Ohio Magazine March/April 2023

MARCH/APRIL

FEATURES //

72 An Ohio Garden

Terri and Randy Litchfield share how they created a beautiful garden of native plants and how you can, too.

80 Wright Revival

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Westcott House was almost lost to time. Here is how Springfield saved its architectural gem.

86 Famous Foods Spots

From old-school favorites to local legends, put these 30 restaurants on your Buckeye State bucket list.

DEPARTMENTS //

6 Connect 14 Editor’s Note

23 1803

Find a new spin on album storage, and tour the home of Marietta’s founder at the Campus Martius Museum.

31 Datebook

See the art of Wendy Red Star in Columbus, and experience the Cleveland International Film Festival.

42 Calendar of Events

61 Farm & Table

Little Fish Brewing Co. opens a location in Dayton, and Cincinnati’s Revel OTR offers a great place to gather.

65 Live Well

Learn about the difference organ donors make, and get advice for healthier ways to fuel your body.

168 Milestones

In 1938, the city of Columbus welcomed actress and singer Judy Garland to town as she promoted her new film.

TRAVEL // 103 Columbus 117 Toledo 127 Amish Country

72 ON THE COVER:

LONG WEEKENDS: 145 West Virginia 159 Kentucky

80

Der Dutchman Walnut Creek

// 2023 BEE: RANDY LITCHFIELD; KING TUT: COURTESY OF COSI; SCHMIDT’S: BRIAN KAISER; WRIGHT: MATTHEW ALLEN

PHOTO BY KARIN MCKENNA

Ohio’s Appalachian

Discover fun, adventure and one-of-a-kind experiences found only in this beautiful region, where 32 counties hug the Ohio River from the state’s southern border up to its northeast corner. Explore rolling hills, mature forests, historic sites, small towns, wineries and farm-to-table restaurants as far as the eye can see. Use this brochure as your guide to find all that Appalachian Country has to offer.

FOR THE BEST TRAVEL ADVENTURE OF YOUR LIFE, VISIT APPALACHIANOHIO.COM

Northeastern Region

Beach bums and water lovers will love swimming, boating and fishing in this region, which has access to Lake Erie along with smaller lakes and rivers. Visit a local winery to sample sweet ice wine and take in stunning sunset views.

ALL FOUR SEASONS

Eastern Region

Culture and American history are abundant in this region. Visit important Underground Railroad sites or learn about the past at a living history outdoor drama performance. The region is also home to the largest Amish community in Ohio, so be sure to sample Amish food and browse artisan products.

Central Region

This region has plenty to offer for those who love outdoor adventures, from hiking and biking to zip lining, rock climbing and rappelling. After a day spent exploring nature, meander through historic districts in the region’s small downtowns

Western Region

From history to nature, this region has it all. Learn about ancient earthworks and Underground Railroad sites, sit back on a river cruise and discover state parks scattered across the southernmost part of the state.

Keep coming back to Ohio’s Appalachian Country, where you’ll find fun regardless of the season. Attend summertime festivals, fairs, concerts and other special events in full swing scattered throughout the region. Stroll through charming Appalachian towns to find everything from restaurants with delicious bites to local boutiques. Breathe in fresh fall air and enjoy the changing leaves as you hike and bike along trails in various parks, along with Wayne National Forest and the Buckeye Trail — both of which span multiple Appalachian counties.

When the weather turns cold, cozy up inside at wineries and cozy lodgings. For some wintertime adventures, explore the outdoors with ice fishing on the lakes and sledding. Come spring, look for maple syrup events to taste the freshest syrup in the state and stop and smell the wildflowers blooming in Appalachia’s many state parks and nature preserves.

A visit isn’t complete without a ride down one of 13 scenic byways. Beautiful drives and unforgettable adventures are within reach all year long.

Roscoe General Store, Coshocton

Salvatore’s Italian Grill, Warren

Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Chillicothe

Hocking Hills Chalet, Logan

CONNECT

MAR./APR.

SUPPLEMENTS + SPECIAL SECTIONS 68

HOCKING HILLS

Consult this guide of lodging options, then book your stay.

Before Page 137 HOMESTEAD FURNITURE

Work with the staff here to create incredible pieces for your home.

Ohio Eats: The Buckeye State’s distinctive pizza styles may not be as well known as the ones hailing from New York or Chicago, but we explored three that have long histories. Get the cheesy scoop on Columbus, Brier Hill and Ohio Valley styles of pizza, then check out where you can grab a pie to try them for yourself ohiomagazine.com/ ohiopizzastyles

from the archive: Warming temperatures and sunnier days fire up our urge to hit the road. Our guide to 50 destinations spans city and country, the great outdoors and some of our best museums. So whether your sense of adventure caters to nature, history, arts or food, we have plenty of ideas to get you rolling ohiomagazine.com/ 50roadtrips

In This Issue:

who to follow

Our favorite social media accounts for spring

Midwest Modern @joshlipnik

Scroll for hours on this feed highlighting intriguing architecture, art and design across Ohio and the Midwest.

instagram shoutout: @big_trees_ohio

Plus:

30 Famous Food Spots

Cincinnati, p. 33, 63

Cleveland, p. 33

Columbus, p. 62, 103

Dayton, p. 61

Delaware, p. 72

Dover, p. 62

Marietta, p. 26, 33

25 Amish Country Finds

Springfield, p. 80

Sugarcreek, p. 24

Toledo, p. 31, 33 62, 117 Yellow Springs, p. 23

Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre

@elizabethsofakron

Get inspiration for your next read from this Akron spot founded by Rachel E. Cargle that celebrates the work of QTBIPOC writers

An avid hiker and photographer, Marc DeWerth formed Big Trees Ohio to help people learn about our state’s mega trees. Some of the coolest finds? A Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) in Lawrence County looks like a massive Keebler elf tree, and a Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) in northwest Ohio is estimated to be over 400 years old!

Correction: In our January/February issue, we ran the wrong address for Gather by Angel 101. The correct address for the shop is 139 W. Third St., Perrysburg 43551.

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 Sustainable Forestry Initiativecertified sources when available. We have also taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic used when mailing issues to subscribers.

EDITOR’S NOTE

On the Menu

Food is one of the ways we share who we are. A joy of this job over the past decade has been traveling to towns across the state and finding eateries that are central to a town’s identity and story. These are often casual spots where history is counted in decades rather than years.

Soon after I started working in downtown Cleveland, I made my first trip to Slyman’s Restaurant on St. Clair Avenue. The place is known for its corned beef — gigantic sandwiches that truly must be seen to be believed. (Check it out for yourself on page 93.) My buddy picked me up at the office at 11:40 a.m., so we’d be sure to get a seat, and we drove over to the no-frills spot that’s been a local favorite since 1964.

Sure, you can now find Slyman’s Restaurant locations in the Cleveland suburbs that offer food that’s just as good as the original, but there’s nothing quite like paying a visit to a mom-and-pop spot where people still line up to take in a time-honored food tradition.

These are the types of places we worked to identify when assembling this month’s list of “30 Famous Food Spots.” Our lineup includes Ohio food legends like Tony Packo’s in Toledo, which went on to achieve widespread fame, as well as lesser-known eateries that are legendary among the locals — places like Wilson’s Sandwich Shop in Findlay, The Spot Restaurant in Sidney and Camp Washington Chili in Cincinnati.

For each location, we also made a specific suggestion about what to order or pointed you to a particular part of the menu. (Of course, those dishes are just the start of what makes these places great.) So, stop in, grab a table and fill up on some classic Ohio eats during your travels this season.

Chairman Lute Harmon Sr. President & Publisher Lute Harmon Jr.

EDITORIAL

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Editor Jim Vickers

Senior Editor Hallie Rybka

Contributing Writers Jason Brill, Nicholas Dekker, Kristen Hampshire, Nathan Havenner, Richard Jeffers, Macy Kile, Frances Killea, Sarah Miller, David Nilsen, Lisa Sands, Kim Schneider, Kristina Smith, Damaine Vonada, Ilona Westfall, Teresa Woodard

Digital Content Assistant Kelly Powell

Editorial Interns Lauren Patterson, Brett Price

Art Director Rachael Jirousek

Contributing Artists Casey Clark, Brian Kaiser, Karin McKenna, Jonathan Miksanek, Cody York

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Nominations are open for our annual Best Hometown honor. Each year, we celebrate communities across Ohio that exemplify the best of life in the Buckeye State. We want to know what makes the place you call home special. Take a few minutes to fill out the nomination form, and you could see your community featured in our November/December 2023 issue. Share your town’s story with us at ohiomagazine.com/nominate.

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Get Away

LIVE LIFE

OUTDOORS

May 27th & 28th

Plan Your Trip Now!

Experience historic Marietta by touring a variety of homes that make up the first established settlement of the Northwest Territory during the Historic Marietta Tour of Homes, sponsored by The Castle.

If you’re a collector, architect, historian, photographer, or just love old homes, this tour is sure to satisfy your interests! Tours take place May 27th and 28th. Different homes will be open each day for tours, so plan to make a weekend out of it.

Be sure to secure your tickets early to ensure that you don’t miss experiencing these amazing homes.

For more information, visit mariettacastle.org/events

encounter experience explore ~MARION~

Marion, located along Route 23 in the heart of Ohio, welcomes you to encounter, experience, and explore a uniqueto-you “MarionMade” adventure. Stroll the downtown to ENCOUNTER welcoming shop owners at local fashion and retail boutiques. Sip some tea, enjoy a good cup of Joe, and dine in delightful locally owned eateries. Plan your visit to EXPERIENCE a live concert at the historic Marion Palace Theatre or music at an inviting drinkery in the downtown district. Escape your routine to EXPLORE nature while hiking the 12.4-mile Tallgrass Trail or history with a visit to the Harding Presidential Sites. We invite you to visit Marion, Ohio. Request a visitor guide: info@visitmarionohio.com.

Spring into Action

Young’s Jersey Dairy boils and dyes more than 10,000 eggs each spring for a traditional Easter Egg Hunt that is marking its 40th year in 2023. Age groups are divided into 4 and younger, 5 to 7 and 8 to 10, with the first hunt happening promptly at 2 p.m. The others follow 20 and 40 minutes later, respectively. The event happens whether rain, shine or (dare we say it) snow. April 9; 6880 Springfield-Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs 45387, 937/325-0629, youngsdairy.com/easter-egg-hunt

For the Record: The revival of vinyl albums naturally leads to the question of how to store and display them. Brit and Jason Prather craft beautiful and high-quality solutions

Sweet Spot: Jen Freeman, president of Richards Maple Products and the Ohio Maple Producers Association, discusses our state’s maple-sugaring tradition.

COURTESY OF YOUNG’S JERSEY DAIRY

For the Record

The revival of vinyl albums naturally leads to the question of how to store and display them. Brit and Jason Prather craft beautiful and high-quality solutions.

Brit and Jason Prather’s business started as an Etsy shop that often took commissions to create store displays for small businesses. One day, a customer requested a way to display vinyl records at her vintage shop. After the couple crafted the one-off record rack, a friend suggested they make and sell more. Having an affinity for record albums, the couple put their first Divider Records product up for sale in 2016.

Today, the online business makes record racks, ledges and wall mounts as well as stands that display a single album. Then there are the series of console units — the Tretina, the Bedford and the Morad — that hold 150, 300 and 420 records, respectively. Aside from the clean design and solid-wood construction, part of the allure of Divider Records’ products is that they allow for album artwork to be easily enjoyed.

“It’s nice because you just flip through, and you don’t have to squint to read the spines,” Brit says. “You can see the album art, and I think that makes it fun to have your collection on display for people to easily have access to when they come over.”

The console units are some of the most innovative Divider Records creations and are bestsellers for their simple and customizable designs. When a customer places their order, they can choose from six wood finishes and a variety of crossbars.

Each product is made to order and begins with raw lumber. The wood is planed, made into panels, cut into shapes, sanded, finished, assembled and shipped. Based in Sugarcreek, close to Ohio’s Amish communities, the Prathers have access to high-quality materials and fellow craftspeople who can help them bring their visions to life.

“We know that whatever idea we can come up with, there’s a metal fabricator we can get a hold of,” Brit says. “There’s the people where we get our lumber … We can easily request whatever kind of wood we need from them. Even the people that we get our stains from have such an impeccable selection of wood finishes.” —

For more information, visit divider-records.com.

Kelly Powell

G. JOHNSON

DIVIDER RECORDS’ MORAD UNIT

Rosabella Winery Austinburg, Ohio

A Slice of Springtime

Ohio wineries with decadent charcuterie boards

By Katie Giffin

Charcuterie, wine and sunshine, what could be a better pairing? Grab some friends and celebrate the coming warm months at these Ohio wineries that offer scrumptious spreads and perfect pours.

Oak & Brazen Wine Co. in Delaware combines a rustic old-timey feel with modernity as barrels surround the warmly lit tasting room creating an atmosphere ideal for savoring and slowing down. Try their charcuterie board with a light sauvignon blanc or a red zinfandel for a salty and rich combo.

With a shaded outdoor patio, reservable wine globes for private seating and eclectic decorations, Carso Rosso Winery in Strongsville offers a unique tasting experience. Get creative as you choose from a variety of specialty cheeses to build your own

charcuterie board. Try the blueberry cheddar with the cabernet sauvignon for a fun, fruity pairing.

Escape to the Goddess Wine House in Ashtabula for a charming afternoon of quality food and specialty wines. The small patio creates a destination perfect for a sunny afternoon or a relaxed night out. Try the Poseidon (a dry chardonnay) and bring some friends to get through the Colossal Cheese Tray — a delectable assortment of crackers, meats and specialty Amish cheeses. A family-owned and operated winery, Urban Pine Winery in Maumee offers a refined winery experience with blends from all over the world. Sit outside on the patio or grab a seat inside in the bistro on cooler days. Try a fruit and cheese board with the Paradise Moscato for a refreshing and sweet snack!

Pioneer Days

Marietta’s Campus Martius Museum

tells the story of the Northwest Territory and features a walk through the home of city founder Rufus Putnam, who arrived in 1788.

Marietta founder Rufus Putnam’s home today sits in the same place it did when it was built following his arrival at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers in 1788. The leader of the Ohio Company was tasked with opening the Northwest Territory to settlement by overseeing a group that would survey the land and ready it for sale. His was just one of the homes located within a stockade known as Campus Martius, which protected the settlers from the dangers of frontier life.

Putnam’s compact, two-level residence housed within the walls of Marietta’s Campus Martius Museum has a cozy formal entertaining area, a small kitchen, three bedrooms and an attic. Its wooden structure remains intact, as does some of its original furniture. Putnam made the chairs and cradle in one of the bedrooms himself. Other original artifacts include his bar trunk, kitchen utensils, tools, violin and the canopies on each bed.

“This is where they conducted their daily lives, but what were their daily lives like?” asks Bill Reynolds, who has been a historian at the museum for nearly 50 years. “Just walking through here is a pretty decent way to be able to show that.”

Campus Martius Museum visitors can take a guided tour of the Rufus Putnam House at the top of each hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. It is a unique experience and the centerpiece of a visit to the museum, which opened in 1928 and went through renovations in the mid-1960s and early 1970s.

Along with the Rufus Putnam House, the museum displays a variety of exhibits across two levels. Artifacts on the main floor include Putnam’s travel trunk and a sword George Washington presented to him, as well as accessories such as jewelry that belonged to those who resided at Campus Martius. On the upper floor, exhibits reflect domestic life as Marietta evolved, from 19th-century rifles to a needlework sampler made by 11-year-old Sarah Pratt in 1842. Also on the museum property is the original Ohio Company Land Office, which offers insight into the challenges of surveying what was then wilderness with tools that seem rudimentary by today’s standards.

“Measuring the land with chains that are 66 feet long … to me, that’s amazing,” Reynolds says. — Lauren

Patterson

601 Second St., Marietta 45750, 740/373-3750, mariettamuseums.org

FOLK ART BACKSCRATCHER

Carved from a single piece of wood

Folk art remains one of the strongest segments of the antiques market, and the diverse field ranges from artwork to furniture. Sometimes the object is a matter of a creative mind meeting a personal need. That is the case with this backscratcher made from a single piece of pine and carved in the form of a hand on one end with two ball-in-cage whimseys and a ring through a loop on the other.

The work of a skilled craftsman, the carved hand clearly had a purpose: taking care of a hardto-reach itch. The ring and caged balls, however, are considered “whimseys” because of their whimsical nature. They served no practical use other than to demonstrate the expertise of the carver and to fascinate those who view the work.

While the ball-in-cage design is reminiscent of sailor art — types produced aboard whaling ships and other seagoing vessels more than a hundred years ago — it is not limited to open waters. This backscratcher is said to have been made in Ohio in the early 20th century. Regardless of where it originated, this work is a perfect example of the abundance of great Americana that can be found on the antiques market in Ohio.

— Richard “Jeff” Jeffers

$531.25

Richard Jeffers is the owner of Garth’s Auctioneers & Appraisers in Columbus.

Visitors tour the Rufus Putnam House at Campus Martius Museum.

BRACEY GOLDBISONRANCH

WINERIES & BREWERIES

Flora in Fashion

Sweet Spot

Jen Freeman, president of Richards Maple Products and the Ohio Maple Producers Association, discusses the family business and our state’s maple-sugaring tradition.

The arrival of lake-effect snow might cause a collective groan from most people living in northeast Ohio, but for the region’s maple syrup producers, it’s a sweet situation.

“We need a hard winter,” says Jen Freeman, president of Richards Maple Products in Chardon. “We need the trees to go dormant, and all the snowpack and the moisture helps provide us with good syrups.”

Freeman, who is also president of the Ohio Maple Producers Association, has syrup in her veins. Her great-grandparents Will and Rena Richards started the company in 1910. Today, it sells syrup, as well as hot sauce, candy and more, all made using the maple sap harvested each spring. Ahead of the Geauga County Maple Festival, running April 27 through 30, we talked with Freeman about the family legacy and northeast Ohio’s maple-sug— Jason Brill

How does it feel to carry on the legacy of a company your great-grandparents started more than a century ago?

I knew from an extremely young age that this is what I want to do. When I was very young, I worked here part time. I went to college for this. I’ve always had my focus on this. … During Christmas, I work in the store a lot, seeing people and interacting with them and seeing the fruits of our labor go out the door. Then it’s syrup-making season, and I get to see all those people. That’s the common theme through all of this.

Why do you think the Geauga County Maple Festival has remained such a strong tradition over the years?

It’s been going ever since 1926. They started it so producers could come together on the square, have a social event and sell their syrup for more money. … They’ve had stir booths since the very early festivals, giving out bowls of syrup to everybody. They’ve had the Maple Queen’s contest ever since the very beginning. They’ve had the lumberjack contest since the very beginning. … It’s the traditions that continue that make it important.

Does weather or the time of harvest affect the flavor of the syrup?

A: There are all kinds of variables. We need a lot of snow cover, but if it’s too wet, there will be a low sugar content. Some years, we are not exactly sure why, but the trees produce a spicier, cinnamon-like flavor. For timing, the first part of the season makes a very mild-flavored syrup — it’s sweet, but there’s not much flavor to it. As the season progresses it makes for darker, stronger-flavored syrup, which is the trend right now.

For more information, visit richardsmapleproducts.com or maplefestival.com.

Jen Freeman’s great-grandparents started Richards Maple Products in 1910. The company sells its goods across the state.

The 1819 Room at Hotel Versailles is the perfect space for your next event. With 30 boutique hotel rooms, an award-winning culinary team, outdoor courtyard with fireplace and lounge seating, private entry from the complimentary parking lot, private restrooms and a infant care room, it offers everything you need in one place. Call

PHOTO Catie Viox

DATEBOOK

Examining Identity: Mixed-media artist Wendy Red Star’s Columbus Museum of Art exhibition addresses longimposed narratives about Indigenous people.

Disney’s The Lion King

April 19–May 7, Toledo

From the moment the sun rises and the animals appear, embrace the energy of the “Circle of Life.” Disney’s “The Lion King” is hailed as one of the most breathtaking and beloved musical productions, featuring familiar songs from the animated film as well as new additions, plus inspired storytelling, intricate costumes and masterful puppetry. Experience the majesty of the Serengeti as the six-time Tony Award winner makes its return to the Stranahan Theater stage. 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo 43614, 419/381-8851, americantheatreguild.com/toledo

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

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN. Sweepstakes is open to anyone 18 years or older at the time of entry. Employees of the Sponsor, its parent and their immediate families (spouse, parents, children, siblings and their spouses) and individuals living in the same household as such employees are ineligible. Sweepstakes subject to all applicable federal, Ohio, local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: By participating in this contest and submitting an entry, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decision of the Sponsor in conducting the contest. By entering the contest, winner agrees to waive any and all claims against the Sponsor, its parent, employees and representatives for a personal injury or loss that occur from the participation in this contest or from the receipt or use of any prize. Sponsor, its parent, employees and representatives, are not responsible for incorrect, inaccurate transcription or loss of entry information for any reason whatsoever. By entering, entrants acknowledge compliance with these Official Rules including all eligibility requirements.

HOW TO ENTER: Sweepstakes begin on March 1, 2023, and end on April 30, 2023 (“Sweepstakes Period”). There are multiple ways to enter this contest. Each person can enter both ways for additional chances of winning.1) Fill out the Reader Response card and

Zanesville/Muskingum County CVB

return or at ohiomagazine.com/win to receive 2 entries. Only one Reader Response form can be submitted per person. 2) Follow @OhioMagazine on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments section. Each individual friend comment and tag will receive an entry.

HOW TO WIN: At the end of the Sweepstakes Period, winner will be drawn at random from all eligible entries received.

PRIZES AND ODDS: One winner will receive the prize detailed

DATEBOOK

event

Cleveland International Film Festival

March 22–April 1: clevelandfilm.org

For more than three decades, the Cleveland International Film Festival brought the work of moviemakers from around the globe to downtown’s Tower City Cinemas. In 2022, the festival found a new rhythm in Cleveland’s theater district, merging the bold vision of the films featured with the grandeur of Playhouse Square’s elegantly restored theaters.

The 47th annual Cleveland International Film Festival returns March 22, with more than 100 features and nearly 200 short films from around 70 countries scheduled to be presented over the event’s 11-day run at Playhouse Square.

music

Ben Folds

April 25: Cincinnati

With an alternative-rock background and a mastery of the piano, Ben Folds continues to bend genres and merge classical roots with modern pop. After a sold-out show in 2017, he returns to perform with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. cincinnatisymphony.org

“We had over 330 filmmakers last year, and for many of them it was their first festival in three years or so, as well,” says Marcie Goodman, executive director of the Cleveland International Film Festival. “I just love that they got to screen their films at Playhouse Square.”

The action kicks off with an opening-night screening and celebration, and films are shown throughout each day at five Playhouse Square venues over the course of the festival. Once the in-person event concludes April 1, ticketed online screenings of films featured at the festival continue from April 2 through 9.

The Cleveland International Film Festival highlights a wide diversity of filmmakers, but it also stays connected to its roots by including local creators as well as films that hail from Central and Eastern Europe.

“The good thing about film as an art form is that there’s so many options,” Goodman says, “so we kind of feel like we have something for everyone.”

— Brett Price

exhibit

Seeing Stars, Divining Futures

Through June 18: Toledo

Turn your eyes to the cosmos and delve into “Seeing Stars, Divining Futures” at the Toledo Museum of Art. People from around the world have looked to the sun, moon, planets and stars since the Stone Age to make sense of the universe and our place in it. This exhibition highlights works from the museum’s collection — from tarot cards to images of fortune tellers to representations of the zodiac — that demonstrate how divinatory practices have been integrated into art across centuries and cultures, both Western and Eastern. toledomuseum.org

music

Tracy Lawrence

April 28: Marietta

Grab your cowboy hat and join Tracy Lawrence as he celebrates a three-decade career as a country music hit-maker. Enjoy his chart toppers, such as “Time Marches On” and “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.” peoplesbanktheatre.com

FILM: TIM SMITH; STAR: RICHARD P. GOODBODY INC.; LAWRENCE: JON-PAUL BRUNO

DATEBOOK

“Group Portrait of Three Men, MoMukh-Pi-Tche, Ella-Causs-Se (Thin Belly), and Pish-Ki-Ha-DiRi-Ky-Ish (One Who Leads The Old Dog)”

Mixed-media artist Wendy Red Star addresses long-imposed narratives about Indigenous people. The Columbus Museum of Art hosts an exhibition of her work April 21 through Sept. 3.

By Ilona Westfall

ANative American woman in a vibrant outfit sits in an idyllic nature scene. Foliage is reflected in the water behind her and spring blossoms bloom on shore. Look closer, however, and you notice that the bright green grass is clearly fake and the animals surrounding her are two-dimensional cutouts.

The woman is mixed-media artist Wendy Red Star, and the image, titled “Spring,” is from “Four Seasons,” a 2006 self-portrait series that inserts Red Star into vivid settings that evoke stereotypes found in vintage displays featuring Native people.

“It contemporized this old narrative that has been promulgated in museums across decades,” says Deidre Hamlar, the inhouse curator for “Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth” at the Columbus Museum of Art from April 21 through Sept. 3.

“Spring” is one of more than 40 works in the traveling exhibition organized by The Newark Museum of Art. It’s the most comprehensive survey of the artist, who is a member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) tribe. Exploring themes of colonialism, indigenous feminism and the history of the Apsáalooke tribe through a contemporary and sometimes humorous lens, Red Star’s art turns stereotypes of Native people upside down.

For example, the artist writes with red pen on a series of prints of historical photos of Apsáalooke tribe members to call out facts like the subject’s name and age, their family lineage and even the meaning behind their dress or moccasins.

“It serves to humanize the story of Indigenous people, particularly from the Apsáalooke point of view,” says Hamlar. “She deconstructs the narrative that’s imposed by the original narrator.”

Other works in the exhibition include a series of photos depicting everyday life on the Apsáalooke reservation in Montana, where the artist grew up: churches, cars, homes and signs. Another series includes images of Red Star and her young daughter in Native dress posing in front of a graphic, pop-art background. Also displayed are Red Star’s take on traditional elk-tooth dresses, handmade using reproduction elk teeth. An installation titled “Monsters” invites visitors to sit inside a simulated sweat lodge to watch a short film directed by Red Star and Amelia Winger Bearskin about the mythology constructed around land masses on Crow land.

“In such an elegant way [Red Star] has introduced a part of herself as a way for us to understand a larger culture that we may have been historically confused about,” says Hamlar. “You can look at her art on many different levels: aesthetically, historically, or as a conversation that’s ongoing.”

480 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215, 614/221-6801, columbusmuseum.org

“APSÁALOOKE FEMINIST #3”

State Regions

CALENDAR

MARCH

Central Festivals

MAR 2–5

Arnold Sports Festival

The Arnold Sports Festival returns to Columbus with the world’s best physique and strength sports, including the 35th Annual Arnold Classic. Greater Columbus Convention Center and Ohio Expo Center, 400 N. High St., Columbus. arnoldsports.com. Visit website for schedules, times and prices

MAR 11

Columbus Brew Festival

Enjoy this lively party featuring more than 50 breweries, 150 beers and access throughout the museum. COSI, 333 W. Broad St., Columbus, 614/228-2674. cosi.org. 8–11 p.m. Early admission $65, general admission $50

Museums + Exhibits

THRU APR 7

Arts Beacon of Light

bition explores the relationship humankind has with its natural environment — specifically how we adorn our bodies with botanical elements from head to toe. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, 740/681-1423. decartsohio.org. Wed.–Fri. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 1–4 p.m. Free

THRU APR 23

Gina Osterloh: Mirror Shadow Shape

View the work of Filipino American artist Gina Osterloh. Her studio-based practice uses photography, film, performance and drawing to examine the preconceived ways we understand ourselves and others. By drawing parallels between the performative spaces of photography and identity, Osterloh directs us to see just how much cannot be known by looking. Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, 614/221-6801. columbusmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU AUG 6

Was It Your Trigger Finger?

View this exhibition featuring work by Bobby T. Luck, whose art focuses on decolonizing modern imagery and media. The artist re-imagines globalization and the self by breaking down diplomatic and emotional borders through film, sculpture and collage. Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, 614/221-6801. columbusmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

MAR 3–25

19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show

Stop by the gallery during open hours to see the “Arts Beacon of Light” exhibition, curated by Ohio Arts Council staff member Katie Monahan. Image Credit: Karen Snouffer, “Orange Alert,” 2021. Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery, 77 S. High St., Columbus, 614/644-9624. riffegallery.org. Tues.–Fri. noon–5 p.m. Free

THRU APR 23

Flower Power: Flora in Fashion

The 19th Annual Bryn Du Art Show is a national, juried exhibition held at the historic Bryn Du Mansion. Visit to experience a large variety of 2D and 3D visual artworks for viewing and for sale. This event is open to the public and family friendly. For full event details as well as community events, visit bryndu.com. Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd., Granville, 740/5877053. Tues.–Wed. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Thur. 4–8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–4 p.m. Free

MAR 5–JUN 2

Fractals: Patterns in Nature

View an all-Ohio artist exhibition about fractals, repeating patterns that produce a feeling of wellbeing. See work from Jonah Jacobs, Andrea

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Myers and Karen Snouffer, as well as artwork created by Dublin City Schools students. The exhibition is the result of a two-year effort, developed in collaboration with Noor Murteza, a doctoral student in the Ohio State University Arts Administration, Education and Policy program. Dublin Arts Council, 7125 Riverside Dr., Dublin, 614/889-7444. dublinarts.org. Visit website for times. Free

Music + Theater

MAR 16–APR 16

Into the Woods

Explore the intersection of fairy tales and life beyond. This complex and beautiful examination of human behavior is brought to life with Stephen Sondheim’s witty lyrics and James Lapine’s innovative storytelling. Follow a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child. When they learn they cannot because of a witch’s curse, the couple sets off on an epic journey to break it. Garden Theater, 1187 N. High St., Columbus, 614/7254042. shortnorthstage.org. Visit website for times and prices

MAR 18

PBJ & Jazz: We Create Jazz Ensemble

Celebrate women’s history month with the We Create Jazz Ensemble as they bring together Ohio’s brightest female jazz musicians for one concert. Presented in partnership with Jazz Alive, the short and interactive concerts are designed to introduce jazz and American music to families. Club Lincoln, 769 E. Long St., Columbus, 614/294-5200. jazzartsgroup.org. 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. $5.

MAR 25

Black Jacket Symphony presents

Fleetwood Mac's Rumors

Enjoy an incredible live concert experience with a re-creation of Fleetwood Mac’s iconic album “Rumours” in its entirety — note for note, sound for sound. Audience members can delight in a set of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest hits. Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Pl., Newark, 740/345-5483. midlandtheatre.org. 8 p.m. $40–$50

MAR 31–APR 1

Rigoletto

Experience one of opera’s most beloved arias, with all the thrills and pathos that make grand opera famous. Rigoletto is a cursed court jester

Continued on page 42

Presented by the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection at The Ohio State University, this exhi-

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

of the lustful Duke of Mantua who obsessively protects his daughter, Gilda. When she falls in love with the man her father loathes, Rigoletto’s thirst for vengeance and desperate attempt to stop fate brings about his own tragic undoing. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-0939. operacolumbus.org. Visit website for times and prices

Other Events

MAR 11

Chihuly Nights

See the conservatory in a whole new light, with 18 professionally lit installations of Chihuly art creating breathtaking views throughout the conservatory’s biomes and plant collections. Don’t miss this unique opportunity. Visitors can also view James Turrell’s Light Raiment II and experience current exhibitions. A cash bar is available. Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, 614/715-8000. fpconservatory.org.

7–10 p.m. Visit website for prices

Northeast Festivals

MAR 17–19

Hello Spring

Come to this debut spring market to meet a host of amazing vintage vendors and makers. Shop booths full of antiques, vintage and midcentury items, boutique-style clothing, jewelry and food trucks. With over 35,000 square feet of shopping, make sure to wear comfortable shoes to get the full experience. Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, themodernvintagemarket.com. VIP Access

Fri. 3–8 p.m., General Admission Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $5–$20

Museums + Exhibits

THRU MAR 31

Orchids Forever

Be amazed by orchids at every turn at the Cleveland Botanical Garden’s annual flower show, “Orchids Forever.” Escape to a tropical paradise and bring stunning colors into your life. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/721-1600. holdenfg.org/events.

Tues.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Adults $20, children $14, members free

THRU APR 2

Photographs in Ink

See this artistic exhibition that explores artists’ responses to published photographic images that have saturated life from the 1850s through the early 2000s. Explore two intertwined narratives: the use of these processes to disseminate images, and the adoption of them as content and aesthetic choice by fine artists. These stories are told through historical and contemporary works of art from Eadweard Muybridge and Alfred Stieglitz to Andy Warhol, Sigmar Polke, Carl Pope Jr. and Lorna Simpson. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU MAY 14

Good Hope

See depictions of flora, fauna and folklore in Cape Town. The exhibition features whimsical, wall-sized works by Studio Muti, an illustration group. The studio uses imagery as therapy for boredom, resulting in works packed with exploration and humor. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron, 330/376-9186. akronartmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU MAY 14

The Tudors: Art and Majesty in Renaissance England

This informative exhibition traces the transformation of the arts in Tudor England through more than 80 objects. The display includes iconic portraits, spectacular tapestries, manuscripts, sculpture and armor from both the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection and international lenders. Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216/421-7350. clevelandart.org. Visit website for times and prices

MAR 8

Until Everybody’s Free: Fannie Lou Hamer & the Women of the Civil Rights Movement For International Women’s Day, celebrate the life and work of Fannie Lou Hamer and other women of the civil rights movement. Featured in “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement,” Hamer was an unstoppable force for justice, founding the Mississippi Free dom Democratic Party and the Freedom Farm Cooperative, co-founding the National Women’s Political Caucus and helping to organize the Freedom Summer of 1964. View a screening of “Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up,” followed by a talkback from Pam Brooks, the Jane and Eric Nord Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Oberlin College. Maltz Museum, 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216/593-0575. maltzmuseum.org. 7–8 p.m. Free

Music + Theater

THRU MAR 19 Sister Act

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, this delightful play is truly reason to rejoice. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron, 330/8362626. weathervaneplayhouse.com. Thurs.–Sat.

7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m. Visit website for prices

MAR 11–12

DANCECleveland presents

Alonzo King Lines Ballet

Melt the winter blues away with the captivating Alonzo King Lines Ballet. The troupe’s remarkable dancers seem to drip across the stage, creating dazzling movements that are only possible with “lines.” While in Cleveland, the company will perform a mixed repertoire performance filled with technically superb yet fluid movement. Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, dancecleveland.org. Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $25–$70

MAR 17

Mo Pitney in Concert

Enjoy a concert with Mo Pitney, whose debut album “Behind This Guitar” was acclaimed as an LP that cracked Billboard’s Top 10 Country Albums chart the first week of its release. Ohio Star Theater, 1387 Old Route 39, Sugarcreek, 855/344-7547. ohiostartheater.com. 7 p.m.

Adult reserved seat $38

MAR 24–APR 16

Noises Off

Experience this comedic and entertaining play within a play. Conceived when English playwright Michael Frayn was watching a performance from the wings, he said, “It was funnier from behind than in front, and I thought that one day I must write a farce from behind.” Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216/521-2540. beckcenter.org. Fri.–Sat. 7:30–9:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30–4:30 p.m. Adults $38, seniors $34, children $17, SmartSeats $10

Other Events

MAR 4–5

McKinley Stamp Club

92nd Annual Stamp Show

Browse through the collections of 18 stamp dealers buying and selling stamps, covers and postcards. Exhibits are also on display. St. George Serbian Orthodox Social Hall, 4667 Applegrove St. NW, North Canton, 330/8325992. mksc.webs.com. Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

MAR 5

Scoops & Spirits

Who doesn’t love ice cream and spirits? Gervasi Vineyard and Pavs’s Creamery team up to pair Gervasi spirits with frozen desserts to give you the best of both worlds. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard.com. 2–3 p.m. $39

MAR 25

Hartville Antique Show

Engage with a variety of local vendors selling vintage, antique and unique items, such as primitives, toys and advertising. Hartville Marketplace, 1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9860. hartvillemarketplace.com. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

Northwest Museums + Exhibits

ONGOING

National Museum of the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are the most important natural

Photograph

resource and represent thousands of years of history. The National Museum of the Great Lakes tells that story through breathtaking photography, more than 300 incredible artifacts, powerful audiovisual displays and 40 interactive exhibits, including the 617-foot iron ore freighter Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the historic Museum Tug Ohio National Museum of the Great Lakes, 1701 Front St., Toledo, 419/214-5000. nmgl.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU MAR 25

Unruly Hearts / Unruly Arts

See lively works in a variety of mediums and styles created by the artists of the Toledo-based studio Unruly Arts, a process-based studio for artists with disabilities. 20 North Gallery, 18 N. St. Clair St., Toledo, 419241-2400. 20northgallery. com. Tues.–Sat. noon–4 p.m. Free

THRU JUN 18

Seeing Stars, Diving Futures

The cosmos have inspired astronomers and artists alike. Practitioners of astrology use the position of celestial bodies to gain insight into our characters and predict our futures. This exhibition showcases works that demonstrate the integration of art and divinatory practices. Explore how artists communicate our desire to know the unknowable and foresee the future. Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, 419/255-8000. toledomuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

Music + Theater

MAR 2

Toby Mac’s Hits Deep Tour

Witness Toby Mac and the Diverse City Band’s return to the stage with support from fan favorites Crowder, Cochren & Co, Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick and Terrian. Huntington Center, 500 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 419/255-3300. huntingtoncentertoledo.com. 7 p.m. $15–$89.75

MAR 3

Women in Classical Music

Louise Farrenc’s symphonic works of the 19th century stand shoulder to shoulder with those of her male contemporaries. In this program, Alma Mahler also steps into the spotlight with her lieder originally for voice and piano and later orchestrated. Peristyle Theater, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo, 419/246-8000. toledosymphony.com. 8 p.m. $22–$61

MAR 17–26

Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park Paul is a stuffy, ambitious lawyer, Corrie is a romantic free spirit, and they are newlyweds in every sense of the word. After a six-day honeymoon, Corrie has found the ideal apartment: a tiny fifth-floor walk-up in Greenwich Village. Enjoy Neil Simon’s first play, which launched his reign as the king of Broadway comedies. Playmakers Civic Theatre, 604 W. Sixth St., Port Clinton, 419/734-5044. pcplaymakers.org. Fri.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices

MAR 19

The StepCrew

This new show brings together three styles of

exhilarating dance forms: Ottawa Valley stepdance, Irish stepdance and tap. With virtuosic dancers and musicians, the cast takes the audience on a dance journey. The StepCrew also boasts three world-class fiddlers backed by a five-piece ensemble comprised of some of the most talented and respected musicians in the Celtic music scene today. Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 St. Rte. 118, Van Wert, 419/238-6722. 3 p.m. $25–$49

MAR 23

Take the A Train

The Toledo Jazz Orchestra and Alain Trudel pays tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with charts made famous by Jazz at Lincoln Center. This concert features tunes such as

“Take the A Train,” “Caravan” and “Mood Indigo.” Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo, 419/246-8000. toledosymphony.com. 8 p.m. Visit website for prices

Other Events

ONGOING

Sandusky County Historic Barn Mural Trail

Take a drive to Sandusky County to enjoy the Historic Barn Mural Driving Trail, featuring murals painted by Scott Hagen, the “Barn Artist.” Driving maps are available at the visitors bureau weekdays 8 to 4 p.m. and online. Various locations throughout the county, 712 North St., Fremont, 419/332-4470. sanduskycounty.org. Trail can be driven year-round. Free

MAR 11

Lima Irish Parade

Get decked out in your green gear and celebrate spring at this lively Irish parade that has become a hometown tradition. Downtown Lima, 419/860-0072. facebook.com/limairishparade. Noon–1 p.m. Free

Southeast

Festivals

MAR 17–18

River City Blues Festival

Center, 8000 Dairy Ln., Athens, 740/592-4981. dairybarn.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU APR 1

Observations in Oil: Paintings

by Frederick Fochtman

The Zanesville Museum of Art is featuring interior scenes and landscape paintings by the Columbus, Ohio-based, award-winning oil painter, art restorer and painting instructor Frederick Fochtman. Zanesville Museum of Art, 620 Military Rd., Zanesville, 740/452-0741. zanesvilleart.org. Wed. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thur. 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission provided by Park National Bank

Music + Theater

MAR 11

Motown Sounds of Touch

MAR

The River City Bluesfest brings top-notch blues, jazz and folk music to Marietta, featuring Doug MacLeod, The Nighthawks, Ghost Town Blues Band, John Primer and more. Lafayette Hotel, 101 Front St., Marietta, 740/373-5522. bjfm.org/ blues-festival. 5 p.m. start on Friday, 12:30 p.m. start on Saturday. Friday Night $35, Saturday Afternoon $35, Saturday Night $40, Weekend Pass $100

Museums + Exhibits

ONGOING

Ohio River Museum

Explore the story of the Ohio River and step aboard the W.P. Snyder Jr., the nation’s last intact steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat. Multiple exhibit buildings chronicle the origins and natural history of the Ohio River and feature the history of the steamboat on the Ohio River system. Ohio River Museum, 601 Front St., Marietta, 800/860-0145. campusmartiusmuseum. org/river. Visit website for times and prices.

THRU MAR 19

Homesteading Women:

Past, Present, Near and Far

This exhibition juxtaposes archival material illustrating the lives of 19th-century homesteaders with interviews and photographs of contemporary homesteaders in and around Athens County. The records women leave tell a story of creative problem-solving and community-building. Kennedy Museum of Art, 100 Ridges Circle, Athens, 740/593-1304. ohio.edu/museum. Visit website for times and prices

THRU MAR 19

Women of Appalachia Exhibition

The Women of Appalachia Project was created to address discrimination directed at women from the Appalachian region by encouraging participation from women artists of diverse backgrounds, ages and experiences to come together, to embrace the stereotype, to show the whole woman; beyond the superficial factors that people use to judge her. The Dairy Barn Arts

This dynamic band is performing all of your favorite Motown hits. Touch has been entertaining and delighting audiences all over the country for 15 years. The group’s energetic dance performances and engaging personalities have brought many an audience to their feet. Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 740/772-2041. majesticchillicothe.net.

7:30–9:30 p.m. $18–$25

MAR 12

WOUB presents Our Town Chillicothe

Attend the premiere of “Our Town Chillicothe,” a documentary produced by WOUB. Majestic Theatre, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 740/7722041. majesticchillicothe.net. 3 p.m. Free

MAR 15

The English Chamber Orchestra

Enjoy a performance by the English Chamber Orchestra as the closing concert for the Zanesville Concert Association’s 83rd season at Secrest Auditorium & Music Hall. The most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, it has performed in more countries than any other orchestra and has accompanied many of the world’s most famous musicians. Secrest Auditorium & Music Hall, 334 Shinnick St., Zanesville, 740/588-0871. zanesvilleconcertassociation.org. 7–9 p.m. Visit website for prices

Other Events

ONGOING

Belmont County Explore More GeoTour

On the first Friday of each month, including March 3 and April 7, enjoy art galleries, art shows, music, food and entertainment, all showcased in charming downtown Zanesville. 126 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville, visitzanesville.com. 5–9 p.m. Free

MAR 5

Statehood Day Celebration

Celebrate statehood day in Chillicothe, Ohio’s first capital, with a lineup of events including historical tours, activities and entertainment at historical locations. Various venues, Chillicothe, 740/702-7677. visitchillicotheohio.com.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

MAR 11–12

Maple Sugaring in the Hills

Join a group at the naturalist cabin to savor a delicious bite of the season as experts boil down local maple sap. Discover many historical methods used to make this tasty treat. Hocking Hills State Park, 19852 St. Rte. 664 S., Logan, 740/385-6841. explorehockinghills.com.

Noon–4 p.m. Free

Southwest Festivals

MAR 4–5

Old Town Trade Fair

Enjoy this indoor living-history event, with door prizes and dealers dressed in pre-1890s-style clothing, some making and selling their wares. The venue is wheelchair accessible and food is available on-site. Greene County Expo Center, 120 Fairgrounds Ave., Xenia, 937/857-9745. oldtowntradefair.com. Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $4, children under 12 free

MAR 10–11

Cincinnati International Wine Festival

Save the date for delicious winery dinners, oneof-a-kind wine tastings and a charity auction and luncheon. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Cincinnati. winefestival.com. Fri. 7–9:30 p.m., Sat. 2:30–4:30 p.m. & 6:30–9 p.m. Fri. $95, Sat. afternoon $75, Sat. evening $95

Museums + Exhibits

This GeoTour offers something for everyone, from families to retirees, while exploring friendly, beautiful Belmont County. Geocaching is a realworld, outdoor treasure-hunting game using GPS coordinates. Various venues in Belmont County, headquarters at 67800 Mall Ring Rd. #485, St. Clairsville. Available all day. Free

THRU APR 23

Wild & Tenacious

See the beauty of this Beth Edwards exhibition. Edwards meticulously captures foliage and flora in her series of hyper-realistic, magnified paintings of floral bouquets and garden oases. The artist works with a vibrancy matched only by real

life, preserving the fleeting colors, light, shadows and negative spaces of nature. Springfield Museum of Art, 107 Cliff Park Rd., Springfield, 937/325-4673. springfieldart.net. Visit website for times and prices

THRU MAY 14

Memories & Inspiration: The Kerry and C. Betty Davis Collection of African American Art

Explore one of the world’s richest private collections of African American art from a diversity of Black perspectives. Featuring more than 60 works from the personal collection of Kerry Davis (a retired postal worker) and C. Betty Davis (a former television news producer), this exhibition focuses on 20th- and 21st-century approaches to the Black image. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Cincinnati, 513/241-0343. taftmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

THRU SEPT 24

Robert Lugo: Hi-Def Archives

View the work of Cincinnati-based artist Roberto Lugo. His multicultural pieces combine classic forms and patterns with elements of hip-hop. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Dr., Cincinnati, 513/721-2787. cincinnatiartmuseum.org. Visit website for times and prices

Music + Theater

MAR 4

Hotel California

For over three decades, Hotel California has been re-creating the legendary sound of the

Eagles. Enjoy incredible lead vocal similarity, intensely accurate instrumental work, soaring harmonies and great live performances. The Murphy Theatre, 50 W. Main St., Wilmington, 937/382-3643. themurphytheatre.org. 7:30–

9:30 p.m. $25–$35

MAR 5

Music of the Modern Jazz Quartet with Rusty Burge

No stranger to the CCJO Jazz@First stage, Cincinnati Jazz welcomes back local vibraphonist Rusty Burge. Rusty and the Phil DeGreg Trio revisit the sounds of one of the most iconic bands of the Cool Jazz era, the Modern Jazz Quartet. First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati, 536 Linton St., Cincinnati, 513/227-1039. cincinnatijazz.org.

2–4 p.m. Adults $20, children $10

MAR 10–12

Marvel’s Black Panther

“Black Panther” quickly became a global sensation and cultural phenomenon. Re-live the excitement of T’Challa becoming king and battling Killmonger while the Cincinnati Pops performs Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar-winning score live. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org. Fri.–Sat.

7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices

MAR 18

The Drowsy Lads

A crowd favorite, The Drowsy Lads thundered onto the Irish music scene in the United States over 15 years ago. Sticking to traditional roots, the group wins over audiences with camarade-

rie and genuineness during live performances. The Murphy Theatre, 50 W. Main St., Wilmington, 937/382-3643. themurphytheatre.org. 7:30–

9:30 p.m. $25

MAR 19

Big Band Series CCJO Meets Gospel: Amazing Grace

The Cincinnati Jazz Orchestra’s most popular concert is back. Joined once again by an all-star gospel choir led by A. Michael Cunningham, the CCJO brings to life the music from great gospel artists including Aretha Franklin, Kurt Whalum, Saskia Dian, Lailah Hathaway and more. rinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Ave., Cincinnati, 513/227-1039. cincinnatijazz.org.

4–6 p.m. Adults $25, children $10

MAR 21–26

Anastasia

Travel from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton, 937/228-3630. daytonlive.org. Visit website for times. $26–$109

MAR 25

Let’s Hang On: Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Tribute

Experience this stage production complete with the Four Seasons’ sound, crisp choreography and a live band. With high energy and a great

sound, this show is sure to entertain. The Murphy Theatre, 50 W. Main St., Wilmington, 937/3823643. themurphytheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. $34–$44

APRIL Central Festivals

APR 22

Ohioana Book Festival

This festival connects readers with their favorite Ohio writers. Enjoy a lineup of more than 130 authors. Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., Columbus, 614/466-3831. ohioana.org. Visit website for times and prices

APR 29

Arbor Day Festival

Celebrate with hands-on activities for kids, talks from plant experts, educational displays, tree climbing and more. Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Rd. SE, Newark, 740/323-2355. dawesarb.org. Visit website for times and prices

APR 29–30

Ashville Viking Festival

APR 12

Our Planet Live in Concert

Experience favorite scenes from David Attenborough’s “Our Planet,” hosted by series composer and Academy Award-winner Steven Price. The show features spectacular visual and sound effects, on-screen narration from Attenborough himself and a score performed live by a magnificent 44-piece orchestra. Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Place, Newark, 740/3455483. midlandtheatre.org. 7 p.m. $30–$75

APR 18–23

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations

Attend this electrifying, new musical following The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With signature dance moves and silkysmooth harmonies, the group rose to the top of the charts creating 42 Top 10 hits — with 14 reaching number one. Enjoy this thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal, as well as personal and political conflicts that threat ened to tear them apart during a decade of civil unrest in America. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/469-0939. capa.com. Visit website for times and prices

APR 20–23

Ray Charles and the Roots of R&B

Help close out Southern Theatre’s historic 50th season with an evening of excitement and exuberance, featuring vocalist Ty Taylor and a crash course on rhythm and blues. Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St., Columbus, 614/2945200. jazzartsgroup.org. Thur. 7:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $14.70–$82.95

APR 28–30

Swan Lake

This festival combines artisans, entertainment and history for a fun-filled adventure. Find amazing food, homemade ice cream and handcrafted goods. Guests are asked to bring donations for a local food pantry as an entry fee. The Ashville Community Park, 200 Station St. E., Ashville. facebook.com/ashvillevikingfestival. Visit website for times

Music + Theater

APR 7

An Evening with Tom Rush

Accompanied by Matt Nakoa

Experience the beauty of swan maidens and delicate creatures of water and air. BalletMet presents one of the most famous ballets ever created, enthralling audiences with a story of temptation, tragedy and undying love. Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus, 614/4690939. balletmet.org. Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 2 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2 & 6:30 p.m. Visit website for prices

Other Events

APR 22

The DACO Gala

APR 29

Under the Big Top: History Alive 2023

Join this American icon for five decades’ worth of songs and stories. The Holland Theatre, 127 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, 937/5929002. thehollandtheatre.org. 7:30 p.m. Adults $35–$55, children 17 and under $5

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of fashion and philanthropy at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio’s inaugural DACO gala. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, museum tours and a stunning fashion show featuring Ohio designers. Decorative Arts Center of Ohio, 145 E. Main St., Lancaster, 740/681-1423. decartsohio.org. 6 p.m. Visit website for prices

Experience a carnival atmosphere under the big top at Heritage Hall. Enjoy the antics of sideshow performers, games, circus foods and beverages from Marion Brewing Co. and Shovel City Drinkery. Adult only event. Heritage Hall, 169 E. Church St., Marion, 740/387-4255. marionhistory.com. 6 p.m. $50 per person

Northeast Festivals

APR 13–15

Pinbrew Fest

Delight in three fun-filled days with a killer lineup: pinball, arcade games, competitions and the area’s finest craft beer, making for one of the best parties of the year. Metroplex Expo Center, 1620 Motor Inn Dr., Girard, 330/759-1674. pinbrewfest.com. Thur. 4–11 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–midnight. Visit website for prices

APR 22 Medina Beer Fest

Sample a variety of the best craft beers during the Medina Beer Fest. Enjoy more than 25 breweries, great local food and hours of fun. The Foundry Social Warehouse, 333 Foundry St., Medina. mainstreetmedina.com/beer-fest. 5:30–10:30 p.m. Visit website for prices

APR 27–30

Geauga County Maple Festival

Delight in a sweet time at this annual festival featuring a pancake breakfast, rides and concessions, live music, competitions and maple syrup for all. Chardon Square, 100 Short Court St., Chardon, 440/332-7055. maplefestival.com. Visit website for times and prices

Music + Theater

APR 20–MAY 7

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap

Picture this: a group of strangers are stranded in a snow storm — with a murderer in their midst. Will they live long enough to reveal the killer or become victims? The world’s longest-running

play, the show brims with intrigue, sophisticated humor and surprising twists, making for an iconic Agatha Christie murder mystery. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Ln., Akron, 330/836-2626. weathervaneplayhouse.com.

Thurs.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2:30 p.m., Tues. 10 a.m. Visit website for prices

APR 21–30

On the Road: The Diary of Anne Frank, A Theatrical Production

Written by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett, adapted by Wendy Kesselman and based on the renowned reflections of a young Jewish girl, this impassioned drama about the lives of eight people hiding from the Nazis in a concealed storage attic captures the claustrophobic realities of their daily existence — their fears, their hopes, their laughter, their grief. Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, 216/593-0575. maltzmuseum.org. 7–8:30 p.m.

Adults $22, seniors and students ages 10–18 $20, children $12

APR 22

DanceCleveland presents Limón Dance Company

Timeless, dramatic and nuanced, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the greatest dance companies of all time. Help close out DanceCleveland’s 2022–23 season with a company sure to bring magic. Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, dancecleveland.org.

7:30 p.m. $25–$70

Other Events

APR 2

Celebrate Spring Wine Pairing

Days to experience Keim Home Center’s hospitality and shop the best deals of the year on all things home, building and woodworking. Keim Home Center, 4465 St. Rte. 557, Charm, 330/893-2251. keimhome.com. Visit website for store hours. Free

APR 21–22

720 Indoor Show at the Stark County Home & Garden Show

Join Gervasi Vineyard and celebrate the start of spring at this wine pairing event. Enjoy bites of delicious food paired with Gervasi’s awardwinning wines. Gervasi Vineyard Resort & Spa, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330/497-1000. gervasivineyard.com. 2–3 p.m. $39

APR 17–22

Customer Appreciation Days

The 720 Market presents a pop-up shopping experience specially curated for attendees of the BIA’s 72nd Annual Stark County Home & Garden Show. Hall of Fame Village Center for Performance, 2626 Fulton Dr. NW, Canton, 330/494-5700. biastarkeco.com/event/starkcounty-home-garden-show. Fri. noon–8 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $5

APR 22

Hartville Toy and Comic Show

Join the excitement of Customer Appreciation

This show features a wide variety of vintage and modern toys, comics from all eras, Power Rangers, Ghostbusters, Hot Wheels, Funko, Matchbox and more. Hartville Marketplace,

1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9860. hartvillemarketplace.com. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

APR 28–30

Mohican Wildlife Weekend

improve public gathering places, coordinate the addition of “urban friendly” trees and dress the town for the holidays. Sailorway Middle School, 5355 Sailorway Dr., Vermilion, 440/9630772. mainstreetvermilion.org. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Donations accepted

MAY 13

18th Annual Lilac Festival and Street Fair

upstairs room but occasionally escapes long enough to scare off uninvited visitors. At first, her ruse works well, but after a few complications, she announces her imaginary sibling has run to Boston. What will happen next? Genoa Civic Theatre, 509 1/2 Main St., Genoa, 419/8553103. genoacivictheatre.com. Thurs.–Sat.

7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices

APR 28–29

Cinderella

“Know your H2O”: Explore the wonderful natural world by land and water. Visit website for weekend schedule, programs and registration. Venues in Richland and Ashland counties. mohicanwildlifeweekend.com

APR 29

The Great Outdoorsman Show

Join the celebration of Defiance’s official flower with the community’s largest art and craft fair. Enjoy a day of entertainment featuring 750 free lilac seedlings, street vendors, food and children’s activities. Clinton Street, downtown Defiance, 419/782-0739. visitdefianceohio.com.

10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

Music + Theater

APR 2

Fisk Jubilee Singers Concert

Witness a breathtaking fairy tale brought to life as the Toledo Ballet takes on this classic, featuring a live accompaniment of the Prokofiev score performed by the Toledo Symphony. Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., Toledo, 419/246-8000. toledosymphony.com. Fri. 7 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices

APR 28–MAY 7

Scotland Road

Winifred was found floating on an iceberg in the North Atlantic. When rescued, she says only one word: Titanic. The young woman is taken to an isolated spot in coastal Maine, where an expert on the sinking liner has arranged to interrogate her for six days, crack her story and reveal her true identity. His clue? Her references to an unknown place called Scotland Road. Harlequins Community Theatre, 414 Wayne St., Sandusky, 419/621-1311. harlequinstheatre.org. Fri.–Sat.

7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $15

Other Events

This one-day event celebrates hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. Enjoy more than 50 vendors on-site, and meet special celebrity guest Richard Karn from “Home Improvement.” Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market, 1289 Edison St. NW, Hartville, 330/877-9860. hartvillemarketplace.com. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Free

Northwest

Festivals

APR 13–16

Holy Toledo Polka Days

Join the fun at this festival highlighting some of the top polka bands, including The DynaBrass, Eddie Biegaj & Crusade, Polka Country Musicians, Michael Costa & The Beat, Holy Toledo Jam Band and Polka DJ Kenny Olowin. Holiday Inn & Suites, 27355 Carronade Dr., Perrysburg, 567/331-8900. holytoledopolkadays.com. Visit website for times and prices

APR 21–23

Toledo Tattoo Festival

Take a risk at this event featuring live tattooing from 200 of the world’s best, plus tattoo competitions, live performances, fine art and charity fundraisers. Glass City Center, 401 Jefferson Ave., Toledo, 419/255-3300. tattootoledo.com. Visit website for times. Single day pass $20, weekend pass $50

APR 29

Vermilion in Bloom Gardeners Fair

Grow with this festival that has brightened the streetscape since 2003. The event has helped

The world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, perform a concert as part of President Hayes’ 200th birthday celebration. The singers preserve the American tradition of spirituals. Tickets are available online at rbhayes.org. Grace Lutheran Church, 705 W. State St., Fremont, 419/3322081. rbhayes.org. 3 p.m. Adults $10, children 13–17 $5, 12 and under free

APR 19–MAY 7

Disney’s The Lion King

Watch the Serengeti come to life as “The Lion King” makes its triumphant return to Toledo. Take in awe-inspiring visual artistry, uniquely theatrical storytelling and unforgettable music, including beloved songs such as “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo, 419/381-8851. americantheatreguild.com. Visit website for times and prices

APR 20–23

A Bad Year for Tomatoes

Dive into the mystery of the famous Myra Marlow, who, fed up with the pressures of her acting career, leases a house in Beaver Haven and writes her autobiography. In an attempt to shoo away her nosy neighbors, Myra invents a crazy, homicidal sister, who is reportedly locked in an

APR 1

Annual Chili Cook-Off

Embrace the heat at this delectable cook-off in downtown Marblehead. Visit participating businesses, sample chili, vote for the best dish and go for the prize. Downtown Marblehead, 419/702-7492. themarbleheadpeninsula.com.

1–5 p.m. $20

Southeast Festivals

APR 10–16

Athens International Film + Video Festival

The Athens International Film + Video Festival showcases experimental, narrative, short-form, feature length and documentary films from around the globe, offering filmmakers a platform for public exposure in an environment that values artistry. Visit athensfilmfest.org for details and updates. The Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., Athens, 740/593-1330. athensfilmfest.org. Visit website for times. Adults $6.50, seniors and children $5.50 per screening. All-You-CanWatch Festival Pass $50

APR 15

Earth Gathering Festival

This Earth Day-themed, juried invitational art festival enlightens, entertains and inspires with Earth-conscious art, music, food, products and ideas. Pump House Center for the Arts, 1 Enderlin Circle, Chillicothe, 740/772-5783. facebook. com/chillicotheartleague. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free

Museums + Exhibits

APR 3–JUN 10

Rod Bouc: Under the Sun Rod Bouc’s large-scale landscapes are rich and tactile. Inspired by the Midwest landscapes that surrounded him on the Nebraska farm he grew up on, these paintings are loaded with feeling and emotion. The surfaces are textural, as they are executed with paint sticks, charcoal and wet paint overlays. Southern Ohio Museum, 825 Gallia St., Portsmouth, 740/3545629. somacc.com. Tues.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 1–5 p.m. Free

APR 22

An Insider’s Tour

Take a deeper look at the subjects of David McCullough’s book The Pioneers. Learn about their lives, possessions and the home of Gen. Rufus Putnam. Did they live in hollow trees? Where did Putnam entertain guests? Did Putnam save the Continental Army from destruction? Visit the museum to get the answers. Campus Martius Museum, 601 Second St., Marietta, 740/3733750. mariettamuseums.org. 1:30–3:30 p.m. $10, plus museum admission

Music + Theater

APR 8

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Ricky Skaggs’ career is among the most significant in recent country music history. His path has taken him to various musical genres, from where it all began in bluegrass to striking out on new journeys. Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, 740-371-5152. peoplesbanktheatre. com. 8 p.m. $55–$145

Other Events

APR 5–OCT 29

Adena Mansion & Gardens Tours

Tour the historic 300-acre estate of Thomas Worthington and the restored 19th-century mansion. Visitors can stroll through the beautiful gardens and see the view that inspired the Great Seal of Ohio. Adena Mansion & Gardens, 847 Adena Rd., Chillicothe, 740/772-1500. adenamansion.com. Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5

grab life right here CITY LIFE. OUTDOOR LIFE. GREATER AKRON, OH

grab life right here CITY LIFE. OUTDOOR LIFE.

enjoy the holiday magic at stan hywet’s deck the hall. Explore Stan Hywet Hall &

in Akron, OH.

Akron Zoo

Akron Zoo

The

stanhywet.org | 330-836-5533

Farm & Village

As a living history museum, Hale Farm & Village works to amplify the stories of the many peoples who lived on site, and explore the varied experiences of the inhabitants of the Western Reserve during the 18th and 19th centuries.

As a living history museum, Hale Farm & Village works to amplify the stories of the many peoples who lived on site, and explore the varied experiences of the inhabitants of the Western Reserve during the 18th and 19th centuries. halefarm.org | 330-666-3711

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Stan Hywet opens for the 2023 season on April 1. Enjoy a day touring the historic Manor House and gardens, then stop by Molly’s Shop & Café for snacks and a keepsake. Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am-6 pm (last entry, 4pm). stanhywet.org | 330-836-5533

Cuyahoga Falls

See why life is better in Cuyahoga Falls. Shop, dine, play and stay. Cuyahoga Falls has something for everyone. Conveniently located 40 miles south of Cleveland, we invite you to plan your next adventure with us. cityofcf.com | 330-971-8000

you to plan your next adventure with us. cityofcf.com | 330-971-8000

Our animals have personalities that you have to see to believe! Meet the colorful cast of characters from around the globe. The Akron Zoo is worth your wild — visit us today!

akronzoo.org | 330-375-2550

Our animals have personalities that you have to see to believe! Meet the colorful cast of characters from around the globe. The Akron Zoo is worth your wild — visit us today! akronzoo.org | 330-375-2550

Downtown Akron Partnership

Downtown Akron Partnership

Visit downtown Akron to witness the annual Sakura Festival, celebrating over 450 spectacular Japanese Cherry Blossom trees, planted on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio and the city of Akron in 2012. Blooming dates vary between late March and mid-April. Visit downtownakron.com for peak viewing dates. downtownakron.com | 330-374-7676

Visit downtown Akron to witness the annual Sakura Festival, celebrating over 450 spectacular Japanese Cherry Blossom trees, planted on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail by the Japanese Association of Northeast Ohio and the city of Akron in 2012. Blooming dates vary between late March and mid-April. Visit downtownakron.com for peak viewing dates. downtownakron.com | 330-374-7676

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Make Cuyahoga Valley National Park your front porch with a stay at historic Stanford House. Let breathtaking scenery and nearby Brandywine Falls complement your relaxing visit. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking and more forcvnp.org/stanfordhouse | 330-657-2909 ext. 130

Make Cuyahoga Valley National Park your front porch with a stay at historic Stanford House. Let breathtaking scenery and nearby Brandywine Falls complement your relaxing visit. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, kayaking and more forcvnp.org/stanfordhouse | 330-657-2909 ext. 130

Downtown Akron

Cuyahoga Falls

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Hale Farm & Village

Akron Zoo

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Hale

Gardens

Built between 1912 to 1915, the former home of

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company co-founder F.A. Seiberling and his wife Gertrude and their family, is 64,500 square feet built in the Tudor Revival style. The largest home in Ohio resides on 70-acres that consist of lush gardens, lagoons, trails, children’s Playgarden, splash pad, conservatory, and other attractions to experience.

Downtown Akron

Cuyahoga Falls

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Hale Farm & Village

Akron Zoo

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

APR 21–22

The Buck Fifty

Running 150 miles doesn’t come easy, but the Buck Fifty will help you build a lifetime bond with teammates. Running through three state parks, this is a race you’ll never forget. Majestic Theatre Courtyard, 45 E. Second St., Chillicothe, 740/702-7677. thebuckfifty.com. Visit website for times. Team pricing available

APR 23–29

Wildflowers and Waterfalls Hike

Join naturalists for a week of wildflower hikes in a multitude of spots around the Hocking Hills State Park. Hikes range from a half mile to a mile round trip, from moderate to difficult. Hocking Hills State Park, St. Rt. 56, Logan, 740/385-6842. explorehockinghills.com. 10 a.m. Free

Southwest Festivals

APR 1

Cabin Fever Arts Festival

Cure your cabin fever with fine arts and crafts from Appalachian Artisans Guild members and juried guest artists. Shop stained glass, wood furniture, baskets, ceramics, lavender and more great items from a lineup of more than 45 artists. Southern State Community College Central Campus, 100 Hobart Dr., Hillsboro, 937/3932747. appartguild.com. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Visit website for prices

APR 21–23

Sugar Maple Festival

Join a sweet celebration, where visitors can enjoy live music, a parade, children’s activities, craft and food vendors, a 5K and a dog show. Downtown Bellbrook, sugarmaplefestival.com. Fri. 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Visit website for prices

Music + Theater

APR 13–16

Family Series: Beauty and the Beast

Witness the “tale as old as time” come to life through beautiful dance, vibrant costumes and engaging narration. This fairy tale classic features the Cincinnati Ballet Second Company and students from the Otto M. Budig Academy. Aronoff Center, 650 Walnut St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cballet.org. Visit website for times and prices

APR 21–23

Peter Pan

Peter and Wendy take flight in this timeless tale, joined by a cast of cherished characters: the Lost Boys, Captain Hook and the crocodile, the swashbuckling pirates, and the sparkling and spritely Tinkerbell. With fun-filled choreography, rich with humor (including witty nods to classic ballets) and enchanting music, Dayton Ballet’s trip to Neverland will keep you young at heart. Schuster Center, 1 W. Second St., Dayton, 937/228-3630. daytonlive.org. Visit website for times. $20–$90

APR 28–30

Ragtime in Concert

Join John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops to wrap up the season with a re-imagined Broadway musical. “Ragtime” embraces the concept of following the American dream. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, 513/621-2787. cincinnatiarts.org. Fri.–Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Visit website for prices

APR 29

Classic Albums Live Performs

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours

Featuring a roster of world-class musicians from across the globe, Classic Albums Live performs Fleetwood Mac’s album “Rumours” in its entirety, exactly as you remember it, but in a concert setting. Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, 937/228-3630. daytonlive.org.

7:30 p.m. $25–$40

Other Events

APR 15

Bear’s Mill Spring Open House

Celebrate national preservation month at this storied mill. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975, Bear’s Mill is one of the few operating water-powered mills in the state. Tour the four-story working antique, shop in the landmark’s store and consider donating to help keep the doors open and the wheels turning. Bear’s Mill, 6450 Arcanum-Bear’s Mill Rd., Greenville, 937/548-5112. bearsmill.org.

11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free

FARM & TABLE

Branching Out

Little Fish Brewing Co. puts roots down in Dayton with a second location that offers beautifully crafted beers and a food menu by James Beard Award semifinalist Becky Clark.

Since opening in 2015, Athens’ Little Fish Brewing Co. has made beer that celebrates and supports Ohio agriculture. It employed that same mindset for the food menu when the brewery’s taproom opened a couple years later.

Little Fish’s location in Dayton’s historic Webster Station neighborhood opened in 2022 and brings that same sensibility to the Gem City, creating a second home for the farmhouse-inspired brewery rather than merely a cookie-cutter satellite taproom. That philosophy permeates the food menu created by executive chef Becky Clark, who in January was named a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the Great Lakes region (Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio). »

Flavor Fests: Ohio wines, great beer and an old-fashioned pancake breakfast are on the menu this month at these food and drink events happening throughout the state.

Revel OTR: This boutique winery in Cincinnati’s bustling Over-the-Rhine neighborhood offers a hip and modern spot to grab a glass with friends.

HARISSA CARROTS

SARAH BLANKEMEYER

“My background is in fine dining, and we want to bring that quality to this menu but in a comfortable manner,” says Clark. “It takes the pretentiousness out of fine dining but is still rooted in those techniques where everything is from scratch and driven by what’s in season from local farmers.”

The well-curated menu at Little Fish Dayton Station includes small plates and entrees, ranging from the rustic but refined (beet pickled deviled eggs on the happy-hour menu, risotto as a rotating pasta dish) to the more exotic but still approachable (PEI mussels, spanakopita). While Clark uses as much as she can from local providers, she says she doesn’t like to overuse the L-word.

“I even shy away from saying ‘local when possible’ because a lot of people say that but aren’t actually doing it,” she explains. “Define ‘possible,’ right?”

Clark works with local growers when she can, leaning heavily on area farms for meat and poultry and working with excellent providers farther afield when it’s appropriate. She says winter is a great time to use ingredients like pineapple or jicama that can never be grown locally. Clark and co-founder Jimmy Stockwell are quick to praise the mushrooms they get from Guided by Mush-

Flavor Fests

Ohio wines, great beer and an old-fashioned pancake breakfast are on the menu this month.

Glass City Wine Festival

March 4

rooms, a Dayton-based provider.

“We’re getting these amazing chestnut mushrooms from them, and that’s something that wasn’t really available in Athens,” says Stockwell.

Opening a second kitchen a few hours’ drive from Athens has expanded the ingredient options for both locations, Clark adds. Rather than two entirely separate supply chains for local produce and meat, they have created one larger network to supply both kitchens.

“We’re really getting the best of both communities,” she says.

Little Fish’s beer, created by co-founder and head brewer Sean White, perfectly complements Clark’s menu. Although the brewery produces a wide range of styles, including lagers, IPAs and stouts, its focus is on elegant, mixed-fermentation farmhouse ales such as Woodthrush, an amber biere de garde; and 1872, a brew based on a recipe from that year found in an Ohio farmhouse attic.

The brewery’s Dayton taproom space reflects both the rustic inspiration that shapes its beer and food menus and the refined polish of their execution. Prominent wood accents were made using felled trees from both Athens and Dayton, and exposed brick speaks to the building’s history as a train depot. The brewery hasn’t opened a soulless second location in the Gem City. Both in menu and in spirit, it has grown a second set of roots.

— David Nilsen

116 Webster St., Dayton 45402, 937/949-3055, littlefishbrewing.com

This one-day event at downtown Toledo’s Glass City Center affords wine lovers the opportunity to sample varieties from across the Buckeye State. Purchase tickets for either the afternoon or evening session (each lasts three hours). The VIP upgrade grants you an extra hour of tastings, and designated driver tickets are available. glasscitywinefestival.com

Columbus Brew Festival

March 11

Our capital city’s largest craft beer celebration takes over COSI for an after-hours event that is only for those 21 and older. Attendees can sample seasonal beers from their choice of 50 breweries from across Ohio and beyond, as well as have access to all COSI exhibits. columbusbrewfestival.com

Maple Days at Camp Tuscazoar

March 18–19

Visit this former Boy Scout camp for a hearty breakfast in the dining hall featuring all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, eggs and applesauce. The flapjacks are served with old-fashioned maple syrup that is produced at the camp, and you can learn more about how they make it when you visit. tuscazoar.org

A charcuterie board is among the food options available at Little Fish Brewing Co.’s Dayton Station (left). Executive chef Becky Clark (above) was named a James Beard Award semifinalist in January.

Revel OTR

This boutique winery in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood offers a hip and modern spot to grab a glass with friends.

Anthony Maieron’s grandfather grew grapes in Italy, selling most of the juice to winemakers while holding back enough fruit to make some wine for himself. Maieron watched his own father carry on the tradition, making sangiovese wine with a group of friends in their garage.

“They’d make wine, drink wine, tell jokes. No one was checking the time. They’d be there until the wee hours of the morning,” he says. Soon, Maieron and his friends were making wine, too, until his wife urged them to take their hobby beyond the basement.

Maieron and coworker-turned-partner

John Coleman opened Revel OTR with their wives, Jodi and Amy, in 2016. Their first creation was the company’s flagship wine — a sangiovese, a tribute to Maieron’s father.

Revel OTR is housed in a restored 1885 brick rowhouse along Cincinnati’s streetcar line in the city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Patrons are encouraged to connect over conversation, live music and some subtle wine education.

“Think about the vibe when you are drinking in your kitchen with your friends, playing your music, cooking, having a great time,” Maieron says.

Coleman describes the experience as “coming into one of our homes” and empha-

sizes that it is a safe place for everyone to be themselves. Their goal is approachability — in both the wines and the ambiance.

The winery produces about 10 varieties with fruit from throughout the United States as well as Chile. A 2022 cabernet franc fea tured grapes grown in Ashtabula County. The popular 2019 carménère featured Chilean-grown grapes.

“We build complex wines. When we bring in our grapes, we let those grapes talk to us and tell us what kind of wines they want to be,” says Alex Sena, the company’s chief winemaker.

The winery has already released its first Provence-style syrah and a Montepulciano will follow. Sena says the Black Sheep Red Blend is a great first choice. Its mellow, drinkable nature appeals to most everyone. An Alsatian-style pinot gris and a sauvignon blanc/pinot gris blend hit the right notes for white-wine drinkers. — Lisa Sands

111 E. 12th St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/ 579-9463, revelotr.com

Immerse yourself in Northwest Ohio’s public art scene with the Findlay & Hancock County Mural Trail. More than 18 stops stretch throughout the county, a mixture of privately-funded murals and interactive murals created as part of a community mural project. Further explore the arts with a visit to local galleries and museums, like University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum. Cheers to a great road trip at Main Street Deli Bar & Arcade as you play your favorite games. And, of course, no trip is complete without a trip to Dietsch Brothers! See all the details at VisitFindlay.com

Main Street Deli Bar & Arcade Dietsch Brothers

Mazza Museum

Findlay & Hancock County Mural Trail

LIVEWell

Life Savers

April is National Donate Life Month, a time to recognize the generosity of those who have given others hope by becoming registered organ donors.

In Ohio, there are more than 3,000 people on the waiting list for a life-saving organ, and across the country, one person is added to that list every 10 minutes. Ohioan Jacques Smith knows firsthand what that wait is like.

After being diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune disease of the liver, Smith underwent a series of treatments, yet the illness progressed. In 2016, he went on the waiting list for a liver at age 47. On March 2, 2018, he received one, thanks to an organ donor. Today, he is a board member, volunteer and speaker for Ohio-based Lifebanc, one of the country’s original organ-procurement agencies.

“It’s my passion to make sure people understand that being a donor is a great thing,” says Smith, who lives in Beachwood. “It’s about … giving someone another chance at life.”

One organ donor can save up to eight lives, explains Donna Ferchill, Lifebanc’s senior director of clinical services, and you can easily register to become one while renewing your vehicle registration and driver’s license or online any time. Parents can have a conversation about organ donation with teens who are getting their license, and there is no age limit on donors.

“Hospitals are working hard to get education out there,” Ferchill says, “so talk to your family, your church, social clubs.”

There are misconceptions related to organ donation. One is that if you are listed as an organ donor, a doctor won’t try as hard to save your life in the event of an accident. That isn’t true. It is also important to know you can become a living donor for a loved one, and it is not limited only to kidney donation.

“We can split a liver and it regrows in the donor and the recipient,” Ferchill says.

— Kristen Hampshire

Eat Right

Drop the dieting mentality and begin adopting these healthy habits that can help you achieve success when it comes to properly fueling your body.

Ditch the low-fat labels, stop obsessing over every calorie and break up with the dieting mentality. For those seeking a nutritional upgrade, it’s time take to look at daily habits that can be sustained over the weeks, months and years ahead.

“One of the biggest things that has changed in nutrition science is a shift from eating less to looking at what foods help fuel metabolism to support health,” says Samantha Cochrane, a registered dietitian nutritionist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Eating balanced meals and snacks over the course of the day is key for a healthy metabolism.

Cochrane offers some practical advice to help you sustain healthy eating habits and add foods throughout the day that are key to boosting calorie burn. — KH

Know What You Need. “Previously, we were focused on eating fewer calories, but that doesn’t always equate to better health,” Cochrane says. Not giving our bodies enough fuel is a common misstep. “What’s enough? That depends on the person. The 2,000 calories per day may not fit everyone. Activity level and age play into the equation. Do not go hungry, Cochrane says, which is when you can make unwise food choices.

Strategize Snacks. Especially when working from home, skipping meals and reaching for

a handful of this or that is unfulfilling and racks up empty calories that don’t fuel your body. “Plan snacks so you are not left with choosing what’s most convenient in moments when you are hungry,” Cochrane says. Plan meals by starting at the perimeter of the grocery store, where you’ll find many whole foods, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables.

Eat In. “It’s easy to become reliant on [delivery] services and quick takeout options, but when that is a huge part of your week, it’s a surefire way to eat less vegetables and fruit, and more calories, fat and sugar,” Cochrane says. If you’re already reliant on restaurant meals, set a goal to taper. “When you do regular grocery trips, you can plan for more meals at home and make it flexible,” she adds.

Fill Up on H20. Another common oversight is not drinking enough water. Aim to consume at least 64 ounces each day to feel your best and maintain metabolism momentum. “I suggest keeping a water bottle around because it’s easy to not drink enough when it’s not around us or available,” Cochrane says.

Keep Moving. Aside from what you consume, consider how activity helps to sustain your metabolism. “Movement is underrated in supporting your health,” Cochrane says, “and it’s something we really need to put on the same level as watching what we eat.”

Take It Slow. “It’s unadvisable to do a complete overhaul,” Cochrane says. “That’s when we can get into trouble.” Start slow, such as limiting takeout and stocking up on foods for healthier meal and snack choices. “Leave that all-or-nothing mentality behind and take it one meal at a time, one day at a time.”

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An GarOhio den

Terri and Randy Litchfield created a living landscape of native plants outside their Delaware home. Here’s how you can, too.

“Being able to be present, to see what’s going on and to learn from the plants and the soil requires an attentiveness,” says Randy

Story by Teresa Woodard | Photos by Randy Litchfield

Litchfield.

and time for Terri and Randy Litchfield’s daily huddle to explore the eco-friendly native gardens they planted around their backyard in Delaware, Ohio. Terri heads down a sunny path and points to a royal catchfly with red blooms hummingbirds love, bee balm flowers (a favorite of bumblebees), purple coneflowers for Easter tiger swallowtails and plenty of milkweed for hungry Monarch caterpillars.

Once a barren landscape, today this 1.3-acre property is packed with native perennials, shrubs, trees and vines and abuzz with the wildlife they support. Near a clump of switchgrass, Randy stops to inspect blades lined with long-horned bees notorious for the males’ charmingly long antennae.

“They’ll cluster here overnight,” says Terri, explaining that during the day they work as specialist pollinators collecting pollen primarily from plants in the aster family. “It looks like a bumble of bees.”

And that’s the intent of the Litchfields’ garden.

“By growing these plants that insects depend on, they do show up,” she adds.

The latest tally: 17 bee species, 13 wasps and hornets, 37 adult lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), 18 caterpillar lepidoptera, 18 flies, nine dragonflies and damselflies, and 34 other insect and arachnid species.

The Litchfields are part of a growing movement of homeowners forgoing trophy lawns in favor of naturalistic native gardens. Once viewed as unsightly weeds, native plants are now all the rage in gardening circles. In Ohio, garden centers are stocking up on natives to meet demand, and a new generation of landscape designers are promoting stylized prairies, woodland wildscapes and pocket pollinator gardens. Thanks to the pandemic lockdown, more and more gardeners are sowing plants, including many natives.

Ohio garden groups are hosting native plant sales and presenting workshops featuring native plant champions like Doug Tallamy, author of Nature’s Best Hope and founder of Homegrown National Park, a grassroots effort to enlist home gardens in restoring biodiversity on a collective scale to rival the national park system.

“Native plants support biodiversity, and loss of biodiversity is such a big concern worldwide,” says Terri.

When the Litchfields got started 20 years ago, they were among a handful of native gardening pioneers with limited information and plant material. They started with a series of raised beds at the back of their property and filled them with flowering prairie plants and grasses. Project by project, they removed more lawn, ripped out invasive thugs like Callery pear trees and created pocket gardens — along the neighbor’s

The Litchfields’ garden is full of native plants that attract pollinators like giant swallowtail butterflies, four-toothed mason wasps, common buckeye butterflies and miner bees (clockwise from top left).

split-rail fence, under a maple tree, around an old swing set and in front of a grove of spruce trees. Eager to learn more, they enrolled in a master gardener training program.

Inspired to further expand, the challenge came in creating an aesthetically pleasing design.

“Up to that point, we did things ad hoc,” says Randy, explaining things shifted in 2017 when they developed a master plan to connect their existing mishmash of beds into a cohesive design that wraps continuously around the backyard. The design involved curved lines, vertical layering and seasonal interest with inspiration from the Living Landscape book. Ul-

How to Plant a Native Pocket Garden

1. Choose a site: Understand prairie plants need open sunny spaces (minimum six hours sunlight), while shady areas under trees support a different set of native plants. Also, wetter, low-lying areas need more water-loving plants like cardinal flower and Joe Pye weed. “When you look at the property, we have a lot of little microhabitats on this little footprint — full sun, dry shade and wetland swale,” says Randy.

2. Select plants: Research and select a mix of plants to fill the space given the light and growing conditions. Consider ones with different bloom times, so nectar is available for pollinators from early spring to late fall. Also think about the purchased plant’s size. The Litchfields start with smaller plant plugs in 2-inch pots. For faster results, choose mature ones in larger pots.

3. Prepare soil: Mow turf areas low then cover area with cardboard and a layer of mulch to smother the turf.

4. Install plants: Dig a hole through the mulch, cardboard, dead turf and soil. Place the plant in the hole and fill around it with existing soil and a scoop of compost. Plant densely to minimize weeds. Be patient as perennials are known to sleep, creep and leap — sleeping the first year, creeping the second year, then leaping the third year for a fully mature planting.

5. Consider design: Use a garden hose or spray paint to mark the outline of the garden; consider soft curved lines or more modular lines depending on your style. Arrange tall plants in back and shorter ones in front. Add paths for easy access and create a clean edge along the border.

6. Add accents: Intersperse art to complement the space. Try colorfully painted tuteurs or butterfly sculptures. Also, consider a stone or brick border, a bird feeder or birdhouse, or a Monarch Watch sign.

7. Maintain garden: Learn to identify and remove weeds, especially before they form seeds, multiply and squeeze out new plants. Keep new plants watered the first year until their roots are established, then water supplementally during drought periods. Note, native plants can withstand drought conditions but will bloom better and more fully support wildlife when given supplemental water.

timately, they hoped to create a defacto demonstration garden to share with others.

“Overall, we took out 8,000 to 9,000 square feet of turf and converted it to native gardens,” says Randy, noting it reduced mowing time by 45 minutes, saved on lawn treatments and also boosted the backyard biodiversity.

Terri went on to launch a native plant-growing initiative for her master gardener group’s annual plant sale.

Learn More

Here are websites, events and books that can help broaden your knowledge of native plants.

Websites

Delaware County Master Gardener Association delcomga.org/education/ how-to/grow-native-plants

Ohio Native Plant Month (April)

ohionativeplantmonth.org

Homegrown National Park homegrownnationalpark.org

Events

Cincinnati Zoo Native Plant Symposium: Nov. 18, Cincinnati cincinnatizoo.org

Midwest Native Plant Conference and Sale: July 28–30, Beavercreek midwestnativeplants.org

Books

Midwest Native Plant Primer by Alan Branhagen

Planting in a Post-Wild World by Thomas Rainer and Claudia West

Pollinators of Native Plants by Heather Holm

At her home, she started seedlings in raised beds once used for vegetable gardening and enlisted other master gardeners to grow even more. The first year, the group sold 400 native plants, and the program continues today with the support of Delaware’s Stratford Ecological Center, where the majority of plants are now grown.

Terri and Randy graciously share their native gardening expertise. Terri teaches workshops on gardening with native plants, while Randy, a theology professor, speaks about attentiveness in the garden. The couple also hosts open tours of their garden throughout the summer. Randy developed a passion for photography, visually recording the backyard’s plants and the pollinators that visit them.

“Macro photography helps me see all that we’re gardening for,” he says. “All the flies and insects. You have to pay attention to see them.”

Randy uploads images to iNaturalist, an app that helps scientists track biodiversity worldwide. Terri, a newly retired database designer, labels the plants and keeps a comprehensive database of their garden’s 275 species. (She was recognized as Outstanding Master Gardener Volunteer at The Ohio State University Extension awards in 2021.)

While many assume native gardens don’t require care, the Litchfields say they can be quite challenging and have learned several clever solutions from their experiences.

Native Plant Sources

Spring Native Plant Sales

Several public gardens host native plant sales. While there, also check out the native plant gardens for inspiration.

Aullwood Audubon Native Plant Sale (April, Dayton) aullwood.audubon.org

Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale (May, Columbus) chadwickarboretum.osu.edu

Cincinnati Nature Center Native Plant Sale (April, Cincinnati) cincynature.org

The Dawes Arboretum Spring Plant Sale (May, Newark) dawesarb.org

Holden Arboretum Spring Plant Sale (April 24, Kirtland) holdenfg.org

Marianist Environmental Education Center (June, Dayton) meec.center

Toledo Zoo Native Plant Sale (Spring, Toledo) wildtoledo.org

The Wilderness Center Native Plant Sale (April, Wilmot) wildernesscenter.org

Soil & Water Conservation Districts’ native plant and tree sales (statewide) ofswcd.org

Native Plant Stores

While plenty of local garden centers offer native plant collections, a few stores specialize in native plants and are worth the drive.

Companion Plants (Athens) companionplants.com

Natives in Harmony (Marengo) nativesinharmony.com

Gray-headed coneflower, royal catchfly and bergamot create a colorful landscape that attracts pollinators.

First, they’ve learned to tightly space new plants when installing a new garden.

“The higher we get the plant density, the less weeding is required,” says Terri.

Second, they learned to cluster weaker-stemmed plants with stronger companion plants that act as natural supports.

Third, they learned the value of consistently watering new plants to help their roots establish the first year, then offering supplemental water during drought times. They installed nine rain barrels and a pump to help with the task.

Fourth, they learned the importance of pulling weeds before they go to seed. Finally, they have installed wood-chip paths to allow easy access to the gardens and are experimenting with applying corn gluten on the paths to help minimize weed growth.

“For both of us, paying attention to what’s right in front of you is really important in gardening in a native landscape,” says Randy. “Being able to be present, to see what’s going on and to learn from the plants and the soil requires an attentiveness.

“It’s also a big part of the joy of gardening,” he continues. “When we’re out there gardening, there’s this awareness of being surrounded by life, by microbes in the soil and by insects. It’s like taking a life bath.”

Spring:

Summer:

Scioto Gardens (Delaware) sciotogardens.com

Down Nature’s Path (Greenville) dnpnatives.com

Five Springs Farm Nursery (Athens) fivespringsfarm.com

Keystone Flora (Cincinnati) keystoneflora.com

Leaves for Wildlife (Sunbury) leavesforwildlife.com

Meadow City Native Plant Nursery (Cleveland) meadowcitynursery.com

The Milkweed Patch (Troy) themilkweedpatch.com

Native Ohio Plants (Tipp City) nativeohioplants.com

Plant It Native (Willoughby) plantitnativeohio.com

Riverside Native Trees and Shrubs (Delaware) riversidenativetrees.com

Wild Hare Prairie Native Nursery (Clintonville) wildhareprairienativenursery.com

Fall:

Baptisia (right), perennial geranium (far right), spiderwort (below)

The Litchfields plant a succession of native plants for their beauty and pollinator benefits throughout the seasons. Here are a few favorites.

Sky Blue aster (left), sneezeweed (right), little bluestem (below)

meadow blazing star (far left), royal catchfly (left), Gray-headed coneflower (below)

It’s more than a place, it’s a place to belong.

For more information scan this code or visit ATHENSOHIO.COM

Wright Revival

Springfield’s Westcott House is part of what is today known as architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s First Golden Age. The home went through modifications and decades of dilapidation before a community effort brought it back to its original splendor. By

Kelly Powell

(Clockwise from left): The Westcott House’s exterior was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s trip to Japan. The skylight and dining room are standout features of the home’s interior, which features tones and textures found in nature.

Burton and Orpha Westcott’s new home was the talk of Springfield when it was completed in 1908. Locals were often spotted eyeing up the out-of-character structure built where East High Street meets Greenmount Avenue. East High Street had seen its share of unique home designs, from Italianate to Richardsonian Romanesque styles, but nothing quite like this residence created by visionary American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

A December 1908 article in the Springfield Daily News addressed the attention the place was receiving: “There are several homes which cost more money, but none which has aroused so much and so varied comment.”

The Westcotts had become well known in Springfield since moving to the city from Indiana in 1903. Burton’s father, John, was founder and president of the Indiana-based Hoosier Drill Co., which merged with other firms to create Springfield’s American Seeding Machine Co. He was also an owner of the Indiana-based Westcott Carriage Co.

Burton served as treasurer of the farm-implements firm and later brought the Westcott Motor Car Co. to Springfield in 1916.

Always forward-thinking, the Westcotts hired Wright to design their Springfield home, part of what came to be known as the architect’s First Golden Age, which ran from around 1893 to 1910. It was a time marked by Wright’s conception of the Prairie Style home — a distinctly Midwestern look defined by horizontal lines, natural colors, stained woods and open floor plans. The Westcotts were the only Ohioans who hired the Chicago-based architect to design a home during this period, and they lived in it for nearly two decades.

The Wescott House’s architectural allure was unfortunately marred years later though, when a new owner constructed walls inside that destroyed Wright’s design and turned the home into apartments. As the decades ticked by, the once-prized structure fell into disrepair that threatened its very existence, until a group of locals worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy to bring Springfield’s architectural treasure back to life.

Wojcik, adding that the architect would then work to convince his clients to step beyond the ordinary. “I think [the Westcotts] were coming in knowing they wanted something new.”

Wright finished the blueprint for the home in 1906 — 16 rooms total, with four upstairs bathrooms and six bedrooms — and construction was completed two years later. A look at the first floor gives a sense of the entertainment possibilities. Just two wooden walls, each about 5 feet tall, divide the space into living, dining and reception rooms. Dark green velvet benches in the living room create a sitting area in front of a large fireplace.

Most of the walls through the home, except those in the kitchen and bathrooms, are covered with encaustic paint, a paint-and-wax mixture with natural pigment that results in a finish that draws comparisons to the colors and textures found in nature.

“It is so driven by [Wright’s] observation of nature. It’s just intuitive to us to kind of be drawn to it,” Wojcik says of the Westcott House. “These days, we can use technology in so many different ways to make [a home] truly jaw dropping, but there’s this human aspect of architecture and how you feel in those spaces.”

One of the most intriguing pieces in the home is the angular dining table, complete with box-like fixtures at each of its four corners, which the architect created to provide optimal lighting for dining and socializing. A set of chairs surrounding the table offer the illusion that their seats nearly touch the ground, an effect created by elongated linear backs that hover just a few inches above the floor.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s trip to Japan in 1905 inspired his designs for the Westcott House, which he began drafting blueprints for the following year. A takeaway from his visit was the idea of “eliminating the insignificant,” according to Marta Wojcik, executive director and curator for the Westcott House.

Visitors to the Westcott House today recognize the low-pitched, hip roof with its cantilevered overhangs as also being inspired by Wright’s trip to Japan. The architect worked with his clients to determine how they used the spaces within their home to create a layout that complemented the way in which they lived.

“We know for a fact that his principle on how he designed was to really get information of family lifestyle: what they like, how they entertain,” explains

“The dining table is such a fascinating idea, and Wright definitely was obsessed with it because he created so many different variations for Prairie Style homes,” Wojcik says. “[He was] always working on incorporating that electric light into the design of the table. It’s really quite, quite, quite bold for the time.”

After the deaths of Orpha and Burton Westcott in 1923 and 1926, respectively, their home succumbed to the pull of the post-World War II housing crisis. The beautiful interior became almost unrecognizable, divided into seven apartments in the late 1940s. It remained that way until the late 1990s. By that time, the structure had been compromised and the home’s foundation was in bad shape.

In 2001, local citizens and the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy established the Westcott House Foundation to bring the home back to its original look and condition. Two Ohio architectural firms — Schooley Caldwell Associates of Columbus and Chambers, Murphy and Burge Restoration Architects of Akron — spearheaded the effort. Durable Slate Co. of Columbus was the main contractor, and the Westcott House Foundation implemented a bidding process for different parts of the job. Four furniture companies were involved and assigned to various designs.

“The obstacle — the hardest thing — was to solve that puzzle of how the house was put together the first time around so they were as true to Wright’s vision as possible,” Wojcik says.

The first step was stabilizing the structure’s foundation. Then came replacing beams, excavating the basement, replacing the roof, improving interior brickwork and landscaping the site. Modern mechanical systems were installed and the art glass in the skylight and other areas was repaired.

“This house could not really be effective without that skylight …” Wojcik says. “It’s just always something amazing to look at, and in the evening, it has a special glow.”

Renovations cost nearly $5.8 million, funded with around $3 million from the local Turner Foundation. A Save America’s Treasures grant brought in additional funds, and the rest was raised through donations. The Westcott House opened as a public Frank Lloyd Wright home in October 2005.

Nearly two decades later, people are still visiting Springfield to see the home, with 35% of those who toured it in 2022 coming from out of state, according to Wojcik. It is one of just two Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Ohio that offer public tours and the only one to do so regularly. (Oberlin’s Weltzheimer-Johnson House is open on the first Sunday of the month, April through November.)

“That’s the beauty of a Frank Lloyd Wright house,” Wojcik says. “They are so rare when it comes to public sites, and it feels like this is a place where the whole state can embrace us.”

85 S. Greenmount Ave., Springfield 45505, 937/327-9291, westcotthouse.org

Visitors can tour the interior (above opposite page) and grounds of the Westcott House (left). A restoration completed in 2005 brought the home back to its original appearance (above). Guests gather during an evening event held at the home (top).

PAGE: MATTHEW ALLEN; PARTY: CANVAS STUDIO; EXTERIOR: ROD HATFIELD

Food Spots

Ohio is packed with classic places to grab a bite to eat. From downtown landmarks and small-town finds to old-school favorites and local legends, these restaurants deserve to be on your Buckeye State bucket list.

By Jason Brill, Nicholas Dekker, Sarah Miller, Lauren Patterson, Kim Schneider, Kristina Smith, Jim Vickers and Damaine Vonada

Bahama Mama and a Cream Puff

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus is every bit as iconic as the historic neighborhood it calls home. Opened first as a meat-packing house in 1886, the family-owned business is a German Village landmark. True to its origins, Schmidt’s is famous for its sausages, particularly the Bahama Mama, made with hickory-smoked beef and pork. Equally well known are the jumbo cream puffs, clocking in at half a pound of delicate pastry filled with a specialty blend of whipped cream and vanilla. Schmidt’s also enjoys status as the longest-running concessioner at the Ohio State Fair, a fixture there since 1914. 240 E. Kossuth St., Columbus 43206, 614/444-6808, schmidthaus.com

Schmidt’s Sausage Haus, Columbus

Tony Packo’s Toledo

Hungarian Hot Dog

Tony Packo’s Hungarian Hot Dog started simply. Along with fried pickles and chicken paprikash, the split-sausage style dog topped with chili sauce and onions became a staple of the Toledo restaurant that Tony Packo and his wife, Rose, opened in 1932. In 1974, actor Burt Reynolds autographed a hot dog bun during a visit to Tony Packo’s, setting in motion a unique tradition. Then, Toledo native and actor Jamie Farr got his hometown spot mentioned in several episodes of the hit TV series “M*A*S*H.” Today, history lines the walls of Tony Packo’s original location in the form of dozens of foam hot dog buns autographed by presidents, astronauts and other celebrities. (Four other Tony Packo’s restaurants can be found throughout the Toledo area.) “Packo’s history … is intertwined with the history of Toledo,” says Lindsey Bond, Tony Packo’s director of operations and marketing. “It’s hard to imagine one without the other.” 1902 Front St., Toledo 43605, 419/691-6054, tonypacko.com

Golden Lamb Lebanon Sister Lizzie’s Shaker Sugar Pie

With its crunchy sweet topping and creamy filling, Sister Lizzie’s Shaker Sugar Pie is like crème brûlée in pie form. A favorite with Golden Lamb guests since 1928, the recipe was discovered shortly after Robert and Virginia Jones purchased the historic hotel and restaurant, which dates to 1803. Furnishing the establishment with antiques from an 1800s Shaker community that existed near Lebanon, Mrs. Jones found the handwritten recipe in a secret drawer of a hutch she purchased at auction. That hutch now stands in the lobby of the Golden Lamb, where diners can dig into entrees that range from Ohio fried chicken to a roast turkey dinner. 27 S. Broadway, Lebanon 45036, 513/932-5065, goldenlamb.com

Campus Pollyeyes Bowling Green Stuffed Breadsticks

Study break, first date or just really hungry? Campus Pollyeyes has been a cozy, trusted companion since 1978. Tucked right next to the Bowling Green State University campus, the pizza joint is the go-to place for locals, faculty and students. Pizzas and pastas are available, but the “world famous stuffed breadsticks” prevail as a Falcon favorite. The warm, fresh-baked dough wrapped around melted mozzarella can be filled with any number of pizza toppings. They’re then basted with glistening garlic butter and served with your choice of dipping sauce. Options include jalapeno cheese, pizza sauce, barbecue sauce, buffalo wing sauce or house-made ranch. 440 E. Court St., Bowling Green 43402, 419/352-9638, campuspollyeyes.com

Sunrise Cafe Yellow Springs Huevos Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros epitomize the Sunrise Cafe’s menu — globally inspired comfort foods with a laser focus on local ingredients, like eggs sourced from a farm just an hour away from Yellow Springs. Sunrise Cafe has been a fixture in the village’s bustling downtown since 1948, and virtually every dish here is made from scratch. Digging into the Huevos Rancheros is an edible excavation. The first forkful invariably releases a bit of steam that attests to the fresh-from-the-kitchen layers of salsa, eggs, pepper jack cheese, black beans and crisp corn tortillas piled high on your plate. 259 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs 45387, 937/767-1211, sunrisecafe.net

Massey’s Pizza Whitehall

Thin-Crust Pizza with Pepperoni

Massey’s Pizza lays claim to being Columbus’ first pizzeria. Jim Massucci worked at an Italian restaurant in Grandview before branching out to open the first Massey’s on Columbus’ Livingston Avenue in 1949. The pizzeria moved to Whitehall four years later. Massey’s signature creation is known as Columbusstyle pizza, built on thin crusts, laden with toppings from edge to edge, then cut into square pieces. Despite growing to 15 locations across central Ohio, Massey’s sticks to its roots by using Old World pizza ovens and crisping pies up directly on the hearth. 4464 E. Main St., Whitehall 43213, 614/559-2222, masseyspizza.com

Spinach Pie and a Milkshake

Tommy Fello has been through a restaurant expansion, multiple fires and having to move locations more than once. But the owner of Tommy’s Restaurant, a Cleveland Heights spot known for its extensive vegetarian and vegan options, has been able to keep his place thriving since 1972. Over the years, he named some of his menu items after what longtime customers and friends ordered, including the Fred, one of many spinach pies on the menu. And don’t forget about the milkshakes. The frothy treat, available in 16 flavors, is so popular Tommy’s needs nine mixers to keep up with orders. 1824 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights 44118, 216/321-7757, tommyscoventry.com

Tommy’s Restaurant, Cleveland Heights

Jolly Roger’s Seafood House Port Clinton Shore Dinner

Jolly Roger’s has been serving freshcaught Lake Erie perch and walleye since 1980. Locals and vacationers flock here for fish and onion rings fried to golden perfection. In 2021, the restaurant relocated to a new space just two doors away from its original spot, offering more seating and lake views. Longtime fans will find the same menu favorites, like the Shore Dinner, a platter of golden fried yellow perch and walleye, fresh coleslaw, a roll and homemade tartar sauce. Be sure to choose the onion rings over the fries for the ultimate Jolly Roger’s experience. 1715 E. Perry St., Port Clinton 43452, 419/732-3382, facebook.com/jollyrogerseafoodhouse

Enchilada Verde

Casa Nueva is a legend of Athens’ dining scene. The eatery has operated as a co-op since it opened in 1985, with worker-owners taking multiple roles in the business. Like many of the region’s restaurants, it focuses on using local ingredients to build out its Mexican-inspired menu of huevos rancheros, burritos and quesadillas, all complemented by a full bar serving margaritas and local beers. Not to be missed is the enchilada verde: roasted green chiles, cream cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onions, your choice of filling and salsa verde in a local Shagbark Seed & Mill tortilla. 4 W. State St., Athens 45701, 740/592-2016, casanueva.com

Arnold’s Bar and Grill Cincinnati Greek Spaghetti

A deceptively simple but oh-so-delicious combination of bacon, olive oil, butter, garlic and Parmesan cheese, Greek Spaghetti has been on the menu at Arnold’s Bar and Grill since 1957. That’s relatively new, considering the establishment is Cincinnati’s oldest continuously operated bar. Rumored to have opened as a brothel in 1838, Arnold’s became a bar in 1861; is said to have transitioned to a speakeasy during Prohibition; and today offers live bands, 22 beers on tap and dinner. Over the years, it became a prime gathering place with incomparable character and an everybody-knows-your-name ambiance. 210 E. Eighth St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/421-6234, arnoldsbarandgrill.com

The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, Greenville Maid-Rite Sandwich

The loose-meat sandwich is a Midwestern masterpiece, and The Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe has been serving them since 1934. Think of it as a sloppy joe without the slop, perfectly steamed, seasoned, heaped on a bun and served with a choice of mustard, pickle and onion. Along with the Maid-Rite, there’s the Cheese-Rite (with a slice of cheese on top) and the BigJim (a Maid-Rite topped with both cheese and ham). The neon sign outside glows with the words “Carry Out” and “Window Service,” but there are also a handful of tables inside. 125 N. Broadway St., Greenville 45331, 937/548-9340, maidrite-greenville.com

Frosty’s, Put-in-Bay Specialty Pizza

Frosty’s has been a South Bass Island favorite since 1949. Each summer, travelers flock here for baked-fresh pizzas with a wood-fired-style thin crust, secret-recipe sauce and heaps of cheese. Specialty pizzas range from Triple Pepperoni to Buffalo Ranch Chicken to Philly Cheese Steak (or you can build your own from the list of toppings). Located along Putin-Bay’s bustling Delaware Avenue, Frosty’s is a great place to grab a bite before an evening of island revelry. While you’re waiting for your pizza, order a beer served in a frosty mug, a tradition started by original owner Louise Stoiber. 252 Delaware Ave., Put-in-Bay 43456, 419/285-3278, frostys.com

Casa Nueva, Athens

Swensons Akron Galley Boy

What started in 1934 as a single drivein location on South Hawkins Avenue in Akron has become a burger phenomenon with 19 locations and a legion of fans who call themselves “Swenatics.” Eating here is easy and, of course, nostalgic: Pull into a parking spot and flip on your headlights. A server races out to take your order and then delivers your food on a tray that connects to your car window. We love the Galley Boy, a double cheeseburger topped with two special sauces — one sweet, the other tangy. But there are plenty of other gems on the menu. “Everything is truly made to order. The burgers don’t hit the grill, the crispy extras don’t hit the fryers and the milkshakes aren’t hand-spun until you order,” says CEO Jeff Flowers, who started out as a curb server more than 20 years ago. 40 S. Hawkins Ave., Akron 44313, 330/864-8416, swensonsdriveins.com

KARIN MCKENNA

Camp Washington Chili

Cincinnati

Chili 5-Way

Cincinnati’s signature style of chili originated in the 1920s with Greek immigrants who adapted a spiced meat sauce from home. It wasn’t long before chili parlors started ladling it over spaghetti or coney dogs and topping it with shredded cheese. There are still dozens of chili parlors dotting Cincinnati and northern Kentucky, with each institution closely guarding its own recipe. Camp Washington Chili has been the favorite of its namesake neighborhood since 1940. Owner Maria Papakirk says they make 60 gallons of chili fresh each day. “It’s not like fast food,” she says. “It’s made from scratch from the best ingredients.” Go with the 5-Way: spaghetti, the Camp’s signature chili, onions, beans and cheese. Camp Washington Chili also satisfies cravings almost any time one hits you: The parlor is open 24 hours Monday through Friday, and all day until 4 p.m. on Saturdays. 3005 Colerain Ave., Cincinnati 45225, 513/541-0061, campwashingtonchili.com

The Spot Restaurant, Sidney Big Buy Burger

Although its art moderne architecture dates to 1941, The Spot started in 1907, when Spot Miller parked a hamburger wagon in downtown Sidney. The restaurant still occupies that original spot and has fed burgers to generations of locals, as well as notables ranging from President George W. Bush to actor Rob Lowe. Lowe’s grandfather bought The Spot in the 1950s, and the carhops he introduced remain a tradition. Order the Big Buy, which features two beef patties on a triple-decker bun that can be topped with The Spot’s homemade tartar sauce or famous Everything Sauce, a concoction containing ketchup, mustard, onions and relish. 201 S. Ohio St., Sidney 45365, 937/492-9181, thespottoeat.com

COURTESY OF CAMP WASHINGTON CHILI

Slyman’s Restaurant, Cleveland

Corned Beef Sandwich

Sure, Joe Biden, Robert De Niro and Rachael Ray have all eaten here. But making a pilgrimage to this deli isn’t about celebrity — it’s a rite of passage for Clevelanders. Since 1964, there has always been a Slyman behind the slicer — first it was founders Joseph and May Slyman, today you’ll find brothers Moe and Freddie. The work starts at 1:45 a.m. each morning, using the same tried-and-true brine for the famous corned beef. The line can stretch out the door during lunch, but once you see the behemoth sandwich made with 12 ounces of corned beef between rye, you’ll know it was worth the wait. 3106 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland 44114, 216/621-3760, slymans.com

SLYMAN’S: RACHAEL JIROUSEK; SUNRISE: COURTESY OF SUNRISE INN

Bun’s Restaurant Delaware BBQ Meatloaf

If you’ve never been to Bun’s Restaurant in Delaware, just follow the sign. It’s hard to miss: a colorful neon marker hanging from a tall arch over Winter Street. It points the way to a downtown institution that has been serving families since 1864. The business was originally a bakery, earning it the early nickname of “Buns.” Since then, the eatery has been through several owners, an expansion and a devastating 2002 fire. Comfort food is the name of the game at Bun’s, and nothing’s more comforting than a slice of well-seasoned meatloaf, topped with barbecue sauce and served with garlic mashed potatoes.

14 W. Winter St., Delaware 43015, 740/363-3731, bunsrestaurant.com

The Warehouse Restaurant, Coshocton

Legendary Steak n’ Stein Onion Rings

The Warehouse Restaurant has been part of Coshocton’s Roscoe Village since the 1970s, but the property it calls home is from the days of the Ohio & Erie Canal. Owner John Larson bought the place in 2009, merging the menu and service approach of his father and uncle’s Zanesville restaurant Steak n’ Stein with the beauty of the historic warehouse. The Legendary Steak n’ Stein Onion Rings are the same ones Larson’s father and uncle began serving in 1952, and the lineup of sandwiches and burgers can all be upgraded to what the menu calls the “Wow way” — topped with bacon, coleslaw and onion rings. 400 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton 43812, 740/622-4001, warehouserestaurants.com

Busy Bee Restaurant Marietta Busy Bee Skillet

Busy Bee Restaurant, located in Marietta’s historic Harmar Village, has been owned by different families since it opened in 1944. Today, working in partnership with local farmers and producers, this breakfast and lunch spot is known for made-from-scratch fare. Morning favorites include the restaurant’s lineup of skillets (its namesake Busy Bee Skillet is loaded with scrambled eggs, home fries, peppers, onions, sausage gravy and cheddar cheese). Favorites from the Small Plates portion of the menu include the Pancake Plate — one large flapjack with a side of eggs and a half order of sausage, bacon or ham. 226 Gilman Ave., Marietta 45750, 740/ 373-3755, busybeerestaurant.com

Katzinger’s Delicatessen Columbus Corned Beef Reuben

For nearly 40 years, Katzinger’s Delicatessen has taken a little bit of New York City and brought it to the heart of Columbus’ German Village neighborhood. The beloved deli plies hungry diners with sandwiches loaded with corned beef, pastrami and egg salad. You’ll also find traditional blintzes and bowls of matzo ball soup on the menu. The deli’s bestselling sandwich since day one has been the Reuben. It’s piled high with hot corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and housemade Russian dressing, sandwiched between rye bread and grilled. (Longtime visitors also know to fish a giant dill pickle out of the barrel!) 475 S. Third St., Columbus 43215, 614/228-3354, katzingers.com

Kewpee Hamburgers, Lima

Mity Nice Burger and Frosted Malt

Kewpee Hamburgers has been serving its grilled-toorder square burgers in downtown Lima since 1928. Kewpee’s nostalgic diner evokes the 1940s and ’50s with its white interior and orange booths. Its namesake, a large Kewpee doll, once a common prize at carnival games, is perched above the dining room and the entrance. Customers pack in and line up at the drive-thru for Kewpee’s signature Mity Nice burgers (which come with a choice of toppings), chocolate frosted malts and french fries, all made just as they were when “Your grandpappy ate here,” as the sign in the dining room proclaims. 111 N. Elizabeth St., Lima 45801, 419/228-1778, kewpeehamburgers.com

Der Dutchman

Walnut Creek Broasted Chicken

The large windows of Der Dutchman’s original Walnut Creek location frame a view of Goose Bottom Valley, rolling hills and farmland that offer a glimpse of what makes Amish Country special. “The valley below us has not been developed,” says Vicki VanNatta, Dutchman Hospitality Group’s public relations coordinator, whose first paying job was washing dishes at the restaurant. “It’s still farmland — Amish and English farmers. It’s picturesque.” The restaurant’s comfort food-focused menu is equally enduring, especially the broasted chicken, which has been on

the menu for decades. The crispy-on-the-outside, moiston-the-inside chicken is marinated, seasoned and pressure fried to a golden hue. “It’s one of those things you can pass around the table,” says Jeremy Hawkins, director of restaurant operations for Dutchman Hospitality Group. “[It’s] a family-style, traditional food that Amish families have done for years and years.” 4967 Walnut St., Walnut Creek 44687,

CHICKEN: KARIN MCKENNA; BUFFET: KEVIN KOPANSKI

Schmucker’s Restaurant, Toledo Hot Roast Beef Sandwich

The glowing neon sign in front of the restaurant advertises

“Good Food, Homemade Pies,” and that’s exactly why Schmucker’s Restaurant has endured as a Toledo favorite. Since 1948, this small, family-owned and -operated spot has served breakfast, lunch and dinner to generations of locals. Go for the Hot Roast Beef Sandwich, a hearty dish made using fresh beef that is slow cooked overnight. Served on white bread with just-peeled mashed potatoes and ladled with homemade beef gravy, it’s a heaping portion of pure comfort. Also be sure to try a slice of one of the 20 pies baked fresh daily. 2103 N. Reynolds Rd., Toledo 43615, 419/535-9116, schmuckersrestaurant.com

Luigi’s Restaurant Akron Tomato, Cheese and Pepperoni Pizza

If you’re looking for a great oldschool Italian spot, look no further than Luigi’s in Akron. Since 1949, customers have flocked here (and don’t mind waiting in line) to score a red vinyl booth surrounded by whimsical decor that includes black-and-white celebrity photos and murals. But a visit is all about the food: Italian bread as soft as a pillow, salads topped with a thick layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and tasty takes on traditional dishes like spaghetti, lasagna and, of course, pizza. Make sure you hit the ATM before you visit, though. This downtown spot only takes cash. 105 N. Main St., Akron 44308, 330/2532999, luigisrestaurant.com

G&R Tavern, Waldo Bologna Sandwich and a Slice of Pie

Just blocks off U.S. Route 23 in the Marion County village of Waldo, the G&R Tavern has been plying hungry travelers with its famous bologna sandwiches since 1962. Indeed, the tavern has become synonymous with “Waldo bologna,” which is produced exclusively for the establishment by Falter’s Fine Meats in Columbus. The beauty of the sandwich is its simplicity: a thick slice of bologna grilled to perfection and layered with Monterey Jack cheese, raw white onion and bread-and-butter pickles on a toasted bun. Bernie Lewis, who has owned the tavern since 1985, estimates that they go through 1,000 pounds of bologna a week. Almost as popular are the pies. Lewis’ daughter Misty, who runs day-to-day-operations at G&R Tavern nowadays, makes 20 to 25 daily to keep up with demand. First time in? Order a slice of coconut cream or peanut butter and chocolate. 103 N. Marion St., Waldo 43356, 740/726-9685, gandrtavern.com

Belgrade Gardens

Barberton

Chicken Dinner

Serbian immigrants drawn to the city of Barberton for jobs also brought with them a delicious food tradition: chicken that’s been brined and breaded overnight, then fried in lard. It’s served with fries, a side of vinegary coleslaw and “hot sauce,” a bowl of rice in a tangy, tomato-based stew. Eventually, the city had five Barberton-style chicken spots within a 2-mile radius. The oldest is Belgrade Gardens, which Manojlo and Smiljka Topalsky opened in 1933. Diners still fill the large dining room for tender, crusted fried chicken that’s packed with savory goodness. 401 E. State St., Barberton 44203, 330/745-01133, belgradegardenschicken.com

Wilson’s Sandwich Shop, Findlay

“Hamburg” with Fries and Frosted Malt

The no-frills, diner-like Wilson’s Sandwich Shop opened in the center of downtown Findlay in 1936. Square-shaped “hamburgs” made with fresh-ground beef, fries and frosted malts are the must-order items here. (The homemade chili is also a popular choice.) Hoyt “Stub” Wilson, the man behind Lima’s Kewpee hamburger restaurant, also created Wilson’s, and great burgers are still at the heart of the place 80-plus years later. After getting your food at the counter, take a seat at one of the swivel stools along the large plate-glass windows and dig into a local tradition. 600 S. Main St., Findlay 45840, 419/422-5051

Footlong Hot Dog

Eddie’s Grill along Geneva-on-the-Lake’s main drag is synonymous with summer on the Lake Erie shore for many northeast Ohioans. The vintage burger shack, which opened in 1950, is exactly what you’d expect in a beach town: plenty of outdoor seating, tableside jukeboxes and a tight menu of classics, including footlong hot dogs. Jazz your dog up with an array of self-service toppings, such as mustards, onions, relish and more. For the full experience, order a footlong topped with house-made chili, an original recipe created by owner Eddie Sezon’s mother, Mary. 5377 Lake Rd. E., Geneva-on-the-Lake 44041, 440/466-8720, eddiesgrill.com

Eddie’s Grill, Geneva-on-the-Lake

WILSON’S: CASEY CLARK; BELGRADE: COURTESY OF BELGRADE GARDENS; EDDIE’S: COURTESY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY

Celebrate Life!

Gervasi Vineyard ResoRt • SpA

We are bringing you more ways to Celebrate Life!

COMING SOON - THE SPA & THE CAVE

THE CAVE will consist of an underground Tasting Room and an adjoining wine barrel room for barrel aging. The Tasting Room will be open for select hours for traditional-style wine tasting experiences and tours.

THE SPA will offer a tranquil experience along with exceptional spa services. Services will include a variety of massages, facials, body treatments, and manicure/pedicure services. The Spa will be available for the overnight guests as well as the public.

OHIO

COLUMBUS

Spring brings a host of exhibitions and events to our capital city, from King Tut and Ohio authors to food fests and live music. By Jason Brill

and Brett Price

BLOOMS & BUTTERFIES AT FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

Tutankhamun — His Tomb and His Treasures COSI | March 18–Sept. 4

Frederic Bertley was in Luxor, Egypt, when he announced via live video that “Tutankhamun — His Tomb and His Treasures” would open at Columbus’ Center of Science and Industry on March 18. The announcement was part of a whirlwind few days for COSI’s charismatic president and CEO. For starters, he shared the news Nov. 4, 2022 — 100 years to the day that Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the entrance to Tut’s tomb. A few days earlier, he saw the traveling exhibition that is headed to Columbus this spring on display in Brussels, Belgium. A few days after the announcement, he laid his eyes on the boy king’s actual tomb.

“When you get into the actual burial chamber, you’re looking at paintings that are more than 3,000 years old,” Bertley says. “But they look like an artist came in there and painted them last week.”

“Tutankhamun — His Tomb and His

S AVE DATE

Check out these performances, festivals and events happening throughout Columbus this season.

ARNOLD SPORTS FESTIVAL

March 2–5

The Arnold Sports Festival returns to the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Ohio Expo Center as the largest multisport event in the nation, drawing over 20,000 athletes from more than 80 countries. The festival features the world’s best in strength and physique sports, along with vendor booths for attendees to explore. arnoldsports.com

CHIHULY NIGHTS AT FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS

March 11, April 15 & May 6

See the work of internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly in a new light during this event held on select evenings throughout the year. All 18 of the conservatory’s Chihuly installations are professionally illuminated during these events, creating beautiful scenes that complement Franklin Park’s natural environment. fpconservatory.org

Upcoming Events

Westerville Art Hop

April 15

Saturday Farmers Market

May-September

Fourth Friday Festival

May-October

Taste of Westerville

May 4

Field of Heroes

May 26-29

Sounds of Summer Concert Series | June-August

BMX State Race

June 25

Music & Arts Festival

July 8-9

Tapestry of a Town

July 30

Uptown Untapped

August 12

VIEW ALL 2023 EVENTS

Come experience all that Westerville has to offer:

ARTS & CULTURE

HISTORY

PARKS & REC

SHOPPING

EVENTS

RESTAURANTS

HOTELS

Studios and galleries

Public art displays

Anti-Saloon League HQ

Underground Railroad

650 acres of parkland

51 miles of trails

Eclectic shops

Modern boutiques

Markets and live music

Festivals and tours

Fast-casual to upscale Wineries and breweries

Modern style

Full-service amenities

This "City within a Park" is where small-town charm meets big-city style

Treasures” features more than 1,000 faithful re-creations of many of the wonders found when the tomb was opened in 1922, including Tut’s throne and chariot, figurines of the king and his sarcophagus. There’s also a re-creation of the burial chamber Bertley saw on his trip to Luxor.

“But there are oodles and oodles of smaller pieces, which are very, very significant,” Bertley says, noting the displays of intricate pieces of jewelry and toys that would be easy to gloss over. “This stuff is 3,000 years old, and they were making elaborate things like this — it’s mind blowing.”

“Tutankhamun — His Tomb and His Treasures” is the largest traveling exhibition to come to COSI, according to Bertley. While it’s not as hands-on interactive as some areas of the museum, such as the Energy Explorers and Ocean galleries, he says there are lots of opportunities for learning.

“There’s all the history, but there’s also a chance to learn about the science of metals and the science of paint and how they

made all this stuff,” Bertley says. “Having this kind of exhibit in central Ohio helps people who don’t get a chance to fly to Africa or to Egypt or to the Middle East get exposed to a whole other cultural life.”

For good measure though, COSI is working on its own additions to the exhibition, including an augmented-reality experience that will give visitors the feeling of discovering the actual tomb. The museum is also working with not ed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass, the former minister of state for Antiquities Affairs of Egypt, who will come speak during the exhibition’s run.

“I hope one takeaway of this exhibit is the incred ible power and capacity of us as human beings to be creative and spiritual,” Bertley says. “The capacity of the h mind is limitless.” 333 W. Broad St., Columbus 43215, 614/2282674, cosi.org

COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL FILM & ANIMATION FESTIVAL

April 14–17

Established in 1952, the Columbus International Film & Animation Festival holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running film festival in North America. Over the years, the juried competition has introduced central Ohioans to thousands of filmmakers from around the globe. columbusfilm.org

WENDY RED STAR: A SCRATCH ON THE EARTH

April 21–Sept. 3

The Columbus Museum of Art hosts the largest exhibition of works to date by Wendy Red Star. The artist uses photography, textiles and mixed-media installation to explore themes of Crow history, feminism and contemporary life on the Crow reservation in Montana where she was raised. columbusmuseum.org

COSI SCIENCE FESTIVAL

May 3–6

Ohio’s largest STEM event, the COSI Science Festival offers a citywide celebration that highlights local science and technology while making learning fun. Events are scheduled throughout Columbus and other cities during the three-day event, capped off with the Big Science Celebration on the COSI grounds to close the cosiscifest.org

The expansive exhibition features more than 1,000 faithful re-creations of many of the wonders found when Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened in 1922.

OF COSI ASTRONAUT: ALLI MULLIKIN FOR ROBB MCCORMICK PHOTOGRAPHY; WENDY RED STAR: THE NEWARK MUSEUM, GIFT OF LOREN G. LIPSON, M.D., 2016 2016.46.1.3 © WENDY RED STAR

VENTURE IN AND Adventure on Adventure on

If you’re looking to trek into new adventures, search for a family friendly getaway, or just get away from the hustle and bustle of it all... IN GROVE CITY, OHIO

Blooms & Butterflies Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Through May 29

Spread your wings at Franklin Park Conser vatory and Botanical Gardens’ Blooms & Butterflies event, a living exhibition where thousands of but terflies flit and flutter throughout the conservato ry’s Pacific Island Water Garden Biome. The space features tropical plants and flowers, a waterfall and a pond, all of which make the ideal setting for the dozens of butterfly species Franklin Park brings in for this annual happening.

“It’s a full, immersive experience,” as sociate director of exhibitions Bonnie DeRubertis says of the Pacific Island Wa ter Garden Biome. “Then you add the butterflies to it, and it just adds a whole extra level of awe and wonder.”

“ANNIE” AT THE PALACE THEATRE

May 12–14

This celebration of optimism, family and the American spirit has reminded generations of theatergoers that better times are always just a day away. Directed by Jenn Thompson, “Annie” returns in a new production featuring the iconic music and lyrics by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin. columbus.broadway.com

COLUMBUS TACO FEST

May 20–21

Explore a collection of the city’s best tacos during this weekend event that features tasty food, drinks and live music at downtown’s Genoa Park. Whether you want to sample your way through

DELAWARE ARTS FESTIVAL

May 20–21

Hosted in downtown Delaware, just north

of Columbus, this weekend mix of art, food and entertainment celebrates its 48th year in 2023. The annual event highlights artists from throughout the region as they share work that includes pottery, paintings, jewelry and more. delawareartsfestival.org

Columbus’ taco scene or enjoy other Mexican cuisine, you won’t walk away hungry. columbustacofest.com

COURTESY OF FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS; ANNIE: MATTHEW MURPHY

Franklin Park gets 700 to 800 chrysalises — the stage of life between caterpillar and butterfly — a week from around the world, then the insects hang out in a Metamorphosis Lab before emerging and being moved to the biome. The lab gives visitors a chance to learn about the butterfly lifecycle.

Some of the biggest crowd pleasers, according to DeRubertis, are the blue morphos, which can reach a wingspan of up to 8 inches.

THE MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT

May 29–June 4

Held each year at Columbus native Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, The Memorial Tournament hosts some of the world’s best golfers competing on one of Ohio’s finest courses. In 2022, the tournament raised nearly $5 million for charitable organizations in Ohio and beyond. thememorialtournament.com

CHICKEN & BEER FESTIVAL

June 3

Head to Dodge Park downtown to sample creations from 10 fowl-focused food trucks. Whether you prefer your chicken barbecued, fried, grilled or in nugget form, you’ll find something to love. Organizers also invite 10 breweries to serve beers in a variety of styles. Live music and local merchants round out the festivities. chickenandbeerfestcolumbus.com

“They are stunning,” she says. “They are this gorgeous, beautiful blue. But there are lots of different colors and patterns ... It’s an opportunity to see something you would not see in your everyday life.”

Ohioana Book Festival Ohioana Library | April 22

1777

E. Broad St., Columbus 43202, 614/7158000, fpconservatory.org

If you’re anything like us, spending more time at home the last few years has turned you into a big book reader. That’s why the Ohioana Book Festival coming back as a live event for the first time since 2019 is a page-turning big deal.

The April 22 event, organized by the Ohioana Library and held at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library downtown, will welcome more than 130 authors from throughout Ohio.

“TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD” AT OHIO THEATRE

June 6–11

Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel comes to Columbus for a six-day run. Rolling Stone gave the Broadway production five stars, calling it “an emotionally shattering landmark production of an American classic.” Emmy Awardwinning actor Richard Thomas plays the role of Atticus Finch in the touring show. capa.com

The Ohioana Book Festival (above) will feature creators like cartoonist Tom Batiuk (inset right), creator of “Funky Winkerbean,” as well as newcomers like Prince Shakur (inset left), whose memoir When They Tell You to Be Good was released in 2022.

COLUMBUS ARTS FESTIVAL

June 9–11

A staple of summertime in the city, the 61st Columbus Arts Festival hosts more than 200 visual and performing artists along the downtown riverfront. Food trucks are also on hand to share their culinary creativity and to feed the over 450,000 people who attend this event each year. columbusartsfestival.org

“Readers love to get together and talk with other readers,” says David Weaver, executive director of Ohioana. “And, most importantly, they really love to meet the authors of the books they’re reading.”

Visitors to the festival, which is free to attend, will be able to take in panel discussions or talks featuring authors such as former Ohio Gov. Richard Celeste, who recently published a memoir; former Ohio first lady Frances Strickland, who wrote a children’s book; and Super Boys author Brad Ricca.

“After they finish their program, visitors can go to the author’s table, they can buy a copy of the book and get it signed by the author,” Weaver says. “That was the most important thing that we were missing during the virtual festivals.” Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., 614/466-3831, ohioana.org

2023 Greater Columbus Arts Council Visual Arts Awards Exhibition

Greater Columbus Arts Council and Columbus Museum of Art Through Aug. 6

We love a good collaboration, and the joint Visual Arts Awards Exhibition organized by the Greater Columbus Arts Council and Columbus Museum of Art is as natural a pairing as paint and canvas. The biennial exhibition, which runs through Aug. 6 at the Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus

PARAMORE AT SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER

June 10

The rock band Paramore visits in support of its new album “This is Why.” Special guests Bloc Party and Genesis Owusu are also on the bill. Paramore, which is fronted by singer and songwriter Hayley Williams, is on tour for the first time in five years. paramore.net

Hannah Parrett’s “Headstone for Exterior Waves”

COLUMBUS

Museum of Art in the city’s Short North neighborhood, features a range of works from local artists Hannah Parrett, Benedict Scheuer, Matelli Graves, Roger Beebe, George Rush and Joshua Penrose.

“There’s this incredible slate of artists whose works have a lot of conversations with each other, are telling really interesting stories and asking really important questions,” says Nicole Rome, chief registrar at the museum and a co-curator of the exhibition.

For example, while Parrett uses symbolism, Rush is more figurative and Scheuer is a bit abstract, all three artists work with similar colors and media. So, Rome and

co-curator Sarah Berenz placed those artists’ pieces in the same gallery.

“It’s great to see the back and forth play

in the gallery between those three artists,” Rome says.

The Pizzuti Collection, housed in a 1924 building that the museum acquired via donation in 2019, is hosting this exhibition for the first time, giving the show a different feel from a traditional museum setting.

“It’s really interesting working in buildings that were not built to be museums,” says Rome. “There’s kind of these smaller rooms with all these windows. It was a fun challenge to think curatorially about the layout. It’s a really beautiful show.” Pizzuti Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art, 632 Park St., Columbus 43215, 614/221-6801, columbusmuseum.org

STONEWALL COLUMBUS PRIDE

June 16–17

Columbus is recognized as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the United States, and the Stonewall Columbus Pride festival and march is one of the largest pride events throughout the Midwest. The event features performances, vendors and exhibitors sharing community resources. stonewallcolumbus.org/pride

COLUMBUS AIR SHOW

June 16–18

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels take to the skies above our capital city as central Ohio hosts an airshow for the first time

in nearly two decades. Held at the Rickenbacker International Airport, this aviation showcase features military aircraft, stunt flyers, historic planes and more. columbusairshow.com

JUNETEENTH OHIO FESTIVAL

June 17–18

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the date on which enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, received the news they were free — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and one year after the U.S. Senate passed the 13th amendment abolishing slavery. Columbus’ 26th annual Juneteenth celebration features music, soul food and family fun. juneteenthohio.com

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL “CORTEO”

June 22–25

Performers from the world-famous acrobatic troupe take the stage at the Schottenstein Center for a show that engages the imagination and evokes emotions. “Corteo” brings to life a joyous procession in which a clown witnesses his own carnival-like funeral that occupies a space somewhere between heaven and earth. cirquedusoleil.com

ZAC BROWN BAND AT NATIONWIDE ARENA

June 30

The popular southern rock group brings its “From Fire” tour to town with special guest King Calaway. Founded and fronted by Zac Brown, the group has won three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist in 2010, and sold more than 30 mil lion singles and 9 million albums. zacbrownband.com

All event information is subject to change. Please confirm details before traveling.

Hannah Parrett’s “Headstone for Interior Waves”

More than 250 acres of stunning repurposed factory ground beckon you to reconnect with the great outdoors, rediscover industrial history, and refresh your spirit doing something new. Park is open daily. We hope to see you soon!

TOLEDO

The Glass City is alive with performing and visual art all year, but spring and summer offer a perfect time to make the trip for concerts, theater, festivals and more.

By Kristina Smith

TOLEDO ZOO SUMMER CONCERTS STEPHEN LINSKY

Home to jazz greats, the birthplace of the studio art glass movement and host of the longest-running ballet and orchestra production of “The Nutcracker” in North America, the city of Toledo has long had a rich arts tradition.

That heritage can be experienced by seeing the Toledo Symphony and attending productions of touring Broadway musicals. It’s reflected in the live concerts and jazz festivals hosted at local parks and amphitheaters, as well as in the city’s rich collection of public murals and sculptures.

“I always say we punch above our weight class when it comes to the arts,” says Zak Vassar, president and chief executive officer of the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts, an organization that encompasses the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet and partners with the Toledo Jazz Orchestra. “There aren’t that many cities in Ohio or across the nation that have a really high-level professional orchestra, art museum, ballet, opera and performing arts centers. It’s always been a special gem.”

Theater Stages & Concert Halls

The pageantry of one of Disney’s most spectacular Broadway productions comes to Toledo this spring , with the much-anticipated performances of “The Lion King” (April 19–May 7), which had been postponed from its original 2020 show date.

With its incredible puppetry featuring giraffes, gazelles and other animals paired with the music of Elton John and Tim Rice, “The Lion King” brings the Serengeti as seen and heard in the beloved animated Disney movie to life in an unforgettable live theater performance.

“The first five minutes of that show is awe inspiring,” says Craig Aikman, director of programming for the American Theater Guild. “You see the artistry all around you and com-

ing through the audience and coming up on stage. When you couple that with the music that was made for it, you kind of move outside of your body. It encompasses you.”

Another Broadway favorite, “Dear Evan Hansen” will take the Stranahan Theater stage just before summer of-

LABELLE: NATALIE TRANELLI; THE LION KING: © DISNEY / DEEN VAN MEER

Patti LaBelle performed at ProMedica Live! in 2022 (above). Disney’s “The Lion King” takes the stage in April (left).

ficially starts (June 13–18). The show tells the story of a high school student with social anxiety who longs to fit in — a contemporary and personal story that deeply resonates with audiences of all ages.

On stage at venues throughout the city, the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Jazz Orchestra and Toledo Ballet offer a variety of performances, from works of classical composers to the pop sounds of ABBA to the classic sto-

ry of Cinderella.

World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will join the Toledo Symphony on May 5 to perform Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Peristyle Theater.

Later that month, the symphony moves to the pop world with “Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA” on May 20, also at the Peristyle Theater.

The Toledo Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with “Take the A Train” on March 23 at the Valentine Theater. Pianist Larry Fuller joins the jazz orchestra at the Peristyle Theater on May 6 for “The Art of Art,” a performance in

“Dear Evan Hansen” comes to Toledo in June. The Toledo Symphony (below left) performs with world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma (below right) in May.

TOP: EVAN ZIMMERMAN FOR MURPHY M; SYMPHONY: ROBERT CUMMEROW: YO-YO MA: JASON BELL

SHOP DINE PLAY DISCOVER

FRANKLIN PARK MALL

NORTHWEST

OHIO'S SHOPPING, DINING & ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION

Franklin Park Mall is Toledo's premier shopping, dining and entertainment destination featuring an eclectic mix national, regional and local shops and eateries.

Anchored by Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods and a Cinemark 16 & XD theater, Franklin Park Mall is home to 150+ stores including the region's only Dave & Buster's, BJ's Brewhouse and Apple Store.

Enjoy an airy Food Court serving fast casual favorites that compliment an impressive lineup of full service restaurants including Black Rock Bar & Grill, Bravo! Italian Kitchen, bd's Mongolian Grill and Don Juan Mexican Restaurant.

Visit and discover your one stop spot for the latest fashion, unique dining and exciting entertainment!

FRANKLIN PARK MALL #COMETOGETHER

TOLEDO

the style of Toledo native and jazz piano legend Art Tatum.

The Toledo Ballet and Toledo Symphony join forces to perform “Cinderella” April 28 and 29 at the Valentine Theater, as well as for the 83rd annual production of “The Nutcracker” at the Stranahan Theater in December. The symphony and ballet have performed together since the 1940s. The partnership is special because it is becoming unusual in larger cities for ballets to dance to live music instead of recordings, according to Vassar.

“There’s something electric about it,” he says.

Outdoor Performances

The warmer months bring a variety of opportunities to enjoy outdoor concerts throughout the city. In celebration of Toledo’s jazz history, the Great Lakes Jazz Society puts on two festivals each year. The Great Lakes Jazz Festival is set for Sept. 9 at the Ottawa Park Amphitheater and the Glass City JazzFest will take place on Aug. 12 at Glass City Metropark.

In addition to being the home of Art Tatum and other wellknown jazz artists, Toledo has a history of offering live jazz at its

(Clockwise from top left): Toledo Ballet; Great Lakes Jazz Festival; Glass City JazzFest

TOLEDO

nightclubs, says Cheryl Catlin, Great Lakes Jazz Society treasurer and one of the organizers of both festivals. Through its festivals, the organization aims to keep that history alive while increasing appreciation for the art form and showcasing Toledo and its concert venues.

“We like to let people know that jazz is bigger than they might think and expose them to different types of jazz,” Catlin says. “It’s international, and it’s one of the most diverse art forms. There’s Latin jazz. There’s fusion. There’s Asian.”

In addition to music festivals, Toledo has several outdoor concert series that feature artists and groups performing in a variety of genres. ProMedica Live! offers music by a range of artists at Promenade Park along the Maumee River in downtown Toledo. Well-known performing artists that have taken the stage there in the past include Gwen Stefani, Diana Ross and Patti LaBelle. (The 2023 ProMedica Live! lineup will be announced in April.) The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium’s summer concerts at its amphitheater also return this summer and will feature performances by country music artist Parker McCollum on May 18 and rockers Matchbox Twenty on Aug. 4.

Public Art & Art Festivals

Public art such as murals and sculptures are a core piece of Toledo’s identity, says Marc Folk, president and chief executive officer of The Arts Commission. Ever since Toledo became the first Ohio city to adopt a public-art program in 1977, it has regularly created and installed artwork that relates to the community and its neighborhoods.

One of the city’s most recognizable pieces of art is its new Glass City River Wall, the largest mural in the United States. The monumental work, which was completed last year, spans 28 grain silos along the Maumee River and is visible from downtown Toledo and Interstate 75. It features bright yellow sunflowers as well as modern depictions of Native Americans — whose ancestors were this area’s first farmers — on a sky-blue background.

More new public art is being installed in 2023. The Arts Commission is partnering with Metroparks Toledo on “Field of Histories,” a project that will highlight the city ’s connection to industrial and art glass. Set to be completed at Glass City Metropark in October, the outdoor installation will feature 170 glass orbs laser etched with photos of objects that depict the city’s history in glass, Folk says. To create this artwork, Toledoans shared items such as tools a family member used while working at Libbey Glass or a piece of art glass that had been in the family for generations.

“These are objects that share the connection of people to Toledo’s identity,” Folk explains.

Another new public-art project is near completion at the Glass City Center downtown. Six of seven works of art have been placed inside and outside the building and include a large outdoor floral sculpture titled “Blue Lupine,” an installation called

ProMedica Live! at Promenade Park (above); Glass City River Wall mural (below)

PROMEDICA LIVE!: COURTESY OF DESTINATION TOLEDO; GLASS CITY RIVER WALL: NICOLE LEBOUTILLIER

TOLEDO

“Ladder of Light” and a series of murals and glass installations that celebrate the city’s jazz history.

“We’re elevating and celebrating histories and our collective identity in a way that outwardly conveys that to people visiting,” Folk says. “You can learn about our history in glass or jazz or the natural world. It creates a sense of awe and wondering and creates a connection.”

Toledo also offers art festivals that bring together a wide range of artists and showcases their work. Since 2017, The Arts Commission has put on the annual Momentum Festival, which usually takes place on the downtown riverfront each September and celebrates arts and culture. The festival has included live music, an arts competition and public art in Promenade Park. The Arts Commission is working on details for the 2023 festival.

One of the city’s longer-running festivals, the Crosby Festival of the Arts returns to the Toledo Botanical Garden June 23 through 25 for its 57th annual show.

During this juried festival, 175 to 200 artists display and sell their handmade works in nine categories, including wood, jewelry, ceramics and glass. Art ranges from functional pottery to paintings to large outdoor sculptures, says Yvonne Dubielak, executive director of Toledo GROWs, the group that organizes the festival.

“There really is a price point for everybody,” she says. “There are some pieces that are smaller and less expensive, and there are some massive paintings and sculptures that are more high-end. We have people streaming out with their arms full.”

The festival also serves as a fundraiser for Toledo GROWs, an organization that works with 125 community gardens throughout the city. An estimated 6,000 people attend the Crosby Festival of the Arts each year, according to Dubielak.

“It really is a focal community tradition,” she says. “There are fine artists who do top-notch work, and it’s in a beautiful setting. People love to support the arts.”

LEARN MORE

To find out more about Toledo’s arts organizations and events, visit these websites.

Toledo Symphony toledosymphony.com

Toledo Jazz Orchestra toledojazz.org

Toledo Ballet toledoballet.com

Broadway in Toledo at the Stranahan Theater

“The Lion King”

April 19–May 7

“Dear Evan Hansen”

June 13–18

Visit broadwayintoledo.com, stranahantheater.com or call 419/381-8851 for tickets.

Glass City JazzFest

Aug. 12

Glass City Metropark glasscityjazzfest.com

Great Lakes Jazz Festival

Sept. 9

Ottawa Park Amphitheater greatlakesjazzfestival.net

ProMedica Live! Concert Series

Promenade Park promedicalive.com

Toledo Zoo Summer Concerts

Parker McCollum

May 18

Matchbox Twenty

Aug. 4 toledozoo.org/concerts

Self-Guided Public Art Tours

The Arts Commission theartscommission.org/public-art/ collection

Crosby Festival of the Arts

June 23–25

Toledo Botanical Garden crosbyfest.com

Momentum Festival

Date to be announced

Promenade and Festival Parks theartscommission.org/events/ momentum

Erwin Redi’s “Ladder of Light” installation at the Glass City Center (above); a couple browses works at the Crosby Festival of the Arts (below)

AMISH COUNTRY

The farm-centered, family-focused way of life in these rural parts of Ohio is reflected in the foods you’ll find there. Here are 10 sweet stops to make when you visit, plus great markets, cheesemakers and more.

By Jim Vickers

BOYD & WURTHMANN RESTAURANT’S PECAN PIE

AMISH COUN TRY

Kauffman’s Country Bakery

Kauffman’s Country Bakery has an enviable location just across from Heini’s Cheese Chalet, a destination that draws travelers by the busload to load up on blocks of cheese, after first having a chance to sample the selection of fun flavors. Yet Kauffman’s is a destination of its own as one of the largest bakeries in the area as well as a market and cafe that serves ice cream and drinks that make visiting all the sweeter. (The latter range from ice cream sodas and root beer floats to fruit smoothies and milkshakes.) The baked goods available span a variety of Amish Country favorites — pastries, doughnuts, fry pies and breads — but also include some unexpected specialties. (Holiday-season offerings like stollen and fruitcakes are sold here year-round.) On an average day, the bakery makes about 200 dozen doughnuts, including a variety of delicious creamsticks. 4357 U.S. Route 62, Millersburg 44654, 330/893-2129, kauffmanscountrybakery.com

Dutch Valley Restaurant and Bakery

Dutch Valley Restaurant in Sugarcreek draws big crowds with its homestyle meals that include favorites like broasted chicken, noodles and mashed potatoes, but don’t overlook its sweet side. Following your meal, you can also visit the adjoining Dutch Valley Bakery and take home fresh-made treats to enjoy later. Any of the bakery’s fresh-made pies or cookies, such as snickerdoodle or chocolate chip, are solid choices. (There are also take-and-bake pies and cookie dough for sale in a cooler near the bakery case.) If you’re looking to try something a little different, go with the whoopie pies, an Amish Country favorite. The traditional version consists of a cream filling Dutch Valley makes only for this treat sandwiched between two pillowy rounds of chocolate cake. (The bakery also had chocolate-chip-cookie whoopie pies and a seasonal red velvet cake version when we visited.) 1343 Old Route 39 NE, Sugarcreek 44681, 330/852-4627, dhgroup.com

Miller’s Creamery

What’s better than a scoop or two of great ice cream? How about a boat filled with scoops of five different flavors? Miller’s Creamery, which has locations in downtown Millersburg and downtown Dover, offers customers the opportunity to create an ice cream flight from its 16 hand-dipped options. Once you’ve decided to take the plunge, the tough part may be figuring out which ones to make part of your taste tour. If five scoops seem a bit daunting, how about some ice cream nachos? The shareable offering comes with a side of sugarcone-like “chips” and a mound of soft-serve ice cream in one of eight inventive preparations (or select from a list of available toppings). Of course, you can always opt for the old-school, one-, two- or three-scoop cone, and you won’t be disappointed. 211 W. Third St., Dover 44622, 330/364-4999; 105 W. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 234/3019004, millerscreamery.com

CREAMSTICKS FROM KAUFFMAN’S COUNTRY BAKERY

ICE CREAM FLIGHT AT MILLER’S CREAMERY

DOUGHNUTS: KARIN MCKENNA; ICE CREAM: COURTESY OF MILLER’S CREAMERY

Experience the Origin Story of Ohio’s Plain Communities

Behalt is a 10 by 265-foot cyclorama that brings Amish and Mennonite history to life from Christ to the present day. Schedule a historian-guided tour of the oil-on-canvas display along with dozens of artifacts, a historic barn, and a one-room schoolhouse.

Behalt.com

AMISH COUN TRY

Hartzler Family Dairy

The Hartzler family has been farming in Wayne County since the 1950s. Hartzler Family Dairy founder Harold Hartzler bought property in Wooster in 1990 to build a milk-processing plant. Six years later, the family opened a store at the facility that welcomes visitors to experience the fruits of Hartzler’s conscientious approach to farming and creating the products that bear its name. Crops are grown using sustainable farming practices, cows never receive artificial hormones and products are minimally processed. A trip to the Hartzler dairy shop lets you taste those results by way of ice cream that is available by the scoop or in pints and quarts. Staple and rotating flavors include traditional choices as well as fun creations like Trip to the Dentist (chocolate ice cream with Reese’s cups) and Chicken Feed (vanilla ice cream with butterscotch, homemade brownie pieces and almonds). 5454 Cleveland Rd., Wooster 44691, 330/345-8190, hartzlerdairy.com/dairy-shop

Cheese Spots

Heini’s Cheese Chalet

Home of Bunker Hill Cheese, this landmark Holmes County food spot offers a variety of delicious made-on-site cheeses, as well as the opportunity to sample before you buy. You can also pick up jam, jellies, meats, fudge and more. 6005 County Rd. 77, Millersburg 44654, 330/893-2131, bunkerhillcheese.com

Guggisberg Cheese

The home of the wonderfully mild and creamy Original Baby Swiss cheese sells its award-winning creations alongside smoked meats, jams and more at a small

factory store. Also be sure to pick up some of Guggisberg’s premium Swiss cheese. 5060 St. Rte. 557, Millersburg 44654, 330/8932500, babyswiss.com

Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op

This Geauga County spot is known for cheese, but the general store also sells jams, jellies, honey, maple syrup, ice cream and bulk foods. Varieties available include cheddar, colby and more. 16942 Kinsman Rd., Middlefield 44062, 440/632-5567

Walnut Creek Cheese

Coblentz Chocolate Co.

From the moment you step across the front porch and through the doors of this Walnut Creek shop, you know you’re in for something special. Coblentz Chocolate Co. has a warm and elegant atmosphere that invites browsing, and you’ll be doing plenty of that after you see the glass cases filled with row upon row of handcrafted confections. The neatly organized selections range from caramels dipped in milk or dark chocolate (both are available topped with sea salt) to maple nut, chocolate and vanilla creams to buckeyes, peanut butter cups and

Shop this over 55,000-squarefoot market in Walnut Creek for meats, produce, bulk foods and, of course, cheese. Whether you’re looking for small blocks of fun flavors, larger blocks of traditional varieties or sliced cheeses by the pound, you’ll find it all here. 2641 St. Rte. 39, Walnut Creek 44687, 330/852-2888, walnutcreekcheese.com

Broad Run Cheesehouse

This cheese house, deli and boutique along old state Route 39 in Dover sells a variety of flavors, from baby Swiss to habanero hot pepper. After shopping, check out the on-site Swiss Heritage Winery and Han’s Place Restaurant. 6011 Old Route 39 NW, Dover 44622, 330/343-4108, broadruncheese.com

RACHAEL JIROUSEK

HEINI’S CHEESE CHALET

LET’S GO THERE!

When it’s time for you, we’ll be ready.

When it’s time for you, we’ll be ready.

When it’s time for you, we’ll be ready.

You don’t come here for the new fangled or same old, same old. You come to recharge yourself. We’re happy to share our heritage, craftsmanship and carbs worthy of the calories with you. Come, step out of the mundane and plug into the peace of this place.

You don’t come here for the new fangled or same old, same old. You come to recharge yourself. We’re happy to share our heritage, craftsmanship and carbs worthy of the calories with you. Come, step out of the mundane and plug into the peace of this place.

You don’t come here for the new fangled or same old, same old. You come to recharge yourself. We’re happy to share our heritage, craftsmanship and carbs worthy of the calories with you. Come, step out of the mundane and plug into the peace of this place.

You don’t come here for the new fangled or same old, same old. You come to recharge yourself. We’re happy to share our heritage, craftsmanship and carbs worthy of the calories with you. Come, step out of the mundane and plug into the peace of this place.

330-674-2412

330-674-2412

• historicdowntownmillersburg.com

• historicdowntownmillersburg.com

330-674-2412

•

•

• historicdowntownmillersburg.com

•

APRIL 17-22, 2023

AMISH COUN TRY

nut clusters. That’s before you even step around to the case housing Coblentz’s variety of delicate, handmade truffles crafted using milk and dark chocolates in flavors such as peanut butter, tiramisu, mint and orange. The knowledgeable and friendly staff members here are happy to answer any questions and add to the experience of visiting. 4917 Walnut St., Walnut Creek 44687, 800/338-9341, coblentzchocolates.com

Miller’s Bakery

A visit to this Holmes County favorite requires a detour off the main artery of state Route 39, but it’s a rewarding drive that takes you past picturesque farm fields and up a township road to a simple brown building that would be easy to miss if not for the cars that routinely fill its small, gravel-covered parking lot. Although the selection here is not as large as other bakeries in the area, there are good reasons to make the trip. One is the lineup of cheese tarts — a signature item loaded with rich pie filling and baked in muffin tins. Ten varieties are available: apple, cherry, lemon, strawberry, black raspberry, red raspberry, blueberry, pecan, pineapple and plain. Another can’t-miss item is the bakery’s enormous apple fritters, a beautifully glazed and flavorful treat that ensures you’ll be making a return trip. Cash only; 4280 Township Rd. 356, Millersburg 44654, 330/893-3002

Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant

It is rare when dessert is reason enough alone to visit a restaurant, but that’s the case with this Berlin spot. Of course, there are plenty of other delicious foods to try here — the hot roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy being one of them. Just be doubly (maybe even triply) sure you save room for pie. Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant started as a grocery store in 1938. Not long after, its owners installed a lunch counter. Today, you can still grab a seat at the counter or in one of the booths in the cozy dining area. The pies have long been part of the restaurant’s pedigree. Bryl Wurthmann, the wife of co-owner Herman Wurthmann, orig-

inally made them, and some of her recipes are still in use. The “Homemade Pies” board lists more than a dozen flavors, from Dutch apple to pecan to peanut butter. 4819 E. Main St., Berlin 44610, 330/8934000, boydandwurthmann.com

Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe

Open since April 2022, Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe is one of the newer additions to downtown Millersburg, but there are over six decades of history behind the place. Owner Verna Troyer’s grandmother began selling candies in 1960, starting with homemade caramels. In the early 1980s, the candy-making mantle was passed on to a second generation, who then taught the third generation. Verna now carries on that tradition, taking what was formerly a

BOYD & WURTHMANN RESTAURANT’S DUTCH APPLE PIE

APPLE FRITTER AT MILLER’S BAKERY

FRITTER: RACHAEL JIROUSEK; PIE: CODY YORK

home-based business into a retail space in the center of downtown. Pay a visit, and you’re sure to find something you’ll love. The prepackaged containers of made-on-site candies cover more than a dozen familiar favorites, from cherry cordials and mint patties to buckeyes and “Take 3” bars (a mix of pretzel, peanut butter and caramel dipped in chocolate). The shop also sells turtles, truffles, caramels, fudge and Crunchy Butter Puffs. 4 E. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 234/301-0708, troyerssweetshoppe.com

Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery

Beginning March 1 each year, parents bring their little ones to Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery for a farm-animal petting zoo filled with such variety it could make Old MacDonald sing the blues. For a small additional fee, you can buy vegetables to feed the animals by hand, and the opportunities for adorable photos are seemingly boundless as wide-eyed kids wind their way through the inviting and fun space. But don’t overlook the on-site bakery and country store, which along with a variety of produce, noodles and other products is stocked with a delectable selection of fresh baked goods. Choose from enormous creamsticks and fluffy cinnamon rolls, iced carrot cake and chunky oatmeal deluxe cookies. The fry pies — pie crust stuffed with fruit filling, then fried and glazed — are made on-site using fresh seasonal or frozen fruit and available in more than a dozen flavors. 5452 St. Rte. 557, Millersburg 44654, 330/674-6096, facebook.com/hershbergers

Country Markets

End of the Commons General Store

Founded in 1840 and expanded over the years, customers visit this historic store near the border of Trumbull and Geauga counties for food items such as Amish cheeses and meats, nostalgia candies and traditional fry pies made fresh daily. 8719 St. Rte. 534, Mesopotamia 44439, 440/6934295, endofthecommons.com

Troyer Market

Travelers stop by this red-roofed market just east of downtown Berlin to buy bulk foods, candy, cheese, butter and fresh seasonal produce. Troyer Market also stocks a variety of jarred Amish Wedding brand foods, which are created using authentic traditional recipes. 5201 County Rd. 77, Millers-burg 44654, 330/8933786, troyerscountrymarket.com

Wholesome Valley Farm

Stop by this small farm store in Wilmot to buy eggs, meat or produce that is grown or raised on-site. Equally wholesome is the fact that the store runs on the honor system, with customers leaving payment in a mailbox. 927 U.S. 62, Wilmot 44689, 330/3592129, wholesomevalleyfarm.com

Lehman’s

A multitude of jarred goods line the wall-length pantry shelves in Lehman’s food section, but that’s just the start of what is found here. There’s locally harvested honey, dry goods, mixes and much more that’ll help you stock your own country kitchen. 4779 Kidron Rd., Kidron 44618, 800/438-5346, lehmans.com

Swiss Village Bulk Foods

This large store within an easy walk from the middle of downtown Sugarcreek stocks almost 6,000 products, ranging from meats and cheeses to nuts and candies to fresh-ground peanut butters to mixes and other dry goods. 309 S. Broadway, Sugarcreek 44681, 330/8522896, swissvillagebulkfoods.com

RACHAEL JIROUSEK; MARKETS: SAMANTHA JONES

SWISS VILLAGE BULK FOODS

TROYER MARKET

AMISH COUN TRY

Der Bake Oven Bakery & Cafe

Although it has been in the same Berlin location for around three decades, Der Bake Oven Bakery & Cafe seems like it would be equally at home in a trendy city neighborhood. The light-colored interior gives the place the feel of a metropolitan cafe as much as it does a country bakery, and customers here get the best of both. The breakfast menu includes biscuits with sausage gravy, pancakes and French toast as well as gourmet avocado toast and yogurt parfaits. Lunch spans salads, small plates and sandwiches that include comfort classics like gooey grilled cheese and smoked pulled pork. The made-fromscratch baked goods are artfully displayed in glass cases with each item’s name written across the front in looping letters.

Der Bake Oven is known for pies, with country classics like Dutch apple and cherry among the choices available. 4766 St. Route 39, Berlin 44610, 330/893-3365, derbakeoven.com

Foodie Finds

Park Street Pizza

Step up to the counter and order from the selection of pizzas featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Each pie has a chewy, soft crust that is made in house from dough that has been cold fermented to boost its flavor. 215 Dover Rd. NW, Sugarcreek 44681, 330/852-2993, parkstreetpizza.com

Tarragon at the Inn at Honey Run

This boutique inn’s fine dining restaurant features a seasonal menu of contemporary American cuisine sourced as much as possible from the surrounding countryside. There is an on-site garden and beehives that provide ingredients for the menu as well. 6920 County Rd. 203, Millersburg 44650, 330/674-0011, innathoneyrun.com

Rebecca’s Bistro

The menu at this breakfast and lunch spot in Walnut Creek changes frequently based on what’s available seasonally. Gluten-free options are always on the menu, and the bistro’s signature tomato basil soup is a must-order item.

4986 Walnut St., Walnut Creek 44687, 330/893-2668, rebeccasbistro.com

Broken Rocks Cafe & Bakery

This casual spot in downtown Wooster focuses on fresh and local ingredients, from its signature sourdough bread to the grass-fed

beef that goes into its burgers. The adjoining Rox Gastropub is an upscale restaurant open in the evenings. 123 E. Liberty St., Wooster 44691, 330/2632949, brokenrockscafe.com

The Cider Press

Opened in 2022, this downtown Millersburg spot offers a menu that changes weekly to highlight the ingredients available from area farms. Check the website to see what’s cooking before visiting for brunch, lunch or dinner Thursday through Sunday. 73 W. Jackson St., Millersburg 44654, 234/301-9027, ciderpressmbg.com

PIE: RACHAEL JIROUSEK; PIZZA: G. JOHNSON; JAMBALAYA: COURTESY OF BROKEN ROCKS CAFE & BAKERY

DER BAKE OVEN BAKERY & CAFE’S CHERRY PIE

PARK STREET PIZZA

BROKEN ROCKS CAFE & BAKERY

WEST VIRGINIA

Spring in the Mountain State offers a multitude of ways to enjoy the outdoors, from hiking and rafting to fishing and bird-watching.

By Macy Kile

LONG WEEKENDS

ELAKALA FALLS AT BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK CHRISTOPHER KENT WEISLER

SURROUNDED BY THE BEAUTIFUL APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA.

Randolph County is a natural paradise that has been an outdoor recreation destination for travelers of all kinds. You will find charming communities that are rich in heritage, blessed with unparalleled beauty, and come alive with arts and festivals. Your perfect vacation is found right here in Randolph County!

EXPLORE

Considered the Base Camp of the Monongahela National Forest, Randolph County boasts in its abundance of outdoor recreation, arts, history, and its vibrant, cultural towns. Experiencing our mountain oasis will not disappoint. Whether you like to camp, mountain bike, hike, raft, or fish, Randolph County has it all. Dust off your hiking shoes or hop on your mountain bike and discover the newly constructed Mower Tract Basin Trails on Cheat Mountain. While near that part of the county, we highly recommend driving to Gaudineer Scenic Area where you will feel as though you entered a enchanted forest. Visit West Virginia’s highest forest, Kumbrabrow State Forest or Bickle Knob Observation Tower for a panoramic vista of the picturesque mountainous landscape. Take a scenic train ride to a secluded waterfall with the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. With 912,000 acres of national forest in our backyard, opportunities are endless.

There are many quaint communities located within Randolph County. The historic town of Beverly has plenty to offer. Step into our past at

the Beverly Heritage Center and attempt the 1841 Randolph County Jail Escape Room experience. If you are a history buff, you will appreciate the nearby Rich Mountain Battlefield where one of the earliest battles of the Civil War took place. For a taste of Switzerland, venture to the tiny village of Helvetia and try the well-known Hutte Restaurant (keep in mind, the Hutte only takes cash or check). And, of course, we can’t forget the hub of the region, the bustling City of Elkins. Elkins is a place where historic sites and eclectic art hubs intertwine. We invite you to take a stroll and visit the one-of-a-kind specialty shops that carry local artisan’s creations. The Delmonte Market is a must stop for West Virginia made products. In addition, Artists At Work carries locally made arts from some of the areas finest artists. If you are looking to get the insiders scoop on Appalachian culture, we invite you to the Augusta Heritage Festival. Known nationally and internationally for its classes and workshops relating to traditional music, dance, folklore, and folk arts, musicians, master artists, dancers, and enthusiasts all come together on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in July.

DINE UNWIND STAY

With all of that exploring, we know you are getting hungry. Randolph County has an amazing array of non-chain, independently-owned restaurants. There’s a level of culinary sophistication here you would expect to find in larger metropolitan areas. The restaurant scene goes well beyond its West Virginia roots. El Gran Sabor, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant, offers an incredible menu of cachapas, arepas, and fajitas, a full bar, and a chance to catch a local musician jamming out. A dining destination of its own, The Forks, gives guests a chance to delight in the fusion of French and Appalachian-American flavors all while enjoying the beautiful scenery from the deck. Be sure to book a reservation in advance, as they no longer accept walk-in dining. If your tastebuds run to American barbeque, head to Smoke on the Water. Whether eating inside or outside you can’t go wrong with the laid-back atmosphere and the deliciously smoked food. The Hutte is one of those restaurants that you just have to try. Known for its original recipes brought from Switzerland over a century ago, menu items include sauerbraten, homemade bread, beer cheese soup and rosti. Most of the items on the menu are from recipes that have been

passed down from one generation to the next. Fresh seafood in West Virginia? You read that right. At WVa Seafood and Produce Company, you will be presented with a variety of Sea-to-Table goodness. Offering weekly made-to-order specials as well as the freshest, highest quality seafood in the region, WVa Seafood is ideal for grab and go orders and does not offer in-house seating. These and more unique dining options are available through Elkins and Randolph County.

In the midst of exploring Randolph County, find time to unwind. Travel to Latin America, East Africa, and the Pacific Rim with your taste buds, all from the comfort of TipTop coffee bar in downtown Elkins. Pair your masterfully roasted coffee with a sweet treat from Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop or a donut from Byrd’s House of Donuts. What better way to cool down on a hot summer day than with a tapioca infused bubble tea or a scoop of ice cream at the Crossing Coffee Bar located within the Delmonte Market. If you are a fan of local brews, then you know Big Timber Brewing Company has taken the state by storm. The taproom in Elkins is open several days a week and the company will be offering brewery tours in the future. Just 30 minutes from Elkins in Harman/Job, you will find Still Hollow Spirits. This family-owned and operated farm-to-bottle distillery specialized in traditional

mountain-style whiskey and unique botanical infusions. Stop by for a tour and tasting! Before calling it a night, don’t forget to experience a full spectrum of live local music at a variety of venues including the only Bransonstyle theatre in the state, Gandy Dancer Theatre.

Wake up to a beautiful view surrounded by the mountains in one of our brand-named hotels, stay in a historic inn, or escape to a secluded cabin rental or campground. Take full advantage of our highland views by spending the night at The Forks. Located atop Kelly Mountain, just outside of Elkins, The Forks offers luxurious comfort in the recently renovated rooms. If you want to get away from it all, no cell service and limited WIFI, The Elk River Spring Resort is tucked away on the bank of the Elk River near Monterville. It’s a chance for you to truly take a vacation away from the world. The fly fishing destination resort has multiple cabins to rent for the week and it also has the largest fly shop in West Virginia on its premises. Imagine your friends or family gathered around a campfire on a cool night with the river babbling in the background, located on the banks of the serene Shavers Fork River, Revelle’s River Resort offers riverfront cabins and campsites available for a week-long or weekend getaway. The Cheat Mountain Club is an ideal place for a business retreat or large family or friend get together. Located on the banks of the Upper Shavers Preserve, this lodge is one-

of-its-kind and has a lot of history. In 1918, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and John Burroughs would stay at the lodge as part of their camping excursions to the Appalachians. The lodging options in Randolph County are as diverse and appealing as our towns and mountains.

Jefferson County

Harpers Ferry sits a little over an hour’s drive from our nation’s capital, but it feels like it’s a world away. The natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor recreation draw people from throughout the region and far beyond.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail — the legendary hiking route that stretches across 14 states from Georgia and Maine — travels along part of Jefferson County, with 2.4 miles of it passing through the heart of historic Harpers Ferry.

“The [Appalachian Trail] brings thousands of visitors each year to experience this walk of history,” says Jordan Bowman, director of communications for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “It’s not just a backcountry path. You feel like you’re walking through a Civil War-era town because of the way Harpers Ferry has been preserved.”

Abolitionist John Brown’s famous 1859 raid on the armory that once stood here in the hopes of prompting an armed revolt of enslaved people is what most of us know about Harpers Ferry, but there is plenty more to learn and see.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park offers 22 miles of hiking trails and 4,000 acres of natural beauty. There are incredible overlooks, great bike paths and opportunities for more rugged pursuits

like rock climbing. Hiking in the area provides op tions for travelers of all ages and skill levels. Trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous treks. Routes with mountain and river views include the Bolivar Heights Trail, Murphy-Cham bers Farm Trail and Loudoun Heights Trail. One of the more popular hikes in the area is the Maryland Heights Trail, which can be experienced via a 4.5- or 6.2-mile round trip, depending how far you want to go.

“[It] makes you work, but provides unbelievable views,” says Leah Taber, public affairs specialist for Harpers Ferry

WHERE ALMOST HEAVEN BEGINS

In Je erson County, historic trails lead you along majestic rivers, through a national park, and to endless outdoor adventures. Our welcoming towns make you feel at home and sometimes a voice from the past will echo in the breeze. Je erson County is your rst step to exploring West Virginia. Take it and you will quickly realize this is Where Almost Heaven Begins.

Harpers Ferry Bolivar Charles Town Shepherdstown

WEST VIRGINIA

Stonewall Resort, Lewis County

National Historical Park. She also recommends visiting Camp Hill, an area of the park that shares stories of the Civil War and the battle for civil rights.

Spring in Jefferson County also means whitewater rafting, as snow melt and higher rainfall accumulations bring the river levels up, resulting in a more intense onthe-water experience.

River & Trail Outfitters in Harpers Ferry is the longest active guide in the area, having taken visitors out on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers since 1972.

Golf lovers will want to take a swing at Stonewall Resort’s The Palmer Course, designed by legend of the game Arnold Palmer. Tucked away among the Appalachian Mountains and hugging the shoreline of Stonewall Jackson Lake, the 18-hole course is beautifully landscaped and promises a fun and relaxing experience for players of every skill level. (Multiple tee selections at each hole allow golfers to choose how much of Palmer’s design they think they can handle.) The resort offers lodge, lake house and cottage accommodations as well as three on-site restaurants. stonewallresort.com

Guided whitewater rafting trips allow paddlers to enjoy the tumultuous river experience safely, while catching views of birds such as bald eagles and herons that are often seen along the waterways.

Because of how this area of the state is situated geographically, rafters can pass through West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland all over the course of a single trip. River & Trail Outfitters also offers tubing adventures, unguided canoeing and kayaking excursions and access to the Brunswick Family Campground.

Hikers look out over Harpers Ferry. (above left). Jefferson County is known for whitewater rafting (above right). Spring rains bring river levels up this time of year.

STONEWALL LAKE & RESORT

LAMBERT’S WINERY

STONECOAL LAKE

APPALACHIAN GLASS

Where Legends are Made

Boyhood home of Stonewall Jackson . The best musky fishing in the state. The largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America. Home to West Virginia’s most scenic and delicious winery

18 championship holes designed by Arnold Palmer Handcut glass demonstrations at Appalachian Glass Destination for your next legendary get-away. It’s Stonewall Country.

CREATE LEGENDARY ADVENTURES AT STONEWALLCOUNTRY.COM

WEST VIRGINIA

Tucker County

Those who want to see Tucker County’s adventurous side this time of year should book a whitewater rafting excursion on the Cheat River.

“Spring rafting is bigger and better,” says Patrick McCann, owner and operator of Blackwater Outdoor Adventures in Parsons. “There’s more excitement. Spring is the best time because of the higher water that comes with an influx of rain.”

Blackwater Outdoor Adventures is the closest outfitter to Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls State Park. It’s also just a short drive away from the towns of Davis and Thomas, making for convenient access to restaurants and shops. McCann adds that these charming towns are a great place during spring and summer, and the area is ideal for outdoor explorers due to its variety of experiences for adventurers of different skill levels.

In addition to rafting, Blackwater Outdoor Adventures offers stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, tubing and flatwater kayaking. Those looking to spend a night under the stars can visit the outfitter’s prim itive riverfront campground that has direct access to the water.

For those looking for a quieter day on the water, fishing in Tucker County offers a tranquil way to connect with nature while enjoying the state’s scenic beauty. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources stocks local rivers with rainbow, brown and golden trout. Head to the Dolly Sods Wil derness to fish Red Creek.

River access begins at the entrance to Dolly Sods, where a mix of native brook trout and stocked trout species are abundant. Other popular spots for anglers include Dry Fork, located in both Randolph and Tucker counties. Dry Fork caters to those who are looking for a wide river and accessible fishing experience.

Horseshoe Run is best fished in early spring and provides access to a nearby campground. Red Run is a paradise for fly fishermen looking to catch and release one of the abundant native brook trout. (To learn more about when and where stocking of fish occurs, visit the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources’ website.)

Those looking for a relaxing day trip in West Virginia can head to Blackwater Falls State Park, a more than 2,300-acre natural area with rushing waterfalls, serene trails and access to some of the more leisurely outdoor pursuits the Mountain State has to offer.

Check out Elakala Falls and Blackwater Falls, both located within the state park’s boundaries. The hike to Elakala Falls is about a half mile, and the one to Blackwater Falls is a quarter mile, although you do have

to climb stairs down to the waterfall. The Balanced Rock Trail offers another scenic experience. It takes about an hour to complete, and hikers are surrounded by rhododendrons (West Virginia’s state flower), hemlock forests and the sights and sounds of local wildlife.

Flower fans can even plan their trip around the West Virginia Wildflower Pilgrimage that takes place in early May each year. It’s an experience that draws wildflower enthusiasts and bird-watchers alike.

TUCKER COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

to Blackwater Falls State Park’s namesake waterfall (right).

WEST VIRGINIA

Randolph County

In 1986, an abandoned coal and timber railroad was given a greater purpose and turned into the West Fork Rail Trail. Travelers can experience these 22 miles of solitude on a trail that turns from grass to ballast to crushed stone. Extending through parts of Randolph and Pocahontas counties, the route runs alongside the West Fork River. The West Fork Trail attracts mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders, and wildlife such as deer, wild turkey, beavers and turtles can be spotted along the route.

About one-fourth of the 919,000-acre Monongahela National Forest is in Randolph County and that expanse of nature provides plenty of ways to experience the outdoors, including the High Falls Trail, which is directly accessible from the West Fork Rail Trail. The nearly 8-mile, outand-back trail leads to the High Falls, one of the best waterfalls in Monongahela National Forest.

“You have to hike the High Falls Trail in its entirety to see the waterfall, but it’s totally worth it,” says Morgan Keck, North Zone recreation planner for the U.S. Forest Service.

Ten miles east of the small town of Elkins sits the perfect spot to take in a sunrise or sunset. Built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and originally used to spot fires in the mountains, the Bickle Knob

Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area, berkeley & morgan Counties

The Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with 23,000 acres of terrain that draws hunters and trappers in search of large and small game. Sitting along two parallel mountain ridges in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, the area is also a destination for fisherman who visit to cast a line for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and northern pike. There are primitive camping areas in the park as well as opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and birdwatching. wvdnr.gov

Visit the Bickle Knob Observation Tower to take in incredible views.

Family Time

EXPERIENCE PARKERSBURG. DISCOVER THE WORLD.

From exploring history to the science of tomorrow, your family can discover the world right here in the Greater Parkersburg area.

At the new Discovery World on Market (opening Spring 2023), learning is anything but a spectator sport. Get hands-on with three floors of fun, kid-friendly (up to age 10) activities and experiments that spark the senses and ignite the imagination.

Take a day trip to the past with a 20-minute sternwheeler ride to the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, a picture-perfect spot to picnic with a fascinating story. Tour the reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion, take a guided tour with volunteers wearing period-accurate costumes or spot deer grazing under the towering black walnut trees during a narrated wagon ride.

Get outside and get active with outdoor fun. Hike, bike or paddle your way through the great outdoors toward unforgettable family memories on miles of scenic trails and byways featuring beautiful forests, valleys, tunnels and historical destinations.

No matter which family adventure you choose, Parkersburg is your family’s gateway to a world of adventure.

WEST VIRGINIA

Scenic Trail nps.gov/appa appalachiantrail.org

Bear Rocks Preserve nature.org

Blackwater Falls State Park 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd., Davis, West Virginia 26260 304/259-5216, wvstateparks.com

Observation Tower is an easy way to get some great views and photos of Randolph County’s natural beauty.

To get to the tower, travelers must drive up a narrow gravel road (four-wheel drive is recommended) and walk up a small hill to the tower. Once the climb has been made, hikers are treated to rewarding panoramic views of the Monongahela National Forest. Bring binoculars to take a closer look at the bird species that call the area home.

While you’re there, visit the Otter Creek Wilderness, where you can enjoy stream fishing, a variety of hiking trails and backpacking experiences. Or stop by the town of Elkins, home to museums, shops and restaurants.

West Virginia’s Dolly Sods Wilderness is also

accessible from Randolph County (portions of it are also located in Grant and Tucker counties). The more than 17,000-acre wilderness is part of Monongahela National Forest and offers a terrain that is reminiscent of southern Canada. Containing more than 47 miles of trails, primitive campsites and extraordinary wildlife, it offers a remote experience that is suited to more rugged adventurers. Rare wildlife species found here include the endangered Cheat Mountain salamander and the northern saw-whet owl.

The 477-acre Bear Rocks Preserve — part of Dolly Sods Wilderness that is separately protected and owned by The Nature Conservancy — is a popular spot for photographers, nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers due to its unique landscape.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Fayette, Raleigh & Summers Counties

Deep canyons and rushing rivers create a dramatic landscape fitting of one of the nation’s newest national parks. Although they have been protected since 1978, these 72,000 acres along the New River Gorge received the national park designation in 2020. From whitewater rafting and rock climbing to hiking and mountain biking, this park delivers. Those looking for a slower-paced experience can walk along the river on the Glade Creek Trail or visit the fascinating Nuttallburg coal-town ruins. nps.gov/neri

Blackwater Outdoor Adventures

60 Location Rd., Parsons, West Virginia 26287 304/478-3775, blackwateroutdoors.com

Dolly Sods Wilderness fs.usda.gov/mnf

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park 171 Shoreline Dr., Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 304/535-6029, nps.gov/hafe

Monongahela National Forest fs.usda.gov/mnf

Otter Creek Wilderness fs.usda.gov/mnf

River & Trail Outfitters 99 Cary Lu Circle #108, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425 301/834-9950, rivertrail.com

West Fork Rail Trail wvrailtrails.org

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources wvdnr.gov

View looking out over Dolly Sods Wilderness

KENTUCKY

From booking a stay along the shore of Lake Cumberland to exploring the Kentucky Derby’s long legacy, a trip to the Bluegrass State offers food, fun, history and more. By Frances Killea

LAKE CUMBERLAND

Kentucky Derby Museum

Located on the property of Churchill Downs, the Kentucky Derby Museum brings the famous horse race to life no matter how far the calendar is from early May. Upon entry, two floors of exhibits and artifacts greet guests, helping to tell the story of how the Derby — first run in 1875 — endured and evolved over the years.

“The Derby grew up with the state of Kentucky. The Derby grew up with the city of Louisville,” says Jessica Whitehead, the museum’s curator of collections.

In 2020, Whitehead curated a limited-run exhibit about women in horse racing, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of jockey Diane Crump’s ride in the 1970 Kentucky Derby.

The museum’s permanent exhibition on Black horsemen has expanded greatly in recent years to reflect the significant role that Black jockeys and trainers have in the history of the Derby.

“Fifteen of the first 28 Kentucky Derbies

were won by black jockeys,” says Whitehead. “From the get-go, Black horsemen were part of this story.”

Immersive video exhibits help re-create

the energy of Kentucky Derby race day, while displays at the museum’s entrance provide an overview of the event’s history, priming visitors for more in-depth exhibits

The Kentucky Derby Museum shares the history of the state’s famous horse race (above). The Kitchen Table restaurant (opposite page top) is a new addition at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. The National Corvette Museum (opposite page bottom) celebrates the iconic car.

and lessons to come as they explore the museum.

“We like to expand the minds of our visitors beyond just what you see on an NBC broadcast,” Whitehead says. “How [the Derby] has affected our neighborhoods, our city, our state economically, culturally … it’s touching more than just the richest of the rich. It’s touching everyone.” 704 Central Ave., Louisville, Kentucky 40208, 502/637-1111, derbymuseum.org

James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Bourbon lovers and the bourbon curious are likely already familiar with the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, a network of distilleries and factory tours that showcase the state’s prized spirit. The James B. Beam Distilling Co., born over 200 years ago as a solution to an excess corn crop, is a can’tmiss stop on the list.

The standard 90-minute tour starts with an introduction to the distilling process, ushering participants from fermentation to the barrel. Premium tours cater to bourbon enthusiasts with tastings, food pairings and cocktail classes, as well as exclusive Behind the Beam sessions with master distillers.

The range of gustatory experiences doesn’t end with the James B. Beam family of spirits, though. The Kitchen Table — an on-site restaurant inspired by family dinners master distillers Fred and Freddie Noe have enjoyed — opened in 2021. The menu’s duck poppers offer a Creole-seasoned twist on a similar dish originally made with venison, while the burgoo is a stew rich with beef, pork and chicken.

“It might not actually be the dish Freddie had at his hunting camp, but it has become this collaboration,” explains executive chef Brian Landry. “It’s intended to be modernized versions of family favorites and classics.”

One such family favorite is pizza. Landry uses the same vigilantly protected yeast strain that creates the unique flavor of the James B. Beam spirits for the crust, although securing the yeast was an exercise in building trust.

“It’s 90 years running of making sure they continue to propagate this yeast,” says Landry, “and to just hand it over to someone they’re just starting to get to know comes with a few caveats.” 568 Happy Hollow Rd., Clermont, Kentucky 40110, 502/543-9877, beamdistilling.com

National Corvette Museum

The typical new-car experience has nothing on what’s going on at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Many who have purchased a new Corvette make the pilgrimage to the home of the Bowling Green Assembly Plant to pick it up.

“The first thing you notice when you come into the museum is you’re surrounded by brand new Corvettes,” says Brian Baker, director of education and collections. “Everybody’s in a pretty good mood!”

But a visit to the National Corvette Museum, which is located on the campus of the last Chevrolet factory to make the iconic

car, is also for those of us who only daydream about cruising home in one. Museum exhibits share the story of the car’s inception and how it has changed over the years by highlighting historic artifacts and replicas of famous models. The museum also covers key players who have shaped the look of the Corvette. (Ohioan Bill Mitchell created the Stingray, while a group of women known as the Damsels of Design revamped the cars to include glove compartments and retractable seatbelts.)

There is a hands-on exhibit about the process of designing Corvettes that uses software that allows museum visitors to create their dream ride. There is even a 3.15mile course on-site where drivers can buy time behind the wheel of a Corvette Stingray Z51. For those who want to take it a little slower, there’s also a go-kart track.

“It’s a living museum,” explains Baker. “It’s not a look back.” 350 Corvette Dr., Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, 270/781-7973, corvettemuseum.org

Come Out and Play!

Lake Cumberland

Lake Cumberland’s more than 65,000 surface acres weave like a dragon’s tail through the hills of southern Kentucky, stretching all the way to Daniel Boone National Forest in the east and branching off into countless inlets that have made the body of water a major vacation destination. With so much shoreline, privacy isn’t hard to find.

“Once you get out there, I hope you like your family and friends,” jokes Stephen Eastin, resort park manager at Lake Cumberland State Park. “You make your own little community out there.”

Marinas dot the lake, and the region has the most houseboat rentals in the United States. The state park property occupies 3,000 acres on a peninsula in Jamestown, about 5 miles from U.S. Route 127. There, visitors can rent one of 63 rooms in the lodge, tuck into a cozy cabin or pitch a tent at one of the 64 primitive campsites on the property. There are also 11 full-hookup sites available to campers, as well as an indoor pool and hot tub.

Tennis courts, a disc-golf course, hiking trails and a soon-to-open archery course provide off-the-water fun, while the nearby Lake Cumberland State Dock rents all manner of watercraft for paddling, fishing and floating.

When it’s time to eat, travelers can book a table at the Rowena Landing Restaurant, the lodge’s 200-seat dining room, built with a wall of windows that offers expansive views of Lake Cumberland.

“You can see for 3 miles straight out,” Eastin says. 5465 State Park Rd., Jamestown, Kentucky 42629, 270/343-3111, parks.ky.gov

Lake Cumberland State Park covers 3,000 acres in Jamestown. It offers hiking trails, a disc-golf course, tennis courts and more.

MILESTONES

Judy Garland Visits Columbus

In March 1938, actress and singer Judy Garland appeared and performed in our capital city as part of a tour promoting her new film.

Nearly a year and a half before Judy Garland appeared on screen as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz,” the then-15-year-old starlet made a stop in Columbus to promote her newly released film, “Everybody Sing.”

The visit was an eventful one for Garland. It included live performances at the city’s Ohio Theatre, a presentation of the “Heart of Columbus” from Mayor Myron Gessaman and even being named “Sweetheart” of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Ohio State University. Chapter president Phillip Hughes presented Garland with the fraternity’s pin on stage during one of her performances at the Ohio Theatre, according to a

report of the visit detailed in the March 28, 1938, edition of Life Magazine. Garland was then “whisked to the chapter house” for dinner.

“A milk toast was drunk to Judy Garland’s health following the fraternity dinner attended by 90 Ohio State Sigma Chis,” Life Magazine reported.

A few months after her visit to Columbus, a tale of one young fan’s tenacity made the news as well. The Ames Daily Tribune of Ames, Iowa, reported in its July 30, 1938, edition that a 15-year-old fan had recorded Garland’s performance at the Ohio Theatre and sent her the film. Russell Leach, a high school student from Bexley, brought along his 16mm camera when he attended Garland’s Columbus performances. He reportedly sat in a box so he would not be noticed, focusing his camera on the actress for both nights of her engagements and filming the entire act.

“From him the young Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer singer has received a tin film can containing a large roll of film,” the newspaper report noted.

The young fan also sent Garland his regrets that the film was silent, explaining that he couldn’t get his sound equipment into the theater. — Nathan Havenner

Mayor Myron Gessaman presents entertainer Judy Garland with the “Heart of Columbus.”

Climate Conversations is a series of temporary public art installations featuring 14 artists at 13 storefront window locations in and around downtown Columbus. The artwork, viewable 24/7, explores issues of climate change, conservation and the role of art in science communication.

ON VIEW UNTIL JUNE 30, 2023

ColumbusMakesArt.com/ArtSpot

A PROJECT OF: CELESTE MALVAR-STEWART

132 S. Front Street

Even the Smallest of Us: Addressing Global Insect Decline

Co-directors Amy Leibrand and Stephanie Rond

Access the tour:

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FROM:

Photo: Ian Crumpler | Design: Formation Studio

Spring Break 2023 is in Columbus. And whether you’re looking to live it up or slow it down, we’ve got plans for you. See all there is to do at ExperienceColumbus.com/springbreak.