Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Archive for the ‘Ohio’ Category

Buckeye Lake Winterfest with Benny the Bass

A frozen Buckeye Lake is the scene if the annual Buckeye Lake Winterfest.

Join Benny the Bass at Buckeye Lake on the last Saturday in January for one of the biggest parties of the year. The festivities are kicked off with a spectacular fireworks display at 6:30 am on January 31, 2026.

The chamber president wears a Benny the Bass hat.

The event was started in 2015 by Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce to help local businesses during the off season. It was based on the ever popular Ground Hog Day celebration with Punxsatawney Phil.

Thousands gather to see if Benny the Bass will Take the Bait.

On Saturday, join the crowd at North Shore Boat Ramp for Winterfest activities from 6:30am – February 1, 2:30 am. Watch to see if Benny the Bass in his heated tank will take the bait offered him at Buckeye Lake Village. Thousands of people show up no matter how cold it is to watch the event with music and dancing continuing throughout the day.

The event gets bigger and better each year. Now Benny the Bass has his own truck with new graphics, a custom boat tank and trailer. He even has his own song! In fact, Benny the Bass has become so popular that he appears at Buckeye Lake events throughout the year.

The Winterfest truck pulls the boat carrying an aquarium with Benny the Bass inside.

Benny, the star of the show, arrives on a boat in an aquarium. Minnows are added to the tank at 7:00am and a timer is set for three minutes. If Benny eats one of them in that time frame, it predicts an early spring. If he refuses breakfast, six more weeks of winter…or a fish fry! So, move over Punxsutawney Phil, Benny the Bass will make that decision. The crowd echoes the desire for spring by chanting, “Take the bait! Spring can’t wait!”

Benny the Bass mascot takes a walk along Buckeye Lake.

Afterwards, Benny the Bass is moved in his tank to the Buckeye Lake Brewery, where you can see him swimming all day. Perhaps you will also see the live mascot of Benny dancing throughout the day in area businesses to his own song.

Benny the Bass, Buckeye Lake’s Winterfest song, was written by David Spires. The Bennyettes dance to the music. It begins:

After Santa Claus has come to town

And New Year’s streamers are fallen down

The last Saturday in January

Buckeye Lake Region Chamber of Commerce

Throws a party

Where the mascot’s a fish

And we pray for an early spring.

Winterfest

Benny the Bass, Benny the Bass,

Take the bait, Spring can’t wait.

Regardless of the verdict, the party begins! Winterfest is celebrated with activities around the lake, live music, art shows, dancing, food and drink specials, food trucks and more. With street performers, costumed characters, and fire pits scattered around the town, it feels more like a winter carnival than a sleepy lake town. Visit over 40 local participating businesses in the Buckeye Lake Region. Wander around and see what the lake has to offer.

The brave jump into the icy waters for the Polar Plunge.

For more excitement, stay around for the next day, Sunday, February 1st for one of the most talked about lake traditions, the 12th Annual Polar Plunge at the Buckeye Lake Winery at 11:00am. Sounds like a shivering experience where brave souls jump into the chilly waters of Buckeye Lake. All proceeds from the event go to the United Way Foundation.

This group won the costume contest in 2025.

You’ll find a mix of first-time plungers, seasoned jumpers, and teams dressed in full costume. Past years have seen everything from superheroes and tutu-clad teams to clever group outfits. There are prizes for individual and team costumes while the live music, food, and wine continue.

If you don’t want to participate in the Polar Plunge, bundle up and watch Benny the Bass and the Polar Plunge while enjoying the party.

An ice sculpture of Benny the Bass draws the attention of the crowd.

During Winterfest weekend, you can download the Escape to Buckeye Lake app to see all the participating Winterfest businesses, their events, live music, and food and drink specials. If you need a ride, many shuttle services will be available in the area to safely transport you and your party during the event.

Benny and friends prepare for the annual Buckeye Lake Winterfest celebration.

Over the years, Benny the Bass has become a local legend. His likeness appears on shirts, hats, mugs, and even tattoos that people enjoy throughout the year. People cheer, take selfies, and toast the unofficial start of Buckeye Lake’s event season- even if it is cold and there is still snow on the ground.

Winterfest weekend has become a popular, growing tradition and is the perfect time to beat cabin fever and make lasting memories with friends. It’s the best cure for the Winter Blues and the warmest cold-weather event you’ll ever attend.

Category:

Family Fun, Festivals, Just for Fun, Ohio

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Stopped on Top

How do you like to go up in a swing?

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do.

Swinging! As a young child, Sarah always ran to the swing set whenever her family went to the Cambridge City Park. She tried to go as high as she could until she almost felt like she was flying.

However, when she was nine, the school bus took her class to the Guernsey County Fair. There she spotted the Ferris Wheel high above everything else. She knew she had to ride it.

Ferris Wheels at the County Fair in the 1950s had open seats – easy to rock!

At that time, the Ferris Wheel had single seats big enough for two or maybe three people with a bar across the front. Three young friends fit into one seat and headed around and around. Then they stopped at the very top to let someone off the wheel. One of the boys decided this was the perfect time to rock the seat. Sarah didn’t mind but her friend Betty squealed and yelled, “Stop, stop!”

The Century Wheel at the Ohio State Fair was a big attraction.

Through the years, Sarah never lost her enjoyment of a ride on the Ferris Wheel. She took her granddaughter, Emily, to the Ohio State Fair, where both of them decided to ride the Ferris Wheel, called the Century Wheel, that was 86 feet tall. Cost of the ride was $4 each. How they enjoyed going round and round until…it suddenly stopped. Sarah and Emily happened to be on the top when this happened.

Emily was concerned, “Grandma, when will the wheel start again?”

“Don’t worry, Emily, we’ll just enjoy the view while we sit here. They’ll get things fixed shortly.”

“We’re really high, Grandma. Was there ever a taller Ferris Wheel?”

This shows the early construction of the Ferris Wheel at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

“Actually, Emily, the first Ferris Wheel of note offered rides way back in 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. That towering structure reached 264 feet high. It was designed by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., thus the name Ferris Wheel.”

“Wow! That’s a long time ago. Were people afraid to ride it?”

“Really,” Sarah continued, “millions of people wanted to ride on that magnificent piece of modern technology.”

“Were there Ferris Wheels before that time?” the curious Emily continued.

“Yes, some say there were smaller wooden wheels back in the 1500s. I read that they had what they called ‘pleasure wheels’ long ago where passengers rode in chairs suspended by large wooden rings and the wheel was turned by men!”

“How much did it cost to ride the Ferris Wheel in Chicago?”

Seats were enclosed on this Ferris Wheel at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.

“At the Exposition, they charged 50 cents a ride. People were taken around the large wheel twice, which took over twenty minutes to complete. The 36 cars on that wheel were enclosed boxes with tables and bolted down revolving chairs in each box. 20 people could fit in one box!”

In Sarah’s mind, that early Ferris Wheel was a symbol of joy and having fun during leisure time. She had lots of information to share about the Ferris Wheels she had read about and seen in her lifetime. So while they were seated on top of the wheel, she told Emily stories about other Ferris Wheels.

“Have you ever been on a Ferris Wheel bigger than the one we are on?” Emily asked.

We rode the Great Smoky Mountain Ferris Wheel while at a travel expo in Tennessee.

“Bigger than this one but not bigger than the one in Chicago. One time I was at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at The Island. The Great Smoky Mountain Ferris Wheel sits at the edge of the National Park there. It is 200 ft. high with a great view of the area. Each glass-encased gondola holds up to four passengers. It’s the highest Ferris Wheel in Tennessee. A cost of a ticket there is $16.99.”

No progress was being made on getting the Ferris Wheel moving so Sarah had to keep telling stories to keep Emily calmed down as she was afraid they might have to stay there all night.

The High Roller in Las Vegas is the highest Ferris Wheel in the United States.

“We are lucky not to be on the highest Ferris Wheel in the United States. It is called the High Roller in Las Vegas and is 550 feet high. Do you think you might like to ride it someday?”

Emily told her, “We have to get down from this one first.” They had been at the top now for over an hour and Emily had other things she wanted to do at the fair that day.

The Ferris Wheel on Bluewaters Island in Dubai is the tallest in the world.

To distract Emily from her fear, Sarah continued telling stories, “The tallest Ferris Wheel in the world is on Bluewaters Island in Dubai, where it soars to 820 feet into the air. Each air-conditioned enclosed cabin can hold up to 40 people. It takes a half hour for one rotation! A regular ticket costs about $50.”

“Grandma, I think we are moving again! Maybe we can get some cotton candy when we get off here. I’m thirsty too.”

Soon they reached the bottom platform where they could get off the Ferris Wheel. Emily skipped down the steps and headed for the nearest concession stand to get something to drink. They spent a few more hours at the fair, got some cotton candy, and headed home after a busy day.

“Thanks, Grandma for telling me all about the Ferris Wheels. That was interesting. Maybe we can go to Las Vegas someday and ride that high one.”

This flower ferris wheel is in Clyde up in the northwest corner of the state.

Sarah drove home still excited about spending the day with her granddaughter. All of a sudden, Emily shouted, “Look. Look at the side of the road. See that little Ferris Wheel? The seats are filled with flowers! This has been a special Ferris Wheel day from beginning to end. You are the best grandma ever.”

Category:

Family Fun, History, Just for Fun, Ohio, Tennessee

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Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Celebrate the holidays at Deck the Hall when you visit Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens from November 28 – December 30. While Deck the Hall began in 1988, every year is bigger and better. There’s always something new. You’ll be amazed at over 1.4 million lights throughout the estate in this magical Christmas wonderland. While it is lovely all year long, the holidays bring an extra glow that everyone will enjoy.

This lighted tunnel guides you through the grounds.

Many know Stan Hywet as a beautiful historic house in Akron. This was the original site of a stone quarry and gets its name from Old English, where Stan Hywet means stone quarry. This was the country estate of Frank A. Seiberling, one of the co-founders of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 1898.

From hospitals and housing to parks and education, their family legacy of giving built a stronger, more connected community. At Stan Hywet, they carry on that spirit of generosity every day by preserving the home they created for the public good. Above the Manor House front door is a sign that reads “Non Nobis Solum” (Not for us Alone), a mantra Gertrude Seiberling included when Stan Hywet was being built and a mantra that continues to inspire all they do today.

Great Hall holds the beauty of an old-fashioned Christmas.

Your Deck the Hall ticket gives you access to a self-guided tour from 3-7:30 pm of the stunning Manor House with it’s dazzling winter-themed décor in twenty rooms. There are also many Christmas displays as each room has a special theme that often brings the beauty of nature inside. There’s even a Lego room that the kids especially enjoy.

Santa and Rudolph are favorites of children and the young at heart.

Visit Santa and Rudolph in the Carriage House Courtyard through December 23. They love to greet the children and have pictures taken with them. Stop in Molly’s Courtyard Cafe for cocoa, gingerbread cookies, beer, or wine and find some great gifts at Molly’s Shop. There’s a new digital Christmas tree on display here.

Molly’s Courtyard is a favorite stop for lights, snacks, and great gifts.

The ticket also gives you access to see all the outdoor lights, Gingerbread Land, and the Dazzle Light Show, an animated light show set to holiday music, in the Great Garden. Step outside into seventy acres of beauty where you are surrounded by the magic of the Christmas season. Twinkling lights around every bend of the walk are incredible.

Find a beautiful poinsettia tree inside Corbin Conservatory.

Corbin Conservatory was originally used by the Seiberling family to grow produce and plants. For Deck the Hall, it is filled with poinsettias of every color imaginable. Pick out your favorite color for a reminder of your visit when you return home.

The playground is always decorated with something the children will enjoy.

Homes of Nature / Children’s Playgarden is a favorite spot for youngsters with decorations that attract their attention. There is so much to explore here from the music of Harmony Hill, the barking of a St. Bernard at Joe’s Dig, or the Model A Ford with rubber tires to remind everyone of the former owner.

Special nights are planned throughout the season. Visit their website at https://stanhywet.org/events/deck-hall for detailed information.

  • Dinner, Ballet, and Deck the Hall features The Little Nutcracker presented by the Cleveland Ballet on December 3 and 4.
  • Dinner and Deck the Hall includes a festive holiday dinner in the Manor House Reception Hall on December 5, 10, 11, and 12.
Take home a poinsettia in your favorite color from the Conservatory.

Deck the Hall at 714 N. Portage Path, Akron is open Nov. 28 – 30, Dec. 4 – 7, 11 – 14, 18 – 23, 26 – 30. They are closed on December 24 and 25. Your visit can begin at 3pm with the last admission being 8 pm.

All tickets must be purchased in advance at stanhywet.org or by calling 330-315-3287. Many nights sell out so get your tickets early. Admission is $28 for adults and $15 for youths (3-17). Children two and under are free. Members of Stan Hywet receive a discount.

Once inside, you can remain on the grounds until 9pm. Parking is free in their Main Lot. When that lot fills, there will be auxiliary lots with shuttle service. Beverages, food, and strollers are not permitted inside the Manor House. There is an area just outside the Manor House to park strollers.

Walk through the sparkling lights to be surrounded by the holiday spirit.

Dress warmly as this celebration is a walking experience that takes you both inside and outside. If you want to see everything, allow yourself two to three hours to see this winter wonderland that sparkles with holiday cheer.

Families make Deck the Hall an annual tradition.

Many families have made Deck the Hall a family tradition. Take time from your busy schedule this year and make it part of your family’s celebration.

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Christmas, Family Fun, Gardens, Museums, Ohio

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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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Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend

Who-dun-it? Use your sleuthing skills to discover the guilty party. The game is afoot!

Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend returns to Cambridge Ohio November 7-8. This year’s “Sherlock Holmes and Problem of the Two-Faced Spector” is the 9th Holmes inspired play cleverly written by local playwright, Anne Chlovechok.

Fictional Detective Sherlock Holmes is well known for his ability to solve mysteries with the help of his partner, Dr. John Watson. Holmes is famous for his logical reasoning and drawing conclusions from minute details that others miss. Watson is his intelligent loyal friend and assistant, who doesn’t have the ability to see the fine points.

The idea for a Sherlock Holmes Weekend developed from a school assignment given to Janine Bock’s daughter, LeeAnn, by Mary Ann Wilson at St. Benedict in 2003. She was to do a report on “The Hound of the Baskervilles” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Turned out that Janine got hooked on Sherlock Holmes and read all the stories about him. She even got her husband interested.

Jim and Janine Bock visited Cape May’s Sherlock Holmes Weekend.

Before you know it, Jim and Janine Bock were headed to Cape May, New Jersey in 2008 for a Sherlock Holmes Weekend. They stayed in a beautiful Victorian hotel and dressed in Victorian fashion.

When they returned to Cambridge, the Dickens Victorian scenes were appearing along Wheeling Avenue. The Sherlock Holmes sagas take place in Victorian times about the same time as tales of Charles Dickens plus there were many beautiful Victorian buildings downtown. Janine told Jim and LeeAnn. “I think we can do a Sherlock Holmes Weekend here in Cambridge.”

This has been the logo for Sherlock Holmes Weekend from the very start.

On the way home, Janine called Anne Chlovechok, a newspaper reporter, and was telling her about the exciting weekend. “Anne, you should write a play about Sherlock Holmes.”

Anne had never written a play before, so this was a surprise. After careful consideration, the two of them began planning for a January production with help from friends at Cape May.

At that time, St. Benedict was needing a fundraiser to send their junior high students to Washington, D.C. every other year for a field trip. The parents all chipped in to help. Some were actors in the play, others worked on scenery, and several prepared the food for the guests. That first play, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Taylor Tontine,” took place in St. Benedict’s Social Hall in 2010. An enthusiastic group had been organized.

Debbie Robinson and Sister Theresa helped with publicity back in 2009.

Publicity became an important issue and Debbie Robinson from the VCB and Fran Taylor from Main Street were asked to help get the word out. Jonett Haberfield at Taste of Ohio helped by setting up a place to buy tickets on her website. Gift bags were organized. That first year 36 people decided to become sleuths.

This was the cast for the first show in 2010, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Taylor Tontine.”

During the second year of the Sherlock Holmes Weekend, they decided to perform all three acts for the public at CPAC. The venue was switched from St. Benedict to CPAC for the entire weekend in 2019 and in 2020 to Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center, where is it still held today.

Throughout the years, many of the same people have been involved in the production. Of course, Anne Chlovechok and Janine Bock work in some capacity every year, with Anne writing and directing all the shows, and Janine producing. Katrina Mazaher, Jeff Ricketts, and Dick Wayt were also part of all eight shows. Debbie Robinson still does their publicity. Mitch Mazaher was Sherlock Holmes that first year and will be performing that same role this year in “Sherlock Holmes and Problem of the Two-Faced Spector.”

Former Chief of Police Dick Wayt played the role of Watson in eight of the performances.

When Anne was questioned about how she gets the ideas for the plays she writes, she responded, “Often I get an idea during the show when something happens or someone makes a comment. I write lines to fit the person playing the part and always like to add a little humor.”

The Sherlock Holmes Nutcracker was on display from Steubenville Nutcracker Village.

Each year, the game’s afoot when Act I takes place on Friday evening so participants can meet all the characters who will entertain them for the weekend. Guests enjoy mingling and meeting the playwright with heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, coffee, and teas. Cash bar is available. It’s a great time to begin forming theories as they search the Clue Sheet with a map showing the location of all the clues.

Cast views the dead body in the 2017 show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carbuncle.”

Saturday morning brings more drama and a hearty brunch with Act II. In the afternoon, time is spent chasing clues in downtown Cambridge visiting historic Victorian homes, businesses and the Dickens characters themselves. Sleuths may encounter Holmes and Watson on their quest for clues as they enjoy a self-guided tour. Clue Sheets are completed during the tour as each person develops their own theories. The Clue Sheets are turned in for grading before Act III, where the answers to all questions will be revealed.

Mystery is solved! After Act III on Saturday evening enjoy an assortment of desserts, coffee, and teas. One lucky detective will walk away with the grand prize of $250. A prize is awarded for the best Victorian costume and for those who have traveled the farthest. There’s even a prize for “The Clueless Wonder,” who didn’t have many good answers on their Clue Sheet.

Pictured is the cast from the 2023 show, “Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Candy Cane Codicil.”

This year “Sherlock Holmes and the Problem of the Two-Faced Specter” will be presented at Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center on November 7-8 for those striving to be top-notch detectives and solve the mystery of who-dun-it.

Tickets are available for the Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Weekend at VisitGuernseyCounty.com under Events, Sherlock Holmes. Last year nearly 60 people enjoyed the role of detective.

If you want to see the entire play the following weekend, Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15 at 7 pm, or on Sunday, November 16 at 3 pm, call Pritchard-Laughlin Civic Center at 740-439-7009. Tickets will be available at the door.

Mitch Mazaher portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the first presentation and will again take that role this year.

Put on your detective hat to discover why Holmes and Watson have been called from London to Cambridge to find out why the Cambridge Police Chief has been acting very strangely. Bring a friend, a magnifying glass, and a heightened sense of deduction to the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center to uncover the mystery.

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Cambridge, Just for Fun, Ohio

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Village of Byesville Museum

Byesville Museum was originally First National Bank back in 1901. (All photos by Calvin Chester)

Visit the newly renovated Byesville Museum & Welcome Center at 236 Main Street. This facility is located on the corner in the historical First National Bank, which has existed in Byesville since 1901.

Byesville was platted in 1856 and named for Jonathan Bye, who had a mill there. It’s nickname at that time was Bye’s Mill. It became incorporated in 1881. A great deal of history has been accumulated over the years and some of that can be found in the Byesville Museum.

The clock was given by L.D.M. Technologies in 1998.

The museum contains a collection of antique items, photographs, and documents which chronicle the history of the area from the mid 1800s to the present. Learn more about the history of the bank and the surrounding area. You’ll find some surprises.

Mayor Jay Jackson gave us a tour of the museum.

Byesville Mayor Jay Jackson talked about the Byesville Museum and gave a tour of the facility explaining how the museum had been revitalized in the last few years after some extensive water damage. Many items were lost because of the water and they are trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Mayor Jackson stated, “I have a strong belief in history as stories of the past help us understand our heritage. The items contained here are a hidden treasure.” It takes a village to make these things work and the museum has become a place where you can find the history of Byesville and the surrounding area because of everyone working together.

Many volumes of old photos and newspaper items are available.

Learning stories of the region’s past can change the way you think about the present. There is an extensive collection of notebooks filled with old photos and newspaper items that could give hours of enjoyment.

A ticket from the Byesville Scenic Railway reminds people of the local coal heritage.

The museum includes a Resource Center with computers available where you can look for a job, work on a school project, take a class, or learn how to use the computer. Here pictures can be shared about the history of Byesville. They also developed a special slideshow of local veterans.

Veterans are honored with a display as well as medals won.

The back room is now open for displays. A special display there honors the veterans from WWII. A case contains medals that were received as well as a purple heart.

This $10 bill, national currency, has The First National Bank of Byesville printed on it.

The second floor of the museum contains boxes of treasures but there is only so much room for display. If you would like to help with this project or perhaps have something that should be added, become a volunteer so it can be opened on a full-time basis. New ideas are always welcome. If you’re interested in helping out a few hours a week, let Jay Jackson, Village of Byesville Mayor or Michael Port, Byesville Councilman, know by sending them a Facebook message.

Michael Port talks to a group of children from Nurture Daycare, who visited the museum.

Recently, a group of children from Nurture Daycare visited the museum with their teachers to learn more about how Byesville began and how it is growing today. They shared photos of Byesville’s past with them on the large computer screens, handed out two coloring pages for them to do, and showed them around the museum. These children are the future volunteers who will keep Byesville a place sharing its history. If you would like to bring a group for a visit/tour, let Mayor Jackson know so they can get you scheduled.

This old picture shows Byesville Enterprise, the local newspaper office.

The museum, operated by Byesville Historical Society, is open May through September on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11-2. It’s best to call ahead at 740-260-3088 to confirm they are open as hours of operation vary based upon volunteer availability. Check out their Facebook page listed under Byesville Museum.

Interurban tracks ran down Depot St. (now 2nd Street) in downtown Byesville.

If you are from the area, the museum is certain to bring back many memories. Having spent much of my childhood in Byesville, there are many great memories from times when we walked from The Bottom, where my grandpa had Veselenak’s Grocery. We headed downtown to Luna Theater to watch a movie, got a snack at City Restaurant, and picked up a coloring book at Jack’s Five and Dime. Perhaps you have some favorite memories of Byesville, too.

A painting of life in Byesville in 1882 hangs in the museum.

Today, Byesville is growing with many new businesses opening there. A new Patriot Park will highlight the corner of Main and 2nd Street. It will feature picnic tables, benches, new sidewalks, a gazebo, mural, a fountain, and a stage. Ideas are being discussed for possibilities to use the old Main Street School for new purposes. History continues to be made as each year passes.

This mural has recently been added to Patriot Park by artist Dean Davis.

The history of a town teaches lessons that need to be learned as our roots never change. Explore Byesville Museum when you get a chance and perhaps find a connection to your roots.

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History, Museums, Ohio, Uncategorized

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Library Book Clubs for Everyone

It’s always a good day to read a book.

Cody Addy, Executive Director,  Janet Tedrow, and Brei Fechuch welcome people to the Newcomerstown Public Library at the large stack of books outside.

Almost every library has a book club where readers all read the same book each month, then meet to share their interpretations and opinions. This is an enjoyable activity and gives purpose to reading. Cody Addy, Executive Director of the Newcomerstown Public Library, has several book clubs organized in their library for groups of all ages.

A table just inside the lobby reminds readers of the monthly adult book club selection.

Some book clubs are very specific like the one in Newcomerstown, where they have the Cookbook Club. While the club had a break in activity, it returned in 2025. This Cookbook Club is basically a book club for the ladies who love to try new recipes, socialize, and have good dishes to sample. This is an adult club for those 18 years and older and meets in the Library Annex from 4-5 on the third Wednesday of the month. It is led by Brei Fechuch, Public Services Manager.

The Library Annex served as the Newcomerstown Library beginning in 1961.

Each date has a theme where participants choose recipes from the given theme and share their experience. Participants need to bring a prepared dish and the recipe to the meeting. They have simple themes, such as “Southern Cooking,” where the idea was to make a dish that originates from the south to more challenging themes such as our “Red, White, and Blue” in July.

In August, their theme was “A Taste of Your Name,” where attendees prepared a dish that starts with the first letter of their first name. Participants have so much fun with this program that they have asked to do it weekly! Stop by the library and register for these interesting and tasty meetings filled with bunches of goodies.

Janet Brown conducted a workshop making Fire Cider.

Sometimes, the group has a special speaker or workshop that will give them ideas on subjects related to food and herbs. One meeting each person in the group made their own Fire Cider, a natural remedy for colds. Another workshop was Eating the Mediterranean Way.

They also have a Teen Recipe Club (Grades 6-12), which meets after school at 4:00 on Wednesday. Brie and Kalli Fox work together on this program. The initial idea for this club was to teach teens a skill that they could utilize throughout their life. They learn about and prepare new recipes, then sample their creations. Here the library provides all the ingredients and each teen makes their own dishes following the given recipe. They use a microwave or air fryer to prepare their dishes.

It’s a chance to learn how to prepare simple snacks at home or prepare something when parents happen to be away or busy. Even though the recipes are simple, Library Director Cody Addy feels that it leads the teens to more responsibility, self-reliance, and ultimately helps support their growth into adulthood.

In the past, they have also held a Gardening Club, where the kids and teens learn how to garden from seed to harvest, utilizing a garden at the library. Once harvested, the kids got to take the food home to their families. Teaching the children and teens new skills brings joy to the staff.

Brei Fechuch and Janet Tedrow make plans for their next book club.

Book Clubs are also held at the Junior and Senior High Schools. They choose a book, read a certain portion of the book for the following meeting, and then discuss the plot, characters, and sometimes play games relating to the story.

There is also a program, Library Club, at the West School involving their L.E.A.D. Afterschool Program. At this club, they read a book together and follow it up with a craft that reinforces what they have read in the book.

Their Adult Book Club has a comfortable setting to discuss their most recent book.

Of course, they also have a regular Book Club being led by Janet Tedrow, Public Relations and Program Manager, which meets from 1-2 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The monthly book can be found on a table in the lobby, where you can check out the book or an audio version if you prefer.

For questions on any of these book clubs, call Janet or Brei at 740-498-8228. You can register in person or over the phone.

The present Newcomerstown Public Library is celebrating 25 years of service.

There’s a book related club for everyone here at the Newcomerstown Public Library. Check out the library in your area to find out all the wonderful possibilities they hold within their walls. If you like books, you’re sure to find something that will brighten your life.

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Authors, Ohio, Organizations, Uncategorized

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The Many Talents of Manny Theodosopoulos

Manny tells about his first pipe sign for Theo’s.

The influence of parents makes a big difference in our lives. Manny Theodosopoulos is a perfect example of that. He’s a man of many talents that were developed through the examples of his parents.

As a youngster, he liked to hang out in the workshop of his dad, who was a chemical engineer before leaving the corporate world to buy Coney Island. In his dad’s workshop, Manny enjoyed building things. The first thing he remembers building by himself from wood was the stand for a telescope, which he had received as a gift. This was a time when he also enjoyed sketching and drawing comics.

Their entrance sign was highlighted with a piece of their famous fresh peach pie.

At the same time, Manny worked at Coney Island with his parents. His first job there in second grade was bagging french fries for $.50 an hour. Today that popular Coney Island is now called Theo’s, one of the favorite dining places in the area. In fact, Manny says, “I’ve been working here for 50 years. Everyone in the family is a good cook but Dad was the best cook of all.” His sister went to culinary school in Paris and works at an upscale restaurant in Phoenix. His brothers Steve and Alex have popular local restaurants, Theo’s and The Forum.

Another clever Theo’s sign is decorated for Christmas each year.

After graduating from Cambridge High School, Manny went to Miami University where he majored in accounting and finance. His dad told him, “If you want to run a business, you have to know the numbers.” For over eight years, Manny was the owner/operator of Becky Thatcher Restaurant in Marietta.

He recently constructed a bookcase for his vast collection of books.

He recalls making cabinets, tables, and shelves over the years. For Manny, building these things is “fun” and relaxing. The things he builds are usually for himself or gifts for friends.

His bookcase has a top shelf of pipe figures – a man, woman, and a dog.

At home, Manny has constructed a large bookshelf that contains over 1,000 volumes of books he has collected, many of them concerning art but he also likes great literature. The bookcase is made from pipes and the top shelf contains a man, woman, and dog all formed from pipes.

His county maps are taking the shape of the state of Ohio on his wall at home.

Traveling the back roads of Ohio is something he enjoys for relaxation. No GPS for Manny! He likes the county maps that have all the backroads on them. These he places on a wall in his living room, which is beginning to look like an outline of the state of Ohio.

Cashew peanut butter is one of the culinary delights Manny creates at home.

It’s only natural that he also enjoys cooking but he doesn’t do much of that at Theo’s, where he is general manager. At home he likes to create special items. Often he bakes cakes and cookies but recently he has been experimenting with different twists on peanut butter making cashew butter and almond butter, for example.

This lamp made of cans and pipe has a unique on/off switch

Always active in the community, Manny made a unique lamp using his ironwork for the Living Word auction one year. The lights were made from Cambridge Dairy bottles and the switch was an old water knob. He also has “fun” making lamps with a liquor bottle for their base and perhaps a cheese grater attached.

Photos of Cambridge are placed on canvas and can be seen around the restaurant.

Today several of his artistic touches can be seen on the walls at Theo’s, the former Coney Island. Some of the signs are ‘ironwork’ with twisted pipes and connections. Since another hobby of his is photography, there are also local photos he has taken and placed on canvas. Manny returned to the family business in 2005 and as the general manager of Theo’s, he always greets customers with a friendly word.

Manny’s Wine sign highlights one wall at Theo’s. Look for it on your next visit.

Manny takes pride in his ironwork and his restaurant work. He likes for everyone to work together to do the best job possible while sharing in the credit. “People will exceed expectations given the proper tools and training.”

Next time you stop in Theo’s for a delicious meal, look carefully at the walls to see what Manny has created. He’s likely to stop by your table and say “Hi.” Save room for a piece of their famous pie or delicious cheesecake.

Visit Theo’s Restaurant in downtown Cambridge, Ohio at 632 Wheeling Avenue. The restaurant began in 1931 as Coney Island and still carries on the tradition of homecooked meals at a fair price and friendly service. Always save room for dessert as their pies are a specialty. Be sure to check out the walls for Manny’s many artistic displays.

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Art, Cambridge, 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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Relax in the Beauty of Mission Oaks Garden

Welcome to Mission Oaks Garden.

Stroll through the beautiful Mission Oaks Gardens located in a residential area of Zanesville, Ohio at 424 Hunter Avenue – not far from Maple Avenue. Relax with Mother Nature in over seven acres of gardens.

The mission style house was built in 1925.

The peaceful setting acquired its name because the home had the appearance of a mission-house with mature white oaks in the ravine behind the house. According to legend, the house was built back in 1925 by a local businessman for a special lady, who was a party dress designer in the roaring twenties. Today the name, Mission Oaks, acquires a double meaning as they definitely have a mission: to provide and protect a little piece of nature for all to enjoy.

Take a leisurely walk through their gardens.

The garden’s history began in the late 1980s when Bert and Susan Hendley purchased the property. After a vacation in London in 1990 where they visited the Chelsea Flower Show, Susan suggested to Bert that it would be nice to have a beautiful garden at their new home, Bert followed through on that suggestion when they returned home. They restored the mission style house, surrounded it with beautiful plants, and developed gardens in a ravine below the home.

Forsythia and Redbuds welcome spring to the gardens.

Today, the Muskingum Valley Park District Headquarters Office is located on this property, where they showcase hundreds of rare and unusual plants including azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, and conifers. There are also two man-made waterfalls, a pond, a wetland bog, perennial garden, gazebo, and a creek bed.

A gazebo makes the perfect place to sit and relax surrounded by the sights and smells of the garden.

A gazebo is the perfect place to sit in the midst of the Perennial Garden and enjoy the blooms of the season. New blossoms open every week. You’ll find yourself encased in the smells of hyacinths and peonies or in the fall, chrysanthemums and sunflowers.

Get lost in nature as you walk through The Woodlands.

After you have had a leisurely walk in the upper gardens, it’s time to explore the rest of the acreage. Head down a steep flight of stairs or drive around to the rear entrance which is marked with stone pillars. It’s surprising to find all this beautiful nature in the middle of Zanesville.

This beautiful waterfall adds serenity to the lower level of the garden.

Once you enter the forested area, there are two pathways to choose. One leads to the Woodland Garden. Here you will find two small waterfalls, which flow over rocky hillsides into a small pond with elegant water lilies and lotuses blooming along the water’s edge. Comfortable wooden benches provide a great spot to relax while soaking up the ambiance of the scenic view.

Their Conifer Grove is one of the largest in Ohio.

The second path heads to the Conifer Garden. Their conifer garden is a highlight covering nearly two acres and displaying over 300 trees, many of them are not native to North America. It is one of the most renowned conifer gardens in the state. There are over 90 species present.

Olga’s Children’s Garden contains a Discovery Shed.

Mission Oaks Gardens has included many places that children will enjoy. Olga’s Children’s Garden is a fenced in area where they can explore nature in a Sensory Garden and enjoy a sandbox with a potting bench. Their Discovery Shed holds information about native flora and fauna.

The Enchanted Fairy Garden comes alive in May.

While the Enchanted Fairy Garden is open all year, it comes alive early in May when they celebrate National Public Gardens Day. Fairies and gnomes make their appearance in the garden from May through August. Then it is said that they spend the rest of the year in the warmth of Florida sunshine.

This stone pathway is always lined with flowers of the season.

Take a walk on paths that meander through the gardens and landscape. Explore on gravel, grassed, mulched, and brick walking paths as you enjoy being surrounded by the sights and smells of nature. From springtime until fall, you’ll feel a closeness to Mother Nature with the flowers of the season…from tulips to mums.

Enjoy everything from waterfalls to conifer forest at no cost to you or your friends. While it is free to explore, they do rely on donations to maintain its beauty. You are welcome on the grounds seven days a week from dawn to dusk to explore seven acres of nature right in the middle of a residential section of Zanesville. You will be surprised and pleased at the beauty present.

These redbuds were found just outside the MVPD office.

For more information and pictures, visit them on Facebook at Muskingum Valley Park District – Mission Oaks Gardens or on the website www.mvparkdistrict.org under Gardens.

Mission Oaks Gardens provides the perfect place to avoid the maddening crowds, relax in meditation, take a walk with Mother Nature, or just run away from home for the day. Many find it the perfect place for wedding or prom pictures.

Visit this hidden gem any time of the year!

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Gardens, Nature, Ohio, Uncategorized, Zanesville

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