Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for May, 2024

The Station on Twenty- Two for Delicious Ice Cream

The Station on Twenty-Two often holds events that the entire community enjoys.

Ice cream is a highlight at The Station on Twenty-Two in Antrim but The Station has so much more to offer. Stop by for a light lunch, find a favorite book to read, and shop in their small boutique.

This family-owned business is located in a renovated gas station along Route 22 in Antrim. The station, known as Glenn’s Service, was previously owned by Glenn and Martha Cole. Glenn ran the gas station and garage while Martha ran the Convenience Store. In those early days, Martha sold Damsel’s ice cream for a nickel a dip and even served as a notary. Glenn serviced Madison school buses.

This early picture shows The Station when it was a garage and general store.

When the station became available for purchase, Ron Miller thought it would be a great place for an ice cream shop. While he purchased it in 2013, it was 2021 before they were open for business. They did a lot of remodeling while attempting to keep the appearance of the old station.

Ron mentioned his reason for opening the business. “I want this to be a place where the community can hang out and get to know each other.”

Ron Miller, owner, is shown with his three daughters, Karin, Robyn, and Tricia, who help run The Station.

Ron Miller, three of his daughters and a son provide hand-dipped Yoder’s ice cream, milkshakes, and sundaes. A cousin Jenna Weaver is in charge of making and designing the sandwiches. This is their third year at The Station and they continue to add new and exciting things all the time.

Their Cousin, Jenna Weaver, creates and prepares delicious sandwiches.
Their Apple Orchard Sandwich is a customer favorite.

The daughters, Robyn and Karin, were kept busy dipping ice cream, making milkshakes, serving sandwiches, and answering the phone on the day of my visit. However, they always took time to talk to the customers, greet them by name, and even get some hugs exchanged. It’s a friendly and happy atmosphere with everything neat and clean.

When asked why she liked working at The Station, Robyn, the manager, said, “We see all our neighbors and make new friends.” Her sister, Karin, added, “Every day we see all the good people we live around.”

Karin and Robyn check over the display of flavors currently available.

You might wonder why they chose Yoder’s Old Fashioned Premium Ice Cream for their specialty. Yoder’s is a Mennonite/Amish Company based in Sarasota, Florida. Bill Yoder remembered his dad cranking homemade ice cream by hand every Saturday. Since that time, he always dreamed of having his own old-fashioned ice cream company for families to enjoy. Today he tells everyone, “I truly hope you love our ice cream as you enjoy it with friends and family.”

The Millers’ uncle delivered for Yoder’s to Ohio and an aunt said they made the best ice cream she had ever tasted. So without ever tasting it themselves, The Millers went on the word of family and made the choice. By the way, it is delicious!

Robyn, the manager, brought me their special waffle cone with a dip of my favorite chocolate ice cream.

Popular ice cream flavors are triple peanut butter and butter pecan served in your choice of a cup, regular cone, or waffle cone, which is freshly made by the family. Their flavors change frequently and there is always a weekly special.

Relax at their shuffleboard court just behind The Station.

Outside, you will even find a shuffleboard court. There’s no cost to play! Plans for the future include a playground and pickleball court. This family likes to have fun whether inside or out.

There are plenty of places to enjoy your ice cream inside and visit with friends.

They have special events for the community as well. Some evenings they have special live music. A Hunter’s Storytelling Night featured hunting stories and hunting tips. A Thanksgiving Pie Contest was a tasty event. Their Christmas at The Station featured Arts & Crafts as well as holiday music performances. Of course, there was always ice cream available to make the evening more delicious.

Young Annie Miller proves that “Kids need ice cream like gardens need water.”

Stop by and get a special treat during summer hours at The Station on Twenty-Two on Tuesday through Saturday 11 – 8. Sandwich service stops at 6. They are closed on Sunday and Monday. Visit The Station on Twenty-Two on Facebook for up-to-date information, dates, and hours.

The Station on Twenty-Two is located in Antrim about 15 minutes north of the main entrance of Salt Fork Park so a nice final touch to a day at the lake. An ice cream cone, sundae, or milkshake is the perfect break on a hot summer day.

Category:

Back Roads, Family Fun, Just for Fun, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Salt Fork State Park Bigfoot Capital of Ohio

Bigfoot greets visitors at the entrance to the Wildlife Lounge in the Lodge.

Bigfoot, often called Sasquatch, is described as a very large, hairy creature from 7-15 feet tall with feet up to twenty-four inches long. His stories have been told since early days of life in North America and still live on in Ohio today.

Naturalist John Hickenbottom explains Sasquatchology at the Salt Fork Lodge.

John Hickenbottom, Salt Fork’s naturalist, presents Sasquatchology each month in the lodge at Salt Fork State Park, Bigfoot Capital of Ohio. Here you will hear tales of local Bigfoot lore. John’s recounting of personal experiences and eyewitness accounts adds to the excitement of Bigfoot.

Salt Fork Lodge is home to the annual Ohio Bigfoot Conference which draws large crowds.

Every year since 2012, the Ohio Bigfoot Conference is held there in the spring. This event attracts over 3,000 participants from as far away as Australia. Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers share stories, compare scientific discoveries, and search for the hairy creature.

However, Salt Fork State Park is a source for exploration anytime of the year. It is the largest state park in Ohio with nearly 20,000 acres and most of that is covered in trees so Bigfoot has great places to dwell.

Many have heard knocks and howls along Bigfoot Ridge.

Everyone loves Bigfoot because it is a mystery that attracts people who like to search the woods and do research. John feels that exploring the legend of Bigfoot develops curiosity, scientific inquiry, and a deeper connection to nature. Many, like John, develop a personal interest in the subject. He takes a logical and scientific approach to all the stories he hears.

Every culture has Bigfoot stories to tell so John delves into historical encounters that contribute to Ohio’s rich Bigfoot lore. The 1869 wild man attack in Gallipolis, significant enough to incite a sheriff-led search, and Daniel Boone’s alleged encounter near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, are notable examples. John remarks, “These historical accounts… remind us of a time when the unknown created legends.”

Hosak’s Cave is one of the many hot spots for Bigfoot encounters.

As an expert in Ohio’s wildlife, John explores the specific areas within Salt Fork State Park associated with Bigfoot sightings. Some of the ‘hot spots’ for Bigfoot exploration at Salt Fork include Hosak’s Cave, which was inhabited 2500-4000 years ago by native people, and is known for both hoaxes and genuine footprint discoveries. In warmer months, John leads groups on Bigfoot Walks to the cave.

Group Camp at Salt Fork is a great place to exchange Bigfoot tales.

The Group Camp area is where families gather and stories are shared – tree knocks have been experienced here as well as a feeling of being watched. Bigfoot Ridge, named after an encounter with two Sasquatches, provides another place to explore as well as Morgan’s Knob where Bigfoot episodes have been taped. Pick up a map at the lodge’s front desk to guide you to these hot spots.

Bigfoot footprint casts were on display from several different sources.

Footprints are the evidence found the most that indicate Bigfoot was in the area. John was taken to Parker Road to see some footprints that appeared to be made by Bigfoot. These prints are large from 13 to 17 inches long. Several casts of the footprints from various places were on display during the talk. Many have also heard howls and knocks on the trees not only at Salt Fork State Park but all over the country.

Salt Fork State Park is however one of the squatchiest places in the US. John told the group, “All bets are off as to who might be interested.” These vary from an elderly woman who had attended a one-room school and saw a large creature outside the school window to the fisherman who saw large rocks being hurled into the water by an unseen source.

This area is called The Bleachers where Bigfoot watches the campers.

Bigfoot is a huge Touchstone for the conservation world. “We haven’t discovered everything yet.” While John enjoys exploring Bigfoot research, he has loved nature all his life and began volunteering with the naturalist at Salt Fork when he was 13 years old. He always knew he wanted to work at the park in the future.

After working at Hocking Hills, it was 2012 before he began working as a seasonal naturalist at Salt Fork Park, and in 2016 became full-time. His job is to educate the public about the joys of nature while they are on vacation. He enjoys taking youngsters out on nature walks where they discover the habitat of salamanders and snakes. There is a beautiful wildflower walk in the spring that goes to the Stone House.

John explains Bigfoot legends to visitors at the Home Show.

As you might expect, John and his family enjoy backpacking through the woods. He has a large collection of animal skulls which he shares during his botony presentations. John also teaches Botony in the fall where he is a member of the Zane State faculty.

Bigfoot has impacted the hearts, minds, and souls of people all across the planet. Sasquatch is out there capturing our imaginations. That is why John gives frequent Sasquatchology talks as well as walks through the park.

Their gift shop contains many memories of Bigfoot for you to take home with you.

“Having public land available for enjoyment and research is a privilege. We want Salt Fork State Park to be known as the Bigfoot Capital of Ohio.” For more information on dates and times for activities in nature at Salt Fork State Park, visit their website at www.saltforkparklodge.com or Facebook.

Bigfoot is not just a subject of folklore but a symbol of unspoiled wilderness area. Visit Salt Fork State Park sometime soon and perhaps you will get a glimpse of the mysterious Bigfoot.

Category:

Just for Fun, Nature, Ohio, Paranormal, Uncategorized, Wildlife

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Majestic McKinley Monument Honors 25th President

“I have never been in doubt since I was old enough to think intelligently, that I would someday be made president.”  These words were  spoken during his youth by William McKinley, the first president to ride in an automobile while in office as well as the first to use a telephone as part of his campaign.

McKinley Monument can be seen on the east side of I-70 in Canton, Ohio.

The resting place of William McKinley, 25th president of the United States, catches your eye over the tree tops while driving down I-77 through Canton, Ohio.  The domed mausoleum is more than a mere resting place but serves as a monument to Canton’s favorite son and former governor of Ohio. 

William and Ida McKinley made a campaign visit to Canton.

There are several reasons that McKinley is a favorite in this area even though he was born in Niles, Ohio. Canton is where he started his law career, found his true love, and ran for the highest office in the land. While attending the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, President McKinley was assassinated just seconds after giving the good luck red carnation from his label to a little girl waiting in line.

This photo of President McKinley making his first public address was used as the basis for his statue at the monument.

In 1905 construction began after selecting a memorial design drafted by Harold Van Buren Magonigle. This architect began his career at the age of thirteen when he worked as a draftsman for the firm that designed Central Park in New York City.

The amount being raised for the purchase of land and the mausoleum was $600,000. Local businesses and friends were large contributors. However, many school children contributed their pennies toward the building of this mausoleum, which was completed in 1907.

This view from the top of the steps shows people exercising there.

The front steps seem to be a real attraction for area residents as a wonderful place for exercise, either walking or running.  Since there are 108 steps up to the McKinley Monument, it is a challenge to young and old alike. The front steps are fifty feet wide and are broken into four flights of twenty-four steps with the final flight having only twelve. 

The plaque on this bronze statue of McKinley lists his many qualities.

Nearing the top of the stairs, visitors are greeted by a 9 1/2′ bronze statue of William McKinley created by Charles Henry Nishaus. It depicts President McKinley delivering his final public address at Buffalo, NY in 1901.

The circular, domed mausoleum recaptured the spirit of ancient cultures and formed the center of the cross design Magonigle intended to create. The longer arm of the cross was formed by front steps and what was called Long Water.

This beautiful cascading waterfall was part of the original monument area.

Originally Long Water was a spectacular part of the monument with a 575-foot lagoon, consisting of five different water levels cascading downward into a reflecting pool.  Unfortunately, due to stagnant water caused by poor circulation, this lagoon was filled back in the 1950’s. Both side arms of the cross were formed by shorter entry steps, and the top portion was a driveway behind the monument.

McKinley’s love of country was shown at the early age of 18 when he joined the OVI during the Civil War.

Magonigle considered this shape to have a double meaning. The upper part of the cross resembled the handle of a sword, while the Long Water symbolized the blade.  This seemed appropriate due to McKinley’s military career during the Civil War as well as his being commander-in-chief during the Spanish-American War.

Wreaths are often placed on the granite marble burial marker inside.

Above ground in the pink marble memorial, President McKinley and his First Lady are entombed in two side-by-side sarcophagi of elegant green granite on a dark maroon granite base.  Their two daughters have found their final resting place here also, entombed in the back wall of the memorial. Katherine died at the age of four from typhoid fever while Ida died during her first year.

Wreaths are constantly being placed by individuals and organizations at the foot of the granite-clad coffins. Most of the wreaths are in traditional red, white and blue.

This skylight contains 45 stars, the number of states at the time of McKinley’s death.

Seventy-five feet overhead is a beautiful red, white and blue skylight with a 45 star design, representing the number of states in the Union at the time of McKinley’s death. While it looks small from below, this beautiful window to the sky measures twelve feet in diameter.

If you wish to visit the memorial without climbing all those stairs, there are two possibilities. A steep road leads up the hill behind the Memorial or there is also an elevator, which operates only during museum business hours by use of a special code, which you must ask for at the museum’s admission office nearby. Admission to the McKinley Monument is free.

Hopefully, this monument and the life of William McKinley will be an inspiration to someone today.  President McKinley had hoped for this when he said, “That’s all a man can hope for during his lifetime, to set an example, and when he is dead, to be an inspiration to history.”

The McKinley Monument is located in downtown Canton, Ohio just off I-77. Take Exit 105 for OH 172, then turn right on 7th Street NW. Take the first left onto McKinley Monument Drive and enjoy a little piece of history.

Category:

History, Ohio, Uncategorized

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