Places to go and things to see by Gypsy Bev

Posts tagged ‘Guernsey County Fair’

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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Baranich, Gable & Lee – The Pickin’ Preachers

Join three preachers with harmonizing voices while playing awesome guitars and you have excellent entertainment. Not only are Baranich, Gable & Lee talented musicians but they know how to connect with the crowd.

Kirk Gable brought the group together just two years ago and they have quickly become popular throughout the area. Kirk had been a songwriter and performed with several different bands – most of them rock and roll. However, when he received a calling to Christianity, he decided to gather a group that would play old country songs with a positive touch as well as gospel.

The group meets weekly to practice together to reach that special sound.

Kirk said, “I went looking for the best singers I knew.” He was acquainted with the Legendary Jim Lee, who was well known for his voice and played bass guitar…a sound Kirk needed. Next, he contacted Perry Baranich, a friend he had played with in previous bands as a great lead guitar.

When playing with other bands during the time of StarQuest at Capitol City Music Hall in Wheeling, each of them was a member of a band that ended up being a finalist. Perry smiled as he remembered that their band was beaten out by a young singer, Brad Paisley.

All these guys had been playing music since they were youngsters and all have learned on their own. However, it was still a surprise how easily they were able to play together with a great blend of sound. Their first performance was for the Golden Sixties at Byesville.

It just so happens that all three of these musicians are also pastors of area churches. While their churches remain the main part of their ministry, their musical performances have become an added element.

Kirk Gable

Kirk Gable, a carpenter by trade, played in a rock band with Perry until he was saved. At that time, he began playing gospel music and would fill in as an interim pastor at times.

The Gable family gathers for their traditional Christmas Eve service at Southern Hills Baptist Church.

One night after church, he heard a voice telling him, “Whatever someone asks you to do tonight, that’s what God wants you to do.” He received a phone call that evening from a group of people who needed a pastor, so he had to say yes. Today Kirk remains with that same group at the Southern Hills Baptist Fellowship in Cambridge.

Jim Lee

Jim Lee started playing guitar when he was eight years old. When he was a freshman in college he began preaching at three churches every Sunday with another pastor taking three more in that circuit.

Jim speaks and sings at his local church service.

The minister asked Jim, “Did you ever think of using music as part of your ministry?” That combination works very well for him. Today Jim is pastor of East Nemishillen Church of the Brethren in Canton.

Perry Baranich

Perry Baranich has led a varied life as began working in the coal mines in his younger days, and later enjoyed being a voice on AVC for many years. During this time, he also sang at various places.

Perry Baranich giving a sermon from home on a snowy morning.

One night on their way home, he told his wife Jodi, “I feel that God is calling me to do something else.” When he got home there was a message on their answering machine asking him if he would be interested in being pastor at Birds Run Community Church. A quick answer! Since then, in 2014, he moved to his current church, Salesville Church of Faith.

Individual musical practice at home happens every day but they meet once a week to play together and often try out some new ideas. It is something they do strictly for fun. While they try to be mistake-free, they aren’t worried about making a perfect impression.

Their wives Jodi, Cindy, and Michelle are their biggest fans wearing their new tee shirts.

Their fans enjoy not only the familiar songs but the wonderful sense of humor shared by the three pastors. You can tell they are real friends by the looks they exchange and the comments they make while performing. They are making good use of the talents they were blessed with. When asked what their favorite songs were, they said they only sing songs that are their favorites. “Peace in the Valley”, “Grandpa”, and “Make the World Go Away” are a few of the crowd favorites.

Guernsey County Senior Center enjoyed an evening of their familiar songs.

They have become quite popular in the area and had concerts at the Cambridge City Park Pavilion, Guernsey County Fair, Living Free at Pritchard Laughlin, and Ohio Hills Folk Festival. They have also appeared at Epworth Park, Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, and at many churches throughout the state.

The Pickin’ Preachers gave a patriotic salute at the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.

If you would like to have them play for your church or organization, please contact them through Kirk Gable at 740-680-0621 or message them on their Facebook page. They enjoy playing for wedding anniversaries, corporate meetings, or wherever they can. They just enjoy music and like to encourage people through their songs.

Since the group plays well-known country and gospel songs, quite often you’ll hear the audience sing along. After a concert, people leave with a smile on their face as they feel uplifted by the positive sounds of Baranich, Gable, and Lee – affectionately called The Pickin’ Preachers.

Category:

Festivals, Music, Ohio, Uncategorized

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