Ohio Magazine January-February 2026

How a Mother and Daughter Built Frank Lloyd Wright’s Last Home

JAN/FEB 2026

$5.99

JAN/FEB

// 2026

23 FEATURES //

26 Ohio Love ZOO: AMANDA CARBERRY; PANCAKES: RACHAEL JIROUSEK; WRIGHT HOME: ERIK DROST; BUTTONS: HAULIN’ HOOF FARM STORE

Discover 30 reasons why we’re loving our state right now, from fresh new spots to moments that had us smiling.

42 The Last Wright

A mother-daughter team brings architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s final home design to life in Lake County.

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DEPARTMENTS //

13 Calendar of Events

2 Connect

23 Farm & Table

4 Editor’s Note 5 1803

Haulin’ Hoof Farm Store crafts whimsical buttons, and a Westerville museum shares the origins of Prohibition.

9 Datebook

See watercolors by Tony Foster in Dayton, and watch a fish predict the weather at Buckeye Lake Winterfest.

Visit this pancake house in Sandusky, and sip awardwinning brews at Royal Flamingo Coffee.

64 Backstory

Read an excerpt from a feature about Ohio’s ancient earthworks that ran in our February 1983 issue.

TRAVEL //

47 America 250-Ohio

42 ON THE COVER: Painting created by artist Dean Davis and photographed by Doug Hinebaugh.

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OHIO, Vol. 49, No. 1 OHIO (ISSN–0279–3504) is published monthly, with the exception of February, October and December for a total of 9 issues. ©2026 Great Lakes Publishing, 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to OHIO, 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Subscription prices: Ohio residents, residents of other states and possessions, one year–$17; foreign–$86.

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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CONNECT

JAN/FEB SPECIAL

ADVERTISING SECTIONS

GERVASI IS A LUXURY

WINERY RESORT ESCAPE

Find your perfect getaway at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa — a slice of Italian heaven nestled in northeast Ohio. Bring your partner, friends or entire family for a magical escape on a stunning Tuscan-inspired estate.

a dv e r t i s e m e n t

Belmont County

b l ack h i story & h e r i tag e

This Appalachian Ohio community gives its Underground Railroad Museum a new home inside a historic inn.

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COURTESY OF BELMONT COUNTY

J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

WINTER TRAVEL

s pecial adve rt i s i ng s ec t ion

Whether you want to embrace the outdoors or stay warm inside, these destinations promise to help you make the most of the snowy season.

READ MORE ABOUT THE RIVER GALLERY PROJECT ON PAGE 41.

from the archive: Winter in our state brings its own kind of wonder, and these four Ohio photographers share their perspectives on capturing its beauty. From stunning ice formations to frost-covered pines, their images reveal the magic of this season and invite us to see things in a new light. ohiomagazine.com/winterphotos

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESTINATIONS LISTED

Behind the cover: We hired artist Dean Davis to paint the cover for this year’s Ohio Love issue because of his River Gallery Project, which is envisioning a new look for Toledo’s waterfront.

GERVASI VINEYARD RESORT & SPA

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BLACK HISTORY

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WINTER TRAVEL

Enjoy a luxurious, Tuscaninspired escape at this Canton destination.

THE VILLAS

Sip. Savor. Stay.

long a quiet stretch of the historic National Road, a powerful story of courage, hope and determination is being given new life. In late fall 2026, the Underground Railroad Museum plans to open its doors at the beautifully restored Black Horse Inn in Morristown, offering visitors an immersive encounter with one of the most important freedom narratives in Appalachian Ohio.

For decades, the museum’s late founder, John Mattox, dedicated himself to preserving and sharing the stories of formerly enslaved people seeking freedom and the locals who risked everything to help them. The new museum will honor Mattox’s legacy with modern exhibits, interactive displays and archival collections that illuminate the history of the Underground Railroad along the Ohio River corridor.

Visitors can explore first-person accounts, authentic artifacts and stories of everyday abolitionists whose quiet bravery helped change the course of a nation. The museum plans to feature educational programming, community events and partnerships with schools to deepen understanding and spark meaningful conversations about equity, justice and the ongoing pursuit of freedom.

Just as a lantern once signaled safety in the night, the renewed museum aims to light the way to freedom — then, now and for generations to come. For more information, go to visitbelmontcounty.com.

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Belmont County’s Underground Railroad Museum gets an upgrade.

Embrace the snowy seasons at these spots across Ohio.

HOCKING HILLS

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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In This Issue: 11 8 9

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Daughter Built How a Mother and Last Home Frank Lloyd Wright’s

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subscribe to ohio magazine today: $5.99

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Don’t miss an issue of Ohio Magazine.

Subscribe today and explore the beauty, adventure and fun of the Buckeye State.

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Akron, p. 11 Buckeye Lake, p. 11 3 Cincinnati, p. 11 4 Columbus, p. 9, 25 5 Dayton, p. 10 6 New Marshfield, p. 6 7 Parma, p. 24 8 Sandusky, p. 23 9 Strongsville, p. 5 1

sign up for our email newsletters: Stay connected with our email newsletters. Learn about fun events and festivals, explore our state’s food scene, get inspiration for outdoor adventures and find your next weekend getaway. Sign up by scanning the QR code or by visiting ohiomagazine.com/newsletters.

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Plus:

30 Reasons to Love Our State Right Now Celebrate America 250 in Ohio Westerville, p. 7 Willoughby Hills, p. 42 12 Zanesville, p. 11 10 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.

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TOP LEFT: DOUG HINEBAUGH; TOP RIGHT: ERIC WARD

JAN/FEB 2026

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ADVERTISEMENT

& D e n i i n e W Gideon Owen Wine Company

BY MADINA DAVLATBOYEVA | Pairing wine has never been easier than at one

of Ohio’s many wineries with a restaurant. Who better to suggest what wine enhances the flavor of your dish than the winemaker themselves?

Stop by Grand River Cellars in Madison for a rustic ambience, complete with a warm fire.

Kick off the night with a mouthwatering appetizer and drink combination of artichoke Asiago dip and Pinot Grigio, then pair the roasted red pepper pasta with their bright Riesling or the lobster tails with Chardonnay.

Tucked off the well-beaten path, visit Rainbow Hills Winery in West Lafayette for a taste of their wine and home-brewed beer. Pair a glass of Prism or Spectrum, both white wines, with their unique homemade pizzas such as Pork-Q-Tot Pie, a blend of BBQ pork and tater tots, and Dill-icious Pizza, a pickle-lovers’ dream.

Spend your Friday and Saturday evenings at Loudonville’s Ugly Bunny Winery for great views,

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quality bites, and live entertainment. Order from the expansive wine menu, like their 1814, a caramel and vanilla blend topped with bourbon, or their Hearts on Fire, a tribute to The Oak Ridge Boys’ song Elvira, made with their estate peaches. Both pair well with their Reuben or caprese sandwich.

Lake Erie looks stunning in the winter, too. During your visit, be sure to stop by Gideon Owen Wine Company in Port Clinton. Take advantage of their location by ordering a seafood dish, like a comforting lobster bisque, irresistible Lake Erie Walleye, and more.

Plan your visit for the end of the month with their Grape to Bottle Immersion experience to learn about the winery’s charming history.

Grand River Cellars

EDITOR’S NOTE Chairman Lute Harmon Sr. President & Publisher Lute Harmon Jr.

Love Notes

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL@OHIOMAGAZINE.COM

O

ur annual Ohio Love issue has become one of my favorites. As the end of the calendar year approaches, it’s always fun to sit down as an editorial staff and talk about the finds we’ve uncovered during the previous 12 months.

These can include unique stays (like Hideaway on the Hocking’s colorful cabooses, page 36), an upgrade at a favorite destination (such as Columbus Zoo & Aquarium’s North America Trek, page 35) or a date-night idea you’ll want to put on your calendar (see Cincinnati’s retro dance club Nice Life, page 32).

We throw in a handful of feel-good moments — be it the announced return of the WNBA to Cleveland or Hot Dog Harv’s parody songs paying tribute to Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili — and the result is a fun feature that will get you feeling all warm and fuzzy about the place we call home.

Another heartwarming story you’ll find in this issue begins on page 42 and shares how mother and daughter Debbie and Sarah Dykstra built architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s last residential design in Lake County.

After watching the Magnolia Network’s “The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America’s Greatest Architect” this fall, we were eager to talk with Debbie and Sarah.

They graciously invited us out to see the home, take photographs and sit down to learn more about how they ended up being the people who made Wright’s RiverRock a reality.

Finally, the arrival of 2026 also brings a change to the back page of the magazine. We have retired the Milestones department, which highlighted a historic photograph from our state’s past and the story behind it. Starting this month, we launch Backstory, which features an except of an article that ran in our publication at some time over its long history. If our excerpt catches your interest, you can check out the full version of the story on our website.

Ohio Magazine began in 1978, so we have nearly 50 years of stories to draw from. It’s already been fun going through back issues, and we look forward to sharing some of these classic Ohio Magazine stories with you as we begin another year of celebrating the beauty, adventure and fun of life in Ohio.

Editor Jim Vickers Associate Editors Erin Finan, Gracie Metz Contributing Writers Jason Brill, Hollie Davis, Nicholas Dekker,

Vince Guerrieri, Jenna Nahhas, Kristina Smith Digital Content Assistant Kelly Larson Editorial Interns Maggie Amacher, Abby Jenkins Art Director Rachael Jirousek Contributing Artists Laura Watilo Blake, Dean Davis, David Dingwell, Erik Drost, Doug Hinebaugh, Kristina Smith ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ADSALES@OHIOMAGAZINE.COM | 216/377-3652

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CONTENT STUDIO Managing Editor Claudia Plumley Senior Editor Kelsey Miller Associate Editor Jennifer Coon Junior Associate Editor Ashley Blaes Editorial Interns Sloane DiBari, Taylor Payne Managing Art Director Stephanie Mauric Art Director Emily Gommel Associate Art Director Sel James Video Producer Carrie Largent

INTERACTIVE MEDIA Director of Digital Strategy Jacquie Chakirelis Digital Strategy Manager Joe Vargo Development Manager Daniel Klinzing Digital Campaign Coordinator Kate Wildenthaler

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Ohio Magazine is not responsible for the care and/or return of unsolicited photographs, illustrations, manuscripts, books or any other material submitted for possible publication. All photographs are courtesy of the event or organization listed, unless otherwise credited.

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Cleveland Magazine | Ohio Magazine Lake Erie Living | LongWeekends Magazine Scene Magazine | Content Studio 1422 Euclid Ave., Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115 216/771-2833 | fax 216/781-6318 | glstudios.com

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Snow Days n 1966, Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation (formerly part of the Rocky River Reservation) in Strongsville hired a company called Winter Funland to build 700-footlong refrigerated twin toboggan chutes. A year later, the park system built The Chalet, a circular, two-story lodge with a fireplace and refreshment stand that offers an ideal spot to warm up after racing down the chutes at speeds reaching up to 50 mph. The toboggan chutes are open through the last week in February, and snow is not required for their operation. 16200 Valley Pkwy., Strongsville 44136, 440/572-9990, clevelandmetroparks.com

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LAURA WATILO BLAKE

Buttoned Up: Haulin’ Hoof Farm Store in Athens County crafts adorable and colorful buttons inspired by animals and other elements found in nature.

Dry and Mighty: The Westerville History Museum shares how the city was once the headquarters of the Anti-Saloon League, which helped spur the nation toward Prohibition.

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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Buttoned Up

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ong before a Haulin’ Hoof Farm Store button is ever sewn onto a sweater, it has already lived quite the life at the Fox family’s communal crafting table. Each button is rolled, stamped, smoothed by hand, fired, painted and glazed, with each ceramic button passing through nearly 14 steps from beginning to end. All of this happens at the family’s 100acre farm in Athens County, where an online store stocks crafting essentials like yarn bowls, needle minders and its most popular products: ceramic, wood and shed-antler buttons.

Owners Valerie and Chris Fox met working at George Jones Memorial Farm in Oberlin in 2003. Valerie was head farmer and had just graduated with a degree in sustainable agriculture from the University of Maine. Chris served as the head of site maintenance while getting his own natural-building business off the ground.

After getting married in 2004 and having their first daughter, Adallie, the Foxes purchased their own farm two years later. When Adallie was 12, she had saved enough money to buy a pottery wheel. Valerie, eager to support her daughter’s interests, decided to make buttons with her scrap clay. The buttons have since

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become a focus, with Adallie’s younger teen siblings Elsie and Oscar helping make them.

The family rolls and stamps the clay for each button before drilling and smoothing the holes and cleaning excess material from the back. The buttons’ edges are smoothed with a damp rag before they are bisque-fired and then painted.

After the paint dries, the buttons are finished with some fine detailing and layered glazing before going into the kiln. The wooden buttons the family makes come from maple, walnut, cherry and oak trees harvested on the property, which are milled, kiln dried, processed and finished with natural oil and beeswax.

Customers can buy traditional, solid-color buttons, but the most whimsical creations can be found in the “Animal & Special Theme Buttons” section of Haulin’ Hoof’s website, which shows off buttons shaped like songbirds, pigs, crescent moons, octopi and even a school of fish.

“It’s fun, especially at these shows where the ladies and the fellows come in, and they have their projects,” Valerie says of her customers’ reactions to the buttons. “It’s like a candy shop for knitters.” — Kelly Larson For more information, visit haulinhooffarm.com.

COURTESY OF HAULIN’ HOOF

Haulin’ Hoof Farm Store in Athens County crafts adorable buttons inspired by animals and other elements found in nature.

FASCINATING OBJECTS FROM OUR PAST

WOVEN COVERLET Made by Frederick E. Hesse in Logan, Ohio, in 1862

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ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE: COURTESY OF WESTERVILLE LIBRARY; OHIO FINDS: COURTESY OF MEANDER AUCTIONS

Dry and Mighty

Walk into the Westerville History Museum, and you step into the story of how Ohio helped bring forth the United States’ ban on alcohol, which lasted from 1920 to 1933. The museum’s collection includes items from the Anti-Saloon League, a single-issue organization that helped push the country toward Prohibition.

Founded by the Rev. Howard Hyde Russell, who was moved The Westerville by the toll alcohol took on families, the Anti-Saloon League began History Museum in Oberlin in 1893. Unlike other reform groups of the time, the orshares how the ganization focused entirely on restricting alcohol, avoiding broader city was once the social issues. By the early 1900s, the League was looking for a new headquarters of home, and Westerville had a reputation as a fiercely dry town. the Anti-Saloon “If you were looking for a place to work on fighting alcohol in League, which America at that time, where’s the one place in America you might helped spur think would be really welcoming? Westerville had established this Prohibition. reputation as being viciously, vehemently dry,” says museum manager Jackie Barton.

In the late 1800s, local saloons faced threats as residents fought to keep alcohol off their streets. The Anti-Saloon League, which arrived in town in 1910, sent an estimated 40 tons of mail each month, spreading its message across the nation to shape public opinion.

Visitors to the Westerville History Museum, located inside the Westerville Public Library, can see posters, broadsides and other artifacts that illustrate how the organization combined science, patriotism and morality to convince people to support temperance. Many posters highlight physical health, family life and patriotic duty. The messages were often aimed at men, while women were depicted as victims of alcohol.

“We are hoping that people will take what the Anti-Saloon League was doing and gain an understanding of it, but also gain some understanding of how American culture works today …” Barton says, “[and] maybe leave with a more nuanced understanding of their own culture, their own American culture.” — Maggie Amacher 126 S. State St., Westerville 43081, 614/882-7277, westervillelibrary.org/museum

perfect choice for an extra blanket on chilly nights, this colorful coverlet was woven by Frederick E. Hesse in 1862. Born in 1827, he was one of at least three known weavers in his family — Saxon immigrants who settled in Ohio and worked in Perry and Hocking counties, making coverlets from the 1830s through the 1860s.

Joseph-Marie Jacquard’s development of the Jacquard machine had revolutionized textile designs.

The apparatus that mounted to a hand loom arrived in America in the early 1820s, just a few years before Frederick Hesse’s birth. Functioning in many ways like an early punchcard computer system, the Jacquard machine used a complex series of cards, each of which corresponded to one line in the pattern.

Openings in the cards either allowed or blocked hooks and threads from passing through, allowing for eye-dazzling designs and customized corner blocks with details like the names of owner and manufacturer, as well as the date it was made. This Logan, Ohio, coverlet made by Hesse sold in September 2024. — Hollie Davis

$1,320 SOLD

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

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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VOICES UNHEARD

IT TOOK 250 YEARS

Visions of America

STORIES UNTOLD

TO SEE THIS CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN FEMALE VISUAL ARTISTS.

For the first time anywhere, never before assembled in one place, see over 100 examples of women shattering expectations, barriers, and conventions to make a lasting impact on the art world.

November 25, 2025 March 1, 2026 November 25, 2025 – March 1, 2026 CantonArt.org/shattered-glass

Cincinnati-based photographer Thomas Schiff’s new book shares panoramic views of our nation’s most beautiful civic buildings.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROGRAMS BY

A Major Exhibition Event Celebrating CMA’s 90th Anniversary!

Clockwise left to right (in detail): Marilyn (Vanitas), 1977. Audrey Flack.

The University of Arizona Museum of Art. © 1977, Audrey Flack. Spring (from The Four Seasons Series), 2006. Wendy Red Star, Apsáalooke (Crow). Saint Louis Art Museum. © Wendy Red Star.

Coerora, 1904. Emily Sargent. Sargent House Museum.

SPONSORED BY

For the first time anywhere, never before assembled in one place, see over 100 examples of women shattering expectations, barriers, and conventions to make a lasting impact on the art world. Don’t miss this special exhibition curated with impressive loans from museums across the U.S. and the Canton Museum of Art’s own collection!

PRESENTING SPONSOR

© 2025 Canton Museum of Art

Plan Your Visit at CantonArt.org/shattered-glass 1001 Market Avenue North, Canton, OH, 44702 Open Tues - Sun | Closed Mon & Major Holidays |

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

OHIO, published monthly except February, October and December, at 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44115, as filed October 1, 2024. The general business offices of the publisher are located at 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44115. The names and addresses of the Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor are: Publisher, Lute Harmon Jr., 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44115; Editor, Jim Vickers, 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44115; Managing Editor, Jim Vickers, 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio 44115. The owner is Great Lakes Publishing Company, 1422 Euclid Ave, Ste 730, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of stock are: Lute H. Harmon Sr., 1422 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115; Sue Harmon, 1422 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115; George Sedlak, 1422 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115; Lute Harmon Jr, 1422 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders owning or holding one percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities are: None. The average number of copies each issue during the preceding 12 months are: a) Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 28,367. b) Paid Circulation 1). Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions: 19,986. 2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions: 0. 3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mail Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS®: 2,958. 4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 28. c) Total Paid Distribution: 22,944. d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside-County Copies: 2,329. 2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies: 0. 3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 1,183. 4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 167. e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 3,679. f) Total Distribution: 26,623. g) Copies Not Distributed: 1,744. h) Total: 28,367. i) Percent Paid: 86.18%. The actual number of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date are: a) Total Number of Copies (Net press run): 30,347. b) Paid Circulation 1). Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions: 22,192. 2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions: 0. 3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mail Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS: 3,600. 4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0. c) Total Paid Distribution: 25,792. d) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution by Mail: 1) Free or Nominal Rate OutsideCounty Copies: 2,268. 2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies: 0. 3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 0. 4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 215. e) Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 2,483. f) Total Distribution: 28,275. g) Copies Not Distributed: 2,072. h) Total: 30,347. i) Percent Paid: 91.22%.

I certify that the statements made by me are correct and complete.

KRISTEN BRICKNER, BUSINESS MANAGER

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round 2000, Thomas Schiff began traveling the country taking photographs.

He pursued the lifelong passion alongside a career in insurance, gradually turning the weekend hobby into a decades-long documentation of American landmarks.

Ohio native Thomas Schiff has spent more During his travels, the resident of Cinthan two decades photographing significant cinnati would take pictures for several projsites across America. ects at a time, including one focused on our nation’s most beautiful public buildings.

They are the subject of his latest book, Civic Architecture Across America: Extraordinary Views.

His photographs provide a unique look at these landmarks. Each is created using a specialized panoramic camera that sits on a tripod and swings in a circle to capture a 360-degree (and in some cases up to 390-degree) photograph of a space.

Schiff estimates that he visited more than 100 sites for the project, producing about 140 panoramic photographs for the book. Each chapter also includes essays from historians and architects who help contextualize the sites. We talked with Schiff about the book’s connection to our nation’s 250th anniversary, specific sites featured and what he hopes readers will take away. — Erin Finan In what ways do you see the book connecting with the America 250 celebration?

A: The whole theme of the book and the exhibition was to refresh people’s memory of all the great buildings that are used to conduct the democratic process around the country: the statehouses where all the state officials pass state laws and courthouses to administer justice. There are some photographs [in the book] of George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, and also Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

You photographed the Newark Earthworks for this book. How do you see that site fitting in with theme of this book?

A: I think it just adds a different aspect, a different flavor. We think of the country as only 250 years old when you think of the starting point as the Declaration of Independence, [but] life in the country, life in Ohio, goes back thousands of years before that. The Earthworks is what’s left of that civilization.

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

A: I hope it will give them a little sense of history, and it will kind of remind them of their school days when they studied American history. … I hope it will remind them of those times and allow them to reflect on our country and how unique it was in the course of history.

For more information, visit trschiff.com.

HEADSHOT: TINA GUTIERREZ

ARTWORK UNSEEN

DATEBOOK

Serve City

Jan. 10: Columbus

H

ANTHONY ROBERTSON

ead to Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus for the home opener of the Columbus Fury, which is kicking off its third season with Major League Volleyball. The Fury welcomes the Omaha Supernovas to the city’s Arena District on Jan. 10. There are six other Major League Volleyball teams scheduled to make appearances, with organizations in Atlanta, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Orlando and San Diego.

Regular-season play runs through May. 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus 43215, 614/380-3879, columbusfury.com Elemental Journeys: Artist Tony Foster examines the enormity

and fleeting nature of time through his watercolor paintings.

An exhibition of his work opens in Dayton on Feb. 21.

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

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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DATEBOOK

Elemental Journeys

Artist Tony Foster examines both the enormity and fleeting nature of time with his watercolor paintings.

An exhibition of his work opens at the Dayton Art Institute on Feb. 21.

elicate brush strokes steeped in muted earth tones capture the vast, layered expanse of Mount Everest in Tony Foster’s “Mt. Everest, From Ocean Floor to Roof of the World, 45-50 Million Years.” The watercolor artist created this piece at roughly 16,000 feet using a blend of gin, hot water and pigments to capture the north face of the highest mountain in the world.

Through the art of watercolor, Foster’s works have the power to put viewers in a time and place, and his exhibitions — what he refers to as “Journeys” — are always structured around a theme, using the natural world as a lens to explore larger ideas. It was this painting of Mount Everest that inspired his 19th Journey, “Tony Foster: Exploring Time, A Painter’s Perspective,” which originally opened in Cornwall, England, and is running Feb. 21 through May 17 at the Dayton Art Institute. It explores four themes of time: geological, biological, human and fleeting moments.

Each theme is conveyed through watercolor pieces that depict some of the most permanent things on Earth (like the Grand Canyon) to the most temporary (like a crashing wave or the shimmer of a rainbow).

Viewers may notice handwritten notes around the margins, a 10

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smattering of brushstrokes in various colors or even small sketches of leaves, fossils and other objects Foster encountered while painting.

These elements give the works a journal-like quality. This is because his works are done on-site, rather than taking a rough sketch back to a studio to create a more polished version later.

“Most of my work is done a long way from the end of a road,” Foster says. “It requires hiking or kayaking or canoeing or getting into the backcountry somehow or other. … Because they’re celebrations of wilderness, really, watercolor is very practical.”

Biological time is depicted through Earth’s ancient living organisms, such as the giant sequoias in California or the Pando aspen grove in Utah, while human time is represented through sites such as Malakoff Diggins in the Sierra Nevada, a former goldmine that was abandoned in the 1860s.

Foster’s watercolors capture the site’s slow return to nature.

“If people leave realizing how human beings are merely an eyelash in terms of the whole sweep of the Earth’s history,” Foster says of the exhibition, “perhaps we’ll be a bit more humble and a bit less bombastic about the way we use the Earth.”

456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton 45405, 937/223-4278, daytonartinstitute.org

PHOTO CREDIT

D

By Erin Finan

OPPOSITE PAGE: PETER MURRAY, COURTESY OF THE FOSTER MUSEUM PAUL MOUNSEY, COURTESY OF THE FOSTER MUSEUM

Tony Foster’s “Mt. Everest, From Ocean Floor to Roof of the World, 45-50 Million Years;” Tony Foster painting in Greenland, looking across the Kangia Icefjord, in August 2001 (opposite page) J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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theater

Mrs. Doubtfire

Jan. 20–21: Akron

festival

Buckeye Lake Winterfest & Polar Plunge Jan. 31 & Feb. 1: Buckeye Lake

O

n the last Saturday of January, thousands of people bundle up and head to Buckeye Lake before dawn, excited to see a fish predict the change of seasons. Yes, you read that right.

Buckeye Lake Winterfest’s tradition dates to 2014, and now nearly 25,000 visitors make their way to the boat ramp along the north shore of the 3,100-acre lake to watch it unfold each year.

“The first year, it was about 10 below zero [and] we thought we made a horrible mistake, but about 200 people showed up at 6 a.m.,” says Timothy Ryan, president of the Buckeye Lake Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the festival.

The main attraction of the one-day Buckeye Lake Winterfest is Benny the Bass. Like Punxsutawney Phil or Buckeye Chuck, Benny predicts the timing of spring.

Benny’s 150-pound aquarium is fit into a 1961 boat that

arrives at the ramp on a truck. At 7 a.m. sharp, organizers drop live bait into the aquarium and Benny has three minutes to decide whether to take it.

“Somebody came up with the idea of having a bass decide whether or not he would take the bait, and if he took the bait, it would be an early spring,” Ryan says. “If he didn’t, it would be six more weeks of winter.”

After the results, Benny retires to Buckeye Lake Brewery for the rest of the day, where visitors can grab a beer and see him up-close in his aquarium. His name is worked into food and brews served at the festival, and there’s even a Benny the Bass mascot. An art show and a polar plunge are set for the following day, Feb. 1.

“The way the region has really taken it on and gotten involved,” Ryan says, “that just keeps it exciting for me year after year.” — Abby Jenkins Hebron and Walnut roads, Buckeye Lake 43008, 740/398-7205, escapetobuckeyelake.com/winterfest

exhibit

Rembrandt: Masterpieces in Black and White Feb. 7–May 17: Cincinnati

The Taft Museum of Art showcases nearly 50 etchings in black and white by renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt van Rijn. On loan from the Rembrandt House Museum, the artist’s former residence and studio in Amsterdam, the exhibition features works that range widely in size and scope and showcase his mastery of the artform. It sheds light on innovations Rembrandt brought to printmaking and includes select works from his contemporaries, students and later printmakers influenced by his work. taftmuseum.org

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J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

Don’t miss this tale of a father looking to reconnect with his children by any means necessary, even pretending to be their new Scottish nanny. Based on the hit 1993 movie starring Robin Williams, “Mrs. Doubtfire” brings a heartwarming and humorous tale to the E.J. Thomas Hall stage as part of the Broadway in Akron series. playhouse square.org

dance

Peking Acrobats

Feb. 25: Zanesville Witness daring feats from gymnasts, jugglers, tumblers and trick cyclists in this can’t-miss display of incredible strength and flexibility. This renowned Chinese acrobat troupe showcases athletic prowess that seems to defy human limits alongside live traditional Chinese music and high-tech special effects in this one-night-only show at Secrest Auditorium. secrest auditorium.com

BUCKEYE LAKE: COURTESY OF BUCKEYE LAKE WINTEFEST; REMBRANDT: REMBRANDT HOUSE MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM; DOUBTFIRE: COURTESY OF PLAYHOUSE SQUARE; PEKING: COURTESY OF ZANESVILLE CONCERT ASSOCIATION

DATEBOOK

CALENDAR

FOR A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF EVENTS ACROSS OHIO, VISIT OHIOMAGAZINE.COM/EVENTS.

JANUARY Central Festivals JAN 31

Winterfest at Buckeye Lake

This annual celebration features a weather prediction courtesy of Buckeye Lake’s own Benny the Bass, followed by fireworks, live music, art shows, food trucks and more. North Shore Boat Ramp: Hebron and Walnut roads, Buckeye Lake, 740/398-7205. buckeyelakecc.com.

Visit website for times and prices.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS THRU MAY 26

The Science Behind Pixar

Explore the creativity and technology behind Pixar’s beloved animated films through more than 50 interactive exhibits. Try hands-on activities, hear stories from Pixar’s production teams and meet life-size re-creations of characters.

COSI, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, 614/-2282674. cosi.org. Wed.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Visit website for prices.

MUSIC + THEATER JAN 1–11

Back To The Future: The Musical

This electrifying stage adaptation reimagines the beloved film. Featuring iconic hits like “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode,” the show follows Marty McFly and Doc Brown on their time-traveling adventure to fix the past and protect the future. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-1045. capa.com. Visit website for times. $59–$162.

JAN 18

Barry Manilow

Enjoy an evening with Barry Manilow as he performs his greatest hits, including “Mandy,” “I Write the Songs” and “Copacabana (At the Copa).” Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, 614/246-2000. nationwide arena.com. 7 p.m. Visit website for prices.

JAN 22–FEB 15

Come From Away

Experience the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small Newfoundland town that welcomed them after 38 planes were diverted to Gander on 9/11. This Tony Award-winning musical captures the chaos, compassion and courage that arose from tragedy. Short North Stage, 1187 N. High St., Columbus, 614/469-1045. capa.com. Visit website for times and prices.

JAN 27–FEB 1

Les Miserables

Set in 19th-century France, this tale of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption celebrates the enduring power of the human spirit. The acclaimed production features beloved songs like “I Dreamed a Dream” and “One Day More.” Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-1045. capa.com. Visit website for times and prices.

OTHER EVENTS JAN 17

John Mulaney: Mister Whatever

Four-time Emmy Award winner John Mulaney returns to the stage with his newest stand-up tour, “Mister Whatever.” Mulaney brings his signature blend of humor and insight to audiences across North America. Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St., Columbus, 614/469-1045. capa.com.

7 p.m. Visit website for prices.

Northeast MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS THRU JAN 31

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown

Relive the joys and pitfalls of the holidays with the Peanuts gang. Discover the making of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in this traveling exhibition organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton, 330/455-7043. mckinleymuseum.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

THRU FEB 2

Renaissance to Runway: The Enduring Italian Houses

Explore fashion through the ages during this special exhibition that shows how fashion and family have been connected for centuries.

Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

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, cost, address of the event, phone number and website, as well as a brief description of the event. Events are published on a space-available basis; however, all events submitted 8 weeks in advance appear on ohiomagazine. com/events.

Some listings were written with the help of AI. Listings with photos are paid for by advertisers. Email us at adsales@ohiomagazine.com for more information on enhanced listings.

with imaginative stagecraft as you join Bilbo Baggins on a heroic journey where he encounters fearsome goblins, stubborn dwarves and the legendary dragon Smaug. Dobama Theatre, 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216/9326838. dobama.org. 7:30 p.m. $30–$48.

JAN 6–25

Stereophonic

The most Tony Award-nominated show in Broadway history, “Stereophonic” dives deep into the creative chaos of a 1976 recording studio. This electric play captures an up-andcoming rock band teetering between fame and collapse. Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216/241-6000. playhousesquare. org. Visit website for times and prices.

OTHER EVENTS THRU JAN 6

Steubenville Nutcracker Village

See over 200 unique, larger-than-life Nutcrackers displayed throughout the historic downtown with lights, music, Christmas trees, art displays, hayrides and other activities. Downtown Steubenville, 155 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, 740/371-6020. steubenvillenutcrackervillage. com. Visit website for times. Free.

JAN 8

Cucina Demonstration Dinner: A Taste of Winter Warmth

THRU MAR 1

Shattered Glass: The Women Who Elevated American Art

This exhibition features works by several women (many of whom are from Ohio) who made a lasting impact on the global art world. Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton, 330/453-7666. cantonart.org. Visit website for times and prices.

MUSIC + THEATER

Take part in this engaging demonstration-style dinner led by guest chefs and Gervasi’s culinary team, featuring seasonal techniques, inspired recipes and expertly paired wines in a beautiful, immersive setting. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard.com. 6–7:30 p.m. $75.

THRU JAN 4

JAN 9

See J.R.R. Tolkien’s charming classic adapted

Enjoy a weekend celebrating all things fishing

The Hobbit

Great Lakes Fishing Expo

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

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with expert-led seminars, top-quality vendors, delicious food and family-friendly fun. Metroplex Expo Center, 1620 Motor Inn Dr., Girard, 330/759-1674. greatlakesfishingexpo.com.

11 a.m.–4 p.m. $12.

JAN 15

Movement & Mocktail

throughout Gallipolis City Park. This annual event is recognized as one of USA Today ’s Merriest Main Streets. Gallipolis City Park, 334 Second Ave., Gallipolis, 740/446-6882. facebook.com/GallipolisInLights. Visit website for times. Free.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS THRU JAN 10

Howard Chandler Christy: A Golden Age Master, From the Trembly Family Collection

Celebrate Dry January with an energizing Pilates class and a handcrafted zero-proof cocktail. Take time to unwind, connect and enjoy flavorful small bites in a relaxed, social setting.

Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard. com. 6–7:30 p.m. $35.

Northwest MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS THRU JAN 18

Radiance and Reverie: Jewels from the Collection of Neil Lane

View this dazzling exhibition that celebrates the romance of fine jewelry across time. The collection is made up of over 150 pieces from Neil Lane. Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, 419/255-8000. toledomuseum.org. Visit website for times. Free.

MUSIC + THEATER JAN 8–10

Bluegrass in Superclass

See national, regional and local bluegrass bands perform over the course of this three-day event. Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center, 1750 State Park Rd. #2, Oregon, 330/3887280. bluegrassinsuperclass.com. Visit website for times and prices.

OTHER EVENTS JAN 20

Dinosaur World Live

Grab your compass and join an intrepid explorer on a thrilling journey through uncharted lands to uncover a prehistoric world filled with astonishing, life-like dinosaurs, from towering herbivores to the giant Tyrannosaurus rex. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo , 419/242-2787. valentinetheatre.com. 7 p.m. $23.

Southeast festivals

See this Ohio-born artist’s romantic yet realistic works, which include depictions of the Christy Girl, a World War I-era figure designed to embody the modern woman. Zanesville Museum of Art, 620 Military Rd., Zanesville, 740/452-0741. zanesvilleart.org. Visit website for times and prices.

MUSIC + THEATER JAN 23

Best of the Eagles

Enjoy an unforgettable performance by this premier tribute band that celebrates the timeless hits and harmonies of one of rock’s most iconic groups. Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre. com. 8–10 p.m. $59–$97.

OTHER EVENTS THRU JAN 1

20th Annual Dickens Victorian Village

Step back in time at Dickens Victorian Village, where life-size scenes featuring classic Charles Dickens characters re-create the charm, spirit and magic of the Victorian era. Historic Downtown Cambridge, 708 Wheeling Ave., Cambridge, 740/421-4956. dickensvictorianvillage. com. Visit website for times and prices.

Southwest MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS

Featuring Dolly Parton on screen, this show takes audiences on a journey through her iconic songs, heartfelt stories and enduring legacy.

Guest vocalists and musicians join the Cincinnati Pops to perform reimagined orchestrations of beloved hits. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

FEBRUARY Central MUSIC + THEATER FEB 14

Get the Led Out

Experience the music of Led Zeppelin like never before with this Philadelphia-based band of six veteran musicians dedicated to re-creating the group’s recorded sound on stage. Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Pl., Newark, 740/345-5483. midlandtheatre.org. 8 p.m. $39–$59.

FEB 13–15

BalletMet’s Peter Pan

Stunning sets, vibrant costumes, daring choreography and an imaginative vision bring new life to Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys, inviting audiences to rediscover the magic of childhood adventure. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-1045. capa.com. Visit website for times and prices.

See 20 quilts crafted between the early 1800s and 2015. The pieces showcase several indigodyeing techniques and highlight the artistry of 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.

FEB 19–22

MUSIC + THEATER JAN 3–4

Disney & Pixar’s Toy Story in Concert

Experience the beloved Pixar classic like never before as the Cincinnati Pops perform the film’s unforgettable score live, bringing every moment of friendship, adventure and imagination to life.

Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org. Visit website for times. $26.

See thousands of holiday lights displayed

Set in 1990s New York City, this musical follows

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony

OTHER EVENTS

Indigo and the Art of Quiltmaking

JAN 13–25

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JAN 23–25

THRU JAN 11

THRU JAN 2

Gallipolis in Lights

the story of Ali, a fiery 17-year-old searching for her place in the world. The show from 16-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys conveys a powerful story that pulses with iconic songs and new music. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

Hell’s Kitchen

Disney On Ice

This dazzling production combines world-class skating, acrobatics and beloved Disney stories as audiences help search for Tinker Bell across vibrant, imaginative worlds. Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, 614/2462000. nationwidearena.com. Visit website for times and prices.

Northeast MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS FEB 8

Braceville Underground Railroad History

Discover the untold stories of courage, resilience and freedom during this special event that is part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Braceville Town Hall, 582 Newton Falls Braceville Rd., Newton Falls, 330/3738395. trulytrumbull.com. 2–5 p.m. Free.

FEB 12–MAY 31

The Woman Behind the Lens: Frances Benjamin Johnston & the American Presidency

FEB 14

Michael Dutra & The Strictly Sinatra Band

Since 2002, Rhode Island native Michael Dutra has been performing his tribute to Frank Sinatra all over the United States, from Las Vegas to Miami to Boston. Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39 NE, Sugarcreek, 855/344-7547. dhgroup. com. 1–3 p.m., 7–9 p.m. $39.

FEB 21

Cochren & Co.

In 1894, Frances Benjamin Johnston was the only female photojournalist in Washington, D.C. She became the unofficial White House photographer for several administrations, including William McKinley. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW, Canton, 330/454-7043. mckinleymuseum.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

MUSIC + THEATER FEB 6

Salute to the King: A Tribute to Elvis

This performance takes audiences on a rock ’n’ roll journey through the music of Elvis Presley.

Experience three decades of hits with three outstanding performers paying homage to The King’s greatest hits, like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39 NE, Sugarcreek, 855/3447547. dhgroup.com. 1–3 p.m., 7–9 p.m. $44.

With hope-filled lyrics and timeless melodies, Cochren & Co. blurs the line between pop, rock, soul and blues to create a classic sound all their own. Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39 NE, Sugarcreek, 855/344-7547. dhgroup.com.

7–9 p.m. $43–$80.

than 50 ice sculptures and take trolley tours of Vermilion’s historic downtown. Downtown Vermilion, Main Street, Vermilion, 440/963-0772. mainstreetvermilion.org. 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Free.

FEB 21

Brite Winter

Listen to the sounds of new and familiar music acts at this annual event that embraces Cleveland’s chilly weather. For 2026, Brite Winter is moving to the Waterloo Arts District in Cleveland’s Collinwood neighborhood. Waterloo Arts District, 15605 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, 216/245-7890. britewinter.com. Visit website for times and prices.

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 27–28

FEB 24

With a career spanning more than three decades, Jim Brickman has become a household name in the world of contemporary music, blending pop and classical influences in his signature style. Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Rte. 39 NE, Sugarcreek, 855/344-7547. dhgroup. com. Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 1 p.m. $48.

Blending rock, country, Americana and folk, six-time Grammy Award winner Jason Isbell and his band deliver a show that has been praised as one of the most powerful performances in contemporary music. KeyBank State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216/241-6000. playhousesquare.org. 8 p.m. $73–$221.

Jim Brickman

Northeast

Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit

Northwest

festivals

MUSIC + THEATER

FEB 7

FEB 4

Watch ice-carving demonstrations, see more

Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur

Vermilion Ice A Fair

Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

15

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Romantic GETAWAYS

GERVASI VINEYARD RESORT & SPA

Experience romance at Gervasi Vineyard with luxurious suites overlooking breathtaking estate views.

Enjoy gourmet dining, award-winning wines, cozy fireplaces, and serene moments together. Stroll the picturesque grounds, unwind at The Spa, or savor a wine tasting. The perfect blend of elegance, relaxation, and unforgettable connection awaits. gervasivineyard.com • 330-497-1000

OHIO AMISH COUNTRY

Discover romance in Ohio Amish Country with a chance to win an overnight stay at the Berlin Grande Hotel.

Enjoy modern comfort, warm ambiance, and breathtaking countryside views. Whether celebrating love, reconnecting, or simply escaping cabin fever, this getaway offers the perfect blend of relaxation and charm. visitamishcountry.com • 330-674-3975

PLEASANT HILL LAKE PARK LUXURY LOG CABINS

Book your next romantic getaway at Pleasant Hill Lake Park’s luxury log cabins!

The cabins feature warm fireplaces, cozy atmosphere, and relaxing outdoor hot tubs perfect for a romantic retreat. Available year-round with adventure right outside the door! Enjoy hiking, nearby lake views, and all the convenience of home.

MWCD.org • 419-938-7884

ROMANTIC NIGHTS IN AKRON

Experience Akron’s vibrant arts scene with a romantic escape featuring live theater at Weathervane Playhouse, charming local dining, and cozy overnight accommodations. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or planning a spontaneous getaway, Akron offers the perfect blend of culture, comfort, and connection. Make your stay unforgettable with this curated romantic retreat.

StayinAkron.com • 614-461-6462

joins Kerry Butler and Laura Bell Bundy for a joyful reunion concert. The trio first met while originating the roles of Tracy, Penny and Amber in “Hairspray,” and now they return to the stage for a night of laughter, storytelling and powerhouse vocals. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo, 419/242-2787. valentinetheatre.com.

7:30 p.m. $68–$98.

FEB 22

Mark Twain Tonight

Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas brings Mark Twain’s wit and wisdom to this legendary one-man show originally performed

by Hal Holbrook. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, 200 W. Main Cross St., Findlay, 419/423-2787. mcpa.org. 7:30 p.m. $69–$109.

Southeast MUSIC + THEATER FEB 12

Eli Young Band & Lanco

Following the release of their single “Strange Hours,” this chart-topping country group hits the stage with new music and fan-favorite tunes.

The band is joined by country group Lanco.

Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740/371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre.com. 8 p.m. $47.50–$119.50.

FEB 25

Peking Acrobats

These amazing entertainers perform daring

18

J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2026

maneuvers and display technical prowess in trick cycling, juggling and gymnastics. The performance is accompanied by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.

Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick St., Zanesville, 740/588-0871. zanesvilleconcertassociation. org. 3–5:30 p.m. Visit website for prices.

Southwest festivals FEB 7

Cincy Winter Beerfest

Spend a day sampling hundreds of local and regional beers, seltzers and ciders at this event billed as Cincinnati’s largest craft beer celebration. Cincinnati Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati, cincybeerfest.com. Visit website for times. $57.50.

MUSEUMS + EXHIBITS FEB 21–MAY 17

Tony Foster: Exploring Time, A Painter’s Perspective

Artist Tony Foster’s watercolor works capture how time shapes the land, from fleeting changes in light to vast geological transformations.

Organized into four themes, this exhibition invites visitors to consider the planet’s continual evolution and reflect on the visible passage of time. Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Dr. N., Dayton , 937/223-4278. daytonartinstitute.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

MUSIC + THEATER FEB 10–22

Shucked

This Tony Award-winning musical comedy serves up a bushel of laughs in the heart of Cob County, where an unlikely hero and a charming con man face off in a battle for love and land. The fresh, feel-good production features a clever book by Robert Horn of “Tootsie” and direction by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien of “Hairspray.” Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

FEB 13–21

Swan Lake

Celebrated as one of the greatest ballets ever created, this timeless production blends stunning choreography and graceful movement, bringing a haunting tale of love and loss to life on stage. Cincinnati Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org.

Visit website for times and prices.

FEB 28

Changes: A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of David Bowie Join the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for a dazzling musical tribute to the genre-bending genius of David Bowie. Be immersed in vibrant arrangements that deliver his glam, funk, soul, and art-rock act like never before. Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton, 937/2283630. daytonperformingarts.org.

7:30 p.m. $33.50–$133.

THE VILLAS

o r v . a S S t . a p y i .

S GERVASI IS A LUXURY

WINERY RESORT ESCAPE

Find your perfect getaway at Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa — a slice of Italian heaven nestled in northeast Ohio. Bring your partner, friends or entire family for a magical escape on a stunning Tuscan-inspired estate.

THE CASA

Make Memories Here Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa wasn’t simply built; it was poured from the heart and founded on the idea of creating lasting memories rooted in family, love and tradition. Every detail is a personal touch. The resort itself was named after Ted Swaldo’s mother and inspired by her Italian heritage. The Still House — right down to the bell tower — was modeled after St. Gervasio church in Denno, where Ted’s mother was baptized. OLINDA, a new restaurant located nearby, was named after Ted’s wife and high school sweetheart. The Portuguese word means “Oh beautiful,” perfectly symbolizing the resort’s dedication to providing stunning destinations for meaningful moments and ensuring every visitor feels like family.

Good Taste From morning to night, indulge in a diverse range of food and drink experiences without leaving the resort.

Start your day at The Still House for morning coffee, pastries or a light breakfast. Plan to return later in the evening, when it offers cocktails, small plates and a cigar lounge.

For a sophisticated evening, The Bistro features upscale Italian dining within a beautifully restored historic barn dating back to the 1820s. Wine enthusiasts can descend into The Cave, a cool, intimate spot to taste the winery’s more than 30 selections, including some made from grapes grown on site. Alternatively, The Crush House, an industrial-chic space, includes an expansive modern bar and restaurant focusing on seasonal dishes

designed to complement the wines.

Don’t miss a photo op under the striking red wine bottle chandelier. In warmer months, both The Crush House and The Piazza welcome visitors to dine al fresco, the latter boasting lake views. Should your travels take you off site, explore the nearby OLINDA (ideal for brunch or a casual dinner) and The Twisted Olive (a rustic-chic venue in a park-like setting with fresh takes on Italian American classics).

Play Here Experience unforgettable moments with activities curated to delight every guest. Enhance your culinary skills in vibrant setting during a culinary demonstration, where chefs offer techniques for crafting traditional Italian favorites and innovative seasonal dishes.

Hone your bartending skills with a cocktail class, where you’ll learn to mix classics like the Manhattan or Gervasi’s signature Lush Blush martini. Immerse yourself in the world of wine by booking a guided tasting in The Cave, complete with a tour of the winery to discover the journey from grape to glass. Meanwhile, tastings and pairing events invite you to uncover the perfect combinations of wine and culinary bites. On Wednesday through Saturday evenings, the resort also delights guests with live music at The Still House (or outdoors at The Piazza during warmer months). Also in summertime, free weekly Cruise-Ins promise casual, family-friendly fun for car lovers of all ages.

DON’T MISS: Before you leave, stop by The Marketplace to shop for elegant home decor, gifts, jewelry and bottles of signature wine and spirits.

THE SPA

THE VILLAS

$199 Winter Stays!

Scan to come stay with us for Winter Mondays and get a Wine Cave Package or a Distillery Ticket Package with two tasting tickets!

REFRESH Find luxurious villas, stunning views, a dreamy spa, palate-pleasing dining and award-winning wines.

THE BISTRO

Relax & Rejuvenate

THE CRUSH HOUSE

At Gervasi, tranquility is always within reach. It all starts at The Spa, where serene views overlooking the lush grounds set the scene for a day of self-care. Relax with a healing massage, revitalizing facial or other luxurious body treatment before indulging in a mani/pedi to feel your absolute best. Once you’re feeling totally zen, step outside and connect with nature via the extensive walking paths that wind past the flourishing vineyards, gardens and a lake. Take a moment to pause at the open-air Pavilion by the water — a perfect spot for a scenic selfie provided it isn’t hosting a special event.

PRO TIP: Visit in the summertime to indulge in Wellness Tuesdays, which nourish the mind, body and spirit through yoga, pilates and sound bath classes outside at the Pavilion.

THE STILL HOUSE

Sleep in Style To truly immerse yourself in the Gervasi experience, choose from an

Celebrate the Holidays Here

exquisite collection of one-of-a-kind accommodations. Book an overnight stay in one of the elegant rooms at The Villas or The Casa, where you can wake up to a complimentary breakfast delivered right to your door. The four suites in each villa are ideal for groups traveling together, offering a common area perfect for mingling and socializing before or after a day of activities. For a unique and charming stay, larger parties will adore The Farmhouse, a beautifully restored structure that retains its authentic 1800s character while providing all of the modern, upscale luxuries you’d expect from a premier resort.

Special Packages Experience the best of Gervasi with exclusive deals on accommodations.

Take advantage of the $199 Winter Mondays promotion for a mid-week escape. Opt for a Sunday Bourbon Distillery Ticket Package or Wine Cave Ticket Package that includes two tickets to a tour and overnight stay. Or choose the Spa Escape, a two-night stay with a $200 spa credit.

Plan a trip during the holidays to stay in the Mrs. Kringle Suites, which are fully decorated for the season, complete with cookies and milk, themed robes and books.

THE CAVE

THE PIAZZA

THE BISTRO

Plan Ahead for More Fun Mark your calendar for special events that offer something for everyone looking to get away and make memories.

Every March take a Wellness Retreat, which invites you to become the CEO of your life with an overnight stay, wellness classes, spa treatments and healthy eating. Looking to learn more about wine? Sign up for an entry-level course that provides the basic information on grape varieties, introduction to wine tasting and property tours led by head winemaker David Smith — a great starting point for novice consumers.

Enjoy the perfect combinations of wine and bites during frequent wine pairing events. Find out the best varieties to go with everything from cheese to pumpkin desserts. Or take a cocktail class to learn how to make classic drinks like Manhattans and Gervasi’s signature cocktails, including their Lush Blush Martini made with GS Sinner’s Blush Rosé Vodka.

Bring Your Event Here From bridal and baby showers to weddings and corporate retreats, Gervasi offers special spaces for every kind of gathering. For larger events, impress your guests at the stunning, open-air Pavilion or refined Villa Grande with a ballroom and conference center.

Smaller groups will appreciate the lovely Conservatory, while private spaces within the resort’s award-winning restaurants (The Bistro, The Crush House, The Cave or off-site The Twisted Olive) are ideal for more intimate celebrations like engagements, romantic dinners for two or business meetings.

WELLNESS RETREAT

THE TWISTED OLIVE

THE CONSERVATORY

FARM & TABLE Griddle Goodness Sandusky Bay Pancake House gave a former Perkins restaurant new life as a locally sourced breakfast spot known for its fun takes on pancakes.

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hen the restaurant closings of the pandemic arrived in 2020, Sandusky business owner Steven Schuster saw the disruption as an opportunity to take his Perkins Pancake House location independent. He and his father had operated the franchise as part of the chain founded in Cincinnati since 1966, but he wanted to create something new.

RACHAEL JIROUSEK

BLUEBERRY MUFFIN TOP ’CAKES AND A BLOODY MARY

Paczki Fever: Each Fat Tuesday, customers line up outside Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma for this delectable Eastern European pastry.

Royal Flamingo Coffee, Columbus: Driven by curiosity and craft, this Columbus roastery has evolved from a home hobby into an inventive and award-winning coffee brand.

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In less than a week, he had the blessing of his father and his wife and began working with his family to perfect their pancake recipe, brainstorm names for the new restaurant and discuss logo ideas. Today, Sandusky Bay Pancake House thrives as a favorite among locals and tourists alike. They gobble up the restaurant’s pancakes made with buttermilk from Toft’s Dairy in Sandusky, thick-cut bacon from JH Routh Packing in Castalia and bakedfrom-scratch cinnamon rolls and biscuits. “Eat, Drink, Think … Local!” serves not only as the Sandusky Bay Pancake House mantra but also the cornerstone of everything it does.

“That’s not just on the back of our shirts,” Schuster says. “We believe it. We knew there would be support for local businesses coming out of [the pandemic]. ... We also knew from a tourist standpoint, you don’t want to go to a chain restaurant. You really want to experience the local fare.”

Sandusky Bay Pancake House lists the more than 20 local vendors it works with, from nearby orchards that provide fruit to the Sandusky-made Peerless Ovens used for baking.

The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, with pancakes available as a main dish or as a side.

Bacon and eggs are the bestselling dish on the menu, followed by Cinnamon Swirl pancakes. Diners also love the Blueberry Muffin Top ’Cakes, which are made with the best part of the muffin crumbled into the batter, and the Chocolate Chipper pancakes, loaded with chocolate chunks and topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. For a sweet-andsavory combo, go with the Pigs in a Blanket pancakes with sausage from Polansky’s Meat Market in Amherst.

“You can’t re-create at home what we do when we make it from scratch,” Schuster says.

“The ingredients we use make our pancakes special.” — Kristina Smith 4710 Milan Rd., Sandusky 44870, 419/625-2614, sanduskybaypancakehouse.com

Sandusky Bay Pancake House made over its space as a bright and inviting destination for travelers and locals alike, who show up for a menu of scratch-made classics.

Paczki Fever Each Fat Tuesday, customers line up outside Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma for this delectable Eastern European pastry.

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efore dawn on Fat Tuesday, the line outside Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma stretches down Ridge Road and around the corner. Customers wait hours for a box of the bakery’s legendary paczki, the rich, filled pastries that have become a symbol of Greater Cleveland’s Eastern European community.

Founded in 1948 by Austrian immigrants Rudy and Anne Belohlavek, the bakery has long been a neighborhood favorite. When current co-owner Lidia Trempe’s parents, who were immigrants from Ukraine and Poland, bought the bakery in the 1970s, they carried on its Old World spirit and began selling paczki (pronounced “pohnch-kee”) in 1986. Paczki season at Rudy’s begins in early January and runs through Fat Tuesday (Feb. 17 this year) and a week or two beyond.

In 2025, the shop sold a total of around 100,000 paczki.

“If you get a dozen paczki and your arms aren’t hurting from holding it, you didn’t get the right paczki, so you’re not at Rudy’s,” Trempe says.

While traditional fillings like prune and raspberry remain favorites, Trempe is also known for creative twists, from the savory Clevelander stuffed with sauerkraut and kielbasa to the Superhost buttercream, a nod to a beloved local TV character.

“It’s my love letter to the city I love,” Trempe says of the shop’s Fat Tuesday tradition. “The city harbored my parents when they came with nothing. ... It’s just so special because it’s like inviting people over to my house.” — Maggie Amacher 5580 Ridge Rd., Parma 44129, 440/886-4430, rudysstrudel.com

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LEFT: RACHAEL JIROUSEK; PACZKI: BHOFACK2/ISTOCK

FARM & TABLE

Hungry for More Ohio Magazine?

Visit OhioMagazine.com/recipes for new dishes and reader favorites.

Royal Flamingo Coffee, Columbus Driven by curiosity and craft, this Columbus roastery has evolved from a home hobby into an inventive and award-winning coffee brand.

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COURTESY OF ROYAL FLAMINGO COFFEE

ryan Brzozowski is not one for sitting still. Fortunately for the rest of us, that restlessness has led to internationally acclaimed coffees.

“Bryan doesn’t do well with boredom,” says his wife, Beth Stallings.

The couple had long been interested in specialty coffee, and Brzozowski, who worked as a small business banker at Chase, would often take clients to Columbus shops like Crimson Cup and One Line Coffee, impressed by how they imparted their love for coffee to others. In fall 2018, that interest led him to roasting his own.

“It didn’t feel like a stretch to say, ‘Let’s buy you a roaster,’” Stallings recalls.

They first purchased a home roaster, which allowed Brzozowski to roast 150 grams of coffee at a time, eventually selling beans online and at a local farmers market.

They continued roasting during the pandemic and dubbed their roastery Royal Flamingo Coffee, after a prominent piece of artwork in their home that features a crowned flamingo.

They upgraded to a commercial roaster in 2022, and two months later, they were

at the Golden Bean North America roasting competition, where they took home five bronze medals for their espresso. The awards kept coming. They won gold in espresso for CM Red Fruits in 2023 and silver for filter coffee in Melbourne, Australia, in 2024.

“Many of the farmers we end up sourcing from are really pushing the limits on specialty coffee,” Stallings says. “They’re really focused on the fermentation and the drying process.”

The results are coffees with dynamic flavor profiles ranging from fruity to candy-like to funky.

In 2024, the couple opened a Columbus coffee shop, sharing a space with I Like It Like That cocktail bar. Brzozowski and Stallings craft a coffee menu that appeals to both casual coffee drinkers and the more adventurous. The menu is divided into Daily Greats and Super Fun. The former features more traditional flavors, while the latter appeals to those who want to challenge their palates. First-timers should order the Barista’s Breakfast, a tasting board with a shot of espresso, a sample of batch brew and a flat white.

“That’s how I make a choice in the morning: What adventure do I want?” Stallings says. “Do I want a clean cup of coffee or something that’s going to blow my mind?”

— Nicholas Dekker 945 King Ave., Columbus 43212, 614/233-1352, royalflamingocoffee.com J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

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FALLS EDGE GLASS WALKWAY, NELSON-KENNEDY LEDGES STATE PARK

\Winter is here, and our hearts are full with these 30 reasons to adore our state right now. From new gathering spots to fresh food finds to feel-good moments that put smiles on our faces during the past 365 days, we look forward to a new year of beauty, adventure and fun.

JOSIAH WADE

By Maggie Amacher, Nicholas Dekker, Erin Finan, Vince Guerrieri, Abby Jenkins, Kelly Larson, Gracie Metz, Jenna Nahhas, Kristina Smith and Jim Vickers

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ROOTED REVIVAL Mudlick Tap House began in Germantown over a decade ago. This summer, the crafted scratch kitchen moved to a new location in Centerville that pays tribute to its past.

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amed after the highest producing whiskey distillery in the northeast at the turn of the century, the Mudlick Tap House has served mindfully sourced food and handcrafted drinks since Jennifer and Forrest Williams founded it over a decade ago in the Montgomery County city of Germantown.

“Our intent was just to open as a little growler fill station,” Jennifer says.

They quickly expanded to include small plates and pub fare before relocating to downtown Dayton in 2017. When the opportunity arose to custom build a new location, the restaurant moved to the bustling suburban environment of Uptown Centerville and reopened in summer 2025.

Touches throughout the comfortable new space pay tribute to Mudlick Tap House history.

“When you walk in the restaurant, the host stand is our original four-person bar from Germantown,” Jennifer says.

Edison lightbulbs in horseshoe lamps and exposed beams evoke the Williamses’ background raising horses, and a whiskey bottle from the original distillery sits on display. Wood accents and Chesterfield upholstery ground the classic 1920s interior design. Diners can enjoy the intimate booths, open-floor dining area, silver-ceilinged bar and covered patio.

Mudlick Tap House offers craft beers and even integrates them into

dishes like the Warped Wing Trotwood Lager-battered codfish, which comes served with house-cut fries.

The Gem City Lemonade, featuring a housemade lemon curd, and other cocktails complement the menu of elevated pub fare with a Southern twist.

Jennifer recommends diners start with the deviled eggs made with “the best mayonnaise on Earth” — New Orleans Blue Plate Mayonnaise — and a hint of horseradish for a final kick.

The popular balsamic fig jam burger with grilled halloumi, a balsamic reduction and caramelized onions is another menu favorite. Other items rounding out the curated menu include the pastry chef’s seasonal winter tiramisu cheesecake. 110 W. Franklin St., Dayton 45459, 937/895-4066, mudlicktaphouse.com

Tolkien Tribute

In 2020, Dedee O’Neil donated 203 acres to the Medina County Park District, which operates 25 parks and preserves spanning more than 9,000 acres. O’Neil’s donation now exists as Rivendell Nature Preserve and represents the largest single land donation in the organization’s history. She was involved during the park’s development, and its name, Rivendell, came from her love of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy to reflect its beautiful and welcoming nature. The preserve opened in September 2025 and has a mile of walkable trails as well as a fishing pond and an open-air shelter. 7223 Greenwich Rd., Seville 44273, 330/722-9364 medinacountyparks.com 28

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TOP: ALLEN FARST; BOTTOM: MEDINA COUNTY PARK DISTRICT

Social Space

Sand volleyball, multilevel patios and five restaurants all converge at Butler County’s Liberty Collective. Built and developed by Mike and Heather Ewers, the entertainment complex covers 3.4 acres and opened in Liberty Township in September 2025.

Order hibachi-style entrees at Rice Life or go for American comfort food favorites at Bristol’s Burgers.

Ms. Lei Lei’s Crafted Chicken, Roberto and Miguel’s, and Ramundo Pizza Familigia round out the restaurant lineup.

There are also ice cream, coffee and sweets shops, along with three bars and a self-pour beer wall.

Liberty Collective also offers live entertainment, one of the largest LED screens in the area and seating for 800. 6735 Lakota Lane, Liberty Township 45044, liberty-collective.com

Gorge Views

Following its opening in May 2025, the Falls Edge Glass Walkway at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park drew an estimated 500,000 visitors over the summer alone.

Situated 50 feet above Sylvan Creek’s gorge, the “S”-shaped glass walkway provides unique views of the park’s breathtaking natural features, specifically Minnehaha Falls, which roars to life after a heavy rain. Spring and fall are considered ideal times to visit this 167-acre park in Portage County, which is known for its rock formations and vibrant flora. 12440 St. Rte. 282, Garrettsville 44231, 330/235-0030, ohiodnr.gov

Counter Culture

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CONEY CROONER

TOP: JOSIAH WADE; BOTTOM: COURTESY OF CHEF-O-NETTE

he Chef-O-Nette has been a mainstay of Upper Arlington’s Tremont Center since 1955. Generations have walked through its doors to settle into booths or sit at the two angled counters for hearty and inexpensive breakfasts, burgers and shakes.

In early 2024, longtime owner Harlan Howard announced he was ready to retire, having worked there since his father purchased the diner in 1970. Fortunately, Michael Purdum, owner of the Old Bag of Nails pubs across central Ohio, offered to buy the diner.

“I had heard from Harlan that the sun was setting on the Chef-O-Nette,” Purdum says. “I went to him and asked, ‘If I took it over and kept the Chef, what would you think of that?’

He said, ‘I think that would be a great idea.’ ” The Chef-O-Nette’s charm lies in the fact that it remained unchanged for decades, but Purdum knew he’d have to make some upgrades. He installed a new range hood and walk-in cooler, improved the bathrooms and replaced the kitchen equipment, while leaving the dining room’s original look. ChefO-Nette reopened to the public in summer 2025.

Purdum suggests ordering the cheesy scrambled eggs for breakfast and the Chef-O-Burger with crinkle-cut fries and a chocolate milkshake for lunch. He also recommends the broasted chicken tenders.

“They’re pressure fried, so they’re super tender and super crispy,” he says. “We sell more and more every week.” 2090 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington 43221, 614/488-8444, chefonette.com

For those who love Skyline Chili, the longtime Cincinnati favorite sells itself. But the brand got an unofficial pitchman during 2025 in the form of Hot Dog Harv (aka Harvey Hoops). The Cincinnati-area kid became an Internet sensation when he unleashed his parody of pop star Chappell Roan’s hit “Hot to Go” called “Hot Dogs to Go.” Like any good artist, he followed it up with a second parody single based on Roan’s song “Pink Pony Club.”

We defy you to watch Hot Dog Harv’s video for his “Cheese Coney Club” and not have it stuck in your head for the rest of the day. hotdogharv.com

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The restoration of the historic arcade in downtown Newark gave a tired property new life and provides a community gathering place with shopping, food and apartments.

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n the early 1900s, visitors to downtown Newark would find the arcade at North Third Street buzzing. The Newark Arcade featured more than 30 shops when it opened in 1909 and served as a community hub for decades before falling into disrepair in the late 1970s.

It housed few shops in the years that followed and was on continuous fire watch due to its age and condition. Then, Newark Development Partners, an organization dedicated to revitalizing the city’s downtown, purchased the property in 2019 and got to work.

“The arcade being such a large project and being able to contribute to the revitalization is one thing,” says PJ Sullivan, executive director of Newark Development Partners. “The other 30

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[thing] is the amount of people that remember the original arcade. … They’ve seen it fall into disrepair, and now to see it back to its original look and feel is special.”

Since the project was a restoration rather than a renovation, certain elements of the property had to be brought back to their original appearance, like the etching on the skylights, which was made to mimic the look of the original glass.

The restoration took four years, with the arcade reopening in February 2025. It now houses 21 locally owned stores spanning home goods and bath supplies to books and apparel. Food options include a bottle shop with small plates, a coffeehouse and The Downtown Ice Cream Parlor, which is modeled after an old-fashioned ice cream shop.

Nineteen loft apartments can be found upstairs, and an upscale Italian restaurant, Fantuzzo’s, is expected to open in March 2026. The arcade hosts weekly winter farmers markets too.

“Having a place where you can go in, stroll around, get warm, get a cup of coffee [and] grab something to eat makes people more prone to doing things downtown,” Sullivan says.

31 N. Third St., Newark 43055, 740/349-9340, historicnewarkarcade.com

Those seeking a sampler of Ohio wines, spirits and beer all under one roof, can check out this new spot in Zanesville’s downtown arts district. Founded

by Angela and Joe Bailey, along with Kenny and Tessa Dickerson, the 21-and-older A Taste of Ohio Wine, Bourbon & Beer features pour stations that allow patrons to try wine, spirits and beer from across the state, including options from Buckeye Winery in Newark, LandGrant Brewing Co. in Columbus and the city’s own Y-Bridge Brewing Co. Even the cigar area features options rolled in nearby New Lexington.

524 Main St., Zanesville 43701, 740/297-4502, atasteofohiowbb.com

SCHOOLEY CALDWELL

ARCADE REVIVAL

Local Flavor

Miami Spice

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aul and Neil Barraco grew up in an Italian family that lived in Miami.

Their exposure to the cuisines of their heritage, as well as the city’s Caribbean and Latin American cultures guided their menu at Flamingo Drive Bar & Lounge in Milford, which offers a taste of life on the Biscayne Bay in suburban Cincinnati.

“We wanted to bring a little bit of that [to Milford] and then run it through the veil of all the local produce that we can get here … and see how it all meshes,” Paul says.

Using vegetables from Just Farmin’ in Hamilton, tomatoes from Cincinnati’s Sallie Ransohoff and Wagyu beef from Sakura Farms in Westerville, Paul and Neil put a Midwestern spin on classic dishes one would find on restaurant menus in Miami. Their mother, Sheryll, bakes every dessert, including the key lime tart, made with vanilla lime chantilly cream and cocoa nibs.

The twice-cooked Wagyu brisket topped with fried maduros and mole blanco is Flamingo Drive’s take on ropa vieja, a stewed-beef dish popular in Latin America. The restaurant’s Cuban sandwich stands out with its Jarlsberg spread, slow-braised pork and butter bread.

“We [contacted] La Segunda Bakery in Tampa, which is the oldest continuously run Cuban bakery in the country,” Paul says. “We directly get their Cuban bread three times a week.” 227 Main St., Milford 45150, 513/444-4190, flamingodrivelounge.com

CATHERINE GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

PUDGE POWER We don’t know how Freddy and Frieda Falcon feel about it, but Pudge, Bowling Green State University’s “mas-cat,” made headlines this year, after receiver Finn Hogan shared a video of the cat hanging out in Bowling Green’s locker room on social media. An exotic, short-hair Persian cat,

Pudge belongs to Bowling Green long snapper George Carlson, but the cat’s grumpy-looking face and seemingly chill demeanor made him a media sensation in fall 2025, garnering him attention from ESPN, People and “Good Morning America.” Bowling Green’s local T-shirt company, BG Memories even made Pudge T-shirts. Despite a 2-1 start, the Pudge mojo didn’t last, as the Falcons finished the season at 4-8.

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Vintage Flair

Wild Waters

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oombezi Bay, the waterpark owned by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, isn’t just about adrenaline. It’s also about awareness.

The park’s new Conservation Tower, which opened in June 2025, shows that a day on the slides can do more than raise your heart rate.

It can support conservation work happening across Ohio.

The Conservation Tower is the first in the world themed around active wildlife initiatives. Each of the three slides connects to an Ohio program led by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Hive spins 32

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riders through 720-degree helixes inside two massive “beehives,” pointing to the region’s pollinator protection efforts.

Mussel Mayhem sends visitors twisting through face-to-face tubes that raise awareness about freshwater mussel conservation, while Captina Falls, a headfirst mat slide inspired by Captina Creek, honors hellbender salamander research with “flying saucer” turns.

“Zoombezi Bay being the only water park in North America that is owned and operated by a zoo, we really wanted to kind of take the next step to name and theme an attraction after conservation efforts that the zoo is already doing,” says Anthony Sabo, vice president of Zoombezi Bay. That message extends far beyond the splash. About 20% of Zoombezi Bay’s gate revenue supports the zoo’s wildlife programs, and the new slides invite waterpark visitors to engage more deeply with that mission. 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell 43065, 614/645-3400, zoombezibay.com

TOP: BEN WRIGHT; BOTTOM: COURETESY OF COLUMBUS ZOO & AQUARIUM

Experience a blast from the past at Nice Life, a new retro cocktail bar in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Opened in October 2025 by hospitality group 4EG, the bar leans into a 1970s through ’90s vibe with a color-block dance floor, disco balls, neon lighting and a cosmic twist, which includes a life-size painted alien named Roxanne. Created with interior designer Michelle Pinales, Nice Life also features an illuminated back bar and a hidden patio mural by Technique2012 that is inspired by “The Martian.” Guests can sip seasonal drinks like the Saturday Night Cider or glitter-filled Mirrorball Drop shot. 1150 Main St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/381-0814, nicelifeotr.com

CREATURE CONNECTIONS The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s new North America Trek gives visitors a close-up look at some of the animals who share our geographically diverse continent with us. .

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eeing animals from around the globe has always been part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium experience, but now the conservation destination’s new North America Trek brings visitors the opportunity to learn about creatures from our own continent.

The six revitalized habitats for American songbirds, trumpeter swans, black bears, North American river otters, Mexican wolves and bald eagles opened in June 2025. The updates provide multiple vantage points for viewing the animals, and theming and signs throughout North America Trek were inspired by our nation’s national parks.

“We wanted to find a way that would resonate with an experience in North America, and what better way [than to] leverage our national park system,” says Tyler Menke, vice president of planning, construction and facilities at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

North America Trek is the result of a fouryear process to overhaul the zoo’s North America area, which has been around for nearly four decades. Immersive design transports visitors to other parts of North America, particularly in the Mexican wolf habitat where a faux rock formation with cascading water looks as if it were plucked from the American Southwest.

“We created viewing angles so the animals could have that dominant view on us, and that creates better well-being for the animals and gets them more interactive,” Menke says.

Phase two of North America Trek is currently being designed and is expected to include updates to the red fox, moose, cougar, lynx and

TOP: GRAHM S. JONES; BOTTOM: COURTESY OF CASEY BOTT

Tropical Getaway

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outheast Ohio is widely known for its wild side thanks to a mix of foothills and forests, but now it’s also home to a new tropical-style getaway. Casey and Natalie Bott founded The Treehouses at Owl Hollow in 2023 and opened a third unit known as the Conservatory at Owl Hollow in fall 2025.

Located on 20 acres in Monroe County, the newest Airbnb getaway offers a tropical oasis that provides seclusion from the outside world. The Conservatory at Owl Hollow aims to resemble a Costa Rican retreat, from the custom-made, gecko-shaped interlocking paving stones to the indoor pool that is kept at 90 degrees year-round.

wolverine habitats, as well as reintroduce a natural play space where kids can make their own discoveries.

“We want to bring that natural play back,” Menke says, “because there’s so much to being able to go out in your backyard and run around and play.” 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell 43065, 614/645-3400, columbuszoo.org

“[Natalie] lived in the Virgin Islands for a decent amount of time; I lived in south Florida, so we lived in tropical environments,” says Casey Bott. “We don’t really like the cold.”

Tropical plants sourced from Jupiter, Florida, solidify the conservatory feel, from miracle fruit and jaboticaba trees to the bamboo used for the stair railings. Privacy is key to the experience, too, with each of the Botts’ properties largely out of sight of one another.

“They’re all strategically positioned on the land with the creek in certain positions where it provides plenty of buffer,” Bott says. “We wanted to give that [privacy]. … I was like ‘We need a football field in between each unit.’ ” For more information, call 740/213-7924 or visit owlhollowtreehouses.com.

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Air Time

Splash Zone

Amusement parks and waterparks are summer soulmates, so when Kings Island in Mason announced its Soak City was adding Splash River Junction and a new RiverRacers water coaster in summer 2025, we were ready to get in line. The additions bring a children’s play area with seven new kids slides, a water tower visitors can drench themselves under and the first dual-racing water coaster in the state. RiverRacers riders board side-by-side rafts before they’re launched down the first drop. Along the way, there is a tunnel and a few turns as they race to see who crosses the finish line first.

6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason 45034, 513/754-5700, sixflags.com/kingsisland/soak-city

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he world’s largest bounce house looks like a cartoon castle dropped onto a hillside. Step through the main entrance, though, and the sheer scale of it hits you.

Over 23,000 square feet of inflatable rooms, slides and obstacles stretch out farther than seems possible.

“It usually blows most people away how big it is in there,” says Kyle Barger, co-owner of the Hocking Hills Family Fun Center in Rockbridge, where the bounce house is located.

The space isn’t just huge, it’s full of activities for kids and adults alike. Race across two obstacle courses and enjoy a ride down the giant slide. Then, take a breather in the shade on an inflatable sectional couch or challenge yourself in the sports arena or climbing tower. With so much to explore, it’s no surprise the bounce house has been a draw since it opened in May 2025.

“The last thing we want is for somebody to kind of feel like they’ve been there and they’ve done that, so it’ll continue to evolve and get bigger. … ” Barger says. “I’m a father of five, so selfishly, I’m always trying to build something that my kids are going to think is super fun.” 26633 Main St., Rockbridge 43149, 740/385-4449, hockinghillsfun.com

COURTESY OF HOCKING HILLS FAMILY FUN CENTER

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RETRO REWIND

Killer Video in downtown Akron embodies the look and feel of a 1980s mom-and-pop movie rental store. The museum offers guided tours that share the spirit of the VHS era.

W COURTESY OF KILLER VIDEO

ith racks lining the walls and row after row of VHS horror film classics, Killer Video has created the place of a Freddy Krueger fan’s dreams. Freddy is here, so are cardboard standees of Jason (“Friday the 13th”) and Leatherface (“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”).

Jonathon Carmichael and his partner, Erika Fritz, turned part of downtown Akron’s Selle Generator Works building into a museum honoring mom-and-pop video store culture of the 1980s. Killer Video opened to the public for guided tours in February 2025.

Step through the front door, and you’re transported to those bygone Friday nights hitting the rental store. Killer Video focuses on the horror genre, and its racks of authentic vintage VHS tapes are organized by theme, with sections dedicated to franchises like Alien and Halloween, as well as topics like “Just the Little

Guys.” (Think “Leprechaun,” “Puppet Master” and “Critters.”) The museum operates as a nonprofit organization with the goals of preservation and education.

“The nonprofit is truly about preserving the media, the ephemera and educating the community about the history of the video-rental era,” Carmichael says, “not just the tapes, but the rise and fall of the mom-and-pop shops.”

Because Killer Video is a museum, the tapes are for browsing only, but visitors are welcome to flip over the boxes to read the movie descriptions. A visit lasts up to an hour, and the first part of the experience is spent exploring the video store, which provides plenty of fun photo opportunities. Patrons are then led through adjoining exhibits that celebrate the art, marketing and merchandising of the VHS-era horror genre.

Fans exit through a gift shop and DVD and Blu-Ray rental store that currently has more than 1,300 titles and is still growing. Killer video also organizes regularly scheduled events like dead-media markets, trivia nights and special movie screenings.

“I created this to grow and expand organically, [and] I wanted it to outlive me,” Carmichael says of the museum. “I’m doing this truly for what it brings to the community.” 453 S. High St. #102, Akron 44311, 234/334-0273, killer-video.com

HOMETOWN HERO When Travis Kelce was playing high school football in Cleveland Heights, he never could have anticipated the 2025 he would have. First, the threetime Super Bowl champion got engaged to pop star Taylor Swift in August, following one of the most public celebrity courtships maybe ever. Then, in October, he made headlines as part of the investor group that garnered a 9% interest in Six Flags, which owns Cedar Point in Sandusky.

“So many memories from this place,” Kelce said in an Oct. 21, 2025, Instagram post. “…

So crazy to even imagine this is real, but you gotta love it when life comes full circle.”

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he 1920s were a golden age for theater construction.

No expense was spared in building the movie palaces of the era, and many were constructed as “atmospheric theaters,” designed to evoke places far away from the venue’s actual location.

One of the most unusual can be found in Bellefontaine.

The Holland Theater, as the name implies, resembled the Dutch hometown of architect Peter M. Hulsken, featuring building facades and turning windmills on the walls. It’s believed to be the only Dutch atmospheric theater that still exists, and it might have been the only one ever built.

The venue followed the path of most small-town theaters, being turned into a multiplex and then closing in 1998 when a new theater was built on the outskirts of town. But the building remained, and little by little, it came back to life. The roof was repaired, stars returned to the ceiling and new seats were installed, but something was still missing.

The theater’s original marquee had been removed in the 1950s because it stuck out too far into the street, according to Kris Swisher, president of the theater board. Thanks to a grant from the Wisconsin-based Jeffris Family Foundation, a sell-abulb public fundraising campaign, and a benefit that included a performance by comedian Dave Chappelle, who lives in Yellow Springs, the new marquee lit up last summer.

“We knew the last piece of historic renovation was the marquee,” Swisher says. “The front of the theater looked like nothing lived there.” 127 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine 43311 937/592-9002, theholland.org

Railway Retreat

For nearly 150 years, Cindy Hayes’ family has owned a spread of land in Athens County. Now covering a total of more than 2,600 acres, the property once had railroad track running across it. Everything from the B&O to circus trains passed through, and today, an assortment of brightly colored cabooses can be found at what is now known as Hideaway on the Hocking. The red, yellow, blue, green and brown cabooses (each with colors true to their original lines: the Missouri Pacific, Chessie, Norfolk & Western, Reading and Santa Fe, respectively) had their first full rental season for overnight stays in 2025, and each features a covered deck. 740/764-4684, hideawayonthehocking.com

Instant Home

In Wapakoneta, there’s an Airbnb listing for a concrete house, which is rare in and of itself. But it’s also billed as the first 3D-printed home built in Ohio. Melissa Metz, who lists the house, says its sheer novelty has inspired people to rent it, adding that overnight guests are surprised at how homey it can be, thanks in part to its heated floors.

Her husband co-owns the company that made the house, Sustainable Concrete Innovations. The home was 3D printed on-site from a basic cement mix. Walls can go up in a week, and it can be under roof in two weeks. airbnb.com 36

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LEFT: SUSIE JARVIS; RIGHT: COURTESY OF HIDEAWAY ON THE HOCKING

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Marquee Makeover

WILD LEGACY

A partnership between the Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy ensures nearly 3,000 acres in Appalachian Ohio known as Joy Valley Nature Preserve are protected for future generations.

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TERRY SEIDEL

hat began as one family’s wish to keep their land unspoiled has become one of the largest private conservation efforts by nonprofit organizations in Ohio’s history. Nearly 3,000 acres of forests and ridges in southeast Ohio are now permanently protected as the new Joy Valley Nature Preserve, thanks to a partnership between the Athens Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy. The preserve fulfills landowner Betty Lowe’s vision to keep the forest wild and protected, preserving native biodiversity and safeguarding it from future development.

“The land has been good to her and her family, and she wanted to give back,” says Brian Blair, vice president of the Athens Conservancy Board. “She wanted to allow that to continue for the local community … to enjoy the property and also [recognize] that it is an important, large area worthy of protection in its own right.”

Spanning 2,998 acres, Joy Valley Nature Preserve nearly doubles the acreage managed by the Athens Conservancy. About 88% of the preserve is mature hardwood forest, home to white oak, tulip poplar, American beech and shagbark hickory,

GAME CHANGER

along with pine and walnut groves planted by the Lowe family.

The preserve supports thriving wildlife, including 26 species of warblers, several bat species and a wide range of amphibians. The Sharps Fork of Federal Creek winds through the property, providing critical aquatic habitat for fish and other species. While an opening date has yet to be set, plans are underway to add hiking trails and interpretive signs.

The Athens Conservancy will oversee, manage and steward the land, while The Nature Conservancy will hold a permanent easement to guarantee its protection.

“We’re just really thrilled about the gift from Mrs. Lowe, …” Blair says, “for the chance to protect this large area and also for the people of Ohio.” For more information, visit athensconservancy.org.

The biggest basketball news in Cleveland in 2003 was the arrival of LeBron James as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But that year, the city also lost its WNBA team, the Cleveland Rockers, due to struggling ticket sales. Twenty years changes things.

The rise of superstar Caitlin Clark, who joined the WNBA’s Indianapolis Fever in 2024, has helped women’s professional basketball reach a new level.

In June 2025, the league announced it would expand to 18 teams by 2030. One of them will be in Cleveland and begin play in 2028. No word yet on a team name but we would be good with a Rockers reboot. wnba.com

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The Put-in-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center transformed a former fish hatchery on South Bass Island into an educational center that offers visitors a close-up look at wildlife.

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n most days, visitors gather around the 200-gallon fish tank near the front desk at the Put-in-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center on South Bass Island and marvel at the prehistoric-looking baby fish swimming inside.

The whiskered species are sturgeon, and although they are endangered in Ohio, hatchlings have been reintroduced to Lake Erie as part of an on-going rehabilitation project.

“People just absolutely love them,” says Kristin Stanford, wildlife diversity coordinator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife, which operates the center. “For people who are fish people, when they know they can come and actually see sturgeon up close, they get so excited about them.”

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Just like the sturgeon, the Put-in-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center is enjoying a comeback of its own. During 2023 and 2024, ODNR gutted and renovated the historic 1914 brick building — a former fish hatchery — and installed new educational and interactive exhibits across its two-floors. The center reopened to the public Aug. 6, 2025.

ODNR preserved some of the long tanks where fish were once raised, and current Lake Erie species are now housed in them. In other areas, visitors can see live invasive sea lampreys and the once-endangered Lake Erie water snake up close.

Kids can draw their own fish, frog or turtle, scan it into an interactive display and make it come to life on a screen, and those ages 16 and younger can fish for free from the pier with the help of center staff.

One of the best views on South Bass Island can be seen at the large, second-floor observation window, where visitors love to snap photos of Putin-Bay Harbor, Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial, and Gibraltar Island. The center is open Tuesday through Saturday, June 1 to Oct. 1 and admission is free. 360 W. Shore Blvd., Put-in-Bay, 43456 , 419/742-0008, ohiodnr.gov

Historic Flavor

Located on the first floor of Mount Vernon’s historic Woodward Opera House, Bickerdyke Table & Tap opened in summer 2024, and offers dinner and drinks against a backdrop of history.

Co-owned by Margaret Lewis and Joel Gunderson, the establishment spans a main restaurant in the front and a taproom in the back and carries a name that honors Mount Vernon’s own Mary Ann Bickerdyke. Better known as Mother Bickerdyke, she delivered medical supplies during the Civil War and inspired the taproom mural of a woman delivering beer on horseback.

109 S. Main St., Mount Vernon 43050, 740/462-0900, bickerdyketable.com

KRISTINA SMITH

WATER WORLD

Putt Perfect

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Island Escape LEFT: COURTESY OF OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES; RIGHT: ALLISON ROCHE

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ini golf isn’t just for kids anymore. In fact, this 12,000-square-foot indoor mini golf course and bar in Lakewood’s Birdtown neighborhood allows only those 21 and older in after 7 p.m. Premiering in January 2025, Birdietown Mini Golf + Lounge features a pair of distinct nine-hole miniature golf courses across the building’s two levels. Both offer unique features, such as putting greens that climb the wall or a Skee-Ball-themed finale.

Each hole was designed and built to fit with the building’s existing architecture, resulting in courses that present a fun challenge for both kids and adults. The interior is awash in shades of green, and elegant touches like art deco light fixtures and gold trim combine to create a space that feels sophisticated and swanky without being pretentious.

Between putts, patrons can browse menus for craft cocktails that sport punny, golf-themed names such as Water Hazard and Victory Lap, as well as elevated gastropub fare.

“You should be ready to have fun,” says founder and owner Tim Frazee. “That’s what the space is all about. …. We wanted to create a place for adults to just escape day-to-day life and go have a good time.” 12501 Madison Ave., Lakewood 44107, 440/857-2911, birdietowncle.com

hen the Lonz Mansion on Middle Bass Island opened for overnight guests and visitors in May 2025, its first ones in nearly 50 years stayed in the home’s upstairs rooms, read books on its porch and relaxed in the lake breezes. The first floor of the mansion operates as a house museum with period furniture and some original belongings of the home’s longtime owners, George and Fannie Lonz, who also owned Lonz Winery on the island.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources spent $3.9 million to restore the home, which had sat empty for decades and was so dilapidated it was nearly torn down. The renovation approximates how George and Fannie kept the house, and it created another Middle Bass Island State Park attraction to pair with the nearby former winery building and pavilion. The mansion, a Victorian structure built in 1906, is open May through September.

“We want people to live the history and really feel it and absorb it,” says Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Mary Mertz, who was very involved in the restoration. “We were really pleased. We had great bookings. We look forward to this summer now that people know about it.” 1719 Fox Rd., Middle Bass Island 43446, lonz-mbi.com

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New Thrill

Chef Annie Gano worked at restaurants in Chicago, New York and Paris before returning home to open The Rumpled Queen in the building where her mom and dad had their first date.

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hen chef Annie Gano opened The Rumpled Queen in her hometown of Salem, her aim was to create a restaurant that was whimsical, elegant and timeless. So, she brought her sister, a trained interior designer, on board to craft that feel inside a building that had long held significance for their family: It was the site of their parents’ first date.

After attending the Culinary Institute of America and working at and opening restaurants in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Paris, Gano was drawn home by the pull of family. When her first choice of location for The Rumpled Queen fell through, she learned the former home of DiRienzo’s Italian Foods, a family-style restaurant that served diners for 90 years before closing in February 2024, was available.

“I grew up eating at DiRienzo’s. …” Gano says.

“When I walked in, the former owner was like, ‘I remember you. You sat at that table.’ ” The Rumpled Queen’s interior is upscale yet organic, with its beautifully curated, mismatched decor picked up at thrift shops and consignment stores. Conversely, the back bar was crafted new but feels like it’s been there for years. The result is 40

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a welcoming and unpretentious space that deftly balances both feminine and masculine elements.

The deliberately small, seasonal menu ensures that Gano can execute the restaurant’s fromscratch approach. Entrees like the salmon (Gano’s favorite), seasonal gnocchi and the chicken pot pie are recognizable while featuring ingredients that spur conversation between server and diner. A house burger and bratwurst are also on the menu.

“The food I went back and forth on a lot,” Gano says, adding that, early on, she felt compelled to expand the menu but stuck to her original approach. “I would rather have a smaller menu that we can execute consistently and well each time.”

387 S. Broadway Ave., Salem 44460, 234/320-4014, therumpledqueen.com

LEFT: ALYSSA ALLWORTH; RIGHT: COURTESY OF CEDAR POINT

LOVE STORY

With 18 roller coasters, it could be hard to impress folks who have been going to Cedar Point for years, but the Sandusky amusement park always manages to outdo itself with each thrill ride it unveils. Such was the case with Siren’s Curse, which debuted in summer 2025 and is themed after the lore of mysterious creatures that live beneath the surface of Lake Erie. But who needs creepy legends when you have a ride that tilts riders at 90 degrees on a “broken off” section of track before dropping them into a ride that has 13 weightless moments and two 360-degree barrel rolls as it races over 2,966 feet of track. cedarpoint.com

MURAL MOMENTUM Building on the success of the Glass City River Wall, artist Dean Davis’ River Gallery Project aims to bring 23 additional works to the Toledo riverfront.

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hen Toledo unveiled the largest mural in the United States along the Maumee River in 2022, it became a vibrant symbol of the city’s history, culture and promising future. Dean Davis, the project’s lead artist, saw the source of pride that the bold sunflowers and portraits of Native Americans had become and wondered: Why stop there? Now, he is expanding on the Glass City River Wall and creating more public art along the Maumee River to tell more of Toledo’s story. His vision, known as the River Gallery Project, plans to add 23 additional murals along the riverfront between Interstate 75 and Lake Erie.

“No one has done anything like this ever, just trying to overhaul the way Toledo is represented with public art,” says Davis, co-founder of the River Gallery Foundation. “It’s really going to be a game changer. These are projects that will reshape Toledo’s landscape forever.”

The first phase has already started and includes eight murals, with the remaining 15 on track to be finished over the next decade. In 2025, Davis completed the Holcim Silos Mural, which features a lighthouse and a crane flying toward the river, and a large frog mural at Middlegrounds Metropark on a support wall of the Anthony Wayne Bridge.

Next, Davis is planning a series of murals featuring soldiers from every conflict in which the United States has been involved for the Veterans Memorial Bridge. His hope is to complete them this year as part of the America 250 celebration.

The River Gallery Foundation works with Keep Lucas County Beautiful and the Ohio Department of Transportation on the project, while fundraising and applying for grants to pay for the murals. Davis is also looking for artists within a 150-mile radius of Toledo to help paint. For more information, visit rivergalleryfoundation.com.

DOUG HINEBAUGH

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WRIGHT Legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s last home design was sitting on

his drafting table at the time of his death. More than six decades later, a mother and daughter built it on the Lake County property where it was always intended to go.

Story by Kelly Larson | Photography by Erik Drost

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P L AC E , The architect’s signature design elements fill the home: built-in shelving, banquette seating, tall windows supported by earthhued mullions and tight hallways that lead into bright and open rooms. Cherokee Red concrete floors warmed by radiant heat stretch throughout the space, and the structure’s soaring, turquoise cantilevered roof seems to defy gravity.

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Yet the most interesting detail about this home by legendary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright is that it only existed on paper until mother-and-daughter duo Debbie and Sarah Dykstra decided to build it in 2023. It is Wright’s final residential design, and the plans were on his drafting table at the time of his death in 1959. Adding to the intrigue is the fact the plans spent 64 years in a mailing tube.

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Louis Penfield, a Mayfield High School art teacher, hired Wright to design what is today The Louis Penfield House in Willoughby Hills. After it was completed in 1955, Penfield asked the architect to envision another home to be built less than 400 feet from the first one. They were what Wright called Usonian homes — a style that brought his signature design elements into smaller, more affordable houses for middle-class families.

Wright was in his mid-80s when Penfield contacted him about the second home in 1956. Still, the architect took the job because of Penfield’s status as a recent client. Upon learning of

Wright’s death three years later, Penfield thought his dream of a second home for the property had been dashed. Then, he received the blueprints for the residence known as RiverRock the week of the architect’s funeral, but the home was never built in the decades that followed.

When the Penfields’ son, Paul, put his parents’ former home up for sale in 2017, the plans for RiverRock were part of the deal.

Sarah Dykstra’s first sight of the real estate listing for the Penfield House was its narrow floating staircase, and she was immediately intrigued by the online photos as well as the home’s Wright

RiverRock’s cantilevered roof (above left); Wright’s plans for the home (left) included specific guidelines about the dimensions of the exterior rock used (above).

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RiverRock’s main gathering area filled with natural light on a fall day (below); Dave Novak (left) shows the River Rock site plan to Debbie (middle right) and Sarah (far right) Dykstra.

TOP RIGHT: © 2024 WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC. OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND AFFILIATES. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

pedigree. She and her mother, who both grew up in the nearby city of Mentor, were living in Florida at the time. Sarah’s brother, Dustin, was living in New York, and Sarah was looking for a place in Ohio so that her mom could travel back and forth. Little did she know, but they were on the precipice of an adventure that would ultimately be documented and shared with audiences across the United States. other and daughter stand hip to hip, Sarah with one arm around her mother’s shoulders, Debbie clasping her daughter’s hand in hers. They’re gazing upward at the easternmost point of their partially constructed home, and today is the day they take the supports off its largest cantilever. Debbie, not one to get emotional, lets out the smallest sniffle. Before Sarah can turn toward her mother and utter a response, Debbie perks up and turns to coordinating architect Rob Shearer, a recurring character in “The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America’s Greatest Architect,” exclaiming, “Now that’s a house!”

The moment wasn’t captured by the film crew documenting the construction of RiverRock, but rather in a photo by Shearer. The documentary series produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines premiered on the Magnolia Network on Sept. 3, 2025, with each of the four weekly episodes airing on HBO Max the following day.

“The Last Wright” follows the progression of the RiverRock project, from the first construction stakes to the final unveiling. The series is compelling, showcasing how Sarah and Debbie work to overcome challenges that arise during construction — leaning on five decades of knowing each other’s strengths to tackle each hurdle and bring the project to completion.

For one, roofs of Wright-designed homes are notorious for sagging (due to the cantilevers) and leaking, so much so that their present-day owners often joke about the number of buckets needed to catch rain.

Another challenge came in sourcing the specific building materials.

Upon learning that Philippine mahogany wood was no longer available, Debbie and Sarah set out to find a comparable replacement.

The Dykstra women know each other’s idiosyncrasies well. Debbie knew that Sarah, an IT professional, would be giddy after finding out about the home’s passive solar design, while Sarah had no doubt Debbie would be up for a road trip to Kansas to pick up the exact type of sink Wright called for in his plans.

“She likes the warm and cozy and snuggly,” Sarah says of her mother’s interior design preferences, “and I like minimal, clean lines, math- and science-class kind of things.”

Across the four “The Last Wright” episodes, Debbie and Sarah are continuously met with the same question: What would Frank Lloyd Wright do? From the location of a tulip tree that seems perilously close to one of the home’s walls to whether it would be acceptable to shift the orientation of RiverRock on the site, each scenario brings with it introspection, soul searching and consultation.

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on it, right? But every architect puts their official stamp on a set of plans … and they are never built exactly the same.” o, how exactly do a mother and daughter end up as general contractors for the final Frank Lloyd Wright home? For one, it helps if construction is the family business. Debbie’s grandfather, father and brother, Billy, worked in the industry. She herself dabbled in construction during the early 2000s, which is how she got her feet wet with it.

Debbie’s former experience as a project manager, as well as her and Sarah’s experience renovating their own homes, gave them the confidence to execute Wright’s plan for RiverRock. They broke ground on the project in October 2023, aiming to finish construction within a year. They almost made it, with the home finished in February 2025 — 16 months after the first shovel of dirt was scooped.

Seven months after that, Debbie and Sarah received the first episode of “The Last Wright” and hosted a screening party in RiverRock’s main gathering space for those who worked on the project. The women especially appreciated how the show captured the beauty of

The roof of RiverRock (above) was the subject of much debate in “The Last Wright” documentary series. The show also followed the creation of Wright-designed furniture (below) and other touches for the home.

the home’s wooded Willoughby Hills location and how historic clips of Wright’s voice from various interviews were included; this way, audiences could hear his approach and design philosophy in his own words. The only complaint they get about the four-episode series is people wish it was longer.

Those who want to linger can book a stay at RiverRock. Following in the footsteps of the previous Penfield House owner, the Dykstras continue to welcome overnight visitors and are doing the same with the second residence.

Continued on page 63

But every architect puts their OFFICIAL STAMP on a set of plans …

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AMERICA 250-OHIO

A statewide celebration of cinema and a showcase of transportation innovation are just part of the festivities happening here in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. By Jason Brill

DAVID DINGWELL

CANTON PALACE THEATRE

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Ohio Celebrates

America’s 250 AMERICA WOULDN’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT OHIO’S VAST CONTRIBUTIONS. JOIN IN CELEBRATIONS ALL YEAR LONG IN ALL OF OHIO’S 88 COUNTIES. EVERY MONTH, WE’LL EXPLORE A DIFFERENT WAY OHIO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO U.S. HISTORY — FROM TRANSPORTATION TO MUSIC TO THE MOVIES. VISIT AMERICA250-OHIO.ORG TO FIND EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES NEAR YOU AND WHEN YOU TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE.

Mark Your

Trails & Tales Learn about Ohio’s contributions to world history.

Discover the origins of flight and celebrate space’s earliest pioneers on the Ohio’s Air & Space Trail that tells the stories of those who helped defy the bounds of gravity. Be inspired by innovative artists, musicians, cartoonists and others on the Creativity Trail. Discover how rivers, canals and Lake Erie shaped the state on the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail. Get your creativity sparked on the Ohio Innovation Trail. Without Ohio, there’d be no Thomas Edison to light up the world, streetlights to guide traffic or cash registers to ring up sales. Get details on america250-ohio.org/trails-and-tales.

Murals Across Ohio Ohio’s walls tell meaningful stories.

From colorful walls that celebrate hometown heroes to bold images that e us reflect local culture and innovation, murals o John Rankin H are powerful expressions of community pride.

Murals Across Ohio aims to honor the artists, the stories and the places that make Ohio unique.

From the massive Glass City River Wall mural by Gabe Gault in Toledo to Oxford Hive by Joseph Prescher in Oxford, colorful murals can be found around the state using the interactive map on america250-ohio.org/murals-across-ohio.

Ohio Goes to the Movies Movie stars Paul Newman and Clark Gable along with Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg are just a few of the film industry celebrities who hail from Ohio. See them on screens around the state during Ohio Goes to the Movies that kicks off February 11 and runs through October 2026. More than 280 screenings are planned this year, tre ea featuring Ohioans in front of and behind Murphy Th the camera. The free ticketed showings will feature fun elements like movie trivia, Q&A’s, etc.

Visit ohiogoestothemovies.org for a complete schedule of films and locations.

4th Graders Welcomed for Free Spark awe and wonder about Ohio’s amazing history with the 4th grade History Pass Program. Valid at more than 60 museums and attractions statewide, this special program gives 4th graders the chance to visit participating museums and historic sites free of charge, with a paid adult. Download the pass for your 4th grader at america250-ohio.org/fourth-grade-pass.

Calendar

Join in the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary during events held all year long in all 88 counties. From festivals and historical reenactments to art exhibitions and civic conversations, the events calendar is your guide to statewide moments of inspiration and celebration. In July, don’t miss Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic, planned for over 70 communities around the state. Other signature events include the Buckeye Train and Transportation Celebration on April 25–26. Scan the QR code above for a complete calendar of events.

Learn more about how Ohio is celebrating 2026 at america250-ohio.org.

Ohio Goes to the Movies Feb. 11 through October

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hio Goes to the Movies program director Molly Kreuzman can add usher to her list of job responsibilities. When the independent film producer, director and consultant took on this year’s statewide celebration of movies with connections to Ohio, she had a hunch that “The Shawshank Redemption” would be a hot commodity among theaters.

“I’ve been a gatekeeper to make sure the same movie isn’t showing everywhere,” she says. “I knew both ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Shawshank’ would get gobbled up right away, but we have a lot of big movies with ties to Ohio: ‘Air Force One,’ ‘Rain Man,’ National Lampoon’s ‘Vacation’ movies and ‘Draft Day.’ ” While the Mansfield-filmed “The Shawshank Redemption” does has several show-

ings during the series, Kreuzman says there will be a lot of variety during the roughly 250-day festival that brings 258 free, opento-the-public screenings, with at least one in each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Part of the larger America 250-Ohio celebration, which honors Ohio’s contributions to the United

States, Ohio Goes to the Movies kicks off Feb. 11 in Milan. The village is the birthplace of Thomas Edison, whose inventions helped usher motion pictures into the mainstream.

Kreuzman, a film buff in her own right, says she is also excited about the screening of “Cool Hand Luke” at Cleveland Heights’ Cedar Lee Theater April 12. (The film stars Paul Newman, and the Shaker Heightsborn actor’s daughter will be part of the Q&A.) “Best in Show,” a beloved mockumentary is showing at the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington on March 27 and will have a special tie-in.

“Rachael Harris, who’s in it, is from Worthington,” Kreuzman says. “She’s going to come home for the Q&A. ... The center is working with a dog-rescue facility, and there will be rescue dogs at the venue.”

Kreuzman and her team researched hundreds of movies, looking for connections to Ohio, uncovering scores of them as they programmed the series, which will run through October 2026. Kreuzman says one challenge of bringing at least one screening to each of Ohio’s 88 counties is the disappearance of many small-town movie the-

Roots To Be Proud Of ? IT’S A SHORE THING

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will turn 250 years old! America 250-Ohio is a multi-year commemoration where Ohioans from all 88 counties will be in the spotlight of the impact Ohio’s unique role had in our nation’s story.

Heritage pride runs deep in Shores & Islands Ohio. Go back in time and reconnect to a bygone age as you explore the Shores & Islands Ohio Heritage Trail, featuring a wide variety of the region’s historical sites and museums. This trail takes you on a fascinating journey through the history of our area. Delve into the past as you uncover hidden tales, forgotten anecdotes, and remarkable events that have shaped the very fabric of our communities. Sign up for your free mobile pass and start your experience today!

Businesses and organizations in Shores & Islands Ohio will be holding celebrations for America 250 throughout 2026. Stay tuned for more info about events at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

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COURTESY OF OHIO GOES TO THE MOVIES

AM250-OHIO

show gathering and a post-movie Q&A with audience participation. The hope is that the Ohio Goes to the Movies film series will not only foster pride in our state’s connection to and influence on Hollywood but also bring people together in their own communities.

“Movies appeal to all kinds of people who may have different political views,” she says. “But while you’re sitting in that theater in the dark, you’re engrossed in this story.

You are laughing at the same time as the people around you. You are sad at the same time. It humanizes us.” For more information about the Ohio Goes to the Movies film series and specific screenings scheduled near you, visit ohiogoestothemovies.org.

Buckeye 250 Train & Transportation Celebration April 25 & 26 Actress Rachael Harris (opposite page), a Worthington native who appeared in ”Best in Show,” will take part in a Q&A and screening on March 27. Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights (above)

aters. But she says local libraries and other spots (including a community swimming pool) have stepped up to host screenings.

Each screening event will include a pre-

T

he last time a passenger train barreled through the Tuscarawas County village of Dennison, the United States was eight years shy of its 200th

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AM250-OHIO

The Buckeye 250 Train & Transportation Celebration rolls into the Dennison Depot Museum April 25 and 26 (above). Both days will include transportation-themed events at the depot (opposite page).

Akron History Center

As America commemorates its 250th anniversary, make your own pilgrimage through the stories that shaped our nation.

Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail

Check out all the America 250 locations in Summit County!

PHOTO CREDIT

AKRON

birthday. This spring, a 14-car train powered by two diesel-powered engines (a historic steam-powered locomotive will also be at the event) breathes new life into the Pan-

handle Line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which, at one point, carried more than 1.3 million United States servicemembers east (for deployment) or west (for training) during World War II. “There were 3,000 people working the railroad in Dennison at one point, with 22 passenger trains a day,” says Wendy Zucal, executive director of the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum. “It was the Panhandle headquarters of the railroad.”

As part of the yearlong America 250-Ohio event, the Buckeye 250 Train & Transportation Celebration at the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum pays homage to not only trains, but cars and planes too.

The first train ride leaves Columbus on

April 25 to embark on a trip to Dennison and back. Aboard the train will be reenactors playing parts such as Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, as well as World War II-era soldiers. A second ride on April 26 departs from Newark on a round trip to Dennison and back, stopping in Coshocton along the way.

“If you’re looking at celebrating your state’s history, automobiles, planes and trains are all the aspects that built it,” Zucal says. “The 250 Buckeye rides will have that wonderful, nostalgic aspect.”

While tickets for the two train rides will sell out quickly, Zucal says the free Transportation Celebration at the depot gives everyone a chance to join the fun, with a classic car show, USO-style performances and airplane flyovers.

“People will be able to see the train as it pulls into the station,” Zucal says. “There’s also a steam engine display from the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum. There’s going to be so much to see here even if you’re not riding the train.” For more information about the Buckeye 250 Train & Transportation Celebration, visit dennisondepot.org.

WHEN YOU GO

To learn more about events going on throughout 2026 as part of the America 250-Ohio celebration, visit america250ohio.com.

Ohio Goes to the Movies Various venues in each of Ohio’s 88 counties ohiogoestothemovies.org Buckeye 250 Train and TransportationCelebration Dennison Depot Railroad Museum dennisondepot.org.

In the Akron-Canton region, every museum, monument, and Main Street invites you to connect more deeply with the American spirit.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

CANTON McKinley Presidential Library & Museum

PHOTO CREDIT

Check out all the America 250 locations in Stark County!

a dv e r t i s e m e n t

Belmont County

This Appalachian Ohio community gives its Underground Railroad Museum a new home inside a historic inn.

b l ack hi story & he r i tag e

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long a quiet stretch of the historic National Road, a powerful story of courage, hope and determination is being given new life. In late fall 2026, the Underground Railroad Museum plans to open its doors at the beautifully restored Black Horse Inn in Morristown, offering visitors an immersive encounter with one of the most important freedom narratives in Appalachian Ohio.

For decades, the museum’s late founder, John Mattox, dedicated himself to preserving and sharing the stories of formerly enslaved people seeking freedom and the locals who risked everything to help them. The new museum will honor Mattox’s legacy with modern exhibits, interactive displays and archival collections that illuminate the history of the Underground Railroad along the Ohio River corridor.

Visitors can explore first-person accounts, authentic artifacts and stories of everyday abolitionists whose quiet bravery helped change the course of a nation. The museum plans to feature educational programming, community events and partnerships with schools to deepen understanding and spark meaningful conversations about equity, justice and the ongoing pursuit of freedom.

Just as a lantern once signaled safety in the night, the renewed museum aims to light the way to freedom — then, now and for generations to come. For more information, go to visitbelmontcounty.com.

WINTER TRAVEL

s pecial adve rti s i ng s ection

Whether you want to embrace the outdoors or stay warm inside, these destinations promise to help you make the most of the snowy season.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF DESTINATIONS LISTED

HOCKING HILLS

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Standing Rock Farms Experience the magic of winter at Standing Rock Farms, located in Madison in the heart of the Grand River Valley, where glowing sunsets, snow-dusted fields and cozy moments bring families together.

With 12 unique lodging options, from spacious homes for multigenerational trips to charming cabins for intimate getaways, visitors will find the perfect retreat to suit every family.

Wake up to crisp winter mornings, sip coffee on a quiet porch while taking in the quiet serenity of the countryside or enjoy breakfast before exploring the property’s more than 450 acres. Roam through scenic pastures and say hello to the fluffy, friendly Highland

cattle. Wander the walking trails, including the Historic White Trail and the famous Mill Creek, which takes hikers through the breadth of natural beauty found at Standing Rock Farm.

After a long day of exploring the property, surrounding area wineries and other seasonal attractions throughout the Grand River Valley, visitors can unwind in the wood-fire heated outdoor sauna for a simple, soothing end to the day or head inside to relax with movies, puzzles or family games.

Visitors will find that a visit to Standing Rock Farms during the winter months isn’t just a getaway, it’s a chance to reconnect, unwind and make memories that last long after the snow melts. For more information, visit standingrockfarms.com.

Always in Season?

Season? IT’S A SHORE THING It’s time to get cozy in Shores & Islands Ohio, a year-round destination just a short drive away. Experience winter festivals and events, warm up at one of the three water parks in our region, and enjoy delicious cuisine and beverages by the fireside to get you through the colder months.

While you’re out on winter excursions, make our Cheers Trail part of your next adventure. Download our free Cheers Trail pass, then visit, check-in, sample locallymade craft drinks and wines, and earn points for prizes!

Find your Lake Erie Love at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

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welcome to

Wonder

In the heart of Ohio’s Hocking Hills, every step unveils a new wonder. Experience the joy of discovery, the thrill of adventure and the whisper of wilderness. Hike ancient trails carved by time, zip through treetops, or simply sit and watch the world slow down. Here, nature calls you to explore — and to reconnect with what matters most. • Whether you seek the rush of exploration or the serenity of a sunset, the Hocking Hills welcomes you with open arms. Let the wonders unfold.

1-800-Hocking ExploreHockingHills.com

S P EC I A L A DV E R T I S I N G S EC T I O N

Shores & Islands Ohio Winter cabin fever will surely have you wanting to get out, but colder weather may have you looking for indoor activities. Why not try a taste of regional flavor?

You can do so by visiting breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries throughout the coastal region between Cleveland and Toledo known as Shores & Islands Ohio.

But how do you manage to find them all, let alone plan a visit to each one? Explore what the region has to offer along the Shores & Islands Cheers Trail, which provides a fun way to locate local craft beverage makers, as well as an easy-to-use guide to help you taste your way through the region.

The Cheers Trail makes it simple to find brews, ciders and cocktails made with local ingredients. Available as a free, exclusive mobile pass experience, the Cheers Trail takes you across more than 25 of the best brewers, distillers and winemakers that Ohio has to offer. Using your mobile pass, check in while visiting participating businesses and earn points toward exciting prizes that can be redeemed at Shores & Islands Ohio welcome centers.

Good food, good drink and good company with the Shores & Islands Ohio Cheers Trail will make your getaway one to remember. To get started and sign up for your mobile pass, visit shoresandislands.com/things-todo/trails.

Hocking Hills A winter visit to the Hocking Hills is a magical experience and offers a departure from the busy season.

Winter reveals the region’s soft seasonal beauty, transforming its famous landscapes into quiet, frost-touched

Enjoy beer and wine on Shores & Islands Ohio’s Cheers Trail. (above). Explore winter’s splendor in the Hocking Hills (opposite page).

PLAN A WINTER GETAWAY

Enjoy the winter landscape on a hike, snowshoe, or cross country ski adventure in the sparkling winter snow, then warm up near a blazing fireplace or in the bubbling hot tub. Luxury log cabins await at Pleasant Hill Lake Park!

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sanctuaries. The waterfalls at Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave form delicate ice sculptures, creating scenes that feel straight out of another world. Long-range views and the soft winter light that filters through the hills gives photographers and nature lovers endless inspiration.

The quieter months also mean more solitude on the trails. Popular routes that buzz with activity in summer become tranquil paths where visitors can move at their own pace, listen to the hush of the forest and experience the parks with fewer distractions. While winter hiking requires proper layers and traction — especially after snowfall — the reward is a deeper sense of connection to the landscape.

Cozy lodging enhances the seasonal charm. Cabins with fireplaces and hot tubs provide a warm retreat after a day outdoors.

Indoor attractions, including locally owned eateries, wineries, distilleries, breweries and wellness spas, add comfort and variety to a cold-weather getaway. The John Glenn Astronomy Center provides

spectacular star shows in the clear winter night sky.

Whether you’re seeking serene hiking, romantic seclusion or a restorative break after the holidays, January and February in the Hocking Hills deliver a uniquely calm, scenic and rejuvenating escape. For more information, visit explorehockinghills.com.

Make your stay with StayInAkron.com Celebrate the magic of winter and the holidays by making Greater Akron hotel & lodging destinations part of your plans.

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.

GREATER AKRON LODGING COUNCIL

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Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s lakes and forests are the perfect setting for outdoor adventure all year long, including during the winter months. Year-round cabins and camping options make it easy to enjoy the region’s natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere. When colder weather settles in, the lakes and surrounding parks transform into quiet, snow-draped landscapes that invite exploration and offer a refreshing escape.

Across 10 picturesque lakes nestled in southeastern Ohio, winter recreation opportunities abound. Visitors can enjoy scenic hikes, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowshoeing along forested trails. Bring your own skis and snowshoes or take part in pop-up snowshoe programs offered when snowfall reaches three inches or more.

Warm up after your outdoor adventure with a cozy winter cabin getaway. Choose from luxury log cabins with private hot tubs at Pleasant Hill Lake or stay in cozy vacation cabins at Atwood and Clendening lakes, each offering the comforts of home with easy access to the outdoors. For those eager to embrace the crisp winter

air, several MWCD parks offer winter camping with frost-free sites for added adventure.

Whether you’re seeking a family-friendly outing, a peaceful retreat for two, or a new cold-weather adventure, MWCD is the perfect destination to explore, unwind and make lasting memories. For more information and to plan your next winter escape, visit MWCD.org. ●

Create Memories That Will Last a Lifetime OHIO AMISH COUNTRY

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Continued from page 46 Like a stay at the Penfield House, RiverRock requires a two-night minimum reservation, which allows guests to unplug, take in the approximately 2,000-square-foot home’s lush details and experience all the beautiful ways Wright’s design merges with the 30-acre landscape surrounding it.

The architect designed his homes with the goal of bringing the outside in, like how the ceiling of RiverRock’s glass-walled living room rises with the roofline, making it so that the trees surrounding the home are not only visible but serve as natural works of art. Many of the stones used on the home’s exterior were harvested in the 1960s

by Louis Penfield himself.

Wright embraced the energy and rhythms of nature, and RiverRock is no exception. In the summer, when the sun sits high in the sky, the cantilevered roof works as a visor that blocks sunlight out. During winter months, the low position of the sun makes it so rays of light cascade into the home, providing additional illumination and warmth during the coldest days of the year.

This kind of forethought usually wows people unfamiliar with Wright’s design con-

cepts. For those who serve as caretakers of his designs and get to experience them on a regular basis — people like Debbie and Sarah Dykstra — that appreciation is palpable.

“This is the one thing I truly admire about [Wright] more than anything: He was so far ahead of his time with his thought

process on what people should live in or what people should work in,” Debbie says.

“They were just so out of the realm of reality for that time period.”

For more information about RiverRock or to book a stay, visit riverrockhouse.com.

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BACKSTORY

The Mound Builders We know little of the long-gone Ohio Adena and Hopewell. Yet their earthworks remain, silent testimony to the grandeur of their civilizations.

This is an excerpt from a story that ran in our February 1983 issue. Read the entire story at ohiomagazine.com/moundbuilders.

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he Canadians were, after all, enthusiasts. A mixed group of professionals and keen amateurs, they were undeterred by the long ride from London, Ontario, to Chillicothe, Ohio. It would be worth it to see classic Hopewell [mounds]. Last October, their bus rolled past the neighboring state prison and swung into the parking lot of Mound City National Monument. Forty-three members of the Ontario Archaeological Society-London Chapter climbed down to explore a very rare sight in New World archaeology 64

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— a big piece of prehistoric America above ground.

North America was not blank before Europeans “found” it and the human record goes back tens of thousands of years.

Reading it is usually an unglamorous business of grubbing around in apparently ordinary fields and woods, sieving dirt in hopes of recovering fragments of the past. The Ontario society members had seen their share of muddy digs, but Mound City offered them a ready spectacle, a large grass-covered compound that had been a great necropolis for a people known to archaeologists as the Hopewell but to many Ohioans as, simply, the Mound Builders.

The Hopewell flourished in the heartland of North America for 600 years, spreading their influence as far north as Ontario, where the Canadian archaeologists knew it from local excavations. The great Hopewell home territory had been the Ohio Valley and its tributaries. Here on the floodplain and the hills around Chillicothe was the summit of the distinctive Hopewell culture and way of death. — John Fleischman

The Mound Builders was in the February 1983 issue of Ohio Magazine.