31.
“[There’s] a lot of love here for our little one-room schoolhouse,” Van Deest says. “I came to the open house last year just to sit on the recitation desk and hear people come in and say … ‘I want my kids to see this.’” — Gracie Metz
453 S. Main St., Johnstown 43031, friendsofcornellschool.com
Acounty fair evokes plenty of sights, sounds and smells, from Ferris wheels to funnel cakes to livestock competitions. The bull (dubbed the “29th Duke of Goodness”) in this 1876 work by Carl Freigau would have certainly been a contender in the latter. Freigau was a German-born artist who settled in Dayton, where he earned a living by “making pen portraits of blooded stock,” as he advertised in 1881. Freigau took commissions from throughout the state, and this portrait was for farmer David Selsor, who began trading livestock as an enterprising teenager and eventually became known as the “Cattle King” of Ohio.
In the 19th century, much of a man’s wealth was reflected in what he had standing in his fields, and this type of artwork allowed him to represent that in his home.
During the early 1800s, the English aristocracy began commissioning portraits with exaggerated attributes. Cows and pigs were depicted as massive, hinting at expected yields of meat, while horses had the long, streamlined necks and legs of racing stock. This trend traveled to America, resulting in portraits like this one. — Hollie Davis
SOLD
Hollie Davis is a co-owner of Meander Auctions in Whipple, Ohio.
BULL PORTRAIT BY CARL FREIGAU
Farmer David Selsor commissioned this artwork in the early 1800s.
$1,190
Noble County Museum and CVB 419 West St., Caldwell 43724 740-732-5288 visitnoblecountyohio.com
Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Appalachian foothills of Noble County as you drive your favorite car or bike exploring our many points of interest and small Mayberryish towns. Treat yourself to great food and shopping in our mom and pop stores and restaurants along the way.
Alan Bowman, who was born and raised in the Dayton area, spent two years attending the Royal Carillon School in Belgium.
Musical Heights
Alan Bowman keeps a centuriesold musical tradition ringing as the carillonneur at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton.
I f you’ve never heard of a carillonneur, you’re not alone. There are only about 180 carillons in North America, and carillonneurs are the skilled musicians who bring them to life. The tradition of playing these bell instruments, which must have at least 23 bells to be considered a carillon, dates to 15th-century Europe.
In Ohio, nowhere is this tradition more evident than at Dayton’s Carillon Historical Park, a 65-acre open-air history museum, the centerpiece of which is the 150-foot-tall Deeds Carillon. In 2023, Alan Bowman became the carillonneur at Carillon Historical Park after first taking carillon lessons in Dayton prior to enrolling in the Royal Carillon School in Belgium, the oldest and largest school of its kind in the world.
“Only by living there and breathing it morning, noon and night was I able to master it in a two-year period,” Bowman says of his time in Belgium.
Born and raised in the Dayton area, Bowman began playing piano at age 3 and organ at 6, later performing in bands and studying piano in college. After a brief stint as a systems analyst — his undergraduate major at Miami University — he returned to music, earning a master’s degree in organ performance in 2005.
We talked with Bowman about the importance of music in his life, the significance of his role with Carillon Historical Park and his favorite part about being a carillonneur. — Erin Finan
What role has music played in your life?
A: I was always wanting some sort of work in music, even though I was in a computer field to begin with. When I went to Miami University, my minor program was in piano performance, even though my major was systems analysis. … I decided I wanted to go back to school and get my master’s in music and organ performance so that I could be serious about making a career of music.
How do you see your role as carillonneur fitting Carillon Historical Park’s mission?
A: Being the namesake of the park itself is certainly a primary importance. … I think it’s really important that people hear [the bells] throughout the day, but also to have [the carillon] played in a formal way for a concert … I’m very grateful that they want to keep a carillonneur in a position there to make the instrument used and make the public aware of it.
What is your favorite part about being a carillonneur?
A: I think if you ask any carillonneur, they would maybe speak to how it feels to play the bells. It’s the organic vibrations of the bells that just speak to you in a certain way when you’re playing them. I think it’s a real physical thing, as well as maybe the spiritual, ethereal nature of it. It just makes it a really fun and satisfying instrument to play.
For more information, visit daytonhistory.org.
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
See
Chalk Festival Sept. 20–21: Cleveland
The sidewalks winding through the Fine Arts Garden and around Wade Lagoon outside the Cleveland Museum of Art become a vibrant canvas during the Chalk Festival. Hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art, this favorite annual event invites artists of all ages and skill levels to grab a square on the sidewalk and transform walkways into a colorful display of chalk art. clevelandart.org
Calendar of Events: Your fall plans start here. Check out our guide to exhibitions, shows and other happenings scheduled between now and the end of October.
Famous Gems:
“Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane” at the Toledo Museum of Art and explore a century of jewelry designs.
festival
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
Radiance and Reverie: Jewels
from the Collection of Neil Lane
Toledo Museum of Art | Oct. 18–Jan. 18, 2026
Chances are you know Neil Lane from see ing a piece of his jewelry sparkling from the neck or finger of a celebrity on the red carpet. Or you’ve seen him in the final episode of the reality show “The Bachelor,” where he presents the engagement ring for the proposal. You may even own a ring from his line at Kay Jewelers. Fewer people know that the famed jeweler has amassed an enormous collection of jewelry spanning nearly a century, and some of the pieces have been worn by the biggest names in entertainment.
“Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane,” at the Toledo Museum of Art from Oct. 18 through Jan. 18, 2026, features nearly 200 pieces of jewelry from some of the most important European and American designers.
“You’re going to see extraordinary jewelry that takes you back in time, kind of this historic walk through 100 years of jewelry-making and
design,” says Diane Wright, senior curator of glass and contemporary craft at the Toledo Museum of Art, who co-curated the exhibit with Emily Stoehrer, senior curator of jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
The exhibition is organized so visitors experience three cities and eras. It begins in Paris in the 19th century, highlighting Gothic, Renaissance and Egyptian Revival pieces, including a stunning gold bracelet adorned with a bird and clusters of pearl grapes. It then moves into New York City around the turn of the century and focuses on works by Louis C. Tiffany and Tiffany & Co., such as a diamond-studded platinum brooch shaped like a bow.
Finally, the exhibition moves into Hollywood, featuring items ranging from pieces worn by Golden Age actresses Mae West and Merle Oberon to a diamond cuff bracelet that was on Lady Gaga’s wrist when she accepted her 2016 Golden Globe award.
“It’s kind of this extraordinary version of the familiar,” Wright says. “I hope you can walk around, see these beautiful objects and just lose yourself in the glamour of it all.” — Ilona Westfall
2445 Monroe St., Toledo 43620, 419/2558000, toledomuseum.org
theater
The Notebook Sept. 6–27: Cleveland
See the story of “The Notebook” come to life at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace. Based on the 1996 book by Nicholas Sparks that was later made into a movie, Allie and Noah’s romantic journey leaps off the screen and onto the stage, accompanied by music from multiplatinum singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson and a script by “This Is Us” writer and producer Bekah Brunstetter. playhousesquare.org
music
Ohio Valley Opry 25th Anniversary Show
Sept. 20: Belpre
Formerly held in McConnelsville, the Ohio Valley Opry is settling into its new home in Belpre as it celebrates its 25th season with two anniversary performances on Sept. 20. Country, bluegrass and gospel lovers will be able to gather at 3 or 7 p.m. for a lively show that includes an appearance from Grand Ole Opry guest stars The Whites. ohiovalleyopry.com
JOAN CRAWFORD
festival
River of Arts Festival
Sept. 26–27: Fremont
Fostering curiosity and celebrating the arts is the aim of the River of Arts Festival. The two-day event in downtown Fremont hosts an indoor juried art show and an open-air market with vendors selling unique pieces. Visitors have the chance to dig into eats from local establishments.
Glass-blowing demonstrations and live jazz music are also part of the fun. downtownfremontohio.org
Eric Church
Oct. 11: Cleveland
Catch four-time Country Music Award winner Eric Church on his “Free the Machine Tour” as it makes a stop at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena. Armed with his Southern drawl, acoustic guitar and crowd-pleasing hits, the North Carolina native is sure to put on a feelgood show. The Marcus King Band kicks off the night. rocketarena.com
exhibit
Howard
Chandler Christy: A Golden Age Master, From the Trembly Family Collection
Zanesville Museum of Art | Oct. 23–Jan. 10, 2026
Brushstrokes of green blend across a light blue, cloudy sky, their colors mirrored in the still water below. At the center, a grand fountain with mystical statues spouts water into the air. Yet, the true focal point lies in the face of the woman in a sage green hat and salmon jacket in the right corner who feels vividly alive.
This blend of realism and romanticism is signature Howard Chandler Christy. Born in Morgan County, Ohio, the prolific painter modeled his subjects after real people, capturing them with such intimacy that they seemed to breathe on the canvas.
The artwork, “Sketch for Balboa Fountain,” now belongs to Annette Trembly, whose great aunt was married to Christy’s brother. For the first time, Trembly is loaning her extensive Howard Chandler Christy collection, which her family has compiled and researched, to the Zanesville Museum of Art for a special exhibition on display Oct. 23 through Jan. 10, 2026.
“Howard Chandler Christy: A Golden Age Master, From the Trembly Family Collection” features portraits, landscapes,
sculptures, photographs and illustrations, showcasing work from throughout the artist’s lifetime, much of which has yet to be seen by the public.
“There hasn’t been a Christy exhibition like this one for quite a long time,” says Laine Snyder, executive director at the Zanesville Museum of Art. “Now is the time to talk about Christy [and] his prolific career. We just feel like the Zanesville Museum of Art is the place to do it because it’s near his hometown. It’s his legacy.”
Christy became renowned for his illustration of the Christy Girl, a symbol of modern womanhood that graced publications supporting American troops during World War I. The Christy Girl embodied a new vision of femininity that was no longer confined to the domestic sphere.
“He was able to capture not just their likeness,” Snyder says, “but their inner spirits; what’s going on behind their eyes.”
— Darcie Zudell
620 Military Rd., Zanesville 43701, 740/452-0741, zanesvilleart.org
music
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
music
John Legend
Nov. 10: Columbus
Ohio native John Legend is returning to the Buckeye State this fall as part of his “Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour.” The musician is on the road in celebration of his debut album, and his November stop at the Schottenstein Center is sure to include classics from the release that started his career. schottensteincenter.com
theater
The Rocky Horror Show
Oct. 16–Nov. 1: Columbus
Get ready to do the Time Warp again as “The Rocky Horror Show” is brought to life on stage at the Garden Theater in Columbus. This cult classic is a production from Short North Stage and is a Halloween tradition that blends campy horror, unforgettable rock tunes and wild audience participation into one electrifying night of theater that is sure to be remembered. shortnorthstage.org
Columbus Color Wall by Nick Kinney
Pride Circles by Lisa McLymont
JENNIFER ZMUDA
Shattered Glass:
The Women Who Elevated American Art
Canton Museum of Art | Nov. 25–March 1, 2026
In her massive 1977 painting “Marilyn,” Audrey Flack magnified photorealistic objects like lipstick and jewelry, playfully examining actress Marilyn Monroe’s public image. It’s one of many works by female artists on display in “Shattered Glass: The Women Who Elevated American Art,” at the Canton Museum of Art, running Nov. 25 through March 1, 2026.
“The title is in reference to the ‘glass ceiling’ metaphor,” says Christy Davis, curator of exhibitions at the Canton Museum of Art. “It features American women artists who have confronted a number of different barriers, challenges, roadblocks and persevered.”
The exhibition spans all of the museum’s galleries and features over 120 pieces by 76 female artists from across the United States,
– Cristian Măcelaru, Music Director
ranging from the 1780s to present day. The show spotlights underrecognized female artists like Claude Hirst, who was born in 1855 as Claudine and shortened her name to be judged more fairly alongside her male counterparts. She painted still-life images in the male-dominated trompe-l’oeil style.
“[The style] depicted items that men use frequently, like tobacco, pipes, newspapers, cards,” says Kaleigh Pisani, curator of collections and registrar at the Canton Museum of Art. “But [Hirst] also included items that were very feminine, like books by feminist authors [and] ceramics.”
That same theme of resistance recurs throughout the exhibition. Sister Corita Kent’s “Circus Alphabet” print series uses bright pop art images to push back against the Catholic church. Elsewhere, a photograph features female model and combat photographer Lee Miller taking a bath in Adolf Hitler’s abandoned apartment on April 30, 1945, the day the dictator and his wife, Eva Braun, took their own lives in a Berlin bunker.
“I hope people come and realize how underrepresented women have been throughout art history,” Davis says. “It’s not just because they make lesser art. It’s just that they’ve been omitted from the books.”
— Lucas Yang
1001 Market Ave. N., Canton 44702, 330/453-7666, cantonart.org
Riley Green pays homage to the classic country music he grew up listening to. These memories inspired his third studio album, “Don’t Mind If I Do,” which includes appearances from Luke Bryan and Ella Langley. His show at the Huntington Center in Toledo will feature plenty of tunes from Green, as well as special guests Drake White and Hannah McFarland. huntingtoncentertoledo.com
The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra joins forces with Broadway vocalist Shayna Steele to honor the legendary women that helped shape R&B music. Relive iconic hits from Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and other musical powerhouses as Steele brings these songs to life with the help of the orchestra, adding a classical twist to longstanding favorites. daytonlive.org
Oktoberfest Findlay! September 27
Make your plans in Findlay! Findlay is home to all your fall fun! Plan to attend an annual event, eat and drink your way through town, book a memorable experience, enjoy the fall colors, go on a shopping spree in local shops and more. Fall fun awaits in Findlay! Connect with us!
music
Queens of Soul Nov. 8: Dayton
music
Riley Green Nov. 14: Toledo
How Union Terminal Became an Iconic Cincinnati Landmark
Butcher&Rose
CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
Central festivals
SEPT 4–6
Marion Popcorn Festival
Honor everyone’s favorite movie theater snack at the largest popcorn festival in the world. Plus, enjoy carnival rides, a popcorn parade and live entertainment. Downtown Marion, West Center Street, Marion, 740/387-3378 . popcornfestival. com. Visit website for times. Free.
SEPT 5–6
Lithopolis Honeyfest
Study up on the honey bee with this sweet festival established in 2007. See people with bee beards, spend time at educational sessions and dig in to honey-infused offerings. Downtown Lithopolis, East Columbus Street, Lithopolis, 614/769-3824. lithopolishoneyfest.com. Fri. 3–7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Free.
SEPT 27
Lawrence Orchards Applefest
Visit this family-run orchard and farm market offering up jams and jellies, syrups, fresh apple cider and fruit baskets at this storied festival, which got its start in 1921. Lawrence Orchards, 2634 Smeltzer Rd., Marion, 740/389-3019. lawrenceorchards.com. Visit website for times and prices.
MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS
THRU OCT 3
A Common Thread
Presented by the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, this exhibition, curated by Caren Petersen and Char Norman, features works by 16 Ohio artists. Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, 77 S. High St., Columbus, 614/644-9624. riffegallery. org. Visit website for museum hours. Free.
THRU NOV 9
Write It Down, Draw It Out: The Comics Art of Carol Tyler
Celebrate the origins of autobiographical comic artist Carol Tyler’s work, as well as her drawing process and the finished product. Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, 110 Sullivant Hall, Columbus, 614/292-0538. cartoons.osu.edu. Visit website for museum hours. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
SEPT 12
Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton
Join Grammy Award winners Fantasia Barrino and Anthony Hamilton as they bring an evening
of chart-topping hits to Columbus. Fans can expect an evening of powerhouse vocals and soulful performances. Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, 614/246-2000. nationwidearena.com. 8 p.m. $89–$413.75.
OTHER EVENTS
SEPT 21
50th Anniversary Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
Enjoy this self-guided tour that showcases the homes of Columbus’ Short North neighborhood, from fabulous Victorians to fashionable farmhouses. This year’s home tour has the wide range of architectural styles. 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus, shortnorthcivic.org. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $20–$25.
Northeast
festivals
SEPT 5
Berlin Harvest Festival and Rib Cook-Off Head to this mouthwatering gathering offering a barbecue rib cook-off contest, live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors and delectable food. Downtown Berlin, Berlin, 330/390-4461. visitberlinohio.com. Visit website for times. Free.
SEPT 9–11
Wayne County Fair
Celebrate the 176th Wayne County Fair with plenty of fun for the whole family, including activities like a tractor pull, demolition derby and rodeo, as well as performances by Gabby Barrett, We The Kingdom and Dylan Scott. Wayne County Fairgrounds, 199 Vanover St., Wooster, 330/262-8001. waynecountyfairohio.com. Visit website for times. $4.
State Regions
Because dates, times and locations are subject to change, please call ahead to confirm all details before traveling. For a more complete listing of events, visit ohiomagazine.com/events.
To submit event information, visit ohiomagazine.com/submit. Events must be submitted at least 8 weeks in advance. Include the date, time, cost, address, phone number, website and brief description of the event. (Events that do not meet our requirements will be deleted.) Print events are published on a space-available basis. Events submitted 8 weeks in advance appear on ohiomagazine.com/events.
Listings with photos are paid for by advertisers. For more information on enhanced listings, email us at adsales@ohiomagazine.com.
SEPT 12–13
Log Cabin Days
This fun-filled and family-friendly event features the largest gathering of rustic furniture and home decor vendors in North America. Visitors can indulge in Amish-cooked food, enjoy kid-friendly activities like a petting zoo and wagon rides, and witness live lumberjack demonstrations. Hochstetler Log Homes , 552 St. Rte. 95, Loudonville, 800/368-1015. hochstetlerloghomes.com.
SEPT 12–14
Lordstown Apple Cider Festival
Celebrate the season with carnival rides, live music, local crafts and plenty of family fun. Enjoy food, entertainment and festive activities all weekend long in the heart of Lordstown. Lordstown Center, 1776 Salt Springs Rd., Lordstown, 234/806-4229. trulytrumbull.com. Visit website for times. Free.
SEPT 20
Holmes County Art Festival
This festival features local and regional artists, entertainment, food trucks and performances celebrating art and community. Holmes County Courthouse, 1 E. Jackson St., Millersburg, 330/674-2412. historicdowntownmillersburg. com. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.
SEPT 20–21
Johnny Appleseed Festival
Honor American icon Johnny Appleseed at this
autumn get-together loaded with live entertainment, contests, rides, games and can’t-miss food. Downtown Lisbon, North Market Street, Lisbon, 330/424-1803. johnnyappleseedfest. com. Visit website for times. Free.
SEPT 27
Medina Fall Festival
Start the season with the sights, sounds and smells of fall. Enjoy pumpkin painting, a hay maze, petting zoo, farmers market, carnival games, live entertainment, craft vendors and more. Public Square, Medina, 330/722-6186. mainstreetmedina.com. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Free.
SEPT 27
Fall Festival at Lehman’s
Bring the family to Lehman’s this fall to enjoy hands-on demonstrations, children’s crafts, a corn box for play, Flower the balloon artist and delicious samples from the Dutch oven cook-off. Lehman’s, 4779 Kidron Rd., Kidron, 800/4385346. lehmans.com. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free.
SEPT 27–OCT 25
Heritage Farms Pumpkin Pandemonium
Enjoy the wonders of fall, from pumpkins and hayrides to mazes and scavenger hunts. Bring the family for a fun-filled day with some of the best outdoor fall activities, complete with live music and food trucks. Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Rd., Peninsula, 330/657-2330. heritagefarms.com. Visit website for times. Free–$17.
MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS
THRU SEPT 24
DinoTrek
See 20 dinosaurs on display at the Akron Zoo.
Learn about the adaptations dinosaurs used to protect themselves. Many of the dinosaurs are animatronic and move and make noise. Akron Zoo, 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron, 330/375-2550. akronzoo.org. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $11–$21.
SEPT 21–23
From the Earth through Her Hands: African Ceramics
Explore the artistry of African ceramics through centuries. This exhibit showcases key works from western, centra, and eastern Africa, highlighting themes of inspiration, portraiture and beauty. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart. org. Visit website for museum hours. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
THRU NOV 4
The Road to Damascus: A Musical Journey Through the Book of Acts
This Ohio Star Theater original production tells the transformative story of Saul, later known as Paul, from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Christ. Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39, Sugarcreek, 855/344-7547. ohiostartheater.com. 1 & 7 p.m. $49–$65.49.
SEPT 7
Rachel Brown: Songs and Stories
Rachel Brown is a singer and pianist in northeast Ohio. She’ll be singing a mix of well-known tunes and her own originals while she charms the audience with stories drawn from her life. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 419/853-6016. ormaco.org. 2–4 p.m. Free.
SEPT 18
Hotel California Eagles Tribute Band
Hotel California stands as the pioneering Eagles tribute band, faithfully recreating the legendary sound that earned the original band international acclaim. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9353. hartvillekitchen.com. 7–8:30 p.m. $59–$69.
SEPT 26–27 Y Live
See two icons across one incredible weekend. John Mayer headlines Friday, while Tim Mc-
Graw headlines Saturday, creating an unforgettable two-day Y Live experience in downtown Youngstown. Wean Park, 201 S. Phelps St., Youngstown, 330/746-5600. ylivemusic.com. Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 7 p.m. $65
SEPT 26–OCT 25
Joanna McClelland Glass’ Canadian Gothic and American Modern
See two one-act plays that explore prairie and suburban life, respectively. Each reflects quizzical world views through personal dialog with the audience and character interaction. Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216/2416000. playhousesquare.org. Visit website for times. Adults $28, students $15.
OTHER EVENTS
SEPT 14
Princess in the Park
Children ages 3 and up are invited to an enchanted day at the lake with crafts, a royal tea party and snacks, face painting and horsedrawn carriage rides. Pleasant Hill Lake Park, 3431 St. Rte. 95, Perrysville, 419/938-7884. mwcd.org. 3–7:30 p.m. $25.
SEPT 14
Woodland Mushrooms
Take a naturalist-guided walk to explore the diverse shapes, colors and types of mushrooms. Learn to identify species and understand fungi’s role in forest ecosystems. Furnace Run Metro Park, 4955 Townsend Rd., Richfield, 330/8675511. summitmetroparks.org. 1–3 p.m. Free.
SEPT 14–OCT 12
Historical Figures of Wayne County Tour
Tour eight Wayne County museums over the
course of four Sundays in September and October to meet historical figures from each community. Visit the website to find tour itinerary and locations. Tour starts at Dalton Historical Society, 115 E. Main St., Dalton, 330/201-1935. visitwaynecountyohio.com. 1–4 p.m. Free.
SEPT 14
S’mores and More Bonfire
Celebrate the end of summer with a toasty campfire evening featuring nature games, family-friendly stories and s’mores (while supplies last). Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket. 1828 Smith Rd., Akron, 330/8675511. summitmetroparks.org. 6–8 p.m. Free.
SEPT 19–20
Savor the Flavor Tour
This tour offers a charming way to enjoy the season, with crisp air, colorful foliage and delicious treats from seven standout businesses in Ohio’s Amish Country. Tour starts at Walnut Creek Marketplace, 1900 St. Rte. 39, Sugar-
SEPT 20
720 September Market in North Canton
Over 100 vendors fill North Canton’s Main and Maple streets for this open-air market featuring handmade goods, food trucks, craft brews and live music. Enjoy a full day of local shopping and dining. 141 N. Main St., North Canton, 330/5710367. eventsby720.com. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Free.
SEPT 20–21
Zoar Civil War Reenactment
One of Ohio’s largest Civil War reenactments returns as reenactors re-create the Battle of Appomattox at Zoar. Other activities include a Civil War Ball, historical demonstrations and artillery night fire. Historic Zoar Village, 198 Main St., Zoar, 330/874-3011. historiczoarvillage.com. Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $12, children 12 and under free.
SEPT 22
Eco-Printing
In this art for adults program, attendees can ex-
and paper. This event takes place outdoors, and supplies and instruction will be provided. Liberty Park, 9999 Liberty Rd., Twinsburg, 330/8675511. summitmetroparks.org. 1–3 p.m. $5.
SEPT 26
Sip + Learn: Gervasi Spirits Craft Cocktail Class
Craft two signature drinks while mastering bar basics. All tools, ingredients and take-home recipe cards are provided. This 90-minute session is perfect for both novices and enthusiasts. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard. com. 6 p.m. $45.
Northwest festivals
SEPT 2–7
Alumapalooza
tainment with Airstream enthusiasts. Airstream Factory Service Center, 420 W. Pike St., Jackson Center, 813/200-8877. alumaevents.com. Visit website for times and prices.
SEPT 5–7
Black Swamp Arts Festival
Spend three days experiencing live music and fine arts, as well as perusing youth arts, including a chalk walk competition. Downtown Bowling Green, 100 S. Main St., Bowling Green, 877/865-6082. blackswampfest.org. Visit website for times. Free.
SEPT 13
Put-in-Bay Monarch Fest
Celebrate beautiful butterflies at this event that includes monarch tagging, food, games, inflatables and educational activities. Make sure to visit the lighthouse, which will be open for tours. Duggan’s Field, 2368 Langram Rd., Putin-Bay, 419/285-3037. lakeerieislandswildlife. com. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. $10.
SEPT 20
Big Day at the Bay
There’s something for everyone at this event held on Put-In-Bay. Check out the Miller 5K, an island-wide sale, a clam bake and Monte Carlo style games. Various locations across Put-InBay, 419/285-2832. visitputinbay.com. Visit website for times and prices.
SEPT 20
Ciderfest419
Sample over 50 varieties of hard cider, wine, mead and craft beer along the scenic riverfront. Enjoy tastings, games, and prizes while supporting nature camp experiences for local kids. Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front St., Toledo, 419/930-9880. toledonightmarket.com/ciderfest419. 5–9 p.m. $48–$68.
SEPT 20–OCT 31
CrowFest
Enjoy crow-inspired art, shop hand-blown glass pumpkins and witness the magical fall crow migration to the MAC forest. Mansfield Art Center, 700 Marion Ave., Mansfield, 419/756-1700. mansfieldartcenter.org. Visit website for times. Nonmembers $5, members free.
SEPT 27
Defiance Rib Fest
Get ready for mouthwatering barbecue as 10 groups of local rib vendors serve up their best at Defiance’s beloved annual festival. Plus, enjoy live music all evening long. Downtown Defiance, 325 Clinton St., Defiance, 419/782-0739. visitdefianceohio.com. 3:30–11 p.m. Adults $10, children 10 and under free.
SEPT 27
Fall Fest on the Square
Meet arts and crafts vendors, pick up fall favorites and listen to live music at this small-town gathering. Bryan Downtown Square, North Main Street, Bryan, 419/636-2247. visitbryanohio. com. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Nonmembers $50, members $25.
MUSIC + THEATER
SEPT 25
The Book of Mormon
Watch this side-splitting comedy following a pair of missionaries’ mishaps as they spread the good news halfway across the world. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 419/423-2787. mcpa.org. 7:30 p.m. $69–$149.
OTHER EVENTS
SEPT 12–NOV 1
Fall on the Farm
Celebrate the season immersed in the beauty of Crossway Farms. Enjoy a great selection of autumn treats, gifts, flowers and more, as well as over 30 fun activities for the kids. Crossway Farms, 2211 Cisco Rd., Sidney, 937/210-1590. crosswayfarms.com/fall-on-the-farm. Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 1–5 p.m. Visit website for prices.
Southeast festivals
SEPT 5–7
Ohio River Sternwheel Festival
This three-day festival features roughly 30
sternwheel boats, family-friendly entertainment, fireworks, children’s activities and more along Marietta’s riverfront. Ohio River Levee, 101 Front St., Marietta, 740/373-5178. sternwheel.org. Visit website for times and prices.
SEPT 12–14
Ohio Pawpaw Festival
Dig into this festival that celebrates one of Ohio’s largest native tree fruits through food and beverages, and learn recipes that feature the star ingredient. Lake Snowden, 5900 St. Rte. 50, Albany, ohiopawpawfest.com. Visit website for times and prices.
SEPT 20–21
Apple Harvest Open House
Experience farm fun for the whole family with orchard tours, you-pick apples, a pumpkin patch, food and exciting activities like slides, horse rides and more. Hirsch Fruit Farm, 12846 St. Rte. 772, Chillicothe, 740/775-1037. hirschfruitfarm. com. Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. Noon–6 p.m. $5.
SEPT 20–21
Appalachian Foothills Fall Festival
Celebrate the season with vintage tractors, gas engines, bluegrass and country tunes, handmade quilts, crafts, comfort food, a flea market, farm toys for the little ones and more. Noble County Fairgrounds, 44163 Fairground Rd., Caldwell, 740/525-8469. oldironpowerclub. com. Visit website for times. Adults $5, children under 10 free.
SEPT 25–28
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
This festival celebrates fall with all things pumpkin, including giant ones. Savor the flavors of the season with delicious pumpkin bread,
pie, ice cream and more while you stroll down Main Street. 300 E. Church St., Barnesville, 740/425-2593. barnesvillepumpkinfestival.com. 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Free.
MUseums + exhibits
SEPT 27–JAN 4, 2026
Food for Thought: A Taste of the Canton Museum of Art Collection
Food is woven into our everyday lives. This exhibit looks at what we eat, how we eat it and who we eat with, creating an intimate look at the role food plays in American art and culture.
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, 740/681-1423. decartsohio.org. Visit website for museum hours. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
SEPT 12
Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Billed as one of the best Fleetwood Mac tribute bands, Tusk has been performing across the country since 2008. Enjoy classic hits like
“Dreams,” “The Chain” and, of course, “Tusk.” Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8–10 p.m. $40–$104.
OTHER EVENTS
SEPT 6–27
Wine Your Way Out
Navigate through a corn maze while enjoying eight wine samples, delicious chocolate, cheese and live music. With a souvenir cup and food truck bites, it’s a perfect blend of fun and flavor. Events are held Saturdays in September. Coshocton KOA , 24688 County Rd. 10, Coshocton, 740/502-9245. wineyourwayout.com. Noon–8 p.m. Visit website for prices.
SEPT 20
Ghost Walk
Tour select downtown locations and hear stories about their history, as well as the ghostly encounters that have been said to take place there. Locations include The Majestic Theatre and others. Downtown Chillicothe, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, chillicothehalloweenfestival. com. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $10.
Southwest festivals
SEPT 6–20
Ohio Fish & Shrimp Music Festival
Celebrate seafood with live music and local fare
across three Saturdays following Labor Day. Recognized as one of the top music festivals in the state, this festival promises lively entertainment, fresh flavors and family fun. Freshwater Farms of Ohio, 2624 N. U.S. Hwy. 68, Urbana, 937/652-3701. ohiofishandshrimpfestival.org. 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Adults $10, children $5.
SEPT 18–21
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati
Prost! Attend the nation’s largest Oktoberfest, marked by live entertainment, a 300-foot food festival tent and plenty of ice cold beer. Sawyer Point and Yeatman’s Cove Park, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati, oktoberfestzinzinnati. com. Visit website for times and prices.
SEPT 18–21
WACO Fly-In
Attend this event commemorating the WACO Aircraft Co. through plane rides, a parade, historic reenactments, fly-overs and swing dancing. WACO Air Museum, 1865 S. County Rd. 25A, Troy, 937/335-9226. wacoairmuseum. org. Visit website for times. $10.
SEPT 20–21
Preble County Pork Festival
Pig out at this Preble County classic. Enjoy delicious food vendors, spend time in the new beer and wine garden and peruse works from arts and crafts sellers. Plus, be sure to check out a local children’s pig art exhibition. Preble County Fairgrounds, 777 S. Franklin St., Eaton, 937/4567273. porkfestival.org. Sat. 8 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Free.
Explore like a kid on our Richland B&O Trail. Relax like an adult on our Wine & Ale Trail. Do both on a long weekend in Mansfield, Ohio.
• Homesteading Tent: Learn how to have your own hobby farm.
• Kids Zone, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides
Fun for thefamilywhole
• Food tent will serve barbecued chicken, noodles and sandwiches. Plus kettle-cooked baked beans, kettle corn, apple butter, homemade ice cream, Amish pies, pastries.
• Early bird breakfast served Sat. between 7-10 a.m.
• Log Home Tours
• Cabin and Rustic Furnishings Auction. Friday 3:00 PM
Hours: Friday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location: 552 SR 95, Loudonville, OH For more information call 419-368-0004. $5 Admission.
SEPT 26–28
Tipp City Mum Festival
The beloved annual Tipp City Mum Festival celebrates over 60 years with the largest cruisein in the Miami Valley, a parade, entertainment, food vendors and plenty of fun. Downtown Tipp City, tippcitymumfestival.com. Fri. 4–10 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
SEPT 6
Bonnie Raitt
Enjoy Bonnie Raitt’s fourth year on tour, accompanied by world-class instrumentalists. Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band are included on the bill as special guests. Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights, 937/610-0288. rosemusiccenter.com. 7:30 p.m. $45.50–$78.50.
SEPT 12
The Doobie Brothers with the Coral Reefer Band
See these Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends come together with the Coral Reefer Band, Jimmy Buffett’s touring and recording group who have continued celebrating and performing his music. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, 513/232-6220. riverbend. org. 7 p.m. $58.15–$404.30.
SEPT 19
Melissa Ethridge and Indigo Girls
Witness two folk-rock icons join forces in the Queen City on their “Yes We Are” co-headlining tour. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, 513/232-6220. riverbend.org. 7:30 p.m. $92.10–$113.90.
OTHER EVENTS
THRU NOV 30
Glass Pumpkin Blow
With help from professional glassblowers, you can create a pumpkin from molten glass. Neusole Glassworks, 11925 Kemper Springs Dr., Cincinnati, 513/751-3292. neusoleglassworks. com. Visit website for times. $55.
SEPT 5
Bees & Bourbon
Learn about beekeeping, honey production and local hives at this evening event. Sample honey, enjoy a themed cocktail and take part in a beeinspired art activity. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 513/8688336. pyramidhill.org. 6–8 p.m. Free.
SEPT 6
Pressed Paw Prints
Create a keepsake of your dog’s paw print
with air-dry clay during this pet-friendly event. Enjoy doughnuts, meet fellow dog lovers and take a peaceful walk through the park. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd., Hamilton, 513/868-8336. pyramidhill.org. 10:30 a.m.–noon Free.
SEPT 20–21
29th Annual Wool Gathering
Attend this festival of fibers with llamas, alpacas, sheep and cashmere goats, among other animals. Enjoy wool spinning, weaving and shearing demonstrations. Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, 937/3250629. youngsdairy.com. Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Visit website for prices.
LongWeekends
SEPT 13
Constitution Square Festival
Experience artists, craft demonstrations, food trucks, fresh market goods and live music all day at this festival now celebrating its fourth year.
Celebrate the gourd with this quirky festival, which includes two competitions for patrons to enter. Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware, ohiogourdsociety. com. Visit website for times and prices.
OCT 4
Smokin’ Hot Wing & Music Festival
different teams and even take part in wing-
eating contests. Plus, enjoy a kids zone, tailgate party and live music all day. American Nitrile, 3500 Southwest Blvd., Grove City, 614/5707759. americannitrile.com/wingfest. Noon–9 p.m. $15.
OCT 4–5
Columbus Coffee Festival
Take a sip of this caffeinated get-together celebrating 10 years. Meet roasters, try samples and spend time with fellow coffee lovers. Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St., Hilliard, columbuscoffeefest.com. Visit website for times and prices.
OCT 13–16
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Clear the calendar for this annual extravaganza filled with a giant pumpkin weigh-in, multiple parades, live music, craft demonstrations and plenty of delicious food offerings. Downtown Circleville, East Main Street, Circleville, 740/4747000. pumpkinshow.com. Visit website for times. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
OCT 2
My Cousin Tiera
Tiera brings raw, relatable storytelling to the stage, delivering laugh-out-loud moments shaped by her viral fame, Chicago roots and unstoppable energy as a rising star in comedy. Funny Bone Comedy Club, 145 Easton Town Center, Columbus, 614/471-5653. columbus. funnybone.com. 7–8:30 p.m. $32.
Dig into freshly prepared wings from nearly 20
OCT 25
Foghat: Slow Ride 50th Anniversary Tour
Join the legendary English boogie-rock band famed for hits like “Slow Ride”as the group roars into the intimate and historic Knox Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon this fall. Knox Memorial Theater, 112 E. High St., Mt. Vernon, 740/4624278. knoxmemorial.org. 8 p.m. $35–$79.
Northeast
festivals
OCT 3–5
Norton Cider Festival
Embrace autumn at this three-day event offering a parade, an apple-decorating contest, festival food and evening fireworks. Make sure to bring your little ones for train rides and inflatables. Columbia Woods Park, 4060 Columbia Woods Dr., Norton, 330/825-4967. nortonciderfestival. com. Fri. 5–9 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Free.
OCT 7–12
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
Enjoy a five-day celebration of documentary film at locations in and around Chagrin Falls. The festival strives to educate audiences and empower filmmakers in their pursuit of storytelling. Downtown Chagrin Falls, Bell Street, Chagrin Falls, 440/247-1591. chagrinfilmfest.org. Visit website for times and prices.
MUSIC + THEATER
OCT 2
The Chardon Polka Band
Based out of Greater Cleveland, this eclectic ensemble brings a fresh approach to traditional polka, seamlessly blending classic oompah style with high energy and modern flair. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9353. hartvillekitchen. com. 1–2:30 p.m. $35–$45.
OCT 12
Daniel Shiller: Music From Anansi’s Web
Utilizing the gyil from Ghana, and the steel pan from Trinidad, both of which contain imagery from spiders, Shiller shares in the wisdom and knowledge of Anansi the spider. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., Wadsworth, 419/853-6016. ormaco.org. 2–3 p.m. Free.
OCT 19
Bus Trip to Playhouse Square: Hell’s Kitchen
Hop on the ORMACO bus for a fun-filled trip to Playhouse Square. Enjoy a box lunch, flowing wine, homemade cookies, chocolate, cheese
and a trivia quiz. Buehler’s River Styx, 3626 Medina Rd., Medina, 419/853-6016. ormaco. org. 5–10:30 p.m. $140.
OCT 25
World Tour of Music: The Cleveland Celtic Ensemble
Experience an unforgettable evening of Scottish and Irish music, featuring bagpipes, whistle, flute, fiddle, harp and traditional dance, as the Cleveland Celtic Ensemble takes the stage. Cloverleaf Center for the Performing Arts, 7540 Buffham Rd., Seville, 419/853-6016. ormaco. org. 7:30–9:30 p.m. $15–$20.
OCT 30
Greater Vision
This musical group has been a cornerstone of Southern gospel music since 1990, earning their place as the most awarded trio in gospel music history. The group features founder Gerald Wolfe as pianist, multi-award-winning songwriter Rodney Griffin as lead vocalist, celebrated tenor Chris Allman and their newest member Jon Epley on baritone. Hartville Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery, 1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9353. hartvillekitchen.com. Visit website for times. $45–$55.
other events
OCT 3
An Evening of Red Dinner in the Pavilion
Indulge in a five-course culinary journey at this event hosted by Gervasi Vineyard. The dinner features bold red wines and premium Certified Angus Beef served in a stunning, immersive setting. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard. com. 6 p.m. $140.
OCT 18
Scare on the Square and Wadsworth Thriller
Watch as zombies take over downtown Wadsworth to reenact Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” With over 1 million views on YouTube, the exciting performance has become a beloved highlight of the Scare on the Square event. Wadsworth Town Square, Wadsworth, 330/3314414. mainstreetwadsworth.org. 5–8 p.m. Free.
Northwest festivals
OCT 3–4
Oastoberfest
Spend a weekend dedicated to beer and German culture. Enjoy glasses from guest breweries, spend time in a several biergartens and immerse yourself in live music and local eats. Twin Oast Brewing, 3630 NE Catawba Rd., Port Clinton, 419/573-6126. twinoast.com. Visit website for times and prices.
JULY 18–19
Bowling Green 4x4 Fest
Experience the thrill of off-road action, family fun and live entertainment at this festival held in Bowling Green. The event is free to attend, but a fee is required to participate in select activities. Wood County Fairgrounds, 13800 W. Poe Rd., Bowling Green, 419/353-5751. bg4x4fest.com. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free.
OCT 11–12
Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Attend this crowd-pleasing festival that features a parade, car show, 5K run, kids zone, a baking contest and over 120 vendors. Downtown Oak Harbor, West Water Street, Oak Harbor, 419/898-0479. oakharborapplefestival.com. Visit website for times. Free.
OCT 11–12
Put-In-Bay Oktoberfest
Visit scenic Put-In-Bay and celebrate Oktoberfest lakeside with German food, beer and wine, live polka and German-style music, and more. DeRivera Park, 341 Bayview Ave., Put-In-Bay, 419/285-2832. visitputinbay.com. Visit website for times and prices.
OTHER EVENTS
OCT 8–11
Apple Week 2025
Take a bite out of fall farm life, watch demonstrations of apple recipes, see cider being pressed and take part in several hands-on activities. Sauder Village, 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold,
Celebrate Ohio’s forest industry with lumberjack competitions, educational seminars and logging equipment sales and demonstrations, as well as delicious food and family-focused activities. Guernsey County Fairgrounds, 335 Old National Rd., Old Washington, thepaulbunyanshow. com. Fri.–Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $12, seniors and kids $6.
OCT 4–5
Portsmouth Oktoberfest
Enjoy a weekend of craft brews, delicious food trucks, live music and festive fun. Sample beer from over 30 breweries, all while enjoying great vibes and making unforgettable memories. Mar-
ket Square, Market Street, Portsmouth, 740/3531116. friendsofportsmouth.com/oktoberfest. Visit website for times. General admission $25, VIP admission $40.
OCT 4–NOV 1
McPeek’s Mighty Maze
Enjoy two corn mazes, wagon rides, pumpkins, food trucks and more. Taking place at the KOA in Coshocton, attendees can turn a day of adventure into a weekend getaway with RV, tent or cabin stays. Coshocton KOA , 24688 County Rd. 10, Coshocton, 740/502-9245. mcpeeksmightymaze.com. 1–9 p.m. $8–$10.
OCT 11–12
Color in the Hills Festival
Celebrate the vibrant fall color of Appalachia at this festival that brings a full day of fun with a car show, live entertainment, kids games, crafts and a petting zoo. Downtown Glouster, 20 High St., Glouster, appalachiancolorinthehills.com. Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Free.
MUSIC + THEATER
OCT 3
Lorrie Morgan
See this emotive artist who began her career with three consecutive platinum-selling albums. Morgan’s music showcases a range of experiences, from heartache to humor, defined by her signature down-to-earth style. Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8 p.m. $43–$73.
present here, our past is
OCT 16–24
Vibrancy Theater Presents: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Be whisked away to a world of enchantment during this production of Shakespeare’s whimsical tale of love, mischief and magical mayhem. Follow mismatched lovers, feuding fairies and bumbling actors as their worlds collide. E.E. Baker Theater in Kantner Hall, 7 S. College St., Athens, 740/593-1000. ohio.edu/fine-arts. Visit website for times and prices.
OCT 25
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils: When It Shines Final Tour
Jam out with this country-rock and electric-bluegrass group that has been making music since 1971, including hits like “Jackie Blue” and “If You Wanna Get To Heaven.” Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8 p.m. $44–$64.
OTHER EVENTS
OCT 2–4
Hocking Hills Annual Jeep Run
Take in the vivid autumn colors with fellow Jeep enthusiasts and passengers as you experience a ride of fun-filled stops, as well as a 100-acre off-road obstacle course. Downtown Logan, Grey Street, Logan, explorehockinghills.com. Visit website for times. Adults $60, children $20.
OCT 11
Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike
Take in the autumn splendor of the Hocking Hills
The stunning beauty of lovingly preserved country manors surround the architecturally rich downtown of Martinsburg as you explore Berkeley County, West Virginia. The rich history of our past is evident at every turn. Hike our trails, paddle our lakes, and wine and dine downtown.
during this 6-mile hike from Old Man’s Cave to Cedar Falls and back. Make sure to dress appropriately to prepare for terrain and weather. Old Man’s Cave, 19852 St. Rte. 664, Logan, 740/385-9706. explorehockinghills.com. Visit website for times and prices.
OCT 17–18
Halloween Campout at Seneca Lake Park
Make plans to visit the lake for a spooky, familyfriendly weekend. Enjoy trick-or-treating, wagon rides, tie-dye, inflatables, live animal encounters and other festive activities the whole family will love. Seneca Lake Park, 22172 Park Rd., Senecaville, 740/685-6013. mwcd.org. Visit website for times. Free.
OCT–18–19
Fall Foliage & Farm Tour
This annual event takes participants on a selfdriven tour of Coshocton County as they learn about agriculture and take in scenic fall colors. The route of the tour remains a mystery until the day of. Coshocton County Fairgrounds, 707 Kenilworth Ave., Coshocton, 740/622-2265. visitcoshocton.com. Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Free.
Southwest
festivals
OCT 8–12
America’s River Roots Festival
This Queen City festival celebrates the music, cuisine and culture that define Cincinnati’s connection to the Ohio River. The five-day event invites guests to explore American stories through live performances, regional flavors and rich traditions that reflect the city’s heritage. Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Riverfronts, americasriverroots.com. Visit website for times and prices.
OCT 11–12
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival
Dig in to a fermented favorite at this annual gathering chock full of food vendors, as well as over 450 craft vendors hailing from across the nation. Historic Main Street, 174 S. Main St., Waynesville, 513/897-8855. sauerkrautfestival. waynesvilleohio.com. Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Visit website for prices.
OCT 25–26
Cincinnati Coffee Festival
Get energized by this Queen City event packed with coffee roasters, tea and coffee shops, bakers and chocolatiers. Try out samples, watch demonstrations and enjoy a latte art throwdown. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati,
513/460-3365. cincinnaticoffeefestival.com. Visit website for times and prices.
MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS
OCT 4–JAN 11, 2025
Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking
See 20 quilts crafted between the early 1800s and 2015 with fabric using dreamy blue hues. The blankets on display show several indigodyeing techniques and highlight the creators behind them. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, 513/241-0343. taftmuseum.org. Wed.–Mon. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit website for prices.
OCT 10–JAN 4, 2025
Recall. Reframe. Respond. The Art of Paul Scott
Take in Paul Scott’s transfer-printed tableware, made by breaking, reassembling, erasing and adding detail to antique pieces in order to create new “historical” patterns. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, 513/7212787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Visit website for museum hours. Free.
OCT 18–JAN 11, 2025
The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art
View distinctive curvilinear designs and naturebased motifs of the Art Nouveau style. See more than 120 turn-of-the-century pieces, including prints, glass art, paintings and furniture. Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, 937/223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org. Visit website for museum hours and prices.
MUSIC + THEATER
OCT 3–4
Cristian Macelaru’s Debut
The sound of a new era begins as Cristian Mӑcelaru makes his debut as the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s new music director during this celebratory and historic musical program. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/381-3300. cincinnatisymphony. org. 7:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.
OCT 4
Judas Priest & Alice Cooper
Heavy metal icons Judas Priest and shock rock legend Alice Cooper join forces for a co-headlining tour, bringing theatrical rock and metal anthems to the stage. Riverbend Music Center, 6295 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, 513/232-6220. riverbend.org. 6:45 p.m. Visit website for prices.
OCT 10
Seether & Daughtry
Rock out with Seether and Daughtry in a pow-
erhouse double bill. Look forward to platinum hits, chart-topping singles and new tracks. Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights, 937/610-0288. rosemusiccenter.com. 6:30 p.m. $57.50–$88.50.
OCT 26
Skinner Pipe Organ Concert: Spooktacular
Experience a spooky Halloween-themed concert featuring silent films and eerie music played on the museum’s restored Skinner pipe organ, performed by Matt Dierking from the Dayton Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton, 937/223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org. 2–3 p.m. Visit website for prices.
other events
OCT 17–19
Charm at the Farm
Shop boho-chic decor, unique gifts, vintage finds, handmade goods and more from more than 100 small business boutiques, all in one whimsical spot. Enjoy food, drinks and photo ops while you browse. Charm at the Farm, 4953 Bunnell Hill Rd., Lebanon, charmatthefarm.com. Visit website for times. $9–$20.
OCT 18
Inclines and Overlooks Bus Tour
Explore the history of Cincinnati’s famous inclines and the neighborhoods they once served. Stops include former incline sites, scenic overlooks and stories of 19th-century engineering and recreation. Tour starts at Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Cincinnati, 513/287-7000. cincymuseum.org. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Nonmembers $60, members $45.
LongWeekends
OCT 4
Bourbon on the Banks
Bourbon on the Banks is Frankfort’s premier riverside tasting festival featuring more than 60 distilleries, live music, food, artisans, bourbon education and demonstrations. River View Park, 404 Wilkinson Blvd., Frankfort, 970/270-6573. visitfrankfort.com. 1–6 p.m. $75.
FARM & TABLE
Next Level
Good Company restaurant takes comfort food up a notch at its two northeast Ohio locations. Stop in for salads, sandwiches and the signature 72-hour wings.
Barely a minute into an office worker’s typical weekend, and Good Company in Akron is abuzz. Families fill corner-hugging booths, and customers dot the stools along the bar. A glowing neon sign on the wall proclaims, “Have a Good One!” and aptly sums up the aim of this comfort-food spot with two northeast Ohio locations.
Ryan Williams is the executive chef of Good Company’s Cleve-
Pawpaw Power: The annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival at Lake Snowden in Albany celebrates this native fruit in a variety of creative dishes and inventive brews.
land and Akron locations, while Tommy Kettel serves as lead chef in Akron. The Cleveland restaurant was the first to open in 2019. In 2022, present-day owner Will Hollingsworth acquired it. The second Good Company opened in the former fire station along Akron’s Maple Street in 2024.
The menus focus on a lineup of elevated, scratch-made classics, such as the corned beef hash and the Steak Supper (an 8-ounce cowboy sirloin, local vegetables and rosemary garlic fries served with a choice of herbed compound butter, chimichurri or peppercorn sauce). Then there are Good Company’s fall-off-thebone, 72-hour wings. These wonders marinate in dry spices for 24 hours, followed by a confit-style cook and then a cooling and refrigeration period. »
Stamp of Approval: High Bank Distillery’s post-office speakeasy in Westerville, P.O. Box Twenty One, delivers with an inviting space and excellent lineup of cocktails.
FARM & TABLE
“If we pulled them straight out of the oven and went right back into the fryer, it wouldn’t be the same as the product that we are aiming for,” Williams says. “So that cooling is actually very important to trap all the juices and fat. It’s like setting a cheesecake almost. Everything needs to re-cool together.”
Frying the wings to order and then tossing them in a house-made sauce or dry-spice blend are the final steps. Before digging in, don’t overlook the starters like Bonzo Balls (a fritter made with chickpeas, garlic, panko breadcrumbs and herbs). Sides include Fried Chicken Skins sprinkled with nori salt and served with buttermilk ranch and pickled celery.
Good Company is open for dinner every day except one (closed Tuesday in Cleveland and Wednesday in Akron) and begins serving at 11 a.m. on Sundays. Try brunch standouts like the chicken and waffles or French toast sticks, which were born when Kettel serendipitously made too much bread pudding for a Mother’s Day brunch.
“That’s what Good Company is,” Kettel says, “making food that is not only accessible, but if you’re a foodie … it’s going to kind of pop off too.” — Kelly Powell
Akron: 60 S. Maple St., Akron 44303, 330/252-9099, goodcompanyakron.com; Cleveland: 1200 W. 76th St., Cleveland 44102, 216/331-0318, goodcompanycle.com
Pawpaw Power
This annual festival at Lake Snowden in Albany celebrates the native Ohio fruit in a variety of creative dishes and inventive brews.
Although it’s Ohio’s official native fruit, pawpaws have a unique flavor that’s hard to nail down. Some describe them as “custard apples,” while those in southeast Ohio may know them as “Appalachian mangoes.” No matter how you characterize them (and especially if you’re asking, “What the heck is a pawpaw?”), this annual Athens County festival is for you.
Chris Chmiel founded the Ohio Pawpaw Festival (Sept. 12 through 14 this year) in 1999 to educate the community about the tropical-tasting fruit, as well as sustainability
and agriculture. Now the ticketed event draws crowds each September to sample unique dishes featuring pawpaws. Cooking competitions are a favorite tradition. Anyone can submit pawpaw dishes in four categories, from sauces to desserts. There’s also an eating competition for those who want to see how
many pawpaws they can put away.
Each festival food vendor is required to serve at least two pawpaw-focused items, and beers made using the fruit will once again be among the offerings. Chmiel collaborates with local breweries when assembling each year’s beer menu.
“When we started selling pawpaw beers, that was a big game changer for us,” Chmiel says. “It made the festival a bit more festive.”
— Darcie Zudell
Lake Snowden, 5900 U.S. 50, Albany 45710, ohiopawpawfest.com
The bar at Good Company in Akron (above); the Strawberry Short Stack boozy milkshake (left); Good Company’s signature 72-hour wings with a sweet and spicy barbecue rub (below)
Stamp of Approval
High Bank Distillery’s post-office speakeasy in Westerville, P.O. Box Twenty One, delivers with an inviting space and excellent lineup of cocktails.
It seems like a perfect full-circle moment: Uptown Westerville, the birthplace of Prohibition, is now home to a speakeasy. In late 2024, High Bank Distillery opened its third restaurant in the former Westerville post office, adding a subterranean cocktail bar called P.O. Box Twenty One as a nod to the 21st Amendment.
Co-founder and head distiller Adam Hines says the speakeasy fits perfectly with High Bank Distillery’s flagship spirit: Whiskey War. Its name recalls the story of Henry Corbin, whose Westerville saloon was blown up twice in the decades before Prohibition. P.O. Box Twenty One is accessible by a stairwell at the rear of the restaurant, although Hines recommends entering through the narrow stairs off the back parking lot. Before entering the bar, visitors are met by a lobby designed exactly like a 1990s post office, complete with shipping supplies hanging from horizontal slats on the walls.
“It’s always funny that people think it’s actually the old post office,” Hines says. “They ask, ‘Did you keep it original downstairs?’ It hasn’t been a post office in decades.”
But once patrons step through the doors, the fluorescent lights fade away and visitors encounter a beautiful bar with cozy seating tucked into nooks and crannies. The
space is decorated with artwork from local antique shops. Hines says they found old prescriptions written for whiskey during Prohibition, as well as hundreds of postcards mailed in Ohio during that era.
The cocktail menu features more than a dozen choices, ranging from whiskey drinks to gin-based concoctions to tequila and mezcal options. The Corbin’s Old Fashioned is a classic version of the drink, using barrel-proof Whiskey War, brown sugar and bitters. The French Connection blends High Bank’s Statehouse Gin with pineapple, tamarind shrub and brut. The menu is rounded out by a small selection of beer and wine, snacks like a house-made Chex mix and a handsome list of whiskeys.
“My favorite cocktail by far is the Havana Cabana,” Hines says. “It uses our Cigar Cask whiskey and includes pineapple juice and mixes. I like spirit-forward drinks; Cigar Cask is barrel-strength. It has tropical flavors ... it almost turns into a tiki cocktail.”
— Nicholas Dekker
28 S. State St., Westerville 43081, 614/380-3130, poboxtwentyone.com
SEASON Splendor
Fall is the most beautiful time of year in Ohio, so we asked photographers across the state to share the stories behind some of their brilliant autumn images.
By Katie Hagen, Lucas Yang and Darcie Zudell
Lanterman’s Mill • Youngstown
While looking for waterfalls to shoot in early November 2019, Mentor native Erik Drost drove to Youngstown to check out Lanterman’s Mill at Mill Creek MetroParks for the first time. That’s when the magic happened. “I saw that light there from that angle,” Drost says, “the color of the leaves and color of the water.” To achieve the starburst effect in this photograph, Drost “stopped down” his camera’s lens, (a technique that involves letting less light into the lens) and took the photo over a 30-second period. The process had a unique effect on the mill’s falls, smoothing out its roaring waters into pale tendrils of movement. “It’s fun to go out and explore new areas around the state,” Drost says. “There’s a lot of beauty out there that maybe you’re not necessarily aware of.” 1001 Canfield Rd., Youngstown 44511; Instagram: @edrost88
Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum • Cincinnati
Each year when the leaves turn to warm autumn tones, photographer Jillian Leedy knows she can always rely on Cincinnati’s Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum for excellent fall color. “I’ve often been surprised and amazed at how many years I’ve been going there, and yet I always find something new to photograph,” she says. Her photographs capture the beauty that the historic garden cemetery provides, from the details on the headstones to the intricate mausoleum architecture, like this image that plays on the symmetry created by the reflection in the pond. Leedy says she often wanders the grounds of the cemetery in the fall, soaking up the tranquil scenery and taking photographs that often require little to no editing. For her, the aim is all about re-creating the splendor that the human eye takes in. 4521 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati 45232; Instagram: @jcleedy
Olde Town East
Home • Columbus
This Victorian-style home in Columbus’ Olde Town East neighborhood is a favorite each Halloween season, thanks to its delightfully spooky decor, including witches’ brooms and pumpkins, that pairs perfectly with the beauty of its architecture. “One of the best, most appealing parts of living in Ohio is the seasonal rituals that we go through; the festivals, how we celebrate the change of each season,” says photographer Arthur O’Leary, who took this photo. He made a spontaneous trip to this Columbus neighborhood east of downtown one morning when the low sun and sky were just right to capture the moodiness of the season. “I remember being a kid, and late in summer vacation, I would start to feel that crisp cool in the air and know that fall was coming,” O’Leary recalls. “[This photo] brings all that back. The emotion of … our favorite season here.” Olde Town East, Columbus 43205; Instagram: @arthurgphotography
Lookout Point
Marietta
Turning off state Route 676 from state Route 7 in Marietta, head to the top of Harmar Hill and you’ll find Lookout Point. This observation deck, complete with a viewfinder, offers a great perspective on the riverside town, as well as the fall color in the distance as the leaves begin to change. Photographer Bruce Wunderlich created this shot, captured in sharp focus from foreground to background. “I was hoping to show how colorful Marietta could be in the fall,” he says. This image shows buildings like the two-horned First Congregational Church (established by city founder Rufus Putnam) and the clock tower of the Washington County Courthouse framed by vibrant autumn foliage. The spot is one of Wunderlich’s favorites. “Any time of the year, that’s a really cool place to be in Marietta,” he says. 201 Bellevue St., Marietta 45750; Instagram: @bruce_wunderlich
Mohican Covered Bridge • Perrysville
On hiking trips as a child, landscape photographer Arthur O’Leary was fascinated by the gorges and tree roots around the Mohican Covered Bridge, a stark contrast from the flat farmland where he grew up in Galion. “I wanted to revisit a place that I remember from my childhood [that] I hadn’t seen as an adult and try to capture it,”
he says of this photo. On a sunny fall day in 2024, O’Leary headed down by the water under the bridge to rekindle some of that childhood awe. “It definitely was more expansive than I remember,” he says. The colors made the biggest impression on him, with the earth tones of the wooden bridge blending into the orange and red of the leaves. “It’s something I seek out a lot,” O’Leary says. “It’s kind of a lost art.” Park Road, Perrysville 44864; Instagram: @arthurgphotography
Canal Locks Trail • Maumee
On a balmy October evening, Matt Hoffman took his wife to Side Cut Metropark in Maumee for the first time, just after rain had passed through the forests. The two were strolling along the Canal Locks Trail when Hoffman was struck by the atmosphere and wanted to capture it. “The temperature difference between the air and the water made some
mist in the air, [and] the sun shining through just made that ethereal effect,” Hoffman recalls. Using an iPhone camera, Hoffman captured a blend of contrasts: golden hour light, blurred water, the hard stones of the canal lock and a hint of autumn color. The park is one of Hoffman’s go-to spots to photograph and explore. “Just go there,” Hoffman says. “It’s definitely one of my favorite parks in Ohio. The hiking there is very easy and accessible. There’s a lot of wildlife.” Side Cut Metropark: 1025 W. River Rd., Maumee 43537; Instagram: @mhoffmanphoto
Sugarcreek MetroPark • Bellbrook
The Osage Orange Tree Tunnel at Sugarcreek MetroPark in Bellbrook once served as a natural fence line for livestock. Now, it’s a glorious arch that stands over the 1.3-mile Orange Trail. In 2020, photographer Matthew Kirby and his family visited the park frequently, exploring its trails to spend some time outdoors. This specific photo was shot during a solo hike Kirby took with the intent to snap photos of a perfectly crisp autumn day. As he was readying his shot, two people walked by, creating a focal point for the photo. Kirby says he likes to include people in his nature shots to show the scale of the scenery. “I like how the people walking through it were framed by the tree tunnel arching over them,” Kirby says. “It really draws the eye and captures people enjoying that trail.” 4178 Conference Rd., Bellbrook 45305; Instagram: @kirbymatt1
Rockstall Nature
Preserve • Logan
For photographer Matt Shiffler, southeast Ohio is a goldmine of hidden finds, from nature preserves to sanctuaries. When he isn’t working on client photography projects, he’s stopping at locations on his list of places to hike and take photos, which led him to Rockstall Nature Preserve in Logan for the first time in 2024. Shiffler explored the preserve’s 1.1-mile loop trail, where he found a small stream coming from a waterfall. If he would have gone during the warmer and drier months of summer, he might not have caught the stream or the cascade rushing to meet it. The beauty of the scene surrounded by the colors of the changing seasons drew him in. “There’s just something about the pop of color and the reds, oranges and yellows all colliding together,” he says. “It just makes life even more special.” 29886 Rock Stull Rd., Logan 43138; Instagram: @mattshifflerphoto
Middlegrounds Metropark
• Toledo
Photographer Doug Hinebaugh is a frequent visitor to Toledo’s Middlegrounds Metropark. “Every year, the Metroparks task me with getting a bunch of fall colors,” he says, adding that the role allows him to use his drone for shots like this one. (Use of drones in Toledo Metroparks is prohibited.) Capturing the park’s winding path and circular shape from above offers a fresh point of view and contextualizes other landmarks visible in the photo. “I will drive around and check all of these places out, and then I just keep mental notes and keep visiting,” Hinebaugh says. “I do this every day until I find everything in peak. I’ll see what the sun looks like, what the clouds give me … and then I’ll go at it or put it off to another day.” 111 Ottawa St., Toledo 43604; Instagram: @thedougiefresh
Lake Hope State Park • McArthur
Lake Hope State Park holds a sentimental place in photographer Gabe Leidy’s heart. As a kid, he would often visit this southeast Ohio park with his family, and now as an adult, he takes his wife and friends whenever he gets the chance. The morning that he took this photo, Leidy left his rental cabin for a solo, 8-mile hike around Lake Hope where, about halfway through, he was taken with the fall leaves and trees reflecting perfectly on the water. Leidy created this shot just as clouds passed overhead before disappearing out of view. “I liked how the sky and the water mirrored, and the fact that it represented a place that was close to my heart,” Leidy says. “I was excited to portray that place in a way that I thought gave the park its due respect.” 27331 St. Rte. 278, McArthur 45651; Instagram: @gabe_leidyphoto
Indian Mound Reserve • Cedarville
When capturing the spontaneity of nature and its beauty, photographer Matthew Kirby likes to have a plan. One morning in 2024, he woke up before sunrise and drove to Indian Mound Reserve in Cedarville, aiming to capture a photo of Cedar Cliff Falls with the sun halfway risen. Kirby often uses photography-planning apps like PhotoPills to figure out where the sun will be for his shots, but because he had been to Indian Mound Reserve more than 20 times, he knew what he wanted. He just needed to be there at the perfect time. “The sun kind of popped through, getting that sunburst, and I liked how the light was hitting everything,” Kirby says. “The second I saw the preview, I was like, ‘That’s it.’ That’s exactly what I had envisioned in my head.” 2750 U.S. Rte. 42 E., Cedarville 45314; Instagram: @kirbymatt1
Henry Church Jr. Rock • Bentleyville
Blacksmith and artist Henry Church Jr. created this 19th-century rock carving in what is now the Cleveland Metroparks’ South Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby Hills. In this photograph, the intricate design on the rock is encircled by golden leaves that seem to glow in the autumn sunshine, and it’s exactly that striking sight that stopped photographer Mady Stoner. It had been a goal of hers to create an image of the carving during peak fall color. She took notice of the golden sunshine and angled her lens in such a way to backlight the intricate design in the rock. “One of the joys that I have when I’m photographing around Ohio is capturing these places in every season,” Stoner says. “I love coming back and seeing how different the landscape is and how everything has changed.” Henry Church Jr. Rock Picnic Area: Hawthorn Parkway, Bentleyville 44022; Instagram: @wanderlustinohio
OF INFLUENCE
Rod Serling created “The Twilight Zone” after spending time in Ohio writing radio and television dramas. These programs helped shape his penchant for drawing on themes of human nature, morality and society’s deepest anxieties.
Story
by Vince Guerrieri | Illustration by Ridge Rooms
In the fall of 1962, Jeanne Marshall was one of 20 students in a seminar titled “Drama in the Mass Media” at Antioch College in Yellow Springs. Although she was a published writer with clips in the Dayton Daily News and the Beavercreek News, she told the instructor, himself an Antioch alumnus, that she was a rank amateur.
“Jeanne, we are all rank amateurs,” the instructor replied. “Every one of us here. We may rise to professional status for a week or two, but we’re right back to being rank amateurs the next week.”
It was a bold statement considering the source: Rodman Edward Serling, who, at the time, was one of the most famous men in television.
Serling was the creator of the anthology series “The Twilight Zone,” which was on the verge of cancellation when he opted to come back to his alma mater as a writer in residence. (Indeed, like another 1960s show with science fiction and social justice themes, “Star Trek,” “The Twilight Zone” struggled with ratings during its five-year run from 1959 to 1964.)
Serling, the show’s executive producer, narrator and writer, returned to his alma mater for respite, saying, “This will give me a chance to relax and inhale a little bit.” But it was also a return to where it all began.
Rod Serling became a pop culture icon for his involvement with “The Twilight Zone,” which remains his most notable work 60 years after it went off the air. But before that show and following it, he was a prolific writer of scripts for radio, television and the movies.
His writing career started with his time at Antioch College, and his first stop — prior to New York, which was the center of television broadcasting in the 1950s before Hollywood supplanted it in the 1960s — was Cincinnati. There, Serling honed his craft as a writer for local TV and radio projects and started to sell scripts that led him to his place in television history.
“Without Cincinnati, you don’t get to the next level of Rod,” said TV critic Mark Dawidziak, whose books include one titled Everything I Need to Know, I Learned in the Twilight Zone. “Cincinnati is the door that leads to everything else.”
Rod Serling was born on Christmas Day, 1924, in Syracuse, New York, and grew up in nearby Binghamton. He applied and was accepted to Antioch College (the alma mater of his older brother Robert, who would himself go on to have a successful writing career as a journalist and novelist) but joined the Army the day after he graduated high school in 1943.
Serling’s experiences with the 511th Parachute Infantry in the South Pacific were harrowing and no doubt influenced his writing. In fact, Serling used World War II, or war in general, as the setting for multiple works, including several episodes of “The Twilight Zone.”
Following the end of the war, Serling returned to the United States and, using his GI Bill benefits, enrolled at Antioch College in Yellow Springs. Among his contemporaries, there was an Alabama native named Coretta Scott, who transferred from Antioch to the New England Conservatory of Music. While there, she met and married a systematic theology student at nearby Boston University: Martin Luther King Jr. Serling, a sports fan and amateur athlete who boxed in the Army, switched his major to physical education because he liked working with kids. But he found that writing served as a tool to deal with his traumatic experiences at war. He was spurred on with the support of Carolyn Kramer, a student he had met at Antioch. Kramer, a Columbus native, was the granddaughter of Ohio State University’s first president. She and Serling married in 1948 at the First Unitarian Church of Columbus.
“I owe a lot to Antioch,” Serling recalled to the Dayton Daily News in 1956.
Rod Serling wearing an Antioch College sweatshirt; with Bob Huber at WKRC (opposite page)
By then, Serling was already forming his writing career. In March 1948, Antioch’s literary magazine published “The Good Right Hand,” a story about a boxer facing an existential crisis after his career ends due to injury. Serling was also branching out into performing, with early cast experiences including a radio production of O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi” in Springfield. (Serling’s work really does seem to be the spiritual heir to O. Henry, another writer with a prolific output of stories that featured twist endings.)
While a student, he also worked briefly at a Marion radio station — very briefly. Serling said in an interview years later that he was fired for badmouthing Marion native and 29th U.S. President Warren G. Harding in front of the station’s owner.
In 1949, a Serling-penned script was used for an episode of “Dr. Christian,” a long-running radio program. He also sold a script for “Grand Central Station,” another radio show. But by then, a new medium was taking hold.
Radio networks had started experimenting with a new technology called television in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that the medium really took off. In 1950, it was estimated that 9 percent of households had a television. A decade later, it was 90 percent.
It was an experimental era for television. It was almost entirely live, which means, sadly, much of the programming of those days has been lost to history. In addition to series with regular characters, there were anthology series, presenting self-contained programs of an hour or longer (One of the most popular of these, “Playhouse 90,” was so called because episodes were 90 minutes.)
Even local TV stations were producing their own programming. WKRC in Cincinnati started its own show, “The Storm,” and on July 10, 1951, it aired an episode called “Keeper of the Chair,” tackling the morality of capital punishment. It was Rod Serling’s first TV credit.
Serling had arrived in Cincinnati following his graduation from Antioch to work for WLW, a local radio station (at one point, one of the farthest reaching in the country). The station provided him opportunities to write for the air, but it was mostly lighter fare, not the dramas he wanted to tackle. He quit within a couple years to write freelance full time. He found a willing audience with “The Storm,” which at one point tried to package the show for national airing.
Only one of Serling’s episodes of “The Storm” has survived: “No Gods To Serve,” a story of troops during the Korean War. (It’s available to view for free on YouTube.)
On Jan. 12, 1955, Kraft Television Theatre, an NBC anthology series, aired a program called “Patterns,” about ambition and back-room machinations at a corporation. (A year later, it was remade for the movies.) Serling wrote the teleplay and suddenly became a hot commodity. Charlton Wallace of the Cincinnati Times-Star referred to Serling as “Cincinnati’s one-man script factory.” In fact, during a sixday period in November 1955, no fewer than three Serling scripts could be seen on television.
In 1956, “Requiem for a Heavyweight” premiered on “Playhouse 90.” (It, too, would become a movie.) The production took elements from “The Twilight Rounds,” one of Serling’s scripts for “The Storm,” as well as “The Good Right Hand,” the story Serling wrote for the Antioch literary magazine. By then, Serling had left southwestern Ohio for Connecticut, so he could be close to New York City, the center of television broadcasting at the time.
On November 24, 1958, three days before Thanksgiving, Desilu Playhouse aired “The Time Element.” Another Serling script, it was recycled from use on “The Storm.” William Bendix plays a psychiatric patient, telling his therapist (Martin Balsam) about recurring dreams of being at Pearl Harbor.
It’s regarded as an unofficial pilot episode for “The Twilight Zone.”
Although his travels took him to New York and then to Hollywood, Serling didn’t stay away from Ohio. He regularly returned to his alma mater and was an in-demand speaker. While at Antioch, he hosted a late-night movie on WBNS in Columbus as well. He never equaled the success of “The Twilight Zone,” but he continued to write, with movie credits that included “Seven Days in May,” “Planet of the Apes” and “The Man,” a 1972 movie where James Earl Jones portrayed the first Black president. His most notable television work after “The Twilight Zone” was “Night Gallery.” Like his previous show, he wrote some of the scripts and introduced the episodes. Serling died June 28, 1975, at the age of 50. A threeto-four-pack-a-day smoker — he could be glimpsed with a lit cigarette during his introductions of “The Twilight Zone” and did ads for Chesterfield cigarettes — Serling had two heart attacks the previous month. He underwent open-heart surgery on June 26 and had a third heart attack while on the operating table, dying two days later.
Since then, he’s been heralded for his work. In 2009, a postage stamp was unveiled in Beavercreek that commemorated Serling. In 2024, his hometown of Binghamton dedicated a statue in his honor, and Yellow Springs, where Antioch College is located, has plans to unveil a historical marker during its film festival there in October 2025.
And of course, his work lives on. “The Twilight Zone” has become one of the seminal works of television, a regular staple on cable and streaming services. A movie was made in 1983 that featured segments heavily influenced by, if not outright remakes of, episodes from the 1960s written by Serling himself. A revival of the television series followed in 1985, and the show returned twice more in the 21st century: for a season in 2002, hosted by Forest Whitaker, and for 20 more episodes on streaming in 2019, hosted by Jordan Peele.
“I just want them to remember me a hundred years from now,” Serling said less than four months before his death in what turned out to be his final interview.
“I don’t care that they’re not able to quote any single line that I’ve written. But just that they can say, ‘Oh, he was a writer.’ That’s sufficiently an honored position for me.”
Artist Mike Egan’s bold paintings fuse skater-punk energy with religious symbolism, a mashup that has garnered him the attention of galleries in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago and New York.
Mike Egan, a funeral director turned artist, has amassed a following in Ohio and beyond. We visited his Youngstown studio to learn why he creates vivid, colorful paintings about death and dying.
Story by James Bigley II
Photography by Ken Blaze
In the back of Mike Egan’s studio, a single word hangs over his head in bold, black lettering: DEATH.
The message might seem ominous to anyone unfamiliar with his work, but for the Youngstown-based artist, it’s a constant reminder of what’s at stake.
“It helps me remember that death is going to come one day,” Egan says. “I want to keep doing what I love while I’m living.”
At 48, Egan is obsessed with the macabre. Each canvas that hangs in his studio holds a variety of painted skulls. Some are cracked, white and grinning. Others are brilliant and blue, their hollow eyes filled with the golden No. 7. The number is symbolic, not for its role in divinity, but for the year of his birth, 1977.
“Filling in their eyes makes them look more alive, rather than just leaving a dead, black space,” he says. “I always liked the idea of busyness in my work. I want your eyes to dart all over the piece.”
His paintings capture skeletons, devils, roaring tigers and black cats in a flash-tattoo style. Each creation rages with bold lines, saturated color and a skater-punk aesthetic ripe with religious iconography. It’s this convergence of vibrant life and mesmerizing death that has given him national attention in galleries across Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago and New York.
“Dying is a heavy topic,” Egan admits. “I think what I’m trying to do with my art is paint a picture that isn’t so dark and heavy. I feel like my paintings can be much more of a celebration of life instead of cheering on the death of human beings.”
As an example, he points to the custom poster he made in 2022 for a Pearl Jam concert in Louisville, Kentucky. The band’s merch person sought him out after seeing his work on social media. For that piece, Egan created a blue skeleton gripping a pipe between its teeth. A red Sacred Heart of Jesus glowed from its chest. Six
other yellow skulls with crosses in their eyes sprouted around it like dead flowers.
“They paid me with 100 posters I could turn around and sell myself,” Egan says. “They sold in about 30 seconds.”
As a kid born and raised in Pittsburgh, Egan was surrounded by crayons and coloring books. He’d sometimes trace over cartoons in newspapers, comics and magazines. Some of his favorite creations were made by painting shapes on paper and then folding it to create perfect mirror images, an aesthetic that remains in his work today.
After high school, he got his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Edinboro University with a focus on printmaking. There, he drew inspiration from the raw, human suffering of German expressionists like Kathe Kollwitz and the festive woodcuts of Jose Guadalupe Posada’s decorative calaveras. But Egan lost the tools to continue printmaking when he returned home to Pittsburgh after graduating in 2000. So, he pivoted to painting instead and began searching for fulltime work.
His first real job was working as an aircraft detailer at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Two hours into his first day of training on Sept. 11, 2001, the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Shortly thereafter, he was let go.
“It felt very scary,” Egan says. “It made me feel like nothing was safe or secure.”
Desperate to find a more permanent position, Egan turned to funeral directing and embalming. He saw this sharp left turn into the deathcare industry as a low-risk investment where he would never be faced with a shortage of work. Plus, he had a penchant for darker source material, and it only required one year of mortuary school.
“I think I always had it in my head that no matter what I did next, I would use it as a step-
“It helps me remember that death is going to come one day,” artist Mike Egan says of the word “death” written in big black letters on the wall of his Youngstown studio. “I want to keep doing what I love while I’m living.”
ping stone for my art,” Egan says. “I fully jumped into it not knowing anything about the business.”
Two weeks after starting school, he moved into the third floor of a funeral home with four other students. Together, they learned how to remove bodies from homes, embalm and assist with restorations, and dress the deceased for funerals. The first body he cared for had been autopsied.
“He had the Y-incision on his chest that went down to his belly button,” says Egan, his voice softening. “His guts were in a biohazard bag. His head, chest and belly were all flapped open. They looked at me and asked, ‘Are you OK with this?’ And I said, ‘Yep. I’m good.’”
After mortuary school and a one-year
internship at Fox Funeral Home in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Egan snagged a job as an embalmer at Bean Funeral Home in Reading, Pennsylvania, about 260 miles east of his hometown. For two years, he worked every weekend, from 9 a.m. Friday through 5 p.m. Monday. He estimates during that time he laid to rest about 1,000 bodies.
“I grew to hate it because I felt like I was married to that job,” Egan says. “I was on call 24 hours a day, four days a week, and I didn’t really feel like I had a life outside of work.”
Between funerals, he poured himself into his paintings. His earliest works were much more in line with the neo-expressionism of Jean-Michel Basquiat: entangled, crude and twisted with muted colors, bold linework and red curtains of running paint.
One of these early works has a few skulls, their eyes like black pits, floating around a somber man in what looks like a red puffy jacket. Blocked lettering on the print reads: WE BLEED BLACK BLOOD.
“I was very much trying to do that sloppy, almost childlike line work that Basquiat was doing,” Egan says of the painting. “But as I’ve learned as an artist, you can’t really force those things. That was natural for him to do and it worked for him, but I was starting to develop something.”
He continued to pair his profound respect for the dead with his earlier printmaking in-
spiration to deliver cleaner lines with brighter colors. As he created more and more of his work, he started sharing it online. A friend took notice and asked if he was interested in showing some of his art at a small gallery in Pittsburgh in 2006. Egan sold three of his paintings on opening night.
“All these other people from other cities started seeing the work from social media,” Egan says. “A woman in Portland, Oregon, wanted me to do a show up there; a gallery in Lancaster wanted me to do a show out there. It just kept growing and growing.”
It was enough for Egan to leave the funeral business behind forever and carry it forward in his art.
Back in the studio, Egan stands in front of a desk where he keeps an assortment of crosses, candles and knickknacks engraved with Catholic saints. Beside them, he’s got a bag of 100 paper templates he uses to perfectly recreate the skulls, cats and other creatures in his work.
“I trace these and then sketch everything else out onto canvas or wood panels before I paint them,” he says. “If I don’t like what I paint, I paint over it again. Sometimes, I take sandpaper through it and pull up some of the older designs.”
Egan’s studio is full of works that showcase his style (above). He works the number 1977 into some pieces in honor of his birth year (below). His art even adorns a guitar effects pedal (bottom).
AMISH COUNTRY
These retail shops across the countryside offer a mix of authentic Amish-made fare, modern clothing and unique gift ideas. By Katie Hagen and Darcie Zudell
Stay. Dine. Shop. Relax.
• Cultural Experiences
• Scenic Beauty
• Delicious Local Cuisine
• Handcrafted Goods and Shopping
Love for chocolate spans generations. Discover decadence at Coblentz Chocolate Company. A country setting with a friendly family atmosphere.
Where the cheese is made.
AMISH COUNTRY
Pies and other sweet fall flavors from Amish Country are surely one of the reasons that travelers visit Holmes, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties as summer turns to autumn. These locally loved shops are another one, thanks to their mix of Amish-made goods, stylish boutiques, vintage finds and handcrafted gifts. From the iconic Lehman’s in Kidron, known for its nonelectric goods, to the chic, modern flair of bfearless. in Walnut Creek. This roundup of standout shops across Berlin, Walnut Creek and beyond will inspire your next shopping trip to this charming rural area of Ohio.
Lehman’s • Kidron Lehman’s has sold items that don’t require electricity since the late Jay Lehman opened the place in 1955 to serve members of the local Amish community who sought appliances and oil lamps. The store has kept those products over the years and still serves the Amish community, but it’s also grown into a destination for home-
steaders, as well as those simply looking for gifts like Amish-made baskets, toys for kids, handmade stoneware and locally crafted soaps. What started as a general store has expanded far beyond its original footprint to cover 40,000 square feet, providing a fun and insightful shopping experience. 4779 Kidron Rd., Dalton 44618 (GPS directions), 800/438-5346, lehmans.com
Journey in Time • Orrville
Covering 25,000 square feet, Journey in Time in Orrville goes beyond the typical antique mall. Finds range from furniture and home decor to garden items, candles and gifts, with the store sprinkling in unique and modern items to create an eclectic mix of both old and new. Owner René Mack opened the store in 2014 as a small portion
Lehman’s stocks handmade stoneware (above). Journey in Time offers home decor and antiques (above and right).
Other Side of Amish Country!
Ohio Star Theater Presents: The Road to Damascus Through October
Tuscarawas Valley Farmers Market: Wednesdays through October
Tuscarawas County Fair
September 15 - 21
Civil War Reenactment at Zoar
Village
September 20 - 21
Ohio Swiss Festival at Sugarcreek
September 25 - 27
Fall Steam Festival at the Age of Steam Roundhouse
September 26 - 27
Atwood Lake Fall Festival
October 3 - 5
Trumpet in the Land Fall Production
Norma Johnson Center Fall Festival
October 4
Ghost Tours at Zoar Village Weekends Beginning
October 10
Art on the Alley
October 12
Ghost Tours at the Reeves Museum
October 17 - 18
AMISH COUNTRY
of a larger storefront on Wadsworth Road, but today, Journey in Time has the space to create inviting seasonal vignettes that show customers how the items it stocks can be used. Whether it’s a fully set kitchen table or a group of chairs arranged for a summer party, the approach helps shoppers imagine the items in their own space. 1314 Wadsworth Rd., Orrville 44667, 330/464-0099, facebook.com/journeyintime
Blue Spruce Boutique • Wooster
In 2016, mother-daughter duo Michelle Ventling and Kinsey Workman combined forces to open Blue Spruce Boutique, a lifestyle shop in downtown Wooster that offers artfully curated products ranging from clothing and stationery to kitchen items and children’s gifts. “I love merchandising and telling a story through that. That is a true passion of mine,” Workman says. “We wanted to create that calm experience and environment when [people] walk in the store.” Situated on East Liberty Street, Blue Spruce Boutique stocks hats that lets locals show their Wooster pride
and other Ohio-themed clothing. You’ll find a little bit of everything here, though, which makes it perfect for gift-giving inspiration. 116 E. Liberty St., Wooster 44691, 330/6010100, bluespruce.boutique
Andrea’s Schnuck Store • Berlin
Named after the Pennsylvania Dutch word meaning “cute” or “adorable,” Andrea’s Schnuck Store has been in Berlin since 1997. Owner Andrea Mast’s grandparents owned an Amish bakery, and she would spend summers there. That inspired her passion for launching a business of her own. “Probably one of the biggest compliments as a business owner is having someone purchase something and then be a returning customer,” she says. Over the years, the shop has evolved into a boutique known for its relaxed atmosphere and assortment of unique garden items, including garden flags, as well as women’s fashion, accessories, personal care items and in-house-printed graphic T-shirts. 4892 W. Main St., Berlin 44610, 330/8934135, andreasschnuckstore.com
BLUE SPRUCE BOUTIQUE
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FLANNEL-Y
AMISH COUNTRY
Sheiyah
Market • Berlin
It’s impossible to miss Sheiyah Market with its enormous red barn along state Route 39 in Berlin. The 55,000-square-foot shopping destination spans four retail attractions and one cafe, offering gifts, furniture, garden supplies, stylish clothing and delicious coffee. Originally home of the Village Gift Barn,
which opened in 2000, Sheiyah Market as it exists today launched in 2020. Stylized vignettes help shoppers picture items in their own homes, and Sheiyah Market’s broad
selection ranges from toddler toys to teen gifts. The Sheiyah Style Boutique carries casual-chic clothing and name brands, while Country Gatherings stocks vintage and
modern farmhouse decor. The Gardens offer a lush indoor garden center filled with plants, pottery, outdoor decor and charming floral accessories. (Outside the greenhouse, you’ll also find a wide range of plants.) Finally, relax in the indoor and outdoor central pavilion while sipping fresh coffee from Buggy Brew Coffee Co. 4755 St. Rte. 39, Berlin 44610, 330/893-2648, sheiyahmarket.com
Carlisle Gifts & Dutch Valley Gifts • Walnut Creek & Sugarcreek
With locations in Holmes and Tuscarawas counties — Carlisle Gifts in Walnut Creek and Dutch Valley Gifts in Sugarcreek — these gift shops owned by the company behind Der Dutchman restaurants feature boutique items and Amish-made goods. Customers can browse rooms of home decor, apparel and children’s gift ideas, and the shops have a longstanding tradition of free gift wrapping for items purchased there. The Sugarcreek location is housed on the Dutch Valley campus, where you’ll also find Dutch Valley Restaurant, Carlisle Inn Sugarcreek and the Ohio Star Theater. The
The Gardens at Sheiyah Market (opposite page) is just one of four retail experiences on-site. Carlisle Gifts (above) is across the street from Der Dutchman’s Walnut Creek restaurant.
years of selling history
AMISH COUNTRY
bfearless. • Walnut Creek
This women’s clothing boutique in Walnut Creek encourages shoppers to be confident in themselves and their personal styles. The bfearless. experience offers a welcoming environment, including dressing rooms with cozy cushions and sleek marble floors, as
Into Amish Country
Apple butter on warm, fresh dinner rolls. Shopping for handcrafted gifts. Enjoying delightful fall colors.
well as inclusive sizing. “We want [customers] to feel important and be inspired by what they see and gain more confidence in who they are and how they want to dress,”
owner Tonya Schlabach says. The boutique’s inventory is trendy, clean-cut and modern, and the store carries a large selec-
tion of notable brands such as Birkenstock and Crocs. The decor shop, bfearless. At Home, is located next door, and a courtyard connecting the two offers a community space with fire pits and a putting green. 3147 St. Rte. 39, Millersburg 44654, 330/893-9201, b-fearless.com
Photo by Doyle Yoder
Photo by Doyle Yoder
Der Dutchman Berlin Farmstead Dutch Valley
Restaurants, Shops, Inns, & Theater
GROVE CITY
From a pizza trek and wing festival to an expansive paintball park and historic gardens, this Columbus suburb offers a variety of adventures. By Lucas Yang
GARDENS AT GANTZ FARM
GROVE CITY
Food Finds
Since 2019, Grove City’s Pizza Trek has invited visitors to take a delectable journey to seven local restaurants, and this year is no different. By spending $5 and scanning a QR code at six or more participating locations through the end of December 2025, participants can earn a free T-shirt featuring the trek’s logo. Tammy’s Pizza, a local favorite since 1999, has been involved since the Pizza Trek’s inception.
“[People] just coming in and being excited to try a new pizza or a new place, you know. That’s the best thing ever,” says Tyler Walker, co-owner of Tammy’s Pizza.
Pizza fanatics can sample fan favorites like The Works or Tammy’s Porker, a hearty combo of pepperoni, ham, sausage and bacon made with many locally sourced ingredients. Co-owner Heidi Walker fondly remembers “Good Day Columbus” host Cameron Fontana making the trek and inspiring viewers from across the region to visit.
“They’re coming [from] all over,” she says, “We have people coming from Lancaster and Pickerington and Reynoldsburg and Delaware.”
Other Grove City food happenings include the Smokin’ Hot Wing & Music Fest, set for Oct. 4 on the grounds of lab-glove manufacturer American Nitrile. Attendees can sample entries from a 20-team wing cook-off, enter wing-eating and wing-bob-
bing contests, check out beer trucks, enjoy live music or visit the kids entrepreneur marketplace at this family-friendly event.
Pick’em Up Joe Coffee Co. is one of the newest members of the Grove City food scene, with a new location at the Grove City Business Center. The shop’s desserts span kolaches, affogatos and cinnamon rolls, while a special brewing process gives the shop’s coffee a unique punch.
Whit’s Frozen Custard, a popular Ohio-based chain, brings its classic menu to a location that opened during summer 2025 in the historic building at the corner of Columbus Street and Broadway in Grove City.
SIDE QUESTS
Check out these experiences based around history and art during your visit to Grove City.
History Tours
Dig into Grove City’s past by taking one of four tours offered by the Southwest Franklin County Historical Society. Get a glimpse of American settler life at Century Village, which spans a general store, a train depot and even a red brick schoolhouse built in the 1870s. (A furnished home, blacksmith shop, windmill, granary and two barns complete the reconstructed village.)
Other options include guided tours of the historic Grant-Saywer house, the Grove City Welcome Center & Museum and a walking tour of Grove City Town Center. For more information on tours, visit swfchs.org.
Art Adventure
Tap into the city’s creative side with the ArtVenture walking tour, which guides visitors through Grove City’s extensive collection of public art, including the stained-glass ceiling at the town center gazebo as well as one of the largest 3D stereo paintings in the world. See sculptures of racehorses erupting from the starting gate near what was once Beulah Park, which commemorates the property’s thoroughbred horse-racing history. Plus, vivid murals and memorials scattered across the walls of buildings in downtown Grove City capture snapshots of the city’s past, like its heyday as a hub for greyhound racing in the 1920s. For more information, go to visitgrovecity.com.
Sample slices on the Pizza Trek (above). The Smokin’ Hot Wing & Music Fest is Oct. 4 (below).
GROVE CITY
Fun & Games
There’s something for every member of the family at Putt N Play, which spans an 18hole miniature golf course, four batting cages and a versatile party room. Its newest addition, Barb & Roy’s Ice Cream, continues the fun, and pays homage to owner Crisha House’s grandparents while serving 16 delicious flavors of hand-dipped ice cream.
“I remember going to my grandma and grandpa’s house and [using] the old-style [ice cream] churn,” House says. “It was something that we loved doing with them and they loved doing for us.”
Putt N Play accepts walk-ins for miniature golf but recommends reserving batting cages for larger groups. For special occasions, choose from party packages that include activity rentals and classic eats like pizza, jumbo hot dogs and fries.
“You’ve got the music playing, you have the sound of the fountains ...” House says. “We want you to step in the door and feel like you’re somewhere else.”
Golfers can perfect their swing at Bogey’s Indoor Golf, offering four PGA-level Trackman simulators with more than 400 worldwide courses to choose from, as well as private instruction in the winter. Open yearround, the facility welcomes all ages and offers special games for younger golfers. Visitors can enjoy drinks on-site and food, too, thanks to a partnership with the local Flyers Pizza.
Families can follow the clues to make their escape at Conundrum Rooms, which started as an extension of owner Mike Strawser’s existing candy shop. It’s since expanded into four immersive escape rooms, varying in theme from an auction-house robbery to alien-invasion jailbreak.
For a unique night out, try axe-throwing at Dueling Axes, which opened in the for-
HERITAGE CYCLES
mer Grove City Lanes building on Broadway in July 2025. Comfortable seating, a selection of small plates and cocktails create an inviting lounge atmosphere to take aim and hit the bullseye.
Outdoor Adventures
A 36-acre property, year-round availability and a variety of customizable options make LVL Up Sports one of Ohio’s premier paintball destinations. Choose from 10 unique battlegrounds, including a military-themed map dotted with authentic surplus vehicles and a close-range tiki map filled with stone heads and wooden structures. There are four different skill levels to choose from for either public games or private sessions that can accommodate up to 200 players.
“If you book a team-building outing with us, your staff’s never going to forget it,” says Dave Pando, founder of LVL Up Sports. “You might have somebody from HR team up with an engineer, and next thing you know, they’re bunkered down together, and they end up winning a game.”
For a quieter taste of the outdoors, the Gardens at Gantz Farm encompasses 28 sprawling acres of herbs, native plant species and wildlife. This educational garden complex was once home to the Gantz family, who lived there beginning in 1832, and features three main sections representing gardening trends of the past, present and future next to a concentric labyrinth.
Open daily from dawn to dusk, the Gardens at Gantz Farm’s herbal aromas and meandering pathways make it a perfect spot for picnicking, walking dogs or curling up with a good book from the onsite Little Free Library.
Those who hope to explore the area from behind handlebars should stop by Heritage Cycles. The shop offers new and used bikes, accessories and repairs. Bike rentals can also be arranged in advance. Co-owner Josh Stamper has even ridden with customers to help them feel comfortable. Heritage Cycles is a great starting point for bicycle adventures, whether one wants to pedal over to the city’s historic Century Village or hit the 2-mile multipurpose trail that passes through Scioto Grove Metro Park.
WHEN YOU GO
For more information about these and other destinations, go to visitgrovecity.com.
FOOD
FINDS
Pick’em Up Joe Coffee Co. pickemupjoe.com
Pizza Trek visitgrovecity.com/play/ treks/pizza
Smokin’ Hot Wing & Music Fest americannitrile.com/ wingfest
Whit’s Frozen Custard whitscustard.com
FUN & GAMES
Bogey’s Indoor Golf bogeysgrovecity.com
Conundrum Rooms conundrumrooms.com
Dueling Axes theduelingaxes.com
Putt N Play puttnplayfuncenter.com
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Gardens at Gantz Farm gantzgardens.com
LVL Up Sports lvlupsports.com
Heritage Cycles
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Fall for Ohio Wines
BY MEGHAN MEANS | Spending
time outdoors can enhance the wine-tasting experience. One of the best ways to welcome in fall is to enjoy the changing color of the leaves at one of Ohio’s wineries.
Take in the crisp fall weather in Vermilion at Paper Moon Vineyards, a family-owned winery nestled along the coast of Lake Erie. Grab a glass of their crisp cold hard apple cider, pressed with apples from local orchards, or a blackberry Sangria and take a seat on the outdoor patio. The outdoor firepit will add a lovely ambiance to your autumn evening.
The Lumberyard Winery & Supply sits along the Maumee River in Napoleon. Sit under their outdoor covered patio next to a fire pit with a glass of a Rausch White Moscato. Pair it with one of their delicious desserts, a S’mores blend of chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows on a flatbread crust. Take in the gorgeous sunsets and the gently rolling hills at Na Zdravie Vineyard and Winery in Kingston.
Stroll along a pathway with a glass of their Seyval Blanc, then stop inside to take in the scenic views and enjoy a fresh slice of woodfired pizza or a grilled BLT panini.
As the leaves turn gorgeous autumnal colors, one of the best places to visit is the Wellstone Winery in Freeport. Sit under their open terrace or around their fire patio with a glass of Pinot Noir.
The Winery at Wolf Creek in Barberton hosts many opportunities to spend time outdoors, such as cornhole and visiting their friendly goats. Walk down to a lovely waterfront of the Barberton Reservoir with a glass of their Chardonnay. Or sit at one of their outdoor picnic tables with a glass of semi-sweet white wine Traminette.
The Winery at Wolf Creek
The Lumberyard Winery & Supply
WINERIES
These Ohio winemakers embrace the harvest season with great wines, comforting bites and the sort of seasonal charm that’ll have you ready for sweater weather.
By Christine Schaffran
THE SKELETON ROOT, CINCINNATI
KNOX COUNTY
Enter
and a $50 gift card to Craftsman Kitchen & Terrace. Located just 20 minutes east of Columbus, Cherry Valley Hotel offers a full-service restaurant and bar for your culinary delights. This relaxing retreat features spacious guestrooms and over 50,000 square feet of event space — perfect for memorable getaways, gatherings and more.
Enter to win a romantic getaway in Mount Vernon! Enjoy a luxurious overnight stay in a king suite at the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel, cocktails and dinner with a gift card to the Alcove Restaurant and Lounge, and tickets to a show at one of the city’s historic theaters, courtesy of Mount Vernon Arts Partners. Complete your getaway with a shopping spree using an Experience Mount Vernon downtown e-gift card. Enter for your chance to win this unforgettable experience.
AMISH COUNTRY SHOPPING SHOWCASE
Enter for your chance to win gift cards to seven beloved businesses in Ohio’s Amish Country. From handcrafted goods to mouthwatering meals, each prize offers a unique taste of tradition and charm. Whether you’re shopping, dining or exploring, these gift cards help bring the heart of Amish Country to you. Don’t miss this opportunity to savor the flavor and support local treasures. Enter today and experience the magic firsthand.
Ohio Amish County | Holmes County Chamber & Tourism Bureau
Paintsville Tourism
Ross Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau
Shores & Islands Ohio 46. Sidney Visitors Bureau 47. StayInAkron.com
48. The Scioto Society - Tecumseh
49. Travel Butler County, OH
50. Trumbull County Tourism Bureau
51. Tuscarawas County Convention & Visitors Bureau
52. Visit Bowling Green, KY
53. Visit Canton
54. Visit Cincy
55. Visit Dublin Ohio
56. Visit Findlay 57. Visit Grove City
58. Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau
WINERIES
M Cellars | Geneva
This award-winning vineyard and winery in the Grand River Valley AVA offers music and food trucks during fall weekends, as well as an annual autumn clambake.
Abottle of wine as a thank-you gift to Matt and Tara Meineke lit the fuse that ignited M Cellars winery. In 2012, the couple began welcoming visitors to their Geneva winery in the Grand River Valley AVA to enjoy award-winning sparkling wines and aromatic whites that Matt says rank among their top offerings.
“It’s definitely a warm atmosphere,” Matt says of the winery. “We try to treat everybody like family and make sure everybody loves the wine.”
Visitors can take a seat in the tasting room or in the loft above it for a more intimate experience. Relax fireside in the tasting room while sipping M Cellars’ bestselling Meritage or nibbling on shareables like the street corn dip and tortilla chips, warm
brie with fig Jam and crackers, or artisan charcuterie and fromage.
On weekends in the fall, live music, food trucks and an annual clambake top the list of things to do and experience at this boutique winery. Outside, a two-tiered deck and stamped-concrete patio invite patrons to pull up a chair next to the more than 12 acres of vineyards, providing a look at where the
fruit they’re enjoying in their glass began.
“We connect all the dots pretty much on one property. You’re drinking wine 100 feet away from where it was growing, and the production is literally right below you down in the winery,” Meineke says. “Everybody talks about farm to table, and it really doesn’t get any more farm to table than that. We’re a supplier, we’re a farmer, we’re winemakers.
It’s a full circle. So the authenticity that we bring is a big deal.” 6139 S. River Rd. W., Geneva 44041, 440/361-4104, mcellars.com
Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery | Hartville
This 100-acre working farm hosts an annual fall festival made for families, complete with wagon rides and an 8-acre corn maze.
A175-year-old barn creates the perfect backdrop for Maize Valley Winery & Craft Brewery in Hartville, which offered just five wines when it opened in 2005. Today, the menu features more than 25 wines, as well as craft beer, which was introduced as an offering in 2014.
Visitors can take advantage of the plentiful indoor and outdoor seating options that look out over the gentle, rolling hills. This 100-acre working farm grows pumpkins, lavender and soybeans, in addition to French-American hybrid grapes that pro-
duce award-winning blends such as the winery’s Reserve Blanc, which is made using frontenac and frontenac gris varietals.
The Tasting Room Cafe serves up soups, sandwiches and appetizers for hungry patrons, while weekly car cruise-ins and live music provide entertainment. Every year, a hot-air ballon liftoff starts the fall season,
Savor every Moment
which sees some 20,000 people visit to enjoy Maize Valley’s 8-acre corn maze, apple cannons, wagon rides, duck races and strawbale mountain.
“We’re a family destination that still has fun for Mom and Dad,” says Michelle Bakan, one of four owners of the family-owned operation. “We build all our attractions so that
adults can get on them, so they apply to kids and kids at heart.”
This year, Maize Valley’s ever-popular corn maze will toast Cheers to 20 Years as the winery celebrates this milestone.
“It’s very picturesque here in the fall,” Bakan says. “We get so many people out here that love to sit down and just enjoy a nice glass of wine or a beer and watch their kids play.” 6193 Edison St. NE, Hartville 44632, 330/877-8344, maizevalley.com
The Skeleton Root, Cincinnati
This spot in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood focuses on dry wines in a speakeasylike setting with a warm atmosphere.
Housed in a 1920s industrial building in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, everything about The Skeleton Root’s winemaking operation goes against the grain. That’s what makes it so sensational. Owner Kate MacDonald pledges her allegiance to dry wines made from American heritage, norton and catawba grapes, as well as others.
“A lot of what people associate with Ohio wines is sweeter wine styles, but we don’t often get associated with dry, high-quality wines,” MacDonald says. “So that was something that I was very interested in and wanted to try to keep everything really focused as locally as possible.”
She adds that the Ohio River Valley is known as the birthplace of commercial winemaking in the United States, so when she returned from living and working in wine regions such as Napa Valley and the Finger Lakes, she decided to plant roots for her winery in her hometown. The urban location resembles a speakeasy, with leather couches that invite visitors to lounge in conversation nooks and casually sip Bordeaux varietals paired with shareable light bites.
MacDonald works with smaller-scale, regional growers, bringing the fruit on-site to crush, press and ferment the grapes that make their way from the barrel-aging room to your glass, which can be enjoyed in either
a spacious bar area or outdoor patio
“It’s a great way to just kind of relax, and it’s very cozy. We try not to have a snooty wine vibe at all,” MacDonald says with a laugh. “You can have flights made from grapes you’ve never heard of, have food, hang out and, hopefully, take some wine to go too.” 38 W. McMicken Ave., Cincinnati 45202, 513/918-3015, skeletonroot.com
Paper Moon Vineyards, Vermilion
This family-owned winery on a 50-acre wooded lot offers a mix of red, whites, rosés and ciders at its renovated tasting room.
The Cawrse family behind Vermilion’s Paper Moon Vineyards continues to seek out high-quality fruits to produce their award-winning wines. They also create a warm atmosphere for those visiting to try offerings like the winery’s dry rieslings, blackberry sangria and hard cider.
Tucked away on a 50-acre wooded property, the winery has a Tuscan interior with stone and stucco accents, barrel tables and a semicircular, copper-clad tasting counter. Outside, a pavilion-style tent with nearby fire pit seating provides a great spot to enjoy live music and lawn games.
“It’s just a comfortable place where people can relax and recharge and hopefully go away with a good experience where they feel like they were treated well,” says winemaker Adam Cawrse.
In 2009, Adam and his parents, Dick and Sheryl Cawrse, took their hobby and launched Paper Moon Vineyards that today offers reds, whites and rosés, as well as hard cider made from locally grown apples.
“[We] try to offer pretty much everything across the board to meet everyone’s palette,” he says.
With a recent renovation that expanded, insulated and enclosed an outdoor porch and added roll-top doors, Cawrse says the stage is set for any type of fall weather.
“We can roll down our glass doors and keep it warm inside, or we can open things up, and it feels like you’re outside,” Cawrse says. “We try to offer a lot of different spots where you can feel as private as you want with just a couple people, or larger groups can gather, and you can all have a fun time together.” 2008 State Rd., Vermilion 44089, 440/967-2500, papermoonvineyards.com
Maize Valley Winery and Craft Brewery in Hartville (opposite page); The Skeleton Root Winery in Cincinnati (top); Paper Moon Vineyards in Vermilion (above)
KENTUCKY
From Bluegrass State legends that have been around for generations to newer destinations with their own approach to crafting bourbon, check out these four distinct distillery experiences. By Jason Brill
JAMES B. BEAM DISTILLING CO.
KENTUCKY
Maker’s Mark | Loretto
Maker’s Mark bourbon is served around the world, but visiting its distillery in Loretto, Kentucky, feels close to home. Most of the property’s 1,100 acres is farmland filled with fields of wheat, bee apiaries, and grazing wagyu cattle and Katahdin sheep.
“We’re a working farm,” says director of hospitality Frank Krockenberger, “and visitors can get exposed to all of that.”
Maker’s Mark features its agrarian roots by including much of its property, known as Star Hill Farm, on its tours. The roughly 75-minute Whiskey Creek Walking Tour includes strolls by a few of the distillery’s production buildings, some history about the land, a look at Maker’s Mark’s apiaries and mushroom quarry, and of course, a bourbon tasting.
Or, choose to keep things sweet with the 1-hour-and-45-minute Wax Drips & Honey Dips Experience, which kicks off with a honey-based bourbon cocktail and includes a honey tasting and a question-and-answer session with the distillery’s beekeeper.
“We wouldn’t have wheat for bourbon if it weren’t for pollinators,” Krockenberger notes.
Be sure to visit Star Hill Provisions, the distillery’s on-site restaurant. The menu here features seasonal takes on wagyu burgers, pizzas, riffs on hot browns (a Kentucky favorite) and a must-try cocktail program that features twists on a mint julep, an Old Fashioned and more.
Of course, no trip to Maker’s Mark is complete without buying a bottle of bourbon and dipping it in its iconic red wax seal.
No trip to Kentucky is complete without indulging in our legendary bourbon! The Capital City is home to Kentucky River Tours and five unique distilleries just a stone’s throw away from one another, each promising an unforgettable bourbon adventure!
3350 Burkes Spring Rd., Loretto, Kentucky 40037, 270/865-2099, makersmark.com
Wilderness Trail Distillery | Danville
If you’re in tune with the likes of science guys Bill Nye and Neal DeGrasse Tyson, Wilderness Trail Distillery’s approach to crafting bourbon is the spirited destination you’ve been looking for.
Shane Baker, a mechanical engineer, and Pat Heist, a plant pathologist and med-
The Spirit of Frankfort
Please drink responsibly.
ical microbiologist, co-founded the place in 2012 after meeting at the University of Kentucky and bonding over a mutual love for metal music and the science of bourbon fermentation. For example, if you know a yeast takes 48 hours to ferment, then you can time your process to that. Fermentation also sets the flavor base of a bourbon early in the process.
“With fermentation, there’s a living interaction that’s happening,” says Haley Perros, national brand ambassador for the distillery, which is located in Danville, Kentucky. “If you know on a molecular level what’s going on in that tank, that sets the trajectory of your flavor going forward.”
Visitors to the 168-acre distillery can grab a cocktail or flight, but Wilderness Trail’s 90-minute Bourbon Is a Solution experience lets you become a quality-control scientist. You’ll gather a fermentation sample, use lab equipment to measure the sugar and pH levels, and peer through a microscope to determine if the yeast is thriving. The tour ends with a tasting.
“Fermentation can be a tough concept for people to grasp, and it’s such a huge part of every distillery’s process,” Perros says. “We
walk you through it, and you get to have a hands-on experience of actually doing it.”
Visitors to Maker’s Mark in Loretto also get to experience life at Star Hill Farm (opposite page). Wilderness Trail Distillery in Danville helps visitors embrace the science of bourbon-making (above and right).
KENTUCKY
James B. Beam Distilling Co. | Clermont
For a 90-year-old bourbon distillery, there’s a lot that’s new at James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, Kentucky. There’s an updated visitor center stocked with hard-tofind bourbons, a new restaurant serving up tasty pizzas and a fresh tour experience that Alex Bowie, the distillery’s director of homeplace experience, is especially fond of.
Launched in early 2025, the new Craft Distillery Tour gives visitors a look inside the Fred B. Noe Distillery, which was previously only accessible by invitation only and not open to the public. The behindthe-scenes experience offers a look at how small-batch bourbons are made. Hands-on exhibits showcase distillation and maturation, and the tour ends with a tasting of new releases and innovations.
“Our [Beam-Made Bourbon] tour is a historical look at what it means to have eight generations of one family making bourbon,” Bowie says. “This tour is looking toward the future and how we’re innovating.”
There’s also a bit of James B. Beam history in the pizza served at The Kitchen Table, the on-site restaurant. For months, chef Brian Landry pestered eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe to let him use the distillery’s guarded yeast in the pizzas, and Noe eventually relented.
“So even when you’re eating our pizzas,” Bowie explains, “you’re still experiencing part of what makes our bourbon unique and special.”
For a taste of hard-to-find bourbons, Bowie advises visiting the tasting bar on the second floor of the American Outpost.
“It’s a great space to explore some of what we sell in the gift shop along with some past releases we might not have for sale anymore,” he says. 568 Happy Hollow Rd., Clermont, Kentucky 40110, 502/5439877, beamdistilling.com
Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. | Frankfort
The experience of visiting Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. outside of Frankfort, Kentucky, is as unfiltered as its single-batch, single barrel whiskey. The distillery, set on a 127-acre working farm, is so laid back that
visitors might walk in on staffers mashing grain.
“If you come here, you’re really in the middle of it all,” says owner and CEO Walter Zausch, who bought the 10-year-old distillery in 2021. “We give everybody an all-access pass to seeing whatever they want to see.”
That extends to something as simple as how
the whiskey is served. Order a drink and the barrel-tenders, as they’re known, use a copper tool called a whiskey thief to extract the spirit and pour it into your glass.
“Barrels are always changing, and the whiskey is evolving,” Zausch says. “Distillers taste the bourbon as it ages in the barrels, and they’re using a whiskey thief to taste it.”
Visitors can even try their hand at using the tool to fill their own bottle of bourbon. Whether you’re bottling yourself or purchasing off the shelf at the gift shop, the distillery is one of just two places you can buy Whiskey Thief bourbon. (It’s also available at the distillery’s tasting room in Louisville.)
Tours are unscripted and geared toward the audience. If Whiskey Thief is your third distillery visit of the day, they’ll skip the bourbon basics and focus more on seeing the process in action and tasting a handful of whiskeys right from the barrel.
“It’s a place to relax, come taste some whiskey and have a good time,” Zausch says. “We really just invite you out and you stay as long as you want.” 238 Crab Orchard Rd., Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, 502/552-1001, whiskeythief.com
TRAIL MIX
If you want to explore Kentucky’s rich bourbon scene, check out these two popular routes.
Kentucky Bourbon Trail
As the United States was expanding in the late 1700s and early 1800s, trails and traces across Kentucky carried explorers and frontiersmen into North America’s interior. So, it’s fitting that the Kentucky Bourbon Trail carries bourbon lovers to new discoveries, with more than 50 distilleries and tasting rooms across 27 counties. Check out the 30,000-squarefoot whiskey wonderland that is Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown or Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm, which is set on a historic estate. Many distilleries, such as Bardstown Bourbon Co., also have dedicated tasting rooms in Louisville. kybourbontrail.com
B-Line Trail
Distilling stops along the Northern Kentucky portion of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail into an easily digestible checklist, the B-Line Trail highlights nine must-visit bourbon bars and 10 whiskey-centric restaurants. Highlights include New Riff Distilling along the Ohio River in Newport. The industrial-style distillery might look new (it was founded in 2014), but its bourbon is made using time-honored techniques. Meanwhile, Becker & Bird Distillery in Augusta, traces its roots back to John Baker, who the distillery says moved to Kentucky in 1797 to make bourbon after serving in the Revolutionary War. thebline.com
James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont (above) showcases its history while highlighting current innovations. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in Frankfort (below) puts visitors in the middle of the action.
Fall Fun & Frights
Whether you’re looking to create new family memories or seeking fun scares, these destinations across the state can help you make the most of the season.
WHITEHOUSE FRUIT FARM, CANFIELD
Columbus
Enjoy the Halloween season in Columbus with a special celebration of Goosebumps author and Columbus native, R.L. Stine.
The monthlong celebration kicks off on Oct. 2 with a free, family-friendly movie night at the Columbus Commons. Enjoy a screening of the Goosebumps movie as it celebrates 10 years, and giveaways from Experience Columbus.
Stine himself is getting in on the celebration with a visit to Columbus on Oct. 23. Presented in partnership by Experience Columbus and the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Stine will be in conversation about his newest book Goosebumps House of Shivers #5: The Last Sleepover, and signing books during a free ticketed event in the Main Library’s Reading Room. As night falls on Oct. 23, be sure to catch a glimpse of local landmarks such as Columbus City Hall, the Short North arches and Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens lit up in Goosebumps green.
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden. To top things off, the annual Highball Halloween on Oct. 25 will include Goosebumps elements as part of the fun. Visit experiencecolumbus.com/halloween for more information.
Local breweries and eateries are also getting in on the fun, with stops like Land-Grant Brewing Co., Law Bird, Budd Dairy Food Hall, Stories on High and Lincoln Social offering special drinks and menu items.
Other events include a Goosebumps reading challenge from Storyline Bookshop, special night flights at ZipZone Outdoor Adventures and scavenger hunts at
Medina County
In Medina County, fall is a season of warmth and mystery that blends together with iconic, long-standing traditions. Here, you can watch the changing of colorful
leaves, feel the crisp air or get lost in a massive corn maze that twists and turns through golden fields.
At Beriswill’s Farm in Valley City or Richardson’s Farms in Medina, you can find the perfect pumpkin for your porch, as well as plenty of Halloween festivities. Both locations also feature an on-site market that includes fresh produce, jams and jellies, salsa and more.
Lean into the spirit of Halloween with the Mainstreet Medina Ghost Walk. This journey offers a peek into Medina’s spooky past while offering delicious local treats along the way. If ghosts and ghouls aren’t your thing, check out Medina’s Historic Fall Foliage Tour on Oct.
11 and 12 from noon to 5 p.m. It guides you through farms, historical societies, parks and many more beautiful locations.
If you’re in the mood for a larger festival brimming with seasonal activities, check out Mapleside Farms for events and festivities during the entire fall season. Mapleside Farms also has Pumpkin Village, where the 100-acre farm morphs into an oasis for family fun with live entertainment and dozens of special attractions to make everyone feel like a kid again. Picture yourself in Medina County to experience the best fall has to offer. For more information, go to visitmedinacounty.com.
Akron & Summit County
The arrival of fall brings several activities to Akron and Summit County that are ripe with seasonal fun. Visit the Akron Zoo for the annual Boo at the Zoo. The event returns this season Oct. 11 through 26 and includes themed areas throughout the zoo like Halloween Town and the Enchanted Candy Trail. In addition to viewing the zoo’s resident animals, visitors will enjoy games, character meet and greets and delicious treats.
Traditional harvest-time activities come to the grounds of Hale Farm & Village’s annual Harvest Festival in October. At this living history location, visitors can check out what autumn may have looked like in the 1800s and explore the beauty of these historic grounds. Don’t miss hand-pressed apple cider, wagon rides, a pumpkin patch and seasonal games.
Summit Metro Parks is a great place to view the orange, red and yellow hues the season is known for. With 15 parks in its jurisdiction, Summit Metro Parks offers plenty of scenic spots for photos, as well as plenty of recreation for enjoying the crisp fall air, from archery ranges and bridle trails to hiking and biking paths.
Climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a view of Ohio’s only national park from the rails. Excursion options abound, and include family fun rides, murder mystery experiences, themed rides like the Oktoberfest train and others. For more information on fall fun in Akron and Summit County, go to visitakron-summit.org.
GET GOOSEBUMPS IN COLUMBUS
Ready for thrills, chills and unexpected delights? Columbus is the Halloween Headquarters of the Midwest — and the hometown of Goosebumps author R.L. Stine. Explore eerie attractions, costume festivals, spooky pop-ups, and ghoulishly good food and drinks, all set in a city that’s full of surprises. Whether you’re ghost hunting in German Village or pumpkin picking on the city’s edge, Columbus dares you to have fun your way.
Plan your haunted (or not-so-haunted) adventure at ExperienceColumbus.com/ Halloween.
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio
Food is woven into our everyday lives, and a new exhibition at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio in Lancaster highlights its deep-rooted presence in art and culture.
“Food for Thought: A Taste of the Canton Museum of Art” explores what we eat, how we eat it and who we eat with, creating an intimate look at the role food plays in American art and culture. The unique exhibition opens to the public Sept. 27 and runs through January 4, 2026.
Curated by Kaleigh Pisani, curator of collections and registrar at the Canton Museum of Art, the exhibition features artwork like “Oysters, Wine & Lemon,” a 1974 lithograph on paper by American artist Jack Beal; “Still Life,” an 1866, oil on canvas by German artist Johann Wilhelm Preyer; and “Waldoboro,” a 2004 watercolor on paper by American artist Janet Fish.
Complementing “Food for Thought” is an exhibition in the Lower Gallery called “Essential Ingredients: Cookbooks as History,” curated by Jolie Braun and Elizabeth Hewitt. Celebrating more than 200 years of American culinary history, “Essential Ingredients” explores cookbooks as a lens for understanding many aspects of our past and present.
Programming designed to enrich the visitor experience runs with the exhibitions and information can be found online. The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio is housed in the Reese-Peters House at 145 E. Main Street in Lancaster’s Historic District. For more information, visit decartsohio.org.
Your mobile resource for all that is great about hotel & lodging in Akron.
Find, explore and book your adventure, learn about local partner experiences and take part in events. Find out more information about lodging options in Akron and Summit County online at StayInAkron.com
Goodyear Theater – Akron/Summit CVB
GREATER AKRON LODGING COUNCIL
MAPS Air Museum
The MAPS Air Museum is a nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about history, particularly aviation history, and its impact upon society. Come for the aircraft — Stay for the history!
mapsairmuseum.org
Hale Farm & Village
Fall and winter at Hale Farm & Village are a cozy 1800s dream! Celebrate 30 years of our festive Holiday Lantern Tours this December with candlelight, carols, and old-fashioned cheer.
halefarm.org
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers a heritage rail experience that connects people with history, community, nature, family and friends, all within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
cvsr.org
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Make Cuyahoga Valley National Park your fall or winter destination. Book our full-house rental, historic Stanford House, which sleeps up to 30 people in the heart of your national park.
forcvnp.org/stanfordhouse
Mahoning County
As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better time to explore Mahoning County. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a day trip, fall is one of the most vibrant times to visit. From championship-level golf and charming antique shops to colorful trails and festive seasonal events, Mahoning County is brimming with ways to celebrate the season.
Fall golf is especially spectacular here, with rolling fairways framed by brilliant foliage. Award-winning courses like Mill Creek Golf Course and Kennsington Golf Club welcome players of all skill levels. Cooler temperatures and vivid backdrops make every round more enjoyable.
Treasure hunters will love browsing the 18 antique shops across Canfield, North Jackson, North Lima and Boardman. From vintage furniture and collectibles to farmhouse decor, you’re bound to uncover one-of-a-kind finds.
No visit is complete without a trip to White House Fruit Farm in Canfield. A local fall favorite, the farm comes alive with pumpkin patches, wagon rides and rows of crisp apples. Sip fresh cider, savor homemade fudge and don’t leave without one of the farm’s famous blueberry donuts. A visit during the Fall Harvest Weekends is a must.
With
Visit exploremahoning.com
At Mill Creek MetroParks, enjoy autumn’s beauty with a hike to
Lanterman’s Mill, a stroll across the covered bridge or a bike ride through Fellows Riverside Gardens.
harvest festivals, winery events, and spooky attractions, fall in Mahoning County is unforgettable.
for more information.
The Mothman Experience
ence, The Frankenstein Experience and Zombie Outbreak. For this special anniversary season, The Mothman Experience takes over the mountain for a dose of fall frights and local lore.
Haunted Mountain is open on production days starting at 5:30 p.m., and visitors will find plenty to explore. But the hot-ticket event is the main stage show, a new play called “It Flies by Night,” which features the Mothman as its star. The show, and the entire Haunted Mountain experience, are recommended for ages 6 and older. Ticket holders receive admission to the show as well as free entrance to the escape room (it has a “Men In Black” theme this year), tomahawk throwing and the scavenger hunt.
After the show, take a 25-minute stroll (if you dare) on the redesigned Haunted Trail, or enjoy the free movies on a big outdoor screen. Movies presented this season include “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Oct. 2), “Halloweentown” (Oct. 10), Monster’s Inc. (Oct. 17) and ”Hocus Pocus” on Halloween night. For more information,
White House Fruit
Noble Family Farms
For family fun as bountiful as the harvest season, visit Noble Family Farms in Minford.
This autumn, Noble Family Farms transforms into the Fall Fun Farm. This experience is available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 13 through Nov. 1. Enjoy special festivities including slides and a corn box that little ones will love. This harvest season event is a local favorite and is the perfect place to capture memories with the family in the fall. Plus, the Honeysuckle Haven Plant & Gift Shop is open during the events to take home a piece of the fun.
Monthly special events are also on the bill this season. In September, U-Pick sunflowers let you select your choice of the bright cheery flowers to add a rustic elegance to your home this season.
The weekend of Oct. 4 and 5 brings the Fall Vendor Market. This event is brimming with the work of local makers, inviting you to shop apparel, home goods, food and more. Enjoy some trick-or-treat on the farm on Oct. 25 and bring the whole family (preferably in costume) to collect candy from around the farm.
The season’s festivities wrap on Nov. 1, with the final day of Fall Fun Farm. The event’s finale coincides with Pups at the Patch, so be sure to bring your furry family members to get in on the fun. For more information, visit facebook.com/noblefamilyfarms.
Chillicothe & Ross County
As the leaves turn and the air cools, Chillicothe comes alive with the magic of fall and is the perfect time for families to soak in the season.
One favorite tradition is the Apple Harvest Open House at Hirsch Fruit Farm, where visitors can participate in orchard tours, sip fresh-pressed cider, sample seasonal treats and enjoy a lineup of family-friendly fun that celebrates all things autumn.
Fall festivities continue with the Chillicothe Halloween Festival that brings a playful mix of fall and fright
to Yoctangee Park in the city’s downtown the second week of October. The following weekend brings the Fall Festival of Leaves in nearby Bainbridge, where vibrant foliage, live music and the beauty of the small town are front and center.
For those drawn to the excitement of Halloween, head over to The Mothman Experience at Haunted Mountain at Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre on weekends in October. This immersive attraction taps into the Appalachian folklore of the iconic cryptid with a stage production of “It Flies by Night.” Other attractions on the mountain like the haunted trail and a themed escape room bring the scares.
Whether you’re making memories with your kids or chasing a few thrills of your own, Chillicothe offers the perfect autumn escape where crisp days are filled with color and cozy fun, and cool nights whisper just the right amount of fright. Visit visitchillicotheohio.com for more information. ●
Noble Family Farms in Minford (above); Buzzard’s Roost trail in Ross County (below)
This technique is most notable on pieces like “We Stayed Together ’Til The End,” which shows five white, grinning skulls stacked one on top of the other. From 6 feet away, they’re all identical. But when you get up close, you suddenly realize one wears a raised tulip on its crown, another wears pennants like a bandana. Each is unique.
“It’s like this ghostly thing that comes up from underneath,” Egan says. “I build up these layers and then use sandpaper to strip those layers back down.”
Like his art, Egan’s got layers to him. He doesn’t share many personal details about his life or the tragedies he’s experienced. When asked if he’s afraid of dying, he pauses for a moment and then lets out a deep sigh as if he’s forced to exorcise the answer.
“Oh, I think I’d be sad, but I don’t know about being afraid,” he says. “I think I’d be angry because I feel like there’s so much I want to do. I just got married in November, so I think not having that time with my wife and having to say goodbye that quickly would be a bit of a bummer.”
But the fear of what comes after death? He doesn’t think about it. He only thinks of
the life that he has now and what it means to create art that resonates with people.
“His art is focused on death, but there’s this positivity to it so that you can use it as motivation to live your life,” says filmmaker Doug Helmick.
Helmick’s documentary “Death: The Life of Mike Egan” was nominated for the Atlanta Shortsfest’s 2025 Impact Award. In the film, Egan assembles a coffin created by Eric Rauschenbach, a Struthers, Ohio, native. As Egan tells his own story, he paints each panel of the coffin. A flying skeleton holds two blue skulls, one in each hand, a symbolic marker of his experience during 9/11. Another skeleton wearing a grey wolf mask holds a tiny, black coffin.
“That one’s about having issues with self-esteem and hiding myself,” Egan admits. “Much like the other animals in my work, which always feel alive and more uplifting, masks are a sense of empowerment. You can put on a mask and feel like a completely different person.”
A skeleton wearing the face of an animal is perhaps the latest evolution of Egan’s work, a slight turn away from death and
“I’ve noticed this transition in his art over the time I’ve been with him,” says his wife, Alison Gasser. “There are a lot more colors, more characters.”
Egan estimates he’s created 2,000 paintings so far and there’s no sign of him slowing down. He has plans to dismantle his coffin and sell each of the panels as collector’s items. This fall, he hopes to create miniature box sets that contain one print for each of those panels. And he plans on continuing his annual tradition of painting “tiny deaths,” a series of 8-by-8 canvases that call attention to milestone moments in someone’s life.
“Tiny deaths are those moments in our lives that change us in some way before we experience the big death,” Egan says. “This year, I plan on making 100 of them and then I’ll pay it forward by donating a portion of that money to charity.”
In Egan’s eyes, his tiny deaths series isn’t designed to reanimate the past. Instead, they’re meant to help someone move on so that they can live a more fruitful life.
“I hope,” he says, “that people can see these paintings and find some sense of closure.”
MILESTONES
Cincinnati’s March and Vote for Jobs and Freedom
In the fall of 1963, nine days before municipal elections, a march and rally at Fountain Square focused on the pivotal role Black voters played in the upcoming vote.
On Oct. 27,1963, thousands gathered in Cincinnati for a Civil Rights march, the timing of which was far from coincidental, falling just nine days before the city’s municipal elections were scheduled to take place.
Literature promoting the event called it the “March and Vote for Jobs and Freedom,” urging Black community members to use their anticipatedly pivotal vote in elections that November for City Council, the Board of Education and the Municipal Court.
On that mid-autumn Sunday, marchers gathered at the city’s Washington Square around 1:30 p.m., making their way along Race Street, Sixth Street and Main Street, before arriving for the culmination of the march at Fountain Square around 2:30 p.m.
There, Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., local chairman of the Cincinnati Action Committee, addressed an estimated 25,000 people, some
of whom had stood in that same spot just a month prior to join the public mourning for the four Black children who had been killed by a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.
Bill Kagler, a writer for importance of the march as it related to changing political trends.
In the paper’s Oct. 27, 1963, edition, Kagler noted that at the time, approximately 45,000 Black Cincinnatians were registered to vote.
“Two years ago, it took 47,767 votes to win election to City Council,” he wrote. “It probably will take just about the same number to win this year.”
Kagler pointed to political analysts who stressed that Black can didates, including the four running in the 1963 municipal election in Cincinnati, would need broader support to win.
With a presidential election looming just the following year and the trending direction of local elections in Cincinnati, analysts saw the Civil Rights march as part of a broader shift in the reshaping of politics on a national level.
“Regardless of the outcome, the results of 1963 will be evaluated with extreme care,” Kagler wrote in the same Oct. 27, 1963, edition.
“With a presidential contest on the ballot next year, and important countywide races tucked in beneath it, the political professionals will be looking for a sign of the direction the [Black] vote might take.”
Beyond Main Street in Mount Vernon, through the shops, in the galleries, on the stages and around every corner, is a hub of arts and culture waiting for you This lineup is sure to leave you inspired and take your next visit to the next level!
FALL HOLIDAY
SEP 12
-
SEP 14
SEP 18
OCT 19
SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL YOUTH EDITION
PRESENTED BY MTVARTS KNOX MEMORIAL
BACKYARD BIERGARTEN SUNSET SOCIAL
SEP 20 A MIDDLE EARTH MARCH THROUGH MOUNT VERNON PRESENTED BY MOUNT VERNON MERCHANTS DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON
SEP 27
OCT 3
OCT 3
OCT 5
OCT 3
OCT 4
LONG LONG TIME
PRESENTED BY THE COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION KNOX MEMORIAL
JOHNNY APPLESEED FALL FESTIVAL
EXPERIENCE MOUNT VERNON
DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON
KNOX BIKETOBERFEST PRESENTED BY OUTDOOR PURSUITS ARIEL-FOUNDATION PARK
RURAL SOCIETY FALL ANTIQUE SALE
PRESENTED BY RURAL SOCIETY MOUNT VERNON, OHIO
MARKET AT THE MANOR
PRESENTED BY THE MILLER MANOR MOUNT VERNON, OHIO
LAUREN
PRESENTED BY THE COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION
PRESENTED BY ARIEL-FOUNDATION PARK ARIEL-FOUNDATION PARK KNOX MEMORIAL
OCT 30 WITCHES NIGHT OUT PRESENTED BY MOUNT VERNON MERCHANTS DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON
NOV 14 NOV 16 A FEW GOOD MEN PRESENTED BY KNOX MEMORIAL KNOX MEMORIAL
NOV 18 HOW SWEET IT IS
PRESENTED BY THE COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION KNOX MEMORIAL
DEC 6 DEC 7 THE NUTCRACKER WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE NOV 29 DEC 13 -
PRESENTED BY CENTRAL OHIO YOUTH BALLET
WINTER IN DOWNTOWN
EXPERIENCE MOUNT VERNON DOWNTOWN MOUNT VERNON
GET GOOSEBUMPS IN COLUMBUS
Ready for thrills, chills and unexpected delights? Columbus is the Halloween Headquarters of the Midwest — and the hometown of Goosebumps author R.L. Stine. Explore eerie attractions, costume festivals, spooky pop-ups, and ghoulishly good food and drinks, all set in a city that’s full of surprises. Whether you’re ghost hunting in German Village or pumpkin picking on the city’s edge, Columbus dares you to have fun your way.
Plan your haunted (or not-so-haunted) adventure at ExperienceColumbus.com/ Halloween.
