Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

Walhonding Valley Historical Society Museum Presents Festival of Trees

Learn the history of the Walhonding Valley area while celebrating the spirit of Christmas during their holiday celebration. Beautiful Christmas trees are on display during their 9th annual Festival of Trees with entries from individuals, groups, and corporations.

Walhonding Valley Museum can be found at the corner of Routes 36 and 60 in Warsaw.

The Walhonding Valley Historical Society Museum at 102 E. Main St. in Warsaw was formed in 2001 as a result of a vision by community leader Marvin Davis. Marvin wanted there to be a way to share stories of the past for future generations so they could cherish its traditions and learn from its lessons. Next year they will celebrate their 25th anniversary.

It began in a one-room building but soon needed more space. At that time, they purchased the present building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. From 1906-1975, this building was a doctor’s office. The second floor had 13 rooms to rent or use for the patients. The first caesarean section in the county was performed in this building. Doctors came in by train as needed

This trestle crossed the Walhonding River at Roscoe.

The Walhonding River plays a large part in their early history. It is said to have been an Indian name for a white woman. On early maps in 1752, the river was actually labeled “White Woman River.” The first white woman to live in the area was Mary Harris, who married Chief Eagle Feather of the Delaware tribe.

This covered bridge crossed the river at Helmick in 1910.

White Woman’s Rock can be found at Kilbuck Creek, a branch off the Walhonding River between Coshocton and Warsaw. Legend says that a white woman jumped from this rock with her baby to avoid having the Delaware Indians make them captives or worse.

Johnny Appleseed, also known as John Chapman, planted his first apple tree nursery in 1798 and planted many trees in the Walhonding Valley. He walked hundreds of miles and planted thousands of trees but also protected settlers from Indian attacks, helped them build cabins, and was a source of inspiration to everyone he met.

Nellie had a busy ax handle factory.

Many native artifacts of the area can be found in the museum. They show a glimpse of the area’s prehistoric past. The Delaware Indians lived in Jefferson Township where they mined flint. An impressive display of this early local flint is on display. The dates and place of the flint has been authorized by studies from Ashland University and the College of Wooster.

Traffic on the river was not always possible so a canal system was built in 1842 with a branch canal being the Walhonding Canal. By 1844, there were 100,714 bushels of wheat and flour being shipped on this canal.

Wally Flyer, a passenger train, made stops at Warsaw Junction.

As costs of maintaining the canal exceeded the revenues, railroads began taking over the business. By 1893, the Wally Flyer railroad was completed in the valley. The Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio line carried an immense traffic in coal from the Cambridge coalfields to Toledo and lake ports.

All Walhonding’s buildings were moved when the Mohawk Dam was constructed in the 1935.

There are three floors to the museum. The first floor contains an old-time doctor’s office, barbershop, and has a wonderful Military display, where you will find treasures from WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. They even have a uniform, saddle, and cannonball from the Civil War. There is also a display of school memorabilia.

A beautiful tree of pearls appeared the first year in 2017.

On the second floor, nine of the rooms have been refurbished. The basement is being developed also and was the place of the first Boy Scout meeting in Warsaw.

A red, white, and blue tree was in the Veterans section.

At the present time, the museum is open by appointment. However they are open for the Festival of Trees every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas on Saturday and Sunday. Call 740-824-4000 for information or an appointment time. Visit their website at http://www.wvhistoricalsociety.org.

Letters to Santa tree even had a mailbox.

This is a perfect time to visit the museum as it is their 9th Festival of Trees. View the beautifully decorated Christmas trees throughout as well as learn more about the history of the area. Last year there were 28 trees decorated by local businesses, groups, and students. Seven of those trees were decorated by students from River View Local School District. The students always have a tour of the museum after they finish decorating the tree.

A Buckeye Tree was in the room that contains a band display.

Open House will be held on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the same day that Santa comes to town. For the next three weekends, you are free to tour the Festival of Trees and the museum at no charge. It will be open on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

An Ice Cream Cone Tree from Dari Land appeared in their first year, 2017.

Enjoy learning some area history while enjoying the spirit of Christmas at the Festival of Trees at Walhonding Valley Historical Society Museum.

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Christmas, Festivals, History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Paul Courtright Demonstrates Woodturning

Paul demonstrates his woodturning on You Tube.

Woodturning has been part of Paul Courtright’s life since he was in high school during shop class. At that time, he acquired a Sears lathe from his father, which had been handed down from his grandfather. Paul taught himself the basics of woodturning by working with the lathe and learning from his mistakes.

Over time the bearings on that lathe wore out. They first replaced the motor with a washing machine motor, but later he replaced the lathe with a Powermatic. He purchased a second lathe that he could move out to the drive way and turn outside in the sunshine.

Pepper Grinders are a popular item.

Paul grew up in a small farm town in northern Ohio. However, after high school, he moved to the Columbus area for college. There he discovered a local woodturning club, Central Ohio Woodturners (COW) and decided to join. Over the years, Paul has served as President and Vice President of COW and taught several wood turning demos at the COW meetings.

Paul was named Woodturner of the Year by the American Association of Woodturners.

He also joined the national organization, American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Because of his membership in both these organizations, he has attended many symposiums and events which taught him the do’s and don’t’s of woodturning and furthered his knowledge of the craft.

A cheese slicer is one of his most popular items.

Then, he started to accumulate an inventory and began selling his work at craft shows and festivals from March through December. He now attends around 20 shows a year throughout Ohio and surrounding states, where he sells his work and does woodturning demonstrations. He now has pieces in several states like FL, NY, CA, AZ, and SC as well as a few countries including Germany, South America, and Canada.

This birdhouse was made from a tree blown down in a storm. He makes use of everything!

Little wood goes to waste in Paul’s world. When a tree blows down, he might turn part of it into a bird house. Old 2’x4’s might become an American Flag. Other reclaimed lumber might end up in a beautiful cross Laser engraved with a Biblical saying using his xTool.

Paul received a People’s Choice Award for this lidded pinecone bowl.

Recently, he began trying something new by working with different mediums like resin and alternative items like pumpkin stems, corn cobs, and pinecones. A beautiful pinecone bowl won a People’s Choice Award recently at the Salt Fork Festival. Some of his popular items include cheese cutters, pepper mills, American flags, and ice cream scoops. There are still some things he has on his dream list. One of them is a working grandfather clock.

His flags are often made of discarded 2x4s. Nothing goes to waste!

Giving is part of his nature. He often gives small items to children that appear at the festivals…perhaps a whistle or small car. Frequently, he participates in the silent auction at Children’s Hospital. Before costs raised, he gave a pen to every veteran he met but now he has a special wooden object that he gives them.

Scrap wood is put to good use in this colorful vase.

He even has his own YouTube channel (Wood Chip Woodworking) as a way to teach and share his knowledge and skill. Paul tells others, “Woodturning might be the best stress reliever of this century.”

Paul’s ice cream scoops are made from laminated dyed plywood.

While wood, especially walnut, is his favorite thing, Paul also has a degree from OSU in Animal Science and Food Science. He has worked in the food industry with Abbott Labs in research and development of their products for around 20 years. He took a five-year break where he taught Food Science at OSU. Food is another passion of his but he also enjoys just being outdoors, hunting, fishing, and gardening.

His booth will be found at the Salt Fork Festival in August.

During the year, Paul also works on getting things ready for the various craft shows he attends. This year he plans to also demonstrate wood turning at his booth at the Salt Fork Festival. He also enjoys displaying his woodturning at the Paul Bunyan Festival in Old Washington in October.

Paul enjoys attending craft and art shows where he meets like-minded people, who have become great friends. This has allowed him to gain a lot of knowledge and experience in marketing his craft.

This American wooden cross is made from reclaimed lumber.

Today Paul lives in Westerville, Ohio. Woodturning has made him a happy guy. “I can take a piece of wood that someone has discarded or even threatened to throw into the fireplace, and I have made something out of it and presented it back to them. Just the smile and look of sheer wonder on their faces is priceless.”

Learn more about his work on his Facebook page, Paul Courtright or watch some of his woodturning videos. Of course, selling his work at craft shows also makes him pretty happy. He would enjoy having you visit him at the Salt Fork Festival August 8-10 at his booth Woodchip Woodworking. If you are lucky enough to have a piece he has created, you have something from his heart.

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Art, Festivals, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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Musical World of Brent Miller

Brent Miller plays a role in many community events. Most are in the field of music where his rich baritone voice is a favorite at area concerts and performances.

The five Miller children often sang together with Eric and Brent in the front while Scott, Grant and Lynn stand behind.

His singing began as a youngster. While Brent started life in Cambridge, for most of his life he lived near Indian Camp with his parents, Glen and Alleen Miller and four siblings. “We always sang hymns at home and music was always part of our family reunions.” He recalled that one of his earliest public performances was when he and his three brothers and sister sang at the Indian Camp Grange. Family has been important to him throughout his life.

Brent graduated from Cambridge High School before heading to Ohio Valley (College) University. He then finished his education at Harding College in Arkansas where he was part of the Harding A Capella Chorus. It was at Harding that he met his wife, Judy, who was from Mesquite, Texas.

Brent has been part of the Cambridge Singers for 44 years.

When he returned to Cambridge after graduating from Harding College, the first group he joined was the Cambridge Singers, perhaps the oldest continuously performing mixed choral group in Ohio. They officially became Cambridge Singers in 1965 after the group won the Fred Waring Sacred Heart Competition in New York City. Brent has been part of that group for 44 years now.

In an early Lions Club Show, The Decades Quartet sang dressed as farmers, which included Brent, his dad Glen, Berk Jones, and Roger Love.

For a short time, he was part of a harmonious group called “The Decades Quartet.” It was comprised of Brent, his dad Glen, Berk Jones, and Roger Love. They enjoyed singing throughout the state as well as locally.

Anne Chlovechok and Brent took the lead roles in “Hello Dolly.”

His first show was at the Cambridge Performing Arts Centre playing a small role of Prince Charming in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Since then he has played a variety of roles there as music is a source of relaxation for him.

Brent has appeared in many musicals at CPAC, The Living Word, and Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center. Some of his favorites include “The Music Man” where he played Harold Hill, the band leader. Playing Captain Georg Von Trapp in “Sound of Music” had a wonderful setting at The Living Word as the songs echoed off the hills in the outdoor amphitheater.

Jim Whitehair and Brent are always a big hit in “White Christmas.”

A favorite of Brent’s and many who appreciate local musicals was his performance paired with Jim Whitehair in “White Christmas.” People never tire of hearing the wonderful songs from this holiday movie. Brent and Jim bring it to life on stage year after year.

In the role of Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” Brent even had his head shaved.

A couple other favorites include “Beauty and the Beast”, “Annie” where he actually shaved his head to play Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, and “Little Mermaid” in the role of King Titan.

His parents, Glen and Alleen Miller, were a tremendous influence in his life.

Brent often leads singing at the Stop Nine Church of Christ, where he also serves as a deacon. His faith is a very important part of his life as he feels, ‘This life is just a pathway of the life to come.”

During the summer months, Brent can be found at the Cambridge City Band concerts held in the big pavilion at the Cambridge City Park. This band is Ohio’s oldest continually performing community bands beginning in 1841. There his rich voice delights the crowd with old favorite songs. He also gives a little historical background on some of the pieces…if he can read Berk Jones’ handwriting!

Brent and his wife Judy have been happily married for 42 years.

Brent and Judy, who have been married for 42 years, have a beautiful family of four daughters and several grandchildren. Three of those daughters have participated in the Cambridge City Band keeping the family music tradition living on. Brent is owner/manger of Milfair Carpet & Linoleum in Cambridge which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Judy is a Fourth Grade Teacher at North Elementary in Cambridge.

Much of his time is spent being owner/manager of Milfair Carpet & Linoleum in Cambridge.

If you want to listen to Brent’s performances this summer, check the Cambridge City Band’s schedule on Facebook. They usually perform on Thursday evenings or at special events around ten times during the year. He’s also part of the Salt Fork Festival Chorus, which performs each season during the festival.

You will also be able to listen to Brent at the Cambridge Singers Spring Concert “Get Happy” on May 3-5 at the Scottish Rite Auditorium as well as their Christmas Concert “Holiday Magic” on December 7 -8.

This area is home to many excellent voices that bring enjoyment throughout the year at concerts and special events. Brent Miller is one of those popular voices.

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Cambridge, Christmas, Family Fun, Festivals, Music, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Jason Hammond Demonstrates Traditional Woodworking

Jason Hammond demonstrates old tools in the Heritage Tent at the Salt Fork Festival.

Heritage furniture has become a passion for Jason Hammond of Yellowleaf Wood Crafts in Zanesville. He loves history, restoring old tools, and paddling old canoes.

Demonstrating his use of traditional hand tools attracts visitors at the Salt Fork Festival where Jason will again be in the Heritage Arts Tent August 9-11 this year.

He has collected and refurbished old tools for many years.

Here he explains to visitors what woodworkers went through 150 years ago. Manpower, sweat, and tears were necessary for even a simple piece of furniture. Each step of the process took hours compared to minutes today.

During 1800-1850, there were eight small shops in Guernsey County where furniture was made by one to five men, often in someone’s home. It was difficult and expensive for those early settlers to move furniture with them. Builders used the wood available to create needed furniture. so cherry, maple, and walnut replaced the mahogany used for heirloom furniture in the east.

Jason’s interest in woodworking began when he was a child while watching “The Woodwright’s Shop” on PBS with his dad, who was interested in the historical aspect of various things. That show explained how to use tools from the past.

High School shop was his first experience at woodworking. There he made simple things like a bookshelf and a pen holder for his mom. At home, he experimented with walking sticks and arrows for his bow.

Blanket chests and toy boxes are popular items.

Gradually, he began collecting hand tools, that were broken and needed to be fixed, at flea markets or tool dealers online. Today he uses both traditional hand tools and modern machinery to create his heirloom pieces, which include bookcases, tables, blanket chests, toy boxes, and wood carvings.

However, you can tell what he enjoys the most when he commented, “I do think that learning and developing hand tool skills in woodworking and the decorative arts is essential in doing quality work. There are times when machines can only take you so far. It’s the skill and confidence in handwork that can take you the rest of the way.”

Jason takes Hiawatha, his restored Indian canoe, on the lake for a test drive.

Always being interested in history, when Jason was thinking of a name for his business, he received an idea from a line in a Longfellow poem, “The Song of Hiawatha.” When Hiawatha described the canoe he built, the last line reads, “and it shall float upon the river like a yellow leaf in autumn, like a yellow waterlily.” Yellowleaf Wood Crafts seemed a logical choice.

At the present time, he also works at the Zanesville Art Gallery where he helps with setting up exhibits and repairing or building things. Some of his smaller pieces are also available in their Gift Shop.

Oval wooden boxes like these were used by the Shaker religious group for various purposes.

His work can also be seen today at Elk’s Eye Endeavors in downtown Zanesville. There he displays smaller items such as accent tables, chests, and Shaker oval boxes. The Shakers religious group used those boxes to ship their seeds, as a sewing box, or even a spittoon. Jason remarked, “It was the cardboard box of its time.”

Bending the wood for these boxes required them to use steam heat and boiling water. Then the wood is bent around a form. This process was also used by the American Indians to form their canoes and snowshoes.

Speaking of canoes, Jason has won several awards for his restoration of old canoes. At the Antique Boat & Canoe Classic Show, he has won the Best Nonpowered Class in three shows for cedar and canvas canoe restoration. When he has extra time, relaxing on the water in his canoe or taking a hike in nature are his favorite activities.

His most recent table creation sold quickly at Elk’s Eye Endeavors.

He takes great pleasure in reaching the finishing line on a project. After he has researched the history, drawn the plan, and selected the wood, putting on the finish and seeing the texture of the wood come to life is his vision coming to fruition.

Refurbishing this heirloom rocking chair took hours of work.

Restoring furniture to its heirloom state gives him pleasure as well. Often he has to re-engineer a piece to make it more functional. For example, a rocking chair might need its rockers adjusted to keep it from tipping

Jason is proud of a cabinet he built to honor a former fire chief in South Zanesville.

He is very proud of a large display case he constructed for the South Zanesville Volunteer Fire Department to honor a fire chief who passed suddenly. The cabinet is tall enough to hold the entire turnout gear of the chief from boots to helmet.

Contact Jason at Yellowleaf Wood Crafts on Facebook or Instagram at yellowleafwoodcrafts. If you are interested in a commissioned piece, email him at jasonhammond1416@gmail.com. He has special pieces for sale at Elk’s Eye Endeavors in Zanesville as well as in the gift shop at the Zanesville Art Museum.

When talking about the craftsmen at the festivals, Jason feels, “There is a resurgence of handwork in this country. There are people who are taking up weaving, pottery, basket making, carving, etc. again. They want to produce something that has the slight imperfections that only the human touch can make. The creativity of doing such work gives satisfaction and a sense of accomplishing something that is lacking in this day and age.”

Jason enjoys participating in the Zane Trace Commemoration.

Visit Jason at the Heritage Arts Tent at the Salt Fork Festival in Cambridge on August 9-11 or at Zane Trace Commemoration in Zanesville where he demonstrates his use of traditional tools for woodworking. You are sure to enjoy listening to his stories as you watch him work.

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Art, Festivals, History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized, Zanesville

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Epworth Park for Peacefulness of Days Gone By

Epworth Park is located in the center of Bethesda, Ohio.

Escape from the fast pace of life at Epworth Park in Bethesda. Experience the peacefulness of days gone by as you stroll along the lake, enjoy the beautiful fountain, and reminisce under the majestic oaks. It all began in 1870 as the “Garden of Oaks” for use as a Methodist Camp Ground – a place for spiritual fellowship, instruction, and renewal.

Many came by train to those early camp meetings at Epworth Park.

Horse-drawn wagons and trains carried as many as 10,000-15,000 people to camp meetings in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With the park’s rising popularity, cottages were built in the late 1800s to serve as a retreat for people who wanted to escape city life. Epworth Park was “the place to be.”

In the early 1900s, the camp meetings were replaced by the National Chautauqua movement, which focused on education, culture, and entertainment for those living in small towns. It began at the Methodist retreat on Chautauqua Lake, New York. The Chautauqua assemblies attracted the most famous actors, musicians, and lecturers of the time including William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley.

These beautiful old oaks make the perfect place for an outdoor chapel meeting.

Today that heritage continues with an annual Chautauqua Homecoming Days and the Bethesda Festival during the second weekend in July with a new, more modern form of entertainment. This is a community event where everyone comes to celebrate the history of Epworth Park through a variety of activities including entertainment, a car show, fishing tournament, and vendors.

In its day, Epworth Hotel was ‘the place to stay’ at Epworth Park.

A beautiful, three-story hotel was added in those early days as well as a lake and auditorium. Unfortunately, the hotel no longer exists but in those early days was near the site of today’s concession stand. The lake not only added to the beauty of the park but provided a place for swimming and boating. Today a fountain adds beauty along with two bridges over the lake.

Boating on the lake was a popular way to spend the day.

This seven-acre park is surrounded by a grove of oak trees and consists of sixty privately-owned Victorian cottages, a common house for meetings, and the original outdoor chapel/amphitheater for services, weddings, and concerts with room for up to 250 guests.

Concerts, meetings, and weddings are held in their large outdoor amphitheater.

May through October is the perfect time for a wedding in the “Garden of Oaks” in their open-air, covered auditorium. Take time to stroll down the sidewalks and enjoy the old Victorian cottages that have been around for quite some time. Notice all the beautiful flowers, gardens, and American flags on your walk.

The water fountain adds a peaceful touch.

Until 2018, the Methodist Church East Ohio Conference owned the entire park. Today they have maintained ownership of Epworth Center but the remaining land has been sold to cottage owners and the Village of Bethesda.

Epworth Center was originally part of the Methodist campground.

Epworth Lodge, the present home of Epworth Center, was built in 1967 as a learning center. Their outreach missions include home repairs, food pantry distribution, and community support. Today, it is a wonderful place for seminars, retreats, meetings, and weddings. Four cabins house 44 people and there are extra rooms at the lower level of the lodge.

Take a walk along these early Victorian-style cottages.

Cottages are owned primarily by folks from the Upper Ohio Valley and have been passed down from generation to generation. Most are used as summer homes. The village purchased the south side of the property where the lake is located and has a wonderful recreational area there now with playground equipment, ball fields, and basketball court. It’s a great place for a picnic or family reunion as there are several shelters.

A playground close to the lake is provided by the town of Bethesda.

Many from Bethesda and nearby towns come to enjoy the fun of fishing with their children in the nearby Epworth Lake even if it is catch and release. It’s a great place to teach children the joys of fishing. While at the lake, take time to walk on a bridge across the edge of the lake so you can watch the fish below. It’s the perfect place to watch or feed the ducks and geese that live there.

For over 150 years, the people of Bethesda and surrounding area have enjoyed visits to Epworth Park. There are activities all year long from Easter Egg Hunts to concerts in the park – quite often on Saturdays. There are many locations perfect for photo opportunities.

Lakeside seems the perfect place to take a photo…or your fishing pole!

Perhaps you will want to visit Epworth Park and see its charm. Check their schedule at www.epworthpark.org for upcoming events such as concerts and movies in the amphitheater. While it may not have the glamour of those early days, it’s still a great place for relaxation and family togetherness. Experience the tranquility of days long ago any time of the year at Epworth Park.

Epworth Park is located off I-70 Exit 208. Go south about two miles to the town of Bethesda. The park is located off Route 147. You can’t miss the entrance way!

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Family Fun, Festivals, History, Nature, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Volunteer Month Highlights John Harmon

April was Volunteer Month and a chance to give recognition to those who help in our communities. Without their help, many organizations would not survive. This year, we give special recognition to John Harmon, who has served the community in many different capacities during his years in the Cambridge area.

John Harmon remembers that volunteering has always been a family tradition since he was a child. They were always the last family to leave their Lutheran Church in Upper Sandusky after making certain that the dishes were washed, chairs were put away and the floors swept. Here John sang in the church choirs, while his mother played piano and organ.

By the time John was in Boy Scouts, they were always volunteering for community projects and the older scouts would be teaching the younger ones. The Harmon family reunion was often spent cleaning up and making repairs at the Girl Scout Camp where his sisters attended.

This old newspaper clipping tells about John participation at the Salt Fork Festival.

After graduating from Muskingum College, John taught social studies and English in Rolling Hills. A few years later, he decided to move to Cambridge Junior High to teach math and English. He enjoyed the junior high students and introduced them to the use of the computer in the classroom. He especially enjoyed finding out why some students were struggling and finding ways that he could help them. He retired after 35 years of teaching.

John spends most of his time volunteering these days. When asked what his favorite project or organization was, he answered diplomatically, “The one I’m working on now.”

John designed and helped build this back porch for Luther Hall for his ch

He joined Christ Lutheran Church in Cambridge and began singing in their church choir. Today, John is still very active at that church where he designed the new porch for Luther Hall, and enjoys doing repair work there. Many members are thankful for the ramps he has built for their homes making their mobility easier. He also serves as their treasurer and member of their board.

The stage for the Performing Arts Tent, where awards are also given, was also built by John.

At the Salt Fork Festival, John helps in several capacities. He places direction signs around town so vendors and visitors can more easily find Cambridge City Park, where the festival is held. He is also responsible for building and tearing down the stage year after year in the Performing Arts Tent.

Father Christmas, portrayed by John, greets tour buses at the Dickens Welcome Center.

During the Dickens Victorian Village season, John volunteers as Father Christmas at the Welcome Center and greets tour buses. He coordinates times with Jim Thomas, who also portrays Father Christmas so there is always someone there. They often have their picture taken with visitors.

His truck and trailer are used to move the Dickens Victorian scenes from the warehouse and back.

He also volunteers his time, truck, and trailer to help move the Victorian scenes downtown in October and back to the warehouse in January.

His bass voice is a welcome addition to Cambridge Singers.

It wasn’t until 1990 that John began singing in groups locally. It all began with a Men’s Chorus organized by Andy Call, Bob Marks, and Berk Jones. That was just the beginning as today John sings in the Cambridge Singers, which has two major shows each year.

Chordial Chorus performed in barbershop style at Birds Run Church.

Chordial Chorus is a group of barbershop voices that perform throughout the year at various functions. He also participates in the Lions Club Chorus at their annual shows and is one of the Lions Club members. A friend convinced him to join the Coshocton Community Choir, which sings basically religious music.

John learned many building skills from his dad. When John was about eight years old, his dad was building a pole barn on their farm. John was on the roof driving in nails at that early age.

While attending Muskingum College, he became interested in a course taught by Louis Palmer regarding architecture. He later took a course in drafting at Muskingum Tech but soon discovered that he preferred home construction over commercial development,

He worked on this house on Deerpath Drive for Habitat for Humanity.

His work at Habitat for Humanity is one of his special projects. Volunteers help people with lower incomes build their own house and become homeowners. Currently, they are building a home on Deerpath Drive in Cambridge. Flipping for Habitat will be a project to raise money to flip a house for some area family. Like most organizations, they need more young people to help with this construction work.

To assist him in his many building projects, John saves every piece of wood or any construction supplies that he can. “I might use it someday or be able to give it to someone who can use it.” These supplies come in handy quite often.

At the Living Word, John portrays Nicodemus listening to Jesus.

The Living Word Outdoor Drama features many local people who all volunteer their time to produce amazing weekend performances. John serves on the board of trustees there and is chairman of the building and grounds committee. He also participates in the performances in many roles such as King Herod, Judas, Joseph, and Nicodemus. His first speaking part came unexpectedly when a thief on the cross was not able to make it to the performance.

John helped the Lions Club when they made benches for Echoing Hills.

So much more could be added. Photography is another hobby that he enjoys, and he takes many pictures everywhere he goes. For a while, he enjoyed demonstrating the potter’s wheel at the Salt Fork Festival. And as John remarked, “We’ve just scratched the surface.”

John is impressed with the many great volunteers who make the Cambridge area a great place to live. “You are helping someone and they might pass it on. When you see someone who appreciates your volunteer work, it helps them and it helps you.” Many local organizations operate basically on a volunteer basis. Perhaps you would like to help out on a project of your choice sometime soon. You’re sure to be appreciated.

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Art, Cambridge, Christmas, Festivals, Music, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Hopedale – Yesterday and Today

Small towns often have an interesting history that helps us understand those early days in the settlement of Ohio. Hopedale in Harrison County is no exception.

The first settler there in 1800 was Phillip Delany, a hunter. He swam the Ohio River with his clothes tied on his head so he could buy a section from the Northwest Territory Land Office in Steubenville. He called his settlement Green.

This postcard shows a picture of Hopedale Normal College, the first co-ed college in eastern Ohio.

Later Delany sold the land to a resident of Beech Spring, Rev. Cyrus McNeely, who platted the town. His son, also Cyrus McNeely, changed the name of the town to Hopedale because of his high hopes for the schools there. He donated land in 1849 to begin Hopedale Normal College, the first co-ed college in eastern Ohio with tuition of $5 a month.

General George Armstrong Custer in his West Point uniform.

Horace Mann once taught there and General George Armstrong Custer was one of 10,000 who graduated from the college. Custer received a teaching certificate and taught in Cadiz. A year later, he entered West Point where he graduated in 1862.

That school grew and eventually included an elementary and high school. They had a six man football team called the Comets. Clark Gable went to school there, rode his sleigh down snowy fields, played in the band, and acted in plays.

Clark Gable’s home in Hopedale today from the Clark Gable files.

While Clark Gable was born in Cadiz, his family lived in Hopedale during his youth (1903-1917) at 197 Mill Street. Today that house still stands but is a private residence with no public access. His father came to Hopedale because of an oil strike in 1902.

Post card picture of Hopedale’s track laying machine at the Wabash Arch.

While the oil field brought some financial gain to the area, it was the coal located just under the surface where strip mining began that proved the real boon. But first they needed a railroad to haul the coal. The Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad was born with the Wabash Station being located in Hopedale as well as the Wabash Arch.

While the college is gone and even the high school that followed it, there is a house across the street from the city building that housed students at the Hopedale Normal College. The city building is actually located on the former grounds of the college and the brick building beside it is now being turned into a museum. A flagpole marks the spot where the college stood years ago.

Beech Spring Presbyterian Church near Hopedale was called “The Mother Church of Ohio.”

Another famous historical site was the Beech Spring Presbyterian Church near Hopedale. It was known as the “Mother Church of Ohio” because it supported the founding of many churches in Harrison and Jefferson counties during the 1800s. The church was torn down in the early 1960s but the cemetery remains. Phillip Delaney was buried there.

The Underground Railroad was very active in Harrison County. Hopedale played an active role in this, and many anti-slavery meetings were held there. The Columbus Dispatch reported that slaves were kept in the Kyle home, which was built by Cyrus McNeely. Delaney House is a farm homestead documented to have served as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The building has a dry cistern connected to the main house by a tunnel. This was a great hiding place for runaway slaves and an important stop on the route to freedom.

This theater bill shared movies being shown in Hopedale Theater in 1938.

Hopedale Theater was built in 1925 by the Stringer Brothers. They showed the latest in moving pictures and continued in operation until the mid 1950s. Some of those early movies were Laurel and Hardy in Swiss Miss, Cassidy of Bar 20, and In Old Chicago. Today that theater has been turned into an Italian restaurant, Capraro’s.

The Motorcycle Memorial has stones engraved with names of fallen riders and a brick pathway giving recognition to donors.

A recent addition to Hopedale has been the Fallen Motorcycle Memorial, a monument to riders gone too soon. A Motorcycle Memorial Wall, similar to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, contains names of brothers and sisters from all 50 states and other countries. The memorial is funded by the Motorcyclist Memorial Foundation, which cares for the memorial which is located behind the American Legion Post 682.

Milligan Memorials of Coshocton etched the Indian Black Stone, the darkest of all marbles, which stands atop a grassy knoll. The words written on the stone were written by Dan Waterfield of Oregon, Ohio. Anne Milligan etched the image of the man and woman riding their motorcycles on the winding road while Tim Milligan installed and etched the names of the loved ones lost on the gray pillars.

A granite full-size motorcycle sets at each end of the Memorial Wall.

Each end of the wall is bookended by a full-size 2-D motorcycle carved from that same black granite. The bikes can slide outward as new sections are added for fallen bike riders. In 1993, there were only two slabs with names. Today there are dozens of slabs listing names of bikers who have gone on.

The Motorcyclist Memorial was unveiled to the public in 1993. Now every year during Memorial Day weekend, they re-dedicate the wall and add more names to the granite pillars on each side of the monument. Nearly 1200 show up annually for this event. Be sure to stop by and visit the Wall if you find yourself in the Hopedale area.

Hopedale has a large ten-acre park with a playground and much more.

Hopedale today contains many family-friendly activities that make it a great place to call home. They have a beautiful ten-acre park that contains several picnic shelters, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a baseball field for the youth. Take an evening stroll on their walking/biking trail. Soon they will have a museum where you can learn more about their history. Plan a visit to this historic town sometime soon.

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Festivals, History, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Christmas in Dickens Victorian Village

Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit join in welcoming guests to Dickens Victorian Village.

Enjoy the spirit of a Victorian Christmas in Cambridge during the months of November and December. The main street is filled with Victorian scenes inspired by the book “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.

Each year local dignitaries along with Queen Victoria participate in the ribbon cutting at the Opening Ceremony.

The official Opening Ceremony in 2023 was in downtown Cambridge on Saturday, November 4 with many exciting and interesting events. These included caroling by Cambridge Singers, the Akron Bagpipe Band, several storytellers, and many food carts just to give you a touch of what was happening. Of course, there was a ceremony at the Courthouse with local dignitaries followed by the 2023 Holiday Light Show. Then everyone moved to the Guernsey County Library for more entertainment and light refreshments. It’s an evening all those attending enjoyed. Similar events happen each year.

In its 18th season, the charm of jolly olde England can be felt right here in Cambridge. As you walk down Wheeling Avenue view 96 Victorian scenes with 169 characters that depict life at the time of Charles Dickens. Every scene has a brass plaque telling its connection to olde England and also lists the sponsor of that scene.

Father Christmas plays a big role in the festivities.

Father Christmas stands at the Courthouse Square along with Tiny Tim and Bob Cratchit. Scrooge and Marley can be found near Theo’s Restaurant. Look for shopping and caroling scenes along with Queen Victoria, who reigned during the time of Charles Dickens.

Scrooge and Marley are shown in this Victorian scene based on “A Christmas Carol.”

Many of the scenes depict people in Victorian trades. The candlemaker, apple seller, sled maker, and coal miner are examples of ways that people made a living during those times. It’s a long walk from 6th Street to 11th Street but that is the best way to enjoy all the scenes that appear under each lamppost. Some scenes are in store windows so watch for them as you walk along.

Imagination Station gives opportunity to dress as a Victorian lady or gentleman.

While downtown, you’ll want to stop at the Dickens Welcome Center to learn more about the history of Dickens Victorian Village. There you can see how the heads are made for the characters as well as their inside skeleton. At the back of the center, dress Victorian yourself at Imagination Station where there is a wide variety of capes, hats, scarves, coats, and more to turn men, women, and children into Victorian figures. You might want to take a picture and use it on your Christmas card next year.

Historic trolley rides are narrated by local historian, Rick Booth.

Weekends are filled with special events. The Historic Trolley Tour has been a highlight for several years and is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Rick Booth, local historian, narrates a memorable ride as the trolley goes from downtown all the way to the City Park. Locals will discover things they may never have known about their town. Find out why there were three bridges across Wheeling Avenue in the early 1800s and why they disappeared. Hear the importance of Col. Taylor in downtown Cambridge and the present day Col. Taylor Inn. You’ll be amazed at all the information Rick has discovered about Cambridge. The Trolley Tours in 2023 will happen on Saturdays Nov. 18, Dec. 2, and Dec. 9 from 10am-5pm.

Couples and friends enjoy having a traditional English tea at the Masonic Hall in this picture.

Three Victorian teas are held during the season. The Queen’s Tea will be held on Nov. 18 at the Cambridge Country Club with Queen Victoria telling the story of her life between courses of the meal. Two Victorian teas will take place at the Masonic Lodge Temple on Dec. 2 and Dec. 16. Join in the fun and wear your favorite hat or Victorian attire while sipping English tea and listening to some local entertainment. Reservations are required for the teas.

Each year, a group of local actors participate in the Cemetery Tours making history come alive.

The “Coming Alive Cemetery Tour” took place in the Old City Cemetery behind the Senior Center in 2023. The six living characters portrayed all had veteran related stories this year from the War of 1812 to WWI with the Civil War in between. Cost for the popular tour, which happens each year with a different theme, is $5 per person and can be paid at the gate.

The local library also honors Charles Dickens with a Marathon Reading.

The tradition of the Dickens Marathon Reading will continue at the Main Branch of the Guernsey County Library with the library sponsoring this event. Listen as local fans of Dickens read “A Christmas Carol” and perhaps some other Christmas works of Charles Dickens. Each person will read a 15 minute segment while visitors are encouraged to listen to parts of this well-known tale. It’s a great chance to get out of the cold and relax in the warmth of the library. What better place to read a classic novel?

Join a Christmas Candlelight Walk to hear stories of the VIctorian scenes downtown.

A Christmas Candlelight Walk will fill you with the holiday spirit as you walk downtown through the scenes. A tour guide will tell you stories about the scenes, and lead you in some Christmas carols. The tour begins at The Welcome Center at 6:00 on December 16. Here you can pick up a candle for the tour if you didn’t bring a candle or lantern from home. Admission is free for this event.

Many enjoy the thrill of an old-fashioned carriage ride through the downtown area. (Photo by Calvin Chester)

Everyone enjoys the thrill of riding in a carriage pulled by a beautiful horse through the streets of town. The ride begins on W. 8th Street beside the courthouse and tickets can be purchased there. On the weekends, check the Dickens Victorian Village Facebook page to see if the Horse and Carriage rides are going to happen. It all depends on the weather.

A special feature of the evening is the Holiday Light Show which gets bigger and better each year.

Every evening people gather at the Guernsey County Courthouse to watch the Holiday Lights created by AVC Communications. Watch and listen as the courthouse comes alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas. Over 66,000 lights pulsate in time to familiar Christmas songs. You’ll probably be singing along.

Music and scenes, from children’s favorites to classics and modern, entertain with different displays for an entire hour. The shows begin at 5:30 each evening and continue until 9:00, longer on holidays. There are benches on the lawn where you can comfortably sit to watch the lights or perhaps you’ll be lucky enough to find a parking spot close by to watch from your car. This Holiday Light show has become a holiday tradition with many families.

Scenes such as these can be found for five blocks in downtown Cambridge. Snow adds to the holiday spirit.

For more information, visit http://www.DickensVictorianVillage.com or check out their Facebook page. There’s so much to see and do that it is difficult to list everything. Come celebrate the 18th season of Dickens Victorian Village and get in the holiday spirit!

In the words of Charles Dickens, “Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts.” That’s still good advice today.

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Cambridge, Christmas, Family Fun, Festivals, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Ohio State School for the Blind

Ohio State School for the Blind was established in 1937.

The Ohio State School for the Blind is the first public school for the education of blind and visually impaired students in the United States. Many parents of blind children move to Columbus so they can be close to the school’s activities. One parent I met recently said, “We moved to Columbus for the academic excellence of OSSB and the marching band program. We were looking for a school that would incorporate music daily while focusing on academics.”

The staff at OSSB sets the bar high for all students matching the student’s level of ability to ensure that there is a focus on braille instruction, with an emphasis on life skills, all while holding the students to a high academic and personal responsibility level. “So far, OSSB has met and exceeded our expectations.”

Their daughter, Nadiya, is 14 years old, fully blind, and in the eighth grade. She is an accomplished musician and plays several musical instruments. Participating in the school’s Marching Band is something she enjoys.

Nadiya’s family gives her many new experiences where she learns by using her sense of touch and hearing.

The family also enjoys exploring the area and have been to Dickens Victorian Village, where Nadiya touched and learned about each display. That trip took about three hours. They also have enjoyed the Nutcrackers in Steubenville and displays at Gettysburg. Nadiya loves to learn and does so by touching and listening.

In 1837, the Ohio government established the Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind. This institution was the predecessor of the Ohio State School for the Blind. Today more than 120 Ohio blind and visually impaired students receive their education each year at OSSB. 49% are female while 51% are male and are of many races and ethnicities.

On her 13th birthday, she was given a special bass guitar. She is surrounded by the other instruments she plays.

Education happens both inside and outside the classroom. Students have a full day of learning during daily classes, which use the Expanded Core Curriculum for a whole student approach. After school, there are many extra-curricular activities. For those who live on campus, a residential program provides enrichment opportunities. All this helps students grow socially and emotionally.

Participation in athletics plays an important role in the development of the students. They compete against other schools with visually impaired students in a sixteen-state conference. They compete in basketball, cheerleading, forensics, goalball, swimming, wrestling, and track.

Recently, Nadyia decided to play goal ball where the team tries to throw a ball with bells embedded inside into the opponent’s goal using ear-hand coordination. She is excited to go to St. Louis to a goal ball tournament with the school’s team. Another great learning experience.

Music is an important part of the education at OSSB. All students K-8 take music classes. They offer many performing groups, including Junior High Band and Choir, High School Choir, Strings, and their famous Blind Marching Band. Students learn to read music through Braille as well as learn to play by ear.

Nadiya is proud to be part of the Best Blind Band in the Land at Ohio School for the Blind.

Nadiya plays clarinet in the Marching Band but also plays piano, bass, and drums. Her parents said, “When Nadiya is playing her instruments – there is no disability. She is just a musician playing like everyone else.”

In 2005, the Ohio State School for the Blind marching band was formed to provide music and halftime shows for the Ohio School for the Deaf football program. They are the only blind marching band in the country! It is often called The Best Blind Band in the Land. Currently, it is directed by Yolanda Johnson.

This Marching Panthers Blind Band performs throughout the area for many festivals and parades.

This past fall, the Marching Band, consisting of students from grades 7-12, marched in the Sweet Corn Festival in Millersport, Circleville Pumpkin Show, Barnesville Fall Festival, and the Marion Popcorn Festival. Last summer, the Marching Band performed at Fenway Park in Boston and marched in the International Parade of Nations.

OSSB has multiple summer camp opportunities for blind or visually impaired students K -12 who live in Ohio. All camps are residential camps with campers arriving the Sunday before camp. A couple of camps available in June include Superhero Camp (Grades 1-3) and Advanced Cooking Camp (Grades 11-12).

If you would like more information on Ohio School for the Blind at 5220 North High Street, Columbus, visit their website at www.ossb.gov.oh.

Blindness is a physical disparity, but it is not an obstacle in the way of fulfilling dreams.

~Helen Keller

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Lisa Cunningham’s Express Your Purseonality

Lisa Cunningham enjoys displaying her creations at the Salt Fork Festival.

Little girls enjoy using their imagination by dressing up as different characters that they admire. Getting dressed as a princess is one that has sparked an interest in many young girls as Princess Days have become popular throughout the area.

Her purses were a popular item from the start, thus the name Express Your Purseonality.

Lisa Cunningham, a local lady from Cambridge, has created a business, “Express Your Purseonality,” that has many creative accessories for little girls to create their own look as a princess or a special young lady. All the items are personally made by Lisa so you can be certain you are getting something unique.

The name for her business was chosen because, at that time, purses were the most popular items. Lisa makes the purses with fringe on them and adds popular cartoon characters to the purse for little girls.

Her daughter Madison was the inspiration for little girls’ accessories and has been helping her at many craft shows over the years since Madison was four years old.

Decorative headbands add something special for a little girl to enjoy.

Lisa’s crafting began about 25 years ago or perhaps more. She was making creative headbands for little girls when she was a teenager. When she began working craft shows at churches and schools, those first crafts were painted ceramics and tabletop decorations. She enjoyed making unique items and talking to everyone.

At first, Lisa just enjoyed making and showing her various crafts but then got serious about having a second income to pay for Madison’s college tuition. “I wanted her to have the best head start in life she could get.” She is now a sophomore at Youngstown State University majoring in social work.

Lisa tells everyone that her daughter Madison inspires her to no end.

Lisa’s full-time job is at St. Benedict School, where she is a K-5 computer teacher, technology coordinator, and auxiliary clerk. She also works as a teacher at the Cambridge afterschool program.

While she’s a busy woman, she still finds time to go to Youngstown State University to watch her daughter perform with her hip-hop dance team. Dancing is something mother and daughter have done together from jazz and hip-hop to ballet and have performed at many recitals together over the years. While at home, Lisa enjoys relaxing with her husband, Shane, and their four dogs and one cat.

A wide assortment of tutus are available in sizes from newborn to 10/12.

She also has two stepchildren, Emily and Winona. Emily had her first baby girl so now they are grandparents. Sounds like another little girl who is going to become a princess. She probably already has a tutu.

This close-up shows the detail in a tutu set made by Lisa.

Tutus are a popular item with young ladies. She makes them in sizes ranging from newborn to age 10/12. Some of these take a lot of time to make depending on the size and how many different colors are needed for the tutu.

Her handmade bows add a sparkling touch to a little girl’s outfit.

You will also find headbands, hairbows, wands, crowns, beaded pens, princess dress-up aprons, necklaces, bracelets, stud earrings, and of course, purses. It’s possible to get a special order for a birthday gift and then have matching headbands and hairbows made.

These hand-painted wooden earrings are enjoyed by young ladies and adults.

Recently, she has expanded her line to include something for fashionable ladies. She makes engraved wooden handpainted ladies’ earrings, leather earrings, stud earrings, and acrylic earrings that are popular with ladies of all ages.

Little Princesses had a special treat on Princess Day – meeting Dickens’ Queen Victoria.

“Express Your Purseonality” can be found year-round at Country Bits in downtown Cambridge. During Princess Days, it is a busy spot since the booth is stocked with various accessories for the princess, and the town is filled with little girls wanting to dress in something pretty.

Lisa remembers coming to the Salt Fork Festival with her family and walking through all the artist displays, having lunch and listening to the entertainment. At that time, she never dreamed that she would have a booth there. Now, her booth at the Salt Fork Festival is filled with little girls looking at all the accessories. Lisa recalled, “I love seeing the smiles on their faces as they look around.” It’s also a great place for mothers and grandmothers to find a special gift for their little girl.

Lisa makes earrings for all season that the little girls will enjoy.

Her unique earrings have become a very popular item and she intends to expand them for little girls as well as adults. Lisa mentions her goal for the future, “I constantly try to come up with unique craft ideas you won’t see anywhere else.”

Lisa enjoyed having a booth at the Backwoods Festival.

If you have any questions for Lisa, you may email her at tazzy291@roadrunner.com or call her at 740-705 -1756. Visit her Facebook posts at Expressyourpersonality. She’ll ship items anywhere and uses Paypal for easy payment.

Let “Express Your Purseonality” be the device to engage your child’s imagination in a world of endless possibilities.

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Art, Cambridge, Festivals, Ohio, Uncategorized

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